[if you haven't read Hazel don't click on this story until you have]
This is a continuation of the love story of Nyla-Janae Jones and DeVante Swing four years later after departing from each other in the summer of 1990.
I mean obviously, it's been years. But something about him is really, really different.
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"Pass me the salt Ny" DJ says as he is devouring the pizza. De decided to order pizza for the moment.
"So... when did you need glasses?" I ask him, observing every element on his body.
"It's fashion" He says, wiping the oil with a tissue which was dropping down his lips.
"Fashion... so is the dreads?" I ask and he laughs. I looked at his teeth and I noticed that he had grillz on the bottom.
"Everything is fashion Nyla. I see you still criticize people." He says and I furrow my eyebrows.
"It's not criticizing if I'm asking questions" I respond, kissing my teeth.
"But the questions you are asking are very critical" He says and the way he speaks made me make a face.
"Criticality is everywhere. You can't escape reality my brother" I say, resting my hand on his.
"You're really a smart ass" He says and I laugh.
"I missed your disrespect. Slightly..." I respond
"Yeah.. and I missed your sarcasm as well" He says.
We looked at each other in awkward silence.
After awhile I noticed his lips starting to form a word.
"I'm sorry." He says
I didn't know what to say so I just watched him.
"I'm sorry for not being here. I missed your birthday's, your graduations, your accomplishments... I wasn't here for your first heartbreak.. I'm so sorry for being a terrible ass brother. I was supposed to be in the NBA.. I was supposed to be the famous DaJon Jones that has a beautiful little sister that can sing her ass off. I was supposed to be something. I was supposed to be someone you looked up too. Not a fucking criminal." He says and I start to tear up a little.
When he first left home, I was heartbroken. I didn't know what to do. But after awhile, I started to hate him. I can't describe the feeling but I felt that he left me on purpose. I didn't know why I felt that way and till this day I can't put my finger on it.
"You are not a criminal DJ. It's not your fault that life came out this way. Just stop, blaming yourself for everything. I just wish... that you didn't have to resort to selling coke. You didn't need that shit at all." I say with a deep sigh.
"I needed it. I needed it in my life. Yeah our family was fortunate but I was too caught up with my demons that I needed something to control the pain." He says and I look at him confused.
"Pain?" I ask
"Nyla-Janae.. listen to what I'm about to tell you." He says and I nod slowly.
"Mom and Dad didn't tell you this and I don't think they ever will but I think you should know." He says
"Know about?"
"Our father's past is very troubling."
"How so?" I ask with interest in my voice
"Charles and our father grew up together in the same neighborhood in Detroit"
"Mhm" I say.
"They were drug partners. They sold it, they took it, and they enforced it. They were the masters and the plug"
"Excuse me?"
"Shhhh" He says.
"Well, you learn something new everyday huh?" I say looking down at the table.
"But uh, there's something important you must know." He says, casually looking up.
"What?" I ask with my eyebrows furrowed.
"It's about Dad. Well about you specifically." He says and I squint at him.
"Yeah..." I drag out with impatience.
"Antonio Jonez" He says and I look in confusion.
"Who?" I ask
"Yeah dad definitely hasn't told you." He says with a sigh.
"Told me what?"
"I don't think it's my place to tell you something like this. You should call dad." He then says with a unreadable expression plastered on his face.
"Okay but who the hell is Antonio Jonez? What is his importance?" I ask.
"Think back to your high school days, Antonio. Tony's Pizza?" He says with a sigh.
"He's dead? Oh my go-"
"He's not dead. It's something worse." He says.
"What's worse than being dead?" I ask with confusion.
"Him being your biological father." He says and I stare in confusion.
"What?"
"Yeah.. this is definitely something dad should have told you."
"I can see that your humor hasn't changed since jail, nice joke Dajon." I say laughing. But the more I laugh, I notice that he was serious.
"I'm not joking.." he says
"But... how?" I ask.
"I'm telling you, call dad." He says, tapping his fingers on the table.
