OAKLAND's GREATEST

V.3; Part 22

V.3; Part 22: For you I will. I will be Brave.

Izzy.

"Baby what you need is a change. Moving to New York have been the best move for me. You left once before and Miami was everything. Things went dark and money got short—but you are living in an entire different tax bracket now. Isaiah you can't live around all that hurt. It's not healthy. Cairo already called and told me he is moving to Paris like Next Weekend. Your Beauty Bar runs on it's own. Pack up your things, your twins, and husband in tote and get away from it all. I had Setta over for dinner the other night and let me just tell you she is vibrant and look at peace. What's holding you in Oakland?"

"Mom nothing is holding me here..." I lied knowing thru all the darkness this is where all live I came to know and love started.

"I don't know why you insist on playing me for the fool...it's cool though. I'm headed out to the market I forgot spinach for Sunday dinner tomorrow. Love you and make the right decision." She said before hanging up as I finished seasoning up the Pork Shoulder. I heard the door slam and in walked Raven with a bottle of Champagne. He slapped it down on the island counter and I chuckled, "What are you doing here?"

"Well you said Gino was upstairs sleep and the pain meds they got him taking make him drowsy...so I am here to drink and help you with the kids. Is that a crime?" Raven said coming around the counter and hugging me as I pulled the gloves off and tossed them. I walked over to the foil and wrapped up the meat and slid it inside the the fridge. I grabbed two glasses as Raven asked, "Where is Cairo?"

"Finally left my side...tonight they doing something for Driski outside the clubhouse. Like a bonfire type thing as a memorial." I told Raven as he popped the cork off and exhaled, "That's good." He handed me my glass and I stated, "Did you have any damages to the ballet studio?"

"I mean it was some water leakage but if it was still my company I could get the grant from the city." Raven confessed as I shot him a look and he laughed, "I wanted to make sure it was a for sure thing before telling you. Diamond is a huge influencer as you know and well he connected me to the Dean of Creative Arts at Diplo"

"DIPLO? DIPLO? The Dance School for elites. Raven you have been on the waitlist to teach there for years!" I said all excitedly as he laughed and replied, "Oh I know and turns out having a famous boyfriend got its perks. I went for an interview about two weeks ago and well you are looking at the new Ballet Mister of the next school year. Diamond and I are looking for places in Chicago."

"Wow everyone is up and running!" I said as we moved over to the table as Raven responded, "Oakland has been great to me, but I was not going to pass up on this amazing opportunity. And you know how bad I wanted to leave but I felt stuck and an obligation to my girls here. So my assistant here brought the building from me to hold up my legacy in Oakland."

"Wow that's so good and I am proud of you. Seriously I am. My mom and now Gino are on the same page with us moving to that big house he brought in Vermont. After the quake and that intruder and all the drama and death—it's all becoming a lot!"

"So put that for sale sign in the yard and get your ass to your serenity and peace. That man is paid for life and your bank account is far from empty! When you moved back here it wasn't for Permanent living....it was a stepping stone to get your things back in order and you surpassed that. And let's not act like that monthly check from Adaijah is chump change. She sends me her uncle 10 thousand so I know you as the man who raised her gets way more than that. What's keeping you here?"