This November

Chapter 6

A few days later, he was able to touch down in his hometown of St. Louis.

Nothing changed. Small airport compared to Atlanta, it was easy to get a rental car and get out of there in no time. Sure, he was a small-time actor now, so he liked that he still could move like he was just regular Malik from the Lou. He never even claimed the Lou when asked in interviews. He would claim anywhere but here.

Not that he was ashamed of St. Louis. It was what it was. He grew up decent, with no bad childhood other than his parents getting divorced. They both were still there for him.

But November was not the only thing he ran from.

Now it was time to face the music.

His sister was such a city girl, but her first apartment on her own was furthest from St. Charles. Said she needed to get away from everything while studying for her bar exam and working at a law firm in the St. Charles area. Of course, she wanted to get away from their mother as well.

He loved his mother, he did. She was...his mom. She gave birth to him. She was the reason why he was here. But she was not a motherly mother, meaning, she did the bare minimum with them. He often wondered if she secretly hated having bi-racial children. She had issues with skin color always complimenting them for their skin color was nearly as pale as hers. Marrying a Black man that was on the lighter side helped that.

He hated that. He was so opposite of that sometimes he hated the skin he was in. It was what it was, and he was who he was, couldn't do anything to change that. He wished his mother didn't treat his pale skin as a prize. Low-key, that's why he never developed a better bond with her.

Davina was okay with letting that all slide, but she was no closer to their mother. She stayed home with her after high school graduation and attended Washington University for undergrad and law school, before finally moving out when she landed a job at a top law firm.

He had not been to her place, but she sent him videos when she moved in of her decorating skills. He made it there in no time from the airport.

"Oh, Mr. Big Time Actor has arrived and he did not bring an entourage."

"Shut up girl and give big brother a hug." He opened his arms to her, but instead, she pushed him away.

"Those arms might have been around some chick that got some thangs. Back up."

"You think so little of me?"

"I think less of you," she said. "You lucky I have a spare bedroom for your ass to crash in. Normally I have friends stay over when we're studying or.... well, whatever. How was the flight?"

"Quick."

"Humph! You wouldn't know that because you have never flown home. How many times have I visited you since you have been there?" She held up her fingers counting out loud being extra dramatic as she went into her room.

Unlimited, and he always hooked her up with plane fare because she was a struggling college student. He was doing well in life and the only one he had to share it with was his sister. He was not the type of guy to spend money on females. He only needed them for a few things, and wining and dining was not one of them.

He took his things in the spare bedroom, which was made nice and neat and clean like a hotel room. She got that from their father, ex-military. He went to the bathroom, did his business, freshened up then went into the living room, sat on the couch, and grabbed the remote control.

"So, have you tried to contact your sweetie pie, honey bunch?" Davina asked when she sat on the sofa next to him, kicking her feet up on her table.

He nudged her in the head. She simply moved closer to him and lay her head on his shoulder.