Page 7 of His Heaven, Her Hell
“You know the way to my heart,” I replied, my eyes finding the beautiful Jela again.
I knew I shouldn't be concerned about her. I shouldn't even be feeling this attraction toward her, but I couldn't help but see the brokenness of her soul, the sorrow in her eyes, and the melancholy of her spirit. I wanted to console her because she looked like she needed to be consoled. I didn’t know her story, but just from the picture painted before me, I knew she wasn’t happy sitting amongst my family.
After chopping it up with my family and playing multiple rounds of dominoes and spades, I was tired. It was only three in the afternoon, but I was ready to lie down and relax. It had been a long day of packing and traveling, and my first thought was to get the hotel room. I knew my family was ready for my arrival, though, so I came to spend the holiday with them before I turned it in for the day, and I was happy I did.
Looking around at everyone, I caught Dame whispering to Jela. She nodded, stood, and went back in the house, looking as if someone had stolen her dog. I looked at my brother while he sat eating his food as if the shit between them wasn't awkward.As much as I didn't want to get involved, I needed to keep an eye on Damien until my house was finished. I knew if he was putting his hands on shorty, he wouldn't be doing the shit around me.
By six o’clock, the house was full of our relatives from out of town. Although I enjoyed my family and seeing my grandparents, I was ready to get the fuck on. I was overstimulated and tired as shit. While everyone was on the enclosed patio, I slipped into the house and headed toward the den to try to rest my eyes. When I stepped inside the room, I found Jela sitting on the couch, breastfeeding my niece. When she saw me, she hurriedly placed her boob back inside her shirt.
“My bad. I didn't know anyone was in here.”
“You’re fine,” she responded in a soft tone.
“May I come in?”
She shrugged. “It’s your mother’s house.”
“Doesn’t matter. You may have wanted to switch boobs.” I chuckled.
“I think she’s all done now.”
“Is she asleep?”
“No… Just a little milk wasted.” She giggled lightly, and I loved to hear and see the smile on her pretty face. It was a totally different contrast from earlier, and I found that to be one of my new favorite things about her, aside from her beautiful brown eyes.
Truce, nigga, chill.
“Can I hold her?” I asked.
“Sure.”
I walked over to her, and she placed the baby in my arms. “Damn. What y’all feeding my niece? Hey, chunky mama,” I cooed at her, blowing strawberries on her chunky neck.
She giggled and grabbed my cheeks. I saw pictures of Scottlyn, and even saw her on FaceTime, but physically seeing her in person confirmed my niece was a doll.
I’d never been one to think about having kids. I hadn’t taken anyone seriously enough to consider planting my offspring in their womb. It was still baffling to me that my little brother had a baby and was about to get married before me, but I was happy he was getting his shit together.
“Some of everything. The girl loves to eat.”
“As she should. You know I’m about to spoil the shit out of her, right?”
“I’m starting to see that's what your family loves to do. I guess one more person wouldn’t hurt.”
“She’s the first baby of our immediate family, so it’s only right. I know it’s worse with your people. I just know they eat her up.” I chuckled but noticed her smile faded.
A solemn look crossed her face. She had a distant look in her eyes as she stared at the family photo on the wall in front of her. This girl was beautiful but sad. Going against my earlier thoughts of minding my business, I let a minute pass before deciding to inquire.
“You good?” I asked. She shook from her daze and gave a light smile.
“I am.”
“Cool. You look like you went somewhere for a minute.” There was a beat of silence again before she spoke.
She deflected by saying, “Damien never told me he had a brother. No one’s ever mentioned you before.”
“No?”
She shook her head while I took a seat next to her on the couch. “Considering how they treat you like a celebrity, I would have thought they would have been talking about you more frequently.”
