Miss Sacrifice

Malik

I left Tay in bed when I left the next morning my mom was there as well, drunk but there. I knew that even though she was not in her correct state of mind she would protect Tay no matter what came her way. I had to get my usual morning runs in before the sun came up and along with that I had to sell to my usual client. Tony never liked it when his close friends had their own side drug business, he thought it was a form of betrayal. I believed that I needed my own side hustle if I wanted things to run smoothly around the house and for myself. Tony doesn't know about my personal business but I know that if he finds out it would never be good for me. There were things I didn't want Tony to know about like Jaaliyah, my hate for him and my side hustle. I ran around the track a few times keeping my eyes open for who I was looking for. I stopped running and looked straight ahead towards the entrance of the park and spotted a tall figure who was sprinting in my direction. I noticed automatically who it was when he approached me. 

He came to me and we ran around the track together for about five minutes and when it was the right time, swapped items and went out separate ways. It was like this for a while until I was out of stock. If my primary source of drugs was low on stock, that would mean that I wouldn't be getting money in for that time being. I knew that selling drugs should not be my main source of income but, with the amount of weed I have in my system I knew that I wouldn't be hired anywhere anytime soon. I thought of Jaaliyah as I continued to run the track and soon decided to go home since the sun was coming up.

When I arrived in the house, the only thing on my mind was how Jaaliyah was doing. What's up ma. I texted her. 

 I noticed the morning was passing by and decided to go in the shower. My phone dinged after about five minutes in the shower and I couldn't help myself but step out and reply. 

Hey Malik. She said.  

What's the plan for today?" I asked her. 

I went back into the shower and finished up although I heard my phone ding again. I wanted to spend another day with Jaaliyah but I was sure that was not going to be a possibility. Now knowing what kind of guy her father was, I know she would be home all of the time but little piece of me wanted her to tell me she was free today. I wanted to take her out and cater to her until my heart's content but I knew for all of that to happen it would be a challenge. 

I don't know. Its up to you. 

Can I call you? I asked her. 

Yes. Jaaliyah replied. 

Jaaliyah answered on the second ring and her voice was at normal tone and excited. "Hello Malik." She said with joy. 

"What's up ma." I replied. 

"Nothing much. I'm just home by my lonesome." Jaaliyah said with a giggle. 

"Your 'lonesome'?" A smirk was on my face before I even answered her. 

"Yeah you know, it's what they said back in the day. You ever listened to Elvis Presley's Are You Lonesome Tonight' ?" 

"Nope. Elvis is not in my range of interests." I said. 

I was sprawled out on my bed, dressed when I noticed my mom walking past my room. She stopped when she noticed me through dazed eyes. "Hey Malik." She said in a groggy voice.

I simply waved and went back to talking to Jaaliyah. Although my mind was with Jaaliyah, my eyes could not move away from my mother who couldn't hold herself up as she tried to walk into my room. When she couldn't walk any further, she simply turned back and closed my door. 

"Malik? You still there?" Jaaliyah asked. 

I frowned. "Yeah, I'm here sorry." 

I regretted that I'd paid more attention to my mom rather than Jaaliyah. I wondered if I had ruined the mood for her voice was unreadable as we continued talking. 

"What kind of music do you like then?" She asked softly. 

"You would have to find out when you go on a date with me later tonight." I said politely. 

She breathed. "Uh..I would love that. But I have to let you know when the time comes around." 

"Don't keep me waiting ma." I said with a gentle voice. 

"I'm sorry, I won't." She said. 

Her voice was apologetic but not in the sense that I wanted. She apologized to me in a way that she wanted to please me, it wasn't in a playful tone but more in a serious tone. I knew right away that she only apologized because that's what she grew up doing. Jaaliyah had to always make people feel better by making herself feel bad, and that was only done by saying, 'sorry'. 

"You don't have to apologize. You did nothin' wrong." I reassured her. 

We continued on the phone until she told me that she had to cook, but I didn't want her to hang up the phone quite yet. I offered to have a Facetime call but she didn't accept right away, she was scared to show her face, but I assured her that she was beautiful in my eyes and there was absolutely nothing wrong with her. Which was true, she was absolutely gorgeous and sexy. The only flaw that I saw was her dad and that could be fixed eventually.  I didn't want to admit it but my feelings for Jaaliyah were growing fast and I didn't want to lose her anytime soon.