taraji h.
new years eve.
the day felt too loud for how quiet i was inside.
i tried to play it cool all day. laughed with the kids. helped winter pick out her outfit for "new year pictures." listened to autumn talk about resolutions like she was forty and not still my baby. bryce ran around the house yelling "boom! boom!" every time fireworks popped on the tv. regular shit.
but my pocket felt heavy. them keys been sitting there all day like they knew something everybody else didn't.
the ring box stayed hidden. i checked it three times just to make sure it was still there.
tasia kept looking at me sideways. not enough to call me out, but enough to notice.
"you been weird all day" she said while we were getting dressed.
"i'm always weird" i replied, fixing my watch.
"no," she said slowly. "this is different."
i shrugged. "new year nerves."
she didn't push it. that's one thing therapy taught us—when to speak and when to let shit breathe.
we left just before midnight.
i told her i wanted to take them somewhere "special" to watch the new year come in. she thought i meant some overlook or fancy dinner spot. she even teased me about being romantic out of nowhere.
the whole ride, my chest was tight.
winter was in the back seat humming loudly, kicking her feet. "are we going to a party?"
"kinda," i said.
autumn leaned forward between the seats. "why you smiling like that, mama?"
"because i love y'all," i said, quick.
she narrowed her eyes. "that's suspicious."
tasia laughed. "see? even she know."
we pulled up to the gate.
tasia's smile faded just a little. "where are we?"
"just wait," i said, punching in the code.
the gate opened slow.
the driveway felt long as hell. lights lining it. big trees. the kind of quiet that only rich neighborhoods got. winter pressed her face to the window.
the mansion came into view and tasia's breath caught. i felt it before i heard it.
"raji..." she said. "what is this?"
i parked and turned the car off then i looked at her.
"come on."
we all got out. bryce immediately took off running, little feet slapping against the concrete. winter followed, yelling his name. autumn just stood there, staring up at the house.
tasia didn't move.
"raji," she said again, softer now. "whose house is this?"
i swallowed. "ours."
her head snapped toward me. "ours... like—"
"ours," i repeated. "mine and yours. the kids'. all of us."
she shook her head like she was trying to wake up. "no. stop playing."
i pulled the keys out. they jingled loud in the silence.
her hand flew to her mouth. "you bought... a house?" her voice cracked.
"eight bedrooms. ten bathrooms. gym. court in the back. pool. game room. everything," i said, rushing a little now. "i wanted a place that felt like a fresh start. no memories attached to nobody else. just us."
