Stay Down

Backstory

Neiyamirus

" You know, I never thought I'd see this day. I'd never think we'd part this way. Just as things were going good, he left us. I'm angry, I'll admit. I have no right to question God and I shouldn't, but I still ask..why? Why us?! " my older brother Sakima cried out as the rain poured down on us.

We sat under a small tent. The four of us. Sakima, Grandma, Tyla and I.

My face grew hot as tears built up again. My father, had just died. Everyone is now gone from the gravesite service, my aunt's and uncles, cousins, and even the preacher. We sat alone in silence with only our sniffles to sound.

" U-ne-tla-nv. " my grandmother whispered softly while tightly grasping my hand.

That was eight years ago. I was eight years old, traumatized for life. Everytime I think of it, I tear up. I remember my father as a good man.

Three years after my father's murder my grandmother, Nakoma, passed away from lung cancer. Tyla, our stepmother would have taken us in but she was so busy with her lawfirm.

I definitely resent her for that, it was painful to see no one out of our huge family wanted us.

Luckily Sakima was eighteen so he could have custody of me.

We already knew that our grandmother's time would come so Sakima got a job when he was sixteen to grow in responsibility. As soon as she passed he knew he had to fight long and hard to keep us together. Him being legal wasn't enough for the court, they wanted to be sure that he was eligible for custody of me. He begged and pleaded of the jury for custody.

Me, being his last piece to hold onto.

Money was no problem because not only did grandmother leave a trust fund, but Sakima had been saving alot. So much money that he could have moved us out of Oakwood Park and into the great mini mansions of our towns famous area, Lakely Tribes. But our grandmother left her house to us. It would be like spitting on her grave to leave it to be sold to some strangers. And all her belongings to this day remain fresh and in place. House still smells of wild flowers, which were her favorite. And mango, a fruit she became fond of in the states.

Sakima had won the case through his blood sweat and tears, literally. I thank and love him for that. But some things he just couldn't teach me, the eight year old I was at the time, and himself only a fresh adult.

Especially with me being a female and going into adolescence, it was very difficult for him. He still tried though.

I remember being ten, having my first period in Walgreens as he picked up a prescription for me. I'd just got over a bad allergy reaction to some medicine.

"Pick-up for Neiyamirus Cortné" Sakima spoke as his left hand rested over my shoulder.

The nurse at the desk looked up at Sakima. I followed her eyes which rested on his grey ones.

My brother had that type of affect on girls. They're always looking at him like a new pair of shoes or something. I mean they ran in the family. They act like they never seen grey eyes before.

" Ooh, her perscription isn't ready." the lady wore a look of sadness as her eyebrows furrowed.

" So when will it be ready? " Sakima licks his lips. The nurse face turned a bright red. What's wrong with her?

" I'm not sure. " she responded batting her long lashes. They were long and thick behind her glasses.

" Well, " my brothers eyes looked down at the nurses chest for a moment, " Kimberly how will I be able to keep in contact with you all for my sister's perscription? "

" Okay so you just write you name and number down right here and we will surely contact you Mr. Cortné " the nurse bit her lips.

I felt a strong churn in my lower abdomen as I watched them make contact. The feeling of being punched in my stomach increased as I just stood there.

I don't know if it was the fact that this nurse was making googly eyes at my brother or that spaghetti I chowed down earlier was making me sick.

The sitting part of my underwear is feeling hot! Like I'm peeing on myself!

I grabbed my stomach with my left and my brothers hand with my right. Bending over I let out a groan.

" I have to go Kima, like really bad" I pled. He nodded, dismissing the nurse and dragging me to the restroom.

I screamed once I made it into the stall and pulled down my underwear. There was blood!

" Neiyamirus! " Sakima could be heard coming through the bathroom door.

" Sakimaaa! Sakima I'm bleeding! Sakima help me please, please! " I sobbed as he stood out of my stall.
I opened the stall, his eyes widened at the sight of blood stained in between the thigh area of my light jeans.

" Omg! Oh, Jesus! "

I chuckled at the memory while I poured my orange juice. It's Monday and the first day of fall. I can hear the wind blow the leaves off a tree outside a nearby window.

" Neiya " I could hear his faint voice from the end of the hallway.

" I'm in the kitchen! " I chimed back before chugging the cold beverage and grabbing a muffin.

" Have you seen my black tie? " He asked coming into the kitchen in only his underwear, suit jacket and socks.

Such a man.

" Vanity, second drawer. " he ran back into his room mumbling a 'thanks'.

" Guess I better get ready. " I pulled the ironing board from the hallway closet, pulling it into the kitchen along with the iron and starch.

"Neiya, I had some black- " he stopped rambling into the kitchen as I held the black slacks in my hand.

" Can you i- " he started.

" Already have. " I plugged the iron up.

" Livesaver, I swear " he quickly hugged me.

" Your button up is hung in your closet on the far right. " I stated as he slid back into his room.

He hurried to come back to retrieve his pants. Whilst buttoning up his shirt, he pulled his Loafer's from the main closet.

I handed him his pants, unplugged the iron and put everything away.

I checked the time on the clock.

" Fifteen minutes until 7:00 Kima." I stated.

" Aw damn, you have school today don't you? " his responded, palm placed on his forehead.

" Yeahh, " I dragged in a 'duh' tone, "Sakima I'll just walk. " I threw my backpack over my shoulders after retrieving it from the couch.

" Hell no! I ain't letting no nigga snatch you! " he pulled me towards the living room window opening the curtains.

" You see that black Hyundai Elantra out there? "

" Yes Sakima. " I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, you gon take you happy ass in there and I'll drive you to your destination. "

I groaned, " Sakima, school from here is like a 10 minute walk. "

" Do you know how much can happen in ten minutes? In ten minutes you c- " he started to ramble.

" Fine! No examples, just take me alright. " I sighed heavily. I really don't know why he's so protective that I can't walk down the street.

" Let's go. " he smiled grabbing the keys off the kitchen table.

Authors Note :

Well, this first chapter will bore you. I plan on making it more interesting along the way. But I would like to know your thoughts so far.

- Nickelah 💛