I laughed so hard that I fell out of my chair.
Catastrophe
Molaysia
The family reunion was exactly what I needed. It was a blessing to be able to share so many memories and laughter with loved ones. The only downer was when it was time to go.
I said my tearful goodbyes and promised to return soon. Then, I got in my car and began the trek back to Atlanta.
Music kept me company as I headed home. I was barely an hour out of Memphis, and already I was missing my family. I called Leesha just to tell her that I loved her.
"Aww, I love you too, Cuz," she gushed.
We talked for a few minutes then said goodbye. Traveling down the interstate, I began thinking about my life. Where was it leading me? I wondered.
It was hard at times to live in Georgia. I felt lonely not having family there, but I loved Atlanta. The city was diverse and had a lot to offer. The people were friendly, like back home, and the weather wasn't so bad. There were many tourist attractions and great restaurants.
I felt fulfilled in my career, but my love life hadn't been so wonderful. I wanted to be in love with someone who would love me back. Blunt had really taken my kindness for weakness. His type of love, I'd learned, was not love at all.
I didn't know what to expect out of the relationship that was building with Rocco. I knew that he made me laugh and feel good about life again, but I was not going to rush anything.
Too late for that, the tingle between my legs reminded me. I squeezed my thighs together to quell the desire that had begun to mount just that fast in the valley down below. Reminiscing on the way Rocco had loved me down the other night sent sparks shooting through my private paradise.
The sound of my cell phone ringing over the low decibel of the music reached my ears. I fumbled in the bottom of my cluttered purse until I found the phone.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Mo’. . . somebody killed him!”
I could not make out the caller's hysterical voice other than recognizing that it was a woman.
“Who is this?” I asked, feeling perturbed.
“Aniyah. He's dead, Mo. Somebody killed my brother. Oh god! Rocco has been killed,” she sobbed.
The realization of what she had said hit me so hard, the phone slipped from hand. “Nooo!” I cried out. This could not be happening.
I picked my cell phone up off the floorboard and put it back to my ear. My body rocked back and forth as I tried to keep my hand steady on the steering wheel. I maneuvered over onto the shoulder of the highway until I could clear my eyes of the tears that poured down. Cars zipped by with a whoosh.
Rocco . . . dead? Not just dead but killed.
It had to be a dream. My mouth hung open while my heart shattered. I couldn’t even speak for a few minutes because I didn’t know what to say. All that I could hear in my ear was Aniyah crying hysterically.
“How was he killed?” I finally asked.
When Aniyah told me, I knew who was responsible for Rocco's death. There wasn't a single doubt in my mind.
“I’m so sorry, this is all my fault.” I broke down again.
“What do you mean? Do you know something about this?” She urged me to tell what it was I knew.
I pulled myself together and told her that we would talk when I got back. “I'm only an hour away now,” I said.
“Okay,” she replied just above a whisper. I could hear the hurt and pain in her voice.
I ended the call and laid my head against the steering wheel. I asked myself could I be wrong. Maybe Blunt had nothing to do with this. I wanted to believe that, but I recalled his threat. You can have Rocco. That nigga ain't built like me, and I'ma show you. I'ma see you at that nigga's funeral.
I was shuddering as I pulled back on the interstate. Tears blurred my vision, so I did not see the small white vehicle zooming towards me until it was right up on me. Tires screeched, then bam! My head smacked against the windshield from the impact, and my car spun around in a complete circle. I opened my mouth to scream, but everything faded to black.
Trying To Hold On
Molaysia
When I awoke, I was being wheeled into the Emergency Room on a