Page 7 of Where Is the Love
“Hey, baby. Have you eaten? I didn’t feel too good, so I didn’t cook the meat I took out.”
“Don’t worry about that, Ma. I ate. Did you want me to pick you up something? Medicine, food, or anything?”
“I’m gonna eat soup, but if you don’t mind stopping at the corner store and picking up some NyQuil, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course, Ma. I got’chu.”
“Thank you, baby,” she said, then coughed before hanging up.
When I got to the store, Jessica’s uncle was in there, so I spoke. “How you doing, Mr. Henderson?”
I smiled slightly. “Kenny. Mr. Henderson is my dad or WJ’s old ass.”
He extended his hand, and I shook it as I chuckled. “I was sorry to hear about your dad. Mr. Lewis was a good man. I apologize for just getting a chance to say so personally.”
“Thank you. We received the plant and gift card from the Hendersons. That was really thoughtful of you guys. Thank y’all for looking out for the community.”
“We have been blessed and in a position to do so much. Why not start with the community we live in? It irritates me when people help everybody but their own. Big City Nome is our home and always will be. It’s our job to take care of it.”
I loved his disposition. Kenny was usually the quiet one. For him to say so much to me had to mean something. I nodded my head appreciatively and walked away to get the NyQuil. He turned back to me and said, “You know that goes for you too. Since the younger Hendersons are handling the rice and grass farms and the hay fields, I have a little time on my hands. I don’t mind helping you. I see you out there every day.”
“You don’t know how much I’d appreciate that. That fence been tearing my ass up.”
I slid my hand over my face as he put his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll be out there tomorrow, if you’re working.”
“Yes, sir, I will be.”
“Okay, man. See you tomorrow. Tell me your name again.”
“Brixton, but everyone calls me Brix.”
“Got it. See you bright and early.”
He walked out of the store, and I was somewhat frozen in place. What were the odds that Kenny would offer to help me, and he didn’t really know me? My grandparents’ land wasn’t far from his house, so I was sure he knew them and my father well. However, that didn’t necessarily trickle down to me. I made my way to the register, thankful that I ran into him today, and paid for my mama’s medicine, then made my way home.
When I got there and had given Mama her meds, I took a shower and had planned to chill out for the rest of the evening. However, I was pleasantly surprised when my phone chimed with a text message from Jessica. I opened the message with a slight smile on my face.
So, I’ve been thinking a lot since I left the diner. I hate Joseph for how he altered my life. The woman I became was a direct result of how he treated my mama and me. I don’t settle for anything less than what I want… period. I’m not a submissive woman, and no man I’ve met has proven to me that I can be safe being submissive. I’m damaged, Brix. I just suffered a massive heartbreak right before Christmas, and I’m still working on myself to be okay with it.
Nate was there when I was vulnerable and drunk. That was how he felt my lips. While I don’t feel like I owe you an explanation, at the same time, I feel like I do. We were such good friends and knowing that Joseph had something to do with why we faded apart, angers me. I can’t even talk to my mom about this. I have to go back to counseling, because I find myself blaming her a lot for what I went through.
I read her message a few times, trying to debate if I wanted to respond through text or if I wanted to call. A slight smile made its way to my face as I thought about how I used to respond to her back in the day when she needed me. I typed the message out before I changed my mind and hit send.Come to Brix, baby.
I decided to add to it.We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. I just want to offer you comfort, like old times.
I sat in the recliner, waiting for her response. When it didn’t come, I turned on the TV to watch9-1-1 Lone Star. That sun had been whupping my ass. Going to the gym to work out was the last thing on my mind. I was drained. Hopefully, the assistance Kenny offered would help me finish a lot faster. I had the cattle in a smaller field, and they were gonna wear that grass out until there was nothing left if I didn’t hurry with what I was doing.
I hadn’t had to work on a fence in years… since I was a teenager. I took a swig of the water from the thermos I’d left next to my chair earlier today. After putting my feet up and starting the show, I could feel myself drifting. This was a waste of time. It was only seven thirty, and I was falling asleep. Just as I turned the TV off, the doorbell rang. While I was hoping it was Jessica, I wasn’t totally sure. A man had come by earlier while I was working on the fence, talking about how my dad owed him money. I told him unless he had proof of that shit, that debt died with him.
I didn’t bother checking the peephole, because just the thought of that had me irritated. My temper was oozing from my ears, thinking I would have to go off on his ass. I flung the door open to see Jessica standing there. She’d changed into some sweats and a T-shirt. I grabbed her hand and gently pulled her inside and into my arms. She wasn’t crying, but I felt like it would only be a matter of time before she was.
She used to always tell me that she wasn’t a crier, but I brought out her sensitive side. I hoped that still held true. I closed the door and locked it, then pulled her back to me. She took a deep breath as we stood there. I kissed her forehead and asked, “You wanna go watch TV?”
“No. I want to talk.”
That shocked me. I nodded and led her to the couch in the room I was sitting in, and when I sat next to her, she lay against me, rubbing her hand over my chest. She used to always do that shit, and it had the same effect on me as it did back then. I was starting to brick up. I grabbed her hand and kissed it then just held it in mine. I couldn’t be all hard and shit while she talked. I wouldn’t hear a word she said.
“So this happened at the National Honor Society induction or the NationalJuniorHonor Society induction?”