by Mychea
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Mychea
the little girl wasn’t a fool and hoped to God she didn’t have to take her out, but if the heifa jumped, that is exactly what was going to happen.
Eyeing Emeri as she entered the room behind Gram Ma Cyn, Namiyah looked at her with disdain in her eyes. She hated the sight of her, and to think, this was her Aunt, the same Aunt that had almost killed her mother. Every time they came into close proximity of one another Namiyah wanted to do her bodily harm. She could tell that Emeri knew it too; Namiyah could see the crazy Emeri tried to down play, but she didn’t fool Namiyah or her mom. “Mommy knows this chick is crazy too.” She thought.
“Hello Emeri.”
“Hi, Ma Cyn,” Emeri was happy that Ma Cyn hadn’t begun to treat her any differently after everything that had gone down. Ma Cyn turned to look at Namiyah, “Namiyah, did you speak?”
Namiyah almost swallowed her tongue, she had not intended on speaking to Emeri, but since Gram Ma Cyn had put her on blast, she knew that she didn’t have a choice. It was either speak or get a serious talking to from Gram Ma Cyn and she definitely didn’t want that.
“Hey.” She managed to huff out, she heard Emeri reply but she was already back to tuning her out. She had nothing whatsoever to say to that person.
“Namiyah? Can we talk?” Pretending not to here Emeri addressing her, Namiyah went over to grab her purse off the sofa.
“Namiyah.”
Turning at the brash tone, “Yes, Gram.”
“Chile, I know you heard Emeri talking to you, don’t be rude.”
Properly chided, Namiyah dropped her head, “Yes, ma’am.”
Turning as she began to exit the room, “I’ll leave you two to talk.” Glancing over her shoulder before she was completely out of the room; looking directly at Namiyah, “Are you ok?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Ok, honey, I’ll be right in the kitchen if you need me.” She said as she hummed her way down the hall.
Namiyah had to smile at that. Gram was always in the kitchen, cooking up some delicious concoction. Twisting her face into a frown, she would rather be anywhere but right here having to deal with Emeri’s nonsense. She wasn’t as nice as her Mom and Gram. She didn’t have extra breath to waste on garbage.
Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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Turning to face Emeri and give her undivided attention, she spoke quickly and harshly,
“What do you want?”
“Now, now, is that any way to talk to your favorite Auntie.”
Namiyah almost laughed out loud at that, “You’re reaching, even for yourself. I don’t even like you, so suggesting you are a favorite anything is beyond hilarious,” Cocking her head to the side, Namiyah was getting more upset by the minute, especially since she had to repeat herself.
“What do you want? In case in your deluded mind you were too dumb to understand the question you were asked the first time.”
Emeri jumped up off the chaise, “Excuse me, but who do you think you’re talking to? I am still your Aunt and an adult; you will not speak to me like that.”
Namiyah snorted as she broke into laughter, “Aunt, by default and adult, not hardly. Your age makes you an adult, not your mentality. You may think I’m only a teenager, but I can read you like a book and you are a joke. You don’t fool me. I can see right through you.”
Emeri could feel the tension racing through her body, Namiyah had to learn a lesson and she was going to have to be the one to teach her and put this little girl in her place. Racing across the room and snatching Namiyah’s long, curly ponytail, Emeri pulled it so hard Namiyah’s eyes began to water and she honestly thought Emeri was going to pull her hair out roots and all.
Seeing the tears in her eyes, Emeri exposed a slow smile. Leaning down to whisper in Namiyah’s ear, “I see now that we understand who is in charge and who isn’t. I don’t want to have to hurt you Namiyah, but I will. Stay out of my way; this is the only warning that you will receive.” Abruptly letting Namiyah’s ponytail go, Namiyah fell to the floor as Emeri left the room.
Grabbing her head Namiyah couldn’t understand how someone of Emeri’s size could have so much strength. Looking around on the floor, she fully expected to see her hair lying around her, but miraculously it was all still intact. Slowly rising to her feet Namiyah could feel the dull beginnings of a headache. Emeri thought she was so smart, but so did Lucifer, until he was cast out of Heaven. Emeri was going to have her day of judgment; she was going to see to it.
Sitting in her room at her desk that night, Namiyah was researching ways to effectively kill someone without a trace of evidence. There had to be some way to eliminate Emeri without going to jail for it. She didn’t think the judge would buy the fact that she just plain hated her as a Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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valid excuse. Receiving a knock on her bedroom door, Namiyah minimized the computer screen.
“Yes, come in.” It was her Mom.
“Hey Muffin, I came to check on you before I went to bed.”
Even after all this time, Namiyah had to hide the urge to cry whenever she saw her Mom assisted by her walker. It just wasn’t fair; her Mom had always been the sweetest, most wonderful person. Sometimes she got so angry with God for allowing this to happen to her family. One family should not have to go through everything that they had been through.
“Hi Mommy.” She stood up to help her Mom into the room so she could leave her walker in the hallway. The good thing was her Mom really was getting better at walking and you could tell she wouldn’t need her walker for much longer. Guiding her to the bed so she could sit, Namiyah made sure she was comfortable before she sat back in the chair at her desk.
“I wanted to talk to you for a little bit. Gram told me that you and Emeri chatted today,”
raising an inquiring eyebrow at Namiyah, “I know how your temper can be, how did that go?”
Glancing down, pulling an imaginary piece of lint off her pajamas, Namiyah thought of the best way to answer that question and decided instead to ask one of her own.
“Mom, can you answer something for me that I don’t understand?”
“Sure, baby. Shoot away.”
“Why is everyone so accepting of Emeri? After everything that she has done, how can everyone act like life is normal and all is ok?” Feeling the tears she had fought so hard not to show come down her face, Namiyah continued, “You’re moving around on a walker, which is a constant reminder of what she did to you and even you talk to her. I hate her for what she did to you and for what she did to us. When you suffered, Kalani and I suffered too. It’s not fair, she should not be allowed to come back and have her life be ok.”
“Come sit next to me honey.” Naima opened her arms as Namiyah came over joining her on the bed and burying her face into Naima’s chest as she cried her heart out. Gently running her fingers through Namiyah’s wavy hair, “You know it is not our job to judge anyone. You have to remember that Emeri has no family but us. We can’t leave her on her own, when it’s so obvious that she needs a strong family structure to help her get her act together.”
Raising her head to stare into her Mom’s hazel eyes, “But Mommy, she could have killed you, why don’t you hate her?”
Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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Naima thought long and hard before she answered. Namiyah had valid points, but it didn’t change what was, no matter how she felt about the situation, Naima had to teach her child right from wrong.
“Almost, doesn’t mean succeeded and she didn’t even get close to my spirit.” Reaching down placing her hand underneath Namiyah’s chin, “My spirit and relationship with God help me get through and that’s the most honest answer I can give you. I used to be very angry with Emeri, but I don’t hate her. I p
ray that God continually helps me to forgive her and make peace with the whole situation.” Wiping her baby girl’s tears, “and I hope that you ask Him to do the same for you. Ok?” she asked kissing the top of her head, “Make your peace with this Muffin, otherwise it will consume you.”
Closing her eyes slowly as she let her Mom’s words digest, Namiyah couldn’t understand her point. She wanted to, but her mother was too nice sometimes, this was a situation that warranted action and Emeri would get hers.
Opening her eyes, she tightened her arms around her Mom. “Thank you for the talk, I do feel a little better.”
“Glad to hear it.” Taking a small breath, “Well Muffin, I have to kiss Kalani good night. Will you help your Momma to her walker?”
“Gimme a kiss so I can leave you be for the night.” Her Mom said as Namiyah was helping her up.
Doing as told, Namiyah placed a kiss on her Mom’s cheek and watched her as she slowly made her way down the hall to Kalani’s room. Retreating back into her room and closing her door, Namiyah pulled up the web page she’d been reading before her Mom stopped by her room.
There had to be something on the page that would be beneficial to her and she wasn’t going to rest until she discovered what it was.
Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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Chapter 5
“Alanna, let’s go.” Damir was barely able to contain his smile as his baby girl came racing into the foyer to meet him at the door.
“Daddy, where are we going this time?” she asked as she held her arms out, so he could help put her jacket on.
“Remember, I told you that we were going to visit a friend of mine today?”
Looking up at him with big brown baby doll eyes, she replied. “Uh huh.”
“Do you want to bring a toy with you? You can only bring one.”
She shook her head, “No, I don’t need a toy.”
“Ok, baby girl. Let’s hit it.” Damir said as he guided us out the door.
Consumed in his own thoughts as he drove, Damir could not believe that it had been five years since his life had taken such a drastic turn, in some ways better, in some ways worse.
Alanna was the silver lining to his world. She was too young to even begin to comprehend that she had saved him from himself. At one point, depression was threatening to take him out of this world and he still fought with it at times. She was his reason to not give into it though; it is because of her that he was.
Observing Alanna through the rearview mirror, Damir couldn’t get over how much she resembled Amber. Sometimes he sat and wondered if Amber’s attitude toward children would have changed once she had gotten an opportunity to hold them in her arms. Because, he was in love with Alanna from the moment, he’d lain eyes on her and then when the nurse placed her in his waiting arms, the deal was forever sealed. Damir knew on the spot that he would die for her.
Anything that she needed he would provide, she would never want for anything.
Pulling into the driveway and parking at their destination, the anticipation was enough to choke him.
“Come on baby girl, we’re here.”
“Is this where your friend lives?” Alanna asked as she unbuckled her seat belt.
Coming around to open her car door for her, Damir responded, “It sure is.”
“Cool.” She said.
Pressing the buzzer for the doorbell once they reached the door, he became a little apprehensive, a trait that he am not accustomed too.
Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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The door opened then, “Hi stranger.”
Damir was in shock at the image that greeted him. Nothing could have prepared him for this.
“Cat got your tongue?” She laughed. There it was. Her laugh put him at ease. It was the same honey coated laugh that he had fallen in love with years before.
Pulling her into a gentle hug as to not crush her, he was caught off guard by how fragile she seemed.
“Naima, it has been too long.”
“It definitely has been.” Pulling out of his embrace, “Who is this little one?” she asked.
Grabbing her hand, “This little one is my baby girl, Alanna.”
Bending down awkwardly so that they were eye level, Naima held out her hand and Alanna grasped it, “Hi Alanna, I’m Ms. Naima, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Hi, Ms. Naima.” She said shyly as she wrapped her free arm around Damir’s leg.
Holding onto her walker as she struggled to stand up again, Damir moved to help her, she waved him off.
“I have it. I’m just a little slow. The normal everyday activities don’t hurt as much as they used to.”
“Still, maybe you should sit down for a little bit.”
“I won’t argue with you there. Ya’ll come on in. Is it ok if Alanna plays with Kalani? He’s doing his homework, but I’m sure that he will welcome the interruption.”
Damir looked down at his princess, who was still clutching his leg for dear life, and started to say no, she would stay with him, but Kalani came bouncing in the room at that moment and her little eyes lit up, and then the two of them were off.
“Oh-oh,” Damir said, looking up at Naima, “Do I detect the beginnings of a crush? My feelings are a little hurt. She didn’t say bye Daddy or anything.”
Laughing lightly, “Awww, is this the first time she chose a guy over you? Don’t worry it gets harder the older they get. Kalani favors his teacher and every time it kills me a little inside when he runs away from me to get to her.” Naima shined sympathetic eyes at Damir, “Do you need a hug to get through this difficult time?”
Chuckling softly, “No, I think I’ll survive.”
Making herself comfortable on the sofa, Naima pointed to the love seat opposite her.
“Have a seat.”
Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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Doing as commanded, Damir felt awkward. He had no idea what to talk to her about.
Greatfully, he need not have worried; she was more than amped and ready.
“Damir, I apologize for not seeing you prior to today.” Taking a deep breath, “It’s just that in all honesty, I had no idea what to say. I didn’t know if you blamed me for what took place that fateful night on your birthday. I was more so at a loss. I wanted to reach out to you but I couldn’t for my own selfish reasons, and for that I do apologize.”
Thinking about all that he had been through in the last five years, Damir blamed myself more than he blamed anyone else. It was his selfish actions that helped push Emeri off the deep end.
One moment of mindless pleasure had cost him his future wife and one of his children. He would never forgive himself for that. The guilt was his to bear and his alone.
Quietly responding to her, “I never blamed you. You brought peace to my life. I was the one that screwed up and I screwed up big.”
“Well, you won’t get an argument from me there. Emeri is a beautiful woman; I can certainly understand how a man could slip up. If only she used her powers for good.”
“How have you and your family been holding up from the strain of it all?”
“As well as can be expected, I guess. Emeri is back at my parent’s house because she has nowhere else to go. My parents are trying to figure it out; their marriage is under enormous strain. I think that this is the most difficult situation they have had to endure together and it is definitely taking its toll.”
“And you,” Damir asked her, “How are you doing?”
Pausing for a minute and then sighing audibly, “I’m angry. I’m so angry, I can’t even begin to articulate all the raging emotions that I have been dealing with since one bullet changed my whole life.” Suddenly raising her hands to her mouth she looked mortified, “I am so sorry, how thoughtless of me. Your life was drastically altered by one bullet as well. The real
question is, how are you doing? My life is pretty much intact, you are the one that lost so much that evening.
Damir shrugged, “Hey, I’m living. Alanna makes life bearable. It’s hard to be depressed when you have this awesome, spitting image of Amber smiling up at you. I can’t help but be grateful for all that I have.”
Rising off the love seat to sit next to Naima on the sofa, he took one of her hands into his, “I know that one of my biggest regrets is letting you go.” He brought her hand to his lips to receive Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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the kiss he wanted to place on her lips. Damir could not rationalize how he had willingly walked away from this woman.
“Damir, that’s sweet.” She said removing her hand from his grasp. “But what was then and what is now, are two different things.”
Gently placing his hand under her chin and guiding her face toward his, he could tell by her hazel eyes that she was afraid of what she was feeling and wanted to run away from him. But Damir was not going to allow that. Kissing her softly at first and then more so with a sense of urgency, he wanted all of her, right here and now and he wasn’t alone. She was now responding to him and for that space in time; it was as it was when they first met years ago.
The front door closing abruptly jarred them out of the magic they were creating. Jumping up as Kaden walked into the room, Damir turned to face the wall to gather his composure. Kaden walked over to Naima and kissed the lips that Damur had just reacquainted myself with, and then Kaden spoke to him.
Reaching his hand out to shake his, “Hey man, I didn’t know that you were dropping by today.”
“Yeah,” Damir said taking his hand, “I stopped by for a long overdue visit to see Naima, to see how she was holding up for myself.”
Tightening his grip on Damir’s hand, Kaden narrowed his eyes. Damir tightened his grip as well. Staring him down, silently asking if he really wanted to start this right here, right now. At the end of the day, he was still his boss. Kaden would do well to remember that. Seeing that Damir wasn’t going to back down, Kaden released his hand and left the room. Calling up to Alanna, Damir knew that he had over stayed his welcome. It was time for them to go.
