Dionysus- Chapter Five
I watched Mars as she slept. Between counting down the time and holding her in my arms, I knew this moment couldn’t last forever.
The thought of wanting to be selfish and make her miss her plane ran through my mind many times, but I knew this was a part of being in a relationship, one I said I trusted.
Leaning forward, I planted a kiss on her soft cheeks.
“I love you, gang, forever,” I whispered.
Just as I lifted, her alarm went off. It took her a minute, but her eyes opened, staring directly at me. “Today’s the day,” she groaned.
I ran my hand down my face. “I know. Get up, baby. You can’t miss your flight.”
She stretched before getting off the couch and heading into the bathroom.
The moment she stepped inside and closed the door, I reached down to grab my phone to text everyone to make sure they were at the airport.
We were a family, and it didn’t matter the accomplishment or event; we had vowed to always be there for each other, and I expected nothing less for Mars.
Once I got everyone's green light, I opened my tracker app to make sure the bitch was still working.
“Cool, cool,” I mumbled.
As I slid on my clothes, I smiled because the only things left here were this couch and a speaker. Mars and I had come a long way, and with the will of God and my village, I knew we would go further.
***
After what felt like minutes, which was truly a few hours, we were headed to the airport. I watched as Mars went from smiling one minute to looking scared in the next. I placed my hand on her leg.
“You’re going to be straight. Chill. Go learn some shit and have fun.” I winked.
She let out a sharp breath. “You know what? You’re right. Maybe when I get back, we can start planning for our wedding.”
I nodded. “The universe is yours, Mars. Whatever you want,” I told her.
By the time I truly focused back on the road, we were approaching the airport, where everyone was waiting. The biggest smile graced her face, and for those few seconds, I got emotional.
“Fuck, man!” I blurted out. “Mars, I don’t know if I can do this,” I choked up.
She turned to me. “Dio, I will be back. A lioness always comes back to her tribe.”
I shook my head. “Not the tribe, Mars. Come back to the prince.”
She laughed. “Okay, to the prince.”
I parked the car, hopped out, and grabbed her bags.
The moment she stepped out of the car, her friends rushed into her arms. Chevy and Z stood behind everyone, looking like sad parents.
It was as if their cub, whom they had nourished, was leaving to never return.
Samara was a lioness just as Z was, and she was ready, whether any of us wanted her to leave or not.
Foe stepped forward, blowing smoke from his lips. “Damn, y’all acting like she’s moving away. Her narrow ass is just going overseas to do some painting and shit.”
“Nigga, ease up. Nobody talking about Harvey old I’m wearing glasses to be cool ass. She don’t need them shits,” I snapped back.
His eyes slowly rolled my way. “Yeah, nigga, what? Talking about my girl; what about yours?”
Diamond forced himself between us. “Y’all niggas corny. Come here, Samara. Give your uncle Diamond a hug,” he said as he pulled her away from her friends and into his arms. “We know your nigga is slow. I think he was on that bus. Just remember you is smart, you is kind, you is beaut—"
Diamond was pulled back by Yana, and all I could do was shake my head. Preach said a small prayer for her before Chevy and Z came closer, holding the twins. Samara reached out, touching her brothers.
“Peace, I love you. Savior, I love you,” she said before pausing, staring at Zaria. “I know it’s only for the summer, but I’m going to miss you, Mom.”
Zaria’s eyes welled with tears, and that shit fucked me up. Her lips began to tremble. “You—” she choked up. “—I can’t do this,” she said and walked off.
It was killing me not to chase after her, but I couldn’t walk away from Mars.
Chevy pulled her into a hug and whispered something in her ear.
When he lifted, he looked at me and nodded, then followed behind Z.
It was now the time for me to say goodbye to my girl, and I didn’t want to do it.
She smiled as she gripped my shirt, pulling me closer to her.
“You behave this summer. No killing,” she whispered. “I love you, and I will call you when I land.”
I pinched between my eyes. “I’ll behave, but you better do the same. You know I love you to Mars and back.” I winked.
Everyone said their final goodbyes as Samara disappeared beyond the airport doors. It was something good for her, I just hoped she still fucked with a nigga by the time she got back.