All That Glitters

|6|

"Kayla let's go love." I say from the bottom of the stairs. "Mommy head hurt." I pick her up. "I know baby. It'll be better soon." I open the door. "Sincere!" I stand there froze. Is my mind playing tricks on me? "August!"

"Yeah it's me Sin!" We hug with Kayla still in my arms. "What?! When?! How did you get out?" He smiles. "Good behavior." Dre clears his throat, "Dre! What's up dawg! Look at you being a big shot now and shit." Dre daps his up, "You looking... Like August." I think we're both shocked to see him here. This feels so unreal. "Word to the wise we'd appreciate it if you didn't use words like that in front of Kayla."

"Aw man im sorry. Let me see her. She's beautiful." August says grabbing her, looking at me. "Thank you." I respond smiling. "Baby shouldn't you and Kayla be getting going." Dre says. I forgot all about us headed to the mall. "Aye can I ride? Where we going?" August asks. "This fine with me." I say grabbing Kayla's bag as she stares down at August.

"I'll see you.. Y'all later baby." Dre kisses me then Kayla and walks out the door. "Later baby." I grab my keys, "Ready?" I ask looking at Kayla. "I think she likes me." August says smiling. I pray that's the only reason. "Mommy." Kayla calls out. I grab her from August. "Let's go." I buckle Kayla in and then walk back up to the door to lock it.

"You looking good Sincere." August says as I pull out the driveway. "Thank you. You look fit." He laughs, "Yeah I got a lil weight on me now." I glance over, "I see.... Where's your car?" I ask. I didn't see anything parked. "I don't have no car I walked." I almost stop the car. "You walked? From where?"

"The bus dropped me off at Carter Street." My jaw drops, "That's 30 minutes away driving. Why didn't you call? One of us would've came to get you." He stale faces me, "With what phone Sincere?" I laugh, "Oh... Didn't think about that."

"Nice rock on your finger." I smile, "Yes. You're looking at the future Mrs. Washington." I use to say that with so much enthusiasm. "I saw that coming. You've always loved Dre." I crack a smile.

We pull up the mall. "Where did you get clothes from?" I ask. "Sincere you don't get it do you?" He asks. "No what do you mean?" I sit Kayla inside the stroller. "Let me break this down to you... I got out of jail... I put these clothes on... I got on the bus... Now I'm here."

"What? How did you know where I lived?" I ask. "While locked up I saw a news report a while back when they were reporting Dre's championship. I wrote the address down and took a chance." I laugh, "Wow."

We shop for a while and remain silent for the most part. I can't believe he's here. I've imagined and dreamed about this day a million times and now that it's here, I don't know how to act.

"I'll pay you back once I get some money." August says as we get in the car. "No it's fine."

"You got it like that now huh?" He ask smirking. "Well you know just a lil." We both laugh. "What do you do for living Sin?" I stop laughing and clear my throat. "You heard me?" He asks. "I stay at home and take care of Kayla."

"Such a shame... All that smartness went down the drain. Did you graduate?" I shake my head yes, "Of course."

We pull up the the nail shop. I'm sure Alexis is about to have a heart attack. "Who's here?" August asks as we get out. "Alexis." He laughs, "Good ol Lex."

We walk inside. "Alexis!" I'm surprised the shop isn't open today. "What's up?" She asks walking out. "Oh my God." She drops her can of brushes. "What's up Lex?" She walks over to Aug hugging him. "What's up? How are you? Aren't you suppose to be locked down?"

"I'm out. I'm good catching up on old times. I see you doing good for yourself." She smiles, "Yeah I'm fabulous running things." Alexis stares at me and then looks down at Kayla. I shake my head no. She looks back at August. "You want a manicure or something? Your cuticles are horrible."

He mugs her. "Alexis..." She laughs, "I have manly men who come in all the time to get a manicure." He shakes his head, "Nah I'm okay." He says. "You sure? This the only time it's free on the house." I laugh. It gets cut short when Dre picture pops up.

"Hey love."

"Where you at?"

"The nail shop."

"Alright. Coach let us out early so I'll be at the house. Maybe we can have us a night out."

"I love the idea of that. Let's make it happen."

He chuckles, "I love you beautiful."

"I love you too."

I hang up and see Kay reaching up for me. I pick her up and sit down while August gets his manicure.

"Alexis I will be back in jail if you put some color on my shit." She laughs, "Alright, alright." I smile . He looks good really good and I have mixed emotions of him being back.

My mind goes back the letter. I wonder if Jalissa is even real, just some pen pal, or something. He hasn't spoken a word of her. I want to bring it up but then again I don't. It's not my business. He's my best friend.. Nothing more, nothing less.. At least that's what I tell myself.

We get back to the house. Dre is dressed in a tux waiting at the stairs. "Hey baby." Dre says handing me some flowers. I kiss his cheek. "Hey love." Nelly walks in and grabs Kayla from me. "I'm going to go put her inside her bed."  I nod my head. "August you're welcomed to stay. We will see you in the morning."

"You two have fun. Enjoy yourselves."