Antidote

Six

I woke up with a bad taste in my mouth. I quickly ran to the bathroom and threw up. "Must be the oysters I ate last night." I thought. I brushed my teeth and went back in my room to check my phone. I had 6 missed calls and 4 good morning messages from SJ. I smiled then dialed his phone. "Goodmorning my baby. How you feeling?" I smiled, "I feel horrible! I just puked now I'm laying down. Must be those oysters." "Awe, daddy baby. Ima take care of you when I get back." I smiled and we continued our conversation. "I miss you Sean." I sadly said. "I miss you too baby. I can't wait to hold you in my arms all night. I've been thinking of you ever since I landed." I blushed. "I bet you have. And I've been thinking of you too." He laughed then paused, "Ray.. I've been wanting to ask you this for the longest but I don't know how you'll feel about it." I looked around, surprised. "If you're asking me to marry you then the answer is no." We both laughed, "naw it ain't nothing like that. I mean since you my girl now and been staying at my place, I was thinking you should move in with me?" I was speechless, maybe even breathless. I couldn't talk, I couldn't breath. "Ray? You still there?" I cleared my throat and finally found my voice. "Yes I'm here. Sean that's a really big move don't you think?" "Not for me and besides I would love waking up to you everyday." I could hear the smile in his voice. "Think about it Ray. And I want an answer when I come home." "I will." "I gotta go but ima hit you back later babe. I love you." "Awe I love you too baby." He hung up, leaving me in total shock.
_____________
I walked in the front room to find Mariah but she was nowhere to be found. "She usually would leave a note when she didn't wanna wake me." I called her phone but it went straight to voicemail so I shot her a text. "She'll get it once her phone comes back on." I made my way to the fridge to make breakfast. I wasn't in the mood for anything heavy so I made a yogurt bowl with fresh blueberries and cherries. I went into the living room and turned it to the news channel. "Let's see what's in the forecast today." I started eating my food then I heard "A 19 year old black female was involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler early this morning. Names have been identified as 19 year old Mariah Garnett and 44 year old Herbert Gibbs. Garnett has been pronounced dead at the scene while Gibbs is in critical condition." I quickly spat my food out and started screaming. I didn't know what else to do so I called Mariah's parents. Her mother answered, crying which made me burst in tears. We both held the phone crying and apologizing until Mariah's dad took the phone from her. "Hello De'Zaray. We would really appreciate it if you stopped by. We know you were like a little sister to Mariah and she would want you here. As soon as you can, please stop by." I wiped my eyes and sniffed. "Of course Mr. Garnett I'll be there." We hung up and I received a call from SJ. Before I can say hello he blurted out, "I'm on my way baby. Please don't go anywhere." "I have to go to Mariah's parents." "Send me the address and I'm there." he hung up and I got myself together.
____________
I caught the bus to the Garnett's house. Mrs. Garnett greeted me with open arms. I instantly fell in and didn't hold back one tear. "I know baby, I know. She wouldn't want us crying baby, she want us to be strong." Right on queue, SJ pulled up. "Ray, baby." I went towards him and broke down and cried. He picked me up in his arms like a baby. "I know baby, I know. It's gonna be alright." He looked at Mrs. Garnett and she told him to take me home, that'll she'll talk to me later and let me mourn. SJ carried me to the car and put me in then we drove off to his house. He carried me inside and upstairs to the bedroom. He took off my shoes and clothes and dressed me in one of his big shirts. I crawled under the covers and he cuddled behind me, caressing my hair until I fell asleep.