Page 15 of Blake University HBCU Chronicles: Archer & Destiny

THIRTEEN

Destiny

The air inside of Archer’s car felt heavy when he climbed back in. Destiny could feel it before she saw it. Pain radiated off him like heat, it thickened in the air and pressed against her chest until her own heart hurt. Archer didn’t look at her or say a word.

He just stared through the windshield, his breath ragged, jaw tight like he was trying to swallow down all of his pain and bury it.

“Baby,” Destiny said softly.

Her voice cracked as she reached over and placed her warm hand on his forearm.

The moment her skin touched his, she felt him tremble until his body quaked.

A single tear fell, landing on his shirt, followed by many more.

He pressed his lips together and shook his head like he was trying his hardest to hold it all in.

He felt like letting it all out would destroy him. It angered him that he couldn’t check his emotions.

Destiny’s heart twisted so hard for him; she couldn’t stop her own tears from falling just as fast as Archer’s.

She shifted in her seat and ignored the stiff ache in her knees.

She leaned in closer so she could slip her hand to the back of his neck, her thumb stroked there, trying to calm him the best she could.

“I’m right here, you can let it all out. You can’t try to bury pain. When you let it out, it makes it easier to forgive and move past it all so you can live.” She stated softly.

That was something her father told her after she got shot.

Destiny was so wrapped up in hate from the betrayal of her so-called best friend at the time, that she couldn’t heal properly.

Her father told her over and over to let out all of her sadness and pain so she could move on from it and not be buried in it.

Archer’s head dropped; his chin touched his chest. His shoulders shook once then twice before a broken breath tore out of him.

“They lied to me…” He whispered, voice hoarse, thick with grief and rage.

“My father lied… he fucking lied. My mother…she—” His breath caught, and he swallowed hard like the words were shards in his throat.

“She died last year, Destiny… She died, probably thinking I didn’t want her or need her. They took me from her, robbed her of being a fucking mother to me.”

A sob broke loose, his chest rose and fell like he couldn’t find enough air.

Destiny’s tears kept falling silently down her cheeks as she moved closer. She pressed her forehead to the side of his, wanting her warmth to comfort him.

“I’m so sorry.” She whispered over and over.

She wished she could pull the hurt out of him, take it into herself and bury it somewhere so he’d never have to feel it again. She wished she could be the one to go back in time and give that little boy, torn from his mother’s arms, the love he should have had, all the warmth he deserved.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, nor did you deserve this shit.” She said, letting her lips brush against the side of his face.

His breathing shuddered; tears wetted the hand she pressed to his cheek. She pulled back just enough so he could see her, she wanted him to see the fire in her eyes through the tears. Destiny was ready to roll them all over inside of that house for hurting him.

“Put me in my wheelchair.” She said suddenly.

“Right now.” She frowned, ready to protect her man.

Archer blinked back his tears in confusion.

“What?” He asked.

“I said put me in my chair.” She repeated, her lips stretched into a mischievous smile.

“I’m about to roll my ass in there and cuss every single one of them the fuck out for what they did to you! They got you fucked the hell up!” Her quirky proper voice sounded off.

A small laugh broke out of Archer, his tears continued to stream down his face as a crooked pained grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. Destiny’s chest lifted, her own laughter bubbled out through her anger for what Archer had gone through.

“I’m smiling but I’m so serious.” She wiped at her chubby cheeks with the back of her hand.

“I don’t give a damn if it’s the mayor, your father, Karen with her dry brittle-head ass, or your stuck-up ass siblings! I’m about to light every single one of them up and roll bounce on their asses!” Her voice elevated.

Archer was no good after what she said. He let out a full broken laugh this time. His hurt eased just enough for him to breathe. He turned toward her fully, his eyes red with glistening tears. He cupped the back of her neck and pulled her forehead to his.

“You just as crazy as me…” He whispered; his breath was warm against her lips.

“When my father first admitted that shit…I was ready to fuck him up — and his precious ass house. He tried to say he was divorcing Karen, and I saw the guilt riding him hard, but it felt like that wasn’t enough.

I was ready to go to jail, Destiny…. but then…

I thought about you out in this car. I thought about ruining my life because of my anger and having to be away from you when we just started.

I love you…I’m in love with you. I also know that we got each other.

I finally feel real love, like somebody wants me and not under rare conditions.

I don’t need you going in there showing out for me.

You being in this car is enough, crazy girl. ” He smiled genuinely.

“I’m crazy about you, Archer…I’m in love with you, too…I just thought it was too soon to say it.” She admitted.

“Nothing is ever too soon, time is just time. There’s no time frame on when a person can feel something as raw as what we share together.” He whispered.

For a moment, the world outside didn’t exist. It was just them and the weight of what they both survived from the past and present. There was an unspoken promise that they would both face whatever came next together.

Archer pulled back, taking a deep, grounding breath. Turning the key, the engine to his Charger rumbled as it came to life.

“I promised to show you my place, so that’s where we headed.” He smiled, feeling a little better.

“Okay, let’s go home.” Destiny squeezed his fingers.

As they pulled away from the estate, Destiny looked over at Archer.

She was determined to make sure that he didn’t have to go through this pain alone.

She also would wait until he felt ready to talk about what all his father said about his mom.

Destiny thought about the family his real mom left behind.

When the time was right, Destiny wanted to support him in meeting his real family.