Chapter 13 Ghana
I stood inside the hangar, watching as the rented Maybach pulled into the lot. I was never one to be nervous about anything, aside from bringing life into this world, but Ros made me feel that way.
I knew it was my mind trying to play tricks on me, making me believe whatever I felt for her wasn’t real. That maybe I was doing too much too soon, and she would eventually stop fucking with me.
It was a possibility, one I pushed to the back of my mind as soon as she stepped out of the back of the luxury car.
The long, red gown that fit her like a glove, flowed delicately down her legs, and had a slit that went up to her thick thigh.
Instead of her hair being in her usual bushel of honey-blonde curls, it lay straight and softly down her back.
The Harry Winston diamond necklace and bracelet I copped for her to go along with her outfit made her shine even more than she already did.
If there was a question of my heart, shorty already had that shit.
There was no other way to describe this feeling of longing for someone I barely knew. I tried to stop myself from claiming her too soon because I didn’t want her to think I was crazy, but it was too fucking late.
I was enamored by her.
“Sir, you are going to have to explain what you do for a living because this is too much,” she said, smiling brightly once she made it to me.
“I got you, baby. You look beautiful tonight, love.” I kissed her cheek as she hugged me.
“You look handsome yourself. Love how you’re matching my fly.
” She winked and smiled at me. It was a gamble, rocking a red suit, but my tailor got me together.
I paired it with a black button-down, black suede Tom Ford loafers, and a black handkerchief.
I got a fresh cut earlier and only wore my gold Carrera Chronograph Tag Heuer and a single gold chain with the cross charm.
“Thank you, beloved.”
“Okay, now, explain to me why we’re getting on a helicopter. And where is the pilot?”
“We have reservations at an exclusive place. And . . . you’re looking at him.”
“Uh un. No way. Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“Ghana, . . . how long have you been flying?”
“For about twelve years.”
“Stop fibbing, sir.”
“I’m not.”
“Let me see your license.”
I reached inside my pocket, retrieved my license from my wallet, and handed it over to her. Her eyes scanned it, then came to me before she handed the card back.
I chuckled. “You don’t trust me?”
“I do, . . . to an extent, though.”
We both laughed as I took her hand.
“I want you to trust that you’re always safe with me. I’d jump in front of a moving train if it meant that you would live. You got baby girl, and while I know my sister will grieve my absence, she has Ruger to take care of her.”
Her cheeks turned a light shade of red as she pecked my lips. “You’re so sweet. It’s hard to believe anything bad about you.”
“Don’t. I only want to show you the good parts of me.”
She smiled. “Lead the way.”
I took her hand and led her to the helicopter's passenger side. After making sure she was secure, I hurried around and hopped in.
“You ready to be a beautiful bird in the sky?”
She laughed. “I don’t have much of a choice. As long as you’re flying alongside me, I’m ready for anything.”
I winked. “As long as you know. You can talk to me through here.” I grabbed the headset and helped her put it on without disturbing her hair too much.
I put mine on, started the engine, set the controls, made sure everything worked properly, then pulled out of the hangar.
Once we made it out of the hangar, I lifted the Eurocopter off the ground, and I could see her bracing herself.
I smiled and lifted us into the sky. She had her face covered for the ten minutes it took for us to get fully in the air. Since the top was made of glass, we could see everything below.
It was a beautiful sight.
“Open your eyes, beautiful.”
“Oh my God.” She laughed. “I can’t look!”
“You’re missing out on the beauty of our city, baby.”
“Okay, okay, okay. Whew. Okay.”
I laughed and looked over at her peeking through her fingers. I took one of her hands and brought it to my lips. She finally opened her eyes and looked around.
“Oh my God. You were right. It is beautiful.”
“I told you.”
“How did you get a helicopter? Did you rent this?”
“Nah. I guess it’s story time since we got thirty minutes before we get to our destination.”
She giggled. “Yes, distract me.”
“There was an OG by the name of Trent, whom I met one day, hanging out at the park when I was about nineteen. He took a liking to me because I used to help him clean up the park for a few dollars.
“Anyway, he looked out for Kenzi and me when Ashanti split, and I couldn’t find work because of my condition. He had me into a lot of shit to redirect my anger, so he taught me how to fly. He was a pilot at the time, and I can say, aside from meeting you, he was another safe space for me.”
“Aww, is he still around?”
“Nah. Lost Mr. T about four years ago due to natural causes. He and Ms. Betty were like our fairy godparents and shit. We still got Ms. Betty, so I’m grateful for that.”
“I’m guessing Ms. Betty was a close neighbor?”
“Yup. Right next door. She’s the one who kept me on top of my meds, along with Kenzi.”
“I’m so glad you all had someone to look out for you guys.”
“Yeah, but you know a nigga like me always been hardheaded. It wasn’t until I joined the MCR did I learn some discipline. Ruger was another person to save my life on these streets. If it wasn’t for them, I would have been out of here a long time ago.”
She reached over and slid her hand down the back of my head and massaged my neck. “I can see where they taught you well. You’re not a bad guy, Ghana. I want you to know that and believe that.”
“I got you, mamas. I’m just happy you’re allowing me to show you that I can be normal . . . sometimes.” We both laughed.
“And I love that about you.”
I smiled at her. “You ready for the surprise?”
“What surprise?” she asked.
I tilted the plane until it looped. I could hear her screaming and laughing as she covered her face again.
“Oh my God, Ghana! Don’t do that!”
I laughed jovially. “A’ight, I quit.”
“I’m going to fight you!”
“I don’t want no smoke, baby. Just your heart.”
She blushed and looked away.
Yeah, she was definitely my ray of sunshine.
Thirty-two minutes later, we landed safely in Commerce, Michigan.
I helped Autumn out of the helicopter and into our town, where we waited for a car.
I wanted to make this date special because one: I was trying to get her to fall in love with me.
And two: she deserved to be treated like nothing less than a queen.
As I’d stated before, Autumn’s energy and spirit made me feel a comfort I hadn’t felt in a long time.
I didn’t know if it was a good or bad thing, or if I was setting myself up for failure. But I’d rather take a chance and find out if it wasn’t real than to not take the chance and realize it was real all along.
We pulled up to the building fifteen minutes later, and I helped her out of the car. I guided her up the flight of stairs, and the security guard opened the doors for us.
The building was big enough for the vision I had in mind and was coming together perfectly. The high ceiling and walls were painted with photos of Nana Zuri, Kenzi, and me from a photo album I kept stored away when I wanted to see my nana’s face.
It was of a photo of us as kids, when my nana would read to us, that our grandfather had taken off guard. I got in touch with Emery Aldana from Aldana Institute of Creative Arts, and he had some students come out to showcase their talent.
I was pleased to say they perfected every detail of the photos I gave them.
Along the walls were large built-in bookshelves that weren’t all the way stocked yet, since the place was still under maintenance. There was a stage and a lounging area where I would host poetry/spoken-word nights and have book club sessions or book signings for authors in the community.
There would also be a small cafe upstairs that served pastries and coffee.
I watched Autumn’s eyes scan the building with her mouth agape.
“Is this yours?”
I nodded. “It is.”
“Ghana, it’s beautiful!”
“It’s not done yet, but it’s coming along nicely,” I said, looking around the building.
“What are you going to name it?”
“I was going to keep the original name, but I think I want to change it to something else. Not quite sure yet, though.”
“It’s really lovely, Ghana.”
“Thanks. Come on. We’re over here.” I guided her over to the table where there was a candlelit dinner I had delivered from Prime Steakhouse after we got off the helicopter.
I turned on some music and poured some champagne as we dined over lobster, steak, escargot, caviar, and shrimp. We made small talk because we were too busy stuffing our faces, then migrated to the lounging area, where we settled in and talked.
“So, get to talking, sir, before I think you’re selling drugs.”
I chuckled. “I sold a little bit when I was in my twenties, but I didn’t make a career of it. I quickly realized that shit wasn’t for me. Imagine me staying in that shit. The cemetery would hate to see me coming.”
“Oh goodness. Good thing you didn’t.” We laughed.
“But you remember I told you about Mr. Trent?” She nodded.
“He had me investing in small, black-owned businesses. I have investments in a few beauty supply stores, skin care, and wig shops. He also put me in his will since he didn’t have any family of his own.
Also, the Rebels and I are working on a few projects as well, so I have money coming from a lot of different avenues. ”
“I like that. What made you invest in those types of businesses?”
“One thing I know about black women is they love hair, skin care, and wearing wigs. I knew investing in those would be worth it.”
“That’s true. I love that about you.”