Page 16 of On Everything 2

Ciara

The next morning

My morning commute to work was way more chill this time around since I was riding next to Hov instead of some random wino on the bus.

We decided to leave an hour and a half earlier than my usual time, and that gave us a smooth ride back to my side of town, even with slight traffic jams every now and again.

Last night was everything and more, and I found myself more comfortable in his penthouse than I'd ever been in my apartment.

Hov's sheets were as soft as rose petals, and the pillows on his king-sized bed cradled my head like clouds.

Last night I turned off my phone to shut out the world, and laid next to Hov, rubbing his chest until we both drifted off to sleep.

It was clear that both Hov and I are each other's comfort zone.

Just being close to him felt like therapy, yet no words were needed.

It was all about the connection between us, and we talked about things we liked and loved just to pass the time.

Now this morning, I feel my mind is at peace, my body, and for the first time in a while, my life.

Hov did a great job of shutting out all of the noise around me.

That's why my divorce from Kairo is inevitable.

I can't stop thinking about Hov even when he's just around the corner.

Hov pulled in front of the assessment center and put his car in park because I had a couple of minutes to spare.

"Alright, so what time should I be back here to get you?"

"Um, like 5:00."

"You said 5:00? Sometimes I can't hear you, mama, you're going to have to start speaking up and talking loud like these other Bronx bitches."

"Well, I'm not the normal Bronx bitch."

"I know that's the truth."

When talking to Hov, I couldn't project my voice to save my life.

With all those times I had to yell at Kairo, I didn't have to do that now.

Truthfully, no bitch wants to be hard with her man.

With my man, I want to be soft as a feather at all times.

Floating in the wind that he puts under my wings.

"Alright, I'll be here at 4:30."

"Okay, cool."

"But Ciara, you know you don't have to go inside here no more. I told you I got you on whatever you need or want."

"I know that, but I like working. I wish I had a better position here, but it still makes me happy to be getting it on my own."

"And I admire the fuck out of that shit. What position do you have now, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I am in the warehouse and customer care, but this place would not run correctly without me and Mindy."

"Is there room for you to move up here? Could you eventually be running shit if you put in time?"

"Honestly, no. Everyone in administration has been working here for years. There is never any opportunity."

"Well, make the opportunity yourself. You smart, you will figure it out."

"Thanks, I hope so."

The high feeling from Hov's compliment was interrupted by a call from my mother, of all people. I haven't actually heard from her since I declined her request to move in with me.

"Ugh, I hate to take this call."

"It's that nigga calling you?"

"No, it's not. I blocked him. It's my mom."

"Your mama, I thought you said you two weren't close."

"We aren't really. That's how I know this call is some bull shit. I'm going to get out and take it. I have a feeling this call will be quite embarrassing if you hear it."

"Ain't nothing to be embarrassed around me for baby, but I get it. I'll be here when you get off. Sooner if you need me to be."

"I'll let you know. I tugged on his beard before reaching over to his seat to kiss him on his lips.

"Alright, see you later, mama.”

While the phone was still ringing, I walked over to the assistance center doors and stood back against the wall to avoid being trampled by the early morning sidewalk traffic. As soon as Hov pulled off from the corner, I hit accept on the call.

"Yes, Mama?"

"Well, well, well. My long lost daughter. I'm surprised that you even answered your phone since you are in the big leagues now."

"What are you talking about, ma? I'm not in the big leagues; I'm standing outside of work."

"Mmmhmm, for now. Kairo called and told me you sleeping with that boy Hov, Papi's boy. He said you're sleeping with all types of men."

"First off, why did you even answer Kairo? Last time we talked, you told me and him to kiss your ass."

"I'm over that shit now, and I was calling to see if you're really leaving your husband after all these years? Why give a man all that time just to start over fresh with something that's not going to last? "

My mother was only questioning me because it was always hard for her to believe I was the victim in any situation, even with Kairo. To her, everything bad that happened to me was a result of something I had done in the past that caused it. Hence, she's about to take Kairo's side in all of this.

"It doesn't matter what will last on my end, Kairo and I will never be together. I'm sure he drugged me the other day. He can truly kiss my ass."

"If he drugged you, then why didn't you call the police?"

"Mama Kairo is not in prison as we speak because he ratted. So, they wouldn't have arrested his ass because he's working for them."

"Mmm, I didn't see that coming."

"Yeah, well, I did. You never can trust someone like Kairo. But can I call you back when I get off? I was just about to walk into work."

"Yes, that's fine. But before you go, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, Mama?"

"Do you have $25 I can borrow until I get my check on the 15th?"

"No, I don't have any money, Mama. I'm trying to survive, too."

"Mm, well, I suggest if you are sleeping with these men, then you start at least getting paid for it. Hoeing and being broke is ridiculous."

"Bye, mama."

"Bye."

She hung up the phone with an attitude like she always does when she doesn't get what she wants.

I see now that Kairo is already on a smear campaign for me, and I can't say I expected anything different.

He will however have to talk shit about me to someone other than my mama or his family to get to me because none of their opinions matter.

All of their lives are also toxic and fucked up, so they can't judge me.

I pulled open the door to the assistance center and was instantly hit with the cold ass air before Rebecca greeted me.

"Hi, Ciara."

"Hey, girl. How is it going?"

"It's going okay. Happy you can make it in today."

"Yes, me too. I hated to get sick right after my birthday."

"That's okay, it happens to the best of us."

I walked down the back hallway as the lights overhead buzzed like they were as tired and sluggish as I was.

The time clock was on the wall near the big double doors that I walked through every shift.

I entered my badge number and then pushed the doors open, stepping out of the cool AC and into the devil's basement, as we called it.

That back room's heat always made me wish for winter to hurry up and bring me and Mindy some relief.

Some days I wish I could work in a swimsuit instead of this T-shirt and cotton pants.

First, I dropped my bag off in one of the dented lockers that sat back by the bathrooms. After that, I took the clipboard off the wall and skimmed through the duty sheet, which highlighted all the tasks we had to complete today.

There was no stock truck coming in, so that was a good thing.

That meant no heavy lifting, and all we had to do today is straighten up, making sure the place was organized.

The back room isn't like a typical warehouse with large pallets and high shelves but more set up like a department store.

The boxes of food that we received were stacked up neatly, and the clothes we put on racks gave it a Goodwill store feel.

What we did here wasn't just about giving things away, but about helping people feel human when they needed help.

Make it as if they were shopping and not begging.

I strolled down the aisles, fixing and rearranging everything that was out of place from the previous day.

It wasn't much, but a few cans were leaning, clothes were slipping off hangers, and boxes of food were turned sideways.

After that was done, I made my way toward the back door to get started with our day.

"Hey!"

Mindy passed by, already hard at work.

"Good morning, Mindy. It's almost that time. You good with me opening the door?"

"Yes, ma'am. We can start getting these people fed and clothed."

Mindy radiated joy and happiness when it came to helping people. She was so passionate about it that I can see her opening up her own nonprofit organization one day just like where we worked at.

Once everything was in place, I walked to the door where we let everyone into the warehouse. The front entrance was reserved for administrative and clerical purposes, so the door in the back was the primary entry point for those in need.

I turned the handle down on the heavy metal door and opened it up all the way, flipping down the kickstand on the bottom.

The line had already formed outside with about six people, and Mr. Albert was always the first in line on shop days.

Working here over the past few years, I became familiar with many regulars who came for assistance.

They even sometimes bring me gifts on Christmas and most remember my birthday.

There were of course some people I disliked seeing, but for the most part, the people I interacted with here were positive.

"Hi, Mr. Albert."

He walked into the building.

"Alright welcome in, Mrs. Taylor, Donna come on in, and Mr. Harvey, give us just a minute, and then we will be ready for you."