by Diamond
“Well, hello Linda,” I opened the door wider, so they could come inside. This guy she was with looked familiar, but I didn’t want to think too much into it.
“Hi Ghost, I hope it’s okay that I brought my man,” she gave me a tight smile and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Actually, this is supposed to be a family thing, I have some news and there aren’t any outsiders.” I felt Ryder walk up, I knew he wouldn’t be happy about her coming, so I had a small talk with him before inviting her.
“Who is this?” Ryder spoke up, he was sizing up the man standing next to his mother, I put my hand on his shoulder, so he would calm down.
“I’m Mika,” he reached out his hand and Ryder looked at it with disgust. He noticed, so he put his hand down.
“Well, Mika, this is a family gathering. So would you mind leaving our home?”. Ryder looked him up and down.
“Ryder please, I want you to get to know the man that is in my life.” Linda looked at our son with a pleading look in her eyes.
“I don’t even want you here, so I sure as hell don’t want your so called man in my house.”
“Fine then I guess I will leave too,” Linda gave me a sad look and started heading to the door.
“Linda, please stay. I would like to speak to you in private. But, please respect your son’s wishes and have Mika pick you up when dinner is over.” I walked away and Ryder followed.
I sat down on the couch because I wasn’t feeling good; I needed to rest a little. I watched everyone talk amongst each other. Linda came over and sat next to me, I looked at her.
“He left, I’m guessing what you have to tell me is important or you wouldn’t have asked me to come all this way.” She looked down at her hands, she looked a nervous.
“It is important; first I want to apologize to you for not being the man I was supposed to be to you. I turned into someone I hated and I am deeply sorry.” I placed my hand on top of hers and squeezed gently.
“Ghost, is apologizing for his wrongs. Wow, I never thought I would see the day. But I forgive you, Ghost. That’s all I ever wanted from you is to apologize.” She gave me a warm smile and grabbed my hand.
“The other thing I wanted to tell you is that I am dying. I stopped treatment a few days and I’m not sure how long I have. I wanted to make amends, and I wanted to wish you the happiness you deserve,” I looked into her eyes; I did have love for this woman.
“Why would you give up?” She looked at me confused, her eyes started to gloss over.
“I’m tired Linda, my body can’t take any more of this. I hope you understand my decision. One thing I want from you is to reach out to Ryder. He will forgive you for leaving, it will take some time, but just keep trying to reach out.” We gave each other a hug and she left.
Everyone started making their way to the dining room, when I tried to stand up the room started spinning. Blu came running over to help me, I was happy everyone else was in the other room.
“Dad, are you okay?” Blu looked at me with concerned eyes, she helped me sit down. We sat there for a minute.
“You ready to go into the dining room? Or do you need to go lay down?” She said with sadness.
“Help me to the dining room, I don’t want to alarm anyone.” We counted to three, and she helped me up. We entered the dining room and I sat at the head of the table. Blu and Ryder sat on my left and right side, Emila sat at the other end of the table. I looked around as everyone was laughing and having a good time. We all ate and joked around, it was a successful dinner. Everyone was starting to leave, and I gave everyone well wishes and hugs. I shut the door, and looked over at Blu and Skie talking; Ryder and Camila were doing the dishes.
“Blu, Ryder? When you’re done with what you’re doing, come to my room. I would like to have some alone time with you two.” They both nodded their heads, I walked to my room and laid down. Emila walked into the room, and sat at the end of the bed. She looked at me with sad eyes.
“We never got to get married, you’re not supposed to leave this earth yet, Ghost.” She had tears running down her face, I grabbed her and pulled her close to me.
“Everything will be okay, I need you to be strong and move on. I know it will hurt but please do that for me?” I kissed her checks then her lips. I held her in my arms for a little while, then Blu and Ryder entered the room. They jumped in bed with us and we turned on my favorite movie, boys in the hood. I was happy knowing that I made everything right. I did wish that I would’ve got the chance to marry, Emila. I hope she stayed strong and got off the drugs.
I looked at my daughter and son, and smiled. I knew they had bright futures ahead of them. I was so proud of what they were doing with their lives. I knew they had bright futures ahead of them. The movie was over and Blu and Ryder got off the bed. Ryder went and turned off the TV and turned and looked at me.
“Goodnight daddy, I love you,” Blu smiled and kissed me on the check. She gave me a hug and I hugged her back.
“Goodnight baby girl, I love you more than anything.” I watched as she left the room, she turned back and looked at me one more time.
“Goodnight pops, love you.” Ryder gave me and hug and started walking towards the door.
“Goodnight son, I love you too.” I watched as he locked the door, Emila laid down next to me.
“I love you Emila, you have always had my heart,” I kissed her forehead. My door opened and both Blu and Ryder walked in.
“Can we sleep in here tonight?” Blu smiled and got onto the bed and so did Ryder. I was the happiest I’ve been in a long time. We all got comfortable in my California king bed. I closed my eyes to sleep
CHAPTER TWENTY- FIVE
Ryder
When we all woke up, our father wasn’t breathing. I fell to the ground and started crying my eyes out. I think he knew last night was his last, Blu came and sat next to me and we both cried. I don’t think you could ever really prepare yourself for something like this. I stood up and walked out the room. Emila called the ambulance; she was just sitting in the living room rocking back and forth. I went up to my room, I just wanted to be next to, Camila.
“Baby what’s wrong?” Camila stood up and walked over to me, my vision got cloudy.
“He’s gone, Camila, my dad is gone.” I fell into her opened arms and cried some more, I knew this was coming, but I didn’t wanna believe that he would really be gone. My phone started to ring, I looked at it sitting on my bed stand. Camila walked over and answered the phone I heard when she said Ghost was gone, then I couldn’t hear her anymore. I just sunk onto the floor. I knew I couldn’t stand him, and was always avoiding him, but I just wante here, and home.
“Your uncle is on his way,” she said. “What is your uncle’s name anyway?” She looked at me, I knew she was trying to get me to think of something else.
“Jordan, his name in the streets is, Death.” Ghost and Death, two deadly killers. I was told that they got those nicknames from my grandfather. Ghost is for someone who kills without being seen, and Death was supposed to me you feel it before it happened. It was their killing techniques. I looked at Camila and was happy she was here. I stood up and went to take a shower; I felt so dirty. I stood under the water thinking about everything I had to do. I was officially in charge. I needed to call a meeting with everyone to introduce myself. I got out the shower and Camila laid out my clothes. I loved her, I swear I did. She was going to be my wife one day. I put on my true religion jeans, my white t-shirt, my black timbs and black vest. I put my Miami heat snapback on.
I knew it would be hard to play ball and worry about the empire, but it was something I had to do. When I was out of town, my uncle would take care of everything. I walked out my room and downstairs. I saw Blu first, she was wearing a red plaid long sleeve shirt and ripped jeans, she had on black lipstick and her hair was hanging down in curls. She walked up to me and gave me a hug. She backed up and cleared her throat, as I looked at her.
“I want in, Ryd
er, and before you say no I talked to uncle, Jordan and he said yes.” She looked at me and smiled.
“I wasn’t gonna turn you down, Blu. Is this something you really wanna do?” I looked at her with my eyebrow raised.
“Yes, I can dance and take care of business. We are gonna need people we can trust around.” She smiled and walked away.
I sighed, what she said was so true. Once word got out that Ghost was dead, people would be after the throne. I knew with Blu and uncle death by my side, they wouldn’t be able to. Ghost used to take me and Blu out shooting, he taught her about the empire. She was his hidden weapon. I knew she was deadly and now she was waking that side of herself. I walked over and sat on the couch next to Skie, she had been real quiet the last few days. I knew she was leaving soon; I also knew there was a lot going on.
“What is up, Skie?” I got comfortable on the couch and watched Emila and my uncle talking, whileBlu was talking to Camila.
“I am worried, this morning it was as if something switched inside of Blu. I knew she talked to your uncle about joining the empire.” She looked over at me, and crossed her arms.
“She was trained to do this a long time ago; it is something she does not show. You have nothing to worry about, Skie, she will be taken care of when you leave.” I looked at her and put my hand on her shoulder.
“I feel like I keep leaving at the wrong times, she needs me right now.” She looked down at her hands.
“She knows this is your career, don’t stress ma. Things turn out how they are supposed to.” I took a deep breath.
“She’s changing, a year from now I won’t be able to recognize her. I knew my life is going to change too, my face will be everywhere. So will yours and maybe even hers!” She looked over at Blu and gave a frown.
“You think too hard,” I laughed. “Everything will work out, you just gotta stay positive.” I got up and walked over to where Blu and Camila where.
“Blu, go talk to your girl please, she tripping and you need to tell her things will be okay, because the way she is thinking now everything will fall apart.” I pushed her towards Skie.
“Baby, why you do that?” Camila smiled and wrapped her arm around me.
“Because they need to talk, Skie is depressed about Blu and she needs to figure out what the the fuck they are gonna do”. I felt someone tap on my shoulder, so I turned around.
“So, we decided it was best to have a family only funeral so we can have some time to figure out our next move,” My uncle said and walked out the house. I walked over to Emila. She looked so broken after his death, I knew it was her first love, but she needed to get it together.
“How are you holding up?” I sat down in the seat next to her. She looked so pale and small these days. I hoped Blu was going to get her some help.
“I am as good as I will ever be, Blu asked me to go to rehab after the funeral is over. Is it that noticeable already?”
“Can I be honest with you?” I took her hands in mine, and looked her in the eyes. “It’s noticeable, Emila. You look so pale and you have lost weight. I need you to get help for Blu, if not for yourself. My father loved the person you were, not the drug addict that you’re becoming. Be that person Blu and Ghost loved.: I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and smiled.
“Thank you, Ryder for being honest, Blu didn’t wanna say it to hurt my feelings. I am also sorry for the way things have happened.” She gave me a tiny smile.
“You are forgiven, but let it stay in the past. Things will get better, just please get help.” I stood up and headed out the house.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Blu
Me and Ryder, were watching our father get lowered into the ground. Everyone else left us alone to have a few minutes alone before they lowered him. I didn’t think his death would be so hard for me. I’ve only known he was my father for a little while, but I guess he has been in my life since I was born. I decided that I wanted to be a part of the empire he has built; I was going to stand side by side with Ryder and our uncle. This is a side to me that I don’t show. I know the power I held inside of me and it is about to be released.
One-day Ghost told me he wanted to teach me a few things. That’s when he started taking me and Ryder to the shooting range. He taught me everything there was to know about the cartel and how to kill without being caught. I have no idea if my mom knew about it or not, but I didn’t tell her. Now, I know why he taught me all those things, because I am the princess off his cartel, his daughter. Me and Ryder both picked up a shovel once our dad was lowered and shoveled some dirt on top of him.
“I love you, daddy. Rest in peace,” I said my final goodbye and walked away. Ryder stayed a few minutes after and joined me. There was a get together at the house for everyone who came to the funeral. I didn’t really wanna fake a smile, I just wanted to be in Skie’s arms watching cheesy romantic movies. We just pulled up to the house, Ryder turned off the car and we both just sat and looked at the house.
“I really do not wanna do this.” I crossed my arms; I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.
“Shit, me either, but your mom wanted to do it, so we can support her.” He opened his car door and got out and I followed.
Tonight I was driving my mom to rehab; she was going to be gone for two months. I told her she only had to do one, but she said that is what she wanted. I think this was going to help her heal and stay away from drugs. It is a very hard time for her, so I tried to be understanding and support her.
Once we got inside the house, I hurried upstairs to my wing and shut the door behind me. Skie was sitting on the couch with her cotton booty shorts and a tank top. She didn’t go to the funeral since it was a family affair.
“Hey baby,” I sat down next to her and took a deep breath. I was so tired; I hadn’t slept in a few days.
“How did everything go?” She said without looking away from the movie she was watching.
“Everything was okay I guess, it was small. I didn’t want to join the get together down stairs.”
“Well you should still show your face.” She looked at me for the first time since I walked in. things have been different between us since she took the job for the movie and our big fight. I was really hoping we would get back on track before she left.
“I will once I get changed, are you okay? You have been kind of distant since you have moved in.” I stood up about to go change.
“Well I haven’t really had any alone time with you and I am about to leave in a few days for the next year.” She got off the couch and followed me.
“I’m sorry, I promise the rest of the time you are here I will spend every moment with you, right after I show my face to everyone down stairs.” I went into my closet and grabbed a pair of black yoga pants and a black hoodie that said boss chick on it.
“That would be nice, I’m nervous about this whole movie thing, though. my life is about to change.” She took a seat at the end of the bed.
“Everything will be fine; this is your dream come true.” I smiled at her and changed my clothes. I walked downstairs and did my rounds, and then I turned right back around and went to my room.
“That was fast,” Skie laughed as I walked into the room. She sat up on the couch to make room for me.
“Me and Ryder did the same thing, thanked everyone for coming and left. It is about time for everyone to leave anyway then I have to drive my mom to rehab. Do you wanna come with me? it’s an hour drive and I don’t wanna drive back alone.”
“Yes, I’ll come with you. When do we have to leave?”
“In about an hour.” I sat down next to her then laid down and put my head in her lap.
**
We just got back into the house, I was happy my mom is getting help. Me and Skie went up to our wing hand and hand. I thought it was a good time to fix things between us, she was leaving in less than a week. Once we got into our room I changed into my onesie, she looked at me and busted out laughing.
“Blu what in the world are you wearing?” Skie laughed some more and changed into her Miami heat pajama pants and tank top.
“It’s a onesie!!” I looked down, it said bossy on the front and had an opening where the ass was.
“I didn’t know grown people wore that,” She laughed some more and came closer to me.
“Well I do, but you love me.” I kissed her on the lips slowly, and pulled her closer to me. We kissed like it was our first time, I pulled her down on the bed with our lips still connected. I knew we could make it through this year, we would just really have to try. We broke the kiss so we could breath, I felt like we hadn’t kissed in forever. I was starting to think. Has it really been that long?
“I do love you, Blu. I hope you’re the one I marry one day, and the one I decide to go through the process of having babies with.” She turned on her side and touched my face with her hand and looked into my eyes.
“I love you to, Skie. We will make it; it will just take more effort this year and communication.” I looked back at her and smiled. I was low-key excited about what she just said, I can picture her holding our first child and getting married. We both just had to make it through the year apart.
“You know I’ve been thinking about the future a lot lately; I’m hoping this year doesn’t mess up what we have. You’re the first person I have ever felt this way about and if I was to lose this connection, I wouldn’t know what to do.” She looked at me with so much love in her eyes.