An Urban Story: The American Dream 1

Chapter XIV: New Beginnings

KENNETH 

I wanted to cry, but I knew it wouldn't be the manly thing to do. I was pissed but I didn't blame her. I didn't want my child to be in this life either, I don't need anyone threatening her or my kid's life. I understood her reasoning and had no choice but to respect it. I was glad that she at least wrote me a note, instead of leaving without saying a word. I got up to take a shower and saw the mark of her lips on my cheek. I smiled and damn near never wanted to wash my face until I saw her again, but that was just straight up nasty. So I hopped in the shower and sorted my thoughts out. I texted Landon, Ranae and Rodrick and told them to meet me at Mary's Soul Food. When I finally arrived they were already stuffing their faces.

"Aye man, you look tired." Rodrick said as I took a seat.

"Thanks." I said confused.

"How's Nyla?" Ranae asked.

"She's....gone." I said for the first time out loud. It felt like I finally hit actualization, but I knew I couldn't show them any weakness.

"You mean, that nigga Mufasa really took Young Simba, like forreal forreal?" Rodrick said, I swore he got even more foolish when he was getting emotional.

"Nah, she ain't dead man. She went to LA." I explained.

"So, you're leaving?" Landon asked.

"Nah, I got business to handle." I told them.

"Shame on you. But she's bald now so you ain't gotta worry about anyone getting at her."  Rodrick said. I was tempted to snuff him across the table but I didn't. 

"What happened to her hair? " Ranae asked.

"They took all that shit." Rodrick laughed.

"How are you gunna just let her go like that?" Ranae asked.

"She's a big girl, and it's not like I ain't never gunna see her again. Let's just forget about that shit and move on." I said and that's exactly what I did.

NYLA

When we got to the house it was beautiful, just as my dad had said, it was more of a condo than an apartment. I loved it, as I took off my shoes, I heard a woman's voice.

"Baby, you home?" I heard her say.

"Yes, honey. In the living room." My dad hollered back and smiled at me, "Time for your surprise."

As I sat down on the couch a woman who looked about 25 came running down the stairs. 

"Penelope, this is my daughter, Nyla." He intourduced.

"Nyla, this is my fiancee, Penelope." He said to me. 

"OMG! I'm like so excited to meet you, your dad told me all about you." She giggled. She was ditsy as fuck, she looked mixed, and had dyed honey blonde hair. It was long and straight.

"Fiancee?" is all I replied.

"Yes, I met her when I moved here." My dad said with pleading eyes saying "Don't be rude." 

"Well, it doesn't matter much. I plan on getting my own place, so I won't be interrupting what y'all got going on here." I said in the nicest tone I could conjure up. 

"But, you can stay here and we can help you with the baby--"

"I'm good." I cut him off. 

I stayed there for about a week before I found a cute apartment that my dad agreed he'd pay for until I was able to work. He bought furniture and everything but I still needed to decorate the place and make it more like me. I went to a cute store which was filled with chic decor that screamed my name. My dad gave me $500 to spend and that I did. 

"Would you like them delivered to your home?" The lady at the cash asked me.

"That'd be best." I said, mainly cause I didn't have a car.

"$35 charge and it should be there tomorrow by noon. Have a nice day." She smiled and handed me my reciept. I headed back to my house and missed having someone to come home to, and having people to call, but I knew I would have to suck it up and make a life for myself here. I ate a vegetable stir-fry, showered and headed to bed. 

I heard banging on my door and looked at the time and saw 11:30AM. I jumped up and put on some sweats and waddled to the door. I opened it up to see a beautiful, tall dark chocolate man.

"Hi, i'm Darnell, here to deliver your furniture." He said to me.

I stood there and just smiled for a moment.

"Excuse me?" He waved his hand in front of my face snapping me out of my trans. 

"Oh, i'm sorry. Just bring it in and put it anywhere." I instructed. I took a seat as the men brought in mirrors, lamps, tables and other decorations. 

"Do you need help putting any of this stuff up?" Darnell asked me as they finished up.

"That'd be really helpful." I smiled. 

"Alright, well, just tell me where you want it and i'll help you." He said.

As the other men left, I told him where I wanted certain things, first he hung up my white and pale green curtains.

"Are you new in the city?" He asked me.

"Yeah, I just got here almost a week and a half ago." I answered.

"You look so young to have your own spot...and to be pregnant." He commented. 

"I didn't know this was an interrogation." I said annoyed.

"My bad, ma'am, I didn't mean to upset you." He apologized as he continued to set things up.

"Please call me, Nyla, ma'am seems so old." I told him.

"Well, Nyla, how old are you?" He asked.

"17." I answered. 

"Hmph." was all he said. 

The rest of the conversation I flipped on to him. I learned that he was 21, and studying law and business. He lived alone, and is paying his own way through school. I thought that was admirable. 

"If you need anything else..Don't hesistate to call me." He said as he passed me his number and left my home. I found myself calling him for pointless reasons, til eventually we just started hanging out and 3 weeks later we were considerably "dating". I know it seemed so soon but I found myself deeply infatuated. At first, it was because I missed having Kenneth and company in general, but then I completely forgot all about Kenny and it became all about Darnell. 

*Picture of Darnell to the right


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