A Housekeeper's Secrets

Bad News.

Flashback, Two Days Before Chris' Departure, Jay's POV:

As we rested on the couch together, he laid his head in my lap and I grazed my fingers through his scalp gently.

"Some of the shit that I've done... I could never tell you." He admitted as he stared into space.

The song that was playing through the surround sound speakers changed... it was a beat that I was familiar with.

I sighed anticipating the lyrics that were about to play.

"You don't have to tell me... I don't care about your past. Just your future." I said.

"I know, but this life is ingrained in me. I'm trynna change and do the right shit. But, what if I can't? What if the me you first met is the real me?" Chris asked as his eyes met mine.

"I watched you turn yourself to a made man
All the little things that made you
You can count the ways that I stayed down
Can't nobody tell me I ain't true...
Take a little time from the wild out
You could slow the time down with me, babe
With me, babe..." Kehlani sang as Bad News continued to play.

"That doesn't have to be you Chris... it's ok to be better. It's ok to not be apart of that life." I said.

"All I want you to know
Is I care, you best believe I care
You're out there, don't wanna be out there
No way, you wanna be right here
Like always..." She sang as I rubbed the side of his face.

"You're right... I'm kinda' nervous for change cause aside from my legit business, the other venture is all I know." He admitted as he grazed the skin on my arm with one of his hands.

"I understand, but remember there's room for change." I said.

"So when I'm here, I make you wanna
Give all that shit up...
Make you wanna give all that shit up
Make you wanna spend that time on us..."

Chris grabbed my hand softly and locked our fingers.

"Make you wanna give all that shit up
Make you wanna leave that world behind
Make you wanna see your name on mine
Make you wanna give all that shit up
Make you wanna give all that shit up
All that shit up..."

My mood changed a little because I knew the next lyrics to come...

"Don't wanna get no call with no bad news...
I know all the stories from your tattoos..." Kehlani sang as my demeanor became somber.

His brown eyes watched me closely and he comforted me with them.

"I just want you safe... I want us to be ok. My life is incomplete without you in it." I admitted as he sighed deeply.

I traced his tattoos with my finger and I shook my head.

"If they with the shit, then you with that too
If they with the shit, you with the...
Oh, oh, take your time away from the bullshit
Just be on some cool shit with me, babe
With me, babe..."

"Baby, I will... we're gonna be ok. I promise." He reassured me as my eyes watered a little.

This song tugged at my heart strings even before I got with this man. Now, it's just put into a perspective that's more authentic. I feel everything now.

"And all I want you to know
Is I'm here, if no one else, I'm here
Right here, I'm never scared, no fear
No way, when you're with me, you're safe
Like always...." She sang as a few tears dropped.