Alyssa looked in the mirror. Steph's family were coming over for dinner and she didn't know if she could handle that.
"Alyssa, just breathe okay?"
"Stephen, you know your parents don't even like me. I don't know why the hell you told them that having dinner was an okay idea."
"You have to meet them sooner or later!"
"I just don't see why you told them they could come over without talkin' to me first."
"You'll be okay."
"Whatever."
Alyssa walked off and tried to get her mind off of this. The thing was, Alyssa was from Bompton. A place filled with drugs, violence, and gangs. Her brother Danté was gunned down when she was 15. The young woman ended up following in his footsteps. Then she met Stephen. Alyssa tried to leave the thug life behind, but it kept calling her back. Her boyfriend accepted her for who she was and she thanked God for it.
••••
"Steph quit!" She laughed.
"What? You don't like it when I tickle you?"
"Hell nah! Stop it!" She laughed uncontrollably.
While they were playing, there was a knock at the door and they quickly straightened up.
"Hey mom, hey dad."
They smiled at Stephen.
"Where's Alyssa?" Sonya, his mother asked.
She slowly walked up behind him. She tucked a strand of her dirty blonde hair behind her ear.
"H-hello Mrs. Curry."
"Alyssa! It's nice to see you again....Dell, say something." She lightly hit her husband.
"Hello Alyssa." He said sternly.
While they were eating dinner, the woman was quiet. She rarely said anything and Stephen took notice. He took his hand and placed it on her thigh, letting her know everything was okay. Snapping Alyssa out her thoughts, the phone rang.
"I'll get it." She said, getting up rather quickly.
While she was on the phone, Dell took it upon himself to tell his son about his girlfriend.
"Stephen, I don't like this girl. She seems like a thug, she isn't a good influence."
"Come on Dad, don't start."
"I'm serious. What if something happens to you because of her actions?"
"I love Alyssa okay? She's never really known any other life besides that since her brother died. I'm just trying to guide her in the right direction."
"Whatever you say son, but-" Dell was cut off by Alyssa's crying.
"What the hell do mean you mean he's been shot?! He gonna be okay, right?"
Stephen ran up next to her.
"Baby what's wrong?"
"He's dead and he wants me to take care of J.J.?" She cried.
"Alyssa, what's going on?"
"Shane's dead."
Stephen's parents walked up next to her.
"If you need anything, we're here." Dell told her.
"Thank you, it means a lot Mr. Curry."
••••
"Come here J.J.! Let me put on ya' shoes."
"Alyssa?"
"Yeah lil' man?"
"Is Daddy ever coming back?"
"Your Daddy is in a place called Heaven. It's where all the good people go," Stephen peeked in the room to see what was going on.
"Your Daddy was a very good person, he was my best friend. You'll see Daddy again one day, alright bud?"
"Okay!" He smiled.
Alyssa was just glad that Shane wanted her to take care of J.J. . She could see her best friend in him, the little boy had some of his fathers ways.
"You ready to go to the park now?" Stephen walked into the room.
"Yeah!" He picked the boy up and took him out to the car.
"Alyssa, I love you."
"I love you too. What's wrong?"
"Nothing...I just realized all of the things you've had to go through in life. I'll make sure nothing ever happens to you, cause I love you. You're my everything and know one will change that, okay? Just try to leave the streets. I don't wanna hear that you've been shot."
"Okay Steph, I'll try."
Her blue eyes glistened. She was thankful to have someone like him in her life.
•••••
@alyssacurry30 sorry it took so long! But I hope you liked it. 😅
