ʜᴇʀ ᴀꜱꜱɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴛ | ᴛᴀʀᴀꜱɪᴀ

ᴛᴡᴏ

ᴛᴀʀᴀᴊɪ ʜᴇɴꜱᴏɴ

ᴍᴀʏ 16, 2020

"i've been trying to convince tasia to give you the job so much she finally agreed, and she wants to apologize."

tab was sitting in the shelter with me. shes been coming here to chat and bring me food for the past 2 days. im more open and comfortable with her now. she doesnt judge me.

"if she wanted to apologize, im sure she knows where to find me."

she apologized through text, but it didnt seem genuine to me.

"im glad you said that because she is now five minutes away."

"great, i guess."

"hey, she means well. get to know her first."

"it seems like you are forcing this good persona on her when shes nowhere near a good person."

"shes not perfect, taraji."

"so because she's not perfect, that means she can go around treating people like shit?"

"no, i just think th– and shes here, come on."

"let me wash my hands. ill catch up."

"okay."

i found a bowl of water and just ran my fingers through it and dried them with the napkins from my plate.

walking outside, i saw black suvs everywhere with security standing nearby. im still confused about who she is.

tab stood by one of them trucks and waved me over, "shes in this one. im gonna leave you guys alone."

i nodded, and she walked away. one of her men opened the door for me, and i got in. she had her face buried in her phone, so i attempted to get out, "wait, my apologies. i was doing something important."

"mmh."

she removed her shades and put them in her shirt, "i messaged you."

i shrugged, "i saw it."

"is that so?"

"yup, it didnt come off as genuine so i didnt respond."

"i would like to try again, but in person this time."

"im listening."

"well, i wanna start by apologizing for the way i acted during your interview. secondly, the scene i caused at your job, im so so so sorry that it ended that way. i made a big deal out of nothing, and i truly am sorry. thirdly, the cruel things i said to you two days ago, i was wrong on so many levels. i didnt know your story, and now that i do, it hurt me more than it did when i first said it. im sorry, and if you still want to work, the job is yours. will you forgive me?"

"i appreciate the apology, but im not going to forgive you yet. my feelings are still hurt right now, so its gon take a minute."

"i understand, and im willing to wait. i just dont want you being mad at me."

"thats kind of hard to believe considering how you've been treating me."

"i know, and im sorry. i can be hard to like, but im easier to love once you get to know me. are you gonna take the job?"

"nah, im alright."

"wh– so, can i at least get you your job back at the restaurant?"

"nope, i dont want any more dealings with him again. im good for now."

"is this where youre currently staying?"  she asked, glancing at the building.

"yep"

"ok, well, will you tell me if you want the job? the spot is only available for you, so take your time with the answer."

"why now? why couldn't you be this nicer to me then?"

"because you said something that opened my eyes, and i hadnt heard it in years. i instantly became hurt by those words, and something in me switched."

"what's that?"

"when you called me a fucked up person. there was truth and trauma in that. i didn't realize how harsh and low down i was being until i heard those words. it was weighing on my mind heavy, and i had to apologize to you verbally. you didnt deserve that, and again, i am so sorry for the way i treated you to begin with."

i didnt quite know what to say. i just gave her a hug. she needed it- i could tell by the way she clung onto me.

i pulled back first, "it was nice talking to you. i have to go now."

"hey, wait, do you have a few hours to spare?"

"yeah, why?"

"with me, i mean"

"oh? then nah."

"ive apologized, okay? im sorry. we cant get anywhere in the future if we cant get anywhere here."

"in the future? who said there was gonna be one with us in it?"

"me. i was just going to shop, and i'd like for you to come with me."

"i cant beca–" i looked over and saw laila coming outside. i told her to stay inside. i rushed out of the car and grabbed her, taking her back inside.

"hey, what you doing, princess?"

"im hungry."

"okay, let's eat. i saved you pancakes, eggs, grits, and your favorite. can you guess what it is?"

"bacon!"

"yes! here, eat up. when you finish that, here's some orange juice."

"okay. may i have your phone?"

i put it on her favorite show, which is the one and only doc mcstuffin. i propped it so she could eat and watch.

she'll be old enough for school next year. theres barely any kids her age here, so she is just with me or ms.martha all day, and that could probably be boring for her. i want her to be in an environment where there's kids her age.