Page 82 of Until the Ink Dries

Willow glanced away as the light turned green.

“Honestly, I made some friends, but I’m definitely ready to get things handled there and come back home. The thought of going to Sterling Point doesn’t even feel like home to me anymore. It’s just a place at this point,” she responded.

I nodded as we talked about the list of things she wanted to accomplish the moment she got there. Less than twenty minutes later, I was pulling up into the long line of cars of people helping their loved ones get their bags and say goodbye.

I walked around to the trunk to grab her bag, then opened her door. The moment Willow got out, she wrapped her arms around my waist and held on tight. I leaned down a bit to place a kiss on her forehead as she tipped her head back to give me full access. Not wasting another second, I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers in a lingering kiss that said everything I wanted to say. A kiss that I hoped let her know I would be waiting with bated breath for her to return.

I pulled back reluctantly, but knowing she needed to go if she was going to make her flight on time.

“You call me if you need me. I’ll make sure I’m by my phone,” I told her.

I leaned in and gave her another quick kiss before finally rolling her bag over to her.

“I will, I’ll call you soon as I make it and when I get settled.”

She smiled then hesitantly grabbed the handle on her bag, almost like she didn’t want to go as much as I didn’t want her to. I watched as she made her way through the airport’s sliding doors before finally getting back in my car. Man, I didn’t realize just how gone I was behind this woman. I had never felt this stressed about a bit of distance. But with Willow, things were different, and I was getting more comfortable with that thought.

* * *

It’s been a few days since Willow had been gone and damn, it felt like weeks. She called me to check in just as she said she would. I could tell she was swamped because usually, by the end of the day, she could barely keep her eyes open.

“Daddy, did you hear me?” Charlie asked.

I glanced down to see her staring up at me with a pout and her nose scrunched. I knew she was beginning to get a little frustrated with me due to the fact that I kept drifting off into my thoughts instead of listening to her. It wasn’t intentional, but lately, I’ve had so much on my mind.

“I’m sorry, baby. What did you say?” I asked.

“Do you like my picture? It’s me and you and Ms. Willow.”

She pointed down at the picture of stick figure people. The only reason I could decipher who was who is because of the clear height difference in the three people. Other than that, these damn sticks could have been anybody. But as her dad, it was my job to hype my baby up to believe she was better than Picasso.

“Man, that’s nice. Can I have it so I can frame it for our new house?” I asked her.

Since Willow was gone, I decided to start looking at houses. With the big contribution Jordan made to my account, I had more than enough to just buy a house straight out, which was my plan. But every house I saw, I kept wanting to call Willow for her input. It was like my mind and heart were on one accord of making sure she had a place in every part of my life.

“Yes! But I want it in my room, since it’s mine.”

I shook my head for effect, causing Charlie to giggle. I glanced up as my mom walked into the room.

“I’m glad you finally responded to my baby girl because I was getting ready to come in here and hurt you, son. You know I don’t play about my Charlie boo.”

I waved her off with a smile. “Come on now, Ma. I’ve just had a few things on my mind, the house?—”

“And Willow,” she interrupted.

I wanted to deny it, but I couldn’t. She was right. I had grown comfortable being in her presence any time I could. Now that she was physically miles away, my mind had left with her.

“I can’t even deny it if I wanted to. It’s more than just missing her. I want to make sure she can handle everything. Packing up your life and moving isn’t easy, especially to do by yourself. I know she has told me more times than I can count that she wasn’t keeping much. But, it was still a lot to handle by yourself and she doesn’t have to do shit—I mean stuff like that anymore.”

My mother crossed her arms against her chest and just smiled knowingly.

“Son, go pack a bag and catch a flight. You not doing any good here worrying and I’m sure she would be happy to see you.”

I glanced over at Charlie, who was focused on her picture again, now adding clouds inside of a house around the stick figures. I looked back up at my mom.

“I can’t just leave Charlie. You and Pops have been helping me enough by allowing me to stay here. Not to mention, I’ve never been to Sterling Point or Willow’s place, so I wouldn’t know where I’m going to just pop up on her.”

“Benjamin Davis, go pack your bag and gone somewhere. I’ve raised a baby before and I would say, I did a damn good job. The last thing, doesn’t she have a best friend here? I’m sure Shirah will tell you,” she pointed out.

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