4 Your Eyez Only

4. UnChanged

Keshion Campbell

We pulled up to the house and I stood at the porch, waiting for every. Kaelyn was the last one to get out of the car. She walked up to the house slowly. Elijah wrapped his arm around her.

"I'm here for you." He told her. She looked at him, and nodded. Just friends my ass.

"I turned my key, and we all walked in. Kaelyn went immediately to our old room, and I was right behind her. I sat on my bed, and she sat on hers. We looked at each other, I laughed, reading her face.

"You always had this shit smelling like ass and corn chips." She told me. Everyone laughed at that.

She got up, leading us to Dad's room. I should say our parents room, but when we left only dad occupied this space. She walked to the closet and grabbed one of his shirts. She did the weird shit they do in movies and smelled it.

"Really?" I asked.

"It smells like his lil $15 cologne." She said, tossing it to me. I caught it, holding it to my nose.

"The one you got grounded for telling him smelled like he had been out humping old ladies." I said. She laughed, nodding. She turned around, and her smiled dropped. A look of disgrace took over her face. I knew she was looking at mom's clothes.

"Why are they still in here?" She asked.

"I guess dad never touched them. Maybe he thought she'd come back one day." I said.

"If I ever see her, I'm running her shit." She told me.

"And imma run yours."

She rolled her eyes, and moved on to the next room.

We toured every part of the house. Everyone filed out into the yard. I looked across the street at Mrs. Jackson peeping. Some things never change. She closed the curtains when she saw me looking. I shook head turning to look at Kaelyn. She was frozen in her spot, looking towards the driveway. I turned to see what had her so bothered.

What I saw blew me all the way.

"My babies!"

"I ain't yo baby." Kaelyn spat. I stood there in silence.

"I know you're mad at momma, but listen-"

"Mad don't even explain it. I don't wanna talk to you. Go back to the crack house you left us for." Kaelyn said, she walked back into the house.

"Keshion, you know I love you two right. You're my babies." She said. I nodded.

"Yeah ma. I know." I said.

"Can mama have some money Keshion?" She asked. I shook my head. Some shit never changes.

"I'm not giving you money to buy no drugs." I told her.

"Why you assume I'm tryna but drugs," She scratched her scalp. "Momma's hungry Keshion. I can't even remember the last time I ate." She said.

I looked at Daniel, and he nodded, walking to the car. He grabbed my plate from the dashboard and handed it to her. She looked at it, and the disappointment in her eyes let me know she had lied.

"Get cleaned up." I told her before going back to get Kaelyn. I found her sitting on Dad's bed, reading a piece of paper: I recognized his hand writing.

"Oh my gosh." She mumbled, looking up at me. She handed me the paper and I hesitantly read it.

Dear Kaelyn and Keshion,

I love you both so much. You both mean the world to me. Sadly, I don't know how much time I have left in this world, so I'm writing you this letter because I know you'll want answers. I hope you find it before anything gets too hectic for you after I'm gone.

First thing first, I want you both to forgive your mom. I met her in rehab. We connected on another level. We were in love. We got clean on the hopes of starting a family. However, as you know 50- 90% of people relapse. I guess that's just the stick she picked.

I looked up at Kaelyn who was silently crying before I continued reading.

Now to the real deal... I owe some people some money from my life on the streets. I can't pay them what they're asking for, and they're talking about taking my life. Keshion watch over my baby girl. Kaelyn watch over your brother, and make sure he's watching over you right.

I chuckled at that. Dad always said, "You better double check your double check."

I know I raised two beautiful, strong children. Make it off this block. That's all I ask. I know you're both capable. Whatever it takes, I want my little monsters to be successful. I love you.

Love,

Pops

"We gotta make him proud." I told her.

"That's the only reason I get out of my bed everyday." She told me. I looked down.

"You really been going through it haven't you?" I asked.

"I got through it. I'm still here, stronger than ever." She smiled. I kissed her forehead, pulling her into a hug.

"Lil sis I'm here for you now. Nobody will fuck with you when I'm here."

I put that on my life.