Chapter 10: KYENNA - A Street King's Widow

Since I had gotten in late last night, I spent the day relaxing. I woke up for the first morning feeling refreshed. It took me some time to get here. Some days were better than others, but every day that I kept myself busy and tried not to think about how life had shifted, the better I dealt with it. Jaharee had already called and told me that we were going out later, so I was just cleaning out my closet to stay occupied. It was either that or take my ass to work, and I really deserved a break. As I sat on the floor with my legs crossed and going through my things, my phone started ringing from security outside.

“Hey.”

“I have Lloyd out here.”

“You can let him in,” I said, getting up from the floor.

I changed out of my robe and put something on. By the time I made it downstairs, he was making his way to the door. Lloyd had become very beneficial in this transition. Rah had some properties that I didn’t want to deal with because some of the tenants occupying them were already getting on my nerves. Two of the commercial buildings I was trying to sell.

“I hate to bother you, but I stopped by Flush first, and they said you were home.”

“You’re fine. Come in.” I stepped aside.

“I got some good news.”

“I can use some good news.”

“I have one of the commercial properties sold for you, and they accepted your price.”

“Damn, I was expecting to go back and forth with the pricing.”

“I hate that you’re letting it go. It’s in such a good area and the money is plentiful.”

“I don’t care anything about money, Lloyd. I don’t want the headache when one of the store owners in that plaza calls and says something needs to be fixed. I know for Rah that shit was easy, but running Flush is enough. If I could sell all the properties, I would.”

“I understand. How have you been holding up?”

“Depends on the day.” I shrugged.

“I hate you’re going through this. Rah had become a very good friend of mine.”

We both stood at the table in silence, like we both got caught up in our own thoughts.

“Well, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I have the papers here. You want to take a seat as we walk through them?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I didn’t even offer you a seat.”

“It’s fine.” He chuckled.

He went over each page and answered any questions that I had about the deed. I knew numbers, but Lloyd had taught me so much over the last few weeks when it came to owning properties. I signed my name and sat the pen down.

“I really appreciate you for helping me through this process.”

“I don’t mind at all. Rah made me promise that I would make sure you were taken care of in the event anything happened to him. So, I’m at your service.”

“I can’t believe he took the time to set all of this up for his family.”

“Rah was a solid nigga…I mean, man.”

“Lloyd, you can be yourself around me. If you dealt with Rah, then you know how his mouth was. Besides, I can see through the professional act.” I laughed.

“I hide it that bad?”

“I’ve been around men like you all my life. Smart and street. It’s cool.” I shrugged.

“Well, Rah was a solid man. He loved you and those kids. His ass refused to leave here and have y’all fighting over money and property.”

“I would have never fought over any of this,” I said, looking around the house. “I love it here, but fighting over material shit is just something I’m not willing to do.”

Lloyd started gathering the papers and placing them back in the folder to place in his briefcase.

“Well, this property is off your hands, and as far as Raya and Ryleigh go, I should have an email within a few days with the results.”

I held my hand up. “You could’ve saved that information. All I’m concerned about is Ryleigh. I haven’t seen her since the funeral, and that was over a month ago. I miss her, but as far as her mama goes, I don’t give one fuck about her.”

“Understood. The only reason I brought it up is due to the estate. If it does not come back in her favor, all of Ryleigh’s funds will return to you.”

“She’s a King. She has Jaharee’s whole face.”

“Rah didn’t doubt that she was his. He was doing this for you.”

“What you mean for me? He didn’t have to prove anything. He did what the fuck he did, and I forgave him.”

“That man regretted cheating on you.”

“Oh, I’m sure he did. Since y’all talked so much, did he tell you what I did?”

“He did.” Lloyd laughed. “And he told me how he begged and pleaded for you to take him. Sometimes going through extreme measures.”

“Tuh, if only you knew the extreme he was talking about.”

Lloyd’s phone went off before I could get too deep into my thoughts. Raya’s presence would always bring me back to the day I found out. I think she loved the fact that she was the one Rah cheated on me with.

“I got to get out of here. I have another appointment in a few.”

“Okay, I appreciate your help,” I said as we walked to the door. “I know I owe you a nice check.”

“Actually, lunch or dinner will do.”

His response took me by surprise. As highly as he talked about Rah. Was this nigga asking me out?

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Nah, just saying you pay me with lunch or dinner. Nothing personal. Just friends.”

“Can I get back to you on that?”

Jaharee was pulling up as we stood at the door. She was early, but I was glad she had pulled up.

“Yeah, you can get back to me on that.”

“Hey, Lloyd,” Jaharee said. “What you doing here?”

“Hey, Jah. Just letting Kyenna sign the paperwork for one of the commercial properties she sold.”

“Oh, okay. It was good seeing you.”

“Same,” he said. “Kyenna, I’ll talk with you later.”

“Yeah,” I said, letting Jaharee in the house.

As soon as I closed the door, Jaharee took in my appearance.

Settle in with a love story.

Head to Lokepub for more romance novels.

“Why the fuck are you not dressed?”

“Heifer, you said noon. It’s a little after eleven.”

“I don’t want to get caught in traffic. So, go get dressed and don’t put on no plain Jane shit. Match my energy,” she said.

“When have I ever stepped out the house plain Jane?”

“You’re right.” Jah laughed.

An hour later, we were in Jaharee’s car jamming to Monaleo. It had been almost two months since I was able to smile, let alone hang with my girl and have a good time. I felt guilty for trying to move on with my life. To me, I thought everyone was watching me and waiting to judge me if I smiled too hard or held a conversation too long. The employees at Royal Flush were the only ones that could slightly get a smile out of me. That was because I didn’t want them to think I was a bitch.

Our first stop was to get our hair done. We had frequented the same salon since I was a part of the King family. We had our own hairstylist who shut down her schedule for a few hours to do our hair. I didn’t mind being in the salon with anyone else, but Jaharee liked her privacy. While Jaharee got her hair done, I was placed under the dryer. I spent this time going through my emails and text messages. So far today, there were no major issues going on at Flush, and I was able to relax my shoulders. Next, we went to get our feet and nails done.

“Jaharee, I really needed this. It seems like forever since I’ve taken care of myself.”

“That’s exactly why I dragged yo’ ass out the house. Them nails were so crusty and busted. You know damn well Rahmelo would’ve cussed you out about looking thrown away.”

“Now wait a minute. I wasn’t looking thrown away. I just hadn’t had any maintenance done since his death. It’s not easy to just move on.”

Jaharee looked over at me. “You don’t think I know that? I’m the baby that both my brothers spoil. It has not been easy for me either, but Rah would not want you waiting around like he’s coming home. You still need to live, Kyenna. There is nothing wrong with getting out of the house and doing the things that you loved to do when he was still living. You had maintenance done weekly.”

“That is so easy for y’all to say. Do you see how you looked at me when you saw Lloyd standing outside my door? Those are the type of looks that make me feel guilty for even talking to people. I feel like everyone is watching to see my next move.”

“Girl, Lloyd.” She laughed. “That is a downgrade from my brother. I was not judging you. I just hadn’t seen Lloyd in forever. He’s been a part of our family for a while. Rah is who introduced him to us. Kyenna, I’m not going to ever judge you. You were more loyal to Rah than he was to you.”

I looked at her like she knew something I didn’t know.

“I’m meaning Ryleigh, Kyenna.”

“Oh, I was about to say.”

“We all gave that nigga hell about you. He knew he fucked up messing with Raya. We had all cut his ass off about you. So, as far as you and our family, we locked in. Live again, Kyenna.”

“Sounds easier than it really is.”

“I didn’t say the shit was easy. I said live, and you keep confusing the two. I’m hungry as fuck.”

“I’m so glad you said that.”

Jaharee drove to the other side of town to our favorite soul food spot called Auntie Mae’s. We found a parking spot and walked up to the door.

“Hey, Kyenna! It’s so good to see you out and about,” one of my daddy’s lady friends said.

There it was. The shit I was just expressing to Jaharee that I didn’t want to deal with. My happiness had instantly drained from me. Jaharee grabbed my hand before I could retreat and put a guard up.

“Come on. I’m hungry.”

We were seated and given menus. I picked the menu up and studied it like I hadn’t been to the restaurant over a dozen times. Jaharee pulled the menu down.

“You ain’t gotta stand there and let a muthafucka give you condolences for the rest of your life. She meant well, but we came to eat. You don’t owe anyone a grief update.”

“That’s what I was trying to explain to you earlier. People look at me different now. It’s just easier to stay out of eyesight.”

“Of course, people see you different, Kyenna. Yo’ fucking husband got murdered.”

“Jaharee, I know.”

“Then stop thinking every look means they’re judging. Some people don’t know what the fuck to say. You know how many people done walked up to me and asked how I’m doing?”

“What do you tell them?”

“I’m fucked up.”

It was the way she said it that made me laugh.

“I’m serious, bitch. What do they want me to say? My brother got killed, and I’m doing amazing?”

“Exactly.”

“So, tell them you’re okay and move the fuck on. That’s what you gotta learn to do. Everybody don’t deserve access to what’s going in here.” She pointed at my chest.

“I’ve been saying I’m fine for so long that I think I’ve convinced myself.”

“You don’t have to lie to me. If you’re not fine, let me know so I can be there for you.”

“Enough of that. Can we eat?”

“Okay, I’m starving, and I’m about to order appetizers.”

“Plural?”

“Um, yes, the fuck?” Jaharee said.

“I think I want a salad.”

“Don’t start that shit. If you sit across from me with that rich widow ass salad, I’m going to snap.”

“Jaharee!”

“What?” She laughed. “Too soon.”

“Way too fucking soon.”

“You are rich though, Sis.”

The waitress walked up, and we ordered enough food for at least four people. Wings, crab dip, fried green tomatoes, and some loaded fries. That was just starters. Then we ordered a few lemon drops to top it off. When the drinks came, Jaharee held her glass up.

“To healing and getting yo’ life back.”

“To healing,” I said and tried to tap her glass.

“Bitch and getting yo’ life back.”

“And getting my life back,” I said with an attitude.

I knew exactly what Jaharee meant. She had no idea how much she had pushed me an inch closer to feeling a little better about trying to move on. Not from grief, but from staying in the same place for too long. My mind was still on the scene where I found my husband. That is where I had been for the last two months. Being with Jaharee today made me happy. I had laughed and smiled until my cheeks were hurting. She had renewed my energy without even really trying. I forgot how much fun we used to have when we linked up. Every woman needed another woman that understood that life had a way of knocking the fuck out of us, and they never judged you. Jaharee had been a beacon of light that I desperately needed.