Naeem
Meeting up with Sunny had become somewhat of an event that could go left at any given moment.
She wanted her old life back and I wasn’t giving her access to it anymore.
I had outgrown the toxicity that held me hostage for years and gravitated to wanting consistent peace, which was why I moved into my family home in the mountains.
Being so far away from town and engaging in nature did it for me.
I was in the streets heavy while I was in the city limits which brought on fast money as well as headaches.
However, I was proud of my growth. I was no longer a boy intrigued with material things but a man that knew the value of things instead. Like, generational wealth.
“Daddy, Daddy!”
I turned around and saw my sweet girl sprinting toward me. Seeing her face always made my days better than before. She was the ray of light that kept me motivated to do better.
“Hi, baby girl. I missed you.” I kneeled so that we could engage in a hug.
So much time had passed by from our last encounter.
That was Sunny taking advantage of the fact that she controlled her.
I didn’t like it, but I refused to sit in anyone’s courthouse.
My time with her physically was shallow compared to how often we spoke on the phone.
I wasn’t denied those calls, so I settled for that until I was able to get her again.
“Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Did you get me something?”
“We’ll have to wait and see. You ready to go?” She nodded her head wildly as I grabbed a buggy. The weather called for heavy snow to start later, and I wanted to grab a few things that could keep us afloat.
“I know you see me standing here. We don’t speak anymore?”
“Hey Sunny. How you feeling today?”
She rolled her eyes before speaking. “I’m fine. She has everything she’ll need so she should be fine. The snow is supposed to start in a few hours. Get home in time with my daughter please.”
“I know how to take care of my daughter, Sunny.”
“I didn’t mention anything about your fathering skills, Naeem. Get Serenity home please.” She was done conversing with me and gave her attention to baby girl. “Mommy will see you Sunday if the roads are clear and Monday if they aren’t. Behave for daddy, okay?”
She nodded wildly once more and showed her gapped smile.
I entered the grocery store with baby girl helping steer the buggy.
I knew she was going to want a variety of snacks, but she couldn’t survive off just hot Cheetos and fruit punch.
I was a man that knew his way around the kitchen, so I grabbed ingredients for full course meals as well.
It didn’t take us long to fill the cart. When it called for snow in Davidson County, it always came, and it covered every inch of the ground giving us inches at a time. Sometimes it went away with ease while other times it hung around for almost two weeks. I was preparing for it regardless.
We made it to the register and checked out with ease. Once we were all loaded up, I quickly purchased a few bottles of wine from next door and then headed on up the road. Where I lived was coming in at about twenty, thirty minutes from the city. I was just on the outskirts.
I was in a good mood and was ready to enjoy my time with my little one.
It’s been a few months since I saw her, so I was ecstatic to play games and whatnot.
I knew the only reason why I was able to get her this go round without a fuss was because of Sunny wanting to do whatever with whomever.
I was granted the time I’d been begging for, so I didn’t even care that I was being used.
As we made pulled onto my street, small flakes began to drop.
What we were supposed to get later was already starting.
I had chopped up wood all day yesterday and for a little earlier.
We had more than enough to last us through the snowstorm that was headed our way.
I had brought it in and had it stacked in the corner.
“Okay baby girl. We’re home.”
She opened the door once the car stopped and ran inside. Being so far out and away from everyone gave me the benefit of leaving my door unlocked and knowing no one could come and steal my belongings. I was comfortable and content out here for real.
It took me a little over an hour to get everything situated in the house from the groceries to the fireplaces getting going to starting dinner. It was about two in the afternoon but with homemade chicken soup or even a good pot roast, it would need to be put on now.
I was finally taking a seat ready for a little relaxation.
Serenity was in her room playing and doing her so I figured I could get a few minutes in.
Turning on the television, I went for the weather channel to get updated and sure enough the snowstorm was coming through like a wrecking ball within the next hour or two.
Muting the television, I pulled out a book that I was reading and picked up where I left off.
Before I knew it, a couple of hours had passed by and the roast I had put on was near the end of being done.
I went and checked on Serenity to find her napping in her room surrounded by her stuffed animals.
After placing a kiss on her forehead, I headed back to the front when a loud thud was heard.
Going to the front door, I saw that the wind had picked up tremendously and the blizzard had started.
From what I could tell, the tree that was sitting near the end of the driveway had fallen, which was probably the result of the noise.
I shook my head but as I was getting ready to walk away, I saw a set of lights approaching.
It sparked my curiosity because this was a private road and the only people that came on this street were the mailman and family. My siblings knew about the blizzard so I knew they wouldn’t come out in it. This had to be someone else.
I watched as someone exit their vehicle and approached the tree. They looked around and threw their hands up in defeat. This weather had gotten bad, and driving was dangerous. Whoever this was, was a daredevil because no one in their right minds would be caught in a storm as such.
Grabbing my coat, I rushed out after seeing them trying to use the car to push the tree out the way. I didn’t know who they were or where they were going but at the end of my street was a dead end. There was nothing to see or anywhere to go.
“Hey! Stop!” I shouted as I got closer. “That’s dangerous. Hey!”
I was trying my best to sprint through the snow without falling and busting my ass. Thankfully, whoever was driving, stopped, and sat there. However, I could see that they were hitting the steering wheel.
When I made it around to the car, I tapped on the passenger’s window scaring them. The window was let down and a woman occupied the driver’s seat.
“Is there someone you’re looking for?” I yelled over the howling wind.
“I was supposed to be meeting my friends at a cabin fifteen minutes away and the map brought me down this road.”
“This is a private road which is also a dead end. Are you sure the directions led you down this road and not the next one over or something?”
I was trying to help but she wasn’t really handing off much information. I knew there was a set of cabins not too far from here, but I’ve never seen guest come down this road to get to them.
“It rerouted me three times. If I would’ve known the weather was going to be this bad, I would’ve left a day early.”
“You’re going to have a hard time getting out of here due to the road already being packed with snow. I can open my home to you and see if someone will come through and shovel it tomorrow morning so you can be on your way.”
She was cautious about accepting my proposal and I didn’t blame her. I was a stranger that opened their home to them without hesitation.
“I really need an answer from you, so I’ll know whether or not I need to help. I have my daughter inside,” I said letting her know that I couldn’t stay out here with her the entire time of her figuring out what to do.
“Yeah. Thank you, a lot. I just have two bags in the trunk.”
She popped it and I went to retrieve her luggage.
As soon as I slammed her trunk closed, the wind picked up even more causing it to be hard to see.
She rushed to me and grabbed my arm for guidance.
Because I was used to horrible weather, I was able to navigate through it with ease.
I didn’t miss that she was dressed in tights, boots, and a light jacket.
It was entirely too cold for her to have that on. She was a tourist and it showed.
Making it back inside, she was shivering her ass off. The wind must’ve slapped her around a few times without me noticing. Any who, I dropped her things and went for the blanket laying on the back of the couch throwing it across her shoulders.
“T-th-thank you.”
“No… problem.”
I was stunned by her beauty now that light was surrounding us. She was absolutely gorgeous and carried a smile that lit up a room. Her eyes were just as bright, and her smooth skin glowed as well. Only her face was revealed but you noticed so much about her.
“I’m Naeem and my little one who’ll be running out here soon is Serenity.” I held my hand out and she shook it the best she could.
“I’m Ch-Charmaine. S-sorry, I’m anemic and the c-cold is t-too much.”
“Not to be rude or anything, but why would your anemic behind come to the mountains knowing you can’t handle it.” I shook my head and ushered her to the ottoman that sat near the fireplace. She needed to defrost fast.
“I’ll a-answer that when I s-stop sounding like Alf-falfa,” she said smiling. I nodded and went to fix her a hot cup of coffee.
Charmaine was the first woman I let into my space after Sunny. She low key did damage on me, so I stayed to myself to heal. I was ready to start dating but never had the time to do so. I was so caught up on making sure my company was good. This was the perfect opportunity to test the waters.