Page 10 of Steel
“Kids can be cruel and sometimes downright disgusting. It’s gonna take one time for somebody to put their hands on my niece, and I’m whupping everybody’s ass. The parents, the kids, the teachers, . . . everybody. Before it comes to that, I want to make sure she can protect herself. If there has to be a fight, I want it to be a fair one.”
She removed her hands and wrapped her arms protectively around her niece.
I looked down at Nayelli. “It’s hard being the new kid, huh?”
She nodded. “I hate that school. I wish I didn’t have to go.”
“I understand that. How would you feel about joining my class?”
She shrugged. “Aunt Dee said I need to learn how to kick some ass.”
Dee smacked her arm. “Now I did not say it like that . . . maybe to your mama, but not to you. Watch your mouth.”
I inadvertently chuckled. All I could hear was my mama in my head.
“Why don’t you two stay and watch today’s class?” I suggested. “If you decide you want to join, my assistant can get the paperwork signed for enrollment.”
Dee nodded. “We can do that.”
“Just have a seat with the other parents. I’m about to get started.” Looking down at Nayelli, I flicked her nose. “Again, it was nice to meet you, Nayelli. I hope you decide to join.”
She smiled softly as I walked away. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I knew her. She looked like somebody, but I couldn’t put my finger on who. The shit was going to eat at me until I knew who it was. I could easily ask Jaeda to look into it, but I didn’t want to do that.
I was sure with time, I’d figure it out. Until then, I was gonna mind my damn business.
I sighed heavilyas I pulled into my driveway.
Today had been the longest fucking day. I didn’t think moving for a new job opportunity would be so exhausting right away, but I was wrong. Then again, I worked in a behavioral health facility, so work was anything but peaceful.
It wasn’t what I wanted to do long term, however. I had dreams of opening a youth health and wellness center. Since college, I’d been planning and plotting on getting the funds to make that dream a reality. Then life happened, and it got put on the back burner but never forgotten. Too many kids fell through the cracks with issues that were never addressed. I wanted to be the solution to that. Too bad it was just a dream right now. Maybe one day it would become a reality.
I loved my job in the meantime, though.
The Harmonious Haven Wellness Institute was one of the largest mental health facilities in the state. When my old job hadto downsize, and I was told I was being let go, my supervisor said she had a place that was perfect for me, but it required moving.
At first, I said fuck that.
That was until she laid out the position, the benefits, and the compensation. The new company was offering twice my pay with better benefits, and a relocation stipend. While it sounded like a good idea, I had to think long and hard about it.
This job meant I had to move away from everyone I knew and loved. I had to buy a new house and pack up my old one. I wouldn’t be able to drive down the street to visit my parents, have dinner with them, or celebrate holidays. It meant pulling Nayelli out of school and tearing her away from all her friends.
We would be alone in a new city where we didn’t know anyone. The thought of that made me nervous. Anything could happen to one of us, and, worst-case scenario, no one would get here in time. Thank God for my sister, Dinah. She told me that if I moved, she would move with us.
At first, I was against it. I didn’t want her interrupting her life for my career change. She told me that she was the big sister, and it was her job to make sure I was taken care of. Since she worked remotely as a coding auditor for a major insurance company, it was easy for her to move around.
She insisted on coming, stating that somebody had to help with ten-year-old Nayelli. Dinah was the fun auntie, so having her with us would ease some of the stress of starting over in a new place.
I did a video interview for the job and was hired on the spot. Two weeks later, we were making a trip to look at houses. With mine and Dinah’s income, we were able to find a beautiful five-bedroom home in a very nice neighborhood. It was enough room for both of us to have our own space. Nayelli had her own room, Dinah had her office, and there was a guest room for when our parents visited.
So far, I liked the city, but I walked around with the fear of seeing the one person I knew was from here, . . . the one person I dreaded seeing again. It had been so many years, yet he was a daily thought. He was the reason I was hesitant in taking this job. If he still resided here, there was only a matter of time before I saw him. Once I did, I’d never be able to unsee him again.
Still, I accepted the offer because I had a child to provide for. Nayelli was my life. For her, I’d swallow my pride every time.
Sighing again, I got out of my car and headed into my home. Loud music played from the speaker in the living room while Dinah and my baby girl danced in front of the television. I smiled, loving the bond these two shared. Dinah was the fun, hip auntie. The one that Nayelli would call in her teenaged years when she was in trouble and didn’t want to face me just yet.
“Are y’all deaf!” I yelled over the music.
Dinah turned to me with a grin. Grabbing the remote, she paused the song.
