Page 16 of Lost In London

“I appreciate it.”

Stepping out of the way, he let our father through.

Kandon Reid Sr.

My parents taught me many lessons about love, life, and what it meant to be a man. Some good and some bad. The lessons I cherished most were the lessons my father taught us without having to speak. Lessons on how to love and care for the woman you loved. His devotion to my mother is a big part of the reason I carry so much resentment towards her.

When it comes to his heart she’s always been selfish and took advantage of the honorable man. Is he partially to blame since he’s the man and let her do it?

Tomato tomahto.

In my eyes, my father put the well-being of his family first. My mother wouldn’t be the woman she is today without him. She wouldn’t have the success and legacy without him. Yes, the business was handed down to her but it was built on corruption and greed.

My aunts and her sisters were no different and I didn’t fool with that side of my family because of their ways.

“Son.”

“Pops.” No matter how smaller in size he was in comparison to me and my brothers, his grip never lacked strength. “I’m so proud. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Stepping back from my dad, I looked over his shoulders and my eyes locked in with the giant behind him. Quest and I were close, probably the closest out of all my brothers. Over the years, I took pride in being able to read him. It took thirty years but I finally broke the code.

Growing up he was the quiet one. Never really talking unless spoken to. For a while our parents thought something was wrong with him, taking him to a specialist who confirmed he was an intelligent kid but introverted.

Quest wasn’t introverted, he just didn’t like to talk. It’s always been that way. Then when he was thirteen he started telling us about his dreams. Dreams about scenarios that hadn’t happened but then did. His gift of foresight surprised my mother but not my father. He said at least one male from every household in his family had the gift.

Placing my gifts on a nearby table, I took a step back just in case he reacted off reflex. “I have a gift for you.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the bush of honey curls before he did.

Brow raised, he folded his arms. “A gift for me? This isn’t about…”

“Surprise.” Dove sang, stepping onto the back deck.

Stubborn in all his might, Quest kept his eyes narrowed on me, his lips folded in his mouth. I’m sure anyone outside of our group of people might get frightened by his disposition but I wasn’t. See, learning Quest has been one of my greatest life challenges. Getting into his mind was like finding the lost world of Atlantis.

Knowing what made him tick and also brought him comfort was making her way over to him with a cake in hand.

I planned on turning the dinner he and I were sharing into a small celebration of him retiring from the Military. He threatened us all months ago to not throw him a party and my mother listened.

“I think you’re welcome is the right word,” I smirked watching him battle his feelings.

“Congratulations, Quest.” Dove leaned up on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek.

I almost wanted to holler in laughter watching him sniff the trail of perfume she left behind her as she stepped to the side to let her dad greet him. By the time he was done being the center of attention, he looked like he was ready to murder me. Quest hated attention but what grinded his gears more was being in the same room, near the woman he wanted but couldn’t have.

Standing toe-to-toe in front of me, I thought he was going to put on his lieutenant voice and command me to do a thousand pushups or something. “Congratulations to us both.” We hugged and before he pulled back he whispered, “Payback's a bitch.” He stepped back and winked.

Watching him walk off, I looked across the restaurant and did a double take at the two women sitting at a high-top table. It’s been over a year since the first time I saw her. It’s been a month since she floated back in my path and two weeks since I last heard her voice. If there was ever a woman I knew whom my soul called out to it was her.

In the short amount of time I learned her name, learned the sound of her voice, I knew what India and I shared was just a moment in time. India thought I was heartbroken after we broke up. Being with someone for almost three years, devoting everything you are to them, ready to give them your last name and start planning for your future only to be rejected and told you aren’t who they want… it hurt and left a long sore bruise.

But I swear on my mama, my heart stopped hurting the minute she walked into a school board meeting ready to present her business for consideration of joining our new division of the healthy kids program. At that moment I thanked God for unyoking me from India. Looking into her jaded eyes I found peace, comfort, and healing… I found understanding.

She made me want to be impulsive and that went against everything I stood for.

I gave her space for a long time. I’ve waited and seeing her here now, I knew it was time to give in to my impulses and make my intentions known – I wanted her and I was going to have her.

“London!”

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