Green Eyed Monster

Starting Anew

After a year of being a suspect in Lola's death, I'm finally free. Solomon's supposed eyewitness was a joke. After Trevor and I talked Trevor reached out to him and my name was cleared immediately. 

Once I got my life back I decided to start selling my apple pies. My company is called "Lola's Kitchen" and it's doing great. I have a small bakery in town that's been thriving for five years. Hyde's now 14-years-old. He loves saying the shop is named after his mother. Lee's involved too. He knows Lola is his mommy, not Eloise, who I hear is still around. Trevor and Jessica broke up yet again, but now I have three grandchildren. They birthed Trevor Elias Mitzit the Second, in March of this year.

Drake and I are back platonic again. We both were going through a tough time losing Lola. We're much better now. Time is certainly a healer. Drake and I are best friends as I knew we would be. Elgin has started his own ministry and is now married. Pinky was recently married about a year and a half ago. Lola was the one who kept her included. Trevor and I have our own lives so we don't talk to her, but it's good to know she's no longer alone.

It's the first day of Summer. I'm at the bakery opening up when I see a black G-Wagon pull up. It's windows are tinted way too dark. It parks in front of my shop. I watch anticipating who will exit it's doors. Lee jumps out of the passenger side, then Hyde gets out of the driver's side. Hyde's almost six feet tall already. He looks exactly like Solomon as he rubs his hair and fixes his clothing while he heads towards me.

Lee kisses me saying, "Hey nana."

    "Hey handsome. What a pleasant surprise."

Lee nods then walks into the shop. Hyde poses in front of me. Holding in my laugh I say, "What's up God's gift to women?"

Shaking his head he kisses me saying, "Hey nana."

    "How are you driving way out here? You don't have a license."

    "Nana, relax. The police don't know that. Plus, I'm a great driver."

    "See, this is when I really miss your mommy. If Lola were here she'd beat your dad senseless for allowing you to drive his truck way out here without a license and your baby brother!"

    "I can drive too, nana." Lee says stuffing his mouth with pie. I look at Hyde and he nods saying, "Yeah, dad taught us both how to drive. And this is my truck. Granddad Ernest bought it for me."

    "The older that man gets the stupider he gets!"

    "Nana don't hate. If you could, you'd get me something even better."

    "True, but I'd make sure you were upholding the law and not put you and your brother's life in danger first! This is unacceptable. Stacy agreed to this?"

He laughs, "She doesn't know."

Lee bursts into laughter with him. Arms now folded I stand scowling their way saying, "Tell your dad you two are stuck at nana's house. I forbid you to drive an hour away with no license."

    "And if I tell dad, you'll probably never see us again in life, so stop it. We're good. I promise, we'll get home safe."

Hyde and Lee hang out with me a few hours. We go into town and have lunch together, Hyde's treat. I'm driving his truck back to my shop. I look through the rearview mirror at Lee and think, that's a pretty baby. He has all of Lola's features. Deep dark eyes, jet black hair, with thick eyebrows and lashes. When he grows up I truly believe he'll be more gorgeous than even Hyde and Solomon are. He's absolutely breathtaking. He's not paying any attention to us as he plays his game on his tablet.

Then there's my Hyde. He's been a man his entire life. How does he even desire to take me and his brother out to eat at age 14? The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree as I like to say. He's Solomon all over again. Too mature for his age. Hyde's not on his phone but in his own world, gazing out the windshield.