Formerly known as "Just A Kiss." If you want to familiarize yourself with this story before reading, please go take a look at "Shorts," a book with short stories based on and inspired by songs.
Step into the vibrant world of Karmine and Quentaviou...
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It was finally the month of February, which was also the month that held, 'Love Day.' A day that the family celebrated equally, but this particular Love Day was going to be different for the whole family because everybody had someone to spend the day with, including Amari. Since March Madness doesn't start until the second week of March, Shariq was coming home to spend Love Day with her. They weren't official yet, but they did like each other.
"Where are you taking Bug for Love Day?" Mario asked Judah as they sat in the Mexican restaurant.
"California to a V-day concert." Judah stated casually, making Mario smack his lips and fall backwards into the booth, throwing a tantrum.
"Yo, love-struck ass, gets on my nerves! I hope my uncle doesn't even let y'all go, and yes, I'm being a hater."
Judah's head fell back as he laughed loudly. He picked up his cup, pulling his straw into his mouth, shaking his head as he drank the fruit punch. "He paid for our hotel and our mamas paid for our rental since we're under 25, while you're sitting over there being a hater."
"Yea, yea, whatever, but speaking of mamas, you know mine wrote me a letter? She wants me to come see her." Mario sighed somberly.
His mother was always a tough subject. When he was about 10, she tried to kill him because Kayden didn't want to be with her anymore after she cheated on him. Even before that, she was an all-around terrible mother. At a young age, Mario was very well aware of the neglect he received from his mother. She did the basics like feeding and clothing him, but he always went to school looking disheveled. Imagine Kayden finding out and the sole reason was to get his attention? Everything hit the fan, and that's when it all went bad.
Kayden took Mario into his custody, and things started to look up for little Rio. After a few months with him, Kayden allowed Moriah, Mario's mother, to take him for the weekend. Unfortunately, that was the worst day of Mario's and Kayden's lives.
Prior to the weekend, Mario had come down with a cold. Kayden initially didn't want him to go, but he knew he couldn't keep his son away from his mother. After he dropped Mario off at his mother's house, Kayden realized he forgot to give her Mario's medicine. The realization set in once he noticed it on the front seat. He turned around and, as he entered the apartment, the sounds of his son's cries and screams alerted him.
Moriah was trying to drown Mario in the tub with little to no remorse.
"And how do you feel about that?" Judah asked after a few seconds of silence.
Mario shrugged. "If I'm being honest? I don't want to see her. She deadass tried to kill me because my daddy didn't want her. She knew how much I meant to him, so since she was hurting, she wanted him to hurt too. Daddy thinks she's about to get out. I think we have to go before the parole board, but I won't be speaking on her behalf. I was only ten when it happened, but I remember."
