JUNIPER

Chapter XII

  

     Weeks had passed since Sai'Yanna talked to Leena and she was more than glad that she wasn't trying to contact her. Leena wasn't wrapped right in the head, she was delusional as hell and Sai'Yanna didn't want herself or Reagan dealing with her at all. It had been over a month in a half and Sai'Yanna found comfort at Bricks place and they were getting along well. Sai'Yanna had practically moved in, most of her personal things were at his house and he made her feel so at home.
   The more she stayed around Bricks, the deeper the connection grew. She wanted with everything in her to tell him what happened the night he picked her up from the hospital but she didn't know how'd he feel or how he would react. Leena did kill someone and Sai'Yanna was her unwanted accomplice and they robbed him. She didn't want to put their love in jeopardy for the truth, they were too deep in and in her heart she knew she couldn't trust it.

   Sai'Yanna stood over a hot stove fixing Bricks a breakfast made for a king. She cooked him French toast, sausage, bacon, eggs, and fixed a fruit platter. As she walked back toward the room, she heard him whispering on the phone. His back was turned to her so he didn't know she was in the room.
   "Ma, it's none like that. I been busy and plus I have company right now, you know ima make my way over to you tonight, I promise. I got a big surprise for you anyways but look though I gotta go, I don't want her to hear me. I love you." Bricks hung up the phone, when he turned around he was stunned to see her in the room. Her heart was crushed as anger flushed through her eyes. She stood there, sitting the tray on his dresser walking back into the kitchen. He didn't know what to say. She cleaned up her mess, grabbing her purse and keys ready to head out the door.
    "Wait, Sai it's not what you think", he said rushing out his bedroom. "That breakfast was for me?" "Yeah and I hope you enough it with ya girl." Sai'Yanna walked out of his condo rushing down the stairs, with a pleading Bricks right on her heels. He pulled on Sai'Yanna's arm, finally catching her attention. "Can you come back upstairs and let me explain?" "Who was that on the phone?" He let out a deep sigh, "my mama". "Like mama, mama?" Sai'Yanna twisted her lips up in an embarrassing smirk. "Yeah. A nigga can't talk to his mama or some?" Sai'Yanna realized she was tripping and went back up to the condo with him. "I'm sorry." "What I told you Sai? I'd never hurt you", he said locking the door behind her. 
    "I know", she smiled. "Then trust me and we going to my folks house for dinner tonight. My family want to meet you." "For what? How she know bout me?" "Don't worry bout it but I gotta a lot to handle today just be ready by seven o'clock."
  Bricks finished his breakfast, got dressed and was out the door, leaving Sai'Yanna alone. She hated being alone, it left her too much time to think. The guilt came back to eat her alive but she had to clear her conscience by thinking of the little good she does have in her life. Bricks, her dad, Reagan recovering and Silk. They were all she had now. I gotta look good and impress his family, she thought going through her clothes to choose something to wear.

💋💋💋💋💋

   Sai'Yanna was nervous as ever as they both stood outside of his parents' New Jersey home. From the looks of the suburban neighborhood and house, they came from money just like her. A young woman answered the door and hugged Bricks tightly. "Big ugly! I missed you!"
  "Hey Sierra." Bricks nudged her forehead and then turned to Sai'Yanna. "This my girl—"
   "I know who she is. This the pretty girl mama won't shut up about", she said hugging Sai'Yanna tightly too. Bricks mother came rushing to the door, pushing Sierra out of the way. "Oh my baby!" She embraced her son tightly, then Sai'Yanna. They both made Sai feel welcomed and she immediately fell in love with them. "It's so good to finally meet the mystery woman my son has been bragging bout. You're as pretty as he said you were."

   Sai'Yanna blushed. "It's really nice to meet you too Mrs. Green." "Girl please. Call me Kendra. Make yourself at home", she said making her way back into the kitchen. "Where pops?" Bricks asked. "He posed to be on the way home from the club", Sierra answered. "Who in the den?" "My friend", Sierra said with an attitude. Kendra smiles knowing exactly where this was about to go. "What friend Sisi?" "Don't worry bout it Dydy." "Yo don't call me that and who is yo friend in the den Sierra, don't play wimme." "Mama tell him to mind his business", Sierra whined. "I'm not in this but Benjamin have you heard from your brother? He supposed to be here too", she said laughing. Sai'Yanna laughed at the two. "I called him but he didn't answer, you know how he is ma. You know he gone be here",Bricks said making his way to the back of the house with Sierra nagging behind him.
"Come on Sai'Yanna, you can come help me in the kitchen", Kendra said. "You can call me Sai." They all clicked instantly. She grilled Sai'Yanna about everything she could think of and seemed to approve of her. When Bricks entered the kitchen again, Sai'Yanna was pulling cake out of the oven. "So nobody was gone tell me Sierra had a boyfriend." They both turned around and when she said the young mans face it was like seeing a ghost. It was her old foster brother; Amir. She sat the cake on the counter and brushed passed the two, running towards the bathroom. Nasir was like one of her brothers growing up until one night he came home drunk and tried to push up on her. But Sai'Yanna wasn't having it and stabbed him in his hand. She never thought she'd ever see him again, God must had another plan for the two.

💋💋💋💋💋

Bricks ran after Sai'Yanna, knocking on the door. "Aye ma, you good?" "Yeah baby, I just felt a little light headed. I'm about to come back out." "Aight. I'm bout to go help mama set the table." "K." Sai'Yanna stood over the sink, splashing water on her face. She let out deep breaths walking out of the bathroom, bumping into Nasir. "Oh my bad, excuse me." "You good Sai'Yanna." She stopped mid step, turning back on her heels, standing face to face with him. "You don't know me anymore Nasir." "You right, cause the Sai'Yanna I remember was fearless, heartless and ruthless", he said showing her his hands, "I remember, and I shouldn't have done you like that. I promise I'm not to do you any harm, if anything I'm trying to start over." Sai'Yanna took in everything he said. They were adults now and that wasn't an excuse for what he did to her but she believed in second chances. "We can be cool Nasir. I can leave the past where it's at." "Cool cause after you left I was sad for real. I thought I'll never see you again." They both laughed, walking back into the dining room.
Everyone was seated at the dinner table. "You good girl?" Sierra asked. "Yeah I'm good. I was just light headed." Bricks stood up and pulled her chair out for her as she sat down next to him. "You sure you good?" he whispered in her ear. She gave him a smile, grabbing his hand underneath the table. The front door swung open and entered Bricks and Sierra's father. Sierra ran into his arms. "Daddy!" "Hey my princess." Bricks stood up, giving his father a hug. "Wassup pops?" "Wassup son? Who all these folks Kendra and why they in our house?" He teased. "This is Adyn's girlfriend Sai'Yanna and Sierra's boyfriend Nasir." He greeted the two as his eyes stayed on Sai'Yanna. She felt a rush of embarrassment as she seen her old manager's eyes grilling her. Luka Green. Who would've knew they were related? But then again if you looked at him long enough, you'd see Bricks all through her.

  After Sai'Yanna just up and quit Cometz Nightclub it was hard for him to keep the place a float. Sai'Yanna was the life of the club and even though he was mad, he knew he needed her back. She was basically the face of his club.

   She could feel his father's eyes on her as she talked.  I wish he would stop looking at me like I owe him something. Only reason that club was doing numbers like it was was because of me, she admitted to herself. "I think she's the one Benjamin", Kendra. "I'd love to have a daughter-in-law as wonderful as this young lady right here. Plus you haven't been this happy since you were in high school." Sai'Yanna looked at Kendra in confusion. "Excuse me? Daughter in what?" Before she could turn to face Bricks, he was already on one knee with a small burgundy box. Sai'Yanna began to cry. "Is this for real?" "Sai'Yanna Erin Preston Kain will you marry me?" Sai'Yanna jumped into his arms. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She took hold of his face, kissing him passionately as he placed the ring on her finger. Luka looked at the two with a pleased smile. Sai'Yanna looked at him as he nodded his head yes. Everyone was cheering and toasting at the two. The doorbell chimes, interrupting the jubilant occasion.
   Kendra said, "I'll get that." Bricks toasted to their engagement, hugging Sai'Yanna tightly. "I love you so much, girl." "I love you too Bricks. I can't wait to tell Reagan. I know she's going to be happy as hell!" Sai'Yanna held her ring up to the light, admiring the rock on her finger.

  They all heard Kendra scream from the front foyer, "Oh Jesus! No not my baby!"
    As everyone took off for the front door, Sai'Yanna could see the lights from a NJPD car in the driveway. "What the fuck going on?" Bricks asked as he stood by his mother's side. "It's Jayceon, baby. They found his dead in his house!" Sobbing heavily, Kendra collapsed into her husband's arms. Sai'Yanna saw Bricks facial expression change instantly. Rage took over his face. Bricks pressed his forehead against hers as he shook his head. "Bricks, talk to me baby," she pleaded as she saw tears fall down his cheeks. Sierra broke down, falling to the floor.

   Jayceon and Benjamin were her protectors and best friends but someone took that from her. Sai'Yanna felt the guilt eating at her soul all over again.

  Bricks punched a hole straight through his parents wall, rushing out of the house. Sai watched impotently as he got into his car and sped off. "Bricks!" She yelled. But the only thing she could hear was the sound of his sobbing sister and mother. Her heart broke for their family and her future husband.