Chapter 21 #2
“It is,” Axton admits. “Tanjaya’s job led us to Crescent Falls, and when I was digging there, I discovered their hospital, Mount Sinai.
It has an innovative low vision center,” he begins and Akeem just listens.
Axton has tried different experimental treatments in the past with no success and he hates to see Axton build himself up just to be let down.
So, hopeful and in silence, Akeem tunes in as Axton explains this potential new treatment.
“There’s a new gene therapy drug prescribed to those who qualify.
It’s expensive, but if I qualify, I’m going to go for it,” Axton says.
“What do you have to do to qualify?” Akeem asks.
“A week of clinical tests at their facility.”
“In Crescent Falls?”
“Yeah.”
“When? I’m going with you,” Akeem says.
“You’re not. I can hire a travel companion or healthcare professional to go with me. I should be okay, but if they suggest I need someone, I’ll hire it out.”
“Why the fuck would you do that when you have me?” Akeem barks, offended as fuck. They are always there for one another; this time especially isn’t different.
“’Cause I don’t wanna waste your time if I don’t qualify,” Axton admits.
“Never a waste. I’m going with you. When is it?”
“The first week in April. I’m looking for a place to stay now.”
“Bet. I’m there and Sunjiya can look for the place. That’s what she does.”
“Thanks, bruh.”
“Now, when you qualify and take the new drug, what can happen exactly?”
“Partial vision restoration, full, or nothing at all, but it’s worth trying.”
“It definitely is. I support you; that shit goes without saying. And I won’t say shit to Mom or Dad, but if I don’t hear from you when you go, I’m pulling the fuck up.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Axton says, truly appreciative of his brother. “What you got going on today?”
“The tree finally ’bout to come down. She loves it but it’s dying and shedding. The team should be here in a minute.”
“Imma let you have that. I’ll hit you later. Love you, bruh.”
“Love you too.”
Akeem ends the call and tackles his food. Before he finishes one of the croissants, lobby security alerts him that Kris and her team are here.
“So where do you want to start this?” Darisha asks Sunjiya as she closes her laptop.
“Not here. I’m not feeling campus today,” Sunjiya admits. “Somewhere with food though. I’m hungry and didn’t pack anything.”
“Good. I’m hungry too. I didn’t pack anything because Trent’s greedy ass ate all the lasagna I cooked last night,” she says, referring to her longtime boyfriend. “I know a spot, if you don’t mind driving.”
“I’ll drive,” Sunjiya says as they walk out of the lecture hall.
“It’s the best soul food in Austin. You’re going to love it.”
Darisha was the very person Sunjiya connected in class and they’ve been bonded ever since.
During first day icebreakers, they discovered they were the two oldest students in the Intro to Travel and Tourism course.
The other thirty-six students in the class are all under the age of twenty-one.
Darisha is thirty, and since her little boy started kindergarten in August, she decided to finally enroll in college.
They have so much in common and Sunjiya really appreciates her friendship.
Today, Professor Henderson detailed their midterm projects and allowed them to pick their own partners.
Sunjiya and Darisha immediately decided to pair up.
Whip My Soul is a family-owned and operated soul food restaurant. According to Darisha, they serve the best soul food in town and no one can beat their fried chicken. The restaurant opens at eleven, so it’s only been open for an hour. However, there is a small line to get in.
“It’s popular for lunch and on the weekends but the wait is worth it,” Darisha tells her.
“It already smells good as hell,” Sunjiya admits as she scans the large blue menu attached to the wall, her mouth already watering. “What do you normally get?”
“The fried chicken for sure and the soul egg rolls, the one with collard greens,” Darisha says. “But I’m telling you; it’s all good.”
About ten minutes later, the line moves and they finally make it to the counter to order.
True to her word, Darisha orders the fried chicken and soul egg rolls with sides of mac-n-cheese and rice and gravy.
Since it’s her first time here, Sunjiya decides on a sample platter: a fried pork chop, chicken wing, and one filet of fish with collard greens and yams. For drinks, they both get Kool-Aid.
The food is cooked to order, so they discuss the project as they wait at their table.
“Family of four, thirty-five hundred dollar budget, minimum four-day stay, kid-friendly, and at least one excursion,” Sunjiya summarizes the parameters of the family vacation project.
“Our grade is fifty percent for the actual vacation, forty for the fifteen-minute presentation, and ten percent for team participation.”
“We can use Prezi for the presentation. I have a subscription,” Darisha says.
“I don’t know what that is but I’m cool with that. We just need to figure out where to book our family. In my mind, the kids are teenagers. Professor Henderson didn’t put ages, so we can go with teenagers. That’ll make the excursions easier.”
“Cruises are always easy. We can find a cheap one,” Darisha suggests.
“Yeah, but everybody is going to pick cruises. We can come up with something a little more creative. I just booked a family vacation for spring break next week to Punta Cana and it was really reasonable.”
“I picked the right partner,” Darisha gushes. “Yo’ ass could really teach the class. Your agency is really popping.”
“Yeah, I’m so lucky. I’m also serious about needing part-time help soon. My client roster is growing,” Sunjiya boasts with pride. Melanin Voyages is expanding fast. Referrals from existing, satisfied clients really grows a business, especially small ones.
“Well, you know I’m ready as soon as you are.”
“I’m thinking this summer,” Sunjiya replies, then her cell vibrates in her pocket. “One second,” she says as she pulls it out. It’s a text from her love.
Akeem: How was class?
Sunjiya: Good. At lunch with Darisha. Wyd?
Akeem: Thinking about your pretty ass.
Her huge smile triggers Darisha to ask, “Akeem?” and Sunjiya nods.
Sunjiya: I always think about you. We’re at Whip My Soul. Everything looks good. I’m going to bring you something. Look at the menu and see what you want.
Akeem: You know what I like.
Sunjiya: I definitely do.
Akeem: See you when you get home.
When she lifts her head, she spots a server approaching with a tray full of their food. He places everything in the middle of their table and they grab their respective food. After saying grace, Darisha insists Sunjiya try a soul roll first.
“Oh…my…god. This is heaven in my mouth. I’m definitely ordering some of these to-go.”
“I told you,” Darisha says with a smirk.
While they enjoy their well-seasoned and delicious food, they discuss the project in detail. They agree Sunjiya will handle the actual vacation and Darisha will prepare the presentation based on what she finds. It’s not due until next week, so they have plenty of time.
When they start wrapping it up, Sunjiya steps to the counter and orders the soul egg rolls, red velvet cookies, and an oxtail dinner for Akeem. Right around two, they leave the restaurant. Since Darisha’s boyfriend Trent dropped her off today, Sunjiya takes her home before heading to the condo.
As always, Akeem is in the living room waiting when she walks in. He stands and grabs her bags the moment she enters then pulls her in for a long, passionate kiss. Best greeting ever.
“This bag is heavy, bae. Did you get everything on the menu?” he asks.
“No, but I have your oxtail dinner, my leftovers, these bomb ass collard green egg rolls, and red velvet cookies,” she says, then laughs. “Yeah, so maybe the whole menu.”
“Sounds like it,” he says before walking toward the kitchen.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, because of her class, they have a routine.
As soon as she comes home, she takes a relaxing bath, works a few hours, then they enjoy dinner together.
Today is a little different because of her stop at the restaurant, but her bath is never compromised.
While he goes to the kitchen to eat, she journeys to their room.
After undressing in the closet, she pours a capful of her two favorite bath gels and a scoop of oatmeal bath treatment into the tub then turns on the water.
As the tub fills, she pulls her hair up, removes her makeup with wipes, then thoroughly washes her face.
She brushes her teeth and gargles before slipping into the water.
It works magic almost instantly and her body relaxes.
Her body is immersed in the water up to her neck and her head rests comfortably on the bath pillow when she feels his presence fifteen minutes into her bath. Her eyes are closed and they remain closed even when he plants a soft peck on her forehead.
“You make that look good,” he utters before sitting on the edge of the tub.
“What?”
“This tub. The water. All of it.”
“Then join me.”
His hand dips into the tub and the hot water stings his skin. “That’s a no,” he says while shaking his head. “Plus, I need your opinion on something. If I get in there with you, we won’t be leaving this condo.”
Her lids lift and her eyes lock with his. “We’re going somewhere?” she asks.
“Yeah but not until six. Enjoy your bath and work a little first. I’m not trying to interrupt your routine.”
“But you know you can, right?” she asks with a smile.
“Like this,” he says before sliding his hand back into her hot ass water. Thankfully, the hot temperature tempers after a few seconds.