After Nashon returned back to his classy life he couldn't stop thinking about the hood. He didn't realize how much he missed his friends and family and the barbeques. He was starting to feel homesick. Tiffany hardly visited, and he was starting to feel alone. A few months went cross and he was constantly thinking about some smothered ribs. Tiffany came by as usual, to bring him his vegan meals and went home. Those ribs are calling my name. Man, I want some rib shack ribs so bad. He thought. Nashon decided to take a drive to the hood, it was around 7 and he didn't have anything better to do. His mouth was watering thinking about those ribs. He had thrown on some sweats and a white T and jumped into the Lambo. Nashon drove through slowly taking in every memory he had from his old stomping ground.
As he came across the grocers he saw a young lady walking with two bags of groceries. She looked like she was struggling. Nashon wand down his tinted window and asked her if she would like a ride. Yes, please, she said as she got close to the car. He got out and took her groceries from her and placed them on the back seat. She jumped in the passenger's side.
Wow, I never seen a car like this. This must be expensive. Ya it did cost a pretty penny. How far you're going? Oh, just three blocks to Elm Street. Ok cool. Nashon really wasn't interested in conversation, but he was trying to be polite. I've never seen this car come through here before. Do you live around here? No, I did. What brings you back? I'm just passing through. Well, thank you for giving me a lift those bags were getting pretty heavy. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it three more blocks. No problem. Is this your block? It's the 2nd house. Thank you again she said as she jumped out. Nashon got out to pass her bags to her. He watched from the car as she walked away. She has a nice round little ass on her too, He thought. Aye! She turned around as she placed the keys in the door. I didn't get your name. It's Serenity.
Serenity, you have a number? Ya, I do. Nashon had never had any urge to cheat on Tiffany, but I guess the macho instinct in him cut in for a second. He didn't plan on calling her, but it couldn't hurt to maybe get a number for old times sake. He put her number in his phone and drove off to go to the rib shack.
Nashon was back to his same routine work, gym then home. He went to the gym in his building. Tiffany stopped by for a little while and cooked up a meatless dish. They sat by the window and discussed their day and she went home. Nashon wanted to her ask her to spend the night whenever she came over, but he got tired of her rejecting the idea. After he took a shower he laid in his bed with his hands behind his head and was thinking.
He was tired of not having any companionship nights. He just needed someone around to talk to. He looked at his phone and remembered Serenity. It had been a few weeks since she gave him her number, but he thought what the hell it won't hurt to have a little friendly conversation. He messaged the number and said "hi". She responded back almost immediately with "hey". He sat up, he wasn't expecting her to respond right away. This is Nashon. I gave you a lift a few weeks ago. Hey Nashon. What's up? What you up to? I'm just here in my room chilling. Serenity responded. I was thinking about coming that way for some wings. I was wondering if you want to keep me company. Ok, she replied. Nashon wasn't really thinking through what he was doing. He just knew he was ready to get out of the house. He threw on a black T with some grey sweats and caught the elevator to the garage.
Nashon text Serenity when he arrived in front of her house and said "Here". She came out in an olive green spaghetti strap top, some black joggers and some white converses. She had her medium length hair pulled back in a ponytail and her ends looked like she needed a serious trim. She had a slim frame with skinny legs, nice size breast and a little bop tail. She had a pretty face that had a natural innocence, a beautiful brown skin tone with dark brown eyes. She definitely wasn't no Tiffany though. She couldn't even compare.
When looking at Serenity, Nashon convinced himself that it's no way he would cross the line. He loved Tiffany and couldn't imagine cheating on her. Hey Nashon. Your back in the hood. Yeah just wanted to go for a little drive. I wanted to stop to Freddie's and get some wings. Oh, I love Freddie's wings Serenity said. Ya? What types your favorite? I always get the honey barbeque. Oh ya? Well, I'm a buffalo guy myself.
You want to get a drink first a breezer or something. Ya, I'll take a mango WKD please. Nashon pulled up to the corner store. All the hood guys looked nervously, when seeing an unfamiliar tinted car pull up.
When Nashon got out they relaxed. That's you Nash? They fisted him as he walked up. That shit look clean. When he was coming out he could see the guys circling the car to get a closer look. Serenity pulled her window down and said; "Don't even think about putting your greasy fingers on this car". No sis you straight they said holding their hands up. Nashon smirked as he thought about how nervous Tiffany would have been if it was her.
Nashon stopped at Freddie's and ordered two orders of 9 wings and a large order of shoestring fries. He drove to a parking lot outside the basketball court. There were a few guys still playing a friendly game. He gave Serenity her wings. So what you do? Your some kind of big drug dealer or something? Nashon looked at her and smirked. He could tell she was definitely one to speak her mind. Na actually I'm a stockbroker. A stockbroker? From the hood? Ya a stockbroker from the hood. Nashon chuckled. So what's that like? Well, it's not that hard really, you just have to talk to a lot of people every day. That's it? Shit, I could do that. Nashon chuckled again. You know what Serenity you probably could. Nah, I want to be a nurse. A nurse really? Why did you decide that? I like helping people and growing up I was always caring for my mother. I figured nursing will come natural for me. Is your mother sick? No, she's an alcoholic, but yes you can say that's definitely a sickness. I'm sorry to hear that Serenity. It's cool, I'm used to it now. So, how are you going to reach your goal of becoming a nurse? Well, I'm in my first year of nursing school. In three more years I'll graduate as an RN. Looks like your already on the right track.
Nashon couldn't help but notice how Serenity ate her chicken wings. She ate all the chicken off until the bone was bare. I don't know what it is, but it's something sexy about a woman who can clean a chicken bone. Nashon thought. He quickly redirected his thoughts. Is it just you and your mother? I have a little brother he's 13. I pretty much take care of him. Do you work? Ya, I work part-time at Pete's grocers, when I'm not in school. At least, I can make enough to bring home groceries.
Nashon stopped and thought about what Serenity was saying. This girl had to do so much just to get by. He couldn't help but to think about Tiffany who's only worry is missing a nail appointment. Nashon leaned back and drank his Heineken.
They sat in silence for a little while. Can I put some music on? Serenity asked. Oh ya sure. Serenity fixed the dial to the local station. Oh, they're playing tune. Serenity rapped along and Nashon joined in. they laughed at the fact that they both knew all the words. Nashon hadn't laughed like that in a while. Nashon drove Serenity to her door and she thanked him for the wings. No thank you for keeping me company.
Serenity waved as she walked off. Nashon got home around 11:30 feeling good. He felt like he had a fun night. Serenity was cool. He smiled as he dozed off thinking about his new friendship.
Nashon followed his same routine work, gym, home. Tiffany spent the night over the weekend. He was happy to be able to have some companionship at night. Tiffany drilled him about how many books he had finished and gave him another one to add to his list. He was glad she didn't have any boujie party's planned over the weekend. At times, it felt a little exhausting mingling with the rich and entitled. Tiffany always made sure everything was in place when she came over. She disliked clutter and needed everything in order. Even though Nashon had a cleaner come over twice a week, she still got on him if he left his shoes outside the closet or forgot to fold the towel back properly after he used it. Tiffany was definitely a perfectionist.
Nashon was talking to Serenity more and more on the phone nights when Tiffany didn't come over. They didn't talk about anything sexual just mainly about things they liked doing and different obstacles they were facing. Nashon was definitely considering Serenity a good friend, a homegirl. She was really cool, funny and down to earth. Nashon never mentioned Tiffany to her though, he wanted to keep his relationship private.
One night, he figured he'll take Serenity for a drive since her mother was stressing her out. He took her out of the hood along the coast. This is beautiful. It feels good to get out the hood sometimes. Nashon knew how Serenity felt, but at the same time, he was missing the hood. It was something about Serenity that was helping to fill that void. Serenity was 24, six years younger than Nashon, but she definitely had maturity to her. One thing the hood can grow you up really fast. She was very smart and often shared some of her knowledge from her studies on the human anatomy. They were so comfortable being open with one another. They each acknowledged their hurt from not having a father growing up. Serenity confided in Nashon that she had an older brother that got mixed up in the gang and was killed and that's why her mother drinks so much. He shared his pain about his mother's passing. She was actually the only person he had shared his true feelings with on the subject.
They had a good cry together and then cracked jokes and laughed together. Nashon felt like he can be himself again. Not Shaun, but Nashon. After he dropped Serenity home that night he couldn't stop thinking about her. He would find himself randomly laughing in his office thinking about a joke she told. She had the most infectious laugh. They could laugh for hours at the same joke just cause her laugh made him laugh.
YOU ARE READING
The Ladder
RomantizmA sexy, seductive novel about an ambitious young man from the hood, who faces obstacles when trying to balance his new life in a high powered corporate world with the life he left behind. Nashon is an ambitious young man, who faces obstacles after m...
