Page 32 of Somebody Else Will

“Yeah.”

She walked over to Denishia and spoke, then hugged her. When she looked at me, I could see the recognition in her eyes. She gave me a one-sided smile, then extended her hand for a handshake. “Hi. I’m one of Jerzey’s older sisters, Mekayla.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Nishia’s boyfriend, Ezekiel.”

She nodded. “I’m aware of who you are, but congratulations on the relationship,” she said as I admired her wedding ring.

It was huge. She slid her hand from mine and turned back to Jerzey. “Do you want me to call Anika or Keonshay to be with you? I can’t stay. I have a patient.”

“Thanks, but no. I’ll be fine with Denishia.”

She nodded and gave her a hug, then smiled at us and walked away. I turned to Jerzey and asked, “How many sisters do you have? She said she was one of your older sisters.”

“Yeah. I have three older sisters and two younger. So I have five sisters. I also have two brothers.”

“Are your brothers older than you?”

“Yes. Both of them are.”

“It must have been tough having five older siblings.”

“You have no idea,” she mumbled.

Who had eight kids this day in age? I thought that was a thing of the past after the mid-eighties. She didn’t seem to be too proud of that. She actually looked embarrassed, as if her having that many siblings was her fault. There must have been some trauma there for her to say what she said. I was pretty good at reading between the lines.

“Mekayla and I aren’t that close. That was why she asked if I wanted her to call one of my other sisters. It had nothing to do with her having to see a patient.”

I frowned slightly. My curiosity wouldn’t allow me to remain quiet, so I asked, “Why? Did y’all not grow up in the same household?”

“Yeah. We shared a room. Let’s just say that I saw way more than I should have.”

Oh, I refused to get into that. This wasn’t the time or the place for that. Denishia grabbed her hand, and she said something in her ear as Jerzey nodded repeatedly. Sounded like she had serious issues she needed therapy to work through, more serious than I thought from what they talked about at the repast.

When the doctor appeared in the doorway, we all stood. “Surgery went well. She will have scarring in her face, but she will make a full recovery. I have to warn you, her face is completely wrapped with only gaps for her eyes, mouth, and nostrils. It was a blessing she wasn’t cut in her eyes. The reconstruction was a pretty simple procedure, though, thankfully. Most likely, she will be here for a few days, while we run tests to check for infections and to also keep her wounds clean, especially the one in her side.”

Denishia nodded. “Thank you so much. When can we see her?”

“A nurse will come back to get you shortly.”

We all nodded as the doctor turned to me. “Nice to make your acquaintance, Mister Wheeler. I’m a fan.”

I smiled slightly and shook his outstretched hand. “Nice to make your acquaintance as well.”

He nodded then left. We were all seated, and Denishia leaned into me. After a moment or two, she looked up at me. “My poor friend. I feel like this is all my fault.”

I frowned. “Baby, what do you mean?”

“I feel like they were after me because of Will. I just feel it in my gut. If it weren’t for me, that woman wouldn’t have gone to the shop to wreak havoc.”

“You can’t control other people… their thoughts nor their actions. You did nothing to warrant anything that has happened regarding that man. Had he been the man you needed, you would still be with him. However, there’s only one Ezekiel Wheeler, and he was meant for you. This shit ain’t on you.”

She smirked slightly. “So you’re saying you’re the man I need?”

“You gon’ tell me I ain’t?”

“Hell no. So far, you’ve been perfect.” She huffed. “I just wish Jamia didn’t have to endure that.”

I caressed her cheek with my thumb. “Everything is gonna be okay. This shit is on that lady that vandalized your place and attacked Jamia.”

---