Page 2 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

“Mom, please.” Destiny murmured.

One thing she tried to bury deep in the past was the trauma of that night. It left a bitterness inside of her that she thought she would never overcome. Destiny still couldn’t forgive the fact that her normal life was snatched away from her in one night. She missed being able to run, stand, and walk long distances. Younever appreciate the little things that you don’t realize you enjoy doing in life until it’s snatched away from you.

“Dad, I got myself, I promise. Please don’t stress over me.” She said softly.

Henry didn’t answer, he just exhaled roughly and thought now would be a good time to admit to the expensive purchase that he made without telling his wife or his daughter.

“I won’t stress.” He smirked mischievously.

“I know your hands swell up and your arms get cramps from trying to wheel yourself around. This is why I had to invest; it was important, and it will help you.” He smiled confidently.

The women in the car inwardly shook their heads. Henry’s favorite line when he wanted to justify his actions of outrageous purchases was,I had to invest,orthis was a good investment.

“What did you do, Henry?” Kourtney cut her eyes over at him. She silently hoped that her husband didn’t go overboard.

“I ordered her an electric wheelchair. It’s fully loaded.” He chuckled proudly.

Kourtney couldn’t even say a word, she felt the urge to smack him in the back of his head but knew not to even go there with his hardheaded ass. She wasn’t upset that he got the electric wheelchair for Destiny. It was more so frustration, because she asked him if they should get one for her around the time she first got shot to make things easier on all of them.

“Thanks, dad.” Destiny’s mood lifted.

She saw plenty of videos and pictures of Blake U and knew that the campus was huge. She couldn’t wait to give her dad a big hug to express her gratitude. Henry was always thinking ahead of time. He always knew what she needed, and most of the time, Destiny didn’t have to fix her lips to ask for anything.

That was another thing Destiny was tired of. Her parents took care of her fully. Financially, they covered everything for her. Each month, her father deposited a hefty amount of moneyinto her bank account. She wanted to know what it was like to make her own money. Destiny wanted to buy her parents gifts and prove to them that she was capable of being an adult on her own.

“You’re welcome, baby, it’s fly too.” Henry added with a big contagious smile plastered on his face.

Henry pulled right in front of the school. Next, he was going to drive her over to Cove City, which was a popular suburb close to the school. It had several apartment complexes and housing developments where Destiny would stay. Henry already had a car service on call for his daughter. He even offered to hire someone to help her on a day-to-day basis, but Destiny refused and reassured him that she could do it all by herself.

Destiny’s eyes landed on the Blake U Bear with the words, Fierce. Focused. Fearless. Written in perfect cursive bold letters. Henry got out of the car first and went around to retrieve her wheelchair from the trunk. She turned around in her seat to watch him and smiled. Her chest tightened when he came around to open her door.

“You sure about this, baby?” Henry asked as he locked the chair’s wheels and held out a hand.

Destiny nodded her head then slowly transferred from the car to her chair with practiced grace. She hid her pain well, but today, it became excruciating all of a sudden. Ache crawled behind her knees and the stiffness clinged to her legs. She looked up at Henry and smiled weakly then pushed her shoulders back.

“I’m sure, dad; I’m fine.” She stated as confidently as she could.

Before her eyes started to well up with tears from the unbearable pain, she forced herself to think of something else. It was mind over matter. Her pain tolerance was high, since she dealt with pain most of the time. It was something that she was used to, although it still annoyed and frustrated her.

Students moved around everywhere, and music was playing loudly. Destiny could feel the excitement radiating off of everyone. She watched people walk fast and slow while others hit a light jog. This was everything she wanted and more — freedom.

“You got your water bottle, right?” He looked at her seriously before he started to wheel her.

“It’s hot as hell already, you know hydration is key when the meds kick in.” He added.

“I got everything I need, dad.” She reassured him with practiced patience.

“Okay, and I don’t want you taking your nighttime meds on an empty stomach. That’s why I wanted you to agree to having a chef come to meal prep for you every three days. You know?—”

“Henry!” Kourtney stepped out of the car, irritated with her husband.

“We still have to go get her settled into her apartment. You can say all of that there. Not in front of all these students. Just let her be and take her inside to get the rest of her paperwork.” Kourtney rolled her eyes hard in his direction.

“I swear, if we weren’t out in public?—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah! Just wheel her in and hurry up.” Kourtney got back in the front seat and slammed the door.

Destiny stifled her grin and put her head down. She loved them both so much it hurt sometimes. She loved the way her parents loved on each other and hoped that one day she could experience a love like that as well. She also loved that she knew that their bickering wasn’t anger, but fear dressed as nagging and a bunch of noise out of concern for her. It was an overbearing love that got her through her toughest battles. It all made Destiny more determined to prove to them that she could do this on her own and make them proud.

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