When the Smoke Clears

Chapter Two

Christian Brooks

I stared at the phone trying to decide if I'm tripping or if that was really her that was in the background. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me because my heart wants Jordyn to be alive, but the reality is, she isn't.

Sinking down in my seat I ran my hands ran over my face. The minute I feel like I'm ready to heal from this and move on, something pulls me back. Maybe the fact that it's only been 6 months. I think I'm trying to rush everything because I don't want to keeping thinking of me having to live without the love of my life.

This shit is unfair.

The Next Morning

Pulling up to the vacant building that me and Michael picked out for our new club, I climbed out the car and headed inside.

I really wasn't feeling it today but I had to get up and handle business.

"You know how excited Imani was when we told her that you was coming to get her and then the crushed look on her face when yo dumb ass never showed up!" Michael yelled.

I waved my hand at him. "Nigga don't start."

"Don't start?! Fool you keep pushing my niece to the side for what?! How many times do I have to tell you that she asks about you and cries because you won't even come fucking visit? What's yo damn problem dawg? I get it, you're mourning over my sister, we ALL miss her but I thought you would make sure Imani is protected at all costs and keep her stuck by your damn side."

"You don't understand how hard this is. I can't live without Jordyn!"

"I don't know how hard it is? Nigga I raised Jordyn. I made her into the woman she is. I taught her how to hustle, how to be independent, she's the way she was because of ME! Both of my siblings are gone. We were all we had now I have nobody. That dumb ass nigga Jay keeps trying to force his self into my life but why now? Why weren't you looking for us when we were out here homeless and damn near dying to live? I'd give all this up just to get my sister back, and my brother. But they're gone and there's nothing we can do about it. Imani needs you. Besides me, you're the only family she has, thanks to YOUR mother."

I sighed. "Is it crazy that while I was on the phone with my dad yesterday, I heard Jordyn."

His eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

"Yeah, I talked to my dad after I left the warehouse and then all of a sudden a female voice in the background told him that somebody was coming and to get off the phone. I swear it sounded just like her. It was just probably my mind playing tricks on me."

"Is your dad being held captive or something, why the hell does have to sneak on the phone?"

"I don't know."

"Is he around your mom?"

"I doubt it, he hates her especially after all of the shit she's been doing."

"Are you sure? He's not gonna tell you if she's around."

Pulling at my goatee I tried to think back on the conversations me and my dad had. "You know he said some weird shit to me yesterday. He told me that he was taking care of something really special for me and I'd be getting it soon. I asked him what was he talking about and that's when the person in the background started talking."

"What if Jordyn is alive?"

"Man you saw her in that casket just like I did."

"Your point? You can make anything look real now days."

"If Jordyn was alive she would've contacted one of us or tried to."

"Nigga what you think that was yesterday! It probably was her. Call your dad."