The Stranger

Chapter 21

breath•ing
noun
the process of taking air into and expelling it from the lungs

                                    * * * * * * * *

"Remind me again." He said. "Remind you of what?" I asked, slightly tilting my head in a flirty motion. Within a short period of time, I learned that he craved reassurance; and within this period, I learned that I wanted to be his assurance. He released a low chuckle before speaking. "Remind me, why you did all of this?" "Why not?" I asked. "You're crazy." He replied. "Being crazy, is what got me here." I replied back quickly. He shook his head in disbelief. "Are you hungry?" I noticed how quickly he changed the subject. "I'm starved." I replied. He pressed his lips together while placing the car in reverse.

We found a quiet parking lot, where we discussed everything under the moonlight. And for once in my life, it finally felt good to breathe again. My world was crashing down in front of me; heartbreaks, ex-best friends, new rivals and now speculations of my parents getting a divorce. I'm more than certain word traveled quickly in my family, as my mom isn't known for keeping her mouth shut. As he drove down the empty streets, he released a shaky sigh. "I've been wanting to ask you something." He said finally. "Ask me what?" I asked.

"Well, what happened back there at the restaurant? How do you know my cousin Tray?" Fuck.. I knew this question was coming soon. I sucked in my bottom lip, while twiddling my thumbs in nervousness. I couldn't lie and I didn't respond fast enough for his liking. "How do you know Tray?" He asked again. "I.. I met him at school." Lie. He sucked his teeth at my response. "Stop lyin' to me. Tray graduated a couple of years back. Now.. tell me, how you know Tray?" "I met him through Yazmeen." I blurted out. "Of course." He mumbled. "What do you mean by that?" I asked in curiosity.

He gripped tightly onto the steering wheel while making an illegal U-Turn. "You're a good girl, Dazie." He responded. I pushed my eyebrows together. "Okay? Why would you say that? I wouldn't consider myself that much of a good girl." "Yazmeen and Tray thrive off drama, Dazie. If they could drag you in.. they will." "What does that have to do with me being a good girl?" I asked. "Because, I can tell you're not the type of girl to indulge in drama. And if you ever have.. I know it's not you. You're not that girl." He replied while shaking his head lightly. I remained quiet at his response. For someone whose only known me for less than 24 hours, he understood more about me than I did about myself.

"Do you think I'm a poser?" I asked, while glancing out of the foggy window. "A poser?" He chuckled before continuing. "No, I don't think you're a poser Dazie. I think you're still trying to find yourself in this fucked up world.. shit, I think we all are." I lowered my head down and stared at my muddy shoes. "I think.. I am lost." I responded finally. He quickly glanced over at me, and in that moment he sensed I needed someone. Without hesitation, he pulled over into a CVS parking lot. "I thought we were going to get food." I said with confusion in my tone. "We are. After this." He said, as he put the car in park. "I.. I don't understand." I said. "You don't have to understand everything right now." He said as he released a sigh.

He reached for my tiny hands, gripping them tightly. Before he spoke another word he closed his eyes, and the words fell from his lips like water. "She's not lost Father. She's not confused Father. Remind her of who You are; remind her of who she is. I pray for peace to fall upon her. I pray that you guide her into a healthy relationship with You." As he continued to pray for me, tears streamed down my cheeks. My breathing increased with each word, as I felt the presence of God fall between us. "Amen." He said. I followed his lead. "Amen." His gaze met mine, and we stayed present in the moment. The intensity between us made the entire world stop. "You're not lost." He whispered. "You're the stranger." I mumbled.