Whirlwind

Epilogue

[Lamarr – North Carolina, January 2018]

"Alright sweetie. I'm going to head on home now and get some rest," My ears and head perked up in sync at the sound of my mother's mellow voice that fluttered into the room from the doorway. She hesitated to step completely inside, her head prodding in instead as she eyed all the boxes and containers scattered across the floor. Some were still sealed shut, others open, most empty but still positioned amongst themselves in a way that created a path she eventually strode toward me. "I finished decorating the living room for you all, and the kitchen is in order, ready for use. I'll come back maybe tomorrow and help out a bit more."

"That's aight, mama. You've done more than enough already, way too much actually." I corrected with a faint chuckle as I shuffled through the same container I had been coming back to every time I unloaded another. "Just go home, relax, kick your feet up and go to sleep or something."

"You should be doing the same for yourself," she shot back smartly with a smirk as she stopped beside me and placed her hand on my back, slowly kneading it in circles. "You painted all day Friday, yesterday you moved in all the furniture and boxes with Damon, now you're unpacking and trying to situate most of the rooms? Let me not forget to remind you that your tour just ended last month. I know you're exhausted, Lamarr. Take a break."

"I will," I breathed out, pushing the container across the dresser until it was against the wall and far back enough for me to lean down and rest on the surface. "I'm just looking for something that I know for sure that I packed up, it was one of the first things I put away."

"You can't search for it tomorrow, sweetie?" she quizzed with a frown now twisting her face. "Is it something you need this evening, right this minute, even?"

"Nah, not really. I'm just afraid I left it in the old apartment back in LA and it's too late to get it back."

"Oh," My mom didn't quite know what to say beyond that, seeing as though whatever I was feigning to have in my possession seemed to be extremely important to me, so important it was stressing me out to know it wasn't in the place I believed I placed it. "Well, maybe you're overlooking it. That often happens when we're tired," she added as a matter of fact.

"Yeah, maybe you're right." I muttered, brushing my hands down my face as a yawn crept up on me. "Look at you, coaxing me into a sleep with your back rubs. It's a spell, I tell you."

"Always worked when you were a kid and always will," she shrugged off before I stood up straight and felt her hands fall from my back. I turned around with my arms opened wide and cradled her body, hauling her close to my chest as she wrapped her own around my waist. "There were times when I wasn't sure where you were headed. I was nervous that you'd keep making the same mistakes and never grow, never heal and rid those things stunting your growth. I was afraid I hadn't done enough or did well enough when it came to raising you. My biggest fear was that I failed you, but now I see that it only took time. And with time, every single day, month and year, you've matured as you should have. This strong, selfless man you have become makes me more than proud," she concluded as I felt her tears seeping through my t-shirt.

"Come on ma, stop crying. Please?" I nearly begged as she sniffled and pulled herself away from my chest to smile up at me weakly. "I hope I keep making you proud."

"I know you will, I'm sure of it. Now, let me leave you be. Call me if you all need anything," Her voice was now stern in comparison to a minute ago while tears still managed to sneak from her eyes. "You hear me?" she pointed her finger at me as I nodded and held my hands up in defense.

"I got it," I swore as she turned on her heels and followed the trail to the door, then headed downstairs with me right on her tail.

Once she stepped foot outside, I kept my eyes locked to her with my body leaned against the door frame, making sure she was tucked into her car safely until she pulled off. Even when she finally did, I remained still and took a moment to scan the new block that my family would now be residing on. I examined every tree and their fresh leaves hanging over the yard and it's piercing green grass. I admired the sun as it peaked from behind the clouds and cast shadows of branches along the y-shaped road that cars seemed to rarely frequent, and across the street was a small park whose center held a pond that could be seen from the front door.