Page 14

Lo laid back on the bed, playing a game on his Motorola RAZR phone. A knock brought his attention to the door. Seconds later, it opened, and Dax peeked his head inside.

“You busy?”

Lo shook his head and sat up. Dax entered, wearing his usual slacks with a collared shirt and dress shoes. Lo had never seen his father in jeans. He was always dressed to impress and when there was an event, he stepped it up and donned designer suits that were tailored to his tall frame.

“You made that?” he asked.

Lo looked at the robot that sat on his desk. He’d built it in STEM class and brought it home.

“Yeah.”

Dax smirked. “You're the smartest kid I know. Your mama will say you got it from her, but you and I know the truth,” he joked, taking a seat on the bed.

Lo chuckled, awaiting what his father would say. It was rare that Dax came into his room to speak to him. Usually, it was the boys going to his study or bedroom to talk to him.

“I wanted to holla at you about something…” Dax seemed to be in deep thought before he turned to Lo. “I talked to your Mama about that opportunity you were nominated for, and I think you should give it a try.”

Lo gawked, unable to believe the words that had come from Dax’s mouth.

“You said I didn’t have to go.”

“I know.” Dax’s voice unveiled a bit of regret. “But this is a good look. You can learn so much, and you’ll even get scholarships for college.”

A deep sigh pushed from his lungs. Lo had never known his father to go back on his word. Dax’s word was law. He said what he meant, and he never led them astray. Witnessing him fold for his mother left Lo so disappointed in him.

“Look, I know this isn’t what you wanna hear,” Dax continued, “but your mama made some great points about this camp, and I think it would be great for you.”

Lo hopped from his bed, fuming at the reality of Dax changing his mind.

“Why you let her talk you into making me go?”

“I didn’t let her do anything. I heard her out and thought on it. Sometimes, as men, we gotta do some shit we don't wanna do. I see good things coming from this, Lo.”

“So, now I gotta give up my summer to go to a boring-ass camp?”

Dax angled his head, staring at Lo. “It won’t be the entire summer.”

Lo was beyond frustrated. Why did he have to go to a summer camp when all he wanted to do was stay home with his brothers?

He, Meco, and Devyn had plans. They were going to have the summer of their lives now that Devyn had his license.

They wouldn’t have to be chauffeured around by Ada or Dax.

They had unlocked a new level of freedom and now his parents wanted him to give it up for some bullshit summer camp.

“You can be mad at me. I can handle it but in the long run, I think you’ll be glad that we made you go.”

Lo couldn’t see that. There was nothing that would make him appreciate giving up his summer.

Dax stood and held his hand out. “I’ll ask for your forgiveness in advance.”

Lo looked at his hand and opted not to shake it. Somehow, Dax thought this was a joke. As if going back on his word didn’t taint the image Lo had constructed in his mind of his father. He’d hyped him up to let him down in the end. He didn’t see any reason to shake on that.

Dax nodded, placing his hand inside his pocket. “I respect it, Lo, but you’ll be happy that you went.”

“I doubt that,” he mumbled.

“We’ll see. I’ll let you stew in private. Even though you mad at me, Dad loves you.”

Lo smacked his lips just as Dax made his exit.

The annoyance setting up shop inside his mind was enough to make him wreck his bedroom.

He couldn’t wait to grow up and flee the presence of Dax and Ada.

They let Devyn live how he wanted. They never made Meco do anything but here he was, being forced to go somewhere he didn’t want to go, and it vexed him.

Another dream. Lo couldn’t believe he was back in this torment.

This was probably why he chose to torture people because he was a tortured soul himself.

The dreams played out so vividly that he could remember the exact emotion he felt.

He’d never forget the moment his father changed his mind.

That was the night Dax lost Lo, permanently.

He’d never looked at his father the same even until this day.

A man who was once his champion, had transformed into a person he held no respect for.

Lo felt body heat, so he turned his head and noticed Bria laying so close to him that her knee was in his back.

Is this what marriage is? Having a woman fuck up your back while y’all sleep?

Lo sat up and walked to the bathroom to relieve his bladder.

He then splashed water on his face and got back in bed but on the opposite side.

As soon as he got comfortable, Bria turned around and laid close to him.

Normally, he would’ve been annoyed but her body heat felt good, especially since his mind was in a crisis.

“Are you okay?” she asked in a groggy tone.

“Yeah.”

“Then, why did you move?”

“‘Cause you're tearing my back up.”

“…Would you prefer if I slept in another room?”

Lo turned his head. “Why you always go to the extreme?”

“That’s not extreme but your tone is. You said it as if I’m getting on your nerves.”

Fucking women…

He didn’t understand their ability to produce something so ridiculous inside their mind and believe it.

“Am I getting on your nerves?” she quizzed.

“No, Bria.”

“See, why you say it like that?”

Lo turned around, facing her. “I’m really not in the mood to hear you complain. You already bruised my damn back so chill out.”

She snickered. “You're always exaggerating. I didn’t bruise anything and if you would at least show some kind of affection and hold me, I wouldn’t have to put my knee in your back.”

“So, it’s my fault?”

“Basically, yes.”

Yeah, I don't understand women…

Without saying a word, Lo pulled her close so that he could spoon Bria.

He would just have to sacrifice his comfort so she would be quiet about him not showing affection.

Bria didn’t say anything and neither did he.

He hoped his dreams would stay away for the rest of the night so he could get some sound sleep.

When Bria entered her parents’ house, a sense of comfort wrapped around her body.

This would forever be home. The scent was one that brought forth memories that she’d never let go.

She missed being here as she traveled through the lower level.

Settling on the kitchen, she spotted Douglas sitting at the island sipping on coffee while Cecilia was by the stove.

“Hey, y’all,” she greeted, sitting her purse on the counter.

Douglas’ eyes lit when she approached him. Pulling him in for a hug, she held the position for a moment before she let go.

“It’s good seeing you, baby girl. How are you?”

“Well, the guy you hooked me up with is taking me through it. Besides that, life is great.”

Douglas adjusted his body toward her. “Is he hurting you?”

“No, not physically.”

“Do you want me to talk to him?”

Right away, Bria shook her head. She refused to set her dad up to go after her husband. She was too old for that.

“No, I’ll figure it out.” She chuckled, taking a seat next to him. “I came by because I wanted to see you guys and tell you about my performance.”

“You mean the one where you didn’t want us to come?” Cecilia sassed, pouring hot grits in a bowl.

Playfully, Bria rolled her eyes. “Mama, you’ve been to many of my performances. There was no need to come to this one. I didn’t do anything special.”

“Are you kidding me? Every time you touch the stage you do something special. I don't like missing any of your acts.”

“Me either,” Douglas chimed in, “but I respected your wishes and stayed behind.”

Bria had been dancing for so long that her performances weren’t really that special to her anymore. She still loved the art of ballet but having her family present for every performance wasn’t necessary.

Douglas leaned closer to Bria. “I’ve been trying to get your mama to walk around naked since you're finally out of the house.”

Bria immediately scowled, prompting Douglas to laugh.

“You really should grow up,” Cecilia fussed at him.

“What? I wanna see what you workin’ with.” He rose from his seat.

Bria gagged. “I don't want to envision Mama being naked.”

Cecilia raised her brow. “Oh, girl please. Don't act like I don't eat. Ain't that what the kids say nowadays?”

Bria snorted. “Mama, please.”

“Listen, I have some meetings to get to.” He kissed Bria’s forehead. “It was nice seeing you. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye, Dad.”

He rounded the island to give her mother a kiss before walking out the kitchen.

“What’s on your mind?” Cecilia asked. “Is Lo stressing you out that bad?”

Angling her head, Bria replied, “Isn’t it obvious?”

Nodding, she told her, “You don’t look happy. What’s going on?”

“Mama,” she stressed. “Lo is wearing me out.”

“In what way?”

“He’s so mean and guarded. We don't do anything together. I try to talk to him, and he don't give me much. We don't go anywhere. He comes and goes like a single man, and I’m tired of not connecting with my husband.”

Cecilia sat down across from her and bit a piece of toast. “Have you spoken to him about it?”

“Spoken to him? He won’t even hold a conversation that last for more than five minutes. I want more from him, but he won’t budge. What should I do?”

Bria was so aggravated with the course of her marriage. Why were they still at first base after being married for over a month? Why was it so easy for Lo to shut down on her? Something had to be wrong with him. The man barely smiled and when he did it was because he had done something to annoy her.

“Marriage can be mentally taxing.”

“It shouldn’t be after a month.”

“It doesn’t matter the time. There are good seasons and then there are troubling seasons.”

“Well, you and Dad have been married for a long time so tell me what to do to get through to Lo.”