Stone's Diary: Kairo

Chapter 75.) Suited and Booted? pt. 1

"You decided to take your father's advice and wait to propose?" Yonas asked Kairo as they kicked it in the backyard while Kelly slept.

"Yeah," Kairo finished his sprite then cleared his throat, "I don't want to pressure her or distract her from finishing school. Especially with nursing, I know how stressed my sister was when she was told she wouldn't get into tha' program."

Yonas frowned, "They still do that to students?"

Kairo nodded, "Funny thing, she was getting all A's. It was her AP class dat messed her up but it was like her advisor couldn't wait to discourage her... but she kept fighting," Kairo chuckled, "That's my sister tho, she 'ont never give up especially when she gotta point to prove."

Yonas smiled, "It seems like your entire family is like that."

"Oh yeah," Kairo quickly nodded, "My moms and pops don't play dat. No matter what, we better get it."

"I heard that," Yonas said then leaned into his seat, "I appreciate you for thinking about my daughter's career... you're a great guy, son. But your father is right, it's ok to wait."

"Do you think she'll marry me tho?"

Yonas stared at him dubiously then chuckled, "Young man, my daughter has been in love with you for years, no matter how long it takes, trust me... you have her heart."

Kairo smiled, "You alrighty, Mr. H," he cracked, "You should find yourself a leading lady."

Yonas's face burned with embarrassment, "I date... on occasion."

Kairo smirked, "Word? You got any preferences?"

Embarrassed, Yonas shook his head, "Black women... that's it."

"Does Kellz know?"

"I call them friends but I mingle with a few every once in a while."

Kairo nodded, "Don't be scared or ashamed... I'm sure Kellz wouldn't care. Your wife is gone and I'm sure you get urges... date, you ain't wrinkled up yet," he teased and Yonas laughed.

"I heard that," Yonas agreed then glanced at his watch, "I gotta head in for my two o'clock, are you staying over for dinner or leaving?"

Kairo stared up at the clear sky, "I'll stay here."

Nodding, Yonas stood, patted his shoulder, "Don't overthink too much," he smiled before heading inside to get ready for work.

Kairo closed his eyes and pondered on his life.

The more he thought about it and as the days went on, he felt as if he had a majority of his life figured out, but still, he felt as if he were behind in some way. He understood that most young adults his age weren't even done with school or had an idea of what they wanted to do careerwise. Hell, he had moments where he wanted to just use the money his parents gifted him and move on with his life, and just splurge. But what would that do? What would that show or say about him? That he was privileged and lazy? That he couldn't even understand what it meant to struggle or work hard?

He understood that his parents had to get it out of the mud just for him and his siblings to be able to afford the life that his parents wished that they could have had. He understood their hard work, and it in no way, went unnoticed nor did he take it for granted. He had part of his life mapped out and a couple of careers in mind, but he still wanted more. He felt as if he needed to do more. He was the kind of person that always had to be doing something.

Whenever he was still, he felt as if he were being lazy or not fulfilling his dreams or goals. But why was he so stressed? Why was he being so hard on himself? He was young. He deserved to be able to breathe. He deserved to be able to have fun and explore the world. He worked hard. He studied hard. He could have taken advantage of his parents wealth and gone off the deep end but he didn't. He was so busy stressing about his future, he was losing out on the fact that sometimes a break was all a person needed.