Epilogue #3
“Oh, you think you’re so high and mighty?” Mrs. Holmes glared harder. “I’ll show you! And that baby is getting a DNA test whether you like it or not.”
I chuckled at her dumb ass. “That baby isn’t a junior, but he’s Bryan’s son. I don’t have to prove shit to you or any other person looking to take what’s mine. Now, get off my doorstep before I call the police and have you removed.”
She growled at me. “You think I’m playing with you, little girl?”
“Are you threatening me?” I questioned. I wasn’t na?ve to think that Bryan’s people wished I’d died alongside him. His drug money profited him well. He owned several houses, acres of land, cars, and two clubs. Well, I owned all that shit now.
Mrs. Holmes shrugged. “Do with it what you want. You’re not about to enjoy the fruits of my son’s labor.”
“Okay,” I simply stated, then slammed the door in her face. For once, I was thankful that Bryan had his affairs in order. He didn’t leave his family shit, and I wasn’t obligated to give them anything either.
Gift giving, Zia. Right. Leaving everything to me was Bryan’s final way of saying that he was sorry.
He was sorry for all the women, all the late nights, all the verbal abuse, and all the threats that I could never leave him.
This was his final gift to me. And I didn’t have to share if I didn’t want to.
Going back into my living room, I checked on my son, then picked up where I left off with packing. I was taking my time because my body was still healing. This house was never truly lived in. Although Christmas was days away, there was no sign of it in this house.
One way or another, I had to pick up my life and make it happen for my son. While it was on my mind, I stopped what I was doing and made a quick phone call. Picking up my life meant unpacking the trauma I’d picked up along the way.
The next afternoon, I entered Dr. Bell & Associates, a little nervous. My eyes darted everywhere, wondering if Percy was there. My follow-up appointment with him wasn’t scheduled for two more weeks. As the days wound down, I found myself increasingly anxious to see him.
A security guard led me to Kwamé’s office where she smiled brightly and welcomed me in.
“Aww! He’s so precious, Zia!”
Grinning, I said, “Thank you.”
She welcomed me to have a seat, so I did.
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”
“It’s no problem at all. What can I do for you?” she asked.
“I have some things to unpack, and I want to start with my deceased husband. Is that okay?”
Kwamé nodded. “That’s just fine.”
For two hours, Kwamé let me get everything off my chest. Therapy was good. It was the start to something great happening in my life.
Two weeks later…
I knew this day was coming. Facing the man who saved my life shouldn’t have had butterflies dancing inside my stomach. However, I could float there were so many going crazy inside me.
Percy entered the exam room, leaving me no more time to prepare myself.
He wore his signature all-black scrubs, Jordan’s, and a fresh line-up of his beard and fade.
I’d had plenty of time to control my body from reacting to him.
For so long, he’d owned my mind. So, it was nearly impossible to stop the hair on my body from reacting at every subtle thing he did.
“Mornin’, Zia,” he spoke to me. His next move caused my breath to hitch. He unbuckled my son from his car seat, then lifted him and laid him on his chest.
“‘Sup, Perseus?” he crooned. Stuck like hell, I barely heard him say, “Mornin’, Zia.”
“Good morning, Percy… I mean Dr. Cartright.”
He chuckled, brightening up the entire room. “Are you serious?”
Finally, I broke and laughed. “I’m trying to be professional.”
He waved me off. “Mind you, I know what ya favorite color is. I know that you hate peanut butter, but you love nuts. I know you got a scar on ya right hand from knockin’ the wind outta that girl—”
“Okay, okay!” I burst out laughing. I couldn’t believe he remembered all that shit.
“So, how have things been? Any pain? Anything goin’ on that I need to handle? What’s up?” He patted my son’s back and intently observed me.
More relaxed now, I felt like I was talking to the friend I’d made all those years ago. This was Percy. I recounted the last few weeks of my recovery, gave him a rundown of my concerns, and even included some of my fears. He listened and didn’t interrupt a single time.
“All in all, things have been great,” I concluded. Giggling, I thought, with everything I just said, are you ready to love me now?
Percy’s eyebrows crashed together. “Say what?”
Instantly, my heart stopped. I’d spoken that shit out loud!
“I mean… What I meant was…” Every time I attempted to clean up my misstep, I stuttered.
Percy’s head slowly tilted, and he stared at me, unblinking.
Suddenly, he was in front of me. He stood between my thighs and peered at me with his bottom lip tucked between his teeth.
He secured Perseus to his chest with one hand, then used the other hand to trace the structure of my jawbone. His touch ignited everything inside me.
“What did you just say, Zia?” he asked lowly.
Heart pumping at a high rate, I repeated, “Are you ready to love me now?”
THE END.