Gumbo.

6IX.

.

Dawn didn't ask many questions as she led me into her apartment.

It was decorated in burnt orange, yellow, and browns.

Beads were in the doorway and Afrocentric pictures were plastered on the walls.

We've been working together for months and this was my first time inside of her place.

It was nothing like mine.

Then again I wasn't much of a decorator to say the least.

"That's my bedroom over there and the bathroom is here." She showed me around as I followed like a lost puppy.

"Where will I sleep?"

"The couch in the living room choose anyone you want!" She said as I nodded while peering into the living room at the love seat and recliner as she continued. "Now I have to return to work and will talk to Madame Nubia for you."

"Thank you again, D!" I replied, she had spent her lunch break time to bring me here.

"No problem and remember don't burn down the place."

I laughed at that as she left out so I went to the living room to check through my belongings. I was missing Kissy like crazy but I had to let him loose once I left. Now he was roaming free with the rest of the alley cats doing only Lord knows what.

My fingers brushed over a pile of important documents and photos as memories started to fade in.

Photos of my ex, Ricky and I.

I haven't checked through these in such a long time but there I was now doing just that as I ripped through the photos and tossed the rest.

"Say that you love me, babeh?" Ricky begged as I snatched away some creating space between us as we laid together in my old bedroom."You deaf now or sumthin!" He wrapped his tatted hand around my neck pulling me closer.

"You're hurting me." I spoke literally and figuratively.

"Then say it!!!"

"I love you." I barely said as he smashed his plump lips against my own not even noticing I held my fingers crossed behind my back when I said that.

I woke to the sound of water running not even realizing I fell asleep in the middle of going through my belongings.

My vision was blurry until I wiped it away instantly spotting a dark figure looming in the kitchen.

It stepped closer as I jumped up thinking sleep paralysis demon but no it was this random guy with his hand out.

Now on my feet I prepared to fight.

"Who are you!" I grabbed hold of a broom while thinking the absolute worst.

"I'm—"

"You know what never mind." I swung the broom his way as he backed up and I moved towards the front door. "Stay back!!!"

I dropped the broom and ran from the apartment as I bumped into someone on my way down the creaky stairway.