Page 22 of You Deserve Good Things

The backyard was cloaked in the soft hues of twilight, the air thick with the scent of burning sage and the earthy aroma of rolled herbs.

Jacory and I sat on worn-out lawn chairs, the kind that creaked with every shift, a testament to their age and the countless conversations they had witnessed.

The sky above was a canvas of purples and oranges, stars beginning to prick through the fading light.

I took a slow drag, letting the smoke curl around my thoughts before exhaling. “Man, it’s wild, ain’t it? All the shit we’ve been through, and here we are.”

Jacory chuckled, the sound deep and familiar. “Life’s a trip, bro. But it’s good to be on this side of it.”

I nodded, the weight of memories pressing against my chest. “Sometimes I feel guilty, you know? Like, why the fuck am I’m still here, breathing, living, while Silas . . . he’s not.”

Jacory’s eyes softened, the ember of his joint glowing in the dim light. “Silas wouldn’t want you carrying that weight. He’d want you to live, to thrive.”

I looked up at the stars, searching for solace. “Daniale . . . she’s different. She makes me want to be better, to do better. She’s like a lighthouse, guiding me through the fog.”

Jacory grinned, taking another puff. “Sounds like love, my nigga.”

I laughed, the sound tinged with disbelief. “Yeah, maybe it is. But it’s scary, bro. Being vulnerable, letting someone in, is not some shit I’m used to, but I want to for her.”

Jacory leaned back, his gaze fixed on the sky. “Being a Black man, we’re taught to be strong, to hide our emotions. But vulnerability? That’s strength too.”

I sighed, the truth of his words settling over me. “Daniale . . . she makes it safe to feel, to let go. I want to give her that same safety, that same peace.”

Jacory nodded, his expression serious. “Then do it. Don’t let fear keep you from your blessing.”

I looked at him, gratitude swelling in my chest. “I’m proud of you, man. For going after what you wanted, for building a life with Shaniya.”

He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Thanks, bro. And I’m proud of you too. For opening up, for choosing love.”

We sat in comfortable silence, the night wrapping around us like a familiar blanket. Two men, navigating the complexities of life, love, and loss, finding solace in shared experiences and the unspoken bond of brotherhood.