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 own a small bakery in town that has 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 platonic again. We were both going through a tough time after losing Lola, but we're much better now. Time is indeed a healer. 

Drake and I are best friends as I knew we would be. Elgin started his own ministry and is now married. Pinky got married about a year and a half ago. 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. Its windows are tinted way too dark. It parks in front of my shop while I watch, anticipating who will exit its 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 as he heads towards me.

Lee kisses me and says, "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, he nods, and says, "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 folded, I scold, "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 for a few hours. We go into town and have lunch together, Hyde's treat. I'm driving his truck back to my shop when I look through the rearview mirror at Lee. 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 genuinely 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.