Page 43 of This: Blake & Emon

“It’s time to eat. Wash y’all hands and make y’all plate.” Blake instructed as she finished making Emon’s plate before everyone else. She was proud of herself and the spread she’d made. Emon’s mom had sent over a Million Dollar Pie and Carmel Cake. It was way too much food, but what a blessing. Thetable filled up, and they all broke bread like family. Blake hadn’t realized what she was missing until today.

“You ready for graduation?” Paige asked Blake. She couldn’t believe it was almost time for her to walk across the stage with her degree. She’d worked hard, stayed focused, and did her best.

“You have no idea. I’m tired of school. Looking forward to a break.”

“Yeah, I’m tryna take my baby around the globe and hav—” Blake kicking him from under the table stopped him from finishing the rest of his sentence. No one wanted to hear the bent over the balcony part. “My bad, baby.”

Taylor and Paige laughed because they already knew what was up. The laughter around their dinner table was interrupted by Emon’s phone ringing. His face turned serious as he listened.

“I’ll be right there.” He stood up, already reaching for his keys. “Someone tried to break into the pantry. Glass everywhere.”

“I’m coming with you,” Blake said, but her tone was sharp.

“Ok, but it’s cool if you need to stay back with the family. I shouldn’t be gone long, and the police are already there.” He didn’t want to stop the night. They’d been having a good time vibing and eating. Plus, she’d worked hard on her dinner. From the look on Blake’s face, he could tell she wasn’t with being left behind and that was cool too.

“Why can’t I go? Are you not telling me something?”

“What you mean? You for real right now?” His voice was low but sharp. She’d fired off with accusations, so he fired back, wanting her to hear how she sounded.

“People don’t just break into community pantries, Emon.” The words came out before she could stop them. “Unlessthere’s something you ain’t telling me about what’s really goes on there.”

The room went silent. Even Brooks felt she was out of line. Emon’s jaw tightened, but he kept his voice steady. “You trying me, for real, but we can discuss what you got going on in that head of yours later. Right now, I gotta handle this. Bring ya ass on if you coming.”

The ride to the pantry was tense and quiet. Her doubt cut deeper than he wanted to admit. He never wanted to have to check her like that, but she had him fucked up questioning his integrity.

When they pulled up, it was just four kids. Not criminals or people retaliating. The oldest kid couldn’t have been more than fifteen, trying to explain to the police why they’d broken in.

“Our lights got cut off last week and we don’t have any food,” the boy was saying, his sisters huddled behind him. “We haven’t eaten in three days. I had to feed my sisters.”

Blake watched Emon’s face soften as he approached them, and her attitude vanished.

“Mr. Dowlen, these are Pilar’s kids, and we can take them down to the station and handle it. Ain’t the first time we caught them stealing.”

“Officer, I’m not pressing charges. Matter of fact...” He pulled out his wallet to see how much cash he had on him. “Let me get these kids somewhere safe and fed. I got it.”

“Mr. Dowlen, are you sure? You give ‘em a pass once and we’ll be back here.”

Blake, Emon, and the young man looked at the officer with distaste. The cop didn’t know who he was talking to. They didn’t think the same and certainly weren’t going to react the same.

“Officer, I don’t think I stuttered, and I’m positive. I’m not about to ruin this young man’s life over something that shouldn’t be perceived as a luxury. I’ll handle it from here.”

The officer shrugged and carried his ass on, and that was best. Emon massaged his temple, thinking about how bad this could’ve been.What a night,he thought.

“Kid, what’s your name?” Emon asked, looking at the brother, who appeared to be the oldest.

“Jacques. This is Aaliyah, Miesha, and Lauren, my baby sisters.”

Blake’s heart melted watching Jacques hide his sisters behind him. He was protecting them and trying to provide for them. Blake was on the verge of tears, her emotions all over the place. She was sorry about how she treated Emon and also felt horrible for the kids in front of them.

“Nice to meet y’all. And, bruh, you know you could’ve gotten yourself killed tonight. You know that, right?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, but they needed to eat,” he said, pointing at his sisters. Emon didn’t know the kid, but he still pulled him into his embrace by the head.

“By any means necessary, huh?”

“By any means necessary.”

“Dig, Look, give me a minute to make some calls. Can I speak to your mom or something?”

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