An Unkidness

Chapter 20

Genadi heaved as he ran down the dark street. He looked over his shoulder as he heard the footsteps getting closer. He frantically flagged down a lone taxi.

The driver smiled as he Genadi entered.

Genadi looked in the back window and told him to floor it.

The cab driver did as he was told.

Genadi sighed with relief as he eased in the back of the seat, "Thank you. I owe you one.

Roger Stephens chuckled as he drove, "Its all good.. "

Genadi noticed a picture of a young teenage girl and boy on the dashboard, "Is that your family?"

Roger looked down and smiled, "Yeah, Raven and Kyle."

Genadi tried to press lightly, "Are you married?"

"I was.. She passed  away a year ago. Cancer."

"I'm sorry to hear that.."

Rogers mouth dropped as he pulled up to the massive house, "Wow..!"

Genadi patted his shoulder and handed him a roll of bills. Roger shook his head as he looked at it, "Oh no sir, it's only $15.75"

Genadi held up his hand, "Son, you saved my life."

Rover pulled out what he owed and handed him back the rest, "Just pay it forward, that's what I always tell my kids."

Genadi nodded and exited the car. He waved as it pulled from the driveway.
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Genadi stood in shock as he watched the apartment building in flames. He turned to a screaming girls voice as she approached the fire chief, "My father! He's on the third floor please.."

"Ma'am clam down! What is your fathers name?"

Tears streamed down her cheeks, "Roger! Roger Stephens! Please!!"

Genadi swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked up to the the third floor, it was engulfed in flames. He turned back to the girl and her older brother as he tried to comfort her.

He heard a whisper, "Pay it forward.."

Genadi eyes flew open from his deep sleep. His lip quiver as he saw a smiling Raven holding his hand, "Hey sleepy head. Did you have good dreams?"

A single tear slid down his face as he raised his shaking hand to her face. Raven gently held it and pressed it to her cheek, "I love you too Gi Gi.."

Genadi's eyes turned to the book that laid on his bedside table. Raven smiled as she reached for it and began to read,

"October 12th, 1986.

Dear diary,

I've met someone. He is so handsome, tall and freighting. I think I'm in love."

Raven smiled to Genadi's as he lightly whispered a laugh.

Christopher stood right outside the doorway as he listened to her reading his mothers diary. He smiled at the sound of her voice as it brought his frail father happiness.

***********

Raven smiled as she gently closed Genadi's door. He had fallen back asleep at the sound of her voice. She walked in a happy daze as she lightly placed her hand on her lower abdomen. She was staring to enjoy the thought of motherhood after reading Anna's diary. She paused as she heard her stomach growl, "Hmm .."
*************

Christopher tilted his head as he bit the tip in his thumb nail. He was admiring Ravens backside as she bend over in the fridge looking for a snack.

As Raven turn around with cold tub of chicken, she gasped when she saw him in the doorway, "Shit! Don't do that.. Do you want to give me and tha.." she immediately stopped before she said too much.  "A heart attack..?"

Christopher slowly stalked to her, "You and what..? Or should I ask who?"

"The chicken.. want some..?" She sarcastically smiled and held up the bucket blocking his view from her face.

Christopher's eased it down for her to see his predator eyes, "Raven.. You and who..?"

"The Colonel.. see he's right there.."

Christopher stepped closer with his intimidation, "Who?"

Ravens lip quiver, "Me holding a bucket of cold chicken is not how I ever imagined telling you.." She swallowed back tears, "That I'm pregnant.."

Christopher leaned away with wide eyes. He stared at her. It all made sense now. Her paleness, weight loss, sleeping in, stomach nausea, and most noticeable her large swollen chest."

"Say something please!" Raven covered her face as she cried.

Christopher smiled as he pulled her to him, "Raven.. Why are you crying?"

She snuggled her nose into his shirt, "I didn't know how you would feel.."  She looked up to him, "Do you still want me?" His face turned to predator as he scooped her up. She squeaked, "What about the Colonel?"

"Grab the bucket, he can watch." She laughed as he leaned her to the counter so she could reach it and sprinted up the stairs.
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Raven sighed as she stepped out on to her private balcony with the bucket tucked under arms. She moaned as she took a bite of one of the legs. She laughed to her self as she studied the face on container. 

Christopher yawned and stretched as he eased into a seat beside her. He leaned and reached into the bucket; Raven cut her eyes to him as he winked at her. She chuckled back at him, "I think we scarred him for life.."

He leaned his head back laughing as he chewed, "You're probably right.."

Raven wiggled her eyebrows as she giggled and took another bite of her chicken and sighed.