Page 35 of Still Forever
“You’re welcome. I’ll play my part, and you play yours. You ready?” She chuckled as she turned from the mirror and walked toward the door.
The ride to The Scared Estate must have only taken thirty minutes, but with all the dirt roads we took, it felt like the drive would never end. I was lost in my thoughts the entire time, praying that whatever happened today would go in my favor. I had no other choice and no time left to figure out a backup plan. I was all in. I closed my eyes and tapped my hand on my knee as my mind took me back to KD.
When Kennedy said that she was simple, she meant that. I had been around her mom's and pops and knew that they came from money, but if you looked at anything other than the labels in KD’s closet, you would never know. She drove a luxury, yet affordable, car, worked her ass off as a school psychologist, and still had me in the hood late at night. Because Nana’s was the only spot that was still open and sold pancakes.
I was familiar with the area; my face was well-known all over New York, but especially on the blocks we served, and this was one of them. As soon as she told me that she was headed here, I made sure I came to take her. This wasn’t a part of town that you wanted to be in when the sun went down, but she didn’t seem to care.
When she finished eating, I paid the tab, and we headed to the door. Holding it open, I had my hand on the small of her back and guided her outside and onto the curb. We were talking and laughing about something before her eyes landed on a young girl. She couldn’t have been any more than 20 years old, but it was evident that she was strung out on drugs bad.
“Excuse me, miss, do you have a couple of dollars to spare? I’m so hungry.” The girl said as she approached Kennedy.
I could see her eyes well up as she looked over the girl who was barely dressed and had no shoes on, and then she glanced back.
“Give me a second,” She said as she went back inside the diner.
“KD…” I called out to her, but she kept walking, so I followed her.
“I have a friend outside who’s hungry. This should cover her meal tonight, and I also want to leave $200 for her future meals. I can also give you $200 if you see to it that she uses her credit.” She said as she reached into her purse and peeled off some bills.
The cashier nodded, and then KD turned back toward the door, where the girl was waiting outside.
“What’s your name?” KD asked the girl.
“Victoria,” The girl said, barely able to stand up.
“Well, I paid for your meal tonight and left you $200 at the counter so you can eat for a couple of days. The cashier is waiting to take your order, so go inside.” KD smiled, and I could see the shift in the girl’s energy as she stood to her full height.
“Thank you so much. Can I hug you?” Victoria asked, and KD nodded as she briefly embraced the girl.
“You won’t be able to go inside without any shoes on. You look to be about the same size as me. Follow me over here,” She said as she walked toward the truck and hopped in.
Then she reached down and took the Dior sandals off her feet, giving them to the girl, which caused her to cry.
“Enjoy your meal, boo.” She said as she handed her the shoes and rolled up the window. I turned to KD and watched her. No matter how many times I told her befriending muhfuckas on the streets could be dangerous, she never stopped.
“Why do you do that?” I questioned. Not that I didn’t respect it, but because I wanted to know where her head was at.
“She’s so young. The only difference between me and her is one bad decision. Just one. That could be me.” She said as shelooked through the glass and watched the girl take a seat and order her food.
I turned my body toward her and opened my mouth to speak, but held back.
“What Jaxon? I know it’s not safe,” she sighed.
“I love you,” I said out loud for the first time. I had known that I loved her for months. But I didn’t understand it. I had never dealt with a woman who made me feel the shit that she had.
I could see her freeze. She stared at me, and a tear fell from her eye.
“I love you too…” She admitted before I leaned over and kissed her.
The entire night, she talked about that girl. So, the next day, I asked my block boy about her. He said that she was homeless. I took her back there and we got Shorty some clothes, shoes, and a hotel for a month.
Taking me out of my head, I heard Remy beside me, singing an Ashanti song like her day was going perfectly. Knowing that in just a couple minutes, I was about to stand in front of both our organizations and end our engagement.
I was actually thankful for Shorty because anyone else would’ve made this shit more complicated than it was supposed to be. I opened my eyes just as I felt the truck slow to a complete stop. Judah and Trouble were already standing on the outside of the estate waiting for me. When I stepped out, I reached for Remy’s hand, and we walked towards my brothers.
“Remy, you could still have our last name, all you gotta do is say the fucking word,” Judah said as he faked like he was about to get on one knee and propose to her. Me and Trouble laughed at his ass before I dapped them both up.
The tone changed in an instant from light to serious as silence fell between us, and Trouble looked at me. “We're sticking to the plan, right?”
