Page 11 of Pulse of True Soulmates

She snickered. “Girl, every time I come over here, you’re on the phone with him. If you’re not working, with me or your daddy, you’re on the phone with that man. Girl, I walked in here and y’all was on a video call while he was doing a tattoo. Y’all go together and don’t even know it.”

We talked a lot, whether it was text, video chat, or regular calls. He was so easy to talk to, and he kept me laughing. I thought about inviting him over a few times, but I thought better of it. I didn’t want to talk about this, so I steered the conversation back to his mother. “We were talking about Mrs. Princetta. Like I was saying, I don’t want her to do all that because she feels sorry for me.”

Fatima’s chin dropped to her chest for a second with a huff. “Girl, why is it when anyone other than me or your daddy does anything for you, you think it’s because they feel sorry for you?” Her eyes were soft when she looked at me. “Aeon, you do realize that there are genuinely good, caring people in the world? From what you told me about Mrs. Princetta, she doesn’t sound like the type of woman that would do something just because she feels sorry for someone. Stop doing that shit.”

In my head, Mrs. Princetta had no reason to be so concerned with me as she had been. She called me every day since the incident at the store, to talk to me. She asked me if I needed anything. “I mean, I know there are genuinely nice people.” I shrugged. “I guess I haven’t really met any.”

Fatima didn’t say anything as she stared at me. We sat there quietly for a moment. When she turned her body toward me with her leg bent on the couch, I knew our conversation was about to get deep. “Aeon, hear me out. Do you think that it bothers you so much because she exuded that motherly,nurturing feeling that you never got from your mom, so it overwhelms you? You and I both know that you’ve met genuinely nice people, so that’s bullshit. I think what it is, is that you’ve never had that motherly feeling that you wanted, and Mrs. Princetta makes you feel that.”

I didn’t know I was crying until she wiped my cheek.Is that how I feel?“I never really thought about it. She is very nurturing. I just don’t want her to feel sorry for me because when she met me, I was laying on a store floor.”

“Alright, best friend, time is almost up for this bitch ass pity party that you’re having for yourself. I’ve come to the party to bring your ass back home because this party is not it.” Her tone was low and soft. “You are not this girl that thinks you’re helpless and that people feel sorry for you.”

Our conversation was cut into by my phone ringing. My phone was on the couch between Fatima and me, so she saw who it was. She smiled before she mumbled that it was God giving me a sign. I answered the call on the speaker on the third ring.“Hey, Mrs. Princetta. How are you doing?”

“Hey, Aeon, baby. I was calling to check on you today. You good over there?”she asked.

From conversations with Declan, I knew that his family was from Orlando, Florida. I wondered if Mrs. Princetta was originally from there. She had a serious country twang. She was funny too. I saw where her son got it from.

“I’m good. I’m sitting here with my best friend, Fatima.”I thought about whether I wanted to say anything about her not having to continue to check on me. I knew that I probably shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help myself. My eyes closed, then the word vomit just came out.“Mrs. Princetta, you know you don’t have to check on me. I know that you’re probably a busy person, so you don’t have tofeel like you have to go out of your way for lil ole me. I can manage.”

When my eyes opened, Fatima gave me a death stare. Someone somewhere had already dug my grave. She mouthed, “I hope she curses your silly ass out.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a chuckle could be heard.“Aeon, baby, did you pass out today? I mean you must have because it seems like you bumped your damn head or something. I thought that dog was supposed to make sure you’re in a safe place before you pass out.”

My mouth fell open. Fatima’s ass covered her mouth to hold in her laughter. I couldn’t believe Mrs. Princetta said that. I wasn’t offended, but I was surprised.“Mrs. Princetta!”

“Your ass is over there talking about I don’t have to feel like I have to go out of my way. Girl, trust me, if I didn’t really care, I wouldn’t have stopped when your ass was on the floor. I call to check on and talk to you because I like you. I might as well get to know the girl that’s gonna be with my son. Now shut the hell up. Since you and your best friend are finished with y’all day, bring y’all asses over here for dinner. I’m going to text you my address.”

She didn’t give me a chance to say shit. Fatima was now laughing loudly. Midnite looked at her like she was crazy. She interrupted his nap. Seconds later, my phone dinged with Mrs. Princetta’s address. Fatima jumped up from her seat. “Bitch, get your ass up so we can go eat.”

I guess we’re going to Mrs. Princetta’s house for dinner.

“I wanted to know if I could take you out on a date?” Declan asked me. His question surprised me. I was happy that he asked, but a part of me never thought he would.

My cheeky smile almost hurt. “Oh wow. Of course you can take me on a date. I would love that.” I tried not to act overly excited, but I didn’t think I did a good job of it.

“Bet. I’ll let you know when so you can clear your schedule,” he confidently told me. His head slanted to the side. “Now how long you been chillin’ with my mama?”

I leaned over with my laughter. “I know you’re not in your feelings about me being over here. This is the first time that I’ve physically been over here. I talk to Mrs. Princetta every day.”

His body leaned away from me slightly with a surprised expression. “Oh, so y’all like besties? That’s what’s up.” He gawked at me for a second before we both laughed. “Come on so we can eat dinner. My mama doesn’t fry chicken on weekdays, so I’m not missing this.”

He stood then extended his hand to help me up. When he pulled me up, our bodies collided. Declan towered over my five feet, six inches, and I loved that for me. Tall was one of my prerequisites for a man. Every man that I’d dealt with was taller than me. It wasn’t like I’d dealt with so many. After Troy, I dealt with two more men, but it was more of a physical relationship than a real one.

We eventually separated to go into the kitchen. Mrs. Princetta and Fatima both had goofy ass smiles on their faces. “Y’all just in time. Senior! Come down here to eat!”

Declan’s father was down here with us for a little while when we first got here. He introduced himself, asked me and Fatimaa few questions, then left us to our girl talk. After a few minutes, he came into the kitchen. “Hey, Junior, I didn’t hear you come in.” After Declan stood to greet his father, Mr. Declan cupped the back of his son’s neck and put his forehead against Deck’s. “You good, boy?” After Deck told him that he was good, Mr. Declan removed his hand. “Alright now. Don’t let nobody fuck with you. I kill behind mine.”

Declan told him that he would too. I couldn’t help but smile at the interaction. It was like in that moment, Deck was a little boy who admired his father to no end. After we all sat and Mr. Declan led grace, we dug in. This was really nice. I secretly hoped that Fatima and I would be invited to dinner more often.

A LITTLE WHILE LATER . . .

Today was not a good damn day. I had a lot of housework that I couldn’t do because every time that I did, I got overly tired. It was days like these that were overwhelming and made me just want to fold into myself. Midnite had been by my side since last night. In the beginning, when service dogs were trained, it was detrimental that a bond was established between the handler and dog. This was the reason why. They were also our emotional support animals.

When I got like this, I would lie to Fatima and tell her that I had important meetings all day. I didn’t want her to come over, but I knew she would come anyway in the morning for her coffee. I would sit at my computer to act like I was so busy when I wasn’t. I had intermittent FMLA leave at work. For days like this, I called out and used it to cover me.

Midnite and I lay on the couch together and watched television. As a compromise, we’d watch one of his shows, then a movie that I wanted to watch. He’d sleep during my movies. The buzz of my phone caught my attention. When I saw that it was Declan, I debated whether I would answer.If I don’t, he’ll keep calling.“Hey, Deck.”

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