Epilogue
Rory
Five Years Later
Complete—The only word to describe how my life felt now.
Before meeting Aasim, I thought career advancement was all I needed.
To think that climbing some imaginary corporate ladder was all I wanted was laughable.
Now, I wake up to Aasim and our baby boy, Aasim Jr., and suddenly nothing else matters.
I would often smile at myself when I thought of how far we had come since meeting at the bar.
Aasim was a man of his word with leaving the Sons of Destruction.
While he gave up his seat as the president, he never gave up his brothers.
His path just led to him going legit in his business dealings, a move I appreciated more than he could ever know.
He took over for Mr. Jacobs at the community center.
Mr. Jacobs passed away a year after Aasim took over.
The loss was unbearable for him. I watched Aasim become a shell of himself for ninety days.
Those ninety days tested us in ways I could never imagine.
He was in a dark place, but I never left his side.
After Mr. Jacob’s death, he started meeting with the local politicians to advocate for changes in the community.
Aasim spoke on different panels, did fundraisers, anything and everything he could think of to get people to invest. His contributions spread throughout New York.
He didn’t limit himself to Harlem. My man went all the way to the governor’s office to advocate for after-school programs to keep kids off the streets.
With all he did for the community, he never stopped catering to AJ and me.
Before I gave birth to AJ, Aasim surprised me by purchasing the building next door to the community center.
By the time we brought AJ home from the hospital, he took me for a tour.
Aasim used the building to create a gym and daycare center.
The real surprise was finding out about the office space he created for me.
I cried, walking into the building because I wouldn’t have to be away from them while I worked.
Ava and I stepped out on faith while Aasim did his thing and started our own law firm.
It was scary, but I can proudly say there hasn’t been a moment where we have been without clientele.
Some of our clients from Schwartz & Barnes even followed us over.
The Towns & Ellis firm had so many clients after our first year, we had to hire another attorney.
We were a small but mighty firm. Being our own bosses allowed us to practice law the way Ava and I always talked about during our time in law school.
Tonight, Aasim and I were on our way to an award ceremony that was honoring him for his philanthropy and community outreach.
Thanks to him, the public schools had healthy meals.
He upgraded parks in multiple cities with funds he raised by going to local businesses and asking for donations.
It amazed me how he balanced his family and the work he did for the community.
Just the thought of all of his accomplishments caused me to look over and smile at him.
“Don’t be looking at me like that. We may not make it to the ceremony,” he said as he licked his lips at me.
“We’ll have plenty of time for that later tonight. I’m so proud of you, babe. Can you believe this is our life?”
“I thought it would be hard to leave the club life behind, but I was wrong. Mr. Jacob was onto something, making sure I took over the community center. Every day I wake up with purpose of making sure the kids in the neighborhood know the world is bigger than their block. With you and AJ in my corner, I can do anything. Thank you for taking a chance on me, sweetheart,” Aasim expressed as he reached out to place a kiss on my lips.
We pulled up to Gracie Mansion behind a sea of black trucks.
There were photographers and news reporters lined up waiting for people to step out of their vehicles.
I pulled out my compact mirror to make sure my makeup was intact.
It was our turn to step out of the car. Aasim got out first, then walked over to my side and helped me out.
After all these years, he didn’t permit me to touch any door handle in his presence.
A few reporters shouted our way, “Mr. Miller, this is a big night for you. Are you ready?”
Aasim and I just looked at each other and smiled.
We stopped on the red carpet to take some photos.
He shook the hands of some people he knew before we went to take our seats.
We ate dinner and chatted with the other partygoers at our table.
There were a few awards handed out this evening.
Aasim was receiving the mayor’s award for community outreach.
When the mayor approached the podium, Aasim remained as calm and cool as I’d always known him to be.
The mayor ran down the laundry list of accomplishments Aasim had completed over the years.
When he called Aasim’s name, it took everything in me not to hoot and holler.
When he stood up, I did the same and kissed his cheek before he went to grace the stage.
His tailor did a good job, ensuring his tux fit his muscular frame.
The Sons of Destruction vest was gone, but his dog tags remained.
His custom cuff links were the first anniversary gift I ever gave him.
Aasim wore things that meant something to him on this special night.
After the series of cheers, the room was silenced.
Aasim cleared his throat, then said, “Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for this honor. It’s been a long time for sure.
My journey started at the community center with Mr. Jacobs.
He was the first person in my life besides my Yaya to care about me.
He saw something in me I’ve only recently seen in myself.
Mr. Jacobs saw my heart. I was a child that never knew his father, and my mother wasn’t consistent in my life.
When we first met, I was angry with the world.
Mr. Jacobs took me under his wing and treated me like his own.
It’s because of him I can be the man that decides every day to get up and makes sure the youth in our community experience the best of everything.
Regardless of what’s going on at home, the kids deserve to be in a carefree environment that shapes them for greatness.
I plan to continue to honor Mr. Jacobs and his legacy.
The future for our little black and brown children will be brighter with each generation.
Thank you all for this acknowledgment. A special thank you to my beautiful wife.
I could never have done this without you. Love you, sweetheart.”
At the conclusion of his speech, the room erupted with applause. By the time he came back to the table, I was still wiping the tears from my eyes. Aasim’s vulnerability was commendable. His childhood was always a sore subject, but he used it for motivation.
I kissed his lips and whispered in his ear, “You’re amazing, my love. Never forget that.”
My love, admiration, and pride in being by his side grew every day. Aasim still made me feel like the woman he’d fallen in love with years ago. His love was pure, and I couldn’t ask for more. A scary time in my life led to me finding the man that who changed my world.
The End