Page 18
I watched a few more episodes with Sophia before she had fallen asleep on the other end of the couch. I tried to let Solo’s words settle and not bother me so much, but they did. Him feeling the need to talk to me like that when all I did was wash some fucking clothes and cooked so that everybody in the house could eat wasn’t right.
He wasn’t the only person in this house. Me and Sophia were here too, so we all needed to eat. It wasn’t my intentions to overstep a boundary or make it seem like we were a family. I simply wanted to make sure everybody was okay. He saved both Sophia and I and even opened up his home to us. I wanted to repay his kindness, but obviously, that was something that Mr. Solomon Godfrey wasn’t too keen on.
Walking up the stairs, I went straight to his room and let myself in. I didn’t bother knocking because I knew he would hear me coming in even if he was in the bathroom. I also didn’t care about respecting his privacy since he didn’t care about respecting me enough to not talk to me any kind of way. I’d let Tyson do the same thing Solo had just done for years, and the only thing that taught me was that if you let a man slide he would eventually start skating. I had done enough bowing down. It was time for me to stand up for myself.
“You don't get to talk to me like that!” Our eyes connected as soon as I barged in. “I was in a relationship with a man for nine years who spent half that time talking to me the same way you just did, and I’m not having it anymore. If something is wrong all you have to do is tell me. I will work overtime to fix whatever the problem is so we can move past it. All you got to do is tell me, and I will fix things.”
“That’s the problem right there. I don’t need you to fix shit, especially not me. I’m not your project, and I’m not your man. This thing between the two of us is not a relationship. If you want to be in love, go back to your husband, but do it fast because that nigga won't be around much longer.” He finished putting on his shoes, got up from the bed, and walked into the bathroom visibly upset by the mention of Tyson.
“Okay, Solo, whatever this is, I’m going to let you have it. All that anger you have built up don't have anything to do with me. I haven’t done anything to you, and I’m not out to get you. All I did was fold some clothes and cook a meal so that everyone in this house could eat, not just you. I’m sorry if that bothered you. I’m sorry if I stepped on your toes or overstayed my welcome. My sincere apologies.”
Solo took a deep breath before he responded to me.
“It’s not you,” he said, coming back out of the bathroom and sitting down in the chair. “It’s me. I’m too fucked up for this. I’ve seen too much. Hell, I’ve caused too much. I’m the damaged one. I’m too damaged to fall in love, and you’re crazy as hell to even be considering it. You sat on the jury for my trial where you watched me get away with killing a man and setting his house on fire. Is that the type of man you want to end up with?”
When I didn't answer fast enough, he continued. “I didn't think so.”
Solo walked out of the room and out of the house altogether, leaving me standing in his room alone. I looked around the space where we’d spent most of our time and couldn’t believe the shit he’d just said to me. I didn’t know what was wrong with Solo, but the hot and cold act had me wanting to try my luck at getting out of here again.