Forever Never

Chapter Three | Yoghurts and Cigarettes

Leroy

The fatigue in my legs and arms was numbing almost as I could barely climb up the stairs. I was hot and sweaty and felt disgusting. A nice cold shower was a must and then I wanted to relax on the balcony, let the wind blow through my wet hair. That was always so relaxing.

A cat was sitting on the edge of the rug placed under the couch and staring straight at me when I entered. It didn't move and simply stared that I genuinely felt threatened myself. "Axe! When did you get a cat?" I shouted.

She walked in and followed my gaze. "Oh that's Daisy. She's Ty's," she informed. Before she went back to wherever she paused in her tracks. "We're in my studio filming by the way so don't bother us and don't be yelling."

I nodded and went to my room, Daisy's eyes were following me as I walked through the living room. Finally I hit the shower and stood under the cooling water for a while as the sweat washed away. My hair sank in volume due to the water as I rubbed in the shampoo.

When I returned to my room almost an hour later I sat down in my bed and saw a missed call from my mother. One of these days I would have to call her back and see what she wanted so it might as well be now. That way I could get it out of the way.

I pressed the phone to my ear and listened to the signal peep twice before the call connected. "Leroy! Why on earth haven't you been answering me?" my mom immediately yelled into my ear.

"I wasn't in the mood to talk," I replied honestly.

"Watch the way you talk to your mama, boy." she warned and I reeled in my attitude. Black mamas had a certain pitch in their seemingly calm voice that made you fear for your life. "Your father's been asking about you and since you ain't been answering me I have nothing to tell him."

"I doubt that, Ma." I put her on speaker and got up to get dressed. From my closet I grabbed a pair of grey sweatpants and a loose white tee.

"Why is it so hard to believe that he cares about you? That he loves you?" she asked and I didn't say anything for a minute.

"Nothing I ever do will be good enough for him. That man been preying on my downfall my whole life and you know it."

"That's not true. We've always pushed you guys to do your best." she refuted and I silently shook my head. It always amazed me how they both missed that precisely being the problem.

"Well you can tell him I'm doing fine."

"You settling in nice with Axelle?"

"Yeah."

"How is she doing?"

I took her off speaker and sat back down on my bed. "She not talking to yall either?" I asked.

"You two haven't really been in contact with us all too much after you left for college." she said. "I wish you would've come to us for help, honey. Haven't I always told you you got a place at home should you ever need it?"

"Yeah I know, Ma. I just wanted to deal with this on my own. It's my mess."

Our call soon came to an end after she told me I always got her and that she loved me. I said it back a bit half-heartedly before making my way out to the balcony. When I stepped out I saw Tyana already up here and she looked over her shoulder.

"I can come back-"

"No it's fine. There's enough space for both of us." she interrupted and waved her hand dismissively. I hesitated for a second before walking up to the railing. My hair was still a little bit wet and the wind breezed through, just the way I liked it.