Chapter 2 #3
As I sat there, I kept the windshield wipers on high, and I took in what I could. The Dubois Funeral building wasn’t your typical funeral home, or nothing compared to what was back home in New York or Chicago. It looked like a smaller version of the church minus the steeple.
The funeral gave this wealthy tone versus a death vibe that most of them had. After a few minutes the rain started to slow down just enough so that could see the front of the building. There was a circular drive that was lined with all black, and darkly tinted Denali’s.
There had to be at least eight of them parked out front and from the looks of it, they were hosting a funeral, which was where those people I saw walking in all black down the street were headed too obviously.
The funeral workers were moving about escorting people from their cars, and the ones that were walking up on the property while holding these large black umbrellas wearing dark suits.
The front of the building looked familiar, it looked like the picture that my mom had taken with the boy whose face was scratched off, the only thing that was different was the front of the building now had an awning.
And right under the awning stood a tall black man that looked to be in the same spot as the young boy was in the picture.
The man looked to be a few years older than me, he was wearing an all-black tailored suit and had a white glove on one of his hands.
His other hand I could tell from the way he was standing was positioned behind his back.
I couldn’t really see his face at first, and the hat that he was wearing made it hard to see him as well, but I felt this pull toward him that made me focus on him intently.
I was so drawn to him that I wanted to see his face and as I pulled off slowly, the closer I got the clearer he became.
He was dark skin, had sharp cheekbones and full lips then our eyes locked and something in the way he was looking at me grabbed and told a chokehold of my soul and had me in a trance.
As he cracked a smile at me, I temporarily forgot to breathe… it was my phone ringing that startled me so bad I yelped out. Looking down at my phone I saw that it was Julian calling.
At first, I wanted to let the call go to voicemail but being that we hadn’t spoken since we parted ways at the airport I knew I needed to take his call.
“There goes my sunshine,” his deep baritone bellowed throughout the Bluetooth speakers.
“Hey babe.” I softly responded as I slowly pulled off my eyes still somewhat glued to the tall man.
Just like the lady that was on the corner, in my rearview I could see that he was still looking at me with that same smile once I had driven past.
“Just checking on you…how’s it going?”
“So far, it’s okay. I just made it into town.”
“That’s great, are you all checked in?”
“Not yet, I was driving around town, taking it all in.”
“I see, I didn’t want to disturb you, but you’ve been heavy on my mind. Just wanted to make sure you were good. You didn’t call me once you made so…” his voice trailed off and I could feel the concern he had for me through the phone.
“My bad babe… everything is fine…overwhelming but fine. It feels weird being in a place where my entire family was born and raised and not know anything about any of them but mom. Right now, I’m filled with so many emotions that I really don’t know how to feel.”
“I have court in the morning, but right after I can take a flight-”
“No, you don’t have to do that,” I interrupted him. “I need to do this alone. I need to be able to process everything by myself. I know how you are, so please don’t take offense to that.”
“None taken at all. I just want you to know that I’m here for you and only a phone call and flight away if you need me.”
As we talked, I saw that I was just around the corner from the hotel that I was staying at so I decided to cut my mini tour short and head over to it so that I could check in. Once I made it to the hotel, I pulled up to the valet and immediately someone was at my driver’s side window.
“Welp babe, I’ve made it to the hotel. I’m bout to head inside to check in… I’ll give you a call a little later, okay.”
“Sure thing. I have one more promise for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Make sure you get you some rest and something to eat.”
Unlike last time, I responded, “I promise. I love you, Julian.”
“I love you more Noa.”
I handed the valet my keys, and he told me to head inside and that he’d bring in my bags from the trunk.
Grabbing my purse and camera case, I headed inside.
After checking in I went straight to my room and was taken away by the antebellum yet modern setting of it and of how massive it was. It was like a mini suite.
I needed to use the restroom, but before I made it to the bathroom the bellman was at my door with my bags.
After tipping him, I went straight for the bag with my toiletries and took out what I needed to take a must needed shower.
Afterward I planned on getting some much-needed rest and at some point later, I’d see if I was up to getting something to eat.