Epilogue
Perrae
Two years later
Today was the twins’ twelfth birthday. My backyard was filled with preteens from their class. Madison and the twins had grown and matured so much. They were big girls and the IT girls in their class.
Fortune, Lina, and Jason manned the party while I stood at my mailbox. I watched as the construction crew tore down the Packers’ house. It was nicknamed the house of horrors, so the city decided to get rid of it.
It was an out of sight, out of mind thing for them, but for me, that house would forever be with me. I said a prayer for the Packers and Ms. Notes. Their deaths were unnecessary and unfortunate.
Surprisingly, their deaths weren’t in vain. Antwan was only in prison for a year before he was killed. He must’ve got on somebody’s last nerve.
I looked away and at my mailbox. There was a single letter inside that caught my attention. It was stamped and addressed from the corrections facility. I sighed.
The letter was from Big J. I opened it and read it out loud. “Dear, baby mama. I know I wasn’t shit to you. I’m probably still not shit to you.
“But I’m grateful to have known you, Perrae. You were my legit high school sweetheart. I regret every day how I mistreated you.
“You are the best woman ever. It takes a strong ass person to endure what I put you through and still come the fuck out on top. You’ve raised all three of my kids on your own, and I’ll forever regret making you raise them alone and all the shit I put you through. I’m so sorry for hurting you.
“I know there’s no way I can help you out there, but I handled what was in my control. I’m going to die in jail, but I killed that muthafucka Antwan Price. He targeted you and my kids, and I refused to let that nigga breathe another day.
“It was all over the news, but my identity hadn’t been released. My lawyer took care of that. I just wanted you to know that you could sleep peacefully from here on out because I killed that fuckin’ monster. I’d do it all over it again for y’all.
“I’m gone but tell the girls I said happy birthday. Let JJ know I’m sorry for not being the father he needed. You all deserve better, and I’m glad I’m not in the picture to further ruin y’all lives. I love you, P. Take care.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks. I folded up the letter and sniffled. Big J was always gon’ be a street nigga, but for the first time ever, I appreciated his effort. I knew I shouldn’t have, but he did what he thought was best for his kids and me, and I couldn’t blame him.
“Aye, Mrs. Makers! What that mailbox got that I don’t?” Fortune questioned in his deep voice and a wide grin on his face.
“Absolutely nothing, husband. I’m coming now.” I closed the mailbox and shoved the letter in my back pocket. When I made it to our front door, Fortune picked me up and held me tightly.
“You good?” he probed, gazing into my eyes.
“I’m great, my love.”
“My girl.” Fortune and I shared a deep kiss before we headed back to the party.
My life had never been this peaceful and beautiful before I met Fortune.
When I stepped on our lawn, the girls surrounded me, so I did my dancey dance for them.
It was crazy how out of the darkness that shadowed my home, was a happily ever after I never saw coming. I loved my life.
The End