" Every time we make the decision to love someone, we open ourselves to great suffering, because those we most love cause us not only great joy but also great pain. The greatest pain comes from leaving. When the child leaves home, when the husband or wife leaves for a long period of time or for good, when the beloved friend departs to another country or dies ... the pain of the leaving can tear us apart.
Still, if we want to avoid the suffering of leaving, we will never experience the joy of loving. And love is stronger than fear, life stronger than death, hope stronger than despair. We have to trust that the risk of loving is always worth taking."
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
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× August ×
I sighed looking around my closet as i packed much of what I owned. It was so ... empty. My voice echoed when i sang or talked on the phone. I've been pretty much just folding clothes and stuffing them into a bag/. I ain't have much time to pack and prepare for this shit anyways so I was rushing in the moment. I pulled my phone out the pocket of my black joggers sliding my finger across the screen.
"Hella ?"
"August ? Babeh ?" I heard ma duke's soft voice speak through the phone. I smiled a bit before licking my lips.
"Hey ma'." I cleared my throat stepping outside the closet.
"Hey babeh. I hear ya goin' onna' tou' fa' about 4 months. Dat true?" She asked.
"Uh, yea... How you hear dat?" I asked, Beauty's face instantly coming into my visual.
"Tabloids babeh," She said with a sigh.
"Yea mama," I said resting the phone between my shoulder and ear. I picked up some t-shirts that were bundled up next to my bag and folded them neatly fitting them into my bag. I had a good 5 bags packed. This was my last. I picked it up carrying it downstairs by the door with the rest. I dropped it before pulling my pants up sniffling and walking into the kitchen.
"So whatchu need mama?" I asked grabbing a cold water out the refrigerator. I untwisted the cap listening to the shuffling on her end.
"Nun Aug. Just wanted ta' hear ya' voice." She chuckled softly. I smiled sipping some of my wata'.
"I luh' you ma," I spoke looking at the ground.
"I luh' you too Aug. I'll call you later." I said bye and ended the call.
My mind drifted off to Beauty for the millionth time over this two week span.
FInally saying fucki it, I slipped on a shirt and grabbed my keys walking out the door. T opened the gate nodding to me , and i nodded back as I sped off down the road. Before i knew it , was parked in front Of Beauty's apartment. Two Dozen Roses for Beauty, And A Doc McStuffins Toy , Coloring book, And a Dozen pink double tulips for Nyla. I rang the doorbell sighing. A nigga answered the door making me furrow my eyebrows.
"Aye, AUg, Man I'ma huge ass fan!" He said all hype. I gave a genuine smile but didnt say nun cause I wanted to know why the fuck he was inside this hea' house.
"Malcolm who is it?" I heard Beauty approaching . She peeped the shit in my hand and cleared her throat.
"Hey, Can you check on Ny?" He nodded nodding to me before walking away from the door.
"So who is that ?" I asked.
"That's my god brother. " I nodded. She smiled at the shit in my hand.
