Their Journey.

S I X.

                                                                                              Khyra

I was on my bed making me and Khya hair appointment for the day before our birthday. I decided we were going to go natural for our birthday and get a silk press. Normally we wouldn't wear our natural hair but since we had so much of it and our family always complained to us about it, we both agreed to do something new. I wanted to wear my hair a pinkish burgundy color because I thought it would be a good new look. We were going into our last year of high school and I was ready for it to be over. Once I was done with that I got up and went to the backyard where I knew some more of our family had came over. Our GG and poppa even stopped by for a little while before they left and said they'll be back when it time to pick Kameron up. It was nice to see my mom genuinely happy and smiling so hard her brown cheeks were a rose color. I missed moments like this. Although my mom was happy around us we could tell Mickey was taking majority of her happiness. Out the corner of my eye I seen Kameron re-entering with JaMar and a few more boys from our neighborhood. I mentally rolled my eyes because it seemed like JaMar was literally everywhere. I was surprised he wasn't at the mall. My mom went over to him and hugged him and he slightly led her away from the crowd. I wonder what that was about. I walked up to Khya since she was out and let her know about the appointment and we went around the backyard letting our family know that our birthday dinner was this upcoming Saturday at J. Alexanders. 

It was finally time to eat. We all gathered in a circle to say our grace and then followed my mom into the kitchen to bring the food out. Mom even bought a small cake. Our uncle Shawn, one of my daddy's brothers came out and brought his speaker. I was happy to see him because he rarely came over because he hated Mickey. We all laughed, danced, and played cards until it was dark. Mom tried to get everyone out and the house clean before it was time for Mickey to get off work. As I was getting ready to go into the house JaMar stepped in front of me blocking my view. "Um can I help you?" He was staring at me with a childish grin. "I just wanted to tell you that you look really beautiful. I wanted to say something to you earlier but I know how your aunts can get and I didn't want you to bombarded with questions." He was so nervous talking to me and I didn't understand why. I thanked him and told him goodnight before I went in to help my mom. She was standing in the kitchen doing dishes while my grandma was sweeping. "Hey mom. I was coming to see if you needed any help." She turned the water off and turned to me, "No thanks baby. I do want to talk to you about something if you don't mind." She excused us and we went upstairs to her room before she cracked the door. She pointed to the bed for me to sit and I could only wonder what this was about. "Khyra you know I love you and all your siblings with all of my heart right." She paused to see my reaction and I just nodded. "Earlier today JaMar came to me and asked for my permission to get to know you and I know you have told family that you didn't want to ever date but baby please don't let what happened to me change your mind. If I could go back into time and bring your father back I would but I can't. I was madly in love and still in love with your father. Love is real. Love doesn't always hurt. I thought I loved Mickey but that was mainly lust. Please just give him a chance. I'm not rushing you but don't give up on love." I stood up and hugged my mother. I didn't want to make her sad so I didn't get into the conversation as much but I did crack a few jokes with her about JaMar before she told me that one day he'll be the shining armor that my dad once was. We said our love yous before I went back to the kitchen while I told her to rest.  Boys were the last thing on my mind. Saving my mom was the first.