We Heal Each Other

16

Rayven drove to Dairy Queen and I ordered an Oreo blizzard with extra Oreos. Rayven ordered a New York Cheesecake blizzard. We went back to the Hollyhock house and we sat in Rayven's car. I ate my ice cream and looked at Rayven. He looked at me with soft eyes. 

"How are you doing? Are you okay?" He asked, putting his hand on mine.

"I'm fine. I never would've thought I see him again." I put my ice cream cup in the cup holder when I'm done. "He's put me down so many years. Scarring me. Wounding me with words."

Rayven put his ice cream cup in the cup holder. "Can I ask what happened?" He asked, sympathetically.    

I sighed deeply. Closing my eyes, I can feel my eyes fill up with water. Rayven rubbed my back in circular motions. I opened my eyes.

"We met in eighth grade. We dated all the way through until sophomore year. Now, my parents weren't the fondest of Ed. Especially my dad— when they met him. Everything was great for a while. He was a loving boyfriend, but I noticed he was acting weird one day so I went to his house. He was on top of the red-headed woman." I said gulping. "Well, when everything went down, he blamed me for everything. Telling me I was a slut, motherfucker, and full of shit." I said grabbing onto Rayven.

"Hey Baby, It's okay. I'm here." Rayven said softly.

"Well, Ed...Ed came to my house and choked me." I choke up. "My dad intervened and protected me. He got in front of me. He—he knew how much that and he hurt me. He continues to hurt me. He sends me threating texts and I feel so vulnerable."

Rayven looked at me then the floorboard. "Choral cheated on me too. She and I were engaged. I found them too. I know exactly how you're feeling, Baby."

I gasped. "How could she do that? You're so mesmerizing...and so handsome."

Rayven chuckled. "I ask myself the same question every day. But I'm so glad I can share my pain with someone who understands me. And that's you, My Queen." Rayven put his hand on my face. He puts his forehead to mine. I can feel his breath.

"When I saw Choral, she looked familiar. I don't know where I've seen her, but she looked familiar."

"Thanks for opening up to me, Aurora." He said, softly.

"You too."

"We both nodded and Rayven's lips met mine in a soft, gentle kiss. He grabbed my hair and plays with it. I look at what he's doing and go back to focusing on the warm, gentle kiss. Our lips parted ways and we smiled at each other.

"Let's go for a walk." Rayven said, eagerly.

"Okay."

I grabbed my backpack and when we got out Rayven pinned me against his car and looked at me. He cupped my cheek. His look is meaningful but soft. He put his hand through my hair. I close my eyes and sigh softly. Rayven kissed my forehead and placed a gentle kiss on the edge of my nose. I wrapped my arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms with mine.

I giggled and I started to walked around the open field. Rayven walked along side with me. I noticed a woman about sixty years-old. She has Dirty blonde hair—like mine, dark blue eyes, and arched eyebrows. Shaped villain-like. She looked like me. She kept staring at me in shook. I looked at her in a "What?" look while we passed her. She stoped us by touching my shoulder. Rayven wrapped his arm around me.

"Um—excuse me? Are you Camoran Johnson's daughter?" She asked.

"Uh–um—yes...why?" I asked.

"Oh my God. I finally found my granddaughter." She said in a manipulative tone.

"Look lady—" I said irritated.

Just then I saw my dad coming walking from his sports car. My Dad looked angry. My dad stood in front of me and Rayven. I looked at my dad and Rayven confused.

"Daddy, this psycho says she's my grandma. Is that true?" I said, confused.

"Aurora, go home. We'll talk at home. Rayven, get her out of here." My dad said, out of breath.

Rayven rushes me out of the scene. I looked back to my dad yelling. I've never seen my dad that angry in my life. I heard my dad yelling at the woman who claims to be my grandmother.

"Mom, How dare you come near my daughter after what you did? You need to stay out of our lives!"

Rayven opened my door and put my seatbelt on. He looked at me concerned. I closed my door and and rolled my window down. Rayven connected his hand with mine.

"Be safe, My Queen." He said sighing.

"I will."

Rayven got into his car and left. He smiled softly at me before he leaves. My dad came to the parking lot and came to the door. He's clearly mad but calmer than the last time I saw him. He smiled softly at me.

"I need to talk to you." My dad said.

"Okay. I do too."

My dad sat in the passenger seat and leaned upward and sighed deeply. He's gathering his thoughts together. He looked at me.

"Baby girl...that was your grandmother. My mom. The conflict between your grandmother and I was when she called your mom names for having Cerebral Palsy." My dad sighed again. Your mom was meeting your Aunt Bella and your grandmother. Paris was nervous enough. My mom was inviting until she saw your mom's arm." My dad looked at me emotionally. "Your grandmother basically kicked your mom out of our house."

I scoffed. "What the hell? Mama is nothing but sweet, loving, and a such nurturing person."

"Well, when your mom and I got married—our wedding day, she had the audacity to attack your mother. But when you were uh—one she came over unannounced and started attacking both you and your mom—for no particular reason. I was at work. I feel guilty for not being at home to protect you. Especially your mom." My dad sighed. "Aurora, stay away from your grandmother. She'll hurt you." My dad hissed.

"Okay, daddy. Just an FYI, you were at work. It's like you couldn't have been at two places at once." I sighed deeply. I start to whimper until It's a fully  blown sob. I leaned into my seat.

"Oh—what is it, Rory? You only cry like this when it's about him—" My dad pauses.

I wiped my tears away. "Daddy, I saw Edwin tonight...he was mean. He said he wanted me back. I told him I would never take him back. That he cheated on me, abused me, and tore me down. Rayven had enough, so he chased Edwin away. Daddy, Rayven stood in front of me—he protected me."

My dad's hands cupped my face. He looked at me proudly. I half-smiled at him. 

My dad sighed.

"I'm proud of you, baby girl. You're so strong—you get that from your mom." My dad gets out of my car. "Lets go home, baby girl. Are you okay driving?"

I nodded. My dad closed the passenger door and I drove back home. My dad wasn't home yet when I got back home. I chose to sit and wait for him. While i'm waiting I get a text from Rayven:

Rayven: Are you okay, My Queen?

Me: Yes, King Could you pick me up at my house tomorrow?

Rayven: Yeah, I have a song recording at eleven so, about one-ish.

I told Rayven that would be fine and that I would see him tomorrow. I can't wait to see My king tomorrow.