Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
Kyon Shoulders
Day One
“R some even got on the dance floor and did their little two-step.
I chuckled at a few of the older ladies and men who were grooving while singing along and enjoying themselves.
Then they switched to the next song, and my heart almost leaped out of my chest. I knew the intro to “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson like the back of my hand because I was forced to listen to it on repeat for years.
Michael Jackson and Prince were two of my granny’s favorite artists, and she would stop whatever she was doing to turn the music up and sing along.
You would have thought that after four years, I would have been able to hear her favorite song without the pain in my chest, but unfortunately, I hadn’t gotten to that point in my grief journey.
I hadn’t even realized I zoned out completely until a tiny hand slid into mine, giving it a light squeeze.
When I looked over at Laikyn, there was a sympathetic expression on her face.
I let out the breath I was holding and tried to shake off the grief, but I couldn’t.
Laikyn was a problem solver, so I wasn’t surprised when she got up from her seat and held her hands out toward me.
My thirsty ass immediately accepted because she was being nice to me.
There was no way I would pass up a rare opportunity to be on her good side.
She led us to the dance floor, held my hands in hers, and swayed to the beat.
Dancing wasn’t my strong suit, but I followed her lead and let the music take over.
My mind flashed to Granny in her housecoat singing into the spatula as she sang her heart out in the kitchen.
I recalled the scent of cinnamon and her smelly White Diamond perfume.
She loved to spray it everywhere. When she would catch us spying on her from the hallway, she would call Keonte and me into the kitchen to dance with her.
I tried to keep my emotions at bay, but I could tell it wasn’t working the way I’d hoped.
Laikyn reached up and wiped the tears from my eyes as I took a deep breath.
The last thing I wanted was for someone to snap a photo of me crying on the dance floor like a hoe, so I pulled it together as best as I could.
I thought she would let my hands go after the song ended, but she surprised me when she remained connected after the next song started.
It was another oldie by Marvin Gaye. I chuckled because I remembered asking my granny if we could change the station to rap, and she would fuss about me listening to the fast tail music I listened to.
Laikyn pressed her body against mine, and the two of us rocked back and forth. She still wouldn’t give me her full attention, but I decided not to press the issue. We were making progress, and I wasn’t in a position to be ungrateful.
After the third song finished, she dropped my hand as if it was covered in hot lava.
I reached down and grabbed her hand right back.
I don’t know what the fuck she thought was gonna happen, but she had me fucked up.
The two of us walked over to the table, and I was shocked to see that the seating arrangements had changed while we were gone.
Nigel was sitting at another table talking to a pretty chocolate cutie, while Keonte and China seemed to be getting familiar with one another.
Laikyn’s petty ass cleared her throat as we walked back to our seats. I held her chair out for her, then reclaimed mine.
“Do you need some water, trick? Don’t come over here being messy when you were hugged up with the enemy.”
“I see you still don’t have a filter huh, China?”
“Absolutely not. I like my words to be like my liquor, straight with no chaser.”
Laikyn’s energy fell back into the awkwardness from earlier, and I wasn’t in the mood for it. I reached for her hand, but she pulled back. The two of us locked eyes as I snatched her hand back.
“Why are you so bossy? I don’t have to hold your hand if I don’t want to. I don’t even like you.” She sassed.
“Your mouth might say you can’t stand my ass, but your heart doesn’t agree. If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t have done what you did back there. Thank you, by the way. I didn’t expect to get so emotional, but I miss my ol’ girl.”
“I know you do. She was your everything, and I know from experience how grief can play with your emotions at the most inconvenient times. When I used to visit her, she would have that song on repeat, so I knew it was significant to her. You’re allowed to be in your feelings.”
“Can we go somewhere and talk? I know you don’t fuck with me anymore, but I can’t help but feel like this is my opportunity to get some shit off my chest. I don’t necessarily believe in fate, but I would be a fool not to take this as a sign.”
I decided to push the limits since she seemed to be in a good mood.
Instead of answering right away, she glanced over to her cousin.
It always fascinated me how they could communicate without saying a word.
China must have given her the stamp of approval because Laikyn stood from her seat, smoothing the sides of her skirt.
I hadn’t expected her to say yes, so I had no real plan set in motion. All I knew was that I needed answers, and she was the only one who could give them to me.
I held her hand as the two of us walked out of the ballroom. Once we made it down the hall, I had to think quick on my feet. I decided to take her to my room because it would give us the most privacy. She allowed me to lead the way and didn’t say much until we ended up on my floor.
“Umm, where are you taking me?” She glanced around as if she were expecting someone to pop out and catch her.