Chapter 15 Solana #2
“In case you forgot, these needed to be taken care of so we can place them in the showcase. What we have in there won’t last all day, ma’am.”
Jessa waved me off and grabbed one of the trays to help me place everything into the showcase before we opened in the next thirty minutes. Aubree had just finished sweeping when we finally finished fifteen minutes later.
“Okay, enough stalling. I need some entertainment.” Aubree spoke up finally.
I knew she would say something, eventually. I smiled and leaned against the countertop.
“Okay, he turned me every way but loose. Is that what y’all want to hear?” I asked with a smirk.
Aubree did a little dance in place.
“It’s a start. Now how did y’all get to the point where your clothes were off? Where did he take you?” Jessa asked, waving her hand for me to speed the story up.
“Right. So he took me to an outer town. Y’all know anything about Hillsboro? well he took me to a bar called The Row. Girl and get this, it was karaoke night. It was the last place I expected him to take me. Anyway, he got up there, and he was singing girl. Like for real! The man can really sing—”
“Wait, are we talking about the same Duke?” Aubree asked with a rise of her brow.
I nodded before continuing the story. “Yes, anyway, our night was cut short after he sung to me—”
“Wait, why?” Jessa interrupted.
I craned my head to side and gripped my hips. “If you two would allow me to finish, we can get through this story in the next ten minutes with a few minutes to spare before we have to open that door.” I reminded them.
Jessa made a zipping motion in front of her lips, and Aubree covered her mouth with her hands.
I took that as my queue to finish. So I told them how two random girls rushed the table asking for my autograph, and how folks had been looking all over for me.
I mentioned how I was certain they’d took pictures of Duke and I, even though I asked them nicely not to.
I could tell it was taking everything in Jessa to stay quiet. Her expression moved from wonder to frustration, then straight to anger. I’d felt the same way when it happened. I continued, telling her how Duke got up and got us out of there.
Jessa pointed at her lips, and I nodded, already knowing she was about to say something.
“I really want to beat those bitch’s ass. Folks really don’t give a damn about people’s privacy. I had to get that out, now continue. Did Duke ask questions?”
I nodded, then continued.
“Did he? He wasn’t up for nothing I wanted to say. I wanted more time to share, but when I said that, he never asked for more. He got on his bike and told me when I was ready to be real, to come talk to him. He waited until I walked inside, then left with no words. It felt wrong.”
Aubree leaned on the counter and gave me a soft smile. “I get it. I’m going to assume because you came back here this morning with that man. You told him.”
“You would assume right. But it was for me, not him. I’m getting tired of the fear that my past has over me. I want more than that. I want to enjoy my life here with y’all.”
Jessa poked her lip out, and Aubree smiled. They rushed around the counter to hug me.
“Okay, let me finish. We only have another couple of minutes before I have to open. This one is going to burn y’all up.”
Both frowned and crossed their arms against their chest.
“Don’t piss me off, Solana. What happened?”
“I went to Chrome to tell him I was ready to talk. One of the bartenders told me where his office was, so I took a chance. I went up the steps, and the door was open. And guess who was in there? That thirsty-ass girl from the first time you took me.”
“Vanessa, I can’t stand that bitch. Continue,” Jessa said.
“Anyway, I overhear her basically trying to tell him how he should or shouldn’t handle things.
I come into view and she is sitting on the corner of his desk, trying to show her thighs.
I can clearly see he sees it, but he is telling her to get off his desk.
This is before he sees me, anyway. When he does, he dismisses her and homegirl shoulder checks me.
I stuck my foot out just in time and tripped her ass.
She almost fell down the stairs, then hopped up trying to fight. ”
“Oh, hell nah!” Aubree exclaimed, shocking Jessa and me.
“My thoughts exactly.” Jessa chimed in slowly before returning her attention back to me.
“Anyway, Duke gets in between us and she lets me know he won’t be here to protect me from her forever.
I let her know then and there, I’m not the type she thinks I am.
Women, like her, love to think when someone is beautiful they can’t fight.
Well, I want her to try me, so she can find out just how untrue that statement is. ”
“Well, you know you got us. I don’t play that bullying shit she tries to be on. I’m glad you were able to share your truth with Duke. Based on how you came in here, I’m going to assume he took it well.”
I nodded and checked my watch, noticing the time had already come and gone. I had two minutes left, and a few people were lined up outside. Every time I saw the effect the shop had on the neighborhood, butterflies filled my stomach.
“He did. I feel lighter now. I just wish I knew how to stop the shit that will inevitably be coming this way now that those girls took those pictures.” I shared.
Jessa nodded. “Maybe you need to get in front of it. I know you don’t want to entertain that part of your life. But I think even something as simple as a social media post could do. In an unrecognizable location, like your bedroom or something.”
I hated that what she was saying made sense. I claimed on more than one occasion that I didn’t want to continue to live in fear. But I was hiding one of the most pivotal parts of my life story.
“I hear you. I’ll think about it, if I decide to do it. Can I count on y’all to be my camera crew?”
“Damn right. Now, let’s open this damn door before these folks stare a hole into my forehead.” Aubree said, glancing at the customer, whose face was nearly jammed against the window.
I laughed and flipped the sign on the window to open as Aubree unlocked the door, letting everyone inside. I hoped the day would fly by—I was already starting to miss that man. It wasn’t just the thumping between my thighs… my heart missed the safety I felt when I was with him.
I looked up at the ceiling and whispered a silent prayer. Lord, please be a fence.