Chapter 19 #2
“Kid, what’s your name?” Emon asked, looking at the brother, who appeared to be the oldest.
“Jacques. This is Aaliyah, Miesha, and Lauren, my baby sisters.”
Blake’s heart melted watching Jacques hide his sisters behind him. He was protecting them and trying to provide for them. Blake was on the verge of tears, her emotions all over the place. She was sorry about how she treated Emon and also felt horrible for the kids in front of them.
“Nice to meet y’all. And, bruh, you know you could’ve gotten yourself killed tonight. You know that, right?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, but they needed to eat,” he said, pointing at his sisters. Emon didn’t know the kid, but he still pulled him into his embrace by the head.
“By any means necessary, huh?”
“By any means necessary.”
“Dig, Look, give me a minute to make some calls. Can I speak to your mom or something?”
“Ain’t seen Pilar’s funky ass,” Aaliyah muttered and shrugged. Blake stifled back a laugh. Aaliyah was the one without the patience, Blake could tell.
“Understood.”
“I’m Emon and this is my girl, Blake. We gon’ figure something out for y’all.”
“We don’t need handouts.”
“Word? So, you want a criminal record, and for you and your sisters to be separated? Is that what you need, young man?”
“Ain’t nobody taking my sisters.”
“Good, that’s how it should be. Now listen, get ya head out ya ass.
Let me help y’all.” Emon truly didn’t have time for the bullshit or for a fifteen-year-old to tell him a damn thing.
Pride was always going to be one of the master’s he never wanted to serve.
And Jacques couldn’t either if he wanted to protect his sisters.
There was no way he was going to be able to do it alone.
Emon stepped away to call his mom. He didn’t trust anyone else and these kids couldn’t go back to a home with no power and alone.
He just wasn’t that type of guy. Feeding them was only half of their issue, so he had to find them a place to lay their heads, if only for the night.
Emon didn’t doubt his mom, but was glad she agreed to let them stay with her for the night, or at least until Emon could get the lights back on in the morning.
“Aight, come on,” he said as the kids loaded up in the backseat of his truck. This whole situation had soured Blake’s mood, but she loved seeing her man spring into action with no reservations.
The kids rode in silence as he stopped here and there to take care of what he could for the night.
He made sure they had groceries, a cell phone with his number saved, the necessities, and a few outfits each.
He’d explained to Jacques that he was going to be working off his debt for the window at the pantry, so he needed to find his way to him by Wednesday.
He didn’t want a handout, so Emon wouldn’t give him one.
Plus, the saying of teaching a man to fish and him being able to eat forever still rang true.
“Thank you, Mr. Emon and sorry about earlier,” Jacques said, still shielding his sisters.
“Don’t worry about it. Come on, so I can introduce you to my mom. She’ll take care of you until we can figure something else out.”
Emon took the kids inside and introduced them to his mom, who was excited to have some company, even if it was for just one night.
“Ma, I’m sorry about all of this. I couldn’t leave them alone.”
“Don’t apologize to me for having a good heart. It’s how I raised ya.”
“Ma, they ain’t got nowhere else,” he said quietly after getting the kids settled in the living room with their new clothes and supplies. “Lights off, no food, and the mama being gone is a known habit.”
“How long has she been gone?” ViceAnne asked, already making up beds.
“I don’t know, but he said it’s been three days since they ate.”
“A damn shame. See, that makes me wanna tie my shoes up and pull my earrings off if you know what I mean.”
“Relax, I’ll get the lights handled tomorrow, but they need somewhere stable tonight.”
“Tonight?” His mother’s gold teeth flashed. “Baby, these children ain’t going nowhere. Not until we figure something real out.”
“You sure? That’s a lot to take on-”
“Boy, please. I can see the wheels turning in that big head of yours. We will figure it out. Go on and head home. I’ll call if we need anything.” She started pulling extra blankets from the closet.
After making sure they were settled, he said a prayer before sliding back into the car.
He thanked God he had the resources to help, and he prayed for the safety of everyone involved.
He wasn’t even sure if he was legally supposed to have these kids, but he cared about compassion way more than he cared about the law. It was still fuck 12.
It was just the two of them back in the car, and the friction and silence had come back. Blake wanted to end it and not take this to bed. She was wrong, but she hoped he understood.
“Bae, I’m sorry,” she muttered between yawns, her voice soft, like she was speaking more to herself than to him. The silence between them was heavy, a space where their usual ease had dissolved. She glanced his way, hoping to catch his eye, but his attention stayed fixed on the road.
He exhaled slowly, gripping the wheel a little tighter.
The whole night had worked on his nerves and stressed him a little bit.
Streetlights flickered across her face, illuminating the guilt written on her features.
Even now, with her unsure and apologetic face, she was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“You hurt a nigga feelings earlier,” he admitted quietly. The words felt simple but carried weight. His vulnerability had always been his strength, and he needed her to know her doubt cut deep. “I ain’t never gave you a reason to question my character like that.”
She sighed, and Emon pulled over on the side of the road, tired himself from the ripping and running he’d done on his Sunday off, but he didn’t care.
Being a good person was just who he was.
This was his way of paying back the community for the havoc he’d caused back in the day.
It was owed. The same way that cop looked at those kids was the same way he had been viewed before.
Like trash, a lost cause. He hoped he’d get the opportunity to show Jacques that he could make something of himself. He was living proof.
“I know and I’m sorry. I was out of pocket.”
“You really think I’d run something dirty through a place meant to help people?” His voice was quiet but firm. She shook her head. She hadn’t even thought of the implications her words carried.
“Nah, don’t do that,” he said.
She knew what that meant. As loud as she had accused him, he wanted an even louder recant.
“No.”
“Don’t ever question my character like that again, especially not in front of others. I ain’t that type of man, and you know it. I’ve never lied to you. Never broke a promise. Never put you in harm’s way. Stop doubting what’s in front of you. Damn.”
Blake’s eyes filled with tears. “I just got scared.”
“Of what? That the man you love ain’t who he says he is?
” he asked, his voice elevated a little bit, shoulders slumped.
He sat up, looking into her eyes. He didn’t want her to cry, and he didn’t want her upset, but trust was a must. He didn’t know what else he needed to show her or tell her that would make her believe what she was seeing, living, and feeling.
She could take whatever he said to the bank and cash it.
He’d never lie to her. Mistreat her. Mishandle her.
Pick that over this . Never. What she felt was real.
What she felt was true. What she wanted, he wanted too.
He reached into his pocket. “Let me show you exactly who I am.”
“Emon,” she gasped. The ring caught the streetlight, flickering slightly as he held it up.
“I’m the man who’s tryna love you forever, wanting nothing more than to build something real with you.
I’m the man who wants to make honest moves, so our kids never know the struggle.
Never have to break a window for food. I’m the man who wants you to be my wife, but I need to know you believe I’m who I say I am.
I ain’t feelin’ or understanding this straddling the fence you doing. Not wit’ me.”
Emon wasn’t being cocky, at least he wasn’t trying to be.
He felt like she could do this with any other nigga, but she couldn’t with him.
Emon had been straight with her from the jump.
He’d done more than show her that. Yeah, maybe his past wasn’t clean, but his future was crystal clear, and it had her in it.
He just needed her to be as sure about him as he was about her.
“I know, and you’re right.”
“Blake, I’m asking you right here, right now. Do you trust who I am enough to be my wife? Because I can’t build a future with someone who’s always looking for the catch.”
Blake shifted in her seat, sat on her knees, and turned the light on in the truck.
She screamed when her eyes landed on the ring.
It was beautiful and his words touched her.
She was wrong, and she knew it. Intrusive thoughts were a bitch, and the enemy was always busy telling lies and trying to trick people out of their spots.
Well, she vowed to never let that happen again.
“Oh my God, yes, Emon. I believe you. I trust you. Forever. I want to marry you. Yes, baby,” she screamed, grabbing him around the neck. He pulled her across the center console into his lap before resting his head on her chest.
“For real?” he asked, looking up. “For real?” he asked again, pecking her lips repeatedly. He didn’t want to spend his life proving he was who he said he was, but he would if it meant he’d have her for forever. She was worth that, but it didn’t need to come to that. She could believe in him.
“What’s more than for real?” she asked, returning the kiss, pretending to think.
“Yeah?” he confirmed once more with a smile. He never thought this day would come. Never thought he’d meet a woman that he wanted to do forever with, but here she was in his lap, gently massaging the back of his neck. He thought he was dreaming.
“Yes, Emontez Jarvis Dowlen, make me a Dowlen. Please make me a Dowlen.”
“Ok, I’ll do that for you,” he agreed. Blake grabbed the side of his face and smothered his mouth with hers.
Emon and Blake shared a kiss so passionate they felt like they were floating.
It was nasty, hungry, and sloppy, just how she liked it.
Blake pulled away to look into his eyes.
She was ready to get back home. Emon slid the ring on her finger and kissed her knuckles. It was beautiful.
“I love it. It’s beautiful,” she admitted, ogling and wiggling her finger.
“No take backs,” he whispered in her ear.
“No take backs needed,” she whispered back. Blake crawled back into her seat but refused to let his hand go. She was engaged. She was a fiancee. She couldn’t believe it, but yes, she could. Emon was right. He hadn’t let her down yet.
“I love you, Blake the Lake,” he said, kissing her knuckles again before placing his hand on her thigh and squeezing.
“Heard.”
They held hands silently on the way home. Nothing else needed to be said. No music played, just the beating of their hearts. They were content, feeling blessed.
They made it home in no time. Emon exited the car and came around to collect his woman. “Get on,” Emon prompted.
Blake climbed on his back and allowed him to carry her into the house. “I love you,” she said, kissing him behind his ear.
“You better,” he joked, placing her on her feet when they made it in.
When the door closed, Blake handled what needed to be handled. She didn’t stop until he was sucked and fucked dry of every drop. He deserved that and then some. She’d said and showed how sorry she was for ever doubting him until they were both spent.
What a night.