I Ain't No 50/50 Type Of Chick

1. Jai Love

CHAPTER ONE

JAI LOVE

“ J ai, you feel so damn good,” my boyfriend Maleek―or Leek as most people called him―said while moaning in my ear. “This dick feels good to you, baby?” he added.

I rolled my eyes in exasperation, wishing he would hurry the fuck up. Thankfully, we were in the missionary position― his favorite―where his head was tucked into my neck, so he couldn’t see my reaction.

“Mm-hmm,” I replied, forcing the words out.

For the past year, Maleek’s dick had been anything but satisfying. I was too afraid to tell him for fear of hurting his feelings, so to make my lie more convincing, each time he’d ask that while we were having sex, I’d say mm-hmm or yes , followed by a soft, involuntary moan, hoping it would mask the truth lurking beneath my facade.

“Shit! I’m ’bout to cum,” he groaned.

Thank God! I silently voiced.

Within the next three strokes, Maleek was pulling out of me. Although I loved him, we’d been together for over ten years, and I saw him as my potential husband, I wasn’t ready for a child, so it was either he pulled out or went without sex.

Actually, the second option didn’t sound so bad, but I knew he’d never go for that.

“Damn, baby, it’s like yo’ pussy just gets better and better each time,” Maleek complimented.

And your dick just seems to get worse, I wanted to say. Instead, I responded with a simpering smile, eased out of bed, and accompanied him to the bathroom.

“On some real shit, though, I’m tired of pulling out of you, Jai. I mean, I know you wanted to wait until you finished school to start talking about babies again, but you’ll be done in two months. So, I think we could at least start working on another one. Even if you were to end up pregnant in the next few weeks, it’s not like you’ll have a big belly walking across the stage.”

I turned on the shower water and then faced him.

“You’re right. I will be done with school in two months, but that doesn’t mean I want to rush into getting pregnant right now. Leek, I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. I’d like to establish myself in my career for at least a solid year before considering maternity leave at a job. Leek, it’s not that I don’t want a baby; it's just that a baby doesn’t fit into either of our hectic schedules right now, and you know that as well as I do.”

Maleek turned to face the mirror.

“With your schedule, it looks like a baby might never fit,” he muttered under his breath, but I caught every word and felt compelled to confront the growing tension between us.

I folded my arms across my chest. “Leek, why are you so eager to have a baby right now? You’ve been on this baby topic for at least the last six months. What’s the urgency? Do you think I’m going to leave you soon or something?”

Maleek’s reaction was immediate. He turned around to face me, his eyes narrowing into a scowl.

“Leave me? Shid, are you planning on it?”

“No! I just don’t understand where all this baby talk has been coming from lately!”

I felt overwhelmed, trying to express my feelings without escalating the situation.

Maleek approached me with a softer demeanor and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into a gentle embrace. The warmth of his touch reminded me of the connection we shared.

“Baby, I don’t know why, but lately, I’ve just been thinking about the baby you lost… we lost. I know you might’ve looked at the baby as a mistake, but I saw it as our blessing.”

Here we go with this.

Three years before, I had a miscarriage—a baby that neither of us planned or needed at the time, but somehow, I ended up pregnant. I was furious at Maleek simply because he couldn’t remember what night he forgot to pull out. Deep down, a part of me believed he intentionally took that risk, though he would never confess to it.

“Leek, it’s not the baby I viewed as a mistake; it was the pregnancy itself,” I explained. “If that pregnancy had been successful, I wouldn’t have had any choice but to deal with the situation. I’m also certain that, over time, I would have formed a bond with our child. But the reality is, we lost the baby just three weeks after finding out, Leek. That brief period wasn’t enough for me to adjust or connect. Honestly, I was still processing how I ended up pregnant in the first place.”

“Yet, somehow, I have the feeling that you're relieved it didn’t work out,” he grumbled, withdrawing from me.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at how childish he was acting in that moment.

“You know what… I’m not about to do this with you this morning.”

The conversation about having a child was becoming increasingly exhausting for me. I had always dreamed of being a parent; my love for children was undeniable. However, at that moment in my life, the thought of balancing my studies alongside the responsibilities of raising a child felt overwhelming. Maleek, on the other hand, seemed unable to grasp where I was coming from, which only served to heighten my frustration. He didn’t understand the physical and emotional toll that pregnancy would take on me. It wasn't just about the changes in my body—a growing belly, mood swings, and cravings—but also the significant disruption to my work and educational commitments. All those burdens would rest squarely on my shoulders while he remained focused on the dream of starting a family without recognizing the reality of my situation.

I knew that someday I would cherish the experience of becoming a mother, but I firmly believed that point in my life wasn’t the right time. To prevent yet another argument over the same issue, I turned around and prepared to get in the shower, but once again, Maleek stopped me.

“Before you get in there, I need to holla at you about some serious shit, though,” he said, his tone more serious than usual. “So, cut the water off for a minute.”

That was classic Maleek—always watching the utility bills and pinching pennies when it came to water and electricity. He displayed an almost obsessive dedication to saving water and the usage of electricity, using only the bare minimum for daily tasks and frequently reminding me to do the same.

“Can it wait until I get out of the shower?” I asked, a bit irritated. The water from the shower was already steaming up the bathroom, creating a sense of urgency for me to get in.

“It probably could, but honestly, this is a conversation I can’t keep postponing,” he insisted, his expression serious and his eyes focused on me.

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Okay, but please make it quick. I really need to get ready to head out.” I reluctantly turned off the shower and then gave him my undivided attention.

“Aight, so, damn.” Maleek paused for a moment, running his hand over the top of his head, a sign of his nervousness. “Well, I don’t really know how to say this,” he began again, scratching the back of his head as if searching for the right words.

“Say what?” I prompted, my frustration starting to boil. When people stall and say things like that, it’s usually some bullshit to follow.

“Jai, I hate to ask you to do this because I know I told you that I’d always provide for you while you’re in school, but you might have to get a job.”

I reared my head back in astonishment.

“A job? As in me working while I’m in school still?” I scoffed, feeling a mix of anger and confusion.

“Yeah, but it’s just an option right now if shit don’t start to look up.”

“What do you mean if shit don’t start to look up? What’s going on, Leek?”

“The streets just dry right now! Niggas are broke these days, which means I ain’t bringing in that much money like I was earlier this year, or hell, years before!”

I chuckled, but it damn sure wasn’t out of humor. “And you’re just now mentioning this to me? And if I’m hearing you correctly, you’re basically saying that you went from making over fifty thousand a month to bringing home what now?” I was curious to know.

“Shit, not even half of that.”

“Are you serious right now, Leek?! So, we're on the verge of being broke? Is that what you’re getting at?”

“I didn’t say all that, but the money is definitely running low,” he explained, avoiding eye contact as he spoke.

I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. “Low like, we’ll be facing homelessness within the next three months if I don’t find a job soon to help with the bills? Or...”

“Maybe…” I voiced in a low and sheepish tone.

“Leek, what the fuck?!” I shrilled in anger at the thought of our precarious situation.

"Calm down, Jai! I promise I’m going to do everything and anything to make sure that shit never happens, though."

“Wow! Just wow! I damn sure wish you would've brought this conversation up sooner.”

“Jai, I ain’t saying you need a job by tomorrow, but damn, would it really hurt you to get a job and help a nigga out?”

“Leek, don't do that! I can't even believe you would say something like that or look at me in that way! I've always appreciated everything you've done for me over the past few years, and I remember clearly telling you that once I was able to jump-start my career, I would be more than happy to help around here in any way I could! However, the timing of your request for me to get a job is concerning, especially since you know just how much of my time and energy I have to dedicate to my studies and my fellowship! Leek, the way you’re talking, it seems like you’ve been aware of this financial issue for a while! If so, I find that to be a bit selfish, being that you would drop this kind of news on me at the spur of the moment when things haven't gotten really bad, I’m assuming! Again, if that is to be true, you should’ve been said something! Leek, we could have started figuring things out together before it got this urgent!

“Becoming aware of this now has put me in a tough position where I must choose between two conflicting paths: one where I stretch myself thin, attempting to juggle a job along with my academic obligations, and another where I remain fully committed to my education while letting you handle this situation on your own. Leek, I’ma just be honest; I really can’t see myself managing both effectively at this point in my life. As I’ve made clear, I don't need anything distracting me from my education, and a job would definitely do that. I have invested so much time and effort into getting this far, and I’m not about to throw it all away! I’m also not willing to sacrifice the little time that I do have to myself for a job that may not even align with my future goals!” I concluded.

To each their own, but I always held the belief to never go 50/50 with a man on anything, and it wasn’t because I was ‘bougie’; I just felt that a man should always be the sole provider for his household. That perspective likely stemmed from my upbringing. For most of my childhood and well into my adult years, I was raised by my grandparents. My grandfather was the primary breadwinner of the family, and he took great pride in providing for my grandmother. Even though she worked a part-time job, he made sure that none of her money ever went toward a bill or anything pertaining to the household. Times are different, yes, but I suppose witnessing their relationship played a significant role in shaping my views on financial responsibilities in relationships.

Be that as it may, over the course of the four years that Maleek and I lived together, he did so much for me in countless ways. Maleek not only paid for my education but also made sure I was always taken care of, ensuring that I had everything I needed to succeed and thrive. He was one of my biggest supporters. In many ways, he created a foundation for me to grow on. With all that Maleek had done, after I graduated, I felt the need to show my appreciation. I told him that I would take over the household bills for a couple of months as a way to return the favor and lighten his load.

Despite wanting to step up, I hesitated to jump on the “getting a job” bandwagon right away. There was a nagging feeling inside me that suggested there were deeper issues at play—things that Maleek hadn’t fully disclosed to me, and that uncertainty kept me from making any rushed decisions about my next steps.

“Listen, Jai, I understand why you’re probably upset right now. I get it. I made a promise to you about making sure you’d always be good, and I intend to keep that promise. So, maybe you don’t have to get a job. That was just one option.”

“Okay, what are the others?” I eagerly asked.

“So, hear me out. Maybe you can sell your car. I mean, we got another one.”

I reared my head back and laughed loudly.

“Sell my car… as in my dream car that you gifted me for my birthday a year ago?! Hell no, Leek! Have you lost your mind?! Yeah, you’ve clearly lost your damn mind! And we don’t have another car; you do! So how about you sell your car?”

“Come on now, Jai! Selling my car would be a red flag to niggas that we’re doing bad!”

“Well, based on what you’re saying, that wouldn’t be a lie! And what… me selling mine wouldn’t?!” I countered.

“It just wouldn’t be looked upon the same if you did it, bae. I hang around a lot of niggas, so they notice the smallest shit. The only people you really chill with are Cali and Kelsie, but more so Cali, and I’m sure if you explained the situation to her that she―”

“ Wouldn’t agree with you!” I finished.

Kelsie was my best friend who lived in a different state, so our visits were few and far between. Despite the distance, we maintained a strong bond through regular phone calls, sharing our lives, and supporting each other from afar. On the other hand, Cali was my cousin, who felt more like a sister to me. We shared countless memories, making our relationship incredibly close. Unlike Kelsie, though, Cali had a love-hate relationship with Maleek. While she recognized and appreciated all he'd done for me, her instinct told her to be wary of him, so she didn’t trust him for shit.

“So, what other brilliant options did you come up with, because surely those weren’t your only two?” I quickly asked, dismissing the option of my car being sold.

Maleek blew out a breath of frustration. “There is one more. I was thinking that maybe you could go and apply for a loan.”

“You! You! You! You meaning me ! That’s all I’m hearing, Leek! But a loan? Damn, how bad are we really doing, Leek?!”

“Jai, just hear me out! You got good ass credit, so I’m sure you’ll get approved with no problem!”

I chuckled at Maleek's ignorance and proceeded to clarify a few points about my credit score and educate him on the realities of the loan process.

“Leek, the only reason I have good credit is due to my credit cards, which you’ve supposedly been managing and paying off for me. Given that you’re now claiming we’re facing money problems, I think it’s time I took a closer look at those accounts. As far as the loan goes, for me to qualify for any kind of loan, I would need two crucial things: a steady income and some form of collateral. Unfortunately, for the past four years, I’ve been relying on your income, and I don’t possess anything in my name that could serve as collateral. Remember, your name is on my car, thanks to your mom’s advice. So, no, that won’t work either. Actually, none of your ideas would.”

“Well, if you’d just get a job, you’d have a steady income,” Leek said, sounding almost casual.

His words didn’t come across as overtly rude; it was merely the audacity for me. After everything I had just shared with him, it felt like he had barely listened. It was frustrating to think Maleek believed that me getting a job would magically resolve the financial issues we were suddenly facing, completely ignoring the reality of our circumstances. The lack of understanding was disheartening, to say the least.

“Or… here’s a better idea, Leek. I'm sure if you sold that motorcycle of yours or got us out of this ridiculously expensive ass house, that would save us a ton of money! I know that the cost of living is a little steep here, but who in the hell happily pays five thousand dollars for rent, especially for a house with only two individuals staying in and one they don’t intend to buy? If I’m being honest, I feel like you only got this place because your mama told you!”

At that moment, I finally found the courage to say what had been building up inside me for four long years since we first moved into that house.

Leek’s mother, Angela, was another constant source of tension in our relationship. Angela could do no wrong in Leek's eyes, and the same could be said about how she viewed Leek and her other son. To say that I had a strong dislike for that woman would be a massive understatement. Nevertheless, I tried to maintain a level of tolerance and respect for her since she was Maleek’s mother, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. The amount of her influence loomed over us, straining our relationship in ways that only added to my frustration.

“Jai, when I decided to get this crib, it wasn't just about what my mama liked; this shit was dope to me too. And if I remember correctly, you were on board with it as well. But if not this house, then where? Because I sure damn sure wasn’t moving us anywhere near the hood,” Leek argued with his arms crossed and a frown settling on his face.

“Sure, I liked it... until you told me the monthly price. Honestly, we didn’t have to move anywhere near the hood. There are so many more affordable places around here, Leek! But I guess I shouldn’t complain since I don’t pay the rent or any bills yet. So, really, my opinion isn't valid, and I should just shut the fuck up, right?”

“Jai, chill with that. You know it ain’t even like that.”

“Answer this one thing for me, Leek. Are we good on our bills?”

“What? Yeah, we good. I told you that.”

I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing his expression for any signs of deceit. Deep down, I wasn’t entirely convinced that he was being truthful with me.

“Yeah, okay. Well, I really need to get ready to head out. Let’s put a pin in this conversation for now, and we can revisit it later.”

Without giving him a chance to respond, I stepped into the shower and closed the door, shutting out the world for a moment. I caught a glimpse of Maleek standing at the counter through the glass shower door. His silhouette was tense as he thought things over. After a while, he eventually exited, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

“You gotta get a job, Jai! Nah, baby, you don’t have to do that. Just sell your car! Or better yet, just go apply for a loan!” I muttered in frustration as the warm water from the shower ran over me, washing away the morning's tension while replaying my conversation with Maleek aloud.

The nerve of him to ask any of those things of me. Again, if I truly believed Maleek’s story about the streets being dry, I would’ve been on a job-hunting mission that same day, but we lived in Las Vegas, the city where the nightlife thrived, and people were known for making the wildest decisions fueled by both adrenaline and easy access to drugs. So, I refused to fall for that bullshit Leek was spitting; it just didn’t sit right with me.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Maleek had gotten involved in something more serious than he was letting on. Perhaps he had gotten himself into trouble or maybe even owed someone a considerable amount of money. If that were true and he thought I would jeopardize my own mental health by getting a job and splitting responsibilities 50/50 because of a situation he created, he was sorely mistaken.

My love for Maleek ran deep, but it wasn’t enough to make me sacrifice my own well-being, so he needed to handle whatever mess he had gotten himself into, and fast .

“Hello, Jai! Are we getting the usual today?” the cheerful Starbucks cashier asked as I approached the counter, the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee surrounding us.

She addressed me by my first name due to my status as a regular customer.

“Hi! And yes, girl, you know I gotta have my daily dose of iced caramel macchiato,” I responded with a smile, anticipating the sweet, creamy beverage that consistently enhanced my day.

She chuckled. “I know. Would you like to add anything else to your order today?”

“No, that will be all.”

After paying for my order, I found a spot to stand and patiently waited for my drink while watching the baristas skillfully prepare other drinks behind the counter. Finally, I heard my name called, and I stepped forward to collect my drink.

“Thank you! Have a good day,” the cashier said, handing me the cup.

“You have a better one,” I responded with a smile. I always made it a point to wish others a better day. It felt like a small way to spread positivity.

Leaving the restaurant, my phone buzzed with an incoming text. I pulled it out of my purse and noticed it was a message from Maleek. With an annoyed roll of my eyes, I opened it, curious despite my irritation. Of course, he was apologizing for earlier, but my attention was half on his words and half on the world around me.

As I was making my way to my car, engrossed in reading his lengthy apology, I suddenly collided with someone. My iced coffee sloshed out of the cup and splattered across someone’s crisp white shirt.

“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, shock coursing through me as I registered what had just happened. I quickly looked up to face the person I had bumped into, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Oh. My. God,” I repeated, that time completely captivated, for the man standing in front of me was undeniably handsome.

He was tall, standing at least several inches above me, with a smooth caramel complexion that glowed and a low fade haircut that highlighted his strong jawline. The gray tailored suit he wore clung to his athletic frame, accentuating the defined muscles of his arms and chest. I could tell he spent a considerable amount of time in the gym. As I took in his handsome features, I felt a rush of embarrassment over my clumsiness, yet I couldn't help but admire his presence.

“Oh, my God! I’m so sorry!” I apologized, my voice rising slightly as I broke free from the momentary lustful gaze that had grasped my attention.

Instead of him going off on me, as I expected, he just smirked, then said, “It’s all good, gorgeous.”

“Really? That’s all you have to say?”

He chuckled. “What do you want me to say? Or better yet, what kind of reaction did you expect from me?” he shot back, his lips curling into a grin that made my stomach flutter.

“Well, for starters, I expected you to be a little mad or even cursing me out right now. That suit looks like it costs more than my entire wardrobe,” I added, throwing in a touch of exaggeration for effect, but honestly, the suit he wore suggested it was far from ordinary.

“It’s just clothes,” he replied with nonchalant ease as if the price tag attached to his suit was of no concern to him. “Luckily, I always keep an extra outfit with me,” he added.

“Well, thank goodness for that! Although I’m still really sorry! I just would’ve felt even worse if you had to walk around the entire day with that big stain or even had to go all the way back home to change clothes!”

I watched his expression as he glanced at the dark splash of iced coffee that had marred his white shirt.

“Well, let’s just be glad that it was iced coffee and not hot coffee,” he countered with a light chuckle.

“Right,” I agreed, managing a smile despite my lingering guilt. “Still, I feel so bad about this! Please, let me make it up to you by paying for whatever you were planning to get! It’s the least I could do to compensate for my little mishap!” I offered, hoping he could see how sincere I was.

“Nah, I wouldn’t feel right accepting money from a woman or even letting one do anything for me, even if this little mishap was your fault , ” he joked, causing me to chuckle. “But for real, it’s all good. How about I pay for you another drink?”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’d really pay for me another drink, even though I’m the one who ruined your suit with my drink?” I asked, surprised that he seemed so generous despite the situation.

“I offered, didn’t I?” he countered with a chuckle. “And again, it’s just clothes. They can be cleaned or replaced.”

“You say that so smoothly, almost as if money isn’t an issue for you,” I spoke as if I’d known him way longer than a mere five minutes.

“It isn't,” he replied without hesitation, his tone confident and straightforward. “But this isn’t about my suit. It’s about me trying to buy you another drink. So, are you going to let me or not?”

His eyes sparkled with a playful challenge, making it difficult to resist his offer.

I hesitated for a moment.

“Um... I suppose I don’t see any harm in that, although I still feel like I should be the one paying for you. Then again, you definitely don’t strike me as the type of man who takes ‘no’ for an answer.”

“I absolutely hate being told no. That’s probably the worst thing someone can say to me,” he replied. His gaze was intense as it bore into mine, sending a flutter of unexpected nerves through me. I felt myself getting lost in the depths of his eyes, momentarily entranced by the connection we were forming, intrigued by where that encounter might lead.

“Here you go,” he said, breaking the spell of my wandering thoughts. When my focus returned, I noticed he was holding out a $100 bill to me. “Take that and get us both a drink. I need to change shirts. When you come out, I’ll be in the black Charger.”

When he pointed out his car, I stared at it a little longer than I probably should have. I felt certain I had seen that car recently, perhaps in a parking lot or on the street. However, the details eluded me, and I decided not to dwell on it.

“O-Okay. What exactly would you like?”

“I’m usually a black coffee type of man, but recently, I've been wanting to experiment with something different. So how about you choose for me, or better yet, just get me what you had.”

“Okay! One Iced Caramel Macchiato coming right up!” I exclaimed, channeling my inner Starbucks barista, complete with a smile.

I hurried back into the restaurant, my heart racing as I recounted the awkward encounter I had with the guy to the cashier. Being a regular at this place, she recognized me and immediately sensed my distress. With a sympathetic smile, she decided to offer me a generous deal—she gave me the second drink at half price, using her employee discount.

After retrieving both drinks, I carefully exited the restaurant, cautious of my surroundings, making sure not to bump into anyone else. As I approached the guy's car, I noticed that his window was closed. The tint on the vehicle was so dark that it obscured my view of the interior completely. A blend of anticipation and apprehension filled my chest as I raised my hand and gently tapped on the window.

After a brief pause, the window gradually rolled down, and I was met with an unexpected and stunning surprise—he was shirtless. I felt a rush of admiration as I took in the details, from the powerful lines of his shoulders to the sculpted abs that spoke of hard work and discipline. I was momentarily mesmerized, caught off guard by the unexpected display of strength and sexiness before me. Even though I knew he had gone to his car to change shirts, it felt as if he’d intentionally waited to put on another one until I returned.

My focus was entirely on him rather than the drinks I was holding. The realization hit me when I almost dropped them, so I quickly gathered my thoughts and steadied my grip.

With a slightly wavering voice, I said, “Uh… here you go,” extending the drink toward him.

The guy looked at me with a playful smile as he accepted it.

“Thanks, gorgeous,” he replied, his tone casual yet laced with a hint of flirtation.

“Oh, here’s your change, too!” I tried to return to him.

He paused for a moment, glancing at the money without reaching for it.

“Do you come here quite often?” he randomly asked.

“Yes, I do! Monday through Friday!” I answered sharply.

“I figured that. You can keep the change. Use it to buy all your morning drinks for next week. If that's not enough, I can make it enough,” he spoke confidently, licking his lips.

I felt my cheeks warm up with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

“Thank you, but I can’t accept this,” I declined.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “I just told you that I don’t like the word 'no'.”

I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words.

“You did, and technically, I didn't say the word no, but?—”

He cut me off with a smirk. “Oh, I don’t like ' but' either.”

This man!

With a sigh, I relented, my tone shifting to one of playful defeat.

“You know what… okay, you win,” I declared, throwing my hands up in mock surrender. “If you want me to keep the change, I’ll keep it!” I chuckled. “All jokes aside, thank you.”

“Most welcome, gorgeous,” he said, then reached over to pick up the shirt he was about to put on.

While he did that, I just stood outside the car, staring around awkwardly, not knowing what else to really say.

“Well, I guess I’ll get going. It was nice meeting you…” I paused, realizing I didn’t know his name, hoping he’d fill in the gap.

“Savvy. The name is Savvy.”

“Savvy,” I repeated, letting the name roll off my tongue. “You don’t hear that name every day. It’s unique and has a cool vibe. Plus, it means knowledgeable .” I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment for recognizing its meaning.

He smirked, clearly impressed by my intelligence.

“Gorgeous and smart.”

I blushed at his compliment.

“But yeah, that's me,” he added. “But since you know my name, it's only fair that you tell me yours.”

“Jai,” I said, my voice a little shy.

“Jai. Is that a nickname or...” he began, his curiosity evident.

“Oh, no, that's my real name. According to my aunt, that was my mom's best friend's name, who had passed away.”

“Your aunt told you that instead of your mama?”

I paused, not really feeling comfortable sharing those personal details with a practical stranger.

“Yeah, my mom passed away shortly after giving birth to me,” I explained softly, my voice slightly trembling.

“Oh, damn. My bad. I didn't mean anything by it,” Savvy said, his tone sincere and apologetic.

“It's okay,” I assured him. “But, um, I'll let you get going because I have to as well. It was nice meeting you, Savvy, and hopefully, I'll see you around. Bye now, and thank you again!”

I turned and walked away, my pace quickening as I tried to shake off the emotional heaviness that was creeping in. I didn’t even get a chance to hear his response. Conversations about my mom—or my parents in general—always stirred deep emotions within me.

They both passed away when I was very young, leaving a profound impact on my life. My mother, unfortunately, died from complications shortly after I was born, a loss that meant I would never get to know her or experience the love of a mother. My father was taken from me when I was just four years old; he lost his life while bravely serving in the military. The weight of those losses had been heavy to bear over the years, and whenever I tried to talk about them, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion. The memories were bittersweet, intertwined with a longing for what might have been.

Once I settled into the driver’s seat of my car, I pulled out my phone and quickly glanced at the time.

“Shit!” I cursed after realizing I had only seven minutes to reach the hospital, knowing the drive would take me approximately eleven minutes under the best conditions.

I headed to the hospital where I was completing my fellowship to fulfill my requirements to graduate as a medical examiner. It was a crucial step in my career, and I took my responsibilities seriously. Normally, I prided myself on punctuality, rarely arriving late. However, that day seemed determined to challenge my streak. Nevertheless, I reminded myself of the old saying: it's better to be late than to not show up at all. With that thought in mind, I turned the ignition and set off, trying to navigate the morning traffic as quickly as possible with thoughts of Mr. Savvy.