Chapter 10
Starlah looked out the window as Swift jogged around the perimeter of the farm.
He did it every morning at sunrise with Papa and Chevy on his heels.
Years later, he was no longer the tall, barefaced, dark-skinned poster child for the pretty boy he once was.
He'd grown taller, his shoulders and chest broader, even his legs, as both puppies ran like hell to keep up with him.
Star swung her legs over the bed and looked down at the shorts and t-shirt she'd easily worn two days in a row.
She sniffed under her arms and frowned. While she hadn't been outside, she'd been hiding under the huge comforter she'd taken off Lucky's bed.
It smelled like him, just like the huge t-shirt she wore that belonged to Creed, but the least of her worries was how she smelled, not how much her heart ached.
She looked up, and her cheeks lightly flushed as she caught Chevy and Papa rolling around. Swift clearly had his hands full when he jogged back toward them and tried to intervene when Papa jumped up, knocking him down.
"Opps." She covered her mouth, pushing out a soft snicker. "Tough fella. Yeah," she celebrated. "Kick his ass."
Chevy barked, then circled them before Swift fell on his back, giving up the fight.
He then had not one but two puppies that pounced on him before they rolled onto their backs next to him.
He sat up, then gently rubbed their stomachs.
When they settled down and rolled over, all three of them sat there… quietly.
In that moment, Starlah leaned toward the window, and Swift closed his eyes, his head leaning back.
The sun covered his sweaty, chocolate skin as he sat there in peace, not moving.
She wanted to feel what he felt, as he sat on the grass with two puppies who appeared to give him all the peace in the world.
Star stood and sauntered to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and slowly peeled her clothes off.
Her heart raced with each breath she took, tears rolling down her cheeks.
She was tired, tired of feeling tired, and she too wanted to feel the sun on her face.
She felt she hadn't since that morning, when she woke up to hear that her father, brother, and godfather were all gone.
Life sucked before they passed away. It still sucked, but Star wanted to feel something different.
She wanted to feel peace as she stood in the shower under the stream of warm water that spilled down her head and over her body.
She turned her head to the window, and there Swift was, this time with Rhoda and Rocky, Chevy's parents.
He was a natural, or he seemed to be, as they took commands when he tossed a Frisbee, both taking off after it.
She'd never known them to play with one, but a lot had changed, it seemed, especially the fact that she'd never see her father and brother outside again, rallying up the cattle and sheep while Rhoda and Rocky waited until they were all secure.
By the time she'd showered, dried off, and found something quick to put on, she heard a few voices inside. Shame washed over her after she'd avoided her houseguests. She knew if her father and definitely her mother were alive, she'd be chastised.
After Star had dragged some gel through her hair and spritzed a bit of perfume on, she made her way to the living room, preparing to greet her guests.
"Hey, Mrs. Brighton."
London looked up and gasped, a grin appearing on her face at the sight of Starlah. She was beautiful. Her already coiled texture was wet and curly, hints of gold strands appearing as she raked her hand through her hair, feeling nervous.
"Hey, sweetie." She took one step, then paused with her arms open. "May I?"
Star pinched her lips, holding back tears as she nodded.
Within seconds, she was across the room with both arms wrapped around Swift's mother's body.
The trembling of her body was felt, followed by her tears against her chest. They stood there in silence, his mother applying gentle strokes down her back.
When Star pulled away, she lifted her eyes and smiled.
"Thank you. I needed that."
"Well, I have more of those. Plenty of them." She used the back of her hand to wipe each cheek and smiled. "And to be honest, I needed that too… from you. Come, let's sit."
All the while, they chatted about what was left for her to put away in the living room, Swift stood in the kitchen, drinking his second bottle of Gatorade.
He wanted to shower, but once he caught a glimpse of Starlah with his mother, he decided not to interrupt them.
It also didn't help that each time he caught a glimpse of her, he was drawn to the sadness in her eyes, wanting to be the one to help her smile.
He looked down as his dick jumped and grunted. "Calm the fuck down."
Each time Swift looked at Star, he couldn't believe she was the same girl who had once been full of life years earlier. She chased dogs, rode horses, even slid underneath the hood of a car, tinkering with the engine with her brother and father. Now, when he saw her, though, his dick jumped… a lot.
"Hungry?" his mother asked. When he realized they might see him in the kitchen, he took a step back and almost tripped over the dog food.
"Swift, baby? Is that you?"
He quickly gained his bearings, silently cursing when his mother entered the kitchen.
"Oh. I should have moved that when I saw it. Figured you'd gotten busy with my glam puppies."
"Glam puppies?" he repeated.
London smirked, causing him to grin.
"Yes. Who knew you'd be so good with them, but you're good at everything."
He blushed at the way his mother made him feel like a little boy.
"Tired?"
"Naw, but I do need to shower." He tossed the empty Gatorade bottles in the trash, then quickly washed his hands. "Don't get that bag. I came in late last night from the shop, then got up early and went for a run."
"I saw. I came to cook breakfast, and off you went with your two little companions. I didn't even know you still ran each morning."
Before Swift could respond, Starlah slowly entered the kitchen. She gulped, taking in his well-defined arms and pecs, his t-shirt saturated with sweat.
"Swift," she softly greeted him, waving her fingers. "Thank you again."
"For?"
"Taking care of Chevy. He's so good with you."
"He makes it easy. Better than Papa. That nigga wanna be the boss, barking at the chickens and cows, then running when they come toward him. I thought they were protectors," he teased when she pulled out a chair and took a seat. "You slept okay?" he asked.
London stood back with crossed arms, her eyes darting back and forth. She wasn't sure what was happening between the two of them, but those goofy grins on both of their faces told it all. They were in "like". She knew she was when her heart leaped at the sight of them.
"I've slept better, but I figured I'd come out into the real world after being cooped up in my room the past two weeks."
A nervous grin followed as Swift stood, almost like a fish out of water, flopping around. When his mother couldn't take it anymore, she clapped her hands once, their heads swiveling in her direction.
"So, since you all have me for another day or so, how about I whip up something? What do you like to eat? The fridge is stocked." London glanced at Starlah, who looked at Swift.
"Oh, please. Don't worry about my son. He eats anything, and I do mean anything."
"Wait." He frowned as Starlah sputtered, covering her mouth. "Mama, come on now."
"Oh, no, honey. I didn't mean—"
"It's fine," Starlah offered, tucking her lips, fighting hard to suppress the giggle.
"If it makes you feel any better, I've been told that before, too.
Growing up with nothing but men, you eat what they eat until you learn to cook for yourself.
I'm still not that great at it, though," she confessed.
"Oh, sweetie. I can show you a few things, and this is a perfect time."
Off London went, happily pulling out all kinds of pans and cooking utensils. She even hummed as she went into chef mode.
"Please don't take me into account. Simple works, and I promise you, I'm not a picky eater. Besides, you're here when you don't have to be."
"We're here because we want to be," she corrected her, hands on both hips. Isn't that right, Cairo?"
London issued a grin, calling him by his birth name. She figured if Starlah could be the one, she might as well collect the breadcrumbs she dropped before she headed back to Cedar Spike.
"Yeah. Uh, what she said," he quietly echoed. "And Moms makes the best breakfast burritos, even fried eggs, sort of like small versions of omelets. Her shrimp and grits are good, too."
"Oh, I can whip them all up. Swift's just giving hints as to what he wants, Starlah, but I'll be happy to do it. Take a seat, and Cairo?"
"Man, Mama," he drawled. She was having too much fun with his government name. He wasn't too fond of it because, growing up, the kids would call him "Egypt" the country.
"Make yourself useful and bring out the carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice. I made them from oranges I brought from the farmer's market earlier this week." London looked at Starlah. "Do you care for some?"
"Sure." Star clasped her hands between her thighs as Swift followed his mother's instructions. She smiled when he immediately washed each glass he'd pulled from the kitchen cabinet.
When he poured her glass and gently set it in front of her, she caught a whiff of his scent. Even sweaty, Swift smelled divine, a woody, citrus smell, coupled with the sun. Her skin felt warm as his eyes washed over her.
"Thank you."
"Anytime," he offered when his mother cleared her throat. "Yeah, Mama?"
"Don't, 'yeah, Mama' me. Get the shrimp out and wash them. I have the seasonings already on the counter. Then the bell peppers and onions."
"I can help," Starlah quickly offered. Swift smirked since he'd just heard her mention she wasn't that great of a cook. "I mean, I'd like to… if that's okay."
"Starlah, this is your home. Of course, you can help. Swift knows what we need."
London flicked her hand, urging him to clear the counter space for them to get busy with their meal preparation.
Within minutes, he and Starlah had washed and seasoned the shrimp, then cleaned and diced the bell peppers and onions.
Once they were done, he went for the grits, then passed them to her.
"Oh, okay?" Swift flashed a grin because many people thought cooking grits was simple. It was, but the kind of grits his mother made were far from simple.
When Star started to read the label, he stood next to her, smirking.
"What?"
"I thought you were a country girl. Since when did you all need instructions?"
"Swift?" his mother shrieked.
"I'm just teasing, but pay attention because the next time, you're preparing grits."
He extended his hand, accepting the container of grits before he pulled out milk, garlic-flavored butter, and two eggs.
"Eggs?" Star asked, confused.
"It gives the grits a yellow color, and milk slightly changes the texture. Pull up a chair and watch."
"Okay then, son. I see you."
London smiled, nodding her head at the way her son naturally catered to Starlah's questions.
Her innocence, even the awkward display around him, was a sight to see.
Without even realizing it, London then slid the remaining ingredients to him, including flour, baking soda, water, and egg yolk, to make the wraps for the burritos.
Starlah took the lead on the bacon while he fried the crumbled sausage. Once Swift diced the tomatoes and Starlah grated the cheese, breakfast was done. Within an hour, they grabbed hands to say a prayer over the full spread of what they'd created on the kitchen table.
After Starlah's second burrito, she spewed out a gush of wind and sat back. Her eyes glanced at the half bowl of shrimp and grits she'd partially eaten. They were so good that she almost picked up her spoon to finish it off.
"I'm so full."
"You sure?" he asked, issuing a lazy grin.
Starlah's skin was instantly covered in a sea of goosebumps under his gaze. She, admittedly, didn't realize how hungry she was until she took her first spoonful of grits, but she'd clearly overdone it.
"Since it's kind of brunch, I guess we can wait for dinner before we fill you up again."
"Uh, baby?" his mother chimed in, then closed her mouth. "I think you both outdid yourselves. How about I clean up, and you two get yourselves some fresh air?"
"No, no." Starlah shook her head. "I can't allow that."
"You can, and you will." London covered Star's hand with hers. "It's okay to accept help. Go."
London looked at Swift. He stood with his brows dipped, wondering if his mother was playing matchmaker. He never needed her help or anyone's help for that matter. It was then that he remembered the sign he had seen the other day when he left the pet store.
"And Swift, go shower… now."
"Yes, ma'am." His dimpled grin appeared while Starlah sat and stole glances at him. "I'll shower, and Starlah, maybe you should go and see Chevy. I'm sure he's missing you like crazy."
"I can do that. You think Papa will like me? I haven't been the most communicative."
"He's like me, his owner. I like you, sooo."
"Oh, okay then," London sang. "I feel like I should be a fly on the wall."
"Please, woman. Now run and go tell Dad or Auntie Misty." He smirked before pressing his lips against her cheek. "Thanks, Mama."
"You're welcome, baby," she whispered, her eyes tearing up.
Her baby was smitten with a girl. This was the best gift she'd ever received, despite all the flowers, jewelry, purses, and trips he or his father could ever give her.
"I hope you enjoy your day, Mrs. Brighton. Let me go and change."
Swift liked what Starlah had on, but since he didn't want to make her feel self-conscious, he decided he'd allow her to surprise him.
"Just dress casual… and bring two blankets."
"Blankets?" Star opened her mouth to ask, and he shook his head, so she quickly closed her mouth and nodded her head. "Two blankets, coming up."
"Alright, you two. Have fun, but not too much," London insisted.