1. Treasure
TREASURE
PRESENT DAY . . .
“Happy biiiiirthday dear Treasuuuure . . . Happy birthday to youuuu!” everyone sang joyfully.
I gave my family a tight smile, then stared at the thirty candles.
They cheered as I chuckled at their excitement and slowly shook my head.
They were more excited than me. Everyone was here.
Uncle Red and Aunt Shana, Uncle Ryder and Aunt Tiff, Uncle Philly and Aunt Kema, and all their kids and their spouses, not to mention my siblings and their spouses.
We called our older cousins Shana, Ryder, and Philly, along with their spouses, aunts and uncles out of respect and because they were close to our parents, like siblings.
Epic put his arm around me and kissed my cheek.
Mythic sat on the other side of me with Caleb and Majestic.
Caleb immediately reached for me. He had turned three years old a few months ago.
I hugged him to me and closed my eyes, doing my best to fight the voices in my head.
You will never have children. Cherish him and Majestic like they’re yours.
I felt a hand gently rubbing my back, and I knew it was Maui. I knew her touch anywhere. Between her and my mama, they coddled and babied me the most.
“Make a wish, sis,” she said.
I nodded, then closed my eyes. I wish I could let go of the past and openly love Kingsley with everything in me.
I blew out the candles, and Caleb clapped his little hands like everyone else.
He slid off my lap, ready for some cake and ice cream.
I sat back in my seat and watched everyone move about.
They were all so happy. Bali was so close to her delivery date it was insane.
Noni was about four months away. I watched Bali eat ice cream and close her eyes.
I could only chuckle. She craved Blue Bell ice cream all the time .
. . all flavors. She did her best to stay away from it, but I knew with it right there in her face, there was no way she would be able to resist.
“What are you laughing at, baby girl?”
I turned to see my dad sitting next to me. He put his arm around me and kissed my cheek. I leaned against him, soaking up his affection. “Bali and how she’s eating that ice cream.”
He chuckled too. “Yeah, she fucking that shit up.”
“Don’t let her hear you.”
“You must have forgotten who I am. I am thee Legend Semien. If I can ride the rankest bulls and show them who the boss is, I ain’t scared of shit.”
I chuckled again. When the doorbell rang, I tensed up. Everyone who was invited was here. I wasn’t sure who else would be coming.
“I got it!” Grandma Rose yelled.
I watched her until I could no longer see her, while my daddy gently rubbed my arm.
Knowing that people could still be watching me, kept me on edge.
I didn’t die and neither did Mythic. They said they wouldn’t stop until we were all six feet deep.
So, it was safe for me to assume that this wasn’t over, no matter how long it had been.
I looked around the room, in search of Mythic and PJ.
When I saw PJ’s eyes trained on the front door, I relaxed a bit. He wasn’t at one hundred percent yet, but at least he’d gotten rid of that colostomy bag. That was a huge nuisance to him. However, I knew if he had to, he would still defend us with everything he had.
I could hear Grandma talking, then she closed the door.
When she came back, she had a huge bouquet.
Daddy stood from the couch and grabbed it from her.
It could only be from one person. We talked on the phone almost every day since that day I ran to his open arms, when Aaliyah was in labor, but I hadn’t spent any time with him.
Fear was a beast. I needed to relax and let him love me.
It was just so hard to overcome. Daddy handed me the card as I looked at all the beautiful roses.
There were red, purple, and pink roses .
. . all my favorite colors. Kingsley knew that about me.
He knew a lot about me, since we’d been talking for over two years.
After taking a deep breath, I stood from the couch.
I knew I needed to be alone to read whatever he had to say.
It seemed everyone was watching me as I ascended the stairs.
When I got to my room, I closed the door and sat on my bed. I folded my legs in Indian style and just stared at it for a moment. I didn’t know what all he would have to say, but I was trying to prepare myself for the emotions his words would evoke.
I opened it, and read:
Happy birthday, Treasure. I wish you all the best life could offer.
You are one of life’s amazing treasures.
Don’t ever forget that. No matter what has happened in the past, you are still one of God’s invaluable creations.
You deserve all good things. I know I have never told you, and I wanted to tell you in person, but it doesn’t seem like that will ever happen.
I love you so much. Continue being a beautiful soul.
I wish you all the best, whether I’m in the picture or not. Enjoy your day. Love, Kingsley
Just as I thought they would, the tears were falling down my cheeks uncontrollably.
I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just let him be here.
I lay in bed and pulled my knees to my chest. I loved him too, but my mind kept me from showing him .
. . telling him. The cries that left my lips only produced more tears, and I could feel myself becoming nauseous.
I wiped my face and did my best to subdue my emotions.
It was my birthday, and I was miserable. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I sent him a message.
Thank you, Kingsley.
I couldn’t stand to send any more than that without becoming overwhelmed all over again. My phone vibrated with a response from him.
You’re welcome.
He was going to be done with me. I could feel it. I’d waisted three years of his life. There was a soft knock on the door. I quickly wiped my face until I heard, “It’s me, baby.”
It was my mama. “Come in, Mama,” I said, damn near falling apart.
She came in and ran to me, immediately wrapping her arms around me.
“Baby, it’s gonna be okay. Listen to me.
I want you to change counselors. I also need you to be honest about what you’re feeling.
Kingsley wants to love you so badly. I really think he’s good for you.
I thought you were letting go when you ran to him last month when we were at Royal’s house. This isn’t healthy, baby.”
“I know. I just can’t seem to stop being afraid. All of those people weren’t caught. What if they take me again? What if they get Mythic? I’m tired of feeling this way, but I don’t know how to make it stop.”
She held me closer to her. “Kingsley wants to help you through it. That means he can handle whatever you dish out. Let him help you, Treasure.”
“How though?”
“You can start by just letting him be here, even if he has to be around all of us. I’m more than sure he will be grateful to just be near you, baby. That man looked so happy when he held you in his arms over a month ago. As your mom, I can truly feel that you are safe with him.”
More tears fell down my cheeks. Those people were after his dad too.
I didn’t tell anyone that, and I wondered if the Hendersons knew.
If they had evidence that he did what they said he did, wouldn’t they have arrested him by now?
They were out for their blood. How would I be safe in a family like that?
“I can see your wheels turning. Do the Hendersons have drama? Yes, but so do we. When I said you would be safe with him, I was talking about here.”
She laid her hand on my chest.
“Your heart will be safe . . . your soul will be safe . . . your spirit will be safe. I do believe that Kingsley will protect you at all costs physically and mentally as well, baby. That man wrestles with alligators, or so I’ve heard. He can surely protect you.”
I smiled slightly. I remembered one time that I’d called Kingsley, and he told me he was cutting up alligator tail. He didn’t have a fearful bone in his body. He hunted all the time and went fishing and crabbing. One thing was for certain, that man would never go hungry.
I grabbed my phone, then glanced at my mama. Pulling up our thread, I messaged him.
Can you come over?
He responded immediately, like he was holding his phone, hoping I would say more.
Absolutely. I’m on my way.
My mama hugged me tightly. “That’s the first step, baby. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it.” She kissed my head. “I love you, Treasure. Come on back down and enjoy your party, girl!”
I chuckled softly, then went to my bathroom to wipe my face.
After taking a deep breath, I walked out to my room to see my mama waiting for me.
She put her arm around my shoulders and kissed my cheek.
They’d been trying to let me work through my issues with the counselor and had sort of just went along with what I felt comfortable doing.
I supposed my mama finally felt like she should intervene.
It obviously wasn’t healthy mentally what I was doing. I was stressing myself to death. That could really kill me. If I survived those couple of days, being tortured, then I would survive the aftermath. I couldn’t let my mental instability and fear beat me.
We walked down the stairs, and my daddy was at the bottom, waiting to comfort me.
My parents, brothers, sister, and sisters-in-law had been amazing support for me.
I couldn’t have been born into a better family.
I hugged my daddy, then Mythic, Epic, and Carter, then made my way to the kitchen, where the ladies were.
I sat on a bar stool and listened to them talk about motherhood.