A/n: hey y'all, long time no talk🥹 it's taken me a year and a month to finally deliver this next chapter to y'all and it's so worth it. Six thousand words and several headaches later, here she is.
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Canvases are spread out across the floor, Valentine’s pink and orange paint covered paws are trampling across them and Leon's camera is capturing it all.
“What's this project called?”
“I just thought it would be so cute! Look!” Zora exclaims, pointing at her orange fluff making her trail.
“You two are something else,” he chuckles, zooming in on vday.
“Oh no, she's licking it!” She says before jumping up to grab her.
He ends the video and grabs the canvases so she wouldn't trip as she ran down the hall to clean her up.
“She lasted longer than I thought!” He shouted with a laugh.
“I gave her five minutes! I guess I owe her something!” She shouts back, making him shake his head.
“Any excuse to get her a treat,” he says to himself, “that's why she's spoiled now.”
“That's actually your fault, sir.” She says, jabbing him in his back with her finger and scaring him at the same time.
“You're like a ninja or sumn,” he grumbles, reaching back to rub the sore spot.
“And how is it my fault?”
“I wasn't the one who started giving her extra food at night! That was you,” she reminds him, making his face drop.
“Well, at first it was because she wasn't eating much so I was just making sure she was fed!” He defends, holding his hands up.
“But yeah, she definitely manipulates me with those big green eyes.”
Zora snorts a laugh, watching her orange fur ball curl around Leon's left leg.
“Look at ‘er,” she frowns, “ima miss that face when I leave for vacation.”
“You not gon miss me?” Leon asks without missing a beat.
“Mmmm, nah,” she shrugs, watching him go through several emotions as she tries to keep a straight face.
“Damn, I thought you liked me.” He faux sobs, making her crack up.
“And it's funny??” He continues, stretching out his frown and puppy eyes.
“I'm joking, Avery! Of course I'm gonna miss you!”
He reaches down to grab vday from his ankle and places her in her cat bed, before moving back to Zora.
“Mmmhm, you better miss me. I'm putting out APB’s if I need to!”
This makes her snort again.
“I'll be with Lovita! You think she'd let something happen to me?”
“She's a good sister! The whole world knows she carries, but I'm gonna be an extra eye just in case. You're my baby.”
“Awww, a week away from you is gonna feel like eternity,” she frowns as he pulls her into a hug.
“It'll be okay, though! We need this vacation so bad!” She whines into his shirt.
“Nah, I understand baby. You deserve it. Y'all all do,” he softly laughs, rubbing her back. “Bunch’a hardworking ladies.”
“Oh, I know! But where are y'all going again?”
“Punta Cana! Lovita got us the hookup from her man,” she giggles, shimming in his hold.
“Clyde pulling strings is the funniest thing ever.”
“Well, between you and me,” he mumbles, leading them over the sofa to sit, “your sister makes him so nervous. He was making calls, and now I know for what, but he was just fumbling over his words and stuttering. And he thinks he's the smooth one out of us!”
Zora giggles and shakes her head.
“Don't clown him, he's in love!”
“Oh nah, it's dope to see. But I gotta rag on him just a little, babe! That's my brother.”
“Yeah, I definitely gave her a lil bit of hell too,” she agrees.
“But seriously, I hope y'all have the best time. Mama goin’ with y'all?”
“Mm-mm, she's got some business to handle out of town, though.”
“Man related,” she scoffs, “she thinks she's slick.”
“Ah, leave mama alone! Stella needs to get her groove on, too.”
“I'm gonna kick you outta here,” she points towards the door with a giggle.
“I'm just messin’, baby. But when do y'all head out there?”
“In a few days actually! She updated me this morning that we got an earlier flight, cause we were originally heading out next week. I'll send you the details.”
“I was just about to ask,” he softly laughs, watching her switch her hips back down the hall to retrieve her laptop.
“Fine ass. Also lemme see these bathing suits you bought!”
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“Shot number three, since we're here!” Lovita shouts, pouring out a round of tequila.
“Finally here!” Dominique stresses, grabbing a shot off the marble island.
The girls knock their shots back and rap along to the music playing throughout their villa for the week.
“Man, it's so beautiful out here!” Zora yells as she steps back onto the balcony, the warm tropical sun gracing her skin.
“Isn't it??” Neoma nudges her older sister, before snapping a few pictures of the view before them.
“You look like Leon,” she snorts, “just snapping away.”
“It's gorgeous! I'm a sucker for a good sky picture. You know this!”
“I do, I do,” she surrenders.
“And look at you, already talking about lank ass,” Neoma laughs, “we just got here!”
“Oh please, like you didn't call that bean pole of a boyfriend when we got upstairs!”
“He wanted to make sure we got in safe!”
“So did Clyde! He's so cute, y'all,” Lovita joins them, sighing lovingly.
They both scrunch their brows at her, which makes her snap out of her trance.
“Gross, Zora. The word is gross.” Neoma says, making Lovita roll her eyes.
“Yeah, who knew witches were capable, right,” Nique chimes in, cackling up a storm.
“As a chosen sister in another country, you're being a lil bold,” she playfully squints at her.
“Ooh, she just threatened me!”
“Mm-mm, that was a promise girl, you better sleep with one eye open,” Neoma laughs with a shake of her head.
“Lord, anyway!” Zora redirects. “No more talking about our men from this point forward. It's about us this week! We're gonna get drunk, eat good, gossip like we're back in college, spill a lil tea if we so choose, but more importantly, have a damn good time and relax, cause we deserve it!”
“Here, here!” They shout back, clapping and stomping like hooligans, making her laugh.
“So, what's the first thing on the list!”
“Well, I definitely wanna hit the beach! Which we should do now, while we're still sober-esque!”
“To the beach!!!” They cheer, before rushing off to their rooms to get ready for some fun in the sun.
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Leon decides to grab lunch with Clyde, since they're both bored out of their minds while their women are away.
“I hope they're having fun,” he mopes, obnoxiously sipping his soda.
“Of course they are, man. You made sure of that,” he snorts, making Clyde stop and side eye him.
“Got them girls in a different country,” he continues, chuckling to himself.
“Hm? Nah,” he sniffs to hide his laughter, “I'm stating facts. That's it!”
“Mmhm,” he nods, turning his attention to his burger, “that better be it.”
“What are you over there mumblin’ about, man?”
“Eat your food before we have to call an ambulance.”
“Since you wanna talk about it, though,” he says, which makes Clyde sigh, “I ain't ever seen you sweat a woman like this.”
All traces of irritation on his face melts into pure adoration, making Leon poke even more fun.
“She got me, man. I'm in deep.”
“In deep… or in deep?” He cracks once more.
“Okay, alright,” he holds his hands up, “I know I been pickin’ fun, but for real. I'm happy for you, man. It's nice to see you with a stand up woman.”
“Thanks, man. Wait– what's that supposed to mean?”
“Man, back in college, you dated some, excuse my language, heffas.” He whispers, making Clyde crack up this time.
“Man, you need to be stopped! Zora needs to come back and take you with her!”
“Damn, you sick of me already?? I thought we was boys!”
“We are, but you're killing me,” he shakes his head.
Returning home, Leon settles in and checks on his favorite girl, making sure all is well with the group.
A message from Eryn comes in soon after, advising him to call her as soon as possible.
“Hey, um… don't hang up on me, please. But, dad wants to talk to you.”
“About?” He sighs, already feeling a headache coming on.
“He said he wants to see how you're doing, hopefully apologize for all the things he said, but we both know how that's always gone… I'm sorry, I just didn't want this to come from him, cause he wanted to reach out, himself, and I didn't think that was the best idea..”
“You were right about that. I don't know what the fuc– I don't know what he wants from me.”
“Look. If you wanna beat his ass, I got bail money, but I want you to get everything off your chest. He's been a dark cloud hanging over you for a long time!”
He sighs again, knowing she's right.
“I just like to keep shit movin, E.”
“Maybe that's the problem. Sometimes peace can't be kept.”
He nods like she can see him, before verbally agreeing.
“I hope I didn't ruin your evening. I know Zora’s outta town.”
“Nah, it's all good. It's not your fault. I appreciate you for telling me the bullshit. Anybody else would've pissed me off.”
“Aw, that could probably be taken as a compliment so I'll take it!” She laughs, making him let out a chuckle.
“He's good, still at work for another hour. Y'all don't talk?”
“Mm.. not on an every day basis, nah. We just got back cool, plus we're older now. Responsibilities and shit, you know how it is.”
“Mmhm,” she nods like he can see her, “sounds like a bunch’a bul–”
“Eryn, I will hang up on you.”
“You'll be standing outside.”
“Tuh! That's what you think. I have ways.”
“Yeah, lemme quit before you actually do ruin my night.”
Eryn cackles again before bidding him a good night.
Contemplating on calling Zora, he decided against it and grabbed his journal instead, a habit he'd refound.
Scribbling away his feelings, even though he wasn't sure what else he was feeling besides anger, was the only way he knew to release that didn't send him into a spiral of destruction.
Because he was very angry.
It's been years since his dad even had the guts to show up and see him, let alone have a conversation.
He wasn't that same sad little boy anymore. He'd grown up and put all the pieces of himself together without his help.
He doesn't want his apology and he knows that.
“Does he just wanna be fucking irritating??”
Duh, what else could the devil want?
Counting to ten, he sits with his head in his hands and rubs his temples.
But, before he decides on which ale to cure his newfound headache, he heads into the kitchen to put his frustration to use.
Something hearty and filling. Maybe a soup. French onion? Maybe roasted chicken? Garlic potatoes and asparagus… maybe homemade biscuits.
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“Is it bad that I sense something is wrong back home?” Zora asks, looking out in the crystal blue water.
“Something like…” Nique asks.
“I don't know. It's just a feeling I have,” she shakes her head, snapping herself out of it.
“Yeah, let's just hope that everything is fine!”
“Maybe check in later before we go to the club just to make sure,” Neoma offers, to which Zora agrees.
“Yeah, I'll do that cause I know I won't really be able to stop thinking about it.” She laughs.
“Oh, we know!” All three of them say, slapping hands afterwards.
“Rude, all of you,” she waves her finger at them like her mother would when they'd get in trouble.
“Put that mama finger away and come get in the water, girl!” Lovita yells, before grabbing her up from the sand.
They take off down the beach after each other, their screams of laughter echoing through the air as the bright yellow sun shines down on their rich skin.
Being excellent swimmers, they decide to jump into the pretty blue water, riding the waves like champs as they playfully splash each other.
“Which one of you heffas suggested braids for the trip?”
“Me!” Neoma raises her hand.
“Good call! Shots on me tonight!”
And soon they're back in their villa to get ready for their first night out.
Zora takes a second to call Leon so her anxiety can finally settle.
“Hey baby, everything okay?” He asks.
“I was calling to ask you that very question, Av.”
“Yeah, I'm alright, poppy.” He says, and she already knows it's a lie.
“What? I am!” He chuckles.
“You're as okay as I am sober! Lie again,” she sterns.
“Okay, okay. Eryn dropped some news on me and it had me upset but I've been in here cooking up a storm to get my mind off it.”
“Wanna tell me about it?” She frowns like he can see her, which makes her wish she'd FaceTimed him instead.
“My dad wants to see me, wants to talk about all those times he abandoned me when I needed him.” He heavily sighs.
“For what? Like a humiliation ritual?”
“That's exactly what the fuck I said,” he bitterly chuckles, “excuse my language.”
“It's okay, that's a fucked situation.”
“Hold on,” he says, “let me FaceTime you.”
She laughs again, feeling like he read her mind.
“Please. As soon as you left the crib, I cried a little.”
Soon the video connects and they're seeing each other for the first time since she got on the plane this morning.
“There is a god,” he praises, making her giggle.
“Shit, I-I forgot what I was even talking about.” He stutters.
“Oh, we don't have to go back to that bullshit,” she shakes her head.
“Tell me what you cooked, instead.”
She swears his pupils dilated as he went down the long list of things he whipped up.
“You know that cowboy butter I was telling you about?”
“Oooh, what else? Did you make any dessert??”
“I made double chocolate brownies with cream cheese frosting. I sound like my mama but they're sinful little bastards.” He chuckles, making her do the same.
“I'll make you a whole batch. What else you want?”
“Avery,” she shakes her head, “nothing else, just the brownies. You know I'm tryna lose some weight.”
“It can be a keto brownie! I got a recipe, baby!”
“You think they're any good?”
“With my secret recipe, they're gonna be the best you've ever had.” He winks, making her happy she can't blush.
“We'll see about that, Avery.”
“Y'all havin’ fun out there in the puntas of Cana?”
“Yes, you dork,” she snorts, “I was about to start getting ready for our first night out. We're gonna hit the club!”
“Uh oh, shots number 5 through 12, here she comes!” He cracks, making her jaw drop.
“No you didn't!” She yells, wishing she could toss a pillow at him through the screen.
He's just over there dying laughing, banging his fist against the table.
“So fucking tickled! I'm sick of you!”
“Alright, I quit,” he surrenders, still laughing, “I'm sorry.”
“You better be,” she playfully scowls at him.
“And I'm on shot number 6, thank you!”
“Ohhh, is that why your eyes are glossed over?”
“Damn, I'm ugly cause you're tipsy?”
“Nope. I'm tipsy cause you're ugly.”
They stare at each other for a couple seconds, before bursting into laughter.
“Yeah, I forgot I was checking on the mentally ill!”
“I learned it from you, madam.”
“When I get back, ima make you eat those words.”
“You can make me eat sumn else too..”
Her shocked expression meets his bashful smile.
“Good night, Avery,” is all she could muster up, which made his smile brighter.
“Thank you, baby. I'll talk to you in a few days.”
Soon as the call ends, Nique bursts into the room, scaring Zora so badly, she hops out of her chair.
“Nasty freaks!” She yells, pointing the mama finger at her.
“You scared me so bad just now!”
“Good.” She smiles. “I was eavesdropping.”
She wanted to be mad, but also wants to talk about it.
“Mmmhm,” she cackles, “he tryna show you sumn, girl! Might have to send vday to grandma's!”
“Was she too much for you last time??” She frowns.
“No, she's sweet as pie! It's just that uh.. my man is also missing me real bad.”
“Oh? Darnell miss his baby??” She pokes her gut.
“Girl, look at this text and tell me!”
“Ima turn you inside out! Also do that trick on that pole again 😉”
“Oooh, y'all nasty!! Also when did you install a stripper pole in your bedroom!?”
“Last week, girl! It’s hot red! I just be in there tryna get the hang of it, and me and Darnell might've tried some stuff.”
“I see! Y'all like suga and uncle Elroy!”
“Hey, suga was fine, I'll take it!”
“I really just wanted to ask if everything was okay though, seriously. Cause I know you were kinda on edge earlier.”
“Thanks girl. He's good though, just tearin’ up my pots and pans, cooking up all the groceries he just bought,” she laughs with a shake of her head.
“Lord have mercy, you ain't gonna have to cook for the rest of the year, watch.”
“Probably not! He just in there chefin’ it up! Love that for him.”
“Mmhm, he's less annoying now that he doesn't have a regular job.”
“What?? That's your boyfriend, I gotta son him.”
“Go get ready, please!” She swats at her, shooing her back out the door.
Whine up bumps through their bodies as they strut inside the eclectically styled club.
Neon lights bounce off the crowd as they make their way to the bar.
“A round of teramana, please!”
“Ooh, these chairs are cute!! Tiger print!!”
“You and your love for animal prints should be studied.”
“Whine up! Oh! Whine up! Oh! Whine up!” Nique shouts, knocking back her shot.
“She's feelin’ it, y'all,” Zora laughs.
“She’s been feelin’ it since we landed!” Neoma snorts, knocking back her own shot.
“We can go right now, if you want!”
“Girl, come shake some ass and shut up!” she yells back, getting up from her chair, dragging Nique with her to the floor.
“She stole my friend!” Zora points, as she and Lovita knock back their own shots and order two more.
“You’ll get her back, don’t worry!” She assures with a laugh. “We just gotta make sure she don’t cut nobody in this crowd if they push up on her!”
“I made her leave her knife back at the crib!”
Lovita gives her a knowing look.
“Did you check her before we left, though?”
“I… thought I did,” she shrugs, looking over her shoulder at the two in the crowd, swaying their hips to the beginning of party girls.
“Ooh, come on girl! That’s my jam!” Zora yells, pulling her older sister to the dance floor.
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“Okay, so… what happened?”
“I might've lost my mind in Zora's kitchen,” he chuckles, looking around at the full counter of food containers behind him on his counter, then back at Clyde's facial expression.
“I can see that part!” He laughs. “You got enough food to feed the complex, my guy!”
“Again, I ask. What happened??”
“Man, okay,” he sighs, “Eryn told me that somebody’s been trying to contact me.”
“Fuck, not your old man.” He also sighs, putting a hand to his chin.
“He wants to embarrass you like last time??”
“I don’t fucking know, man. I asked myself that same damn question!”
“Well… what are you thinking about doing?”
“I’ve got murder on my mind.” He plainly states.
“Leon. Something that won’t land you in federal prison, please.” He stresses, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Okay, okay. Maybe specify next time.”
“I don’t wanna talk to him. I personally have lots to say, but what good would it do me to get shit off my chest, just for him to turn it on me and make himself a victim?”
“Maybe, don’t let him do that, this time.”
“Man, I ain’t let him do the shit the last time. He just does it.”
“I didn’t mean it like..”
“It’s cool, I know what you meant. I’m just trying to weigh my options.” He sighs again before walking into the living room to sit down on his couch.
Clyde grabs a piece of chicken from the large container, before following behind.
“Shit, if frustration makes the food taste this good, you should go into business!”
And as absurd as the idea sounded, Leon stores it in his mind for later.
“What should I do, man? For real.”
“Go see him. Hear him out.”
“I’m about to hit you, now.” He says, abruptly rising to his feet, making Clyde almost drop his drumstick.
“You JUST said! Oh, you’re so glad Zora isn’t here!”
“Hell, she’d help me fight you!”
“Anyways, Avery. Yes, I middle-named you. Seriously, just pick a public place and tell him what’s what. Maybe it’ll be different this time.”
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The next few days of vacation are spent at the beach, the local markets and restaurants, Bluemall, and the spa.
“I might have to kidnap one of these old ladies, y'all.” Lovita says, sliding her shades into her curls.
“Well, because this food is so good! There's no way I can go back to the food I make at home after this!”
They all fall out laughing at her, although they wholeheartedly agree with her. As dramatic as she sounds.
“Nah, she's right though,” Zora chimes in. “This mofungo is definitely gonna be requested weekly from a certain somebody!”
“Gon’ head and gain that weight back!”
“Okay, maybe once a month,” she pulls back, side-eyeing Nique for her playful dig.
“Back to you kidnapping someone granny, please don't get us locked up out here!”
“I'm only joking…” she carries off, making them shake their heads at her.
“Anybody else got crazy tan lines??” Neoma asks, pulling her strap away from her shoulder to showcase the color difference.
“Damn girl! The sun has been loving you!” Zora snickers.
“I've got ‘em too, though!”
“Y'all know I love to wear my kimonos,” Nique laughs, “I got a little tan but nothing too crazy.. yet.”
“What are you waiting on? The sun to come personally sit beside you?”
“Girl,” she cuts her eyes at Lovita, “no. I low-key wish there were like topless beaches so I can fully tan!”
“Ooh, that's always been on my list, too!”
“Well, freaks! All you have to do is tan out here, just away from everyone else!”
“Girl, somebody gon look at my titties!”
“Who wouldn't? Them big ol boobies,” they giggle, poking her in the chest as she playfully swats them away.
“Quit it!! Ima sick these old ladies on y'all!”
“Anyway, maybe just tan on the balcony!”
“Yeah, I'll let y'all know in advance so y'all won't see my goodies,” she giggles, “that's only for my man..”
“What we tell you bout that M word,” Lovita points her finger at her, “no talk of those heathens til we land!”
“Sorry big sister general,” she laughs again. “I just had to let y'all know!”
Later on, the girls grab another lunch at this beautiful little restaurant they found at the end of the strip.
The plantains were to die for!
“I'm gonna gain all my weight back, for real.” Zora pouts, continuing to stuff her face.
“You don't seem too sad about it,” Nique laughs, poking her full cheek.
“Cause it's good!” She says with her mouth full.
“I'm tellin ma,” Neoma shakes her head, “chew that food, girl!”
Later on, the girls are back inside the villa, sprawled out in different areas of the spacious vacation house.
Nique is finally catching herself the glorious tan she promised herself, as she lays topless in the backyard, humming to the music coming from her speaker.
Lovita is currently cheffing it up in the kitchen, having felt homesick and not as secretly as she thinks, missing her man terribly.
She could see his pearly white smile in her head, making her sigh dreamily.
Neoma’s sitting on her bed, twirling her braid around her finger as Craig butters her up on the phone.
“Ima take you shoppin’ when you get back,”
“Yeah? Shopping like to the mall or shopping like to boutiques??”
“Shit, both. Money ain't a problem.” He says, shrugging and smirking like she could see him.
And she might as well have, mirroring his expression on the other side.
“Ooh, my kind of shopping spree!”
“My pretty baby deserves all the fine things in life.”
She giggles away, while Zora is down the hall, doing some cupcaking of her own.
“I miss you so much, Jean. It's only been what? Three days?”
“And I'll be back in four,” she frowns, taking in how handsome he is through the FaceTime camera.
“What?” He asks, snapping out of her trance.
“I forgot how pretty you are,” she smiles, watching him get flustered.
“Girl, you better be glad you're so far away from me,” he chuckles.
“None of my thoughts are appropriate, especially with the way you're lookin’ at me.” He shakes his head, watching her smirk grow.
“If only I could make your predicament worse,” she says, laying back against the fluffy pillows.
He sighs heavily, feeling his shorts tighten a bit at the way her chest rises and falls, skin all supple and glowy.
He clears his throat, hard.
“When's the spa appointment?”
“In an hour. I'm ready to be rubbed down!”
“Mmhm, if it's a man, tell him to watch those hands!”
“Oh, Avery. It's an all women spa! Clyde made sure to hook us up!”
“Damn. I ain’t know they had such a thing!”
“Me either! Gotta thank him when I see him next.”
“Well, I hope y'all enjoy every bit, babe.”
“Thanks! I’m booked for a deep tissue massage with reflexology and hot stones. I wanna feel like Georgia Byrd when she went to that hotel!”
“Oh yeah!! Grandhotel Puup!”
“Exactly!! Wait.. you watched it?”
“Mmhm, anyway I can be close to you and the things you love!”
“Aww, let me get off this phone before I book my flight back home!”
They share a laugh before bidding each other farewell, a few times, and finally hanging up.
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“Ohh, man this is grand!” Neoma groans, as a muscular lady kneads all the tension away from her bones.
“I know, right! This hot rock might have to come home with me,” Nique mumbles, “It melted ny back pain from twenty years ago!”
The masseuses giggle as the ladies continue to sing their praises.
“Magical hands Martha is what I’ma call you, girl!” Zora exclaims.
“You are too kind, my dear.”
“Mmhm, you are too good at this! Can I bring you back to Charlotte with me?” Lovita asks, making her sisters raise their heads.
“What?? My feet have never been this soft!” She defends, turning her attention to her masseuse, “I’ll put you up real nice, girl! I’m a chef, I got money!”
The lady giggles and shakes her head.
“As flattered as I am, mama says you never leave your homeland. I may visit one day, so we’ll keep in touch!’
“This girl,’ Zora sighs, laying her head back down.
They’re moved to the salon area, where the rest of their pampering takes place.
Jelly pedicures, leg massages to make their already limber bones feel like jello, warm towel wraps to melt whatever tension is left in their soles, topped off with the prettiest gel polishes they’ve ever seen.
“What kind of green is this?” Zora asks, flexing her foot, loving how it gleams against her glowing skin.
“Perfect Candy Apple. Isn’t it beautiful?” The manicurist shows her the bottle.
“I’ll say! I’ll be searching for it for the rest of my life!’
“Actually, take this extra one I have.”
“Sure! Your eyes twinkled, which means you really love it!”
“How much do we owe you?” Lovita asks.
“You're already covered, dear.”
“Yes, it was purchased as a gift for you ladies. Must be a hell of a man!” She compliments, raising her brows.
“Oooh, girl,” Zora whistles, while Nique and Neoma share a look.
“He sure is,” Lovita laughs, shaking her head.
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“Clyde got you to agree??”
“Yeah, I still don't know how,” he frowns, “I don't wanna do this shit at all.”
“Well, apparently some part of you does.”
“Maybe it's the little boy he's kicked down all these years.” He shrugs, making her frown as well.
“Leon, I really hate how he treated you then and I hate that it's still eating away at you now,”
“It's not like I don't know that I didn't deserve any of it, it's just weird. I have things to say.. I just don't know if I care enough anymore…”
“Well, understandable. Nobody's gonna wanna spill their heart out about hurt from a decade ago, just to have the person not give a damn. I get that.” She sighs, reaching for the back of his hand, giving it a sisterly pat.
“Maybe I'll just see what he has to say?”
“That's interesting,” she laughs, but quickly bites back.
“Nah, trust me, I'm definitely making fun of myself in my head.” He chuckles.
“But maybe that's how we'll both make it through tonight— oh yeah, I'm meeting him in an hour at that garden restaurant place ma took us to, a while back.”
“Yeah, I wanna get this shit over with.” He sighs, tapping the table.
“Zora ain't here to distract me with her beauty,” he sighs, making Eryn giggle, “plus I made every damn dish under the sun, so I gotta go ahead and handle it head on.”
“I'm proud of you, big bro.”
A boyish grin makes its way across his face before he could stop it.
“Thanks, baby E. I appreciate it.”
The next thirty minutes after she'd left him alone in his apartment, were nothing short of madness as he prepared himself for the meeting between him and Leon Sr.
Going against his own rule, he calls Zora, hoping to god she picked up so he wouldn't have to go through this totally alone.
She answers the phone, the sounds of laughter dying down.
“Hey, poppy. I know you're enjoying your vacay so I won't take up much of your time… I just need some advice.”
“Of course, hold on,” she says, seeming to be moving to a quieter area.
“What's going on? Are you okay??”
“Yeah, I'm okay, I'm heading out to meet up with my dad… and I'm just losing my head a bit,” he sighs, feeling his chest tighten.
“Wow, Avery, that's a big step, I'm very proud of you.”
“Thank you, baby. I'm not sure how I feel right now.”
“That's understandable. But just breathe, okay? He can't make you feel small anymore. Don't allow him to.”
He really takes in her words, his rough exhale making her ask if he was okay, once more.
“Yeah— sorry, I just… ima ride out there now, can you stay on the phone with me? It's only ten minutes out. It's okay if you can't.”
He was melting her heart so bad, she almost teared up.
“Aw baby, I'm right here. Go ahead.”
“Thank you,” he breathes, sliding his sweaty palms over his jeans, before grabbing his keys and heading out the door.
“It was the best experience ever! I'm so soft and limber, I still feel like jello,” she laughs, “but, did you know Clyde paid for that??”
“I would've assumed he was going to,” he laughs, “was your sister surprised?”
“Yes! We've never known those types of men up close!”
“Glad to show you ladies what real men act like. Y'all deserve it.”
“Gotta thank yalls mamas.”
“And she'll take all the credit, like she should.” He chuckles. “But, what else y'all got goin’ on today? More frolicking down the beach?”
“Yeah, you know us! Can't stay away from the water! But that sun is crazy, so we gotta be careful. But we did some more shopping, and definitely found more food to fall in love with!”
“Oh yeah, what's your favorite so far?”
“Mofungo! It's so good, baby! I need like seven bowls before I leave here!”
“Dang, you're dumping me for the chefs over there huh?”
“Yeah, the chefs are somebody's grandma!” She laughs, making him join in.
“Yes! They're so cute, they tell the most beautiful stories about the island and how the food came to be, ugh! I love it out here.”
“I gotta find my way out there, huh?”
“Oh, we're definitely booking a flight out here soon! Just you and me!”
He smiles, pulling into a parking spot in front of the restaurant.
“Sounds wonderful, baby. I'm here, though.”
“Lighter. Thank you, angel face.”
“You're welcome,” she giggles, “now go in there, eat good food and don't sweat the rest.”
“Okay,” he nods like she can see him, “I got this,” he says more to himself than to her.
“Yes, you do. I love you.”
“I love you too, very much. Thank you for answering. It was about to get desperate.”
“Crisis averted, thank god.” She frowns.
“Alright, go back to fun in the sun. I'll see you in a few days.”
“You sure will, handsome. Let me know how everything goes.”
Hanging up, he kills the engine and steps out, looking up at the moon hanging high in the sky.
“I wish I was up there instead of down here,” he mumbles dramatically to himself.
Stepping inside the dimly lit restaurant, the hostess greets him, locates the reservation and leads him to a table near the middle of the restaurant.
A table big enough for four people awaited him, as the older gentleman stood from his own seat.
“Your server will be with you shortly.”
Leaving the two alone, Leon stares his father square in the eye for the first time in almost ten years.
The kind of grey that held regrets.
He seemed to have shrunken a bit as well.
“I figured it'd be smart to get a table with some room,” he speaks, his voice hitting Leon's ears like thunder.
“Yeah.. good call.” He nods once, before sitting down across from him.
“Your drive over here was okay?”
His eyebrows furrow, but he shakes it off.
“Yeah. I've been here before.”
“Oh, okay.” He nods, somewhat heaving a sigh as the waitress comes to take their orders.
Once she's off again, Leon's eyes are on his father like a hawk, like he's remembering every single time his feelings were torn to pieces.
“Why am I here?” He finally asks.
“Because, I wanted to see you. I know it's not easy sitting across from me, listening to me tell you sorry for things I should've never said or done to you, but it means a lot that you're here, listening to me anyway.”
“Yeah? Sorry for what, exactly? What things did you say to me?”
“Well, I remember telling you that wanting to branch out and do photography was a waste… and I regret that deeply. It's not my place to put expectations over your life and what you decide to do with it. I should have been more supportive.”
“Yeah, you should have. I could've benefited from that, but we'll never know now... What else?”
“Okay, uh... I remember that friend of yours, Brandon. He was a let down, and I know that offended you when I said it then, but I hope you knew I was just tryna protect you. I knew guys like him when I was comin’ up and it was always pretty.”
“Yeah, that's funny. He actually ended up getting into trouble and we stopped being friends for a while,” his glare softens a bit.
“Guess you were right about somethin’.”
“Well, I still am sorry. That's still someone worthy of changing, and you guys were just kids. I was hard on you and the people around you. I really am sorry.”
“You know, B’s doin’ good for himself, these days. I think he just got a new job— we got back in contact last year through Eryn.”
“Really? That's great. Good for him.”
Their conversation is halted by the clattering of hot plates being sat in front of them, the smell of comfort and gravy silencing them for a moment.
“I never hated you. I just wish you would've been on my side instead of always against it.”
“I know. Truth is, and it sounds like an excuse, but my father wasn't there for me either. I didn't know how to be there for you without sounding like a drill sergeant, because there was very little place for love in the house, growing up with a man like your pops.”
“Really. He was hard as nails. Always seemed so angry at the world, unless it came to my mama. He loved your grandma, but he was even lousy to her sometimes.”
“Why you ain't ever tell me?”
“We don't talk about those things— part of the problem, I know— but that's why I'm glad you're here. I want to start fresh, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long. And I understand if that's not something you want, anymore.”
“Dad,” he frowns, feeling his emotions get the best of him, “that's all I've ever wanted.”
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