Things Only Go Downhill

Chapter 33

_________________________________________

"No matter how long it's been, there are still times when I think of you and it gets harder to breathe"
_________________________________________

"Hello pretty lady" A young man hummed as another passed the baby to him. He wore a wide grin as she smiled back at him and Cyrus couldn't help smiling a little too.

"Gentle" Cyrus warned as Rodney jokingly swayed Aisha side to side, exaggerating his movements.

"Jesus, you're so paranoid. I have seven younger siblings. Babies are a lot tougher than you think" Rodney chuckled.

"She's cute, Amari" Zane admitted as he glanced over at Rodney and Aisha with a small smile before returning to helping Cyrus count out the money. His stomach was still twisting in guilt like every other time. He knew he always did what he had to do. That nobody ever got hurt and that he needed the money to take care of Aisha and guarantee her a good life. He knew that Allah forgave all sins too... But he still felt awful. He never wanted to feel like that again.

"You okay? You seem pretty on edge" Cyrus mumbled.

"I just haven't heard from Joey since last night" He shrugged. "I'm worried he might have gotten caught"

"Joey 'll be fine" Rodney chuckled. "He's one resilient mother-fucker" Cyrus nodded and counted out the last stack before taking his share with a small smile.

"I think I'm going to get Aisha something nice for the holiday" He decided. "Since school's almost out I'll also be able to pick up a couple more shifts... I want her to have a good first Eid al-Adha... Maybe even convince my mom to let us come over to celebrate"

"I haven't celebrated since my grandparents kicked me out" Rodney smiled a little at the memories that came up.

"Just come to my house" Zane called as he raided Cyrus's kitchen for pretzels. "My mom and aunties always make too much food, anyways... And my auntie just had a baby. Might be cool for Aisha to make friends" Cyrus smiled a little and nodded.

Even in a big city, the Muslim community was small. He wasn't against befriending people outside of the community, but he did like to be around people with similar experiences. He wanted the same for his daughter too... He knew it wasn't going to be easy for her. He had it hard enough being one of five middle eastern kids at his school, especially growing up after 9/11. It definitely didn't help that his daughter was half black too. Finding community would be difficult... He wanted her to get an early start.

_________________________________________

"Oh my god! It was incredible!" Silas announced as he collapsed onto Elio's bed. Elio couldn't help laughing as Silas landed beside him, his mop of blonde hair hitting his shoulder.

"Oh yeah?"

"He's gorgeous" he gushed. "We talked about everything. And he even kissed me goodbye and paid for coffee... We walked along the coast too. And he's a musician-"

"When you say you talked about everything... Do you mean everything everything?" Elio hesitantly asked. Silas seemed surprisingly unbothered by the question which only worried Elio a little further. He was in a weirdly ecstatic and good mood. Of course, that was to be expected after a good date. But it also was a big jump from Silas's recent dull moods due to his medication.