My eyes pop open at the noise. I hear it again and I sit up. Cardo is still fast asleep with me wrapped tightly in his arms. I gently and slowly pull the covers off of me and then slowly pry his arms from around me. Getting out of the bed I see it's 2:34 a.m. in the morning. I take slow steps to the door and open it and pray it doesn't make a sound.
I walk down the stairs in complete silence. When I make it to the bottom I look around. I look behind me to see a figure following me. I speed up my pace to the kitchen to see Elisa heating up her food in the microwave.
"Did I scare you? I'm sorry." she whispers.
"No you're fine I just thought it was something else." I breath a sigh of relief.
"No it's just me." She smiles while taking her food out of the microwave.
"Okay then uh- Good Night." I back out of the kitchen and go back towards the living room. Cardo is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs with his arms crossed. I grab him in a hug and he wraps his arms around me. "I was so scared." I breath and he picks me up.
We walk back up the stairs just like that. When we make it into the room he lets me down and kisses my lips. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you or Nala. I will protect you with every ounce of me." he looks me in the eyes as he makes that promise. We lay back in the bed and go to sleep.
••••••••••••
I wake up to an empty bed. I roll around in the bed to be met with empty space. Rushing up I rub my eyes and get out of the bed. I walk downstairs to see its empty and I guess no one is here. Then I go into the kitchen to see a note in front of the microwave.
Hey Babe
I'm taking Nala to see My mother for a couple of hours. I should be back no later than 1:00 in the afternoon so don't worry and Elisa said she was going to take the bus to class this morning. She said she gets back at like 3:30 so you will be back by then. See you when I get there baby.
Love Cardo
I smiled at his letter and check the time. He seems like he's trying but I just don't know. My plan was to leave and let him have the hoes and the drug money. I've saved all the money from my fathers insurance and its more than enough to live from.
It's ten now so I have some time to get ready and eat. I settle for 2 granola bars and a glass of orange juice. Then I take my shower and shave. One of the three tattoos I got says 'Immature Love' and its on my arm in small print at the top of the side of my shoulder. I think about my mom and dad at that saying. I haven't visited my mothers grave in forever.
For Christmas I think I want to go home to Connecticut so I can show the boys her grave. I hope I don't break down like I did that first time my dad brought me there. I still can't believe he's dead either it seems like just yesterday he was telling me to slow down on my bike when I had just gotten a new one for Christmas. My first Christmas with Nala was absolutely wonderful.
I decide to wear and pair of emoji joggers and a tight little black shirt. I still have my little pudge. It's adorable. My baby. My have to pull my joggers up over my stomach a little so it just looks like I have a larger gut. I will wear my combat boots with the 6 inch heels. Cardo hates my heals and my short skirts with a passion.
I spray my self down in some Chanel perfume and walk out of my room. My mom loved the Chanel perfume, when I was little she used to spray a little on me before we went to the store or church. That is the only perfume I wear now, call me obsessive. When the front door opens I look towards it to see Elisa with a panicked look. She slams the door closed and locks both of the locks. I stand up and rush over to her. Her breathing is uneven and the pounding on the door makes her start crying.
