Thirty-Two
THIRTY-TWO
MALIK
I peel out of the parking lot of Truth and Dare after dropping D at his car and speed off.
I’m fucking fuming. I’ve had enough of that asshole, Wesley Collier, and his insistence on pushing himself on Soleil. I wanted to punch a hole in the wall when she told me what happened, even though she played it off like it wasn’t a big deal.
Danté told me he thinks this guy is going to be a problem for me at school and with Soleil. I want to hunt him down, take him in a back alley, and beat the shit out of him. I know that isn’t the answer and I would one hundred percent lose my job, but it doesn’t make me want to destroy him any less. I just don’t know how.
I pull up to a red light and pull out my phone.
Me: Are you okay baby? Is Dahlia still asleep.
I left Soleil at home with Kyle and a sleeping Dahlia. I hadn’t planned on leaving her, but she told me not to worry about going back after dropping off Danté. She said Kyle was going to stay the night and she would call me in the morning.
I did not like that idea, but I didn’t want to make Kyle uncomfortable and she had already reminded me that it was a girls night, no dicks allowed. With a hard kiss and a sigh, I left her there.
SunnyGirl: I’m good. I had a hot shower, Kyle made us a cup of tea, and now we’re going to bed. Dahlia is still sawing wood. Thank you so much for tonight. And please thank Danté, again. I know nothing bad happened, but Wesley just creeps me out.
Me: The bad thing is that guy not taking no for an answer and always seems to pop up where you are. I don’t have a good feeling about him and I wish you would just stay with me for a few days.
SunnyGirl: Don’t be silly. I’m fine. Just get home and rest. Are you still coming over for dinner tomorrow?
Me: Wouldn’t miss it for the world. G’night, doll face.
SunnyGirl: Goodnight, handsome.
The light turns green and instead of turning right, I go straight.
One-oh-one. The lights have been off for over an hour, and it’s so late that they’re bound to be fast asleep by now. I can’t imagine they’d be up talking and laughing.
I start up my truck and throw it in reverse, slowly moving it out of direct eyesight of Soleil’s house. I slip off my shoes, setting them on the passenger seat, and reach into my glove compartment, grabbing my black gloves and slipping them on. I’ve already got on my usual black on black on black, and the gloves will hide my hands away.
I step up to the dark porch and dig into the flower pot, pulling out the painted rock and removing the key. She has yet to get an alarm –which I plan to fix– so I’m able to slip in without making any noise.
My socked feet make no sound and I walk down the hall without so much as a squeak. Her door is open, as always, and I step inside. Soleil has a fear of not being able to hear Dahlia if she needs something in the middle of the night, so she never closes her door despite Dahlia’s door being closed.
I stand, pressed against the wall, for a few minutes, just watching her sleep. She looks so comfortable wrapped up in her blankets, warm and cozy. Her chest rises and falls with each breath, slumbering in a deep sleep.
When I’m sure she won’t wake, I slink up to her bed and lean over her. My hands ghost over her body, from her neck to her toes and back up again. I’ve held her in my arms so many times that I have every curve memorized so even though my hands don’t touch her, I can still feel her smooth skin.
I know what these sheets feel like on my naked body, and I can still smell the hints of her fabric softener and perfume on the pillow. Her hair is freshly washed so I hunch down and breathe her in. It will be just enough to carry me on until tomorrow when I can hold her in my arms again.
“I love you, my Sunny girl,” I whisper and straighten my spine.
I take a step back but underestimate my proximity to her nightstand and bump it, causing the items to rattle. I hold my breath and freeze but she’s startled awake. Her eyes pop open but they’re unfocused and adjusting to the dark.
I take the moment to flee, running as fast as I can. I fumble with the doorknob, my hand suddenly weak and clumsy, and I can hear a scream. I get it open just in time to jump out and shut it behind me before I can be discovered. I tried to close it quietly, but it’s possible she heard.
I run faster than when D, Henny and I almost got caught stealing from the convenience store. The difference is this time I can get in my truck and drive away. I start it up and shift into reverse instead of drive, and slam the gas. I don’t want to take the chance of driving past and she recognizes me.
When I get to the stop sign, I jerk the wheel to the right and kick it into drive, tearing off into the night and quickly. Fear and guilt begin to settle in my stomach and it doesn’t feel good. I only wanted to make sure she was safe. I didn’t mean to scare her.
My phone rings after a few minutes of driving and Soleil’s name glows on the screen of my truck. I can’t answer while I’m in my truck or while I’m so worked up. I know I’m close to the garage, so I pull and regulate my breathing.
Dialing her back, I shake my head and clear my throat.
“Malik,” her voice is panic stricken and I feel utterly sick.
“Soleil. What’s wrong baby?”
“I-I think someone was in my house.” The way her voice quivers, I can tell she’s moments away from crying.
“What? Are you sure?”
“Ye-yes. I heard my-my front door shut and I swear, I felt someone in my bedroom while I was sleeping. Can you…” Her breathing speeds up and I can hear when she breaks down.
“Malik,” Kyle’s voice cuts in. “Can you come over here? I’m going to call the police but she wanted to call you first.”
“No,” I blurt, then cool my tone. “I’ll be right there. Don’t call the police just yet. Let me get there and talk to her to make sure it wasn’t a bad dream. Maybe she’s still worked up from Wesley.”
“Don’t you think we should get the police involved?”
“Is Dahlia awake?” I ask.
“Yes. We both woke up when she screamed.”
“Then don’t you think the cops will make Dahlia more scared? She was woken in the middle of the night by a scream and cops in her house would only make her more frightened. Just wait until I get there and then we’ll figure it out.”
“Ok, but–” I don’t wait for her to finish her sentence before hanging up.
I jump out of the truck and run into the garage, knowing Henny has t-shirts in his office. I don’t want to show up wearing the same outfit as when I left her house hours ago.
I find a Dare Garage t-shirt and throw it on. I grab a baseball hat and rip a hoodie from the hanger. While I’m grabbing a new wardrobe, a text dings.
Henny: Someone’s at the shop.
Me: It’s me. Don’t worry. I’ll explain later but all is good.
Henny: Okay. Don’t forget to set the alarm
Me:
With my key fob in my hand, I set the alarm, lock the door, and I’m back in my truck in minutes. I turn down Soleil’s street when I remember a pair of sneakers in the back that I threw in there the other day when I went to the park afterschool with Dahlia.
I pull over and switch my shoes out, then race off to her house, pulling up with a screech. I knock on the door and call out, “It’s me,” and wait for them to answer.
Soleil opens and jumps into my arms, much like her daughter does. I squeeze her tight as she wraps herself around me, and walk back into the house.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I kiss her head and smooth circles over her back.
I feel like such an ass, knowing I’ve caused her this worry. I’m the one who has made her cry when all I ever want to do is make her happy. I sit on the couch with her still circled around me, and open my arm for Dahlia who watches from where she stands next to Kyle.
Dahlia hugs both of us, rubbing her mom’s back just as I do.
“I have bad dreams too, mommy. But Malik will make sure they all go away.” I kiss her forehead and she beams.
“Tell me what happened,” I whisper in Soleil’s ear.
“I was just sleeping when I felt like someone was there. I thought it was just my dream but then something made a noise and I swear Malik, I swear I heard the door close.”
Her breathing is panicked and I take her face in my hand. “Okay. Breathe for me. Do you think maybe you might be a little worked up from the bar? First Wesley shows up at your house and then at the bar. He’s always in your face at school and he texts constantly. Maybe it’s all gotten to you. It could’ve been the wind and your mind just ran with it.”
“I don’t know. It felt like someone was here.” Her eyes are filled with tears and her lip quivers.
I look at Kyle and ask, “Did you hear anything?”
“No,” she says, shaking her head and looking quite frightened herself. “All I heard was Sunny scream, and I jumped out of bed and went straight to her room. Dahlia came in shortly after.”
“Did you check the door?” I continue to hold Dahlia at my side and Soleil’s head rests on my shoulder.
“Yes and the top lock wasn’t engaged. But it’s possible we didn’t lock it,” Kyle explains.
“I’m sure I did,” Soleil adds. I look deep into her eyes watching the worry swirl. “I guess it’s possible I didn’t. I was a little distracted.”
By that she means the toe curling kiss I gave her on the porch before leaving. It’s just enough room for me to work in the doubt.
“Did you look to see if anything was missing?”
“Me and Auntie Kyle looked aaalll over and all our stuff is still here,” Dahlia answers.
“Good job, cutie. Would you ladies like me to stay here for the night?”
Soleil nods her head as tears fall over her lids, Dahlia shouts yes and pops up on her knees, and Kyle says, “I’m going back to bed. See you in the morning.”
She begins to walk down the hallway when I hear her call out, “I’ll take one of those yummy omelets and I like my coffee black.”
I guess that was meant for me.
I lay Soleil in bed and tell Dahlia I’ll walk her back to hers, but she hits me with something I can’t possibly no to.
“Can I sleep with you and Mommy? I’m a little scared now.” Her big brown eyes look up at me as she squeezes my hand.
I squat down to be eye level with her, something that I know makes kids feel more at ease, and ask, “Will you go straight to sleep so that mommy can rest?” She nods and I scoop her up. “Okay, my sweet girl. Let’s have a sleepover.”
I help her into bed, laying her in the middle, and snuggle up on the other side. I reach over and caress Soleil’s face with the back of my hand and go to pull away, but she grabs it. Her head turns and her eyes find mine in the dark. I lace our fingers together and stretch across Dahlia. They both turn on their side and I become the big spoon for both of my girls.
Dahlia snores, rolls end over end, smacks in the face, knees me in the nuts, and headbutts me all while she sleeps. But to be here with them, knowing they’re mine, I sleep better than ever.