Janet had been doing the test since 9 AM. It was now going on 3 PM. She didn't realize how many parts were in it. Once she filled the last part in, she let out a satisfied sigh and stood up with her stuff. She walked to the professor. He looked at her, "Finished?" He grabbed her papers and sorted them.
"Last person to finish. Feels good?" He asked. Janet's eyebrows furrowed and she looked around seeing the room was just occupied by her and him, "Oh wow."
"Yeah but nothing wrong with that. Just shows you want this." He pointed at his Doctoral Degree and she nodded. "Well, Ms.Jackson, you'll get a call when your scores are ready. I hope to see you picking up your gown...maybe we could talk about you working at my firm." He stood up and rubbed his hands together.
"Your firm?" Janet said as she walked towards the door.
"Yes. I own a firm in San Diego. Made up of people just like you. It's a good start off at least...just for testing the waters for new lawyers. We get cases almost every day so you won't leave without something to do. But, we'll see. Right?" He said as he opened the door for her, "We will." Janet gave him a friendly smile. He said goodbye to her and she walked out. She thanked the secretary and walked out the front doors and to the nearest pay phone.
While she dug into her purse, she looked up seeing a familiar frame in the distance holding a bouquet. Squinting, she put her purse on her shoulder and walked towards him. She couldn't help but pause when she got closer.
"J." He stepped closer to her, "What's are you doing here? How did you know I was even here?" Janet asked. Lesane sighed before answering, "I stopped by your job and your home girl told me. Look, I gotta show you something. And then you can chew me out."
"Chew you out?" Janet scoffed, "Fuck you Lesane." Janet turned around but Lesane grabbed her, "J come on! Why you giving me a hard time?! You see a nigga trying to apologize and shit!" He yelled. Janet yanked her arm, "Let me go before I go get someone."
Lesane looked at her before looking at his hand. He let go of her and let out a deep sigh, "Aight...I know how it is...But J —"
"What? What Lesane? What are you gonna do? What is it that you wanna show me so badly?" Janet spoke, "Come on." He walked towards the drivers side. Janet stared at him before walking to the passenger. She got in and slammed the door leaving Lesane to look at her and sigh.
The ride was quiet and the tension was thick. Janet wouldn't look at him but Lesane would look at her. Hoping she'd say something to him. Hoping he'd see her smile. His only hope was this surprise.
The ride was lengthy but they got there. He pulled into the driveway and got out. Janet looked at where they were before opening the door and walking to the door.
"Lesane? what is this?" She asked as he opened the door and they walked in. She looked around seeing the spaced interior and the fresh new smell. Janet walked to the middle of the house; her heels clicking onto the clean tile.
"I'm not perfect, J. I'm human. I'mma fuck up and make mistakes." Lesane walked behind her, "And baby, all I want to do is be good. I know I fuck up and shit but all I want is for you to teach me."
"Teach you? Teach you what? Teach you how to control your anger? Lesane, you've said stuff to me that I've never though I would hear anyone say to me. You pinned me on the bed because I just wanted to know what was wrong! And you want me to teach you?" Janet said; holding back her tears and trying her best to stay strong but it was failing against her.
"I don't want a house, a car, money, I don't want any of that....I just want someone that's gonna actually show me they know how to love me. I've been through hell and back and I'll be damned if I have to go through the same bullshit that I went through with Malcom...I've seen it and heard it all Lesane. You think I wanna go through that again? No, do you think I wanna put my second child through that again?" Janet looked at Lesane as her tears ran down her face, "I've never had anyone to ever love me the way I wanted to be loved. My parents don't even say they love each other so excuse me for wanting something more than just arguing and ongoing stress. I just want to know what it feels like to have someone." Her voice cracked.
Lesane didn't say anything leaving Janet to just shut her eyes and sigh.
"I don't..wanna hear about your mistakes. I see them. You don't have to come to me and tell me you're human because I am too. I make mistakes just like you but I've learned that instead of just speaking them and promising other people that I won't make anymore, I just fix it so when people think of me, they don't think of my mistakes. They think of how I fixed them and grew from them." Janet explained to him. Lesane still didn't say anything. He just pulled Janet and embraced her. Janet took the advance and let out a deep breath as his cologne invaded her system.
"It's really nice though." Janet said through her tears making him chuckled. He held her for a long time keeping a warm feeling within her.
"J, I put this on my father, I ain't gon' never put my hands on you ever again Babygirl. Something came over me last night. Some shit went down; messed my mental up. But that shit ain't gon' happen again. I'mma promise that and show you." He kissed the top of her head making her smile softly. Janet pulled away and pecked his lips.
"Are you gonna give me a tour?" She asked making Lesane smile and pick her up bridal style. Her joyful laughs filled the house as he carried her upstairs.
How many promises?
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Smh. 🤦🏽♀️ y'all think Lesane gonna actually change or continue to let his anger "get the best of him"?
