Til Death Do Us Part (BOOK TWO)

Chapter 35

The next day Asia and Latrice went to the spa early that morning before they headed back on the road.

"This was much needed", Latrice said.

"You tell me? Listen I have two teenagers who aggravate me and get in trouble every chance they get", Asia said. "Not a stress free life"

Latrice chuckles.

"But then again.. I see who their dad was", Asia said. "A hot head. My son is like every image of him"

Latrice nods. "That's how it usually is.. so the most part.. Jamal is kinda like my dad", she said.

Asia looked at her.

"But he has gotta better", Latrice said.

"What do you mean?", Asia asked.

"Well.. everything was good at first but probably when we were in our early teens. My dad slowly started to remove himself from us.. his own family.. after Kim left, Jamal did the same. I didn't hear from his til a years ago.. same for my mom", she said.

Asia was silent.

"But I mean like I get it but then again I don't..", Latrice said.

Asia nods. "I guess love does that to you", she said.

"Yea, I guess.. but she's the past now. I'm just finally glad he got over her", Latrice said.

Asia nods again.

—————————————-

While Asia and Latrice were at the spa, Jamal decided to meet with Vanessa.

Vanessa was already at the restaurant waiting for Jamal to come. She sees him walk up to the table. "Hey, I'm surprised you call me", she said with a smile.

Jamal doesn't smile. "Me too", he said as he sat down.

Vanessa's smile disappeared for a few seconds and then she smiled again. "I ordered our food. I got you steak and mashed potatoes.. you still like that right", she asked.

Jamal nods.

"I remember that being your favorite", she said.

Jamal was silent.

"...what's on your mind?", she asked. "I'm sure you have a lot to get off your chest"

"...why? Why leave and come back 10 years later.. 10", he asked.

Vanessa sighs. "I was scared", she said. "Everything was coming at all at once... having my first child.. you wanting to marry me"

Jamal looks down.

"Everything was great.. but I don't feel like I deserved any of that. My mom she just kept putting things in my head and I listened. I listened and it was the biggest mistake of my life", she said tearing up.

Jamal hands her some napkins and Vanessa wipes her tears.

"I told you to stop listening to her. She didn't do anything but bring you down all the time... she made you feel like you were worthless", he said. "But yet you listen to her?"