Epilogue
Six Months Later…
“Hi, I’m Kaleela, and I’m an alcoholic.”
The crowded room of her peers greeted her with a chorus of “hellos”.
She was nervous because not only were her peers there, but three of the most important people in her life were too.
Scooter and the boys sat front row with huge grins on their faces.
They’d completed their twenty-city tour, but he was back in the studio, busier than ever but still, never too busy for his girl.
“They say keep coming back, and I’m back.
It took me some time, I know.” She took a deep breath and looked at Shawn, who stood in the back of the room.
He greeted her when she first showed up, like a proud parent, but not for too long, when Scooter approached them both, introducing himself as the man in her life.
“I didn’t pick up, but it was hard.”
She tucked her lips as her chest swelled, fighting back tears. She hadn’t cried that much since she was seven or eight, the age Shonasia told her to get over the fact their mother was never coming back. This time though, they would be tears of joy.
The door opened, getting her attention, as Chaney and Donovan walked in.
Once it was clear that Scooter was all in, Donovan didn’t want to lose his cousin and his best friend.
It took some time, but there wasn’t more than a day or two when he didn’t hit Kaleela up, or she didn’t swing by the studio to kick his ass in a game of dice.
As for Sashay, she was back in jail, and it was for selling stolen goods to a cop.
Donovan still looked out for Granny Paula, but Sashay and the rest of her family had been cut off.
Serita took it hard, but as predicted, in no time, a Morehouse man saw her struggling to load up her car when she moved out of the apartment Scooter was paying for.
She invited him over for dinner, a smaller apartment her financial aid and part-time job could afford, and they’d been together ever since.
Scooter still sent a large lump sum of money because a promise was a promise, and she needed to make sure she crossed that finish line and apply to law school.
“I used the tools I learned and built my support system. Many are here today. They’ll tell you I’m a handful.”
“And is!” Chaney chanted, the room filling up with laughter. “But we love you, Kaleela.”
“I love y’all, too.” Her eyes went to Scooter, who mouthed he loved her more. Instantly, she blushed. He could do the smallest, simplest things like rub her feet, even polish her toenails, and in return, she’d suck his dick damn near all night.
“I’m also still learning, but each day, it gets easier. I’ve learned to forgive others, but the hardest work is forgiving myself.”
Her eyes lifted, and there was Shonasia and X, who slowly crept inside.
She smirked since Shonasia was always the last one to arrive, and she looked stunning.
She already knew if Chico was there, he wouldn’t be able to tear his eyes away.
Her streaked, sandy-brown and blonde hair fell over one shoulder, which complemented her gold satin, off-the-shoulder top and black slacks.
Three-inch gold stilettos clicked as she waved at Scooter and the boys.
X’s eyes skated across the room in search of Chico. He appreciated him and Chello helping out, but he wasn’t too keen on him also sending a million-dollar donation to his law firm. He tried to send it back, but his bank advised it had been redeposited.
“I’m also learning to accept help. For so long, I had to pretend I was invincible.
Proof of that are my two superheroes, my sister and my future brother-in-law, Xander West. I still remember the first time I met X.
” She smiled, watching him smirk. “I was drunk, and his best friend fake arrested me at the strip club until Shona arrived. I guess my drinking led her to one of the best things that ever happened to her.” She watched as Shona dabbed each corner of her eyes with tissue.
“X, bro, you helped her save me.”
“You did the work, Kaleela,” he replied, pulling Shona in and rubbing her shoulder.
“I have more to do because of my babies and my man, my man, my man.” The entire room hooted and laughed, a few clapping their hands as Scooter covered his heart and blew a kiss at her.
Rell snickered loudly while Travis nudged him, before Rell nudged him back.
She gave them that look with lifted brows, and they settled themselves down.
Her heart melted each time she looked at them.
All three wore the same shirt and jeans from Scooter’s clothing line.
It was called Beatz. With Nazir’s wife, CeeCee’s assistance, he managed to get his clothing line in several major stores.
“It helps to know that people can finally trust me. For years, I didn’t think I was trustworthy enough for anyone to trust me. Instead, I threw money at my businesses and hid, figuring my presence didn’t matter. It mattered, and I have to thank my sponsor, Shawn.”
He pumped his chest, followed by the nod of his head.
“I now know my purpose, and I have more than a plan. I’m executing them.” She looked at Scooter as he sat and stared with nothing but love in his eyes.
“My plans also include partnering with someone to add a spoken word, motivational speaking, along with a musical component to my community resource center. I know this certain someone, and his name is making waves, the best beatmaker and deejay in the music industry. I’m grateful he trusts me with his vision. ”
He pumped his fist over his heart two times and nodded.
He still wasn’t too sure if she’d taken on more than she could manage, but it would keep her busy in between their downtime.
He’d already told Nazir that if he couldn’t do both, he’d bow out gracefully and work independently.
As soon as Kaleela wrapped up, Shawn made his way to the front, then motioned for the others to stand.
“Ain’t she amazing?”
Scooter tucked his lips and narrowed his eyes, clapping his hands. He didn’t care what Kaleela said. A man knew when another man wanted his woman, and Shawn’s interests were beyond being her sponsor. He’d have to pay Rell and Travis to keep an eye on his ass.
“Glad you came back because now I need to give you this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a chip, but not any chip. It was one that symbolized two years of being clean.
“Take it. You worked hard these past two years.”
“Uh, two years, two weeks, and three days,” she corrected him.
The room filled with applause when Rell and Travis rushed her.
She was used to it by now as Rell plopped on her lap while Travis wrapped his arms around her neck.
Scooter stood nearby with the hugest grin on his face.
He couldn’t wait until they showed everyone what she’d been working on behind the scenes.
“Baby, you’re ready?”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He looked at Donovan, waving him over. He whispered in his ear, needing his help. Both were just about to leave when Shawn approached him.
“Scooter, is it?” Shawn spoke, extending his hand. Scooter hesitated for a beat but slowly slid his hand out of his pocket and shook his hand. They had a silent meeting of the minds, and Scooter preferred they keep it that way. “Take care of her.”
“Been doing it.”
Shawn’s eyes lingered a little too long at Kaleela, but no words were spoken as he took a few steps back, confirming Scooter’s suspicion. He had a rule about no dating the first year of sobriety, but he always wondered if she would be interested in year two. He guessed he’d never know.
“Matter of fact, follow me. Dread Man, relax. Shawn’s coming.”
“You ain’t about to kill that nigga, is you?”
Shawn lifted one brow, second-guessing himself, and not because he couldn’t handle himself. Scooter slapped his shoulder and smiled.
“Aye, we’re all here for the same reason. If you plan on remaining her sponsor, she has to see us getting along. Might as well start tonight.”
As the rest gathered around, the staff began to usher everyone to the cafeteria, where piles of food greeted them. It was all of Kaleela’s favorites, from smothered turkey wings, oxtails, yellow rice, collard greens, mashed potatoes, and sweet rolls.
“Mama Kaleela, we have a gift for you, too!” Rell announced.
“You do, baby?” He nodded his head, revealing a complete set of teeth at the top. At the bottom, though, two were missing. He didn’t mind, as long as the tooth fairy left him a hundred dollars per tooth. He even tried to pull out a few that weren’t due to come out until Scooter caught him.
“Little snitch,” Travis grumbled.
“Soooo.” He stuck out his tongue, then took off as they ran around with a few older children who were there. Kaleela couldn’t believe she was legally a parent, and she had The Crew to thank for that.
“Ready?” Scooter asked her when he came in with two covered canvases. She frowned, confused about why he had two. “Rell, Trav, help your mama with this.”
He placed the wrapped canvas in front of her, her tear-filled rims blinking. She had no clue what it was, but she could tell Rell and Travis couldn’t wait for her to see it.
“I can help!” Rell offered. She nodded her head up and down, softly sobbing.
When Travis ripped one side, Rell tugged on the other until the brown paper fell off.
There was a beautifully painted canvas of her, Rell, and Travis sitting in a park.
It was from a picture the day after they were legally adopted.
Her eyes lifted to Scooter, who stood with crossed arms, his lips tucked.
“That was hard as hell getting done without your nosy ass trying to keep up with why I was running late the other day. Mrs. Otto helped with it, but this is the first of many.” He knelt and pecked her lips. “I love you, baby, so fucking much.”
As they all began to head out to eat, Scooter called out to X. “Let me holler at you.”
“What’s up?” They slapped hands while Shona stood to the side. “Baby, walk with the others, and make me a plate. I’m coming.”
Her eyes welled up at the sight of the painting. She couldn’t believe they’d created their own little family. “Okay, I love you, but hurry.”
He kissed Shonasia on the lips, slowly releasing her hand. Scooter couldn’t help but notice the rock that sat on her finger. He hoped one day, Kaleela would see herself being open to marriage. He wasn’t rushing, but he also wasn’t giving her an out.
“So, uh, I know the history and all, but you know how Chico and Chello looked out for Kaleela?”
“I do.”
“I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have them over from time to time when we link up with the boys, creating new memories.
I wanted them to see what my baby didn’t see or have when she was growing up.
I wouldn’t dare do that shit without having your blessing, though.
Kaleela loves you. Hell, I almost love you,” he teased when X smirked.
“But more importantly, I respect you. I’m new to the scene, but I ain’t going nowhere. I know you’re not either.”
“Pfft. Hell no.” X rubbed his chin, giving it some thought. He didn’t have to be Chico’s friend, but he could at least try, as long as he remembered what he and Shonasia had was what they had.
“Your call.” He lifted both hands, and X smiled.
“Nigga, what you’re smiling for?”
“Let’s just say I want to shake that nigga’s hand for fumbling her, but if he wants to act stupid…” He lifted his shirt, revealing his heat. “And this is registered, but even if it wasn’t, he knows how I’m coming.”
“Fuck him if he moves crazy,” Scooter whispered, looking around. His loyalty would always align with Kaleela, but X was the truth. “You my fucking brother-in-law. He fucks with you, then he’s fucking with me.” A hearty laugh escaped X’s mouth when they slapped hands.
“Babe?” Kaleela pointed at the other wrapped canvas, then lifted one hand.
“What’s that?” Donovan asked. “Hurt my damn back; it was so heavy.”
“Something me and Kaleela painted for the rehab center. I ain’t no Picasso, but it’s a little something we wanted to leave here to remind her where her healing started.”
“Damn, this nigga painting now?” Donovan tittered then extended his fist. “Kaleela, your ass is the truth.” He looked over his shoulder. “Just stay the hell away from my girl. I see why she fell in love with your ass. What the fuck can’t you do?” he jested.
She wanted to tell him not much when she put her mind to it, especially since she was in physical therapy and learning to walk.
She was afraid to share her progress, but Scooter had other plans.
Once she accepted his proposal, he planned to have her walk down the aisle in front of their friends and family.
She often told him that he was her secret weapon, her motivation to move ahead, even if she had to do it in fear. In his eyes, though, she was his secret weapon, his muse who wrote the lyrics that made the perfect verse.
The End