JAMAIS VU, kellyoncé

chapter seven

seven.

A pop of her neck from left to right released a stinging sensation to shoot up the back of her neck and to fissure about at the base of her skull. Her nostrils repeatedly flared as she desperately tried to remove the masked smell of urine. Lavender and peppermint attempted to flow throughout the halls in hopes to draw out the infringement of death.

The retched smell attacked her sensors like ants to a piece of bread. Kelly went through the proper procedures of the facility by stating her intentions and providing proper identifications.

Removing all forms of metal, sharp objects, and jewelry was so routine she zoned out when employees demanded her cognizance. Kelly dropped her items into the box and signed her name across the visitor log. The friction of rubbing her index and thumb against her pants didn't bring much tranquil. With each passing corridor, she grew weary that this visit would be more of a deterrent rather than of assurance.

Kelly didn't want to disturb him. He looked well within himself— in a state of calm. He entered his makeshift garden and stepped onto the pathway. Tentatively, he observed the blooming bushes of orchid flowers. The fuscia pink petals aligned warmly against his dark, brown skin. Jrue used his wingspan to create a distance between the thorns and himself. He stood surrounded by an overhead of trees, drafting in an insurmountable wave of wind and allergens.

She waited until he looked out into the open before speaking. "Hi, Jrue. You look good. You cut your beard?" She cautiously approached him.

She swiped down at his neatly trimmed chin hair and patted the missing hair along the sides of his cheeks. He immediately gravitated to her touch.

Jrue smiled. "Baby, Dria you came to see me?" He leaned to his right side and opened his arms wide. Just as quickly as he embraced his sister, Kelly swatted away from it. It was of no use as his broadness was immovable.

Her shoulder immediately collided into the side of her face from the abrupt and tightness of the hold. The joy of being seen was reciprocated in a fashion only ones who had been carried in the same womb could attest to.

That feeling of home was an immovable force that would stand the test of time.

She rested an arm onto his shoulder. "How are you?" She had to consciously walk the exact pace. Every so often her arm would slip because of how much taller he was.

Jrue ran a hand through his barrel twists. "As well as I can in here. The family good?" With a slack jaw, he peered into the short distance ahead of them. His hands were behind his back as he guided his sister through the pathway.

He walked slowly, admiring the scenic landscape. They bypassed several ponds and shrubs, lightly making mental notes to resurrect a conversation about the change in scenery.

"Yes. They are. Lauren and the kids have settled well in Scottsdale. It's not too far from Phoenix, so they're able to discreetly live, but there's also plenty for them to explore if constant enclosure is too frantically routine."

Jrue nodded. With one arm still behind his back, his balled right hand rested against his chin. His fingers continually punctured his lips as if to prevent him from expanding further questions.

He cleared his throat. "The husband and lil' man?"

They stopped at the last pond containing various classifications of koi fish. Most looked similar, but the differences that you could point out were apparent. It was strange to experience a kind of serenity at an institution of this degree. The moment felt a little too right as humming birds flew around them singing a coral of songs.