Short Stories

The opportunity of a lifetime

"What would you do If you had the chance to spend a little bit longer with a loved one who passed away?"
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"Mommy mommy, look it! I help!" My two year old daughter said, snapping me out of my thoughts, as she grabbed her toy vacuum cleaner. I smiled at my little Nelly, as she pushed the toy back and forth as if she was really doing something. Her name is Kayden Chanel Powers but I'm always calling her Chanel or Nelly for short. It was my plan to name her Chanel Powers, but her father wanted the name Kayden. Obviously I compromised on my name brand baby but only because it made him happy.

"Good job baby, why don't go vacuum your room so it'll be clean when Black Jack gets here." I told her. She quick scurried off upstairs to prep her room for her cousin. The only reason we call her Black Jack is because her mom went into labor during a card game. Her favorite cousin, Black Jack aka Selena, is three years old. She's Kevin's daughter and the two girls are damn near inseparable.

I sat down listening to the radio, hearing callers talk about what they'd do if they had extra time with their loved ones made me wonder what I'd do if I had a little more time with Keith. I honestly wouldn't know what to do if I could see him again, I'd probably end up in the hospital getting air pumped into my lungs.

Keith died six months ago. Keith, being the person he was, thought it'd be a good decision to try and stop a thief from robbing a older man. As you can imagine it didn't go well. He was shot 10 times and to make matters worse, he died from the first bullet when he was shot in the head, so the man just decided to keep shooting for no reason. The man is still on the run and it literally feels like the police are doing nothing at all.

I know he had good intentions and I don't think it registered that the man could have had a gun on him in Keith's mind, but for a minute I was mad as hell at both him and his killer. I was mad he'd go and do that without protection like he had a death wish, looking back though, I know it was just the way he was raised. Opening the door to the news that your fiancé has been murdered at 2 in the morning, it just does something to you that I can't explain.

It felt like I lost myself that day too. I grieved and I grieved hard, so hard that I lost my job because I couldn't function enough to leave the guest bedroom. My friends took all of his pictures down, they moved all of my things to the guest room because I couldn't sleep in our room. His presence was still in there and feeling that every time I was in there, felt like a tsunami was hitting me.

I'm so grateful for our friends and family, they've been the biggest help. When I have my days, someone will come and get Nelly for me. Since I lost my job, I had been staying with my parents in Virginia. Keith's parents took some money out of their savings and bought a house for me and Nelly, now they're my landlords. They've been helping while I figure out my new self, because I definitely don't feel like the person I was months ago.

"MOMMY!?" Chanel screamed as she slapped my leg. I jumped out of my thoughts and looked at her as my heart raced. "What's wrong!?" I yelled. "I kept calling you, mommy. You too young..."She said as one of her hands fell on her hip and one landed on her forehead as she shook her head. "You too young, mommy, you too young." She said. I couldn't help but laugh at the small child.

She's been around her grandparents too much, she gaining some of their old people attitude and sayings. "Girl what is it?" I asked. "Mommy, Miss Stacey didn't wanna move out my way when I was cleaning." She said as she held up her bratz doll. I shook my head, no matter how many times I tell her their names she always makes up names for her dolls. Miss Stacey was a Sasha doll and was Nelly's favorite.

"Oh my god, well did you pop her?" I asked. She smacked her lips, "Yuh and I told her to move and guess what? Her ain't listen." She said. "Sounds familiar if you ask me." I said looking at my amused child. She smiled innocently, "I no know chu talking bout. You so silly mommy!" She said crawling on my lap and kissing my cheek. "You silly Nelly. Silly goose." I said as a I began tickling her. "I no silly goose mommy. No I not!" She said between gasps for breath.

I put her down and began wiping the table down. "Is your room clean?" I asked her. "Yes." She said. I snickered to myself hearing her. Whenever she said yes it comes out as if it's a 'j' instead of a 'y' in yes. I don't know why or where she gets it from but it's so cute to me. "Okay princess. I'm gonna go take a nap, go upstairs and if you hear someone knocking, wake me up if I'm not already. Okay?" She nodded and ran upstairs. I got comfortable on the couch before drifting off.
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I heard someone walking around. I sighed knowing Nelly is probably snooping around trying to find something to get into. I opened my eyes and nearly died seeing him walk by. He had on all black and his black durag (picture above). It felt like I was choking since I couldn't get my shit together.

My eyes are tripping. I haven't smoked in years. It has to be a dream. Is it? Could it be? Keith?
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TBC