What He Needs

•59•

•Nava•

10:15 A.M.

Pulling up to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International airport Tahj and Freddy get out to get our things out the trunk while Abel and I stay in the car to say our goodbyes.

"You got everything? Passport? Tickets?" He questions me when they close the trunk.

"Yes, it's all in here" I pat the front pocket of my backpack that's beside me.

Abel's arm around my waist he pulls me closer to kiss my forehead, "Be safe and text me when you land"

"I will. When do you leave for Paris?" I glance up to see his face.

His fingers twirling in my hair he replies, "Around nine tonight"

I rest my head in the crook of his neck peering out the window at the traffic passing us by, "Hm, be sure you call me when you land. I want to know you made it there safely"

Abel laughs softly in my ear, "Okay, Angel, I'll be sure to call you"

A soft smile I lean up to kiss him, "When will you be home?"

He takes a moment to think about that, "Friday, Saturday morning at the latest. How long will you be in DC?"

"I'll probably leave Sunday" is my answer.

"I can't believe Simone gave you an entire week off" he says, disbelief in his tone.

"She didn't, I'm going to be reviewing artist at my moms club this week" I nod my head.

It wasn't easy convincing mom to let me visit her club this week for all the shows she has lined up. I had to do a lot of begging before she gave in and even then Simone had to call and talk to her.

Mom doesn't like reviewers coming in her clubs. She says the best feed back is from the actual customer. If they keep coming back then they're spreading the word making other people interested. That's what she's always believed and so far it's worked out for her business.

"Damn, she works you harder than I did" Abel chuckles above my head.

"She does but it's nothing I can't handle. I really like my job" I laugh and he joins me.

"More than you like singing for me?" He wonders.

I'm about to answer when Tahj knocks on the window telling me it's time for us to go.

I peer up to Abel with a pout, "Looks like it's time for me to go"

He leans down to give me a lingering kiss, "Looks like it. I'll meet you in DC" he says when he finally pulls away.

"On... Friday?" I smile hopeful.

"We'll see what happens. I'll let you know" he promises with a smirk.

A little sad I kiss him one more time, "Bye star boy"

"I love you, Angel"

"I love you too"

Kissing my nose he lets me go and I move over to the door pulling on the door handle.

Tahj opens the door to let me out and on my feet I swing my back pack on.

"Ready to go?" Tahj closes the door while I grab my suitcase handle.

"Yep. It feels good to be going home. Where are you from?" I wonder realizing I never asked.

"Hawaii"

"You're Hawaiian?" I smile walking through the automatic doors.

"Yeah, I lived there until I was twelve"