Lost One

35

❝SHANTEY❞

𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 of her SL3 South tour and it brings a relief to the songstress. She was having her last free Thursday and she spent her midday stepping out the back passenger side of the black Chevy SUBURBAN that TD assisted her in doing by her hand and nude PRADA Double Strap flat sandals touched the concrete sidewalk. She informs her bodyguard to wait there before sashaying away—the short distance to the condominium building and its front gate that should've been locked for the entry code; but the door was wide open despite the 'Keep Gate Closed' sign in bold blue letters.

She walked through the courtyard wearing a dark gray cropped french terry sweater and matching sweatpants, searching for a specific unit displayed on the screen of her iPhone. Finding it quick to her right, she push forward that way and the ash gray painted door has 14 on it. She knocked her knuckles on the door as she locked her phone. As she waited, she tucked tresses of her hair behind her ear.

"Slow down, JJ!"

The shouting voice pulls Shantey's gaze to the courtyard's entry, seeing a curly haired young boy with honey bronze running her way. "You scrape those shoes; that's yo ass!"

The young boy called JJ, came to a quick stop mid-run at the sight of Shantey at the door he was going for. The closer he was to her, the songstress could see his biracial features was evident by his monolid eyes making it known the boy had roots in Asia.

"Uhh, who is this?" The boy shouted.

The melanated beauty was focused on rummaging through her leather tote hanging from her left shoulder, approaching in a Amazon branded long sleeve Polo and black bottoms; Nike Air Max 270s on both of her feet. "Who's who, JJ?" She asked, finally looking up and seeing who the young boy was referring to.

Shantey offered up her affable smile. "Hey, Courtney. Sorry for showing up announced."

"It's okay," Courtney assured Shantey. "I know why you're here."

Her hazel-green gaze moves to the young boy, making her crouch down to his height. "What's your name, big man?" She asked.

"Jahi Chilombo. I'm eight!" He happily responded, "And that's my brother Jami."

Her gaze averts over to the young boy walking up slowly, reaching Courtney. He was Jahi's identical twin, but instead of his curly hair in a afro, it was in curly ponytail.

Jami waved at Shantey, leaning on Courtney's leg.

"Hey, sweetie." Shantey smiles, lifting up to her five-foot-two height.

"Let's.. get y'all inside." Courtney says, making the songstress pivot over to the side for Courtney to unlock the door. She pushed it open and the twin boys rushed in, running up the straight staircase ahead of the door. "Come out those school clothes!"

"We know!"

Shantey was invited in Courtney's place with a townhouse layout that gives off the baked caramel chocolate AirWick smell. Courtney offered the songstress a seat on her Abalone Chocolate 3-piece sectional. "Want anything to drink?"