Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
Lunch with Pritha is nice and the pasta with blue crabs is delicious. While Akeem learns more about Tanjaya’s time with Pritha and their close bond, he doesn’t gain any knowledge about her current whereabouts. Pritha has no idea where Tanjaya could be.
“As long as she never comes back to Florida, I can rest. I’ll go wherever she lands when I need a hug,” Pritha says as she squeezes Sunjiya’s knee under the kitchen table.
“Miss Pritha, she won’t have to run for long,” Akeem assures her.
“Aunt Pri,” she corrects him. “My babies and anyone who protects them can call me Aunt Pri.”
She smiles, expressing her genuineness. Over the years, she’s fostered twenty-one children in need of a good home and love.
Some she had for days and others for years but each one holds a special place in her heart, especially Tanjaya.
She was only five days old when the social worker brought her to Pritha.
They removed her two years later for a permanent home.
Years later, Pritha learned the permanent home never materialized for Tanjaya and she ended up back in the system.
They reconnected when Tanjaya was seventeen and have been in touch since then.
“Yes, ma’am,” Akeem says, then offers a nod of respect. “This home looks new,” he comments. “Have you been here long?”
“No. I just moved here at the end of last year. I lived in LA when she managed to get away from Marcelin the last time. She came to me broken, physically and emotionally. I did what I could but he found her though. Sent his goons to my house and they kicked my door in and dragged her out,” she says and her voice cracks.
Her love for Tanjaya is loud and clear and fills the entire kitchen.
“I thought he killed her but thank God she was able to call me months later and let me know she was alive. I prayed and prayed she would get away from him. God still answers prayers.” She wipes tears from her cheeks.
“He does,” Akeem says. Especially with the help of 9mms. “Can you think of any place or anyone else Tanjaya would go to? Has she ever mentioned anyone else? Maybe one of her foster brothers or sisters.”
“No. Not that I can think of,” Pritha says regrettably.
“When I had her, she was my only baby, so she doesn’t know any of them.
” She sips from her lemonade then abruptly puts her glass back on the table.
“You know, there may be something but I have to check some things here to be sure. It might even be in my storage unit though. I still have a few boxes there.”
“Where is the unit? Can we go right now?” Akeem asks.
“I have to look here first. Are you here long?” Pritha asks.
“We are here as long as we need to be,” he says.
“Okay good. I really hate to leave but I have to report to work in thirty minutes. When I get home, I’ll look. You two can come for dinner,” Pritha says.
“We can bring dinner. This was delicious and I appreciate hearing so much about my sister. It’s clear she loves you very, very much and you love her too. Cooking when you get off work is too much,” Sunjiya interjects.
“We can definitely bring dinner. I don’t think anything will taste better than this,” Akeem says, then nods at his empty plate. “But we’ll bring something. What’s a good time?”
“Let’s say seven-thirty. That’ll give me the time I need. Where are y’all staying?” Pritha asks.
“The El Governor in Mexico Beach,” Sunjiya says.
“Right on the water. They have good seafood spots there,” Pritha says, then stands. She starts to grab their plates but Sunjiya stops her. Together, they tidy the kitchen.
“I’m gonna get the car,” Akeem announces. “Thanks again for the spaghetti and everything,” he says.
“Crab Shala,” Pritha corrects him, smiling. “And you welcome. See you tonight.”
He heads out of the house to the rental. Things are starting to fall in place and hopefully tonight, they’ll have a solid lead to Tanjaya. When he pulls into Pritha’s driveway, Sunjiya and Pritha are embracing in the doorway. Pritha releases Sunjiya but watches her until she’s inside the car.
“I can’t believe Tanjaya didn’t tell her about me,” Sunjiya says once she’s comfortable in the passenger seat. “They seem really close.”
“Real shit. You can tell they’re close. Honestly, I don’t think she believes you ain’t Tanjaya,” he admits.
“I know right,” she says with a little grin. “I wonder what she thinks she has.”
“Who knows but I’m hoping it’s what we need to find her. If it’s not, we need to hang here a little longer. This is a safe space for her. She hasn’t come yet but she might be on her way,” he says.
“Aunt Pri is definitely a safe place for her. With her is probably the safest she’s ever felt. If I were her, I would for sure come here. Marcelin knew of her Los Angeles home but you heard her, she just moved here. He wouldn’t know that.”
“True.”
“How did your partner find her?” she asks.
“He’s a genius like that with technology,” Akeem says.
“Can I ask who he is? Or is that top secret with your missions?” she asks, genuinely curious.
“No missions. Contracts but he is my brother.”
“Let me guess, older? Right?”
“Why would you guess that? I haven’t said anything about him.”
“He has your back. That’s big brother shit,” she says.
“I watch his too,” he counters.
“Yeah. I’m sure you do because look how you’ve stepped up for me and my sister. But it’s something else too. I can’t really put my finger on it but I can just tell.”
“That’s bullshit. You just made a lucky guess,” he says.
Her grin grows into laughter at his tiny scowl. “See, lil brother behavior,” she teases while continuing to laugh.
“I like that,” he comments.
“What? Me calling you out?”
“Nah. You laughing and smiling,” he admits. “It’s beautiful to witness. I’m glad we found Aunt Pri.”
“Me too.”
Before turning onto 22nd Street that leads to Mexico Beach, he glances at her. “You need something here before we head back to the hotel?” he asks.
“Actually, I do. The beach is so pretty. We’re not coming back here until later this evening. I want to walk down to the water but I need a swimsuit.”
“There’s a gas station at the light. While I fill up, you find the place,” he says.
“Are you going to swim with me?” she asks. “I don’t want to go out there by myself.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“I like how you did that. You answered without answering but that’s not going to fly, sir.
Akeem, are you going to get in the water and swim with me?
” she asks, amused at his slickness and her comfort level with him.
She’s relaxed and secure enough to be silly, smile, and even laugh.
Aunt Pri’s words are absolutely correct. I really like him.
“If that’s what you want, you got that,” he states and her smile widens.
“Trunks or Speedo?” she asks, really amused. The Akeem she’s getting to know wouldn’t dare wear a damn Speedo.
“Shorts,” he spits, not amused at all. That only intensifies her laughter. “Not funny,” he utters as he tries to camouflage his budding smile. This playful side of her is truly beautiful to witness.
He turns into the gas station and pulls up to the pump. She pulls out her phone as he exits. Because he’s using cash, he ventures inside to grab bottles of water and see what kind of ice the store might have.
After grabbing the water, he steps toward the drink machine. The ice looks small and cloudy so he takes a chance and fills the largest cup. At the register, after estimating the cost of the gas needed to fill a half a tank, he grabs a lighter and pays. She beams when he hands her the cup of ice.
“Mm, the right kind too,” she gushes after removing the lid.
His estimate of the gas was pretty good.
He’s only off by ninety-eight cents but lets the store keep the difference.
The moment he’s back in the car, she says, “I found a little clothing store less than ten minutes from here. From the website, they carry things for men and women.”
“I got shorts just get what you need and lead the way,” he responds before starting the car.
After a few turns and about eight minutes, they make it to the small boutique located in the plaza downtown.
The selection is much smaller than the website indicates but Sunjiya manages to find a cute tw0-piece, slides, a pair of shades, and two pretty sundresses.
Her options are starting to fizzle with her one piece of luggage.
He didn’t follow her inside the store but he can clearly see through the large windows.
When he sees her standing in the small line at the register, he gets out and meets her inside.
She notices how the three women in line all stare at him and smile.
He has that effect, even on her. One woman has the nerve to stare too damn long.
Sunjiya leans in and kisses him possessively. Back off, bitch.
“Changed your mind about the Speedo?” she teasingly asks him while cutting her eyes at the thirsty blonde.
Not even bothering to respond, he asks a question. “Did you find what you wanted?”
“Yes. I figured I needed to get two more dresses just in case,” she responds and he nods.
His hand moves to the small of her back and he stays beside her until they reach the counter and he pays.
Fifteen minutes later, they are back at the hotel and she’s in the bathroom, changing into her new swimsuit.
While she gets ready, he treks onto the balcony for a quick smoke.
The hotel has a no smoking policy but he takes a chance on their corner balcony.
As he smokes, he decides to update his brother.
Axton answers his call. “How’d it go?”
“Good, actually. You came through,” Akeem says appreciatively.
“Was it the first one?”
“Nah. The last one, Pritha.”
“Damn. I didn’t call that right.”