Page 63 of The Smoke Hour

“I just want to know that I can trust you with the things that you tell me. I want to know that you won’t hide things from me and that you will always be truthful with me as much as possible.”

“I will, but I need to tell you something.”

Her eyes widened as she pulled back.

“I don’t want you to be angry with me. I want you to understand where I’m coming from, so let me give that explanation before I tell you what I did.”

Kaifiya pressed her hands against her belly and looked worried.

“Chill with that shit.”

“I’m listening.”

“My parents are firm in their ways and how they raised us. My father taught Jo-Jo and me that it was always our responsibility to protect the women in our lives and to provide for them. He wanted them to feel comfortable knowing they never had to work a day in their lives if they didn’t want to. And if they did, he wanted the women to be comfortable doing what they loved for a living. He said their hands should be busy doing something they were passionate about, not because they had tofor them to make a living, but because if they didn’t do this thing, they would stop breathing because it was a crucial part of who they are.”

Kaifiya nodded.

“That’s how I feel about you. I know you love that candle-making shop, and I support your efforts to build it. I want you to do it carefree without worries about how you’ll pay the bills or if you’ll lose it again.”

“I’ve been thinking about applying with this council for a small business loan. I can’t keep operating under Terry—”

I pressed my finger to her lips and whispered, “Shhh. You don’t have to.”

Her eyebrows scrunched down in confusion.

“I paid him off. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to.”

I saw the instant flare in her eyes. “Smoke! That was my responsibility.”

“No. You’re my responsibility as long as you are my woman. I don’t want you owing no nigga shit. Men ain’t right. For as long as you owe him, ain’t no telling where his mind might go. He might start thinking that he can get between your legs to get his payment back. And I damn sure am not okay with them fuck ass niggas he had rolling up on your shit. I’ma bust a cap in a nigga and be serving time in prison they keep trying my woman.”

I wiped the tears that had begun to slide down her face again.

“Damn, ma. You crying your ass off tonight.”

“You didn’t have to do it, Smoke. It was so sweet. I promise I’ll repay—”

I pressed my finger to her lips again. “Shhh. You ain’t paying me shit back. You’re my woman, and this is what I do for my woman. All I need you to promise me is that we’ll work through shit in the future. No running out. When problemsarise, no matter how hard it gets, talk to me. We’ll work on them together.”

“I promise, and I promise I won’t get behind on the bills again and risk losing the shop.”

“You ain’t gotta worry about that shit either. Jo-Jo and I brought the building and put it into your name and Shauntel’s name.”

“What?”

“Yes. You’re copartners in the ownership of that building. You simply need to sign the paperwork, baby. She’s going to be opening her third salon in that building.”

Kaifiya threw her hands to her mouth and stared in wide-eyed wonder at me. The tears started back up again, and I laughed at her little ass and pulled her into my arms. When she stopped crying, she pulled back and stared at me.

“Why are you being so kind? Why are you doing all this? It’s been just under six months since we met.”

“Told you time waits for no man. I don’t operate on superficial bullshit. I move when the spirit moves me. Besides, a man in love does the things his woman needs to be secure. He provides a safe space for her so that she’ll never have to rely on anyone else again. He builds her up and doesn’t tear her down. He strengthens her so that she can have her own.”

“You love me, baby?” she whispered.

“I do.”

Kaifiya kissed me deeply and then whispered, “I love you, too, Smoke. I love you so damn much.”

---