ʜᴇʀ ᴀꜱꜱɪꜱᴛᴀɴᴛ | ᴛᴀʀᴀꜱɪᴀ

ꜰᴏʀᴛʏ ꜰɪᴠᴇ

ᴛᴀʀᴀᴊɪ ʜᴇɴꜱᴏɴ
ꜱᴇᴘᴛᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 13, 2020

"you ready?" fantasia asked all excited. she was smiling like she was holding back a laugh.

the parking lot behind the building was mostly empty except for a row of glowing string lights that wasnt there earlier and one covered shape sitting just beyond the main walkway.

i slowed down. "tasia."

she didn't say anything. just walked ahead of me, motioning for me to keep going. the shape was big. too clean to be random. there was satin sheet over it with lights around the tires.

"tasia" i said again, more serious this time. "what did you do?"

she finally turned around to face me and cupped my face.

"you ever realize how everybody in your life always gave you what they thought you needed? never what you really wanted?"

i swallowed. "you didn't have to get me nothing el-"

"i didn't" she cut in. "we did."

she pointed toward the building, where now the windows lit up with faint silhouettes, it was my daddy and everyone else. even laila, being held against the glass as she blinked sleepily and waved.

fantasia reached for the edge of the satin sheet.

"you ready?"

i shook my head no, even though my body said yes, but when she pulled the cover away i gasped. it was a matte suv with an all black interior. silver detailing. no dealership sticker. just mine. my knees buckled a little. fantasia caught me by the elbow before i could stumble.

"that ain't no lease" she whispered. "title's in the glovebox. registration too. i already added you to the insurance."

i looked at her, mouth open. "you bought me a car?"

she laughed. "you deserve it. you've been making everything work for everybody without the one thing that would make your life easier. so yeah, baby. we bought you a car."

"all of you or just you?" i smirked. i know she bought it but my baby being who she is, she loves to include everyone. i love that about her.

"us" she smiled big.

tears welled before i could stop them and she wasn't even finished. she reached into her purse and pulled out a small custom keychain engraved with "laila's mommy" on one side, and "msyf" on the other.

"msyf?"

"it stands for martha saw you first."

that's when i really broke. i put my arms around her and buried my face in her neck. my back shook from how hard i was trying not to bawl in public. she just held me, whispering against my temple.

"you deserve all of this. all of it and more."

she then stepped back a little, giving me room with her arms folded across her chest.

"this moment is yours, babe. live in it."

i walked over to the car and reached out to touch the hood first. i dragged my hand over it, it felt unreal. just
four years ago, before the shelter, i was sleeping in the back of a van with laila tucked under my coat, both of us trying to pretend we weren't cold. i used to push strollers up hills just to get to interviews. begged rides. worked doubles just to afford uber pool and even that felt like luxury.

but this? this was mine. i walked around to the driver's side and opened the door. i climbed in slowly not wanting to mess up anything. for a second, i just sat there gripping the wheel. fantasia stayed outside, leaning against the side of the building now, not even looking at me.

she was letting me have this. really have it. the dashboard lit up when i tapped the button. my name flashed across the screen.

welcome, taraji.

i swallowed hard and looked straight ahead. i didn't even start the engine. i didn't need to because it felt so surreal. no waiting on city buses, no asking for change for the bus. just me moving when i was ready.

i laid my forehead to the wheel. i was more than grateful. one of the doors opened and i looked over to see fantasia sliding into the passenger seat but didn't say anything. she didn't even look at me right away. just sat beside me with her hands folded in her lap.

i finally turned to her.

"this is mine?" i whispered.

she nodded. "all yours, baby."

"i don't even know how to thank you."

"don't" she said. "just drive when you ready. i'm good right here."