Lessons || MJ

Lessons || Chapter 25

Author's Note: Was Leslie wrong? Feedback is appreciated.

==

LESLIE

By Christmas, I finally moved back in with Yvonne. Fresh paint lined the walls of every room at this point. I'd never felt so relieved. Chilled but welcoming Golden State air reached us from the windows. I nearly gaped at the sight of Yvonne's cleaned and rearranged bedroom. We both plopped onto warm covers of her bed, laughing into pillows like little girls. Grateful couldn't even begin to describe our feelings right now.

As a safeguard, Vonnie purchased and hid away new revolvers. I completely understood for obvious reasons. From the left side of a queen-sized bed, I looked up at her from the angle of my pillow. A childlike grin reached my face before we giggled happily and embraced. Overwhelming tears and happiness spilled from our eyes.

After bawling with joy, we inched toward the kitchen and began emptying grocery bags. We'd planned on making dinner together for the first time since escaping Calvin and Marcus. My mother suggested the idea in Florida. Vonnie and I would return in the New Year.

As water boiled and spices made their way to our nostrils, Yvonne called my name out loud. Her voice didn't shake in a frightened manner. I'd turned off that stove for a moment and my feet jogged toward the living room. Yvonne stood frozen in place. I dreaded not hoisting one of the guns right now. Silence trapped this entire home again. My mind cluttered with racing thoughts.

Max folded his arms. Darryl puckered lips. The Kid looked up at me with nothing short a relieved expression on his face, but I couldn't smile back. I didn't want to run away anymore. We'd found a home. I nodded to Yvonne and she marched toward the bathroom. Our weapons still hid in the chest as usual.

"What are you doing here?" I probed The Kid. "As a matter of fact, what are they doing here, Nelson? I'm not leaving. The police already arrested Calvin, too."

"He shot up my compound with Marcus, Piglet. Jesse and Denise are dead. Max, Darryl and I want to help you and Yvonne get out of here. It's only a matter of time before Calvin and Marcus find you two here. Again. Come on." The Kid failed to make sense or soothe me with touches.

Both Max and Darryl looked through narrowed glares, but I could've cared less. Tears spilled from my eyes as grief washed over. I fell to my knees, but looked over to find Yvonne armed with a revolver as expected. I scooted away to mourn and all three guys divided, afraid. Yvonne wouldn't even shoot yet. Back and forth, her weapon moved past eyes, never triggering.

"The police saved us." Yvonne snapped. "Marcus and Calvin will end up in body bags before coming back here. Guaranteed. Now get out here before you're all arrested. Especially you, Nelson. Are you armed right now? Any of us?" Yvonne moved the gun from side to side again. I rose to both feet and wiped away tears. If only my hand armed as well.

"Yes." The Kid told us boldly. "Why not? I'm not afraid of the cops, Von. You know that." Max and Darryl finally revealed their handguns at this point, but I never cowered.

Once again, I knew this routine too well and nothing scared me anymore. Nelson presented his Glock this time and Yvonne tossed me her Revolver before running down to the bathroom, that still hid our faithful chest of guns. I set the Revolver in front of Nelson without shooting. Darryl and Max hadn't said anything.

"What do you want from me?" I questioned a man I used to love. His contrast between life and death lived in this moment. If I pulled this trigger, he'd lay dead on the wooden floor seconds from now.

Instead, Nelson pointed the Glock toward my own gun. Yvonne emerged from the bathroom armed and we all fixated within the reality of this stand-off. Anxious sweat trickled down The Kid's forehead at this point. His slicked back hair almost frizzled with that same moisture.

"Either leave us alone or bleed out on the floor. You can't rescue me forever, Kid." I warned Nelson. He soon motioned for Darryl and Max to discharge their weapons. The Kid soon unloaded that Glock. Now, three seemingly useless guns perched on the kitchen table. Clips holding fatal bullets neatly piled with the own weapons thanks to Nelson. Any slipups would've irritated him.

Yvonne and I remained armed, but I clenched my teeth. "Now, get out. If anything happens, we can take care of ourselves, boys. I don't know what you were thinking, this is no damsel in distress, story. You showed me ropes and I've learned, so get out."

"Piglet, you'll need support. Let me help." Nelson failed to sway me. Yvonne smirked with the gun still in her hand. I'd never seen such a disgusted expression on that otherwise lovely face. Red on her lips shined brighter than blood I'd always see.

"I've killed alone. I'll killed with help, but I don't need you, Kid." I stepped closer and set my revolver right under his chin. He pushed up into Yvonne's kitchen table, but the guns and clips only shook in place. Nothing fell on the tile floor beneath all of us. Once breathing trembled in his voice and tears seeped in those eyes, I pulled the away from his skin.

My face only showed gloom when the boys filed out in total silence. The weapons hid away, but left with them as anticipated Yvonne and I only exhaled and set down our revolvers, finally calmed. There was no way in hell I'd let a man rescue me from anything.

I could protect myself.