Page 54 of Krash & Bern

The joke made us both chuckle, despite the severity of the situation.

“I’m sorry the world is in your business,” he stated in a gentle tone.

“It’s not okay, but it’s also not your fault. We’ll figure something out.”

“I think I’m going to go live. I’ll have to talk to my people and make sure it’s a good idea, but I don’t want anybody to think disrespecting you for a couple likes and comments is the way to get clout.”

I nodded. “Okay, baby.”

He pulled out his phone and called his guys. I tuned out of the conversation while I continued to read the comments. These people didn’t know me at all but thought they’d had me all figured out after they read a couple articles and looked at a couple pictures. Some of these people must have had severe mental illness from the takes they had on the internet. The whole situation had given me a strong migraine. The pulsing against my skull made me close my eyes and release a frustrated sigh from my nose.

“We have a plan,” Krash announced.

I locked my phone and gave him my undivided attention. “I’m listening.”

“We’re going to make a formal video about the situation. We’re going to include a clip from your security cameras to show I was justified in defending you. If you are okay with the world seeing you in this moment.”

I chewed on my bottom lip. I could turn my traumatic experience into a public service announcement for victims of domestic abuse. There will be the incels who didn’t care for the facts, but controlling the narrative on my story would be the best choice for me.

“Let’s do it.”

It took about twenty minutes for us to set up the camera, get a script together, and press record. Krash sat beside me with our fingers interlocked.

“What’s good, y’all! It’s Krash Williams here with the lovely Bernice James,” Krash introduced us to the world.

I lifted my hand and gave a respectful nod and wave. “Hey.”

“I shouldn’t have to make this video, but these blogs love to run with a narrative that simply isn’t true. We’re going to play the clip first. Watch the scene unfold before we continue.”

I paused the camera feed and swapped the camera to show the security footage from yesterday. My breathing quickened as the scene unfolded. Hindsight was 20/20 because there was so much I could have done in the moment, but I didn’t.

The clip ended when Krash came to pull Rodney off of me. There was a moment of silence before our camera feed resumed.

“As you can see, there was an intruder in the home who needed to be dealt with. One thing I don’t play about is a nigga who abuses women. In all honesty, I wanted him dead. I wanted him to feel the pain he put my lady through. Shit like that boils the blood in my veins.”

“It was a terrifying experience for me…” I explained my history with Rodney and how I had thought I’d finally gotten my freedom after enduring his abuse for so long. I wiped away the tears.

Krash shook his head. “Instead of spreading rumors, y’all need to advocate for women, men, and children who are victims of domestic violence. Donate to charities, educate yourselves on how to see the signs. For all you trolls, mind your mothafuckin’ business and go touch grass, lame ass niggas.”

“Krash, please.”

“I don’t play about Bernice James who will soon be Bernice Williams, so y’all better find something safe to do.”

The video ended, and we emailed the file to Deionte to post on Krash’s social media accounts. Once the email was sent, we went back into the living room and cuddled on my couch.

“Are you good?” he asked as he rubbed his hand on my thigh.

“I’m okay. This was a learning experience. I hate the whole world knows my business now, but it is what it is. Hopefully, our story can bring some comfort to other women who are currently dealing with a similar situation.”

“Fa sho. I cleared my schedule, so what do you want to do today?”

“I’d like to relax and be lazy. I have a feeling I’m going to be greeted with a lot of bullshit when I have to go back to work, so low energy activities would be great.”

“We can binge a show, build a bucket list together, or some shit like that.”

“I’d love to watch a show with you and stuff my face with junk food.”

“If we eat a bunch of junk, you better be in the gym with me tomorrow.”

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