by D. Camille
Lance lifted her face to his. “We got you Ma.”
“Yeah, we know you Khayla. We not worried,” Corvus agreed.
Khayla looked up at Lance. “Can I make him one dinner?”
Lance looked over at Corvus. “One.”
“I love you Khayla!” Corvus told her. “I’m the one that told Lance to hurry up and marry you. He was doing all that damn playing.”
Lance frowned. “Shut up.”
Khayla laughed. “Come on Corvus, let’s go to Lance’s. I was going to make him some dinner tonight anyway.”
Corvus smiled. “You and Momma. That’s the only food I’ll eat.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Lance warned.
Corvus grinned. “I’ve always got Momma.”
Lance and Khayla looked at him. “Boy, you are a mess.” Khayla headed towards the door with the men following. Corvus locked the building then followed Lance and Khayla to his house. She went to the kitchen as the two men convened in the living room.
“So you finally about to do this?” Corvus asked.
Lance nodded. “Yeah, I am.”
“I’m happy for you man. You’re my brother and you know Khayla’s like my mean ass sister.”
Lance laughed. “Yeah, I know.”
“I know why you waited so long with her. You wanted to be right with yours and I respect that,” Corvus told him. “I just didn’t want you to lose her, because all that you’ve been through in your life, I knew that was the one thing that you wouldn’t be able to handle.”
Lance ran a slow hand down his face. “You’re right. If I ever lost Khayla for good, I couldn’t go on. Knowing that she was there, even if we wasn’t together, helped me through a lot of bad times.”
“I know how much you love that girl…how much you’ve always loved her. Hell, I got sick of hearing you say her name. I was hearing Khayla Imani in my damn sleep.”
“You’re a fool, you know that,” Lance told him.
Corvus smiled. “Be happy man. Make me some little melanated nephews and pretty brown nieces.”
Lance smiled. “I got it.”
Corvus stuck out his hand. “My Negus...”
Lance took it and they pulled each other close. “Fo’ life...” Lance responded.
They looked at each other and nodded. A friendship that had started many years ago had forged stronger than ever. Lance knew that of anyone, Corvus always had his back. They looked out for each other in ways that no one knew and had a bond that few understood.
Lance was glad that Corvus and Khayla were so close and that Khayla knew and understood how important his connection to Corvus was in his life. As his life now moved forward, he was thankful that all the people he loved were moving right along with him.
Lance looked up as Khayla appeared in the doorway and gave him a sexy smile. “Hey baby, you want to help me in the kitchen?”
Lance grinned as he interpreted her look and stood to his feet.
Corvus frowned and glanced between the two before standing. “I’ll eat at Momma’s, ‘cause y’all just being nasty.”
Chapter 22
Lance stepped into his mother’s house and looked around. He’d purchased this home for Miles and Pat several years ago shortly after he’d purchased the house where he and Khayla had first made love. He still owned that first home as he could never part with it due to the memories it held for him.
Slowly, he headed down the hall to her room. He could hear the television blaring as he neared the door. Knocking softly, he entered the room.
“Hey Mama,” he greeted the woman lying in the bed. Lance remembered the last time he’d seen his mother up and walking around. It had been two years ago, shortly after Khayla’s return to Detroit. She’d opened her practice and was offering to work with people for little to no cost to help build her business. Pat had agreed and had made significant progress until Miles had gotten into some trouble, after that she’d relapsed into this present state.
Pat looked over at him. “Hey LJ.”
Lance came to sit on the side of the bed taking his mother’s hand. “How’s the nurse working out?”
She frowned. “Getting on my damn nerves.”
“I can have a caregiver come instead of a nurse.”
“I don’t need nobody. You left and now Miles’ ass has deserted me,” she snapped.
Lance sighed. “Miles didn’t desert you. He has to grow up and live his own life just like I did…and you did.”
“This ain’t no damn life,” she grumbled.
“It’s whatever you make it,” Lance told her. “I could’ve said that a long time ago and just went to the streets, but I didn’t. I worked my ass off to take care of me, you and Miles.”
“I can’t change your condition and I won’t give up the rest of my life for you,” he finished.
Pat looked at him. “This is about that girl.”
“I’m marrying that girl. I should have married her a long time ago.”
“So you just gonna ride off into the sunset?” she questioned.
Lance released her hand. “Nah, I’m going to live and be happy.”
“She only wants you now because you’re somebody,” Pat taunted.
He smiled. “She wanted me when I was nothing and that’s why I’m going to give her my everything.”
Pat turned away. “Go on then!”
Lance stood. “Khayla and I are getting married next month. I know that you won’t be able to make it to the wedding. I wanted to let you know that after the wedding I’ll be gone for two weeks on our honeymoon. Miles and the Negus will be checking in on you and they’ll keep me updated.”
He looked down at his mother. “I can also have Mrs. Lewis or Momma Shaw check in on you.”
“Assata or Pam? No thank you. They already act like they’re your mommas,” she accused.
“They both have been mothers to me, but they never tried to replace you,” he told her. “If anything they helped me to take care of you.”
“Well I don’t need none of y’all help. Just leave me be!”
Lance nodded. “This is why no one wants to be around you. You’re bitter and angry at the wrong people. We didn’t make you sick, but we’ve done everything possible to help you get well…but you just want to wallow in your misery, so go ahead. I’m not going there with you.”
Pat watched as he turned and walked out of the door. Slowing turning on her side, she frowned at the pain then laid on her on the pillow as a lone tear slid down her cheek.
*********
Lance climbed into his truck and leaned back against the headrest. He tried so hard not to get frustrated with his mother, but she could make the most patient man lose control. He couldn’t imagine being sick as long as she had been. On the other hand, he couldn’t imagine not trying to help himself get better.
His phone rang and he answered. “Hey Katydids.”
“Hi Lance. What’s wrong?” She asked picking up on his tone.
“I’m straight. What’s up?”
“Lance, I know you. What happened?”
He leaned back again. “It’s nothing Khayla. I’m on my way to pick up your rings, then I’ll meet you at the co-op building.”
Khayla sighed. “This is where you need to use those communication skills I talked about.”
“About what?”
“Boy, if you don’t…where are you?” she questioned.
“Just leaving my Mama’s house.”
Khayla nodded. “She upset you.”
“Nah, she just being herself.”
“I’m sorry. I know how this affects you,” she said softly.
Lance glanced out the window. “I feel bad for her. She got the short end of the stick.”
“Is there anything I can do baby?”
“She’s the only one that can do it,” he said quietly.
“What can I do for you?” Khayla asked.
Lance paused. “Never give up on me Ma.”
“Never…” Kh
ayla vowed.
“I’m coming with your rings and then I’m making you mine for good.”
Khayla laughed. “I’m ready.”
“You sure you can do all of this in a month?” he asked skeptically.
“Oh, I’m going to make it happen…trust.”
He laughed. “Okay, take care of your Queen business.”
“Fa’ sho,” she teased in the urban vernacular that he’d taught to Kyros.
Lance laughed louder. “I hear you.”
“So I’ll see you later?” Khayla asked after he quieted.
“Yeah, I’ll see you when you get there. Corvus is there now supervising the crew.”
“I really need to make that dinner for him,” she commented.
Lance frowned. “He’s straight. He got Momma Shaw.”
“Can I make dinner for you?” she asked sexily.
“Fa’ sho…” he whispered back.
When their call ended, Khayla walked into the office that her mother used on the days she came into the office to order supplies and manage the practice.
Assata looked up as her daughter entered the room. “What’s going on Khayla?” she asked seeing the distressed look on her daughter’s pretty face.
“I just spoke with Lance.”
Assata became concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Mrs. Johnson. My heart breaks for Lance and that situation,” Khayla told her sadly.
“That poor woman has been sick for so long.”
Khayla took the seat across from her mother. “The natural treatments were helping. They weren’t a complete cure, but she was able to function.”
“I know she loves Lance and she wants to get better, but she’s just given up hope at this point,” Khayla finished.
Assata looked at Khayla. “A black woman has to be so strong in this life. She has to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders and sometimes the load is just too heavy.”
“Pat raised those two boys all alone and worked hard until she fell ill. After seeing multiple doctors and being misdiagnosed over and over, who can blame her?” Assata continued.
“She’s a proud woman and she would never accept help, so I assisted by being there for her son,” she finished.
Khayla looked away. “Lance is so strong and stubborn, just like her.”
“That’s why he’s been so successful, he’s a bull.” Assata agreed.
“I want my King to be happy,” Khayla turned back to her mother. “His pain is my pain.”
Assata felt for her daughter. “I know you will handle your Queen business accordingly.”
“Just like my Queen mother.” Khayla smiled slyly. “I wish to be the woman that you are.”
“I am so proud of you Khayla Imani. You are the woman that I wished you to be.”
“Thank you Momma,” Khayla said quietly.
“You and that young man need to give me some more grandchildren for Kyros to play with. He’s wearing me and your father out,” Assata told her smiling.
Khayla’s eyes lit up. “Yes, my King and I are going to have many little soldiers.”
Assata came around the desk and took her daughter’s hand. “I’m so thankful for how you have stood by your brother, helping him raise your nephew. You’ve been a mother to Kyros when his was not around.” She looked into her face. “You’ve given much of your life just like Lance has given much of his, to family that you love. Now the two of you need to make your lives together.”
Khayla squeezed her mother’s hand. “I can’t believe that I’m getting married…and I’m getting married to Lance!”
“I didn’t even have to beat him up to do it,” she teased.
Her mother smiled. “You loved to hit that boy.”
“He doesn’t let me do that anymore.”
Assata lifted a brow. “He’s a man. He’s not supposed to.”
Khayla smiled broadly. “That’s why I love him, Lance is a real man. Although, he doesn’t talk a lot, he’s always about his business.”
“So let’s talk about these wedding plans, since you’re in such a hurry,” Assata said giving her daughter a look.
“I’ve waited my whole life for Mr. Lance Johnson and I’m not waiting any longer than necessary to have him.”
*********
Khayla went over the wedding plans with her mother before making a few stops then heading to the new co-op building. She was ecstatic about the place and couldn’t wait to get it open. The information and contacts that Lloyd Sable had provided turned out to be invaluable to getting fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers.
Lance, Corvus and Khalil were helping in every way possible and she was so grateful for the three men that she loved. The plans were coming to fruition as the hired crew worked daily on the renovations. Khayla was planning a huge grand opening and inviting all of the community to participate.
Parking her car in front of the building, Khayla looked and saw the additional three cars parked there. She stepped from the vehicle and was stopped by four young men. Khayla slid her hand into her bag feeling her weapon.
“You the lady opening this store?” one of them asked.
She nodded slowly watching them.
“What kinda store is it?” another asked watching her with her hand in her purse.
“It’s a food co-op. That’s a place that sells healthy food and the people who shop there are the owners,” she explained slowly.
“You own it or somebody else?” the first one asked.
“The community owns it,” she answered.
One stepped forward and she grasped her weapon inside her bag. “We got a message for you.”
Khayla lifted a brow and waited, watching to see if they made any moves.
“We’re here to support you,” the second one told her.
“Yeah, we tired of all the people opening stores in our hood and treating us like garbage,” the first one commented.
“So we want to tell you that we got your back. If anybody coming at you, we coming at them.”
Khayla relaxed her grip a little and smiled. “Thank you.” She looked up as Lance, Corvus and Khalil came rushing out of the building.
Lance frowned at the young men. “What up doe?” he asked slowly as Corvus and Khalil eyed the group.
The men looked at the trio. “The Negus?” one asked.
“Yeah…” Lance answered. “You need something?”
They smiled. “Man, we didn’t know the Negus was opening this store!”
“It’s her store,” Lance corrected them while nodding at Khayla.
“But, we’re here to protect her…so you don’t want to do anything to her or this store,” he warned.
Khayla turned to Lance. “Those young soldiers were just telling me that they’re here to support me and the co-op.”
One smiled at Lance. “We got her. If you’re not here, you don’t have to worry about that.”
Lance gave him a fist pound. “Good look, little homie.”
“We want to have our own stuff in our hood. We want our kids and families to have good stuff too. Why we always gotta settle?” the young man told him. “I got a two year-old. I’m out here on the block trying to feed her. Just because I’m hustling don’t mean I don’t love my baby. I gotta do what I do though, to take care of her.”
Khalil stepped forward. “Hustling gets you caught up in the system, young brother. Come and let us show you how to hustle the right way.”
The man shrugged. “Hey man, I don’t want to go jail. That’s not the life I want, so if you got an alternative, I’m down with it. I just need to feed my baby. I want her to be healthy.”
“Come by the community center and let’s see what we can do.” Khalil handed him a card.
Khayla smiled. “I’ll also be hiring here at the store when we open.”
He nodded at her. “Alright.” He placed the card in his pocket. “I can’t wait until it’s open.”
The Negus showed love to the group
who still looked at them in awe before they departed. Lance turned to Khayla.
“You okay Ma?” he asked concerned.
“Yeah, I had my piece,” she told him. “But they were really nice. They said they’d protect me and the store in the neighborhood.”
Lance shook his head. “So many times our young dudes get such a bad rap. My man just wants to feed his baby.”
“But the system is set up to stop him at every turn,” Khalil commented. “Lack of quality education, no jobs, police profiling, and a prison system that profits off of black bodies.”
They all shook their heads as they led Khayla inside.
“Wow! This is moving fast.” Khayla looked around and smiled at all the renovations that had been completed. “This is incredible.”
She turned to Lance. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He leaned down to kiss her gently.
When he lifted his head, Khayla looked at her brother and Corvus. “Thank you too!”
“Just don’t kiss me again,” Corvus warned.
Khalil turned to him. “You’re kissing my sister?” he raised a brow.
“Get your brother-in-law Lance…” Corvus walked further away from Khalil.
“You two work that out,” Lance said taking Khayla’s hand. He led her away from the others then stopped and looked down at her. “Hey Katydids.”
She smiled. “Hi Lance.”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a box. “These are for you.”
Khayla looked at the box, then back at him. Lance flicked the box open and her eyes widened.
“Oh my god! They’re so beautiful!”
He took the jewelry from the box as she removed the temporary ring from her hand. Slowly he placed the engagement ring on her finger. “Okay, Khayla Imani, no turning back now.”
Khayla stared at the ring sparkling on her hand. “I don’t ever want to go back. I want my future with you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared up at him. “The rings are incredible and I’m so happy.”
Lance lifted a brow. “Happy enough to share last names?” His dark eyes held hers.
“Yeah, that happy,” she whispered.
He kissed her briefly. “Happy enough to make some babies with me?”
“Mmmm…hmmm, that happy…”