𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡-𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡 of 𝗥&𝗕 |𝗕𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗬 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡 ˡᵒᵛᵉ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ|

𝗕𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥

Double Tree Hotel-Newark, NJ
Summer, 1999

"Royce Lyron Brown!" I called as I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Yes, mama?" Royce came in slowly, already with a guilty look.

"Would you like to explain this?" I motioned to the dirty kitchen, cereal and milk all over the countertops and floor.

"I was making us breakfast." He answered with that beautiful smile on his face, that smile that always used to make me forgive him quick.

"Thank you, baby," I sighed as I bend down to pull him in a tight embrace. "You're not mad?" He asked with hope in his eyes as he was smiling.

"No, I'm not mad," I shake my head and grabbed the mop and broom. "But, you are going to clean this up though." I told him with a stern tone.

"Mama." He complained, I gave him a stern look, he gives me a pouty look and went to cleaning. The phone was ringing and I ran to get it. "Hello?"

"Kylea, it's Tommy." I heard him over the line.

"Hey, Tommy, everything okay?" I asked as I pointed to the countertop and motioned Royce to wipe it. He gave me a thumbs up making me laugh at his behind.

"Kylea, you need to get to Mendham." He told me, I looked confused.

"Why what's the problem?" I questioned.

"It's Bobby. He had a stroke." As soon as he said that, my heart skipped a beat and I slowly dropped the phone.

"Mommy?" I heard Royce call me with a concerned, but confused look on his face.

I picked up the phone and took a deep breath. "I'll be there in an hour." I said softly and hanged up the phone.

"Royce, c'mon." I grabbed my keys and jacket. "Where we going?" Royce asked as he grabbed his jacket. "Just come on, honey." I strapped his seatbelt in and went to the drivers side and headed to Mendham.
~~~~
I rushed in from the hospital elevator with Royce holding my hand, Tommy was there too talking to the doctor. "Go sit down, baby." Royce went to take a seat on the chair as I walked up to Tommy.

"Tommy, where is he? Is he okay?" I questioned as some tears came from my eyes.

"He's going to be fine, Lea." He answered putting his hands on my shoulders calming me down. I let out a sigh of relief.

"He was asking for you," Tommy said. I faced him then called Royce over. We walked in Bobby's hospital room, Krissi was sitting beside him and she turned to face us with a big smile.

"Ro, Lea!" She came over and pulled us in a hug, I hugged her back. "Hey, hun. Where's your mother?" I asked.

"She went to the bathroom, she said she'll be right back." She replied, I nod my head and faced Bobby. He was resting, I grabbed a chair and sat next to him holding his hand tight, the kids sat on my lap and held their father's hand too.

I took a deep breath and looked up, I did a silent prayer as some tears was coming out. "Damn it, Bobby." My voice was soft, but hoarse. "Boy, you keep giving me a bunch of scares." I rolled my eyes, laughing softly.

"I-I," I was lost for words, I looked at our sleeping kids and back at him. "You remember when we met?" I smiled a bit. "I just moved to the projects, playing basketball with the guys, then you came," I sighed. "You introduced yourself being all flirty and kissed my hand, making me blush." I laughed as I sniffled, wiping my tears.

"After that, we became close, best friends. We never left each other's side, always spend the night, always hanged out, even singed Marvin Gaye songs on repeat." I smiled at the memory.