Honey Child

5

Skylar

I put my phone on speaker as I talked to Zaire, "I booked my ticket! I'll be there tonight to practice the choreography with you."

"Great. I can have my driver pick you up and take you straight to the studio." Zaire was serious about making me feel as comfortable as possible.

"I've also been listening to the song you sent! I have some thoughts about that." I leaned on top of the suitcase forcing it to close as I zipped it.

"Don't worry, save those thoughts for practice tomorrow."

I felt my phone vibrate on the bed with an incoming call from my sister. My eyes looked at the time. She was calling me at seven in the evening.

"Zaire, can I call you back? My sister is calling."

"Yeah, sure. Call me when your flight lands!"

My thumb slid over the screen and I was greeted with frantic cries from her, "Gen what's going on?"

She sounded muffled clearing her throat, "Benny got arrested."

Benny was my other nephew, Raymond's older brother. He was fifteen going on forty the way he ran the streets. I perked up, "What do you mean he got arrested?"

"I don't know. He just called me from the precinct telling me his father bailed him out but he needs a ride home."

I felt my heart ache for my sister, "Okay. Where are you or where's mom?"

"She's with Raymond. I'm at work. I can't take off again to get him."

My chest tightened. I knew what she was about to ask me. I waited for her to wipe her eyes and continue.

"I know you're going to Chicago tonight but can you pick him up, please? This is a family matter, we need you here." Genevieve's voice was weary and tired.

I sighed wiping my watery eyes, "This is a big opportunity for me."

"And the next one will come and go. When's the last time you got a gig huh? Benny needs you." She taunted me leaving her words to hang in the air.

"Fine."

~

I leaned against the precinct wall pulling my puffer jacket tighter around my body. Benny came out from his handcuffs rubbing his wrist. His brown eyes searched for his mom but they landed on me instead, "Auntie?"

"Come on. I already got your shit." My voice was cold and distant.

A taxi cab waited for us outside. I opened the door for him and pushed him inside, "What the hell were you thinking?"

"It was just a few baggies of weed." He shrugged looking out the window.

"I missed my flight for this shit? Do you want to go to jail, Benjamin?" I grabbed his arm forcing him to look at me.

He shrunk down at my sudden anger, "Get off me."

"Why you selling drugs anyway? Your mom is a doctor!"

"I don't have to explain myself to you!"

I pointed my finger in his face towering over him, "No you don't! But listen here, when you get in the house you're gonna tell your mother you're sorry. After that I want you to take your ass to the Honey Daniels Center every day after school to volunteer. Or else I'm gonna whoop your ass."

I let go of him roughly and turned to the window. I could see the airplanes in the night sky. That was supposed to be me. I guess family comes first.

The cab pulled up to my mother's house. My sister was waiting for Benny on the front steps. I watched as he got out of the cab looking at me.

"What are you gonna do Benny?"

He hesitated but eventually gave in, "Apologize."

~

I stood in front of the mirror in my sports bra and shorts practicing my favorite ballet routine. I let the tears freely fall in silence. The never-ending feeling formed in my belly. The feeling that I'd be stuck here for life.

Malachi opened the studio door with a bag of Chinese food. His sudden entry stopped me from my pity party. His face was sympathetic yet endearing as he watched me wipe my tears, "Zaire told me you weren't coming."

I nodded wiping my wet face. I stood rigid as he closed the distance between us.

"Why aren't you on a plane right now?"

With my head down I answered, "I had some important family stuff to take care of."

My cheeks burned as he lifted my head, "Sit down."

My mouth watered as he unpacked the food passing me a container. We ate in silence before he spoke again, "You wanna tell me what happened?"

"My nephew got locked up. He was selling baggies." I rolled my eyes as I told the rest of the story including what my sister said over the phone.

Malachi sat close to me invading my space, "Do you want to go to Chicago."

"I desperately want to get out of here. Maybe it's not meant for me. Maybe this is a sign." I shook my head feeling self-doubt creep in.

Malachi stared at me making me blush, "What if I told you I rebooked tickets to Chicago? Red-eye light leaving in a few."

I turned closer to him, "Are you serious?"

He nodded, "Bags are packed too. Sitting in my trunk. All you have to do is say yes."

I felt overwhelmed with joy. Suddenly my hands were around his neck as I tried not to cry, "I love you."

Gasping at my own words I pulled back, "I'm sorry."

He chuckled grabbing my chin and pulling me forward, "I love you too."

And that's when he kissed me.

Authors Note:

ehh I decided to cut y'all off here lol

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Semi proofread

Benny: