The Frequency Of Compulsion/GXG/ Grip The Series: Book One

TWO

L E A N A

The sound of the busy streets silenced itself as I drove deeper into my sister's neighborhood of Sankofa. It was always a peaceful experience, but the part of me that was used to the chaos of where I lived shifted in discomfort.

I came here once a month religiously. It was a tradition between me and my sister to remain in contact no matter what we had going on. The reality was family was rare nowadays but relatives were common, and because of that we grew to appreciate each other more. She was the rare family member in my life. It was her, my parents, my granduncle, my grandfather and two cousins, that was it.

My big ass bloodline and those were the only people that felt safe who I shared blood with. All my other family members were chosen. The older I get, I realise more and more that people just be weird. The things they be doing, sayi—weird. It made you want to rewire yourself to be alone—it made you find comfort in being lonely.

The genuine, intentional shit was dead, and all that was left was a bunch of people sitting in the wind of their problems trying to prove they heart colder than everybody else's. Growing up I always wanted a love like them old school black movies, Love Jones, Last Holiday, The Best Man type of love where you felt safe and respected. Where love was actually safe, but all I found so far is reasons to turn off the TV.

Then again, maybe I'm the one who made it harder for myself...

Who in there right mind wants to invest to experience and witness somebody bare that the world has already seen naked?

A sigh whispered around the car as I pulled over in front of my older sister's house, and my lingering exhaustion embraced me in a tight hold that had a yawn slipping from my lips. I quickly grabbed my phone and turned off my car before getting out and locking it behind me.

The moonlight caressed my beautifully melanated skin as I made my way up the driveway and to the front door, and with a lift of my hand, I pressed the doorbell and then sat next to patience.

The dryness to the once green grass only reminded me of the fact that my brother-in-law was still out of town.

He gone be pissed when he get back.

The door opened and before I could turn, a pressure engulfed my legs, prompting me to look down to see my nephew's arms wrapped tightly around them.

"What you still doing up?" I asked him as I looked down at his grinning face.

"I'm watching cartoons, come I'll show you," He expressed, releasing my legs to instead hold my hand and drag me past his mother.

"I gotta take off my shoes, I'll come meet you," I told him, and he nodded before sprinting off with the energy I wished I still had right now. "Why he still up?"

"I told him he could stay up until Franklin gets home," She expressed, looking as if she regretted the decision now, and I chuckled as I pushed my shoes off. "You seen the grass?"

"That man gone divorce you," I joked, and she laughed while taking my hand in hers after a push of the door closed to lead us into the living room.

"Girl I'm tired,"

"You look tired,"

"So do you," She pointed out and I hummed as the sound of Jabari's cartoon grew louder with each step we took. "Practice?"

"Yeah, and I was up making a few outfits for the girls,"

"You wanna sleep here?" She asked with a hopeful tone that made me smile. It felt nice when she expressed her love for me since it was so rare these days.