Page 19 of Krash & Bern

“I’d love to see you try.” My teeth gritted together as I pulled up my pants and advanced on him.

“Krash!” The familiar voice almost made me pause.

Am I hallucinating?There was no way Bernice was at the bar, right? I rolled my shoulders before I squared up with the man who had the confidence of the world on his face.

“Don’t do that shit in my bar,” the bartender stated.

“Don’t worry, Rick. I’m going to lay his ass out without any damages to the bar,” the man said confidently. He squared up with me.

“I’m going to call the police. Neither one of you need to throw a punch, or y’all will be banned from my establishment,” the bartender, Rick, threatened.

“That’s not necessary, sir. I apologize on his behalf for his behavior.”

Bernice stepped in front of me and addressed the bartender. She wasn’t a hallucination. She was really here.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she addressed the other man. “Please continue to enjoy your night. He’ll be leaving.”

“Man, fuck that nigga. He was the one causing a problem?—”

“And I’m here to provide a solution. Come on.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bar. I didn’t protest because I didn’t have the energy to argue with my lady—or rather ex-lady at this point.

When we got to my car, she dug into my pocket in search of the keys.

“You’re going to drive?” I asked with a raised brow.

“You’re not getting behind the wheel,” she replied. “I know how to drive, Keyshawn.”

She unlocked the car and pushed me into the passenger seat. My head spun as I tried to buckle my seat belt. She got tired of watching me struggle and leaned over to snap the belt in place. Her scent was fruity, the distinct smell of her bodywash. I closed my eyes and inhaled. Her scent immediately lulled me into a calm I hadn’t felt in weeks.

She climbed into the driver’s seat and adjusted the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirrors. She made sure she could see clearly before she pulled out onto the main road.

Had this been a sober moment, I would have been proud of my baby for making the drive home. However, patches of my memory were missing because one moment, I watched the city lights through the window, and the next, I felt the soft, silk pillowcase touch the side of my face.

My eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. The headache in the morning would be inevitable. Bernice’s soft, gentle hands caressed my face.

“Krash, you can’t do this, baby…” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

My eyes closed as the pain of my actions weighed heavily on my chest. “I know…”

“This doesn’t have to be the end,” she stated.

“I can’t do long distance, Bern. I won’t be content with a couple FaceTime calls and text messages. I need you by my side. I need you here with me.”

Her eyes were soft as her manicured fingers found the nape of my neck and caressed the skin softly.

“I’m not putting my education on hold for a relationship, no matter how in love I am with you.” She gulped as she blinked away the tears in her eyes.

“So this is it? We’ve only lived in the apartment together for a few weeks. You’re going to move out?”

“I have the whole semester left, Krash. However, if you don’t want me here until it’s time for me to go then… I guess I can pack up and find somewhere else to go.”

I smacked my lips. “I don’t want you to go anywhere else, Bern. I do know how awkward shit can be when we know we’re on a path to nowhere. I would still love to have you in my life until you move away.”

“You confuse me, Krash.”

I licked my bottom lip and shifted in the bed. A deep sigh passed through my lips. “You know I’ve been through a lot of shit, Bern. From my mama to my dad, I’ve been abandoned and abused by folks who were supposed to love me unconditionally because I ain’t ask to be born. You’re the only positive aspect of my life. I’m not sure I’ll survive on my own without your light to guide me. I don’t want you to leave, and I know there’s no place out there for me. My boxing career is about to take off. I can’t switch gears now.”

“I know you’ve been through a lot, baby. You were dealt a shitty hand, but you’ve made the most of it thus far. Just like you have a budding career here, I have a promising career at the technology school. This is important to me, like boxing is to you.” She rubbed my cheek with the back of her hand before she leaned forward and gave me a gentle kiss.

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