Page 53 of This: Blake & Emon

Emon laughed. “You wild, B. She told me to tell you to chill. Y’all all gotta chill because I’m fighting the urge to go handle that for them kids.”

“I’m trying to, bae. I’m just so mad, but I love you more than life and you are such a good man. God gon’ bless you, and I don’t want to bring you anymore stress over this.”

“He already blessed me. I’ll be home in a minute. Love you.”

“Ok, see you soon.”

As he hung up, Emon stood on the porch for a moment, watching the warm light spilling from the windows. His mom had it under control, and the kids were safe and would remain that way as long as he had something to say about it.

Chapter 22

“Blake, you don’t have to do all this,” Miesha said, her eyes wide as Blake led them into the mall. At thirteen, she was the middle sister, caught between wanting to stay a kid and rushing to grow up. Blake saw herself in the girls in different ways. She’d been there before, boy crazy, thinking the world was ending at the slightest inconvenience, and heads in the clouds.

“Yes, I do. Y’all need new clothes for your new school, and Vicey already approved it,” Blake replied, guiding Miesha, Aaliyah, and Lauren toward their first stop. “Plus, every girl needs a good shopping trip sometimes.”

The girls had been with Vicey for a month now, and while they were settling in well, Blake noticed they still held back sometimes, like they were afraid to want things. She understood that feeling, the hesitation to accept good things.

“For real?” Lauren asked, her eyes lighting up as they entered Forever 21. At twelve, she was the baby, but she had an old soul that reminded Blake of Jacques.

“For real. Now go look around, but stay where I can see you.”

Blake watched them scatter, their excitement finally breaking through their usual reserve. She was happy that shecould do that for them. Aaliyah headed straight for the graphic tees, while Miesha lingered by the dresses. Lauren stuck close to Blake initially, but slowly started exploring the accessories section.

“Miss Blake?” Miesha called out, holding up a crop top. “Can I try this on?”

Blake walked over, examining the shirt that was clearly missing some fabric. “Let’s find something with a little more shirt to it. Vicey would kill me.”

“But all the girls at school wear stuff like this,” Miesha protested.

“What happened to the school dress code?” Blake said gently, guiding her toward some equally stylish but more appropriate options. “Trust me, there’s plenty of time for all that later. Right now, let’s find stuff that makes you feel good without making Jacques have an attitude or you get sent home.”

Aaliyah snickered from nearby. “Facts. He already acts like he is forty instead of fifteen po’ tink.”

“That’s because he loves y’all,” Blake said, helping Lauren, who had wandered over with an armful of accessories. “He’s just trying to protect you. Cut him some slack sometimes.”

“Like Emon protects you?” Lauren asked innocently.

Blake smiled, thinking of her fiancé. “Exactly like that. Speaking of protection, we need to have a little girl talk while we shop. Y’all got any questions about... anything?”

The girls exchanged looks before Aaliyah spoke up. “Like about boys?”

“Boys, school, life… whatever you want to know and talk about.” Blake helped them each start a fitting room pile. “I know Vicey’s there for y’all, but sometimes you need someone a little more hip and new age to chat with.”

“Well...” Miesha hesitated. “There’s this boy from my old school...”

“Oooh,” Lauren teased, making kissy noises until Miesha threw a scrunchie at her.

“Girls.” Blake laughed. “Come on, let’s try these on and you can tell me all about him.”

In the fitting room area, while the girls cycled through outfits, they opened up more. Miesha talked about her crush, Aaliyah admitted she was struggling in math, and Lauren confessed she missed sleeping under the stars.

“First of all,” Blake said, helping Lauren adjust a sweater, “we should lay under the stars before it gets too cold. Plus, Vicey wants y’all to ask her for anything, no matter how silly or small you think it is.”

“It’s just weird sometimes,” Aaliyah admitted. “Yall have been so nice to us, but...”

“But you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop?” Blake finished softly. The girls nodded. “I get it. Trust me, we are all here for you because we want to be.”

After the fitting rooms, they stopped for pretzels and smoothies in the food court. Blake watched the girls laugh and joke, looking more relaxed than she’d ever seen them. Something about their resilience touched her heart. They had more strength than some grown people she knew. Despite everything they’d been through, no power, no food, no parents around, the kids still had light in their eyes. They said “please” and “thank you” without being prompted, shared their food without thinking twice, and somehow managed to keep their dignity intact.

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