I Am Your Brother

by Jaimy Reynolds

  The only way Seven could get ahold of Destiny was by retrieving his phone. He lifted himself from the ground and looked in the direction where the officer threw his phone. He looked back towards the highway, then looked back towards the area his phone was at. Seven wasted no time and did whatever he had to do in order to find Destiny. A small phone being thrown in this big area of the unknown. He started from an area and dialed in at every inch near him. He moved slowly in the vicinity of the tossed phone, moving from left to right. He took a step forward and began to move from right to left. For hours Seven searched the area with no luck. When fatigue kicked in he thought of Destiny June and carried on with a new dose of energy and determination. He moved through trees, weaved through branches, focused through the mosquito bites, and crawled on his hands and knees. Hours passed with no water or food. He searched and searched until day light began to fade. His strength and awareness began to reduce. He crawled and patted parts of the ground. His clothes were stained with dirt marks smeared on his face. His fingernails filled with dirt, while sweat dripped from his face. His body ran out of gas while pushing through on fumes in the near pitch dark night. He pushed through when seeing doubles throughout his search. He kneeled down on his hands and knees with his head tilted down while asking God for strength. He stopped his search and lifted himself up while on his knees. He tilted his back while looking up towards the dark sky. He took off his backpack and placed it on the ground in front of him before falling face forward on the backpack and passed out.

  Seven opened his eyes to daylight and to see a beetle crawling along the veins in his hand. Soon as he thought of Destiny he arose from the ground and began to walk towards the highway. People from inside their cars driving by might have thought Seven was homeless from all the dirt and grass stains on his clothes until it was the last person he would have thought to stop and help him. It was a white man with a cowboy hat on driving a big Texas pickup truck by the name of Cowboy Bill. He pulled up next to Seven who was walking on the side of the rode.

  COWBOY BILL: (Heavy country accent) Howdy partner. Where ya headed to?

  SEVEN: I thank you for stopping sir. The next stop where I can be picked up will do.

  COWBOY BILL: Hop right in and I’ll getcha there. Looks like ya had a rough night and need a little lift.

  SEVEN: Yes, very long night. It’s a long story, but I’m searching for the love of my life and she can be anywhere in the world.

  COWBOY BILL: Oh I see. Well, I don’t know the situation and all, and I ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but usually the signs were right there in front of us. Let’s say your ridin a bull right (lifts his hand in the air and begins moving it back and forth as if he was riding a bull) and you rope those signs with that instinct and it’s hard to go wrong. I’ve been living here on earth for little over 53 years, and I’ve learned that what is meant to be, will happen.

  A few more miles up the road and Cowboy Bill pulled over into a gas station. Seven really appreciated Bill. He was never one to judge, but it just surprised him that a man like Cowboy Bill would be so kind to help him out. Before shaking Bill’s hand and getting out of his truck, Seven just had to ask the question.

  SEVEN: Sir, I have to ask this question, what caused you to pull over and help me out?

  COWBOY BILL: Well, to be honest, I really don’t know what caused me to do that, cause I never do. Something just led me to pull over for some odd reason. And what’s strange is, I never intended to come out this way. I actually missed my turn back yonder. I reckon your surprised an old white man like myself pulled over to help a man of color out.

  SEVEN: Yes, it’s rare, but definitely a breath of fresh air when running into people like yourself.

  COWBOY BILL: I’ve grown to learn that, no matter the color or where ya from, we all bleed the same red blood. We all get up and go to work to provide for our families. Hell, were all in this thing together when you take a deeper look. It’s unfortunate that a small percentage of people that give the rest a bad name. I didn’t used to think this way. I had to unlearn what I was taught and getta hold of some understanding. And you’ll gain a lot of understanding when your a high school head football coach and about 80 percent of my players are black. And I would be offended if any of them wouldn’t consider me family. Cause I love ‘em and treat them all like my own son. Once a man loses fear of what he doesn’t understand, you’ll see people and the world differently.

  When Seven shook Bill’s hand, Bill could feel the great amount of appreciation in Seven’s eyes. When Seven turned and walked away from the truck, Cowboy Bill honked his horn and shouted, “happy 4th of July partner, YEEHAW,” and drove off. Seven waved at old Bill. Seven went inside the store and took care of his business. He called Diego to come pick him up so he get all cleaned up. While Diego was on his way, Seven really thought about what Cowboy Bill told him far as the signs being right there in front of us. Diego would drive Seven back to his home so he could take a shower and eat. Once Seven was ready, he had Diego drop him off at the bus station.

  Seven stood at the bus stop with just his black backpack. He would let people cut in front of him from being indecisive. He was trying to put himself in the mind of Destiny. He was clueless and had just about ran out money. Wherever he decided to go, that was probably going to be his home or place until he figured out his next move. He asked God to guide him as he walked up to the counter. “One bus ticket to coast of California please.” The next bus to Cali was in three hours. He waited with a feel of uncertainty and disappointment within himself. The disappointment for not memorizing Destiny’s phone number was evident from his facial expression. So many scenarios plagued his mind while waiting. Did she even make it to her destination from the Northside boys capturing her? What if she wasn’t okay right now? What if she never took the bus from him not meeting up with her? Discouragement piled on the mind of Seven as he impatiently waited to get on the bus.

  The stress caused Seven to sleep most of the way to California. Worry stole his appetite. The people sitting across from him could feel that he was dealing with a heavy heart. How could he allow this to happen is what he kept asking himself? Although, he remained having faith, but he couldn’t fight the feel of defeat. Being optimistic would be putting on a front. If Destiny was not going to be there, he had no idea what he was going to do from there. All he had was the clothes he had on and enough money for food that would last a few days. Time passed and the 3rd rolled into the 4th of July.

  The bus arrived in Los Angeles just before dark. He asked to be pointed in the direction of the beach. The backpacker traveled west. The closer to the coast he became, the more he recognized where he was at from his past visit. He weaved through the city and made his way down to the sandy beach. Fireworks began to light up the sky. Fireworks and the sound of the ocean was the song that played. He passed by people enjoying the fireworks while laying out on lawn chairs. Seven’s eyes were locked straight ahead with only one thing on his mind, and that was Destiny June. The further he walked, the less people he began to see. His heart began to beat faster once spotting the beach house he hoped and prayed where she would be.

  Seven approaches closer to the beach house. He can see the part right where he, Destiny, and King sat and talked. The very part of the ocean where King was baptized. His emotions ran deeper and deeper as he approached closer. He didn’t know if his heart could take another defeat by Destiny not being there. The highs and lows of the past few days had been an emotional roller coaster for the seeker. He can see that there are no lights on in the beach house as he moves in closer. The fireworks that light up the sky from a distance caused the whole scene to look like a masterful painting. Seven stood there staring at the house trying to hold it together. He walks up the stairs that leads to the balcony. A sick feeling began to arrive in his body from sensing that nobody was home. He walks to the door and stands there for a moment. He takes a deep breath and then finally knocks. No answer. He waits for a moment, while wis
hing everything in his soul that the door would open and see his love. But still, there was no answer. He knocks again. No answer.

  Seven turns and around and looks out into the ocean. He looks upwards to the sky and thinks how he just might have to accept his fate. He slowly walks back across the balcony and begins the longest walk down stairs. Once he made it down the stairs, he sees a stick laying in the sand and picks it up. He walks halfway towards the cool and calm ocean water, then turns around and stares at the home. He stood in between the ocean and a beach house. Seven began to use his stick to draw words in the sand. His anger caused him to dig a little deeper in the sand. He worked up a small sweat before drawing the last word. A draining feel of numbness for the young traveler. He took his shoes off and began to walk closer to the water while holding the stick in his hand.

  The water washed up the shore, surrounding his feet as he stares out far as the ocean will go. He thinks to just keep on walking into the ocean and allowing the water to have its way with him. He lifts the hand that holds the stick and wipes the sweat from his forehead. He paused from smelling a familiar fragrance. He goes through the motion of wiping the sweat above his eye brow, and once again he smells that familiar scent. He thought maybe he was missing her so much that he could smell her. He leans forward a little and smells the stick just above his hand. He smells the stick once more. And it was so, the very scent of Destiny, the one he could never get tired of.

  His eyes grew wide. Instant energy activated in his body. He turned around with a sense of hope and looked at the beach house from afar. And there she was, Destiny June slowly making her way to the edge of the balcony. They both locked eyes at a distance. The world around them became still. Only the music from the ocean played. With her eyes still locked on Seven, Destiny began to pat and feel around her to touch something physical, just to let her know that she wasn’t in a dream. She felt the wooden post and her body weaken for a slight second. She put both of her hands over her face, just below her teary eyes. The expression on his face was as if God had sent an angel from heaven.

  Destiny walks down the stairs and takes off running once she reaches the sand. Seven drops the stick in his hand, takes off his backpack, and began to run towards Destiny. Once they met half way near the writing in the sand, Destiny jumps into the arms of Seven and cries out, “yes, yes!” Seven lifts her up and she wraps her legs around his waist. From looking down from above, there was a beach house and the ocean, and in between was Destiny and Seven holding each other next to the words, “will you marry me,” written in the sand. The different lights from the fireworks change the color of her tears of joy. He puts her back down and slowly takes one knee in the sand. He reaches down in his pocket and takes out a ring.

  SEVEN: I felt like I was dying without you. It made me realize how much I am in love with you. I want to be with you forever. God molded me just for you, and you for me. Destiny June.. will you marry me?

  DESTINY: My dreams have come true, for God to send me a man just like you. Yes, I will marry you.

  Loud fireworks set off right after she says yes. Seven puts the ring on her finger. He stands to his feet and kisses the beautiful Destiny.

  The afternoon was arriving in the next day, while the two love birds laid in bed together. The windows were open and the fresh breeze was felt. The sound of the waves brushing the shore played over and over.

  DESTINY: How did you know to where to find me?

  SEVEN: Before I had to make a decision on what bus to take. I ran into a man that stopped and helped me. And I told him I was searching for my love who could be anywhere. And he told me that the signs are usually right there in front of me and I began to remember you saying that being here at the beach house is your favorite place to be during 4th of July. I remember being here on the beach with you and King, and when I was writing, I felt a beach beetle crawl on my foot. I moved it off of me and watched it crawl closer to the most beautiful thing walking this earth, which happened to be you. When you couldn’t reach me on my phone, that police officer with the eye patch threw my phone far away from me. And once he let me go from coming close to killing me, I searched for that phone the rest of the day and night until I passed out. The next morning, I was woken up by a beetle crawling on my hand. I connected that sign with asking God to guide me. And what do you know, I found my future wife.

  DESTINY: (She checks the time) All the sacrifices it took for you to finally get me. And all the patience and discipline it took for me to finally get you. I’m so glad you found me. I know what it feels like to be dying inside, while still being alive. I thought something happened to you and I didn’t know if I was ever going to see you again. I just cried until I couldn’t cry no more. I cried myself to sleep right before the fireworks started. I was dreaming, and in my dream there were knocks at the door. The fireworks woke me out of my sleep. And the next moments after I woke up just happens to be the best moment of my life. I walk outside and see my angel standing there with my stick in his hand. I knew then, that everything was going to be alright.

  SEVEN: What a classic scene that would be to the ending of a book.

  DESTINY: (Looks at the time and rises up in the bed while facing Seven) I have a confession to make.

  SEVEN: I’m all ears babe.

  DESTINY: On the night you saved me and those guys jumped you, when you laid on the ground unconscious, I hugged you, and when I did, I took your keys and wallet. And while you were at the hospital, King went to your apartment. And ever since he walked into your world is when he began to change. He already knew a lot about you before meeting you. He was only going to reward you for saving me, but once he felt like you were chosen, he felt like you both could have helped each other reach your mission and carry out each other’s plan.

  SEVEN: It’s all starting to make more sense now. He knew what he wanted to do with all of that money from the jump (shaking his head in amazement). The brilliance of the King. Was it just me, or did King know that his time was coming to an end. And before that day happened, he mentioned little things to prepare us for that very day, as if he had this whole thing planned out?

  DESTINY: Yes, I believe so. And yes, he knew what he wanted to do with the money. To give it all back. But he needed the right man for the job. And that is where you came in. And I also believe that he chose you for me as well. I think you were the only man he thought was good enough for me. He never brought it up, but I’m pretty sure he saw how I looked at you sometimes, or how my eyes gazed when he was giving me the run down on you. I asked him all kinds of questions when he was in your apartment. He told me what all he saw, from the writings, to the mail in your trash can. And so I took it upon myself to help out with something you were searching for (hopes she didn’t overdo it). And, we both knew that you were going to run through that money from the goodness of your heart. Which brings me to a gift I have for you.

  SEVEN: I got my gift, I got you. Well, I guess that makes two of us, because I have something for you as well.

  They both lift up from the bed, destiny walks into the closet and comes back out with a show box while Seven walks over to pick up his black backpack.

  DESTINY: I knew you were going to do great things with the money King left for you. And so I assumed you would have used it all up in order to complete your mission. So, I took all the money I made for the work vacation not too long ago and saved it all for you (Destiny opens the shoe box that was filled with stacks of money). And not to mention, I have been saving most of my money for some years, plus this money here.. babe we good!

  SEVEN: (In aw of the money in the show box. He hugged her while thanking her) This feels too good to be true. What did I do to deserve everything in front of me right now? I guess in due time, we do reap what we sowed. Well, when I wasn’t doing for the people back in home, I was working on the book about Destiny June and King. And early this morning while you were sleep, the ending that was blank became filled. (Opens his black backpack with several health packet books
and pulls out the edited rough draft) Here is the story of my time with the great Destiny and King, but with different characters name. I hope you like it. I think it’s going to be a number one best seller.

  Seven hands Destiny the book and she receives it with a priceless joy. She stares at it for a moment before pressing it up against her chest. They both hug each other in pure happiness. Destiny looks at the time once again, right before there was a knock at the front door. Destiny looks into Seven’s eyes.

  SEVEN: Are you expecting someone?

  DESTINY: Yes, it’s the second surprise I have for you.

  SEVEN: (While still holding Destiny) Oh is that right. How did you know that I was going to be here if I just showed up last night?

  DESTINY: I was going off the original plan of us leaving together and being here. I already had the second surprise set up before leaving to Dallas. (The doorbell rings again) Can you get the door for me please?

  She releases herself from his arms and drifts off to into the bathroom. Before entering the bathroom door, she turns around and smiles while watching him leave the room. Seven walks to the front door. He looks out the peep hole and sees on older man who seemed to be in his fifties. Seven opens the door and the two look at each other in their eyes. Then, the man speaks. Hello son, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Joe. Most people call me Info Joe.