Page 49 of Ghetto Heartstrings

“Hey ya’ll.” She spoke to everybody and hugged her brother first; he kissed her on the cheek. “I love you lil sis.”

“I love you too.”

“I want to show ya’ll something.” She said, “Come follow me.” She led them to the grave. Perfect didn’t know what was going on, but he followed anyway.

“Shit, yo guess is as good as mine baby but I’ll be glad when we get there.” He told her.

When they made it to the grave Brook’Lynn smiled. “Look ya’ll.”

Heaven’s tombstone had finally arrived, and it was beautiful. It was a beautiful charcoal marble, and a picture of a baby angel was engraved with Heaven’s first and last name engraved in cursive on the wings.

“This is beautiful baby.” Perfect smiled and pulled her close to him.

“It really is.” Marley gushed. “Just look at it.”

Wise stepped up with the colorful flowers he had in his hand and placed them on the grave. “Unc love you lil mama.”

“This is so pretty friend.” Yaya gushed. “You didn’t even show me.”

“I wanted everybody to see it at the same time,” she said.

Boom blew a sigh of relief, “So we really wasn’t having a picnic here, right? Cause I was hoping this nigga was just talking out his ass.” He laughed, pointing to Perfect.

Brook’Lynn laughed to, “No, I was just in my feelings when I mentioned that part, but this is all I wanted ya’ll to see. With so much going on I felt like we couldn’t really give the proper goodbye so I kind of wanted to do that now. Ya’ll come pray with me.”

They all stepped up and somebody touched somebody as Brook’Lynn led the prayer, when she was finished, they all spoke their peace. In reality what happened was tragic, however, little Heaven was where it started in order for them to appreciate life and put all the pieces back together.

“Thanks, ya’ll.”

“Aww you know we love you, Brook.” Kema told her as all of the girls stood there in a circled hug like they were getting ready to hit the football field.

“I need a joint.” Wise said stuffing his hands in his pockets, “this been one crazy ass year.” He told him.

“Nigga stop exaggerating.” C2 laughed, “it ain’t been no damn year.”

Boom chimed in, “Shit, nigga with all the shit going on round this bitch a year sounds much better.” He said, causing everybody to laugh.

“Let’s walk to the front and spark up, fuck it. Let them have their lil girl talk, I’m sure they got some shit to catch up on.” C2 said.

Perfect looked back over his shoulder to check on Brook’Lynn.

C2 wrapped one arm over his brother’s shoulder, “Don’t trip,” he told him. “She gon’ be aiight, she good.” He told him knowing how hesitant that nigga was to leave her alone sometimes thinking he might not see her again.

“Yeah…you right.” He told him.

They made it to the front and smoked in rotation for the next thirty minutes until they heard the giggling from the girls coming. They all had their heels off and were holding them in their hands, all except for Kema since she convinced Yaya to try to carry her.

“Ya’ll ready?” Brook’Lynn asked.

“Who cooking'?” C2 grabbed his growling stomach. “A nigga is hungry, and ya’ll know it’s like pullin’ teeth trying to get a meal out of Kema.”

She playfully threw her shoe at him, “Shut the fuck up, the lies you tell.”

“You know I’m just playin’ baby.” He winked at her.

“I’ll cook.” Marley volunteered. Everybody got silent. “Whattt? I can cook.” She rolled her eyes.

“We don’t want no white ass half seasoned food Marley.” Yaya chuckled.

“I bet I can out cook all you niggas standing in front of me.” She rolled her eyes, “Now try me.”

Wise couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t be knowing this gangster side till she get around ya’ll bad influence asses.”

“Whatever.” She mumbled.

They all followed each other to Marley’s house next where as promised, she immediately started to throw down leaving Yaya, Kema, and Brook’Lynn alone while the guys went out back by the pool to play spades.

“What happened with you Yaya?” Brook’Lynn asked her, wondering why she decided to officially come back.

“Right bitch,” said Kema, “cause I been waiting on this convo.” She scooted to the edge of the seat.

Yaya took a deep breath and shook her head, “Ya’ll know the saying that some things are better left unsaid…well let’s just say this is one of those moments, just know I’ve went through some shit, and I learned my lesson.”

“So, it’s like that?” Kema questioned rolling her eyes.

Yaya chuckled, “Don’t be like that.”

“I can respect that.” Brook’Lynn told her. “I’m just glad you’re back.”

Yaya nod her head, “How’s the arm?”

“My rotator cuff hurts off and on but other than that, I’m healing taking it day by day.”

“Good.” She told her friend, reaching for her cup of Gin.

They continued on with their girl talk until it was time to eat and they had to admit, Marley actually put her fucking foot, soul, and life in that damn food to the point that everybody had to give her props and was too full to move afterward.

Brook’Lynn made her way to the restroom to use it and get a moment to herself.

She looked at herself in the mirror and didn’t even care about the scars, she saw a fighter and a survivor and Lord knows she was too blessed to be stressed.

She walked out and was greeted by Perfect who was waiting for her.

“Shit!” She jumped, “You scared me.”

“You aint even gotta be scared no more tho.” He kissed her lips.

“I know bae, I’m trying.”

“So, look, I was thinking…”

“About?” She asked with a raised brow.

“I think we should give it another shot and go half on a baby.” He pulled her close. “Not now, when you’re ready…but I just don’t want you to give up and not want to try again to give me another seed. I need a son.”

“Why not another girl?” she asked.

“Because…” He looked up and then pointed to his chest, “I already have one right here in my heart that wraps her wings around me daily.”

“Don’t make me cry.” She smiled waving her hand in her face so a tear wouldn’t fall. She’d been so damn emotional lately. “If a son is what you want, then a son you’ll get…not now, but you will.”

“See, and that’s why I’mma make you my wife, I feel like the luckiest nigga in the world, ain’t no girl like mine.”

“The feelings mutual.” She laughed. “But slow yo’ roll, let’s rebuild first and then everything else will fall into place.”

“No doubt.” He slowly tongue kissed her loving the feel of her sweet lips.

She wrapped her good arm around him and pulled back looking into his eyes, “I love you Perfect.” She told him.

“I love you too baby… and just know, we gon’ be straight no matter what. Everything that happened, happened for a reason, even when we weren’t wise enough to see it.”

Brook’Lynn agreed, “I know that’s right baby…let’s go home.” She kissed him again as they made their way out.

Life isn’t about what you go through, it’s about how you overcome it. There’s a blessing in every lesson.

The End….