Page 265 of Invisible Bars
We shared a soft kiss, and as I pulled back, I shifted my expression to one of seriousness.
“My sister wants to move in with us,” I revealed.
I took a deep breath, ready to explain everything I’d discussed with her. I recounted her desire for a fresh start, especially given the financial troubles our parents might've been facing.
“Damn. So what you wanna do?” he asked after I finished. “The ball is in your court."
I pondered his question briefly, weighing the implications.
“Honestly, I'm for it. She’s i-i-innocent in all of this. She deserves something different… a new scenery… a new life.”
"Then she can stay," he said simply. "She'll have all her needs provided, and she’ll be protected."
I nodded. "That’s something I’m certain of. But I need to know… will this create any issues? For u-us?"
Imanio fixed me with an intense, knowing gaze.
"Naji… if I thought that, I wouldn’t have agreed so quickly… or at all. I think it’s gon’ be straight.”
I nodded.
He rubbed my thigh. “Anything else?"
“I’ve… I’ve been thinking about my house in Mississippi.”
“What about it?”
I hesitated, contemplating how to phrase it.
That part of me—that mercy—was probably my grandmother’s doing. She’d drilled forgiveness into me like it was stitched into the family Bible, always saying it wasn’t about excusing people but freeing yourself. And yet, there I was, entertaining the idea of helping the same people who saidfuck meand didn’t give a damn about my struggle, and left me carrying the kind of weight that should’ve broken me.
Still, the thought shocked me.Why do I even care?
God surely had a way of bending my heart when I least expected it—reminding me that I wasHischild, not theirs. That even when blood failed me, grace didn’t. And maybe… just maybe, giving was my way of saying,you couldn’t stop me from becoming more than what you tried to leave me as.
Imanio nodded thoughtfully, taking in my words.
“We can fix it up. New roof. Fresh floors. Maybe even add a porch swing to keep them occupied."
I chuckled. "P-petty.”
"More like peaceful,” he corrected, his tone serious now. “As long as they respect our peace… from a distance."
I returned to the matter at hand. “But if I do a full renovation…”
“We,”he interjected, correcting me gently.
“Ifwemade it livable again… m-maybe that could serve as their fresh start. I just don’t know how long it would take.”
“Renovations can take anywhere from a month to several years; it all depends on the house’s size and the extent of the work you want done,” he explained.
“It’s not nearly as g-grand as this place; just an average-sized house. And, to be honest, I’m not trying to offer my parents luxury when they gave me their asses to kiss.”
Imanio reared his head back in astonishment. “Not you cussing… in yo’ normal tone.”
I suddenly reached out and tapped his cheek twice—quick, involuntary.
“Face tap! Face tap!” I blurted, blinking hard as my fingers retreated to my lap. “It’s the truth. I just want it to be comfortable enough for them.”
