Encounter

ᴜɴᴅᴇʀsᴛᴀɴᴅɪɴɢ.

——— Mahalia's POV ———
My alarm sounded on my phone and I turned over and stopped it. Since my old phone had gotten lost in the accident, Keyon was generous enough to buy me an iPhone 6. I didn't want anything big, because like I said, I was saving up for a new Honda. I promise when I found out who those bitches were, I was gonna make them gimme all they money. I turned over and got out of my bed and went to take a hot shower.

I undid the cast on my knee and slowly stepped in so that I wouldn't apply too much pressure onto it. I showered for about forty-five minutes and then I got out and dried myself thoroughly before applying deodorant and brushing my teeth. I then put on my uniform and called Zaire through Messenger so he could pick me up. I was almost at my goal so I could almost get my car!

Zai Da Don ~ "Mornin' I didn't forget about you. I'm about to put on my clothes I just took a shower."

Mahalia DaBaee ~ "Okay, I wrote down my address yesterday for you and left it in your car.. see you soon."

I hung up the phone and went to eat some breakfast. I cooked two omelets and ate some souse meat so I would be full enough. I got tired of eating damn Dominos Pizza. It was okay for the first month of working there but then I grew tired of it. I watched some Criminal Minds before Zaire called me to let me know he was pulling up.

I grabbed my bag and phone charger and I locked my apartment door and walked down to stand by a bench. Soon enough, Zaire pulled up in a jeep and I hopped in.

"Good mornin, this whip is nicceeeee." I ran my hands over the interior and buckled my seatbelt. He had Chief Keef playin in the background and I lightly bobbed my head to the beat. I then placed my bag between my legs.

"What it do? You ate?" Zaire turned down his radio and buckled his seat belt as well before we pulled off. It smelled nice in here, like the little air fresheners that they give you at the car cleaners.

"Yea, I did. Did you?" He hit a sharp turn and my hat almost flew off my head. Luckily I hat my damn seatbelt on or me and that hat would be out the window. I turned and looked at his black ass like he had three heads.

"My n*gga, what the fuck was that? You almost knocked my damn wig off my head." He bust out laughing and I reached over to hit his arm.

"You ain't even wearing no fucking wig, plus you looking good with that short fro. Although, I kinda miss the lion mane." He smiled and turned again, this time slowly turning his way into Dominos.

"Thanks, I like it too. Also, here's your gas money." I placed $30 on the seat and closed his door and quickly walked off into the building before he could reject it.

"Good morning, Mahalia. I have big news." Analeese came running up to me and hugged me ever so tightly. It kinda hurt, so I had to remind her about the accident.

"Analeese, my ribs! Remember girl? But what's up?"

I clocked in and went around the counter to begin making the dough. We always prepped the ingredients before customers came in because we did not want them waiting for hours for a box of pizza.

"I'm sorry about that, but, remember when you covered my shift for me? I know you do. Anyway, my boyfriend is doing better and he's out of ICU. God is good!"

"All the time!! That's great news, Analeese. I'm glad he's doing okay. I remember that day like it was yesterday, I was rude to you because I was thinking you wanted me to cover so your ass could go party."

Analeese laughed while holding her head back. Every way she turned, she looked like a natural born model. She was stunning, it's like she could work anywhere with those God given looks but she chose to work here with me.

"No, girl. Thank you for covering my shift for me. I thank you lots. Also, how is your knee doing? I see the cast, do you need any help?"

She came closer and began helping me make the dough. I shook my head no and we just chatted it up until the customers started pouring in. She told me that he was doing so much better and that he was going to the same therapy place that I go to every week. I was glad that he was okay, she always talked about him and they shared a bond that I felt as soon as they were in the room together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the end of my work shift and Analeese drove me to the bookstore. I figured I would call another Uber to go home but she offered a ride. I said my thanks and see you later, and I opened the door to the bookstore.

"Well, hello there, sugar. Long time no see." The salt and pepper haired lady spoke to me again. I remember her warm and comforting smile and that made me smile. She greeted me with a hug and flipped her hair behind her ear and fixed her glasses.

"I am so sorry, I haven't been around because I was in the hospital recovering. And before you ask, yes ma'am I am okay and yes ma'am it was an accident. I'm getting better everyday. I just dropped by to return these books and see how you were doing because I know you've been expecting me."

I leaned on the counter and she took the books back and pressed the return sticker in each of them. Then she began typing on the computer. I'm guessing that was to let me know that my books were now turned in, but were overdue. So I gave her the $5 for the fee and we chatted.

"I got married. Again." She blurted out and then I shook my head and laughed. She ain't have no business getting married at such an age.

"Congrats then! I love your ring. I already thought you were married." She showed me her ring and even let me try it on after asking to see my hands. It didn't fit quite perfect but it was beautiful on her finger.

"Love has no age, it does not boast, and it does not envy. The first time was to a drunk ass, bald skunk. This time, it's to a professor. He's great."

I took in what she told me and nodded understanding. Maybe me and Keyon were meant to be, we just did it at the wrong time.

"Why'd you cut your hair, sweetie?" She frowned and leaned up and touched my kinky curls.

"Well, I had to. Don't worry, it will grow back soon and I will wear it out each time I come in here for you to see."

She smiled at me and then we said our goodbyes and I walked out. I let what she told me sink in and then I kept thinking about it as I found an Uber driver on the app. Instead of clicking a random one, I started going down the line and finding one who seemed nicer than the last. I didn't even a good feeling about that last one, so I stuck to finding one instead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I got home around seven thirty and by then I was tired. I was happy for Analeese, and I was happy for the old woman who found love again. I was even happy for my Dad because he seemed happy dating that old heathen. Shit, I was happy for my lesbian ass sister who had a new girlfriend every two months. But, when was I gonna be happy?

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Y'all I'm almost at four hundred reads! Thank you all for reading, I feel a whole lot better too. Y'all are why I write. It's crazy how I started with twenty and now I'm almost at four hundred. I didn't even expect this to happen. Thank you.💕
Be safe and Beautiful!

✨ Kia