Chapter 9
CHAPTER
NINE
New life. New leaf. New lovers.
I stood at my front door with Flocco in front of me, holding it open. His eyes were sad. The smile on his face couldn’t conceal his true feelings. I wrapped my arms around his neck and tilted my head, trying to read him like the half-opened book he was.
“What’s wrong?”
He shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“Then why that face?”
“Because for the first time in a long ass time, shit feels right. Too right.”
“I love that for you.”
Silence betrayed me. I had more words at the tip of my tongue, but held onto them. My attachment to Flocco was growing and there was hardly anything I could do to stop it. So I chose my words carefully. I moved with caution. And, I tried my hardest to stay ten steps ahead of him.
“You good? You hungry?”
I tucked my bottom lip in and nodded.
“I could use some food, but I’m too tired to go anywhere.”
“You don’t have to. I’ll go get you something.”
“You sure, Flocco? We just got back. I could go make something or walk to the s–”
“I’m sure. That shit doesn’t matter. I’m not tired of your stubborn ass yet.”
“Oh, so that’s what this is about?” I sniggered. “You miss me already?”
“And a nigga ain’t even left yet.”
I shook my head.
“I’ll be on the porch waiting until you get back. Don’t be in a rush. I’m not starving and I want you to go home at least for a few minutes to decompress.”
“I’m good, Hyph, but I’m going by the crib.”
“Alright. I’ll be here.”
“One more kiss.”
I pressed my lips against his. Slowly, he backed out of my doorway.
He’s toast. I thought as he walked backward to his car, never taking his eyes off me.
I watched as he got into his truck. Shortly after, he disappeared. I turned around, stepping inside of my house. Though I was happy to be home, loneliness began to creep in.
Maybe I miss him, too.
I leaned over, handing Saga the letter I’d been staring at for the last hour and a half.
She was a few steps ahead of me with a bag of strawberry cookies in her hand.
Her menstrual had touched down and her cravings had led us to the candy lady.
Because I knew Flocco would return soon, I didn’t buy anything for myself.
“Shut up, bitch. This what been had your attention all this time?”
“Yes,” I sighed. “I got in.”
My acceptance to the University of Huffington at Channing was solidified.
The next four years of my life would help me carve my corner in the world.
I’d applied to the nursing program with the intentions of cunning the dean out of a spot on the roster if necessary.
It wasn’t. I’d been granted admission and would be starting classes late August.
August 24th.
It would be the first day of the rest of my life.
No distractions.
No clubs.
No trips.
No trouble.
That was the plan and it was also the reason I had to make my summer in Dooley one to remember. I would be turning a new leaf soon and I was unsure what that chapter looked like for me. I’d been pouring into my savings, piling them so that work was the last of my concerns when studies got tough.
I finally had an egg nest. The rest of the money from Zeek’s duffle would pay for everything the scholarships I’d applied for wouldn’t. For the program I was entering, I’d only be out of $11,000. By the time I’d taken my last class, my home would be paid in full and I’d officially be debt free.
“I didn’t doubt you would.”
“Would’ve sucked the dean’s dick to make the cut.”
“And would’ve,” Saga chuckled, shoving another cookie in her mouth.
“Let me have some, Saga!”
“What’s up, Hyphen? Got my money up, baby girl. I can pay to play.”
I rolled my eyes, uninterested.
“Keep getting it up Jarrod. Last month’s price is not this month’s price.”
“You so hard on a nigga,” he fussed.
“Keep hope alive,” I encouraged.
“Or not,” Saga whispered.
“I don’t even like the way his knees knock. He doesn’t stand a chance.”
We rounded the corner with all eyes in our direction. Still, we continued down the street until we reached our destination.
“But this nigga does!” Saga exclaimed, pointing toward my porch where Flocco stood, key in hand.
“And you gave him a key?”
“No. I didn’t. He is a fucking nut case, Saga. I still don’t know the real story behind him and that key.”
“Oh, I like mine a little crazy. Show me you really care, baby. Me and a nonchalant nigga ain’t got a fuck thang to discuss.”
“I don’t know, Sag.”
“You are the nonchalant nigga. Fuck you going to do with another you?”
I agreed with a nod.
“Okay. Okay. I see what you did there.”
Flocco didn’t miss a beat. He noticed as we approached. Instead of heading inside my home, he took a seat on the porch.
“I’m going to take my Black ass home. My granny refused to give me my baby earlier because he’s been watching her shows with her. I’m going to try my luck again and see what I get. I might have to camp out on her couch just to see my son.”
“Let me know if you need company.”
“You have company, hoe.”
I shook my head. “Not for long. He just– he wasn’t ready to leave.”
“And you think he’ll be ready to leave tonight?”
“Yeah. Because no matter how much he wants to stay, duty calls.”
“Alright. We’ll see. I’ll call you.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Saga and I parted ways. I headed for my porch and she headed home.
Secretly, I was happy Flocco had returned. I wanted to be alone, but I wasn’t ready to be alone. I folded the acceptance letter up and shoved it in my back pocket.
“Hi again.”
“What’s up, Trouble?”
“You came back.”
“I’ll always come back, baby.”
“What did you get us?”
“Smoked sausages.”
I took a seat next to him on the porch. We didn’t bother with the chairs. We sat on the steps, food between us as we watched Dooley come alive before our eyes.