Terminal One

Promises

Late night, early morning....

Zac shifts uncomfortably to his back on the couch. Huffing and puffing out of frustration.

He feels a whiff of cold air brushes over him,

"You do know that you're doing the exact same thing to Iyonna that you did to me." He hears.

"Seriously Ivy." "I'm just saying," the figure of Zac's imagination says with a shrug..

Ivyonna is looking at him, "Shit Ivy. I'm scared, Ok."

"And I understand that, but you're projecting that same fear onto Iyonna. That you projected on me. STOP IT!" "But you came back though." "I did and before I died you promised to see the world with me, Zac." She countered.

"It dawned on me some time ago that she was all I have left of you, of us...I can't lose my baby." He confessed.

"And I get that too but Zac, at the rate you're going you're pushing her right out of your life and into the streets. Just like your dad did your Sister before everything went down..." shaking her head.

Zac takes an exasperated sigh, huffing out air.

"I know you saw the pain on her face tonight?" "I did." "Why are you doing her like this?" she fumed, then added. "Because if I'm being honest. Fatima's temperament is better than mine because Baby. You better be glad I'm dead because YOU would've been dead the first time you came for Yanni."

Zac smirks, "Is that why you've come to me now." "Yes, but I'm also a figment of your imagination and hallucinations when you know you've done something wrong."

"It would've been so much easier if you were here." "IIIII don't think so." she purred.

"What do you mean, Ivy? Iyonna needs you here." He snarled.

"No, she doesn't." Ivy spoke. "What Iyonna needs is her father. And that my nigga is you." She pointed out. "You're supposed to be Iyonna's safe space Zac and tonight....you cracked that shit..." she snapped.

"And quite frankly. I gotta applaud Fatima. She's doing a great job. With everything you guys got going on.." As she leans back on the coffee table, crossing her legs and blowing empty air on her nails,

"She reminds me a lot of myself, yet softer, more tamed." she giggled,

Zac gives her a look, "Seriously?"

"Oh, most definitely. Because again. You're lucky I'm dead. Keep fucking with my Yanni and I'm going to haunt your ass for real and let you catch these ghostly hands."

Zac laughs, "Really?" "Yup. Keep it up if you want to. Fatima won't be the only one gettin' in that ass." She warned.

And although Zac didn't believe in ghosts, he truly believed this figment of his imagination would do exactly what she said.

He sighs from his laughter, "Ivy, I don't know what I'm doing anymore." "You're right. You don't. But Zac you act like we grew up with these glorious parental role models." She reiterated. "There's no blueprint on how to be a parent."

He nods in agreement, "And be that as it may. You're supposed to love her and be kind to her. The world is harsh enough Zac. She's not supposed to get it from you too..."

"I know.." he sniffled.

"And let's be honest Zac with the way you and I were and how we grew up...UH! She's surprisingly turned out to be a good kid..."