Page 48 of Saved By A Small Town Country Boy
“She say the whole church heard us.”
Remedi’s cheeks flushed. “I didn’t mean to be that loud.”
“They’ll be alright. You coming to Ma’s house for dinner?”
“I really don’t want to impose.”
“Please, Remedi,” Khali pleaded from the back seat. She was all in my business. I should’ve shut the door on her.
“Okay. I guess I can do that.”
“We’ll meet you there. Khali and I have to stop and get some flour.” I pecked her on the corner of the mouth, and she headed over to her truck.
Everyone sat around and enjoyed dinner. Remedi helped Ma make the food and clean the kitchen up as well afterward. Khali has been sitting at Ma’s desk ever since she finished eating with the paper and color pencils she asked for while we were at the store getting flour. I already knew what she was up to—drawing that picture for Remedi. Khali has the purest heart ever. I just hope the world takes care of my baby. They really don’t deserve her.
Remedi laughed at something Ma said as she placed some of the plates into the cabinet. Pops and I sat in the living room, waiting for them to get done in the kitchen. Dallas had been left directly after she finished her food. Said she had to go meet up with Reese somewhere. Hopefully, they aren’t up to more bullshit with Creed ’cause they done started him and he don’t know how to stop. He’s been calling me with shit that he’d been doing to torture Reese. She hadn’t given up on it yet, which is surprising. She had balls. I can give her that.
“I’m glad that you’re finally getting back out there,” Pops spoke, drifting me back to reality. “I know it was hard losing Simone, but she would’ve wanted you happy, and it seems like Remedi does that for you.”
Yeah, she brings a spark back to my life. I haven’t been as angry anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I still think ’bout Simone every day, but it was getting easier to cope with her death.
“I guess I needed her.”
Remedi and Ma came into the living room out of the kitchen. Khali got up fro the desk and ran over to her. “Remedi, I made something for you.” She handed Remedi the piece of paper and from the moisture that filled her eyes, I know she appreciated it.
Remedi kneeled, tears streaking her cheeks as she pulled Khali in for an embrace.
“Now you can just look at her whenever you get sad.”
“Thank you so much.” She squeezed Khali a bit tighter and Khali’s body stiffened.
Remedi released Khali and straightened her posture. “Let’s go, baby girl. You have school in the morning.”
Khali went over and collected all of her coloring pencils and put ’em up. “Bye, Grandma. Bye, Grandpa.” She hugged her grandparents, and Remedi hugged ’em as well, before we left out the door. I opened the door for Khali on my truck and then walked Remedi to hers.
“I appreciate y’all more than you’ll ever know,” Remedi said as I held her driver’s door open for her.
“Get home safe and let me know when you get there.” Cupping her face, I meshed our lips. We kissed long and hard ’til I was breathless. We parted, and she got into her truck. I shut the door for her and headed back to mine.
“Daddy, I’m tired,” Khali said as I started the truck.
“When we get home, take a shower and get into bed.”
I backed out the driveway and went home. Khali jumped out the truck and ran into the house to do as she was told, while I headed for the garage. Inside, I had several moving boxes stacked up from when Simone died. I was supposed to have placed her things in there, but I never did. Tonight, I wanted tostart working on that. It’s time that I put her stuff away. I know she’s never coming back, and I’m finally at peace with that.
Grabbing one of the boxes, I went into the house and started gathering Simone’s things out of the bedroom. I got halfway through the box when Khali appeared in the doorway. “I was coming to say goodnight.”
Placing one of Simone’s t-shirts into the box, I stepped to Khali and kneeled in front of her. “I just want you to know that I’d never try to replace yo’ mama. She’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
“I know, Daddy. I like Remedi for you. I just want you to be happy.” Craning my arm ’round Khali’s neck, I pulled her into my frame.
Chapter 19
Remedi
Time was winding down for me. After the incident with Reese and Prada, I had to come clean to her. She was upset at first, but then calmed down and understood where I was coming from. What she did say was that I needed to tell Khalif what was going on.
When I called him to church, I intended to tell him what happened in there, but I let my emotions get the best of me. If shit went left, I wanted to feel that dick for one last time. Then he invited me to his parents’ house. That’s something I didn’t see coming. Everything was all screwed up. If I didn’t get that money and soon, Mitchell is going to kill all of us.
