Brown Sugar

Prologue

The crowd gathered around the burial site, all dressed in black and clutching tissues or each other for support. The sky was a muted gray, mirroring the heaviness that weighed on everyone's hearts. Fatima stood beside Zac, her hand on his back, gently rubbing in small circles as his shoulders rose and fell with labored breaths. She felt his pain so acutely that her own heart ached, not just for the loss of Zaiah and Kharmah but for what it left Zac to carry. Zac's jaw clenched, his gaze fixed on the two small caskets, side by side in the cold earth. In his arms, bundled up in a soft blue blanket, was Krew, too young to understand the gravity of what was happening. The tiny boy stirred, his little fingers reaching out and clutching Zac's coat.

"Zaiah and Kharmah... they were my foundation," Zac's voice cracked, and he took a shaky breath. "My brother was... he was everything to me. The one who always showed up, no matter what. And Kharmah," he whispered, looking down at her casket, "she was his light. Together, they were unstoppable. And now..." His voice trailed off, overcome with grief.Fatima's hand on his back stilled, and she whispered, "They would want you to stay strong, Zac. For Krew. They'd want you to carry their love forward."

Zac closed his eyes, feeling the weight of Krew's tiny hand on his chest. He felt torn, crushed by the responsibility, yet unwilling to let go of the connection to his brother. With a final, steadying breath, he opened his eyes, looking at the small child in his arms. "Krew, buddy," he murmured softly, though the boy couldn't understand, "you have a big job ahead of you. To be the brightest part of all of us."

Fatima gently placed her hand on Krew's head, brushing back his soft curls. "And we're going to love you just as much as they did, sweet boy," she whispered, glancing at Zac with silent promise.

It was late, and the city lights outside the apartment barely pierced the dim room where Zac sat, holding a fussy, crying Krew. He rocked him gently, bouncing in place, but his own energy was drained. Dark circles under his eyes, assignments stacked up on his desk, and Krew's relentless cries tore at his resolve. Zac fumbled with his phone, scrolling down to Fatima's number, and pressed call. She picked up almost immediately, her voice a warm balm in the darkness.

"Zac, hey. You okay?"He took a shaky breath, but it came out more like a stifled sob.

"Tima, I don't know if I can do this." He paused, swallowing hard. "I'm... I'm trying so hard, but between school and Krew, it feels impossible. He's only three months, and I already feel like I'm failing him." Fatima stayed quiet for a moment, letting him get it all out.

"Zac, you're not failing him. You're doing the best you can. But maybe it's time to think about getting some help... real help," she said softly.

He sighed, slumping against the wall as he held Krew tighter. "I just thought... I don't know. I thought I could do it all, but I can't. I'm drowning, Tima." His voice cracked, and Fatima could hear the raw pain through the phone.

"You're not alone, Zac," she said, her voice gentle but steady. "What about asking your mom? Maybe just while you're in school. Krew would have everything he needs, and you could still have him on weekends. You'd be there, just... not alone in this."

Zac closed his eyes, her words both comforting and terrifying. "You think she'd do that? Take him during the week?"

"I know she would," Fatima assured him. "You don't have to do this all on your own. You're doing right by Krew, and part of that means knowing when you need a little help." Zac breathed out, feeling the weight on his shoulders lessen, just a little.

"I'll talk to her in the morning," he said, his voice barely a whisper. He looked down at Krew, who'd finally started to settle, his tiny face soft and peaceful against Zac's chest.