Moving Forward

Seven

Aaliyah

I ran down the street, my eyes blurring with tears. I didn't even care enough to apologize to the people I ran into. I just had to get out of there. Tasha was my mother, and she had given me away. What did I do wrong? Why did she not want me?

 The thought of being unwanted made me run even harder. I ran until my lungs began to burn, and I couldn't think anymore. I collapsed on a park bench sobbing uncontrollably.

 "Why so sad, beautiful?" I heard someone call. It must've been my imagination because I've never met a New Yorker who would stop for a crying girl. I peeked from behind my fingers to find a cute, brown skinned guy with a patch of blonde in his hair.

 He sat down next to me, and suddenly I felt really embarrassed. I furiously began wiping my tears, cursing myself for letting such a cute guy see me cry. "Don't cry," He grinned, his smile making me blush. "You are too beautiful to be crying."

 "Really?" I blushed, nervously brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

 "Yeah," he replied. "I was just jogging by, and I said to myself, 'now why is a beautiful girl like that over there crying her eyes out.' I just had to stop."

 I found myself giggling uncontrollably. He was just so sweet. I asked him what he was doing in Central Park, and I found myself admiring his soft, milk chocolate skin and strong jawline as he explained.

 "Man, I'm hungry," he announced, rubbing his tummy. I glanced down at my own belly, silently wishing away my craving for pizza. As if he could read my mind or my baby's mind, Prodigy asked if I wanted to get a slice of pizza. Of course, I said yes. A slice of pizza can't hurt anyone, right?

___

"You didn't have to walk me home," I giggled, fiddling with the edge of my shirt. "I mean, that was really nice of you to do."

 "I wanted to," He grinned, taking a step towards me. He leaned forward, closing the space between us. He was about to kiss me, but I placed my hand over his lips stopping him.

 "Wha-" He began, but I cut him off.

 "Look," I sighed heavily. I wanted him to kiss me, but this really couldn't go on any longer. "I'm pregnant, Prodigy."

"That's funny," He laughed nervously. "But I just met you."

 "No," I replied, rolling my eyes at him. "I'm four months pregnant..." I waited for his response, but he stepped away from me a shocked expression crossing his face.

 I reached for the doorknob, sighing heavily. "It's okay if you never want to see me ever again," I frowned. "But thanks for the pizza." I turned to leave, but Prodigy grabbed my arm.

 His touch sent chills up my spine. He carefully brushed his finger over my cheek, then tilted my head upward, kissing me softly, and it was like all my problems disappeared. Kissing Prodigy there on that porch was all that mattered. When we pulled away, I found myself grinning from ear to ear.

 "So I'll see you around," He smiled, preparing to leave.

 "Yeah." He was about to leave, but I stopped him.

 I reached into my purse and pulled out a pen, then scribbled my digits on his hand. "Call me some time," I grinned. He nodded, and I watched him head back up the street.

 Prodigy

 "Hello, Mr. Crippen. You seem awfully happy today," Earl, my doorman, said, tipping his hat to me.

 "It's just a beautiful day," I grinned, skipping my way into the elevator thinking of Aaliyah. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even hear the elevator beep on my floor, the penthouse.

 "You just plan on standin' there all day." My adopted brother, Ray, stood in front of the elevator, cradling a bowl of Ramen noodles. His eyebrows were lifted in the air, and he had taken his hair out of his braids, letting them flow everywhere. "Cause it's OK if that's what you wannna do."

 "Sorry, man," I stepped out of the elevator, still smiling. "I'm just - I met a girl."

 Ray nodded his head. "Interesting," he murmured sarcastically. "I'm so amazed by your social skills."

 I shrugged off his behavior, moving deeper inside of our house. I stepped over various objects left on the floor before making my way into the kitchen.

 "She isn't just any normal girl," I admitted, still thinking about Aaliyah. "She's beautiful, smart, funny, has this curly hair..."

 "You're sprung," Ray noted. He pointed his fork at me accusingly. "Fuck 'em and leave 'em, brother. Don't stick around."

 Glaring at Ray, I folded my arms across my chest. "Nigga, this ain't no hoe. She's a girl I could see myself spending the rest of my life with."

 "Hmm," Ray nodded half-heartedly.

 "Anyways, I got her number," I added. "Her name is Aaliyah, and damn, she is fine."

 For a moment, my brother froze, his face stuck in a look of a shock and horror. I stared at him, waiting for him to say something, but he just continued shoveling noodles into his mouth.

 "Nice name," he mumbled, heading out the room.

I stared after him, wondering why he was acting so weird. Oh well, he was just going through something.