On The Block // Jamie

09

(long chapter)

It's been two weeks since Abuela died and it's been a week since we buried her. All I've done is cry. Crying wouldn't bring her back nor did it help the emptiness I was feeling but that's all I could do. Her death hit me so hard, I knew it was coming but it still struck like a bullet.

Jamie had been a sweetheart the whole time. He'd been patient with me, looked after me, got me food. He didn't do anything that pissed me off. He even shouted at my boss when he tried to force me to come into work— this just gave me a 2 month paid grievance break.

At the moment, I was in my kitchen making myself a tea when Jamie came in. "Yo!" He called, closing the door behind him, "How are you, babe?" He asked, coming into the kitchen and kissing my temple. I looked down and noticed that his shoes were off.

I smiled at him, "Mm," I just mumbled and glanced at Abuela's empty chair. Jamie frowned slightly and kissed me again.

I was starting to love Jamie. I was just waiting for the right time to tell him.

He put the paper bag he was carrying on the kitchen island and pulled out a Mcdonalds meal. I gave him a small smile and turned the kettle off. He smiled at my smile and passed me a mayo-chicken burger, chips and a milkshake from the bag.

He went to grab some trays but I stopped him. Something was off, his arm was tensed and his jaw looked slightly clenched. I put my hand to his cheek and stroked it, "Jamie, what's wrong?" I asked, looking up at him. He attempted to just go and get the trays but I pulled him back, "Por favor?" I asked and he sighed.

He breathed in and then exhaled heavily, after hesitating for a while he spoke, his eyes looking away from me, "I have to go away for a little while," He admitted, I felt my heart drop.

"Wha—? Away? Away where? For how long?" I asked. I had so many questions.

"I have to go to Morocco," He said and my heart sank deeper.

"Morocco? No, you can't! You can't go to Morocco!" I said, feeling tears spring to my eyes, "Why? For how long? You know I need you right now. Please, don't go!"

"Femi, Femi, ssh," He said, pulling me into a hug and pressing my face in his chest. He leaned down and kissed my hair. "Dushane needs me in Morocco to sort out a deal, it's my job," He admitted and I pulled out of the hug.

"Let me come," I suggested and he sighed, "Please! Dushane knows me, I'm trustworthy! You know this! I have a passport and a suitcase an—"

"Femi, I don't want you involved in this shit," He told me, firmly, gripping my arms and looking me in the eyes, "This kind of life, I don't want you involved. And you said it yourself that you don't want to be involved,"

"Jamie, I don't care," I said, "I can't be alone right now, I need to get away. I don't care if it's for a fucking drug deal, I really need to be with you right now. Please!" I begged and he sighed.

He hesitated and sighed. He licked his lips and looked away. He seemed to be deciding. "Alright," He finally agreed and I gave him a small smile. "But— promise me this, anything bad goes down, you stay out of the way, yeah? Anything bad happens to me, stay out of the way. I don't want you getting hurt." He told me, firmly.

"Okay," I said, "I'll stay out of the way," I said and he nodded, "When do we leave?"

•

Jamie and I were on the next flight to Morocco. Although it wasn't a holiday, I knew why Jamie had to go, I was still glad to be getting out of that flat. I wanted to forget everything that had happened and try to get over Abuela's death.