Page 28 of Love Next Door
I shook my head. “Still can’t believe this shit, man. I’d just visited him last month, and he was in good spirits, and his health was fine. How this shit happen out the blue, man?”
“I don’t know, bruh. You gotta take peace in the fact that he was able to say his goodbyes to everyone, including you.”
“I barely made it, man.”
“But you made it, Juju. That’s what counts in the end. Your grandpop was proud of you and all that you have done. You were his everything, and knowing that he did well until he had thatstroke at the end is what you need to focus on. He did not suffer. He had the stroke, they called you home, you both spoke your peace, and he got to hug your neck one final time. They knew that his heart couldn’t take that, so at least they made the call for you to come home. What more could you ask for?”
“For him to still be here!” I thundered, slamming my fist onto the arm of the couch.
My granddad had so many health conditions, but the last few years, he lost all the excessive weight, stopped eating the bad foods, and quit drinking. His health had greatly improved, and he was feeling great again. He had a stroke, and within forty-eight hours, he was gone.
The tears fell down my face, and my best friend gripped my shoulder. “Big homie, I’m sorry, man.”
“I know,” I replied as I wiped my face and sniffled.
I was closer to my granddad than I was to my parents, if that were even possible. I loved the hell out of my parents, but my dad’s father was the center of my world, and I could do no wrong in his eyes. I made it home in time to say goodbye to him, and I was burying him two days later.
I flew back to Cherokee Springs from Alabama this afternoon, after the funeral ended. I didn’t stick around for the repast because I wasn’t trying to be bothered with a bunch of niggas getting liquored up and fat and full while they littered their memories of my granddad with a bunch of lies too. My aunts, uncles, and other family members all loved to one-up each other with their wild stories. I didn’t have time for that shit.
I turned to look at Thad. “Thanks, big G, for going back home with me. I know that shit was last minute and all.”
“You’re my bro. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I nodded and rested my face in the palms of my hands. Thad had dropped everything and left town with me immediately upon hearing the news. I knew that he was still kicking it withKamaia, just as Nina and Nick were together. I wasn’t sure what Yamika and Evyn had going on, because they kept everything on the low-low.
But I had asked my boys not to disclose what was going on with me with those big-mouthed broads they fucked with. I had love for all the girls, but I also knew that they couldn’t hold a secret. I didn’t want to burden Abril with my issues. I would let her know what was going on once I returned, but the last thing I wanted was for her to worry about me.
We talked for a while longer before we reminisced about the first time we got drunk after sneaking into my granddad’s liquor cabinet, and the time he had to bail us out of jail after we stole my dad’s car, and my dad didn’t know it and reported it missing. Thad and I laughed so hard that my sides ached, and tears poured from my eyes with each story we recounted.
After a while, he was ready to head home. “Aye, nig. I’m getting up outta here. I’m heading home to shower, eat, and get some rest before I holler at Kami. Thinking that pussy she put on me is gon’ send a nigga straight into a coma!” he declared with a chuckle when he stood.
I stood with him and dapped him up with a side-hug. “Thanks again, bruh.”
“Anytime, big homie. Head next door and clap them cheeks. Li’l shawty might make you feel better.”
“Yeah. Think I will,” I replied as a slow and easy smile tilted my lips.
Thad left, and I showered and changed before I decided to head to Abril’s apartment. I wasn’t hungry, so I decided to skip fixing a meal. If I got hungry later, I could always order takeout or delivery.
My thoughts had been consumed with Abril on my flight home. I wanted nothing more than to get close to her and holdher. She had a way of making me feel like everything would be all right again. I doubted that she knew she did that for me.
It fucked with my head that I had fallen in love with the girl, but I hadn’t told her. I knew the moment that I opened up to her, she would go running for cover. From the moment that I first told her that I cared deeply for her when we went to the island, she had kind of shut down on me. Whenever I discussed my feelings, she resorted to that mental cave she liked to hide in. I knew she wasn’t ready to hear me say “I love you” yet, but I needed to. I needed to let her know what I was feeling and how desperately I needed her.
I took another look around my apartment, noticing that something was off. There was a scent here that was familiar but not. There was a white towel on my bathroom floor when I returned, and my bed was rumpled. I could have sworn I cleaned up before I left, but maybe I hadn’t.
My grandfather’s health had been at the forefront of my mind before I left. It was likely that I could have overlooked some things. I headed next door after grabbing my keys and my phone. I rang her doorbell and waited.
Although Thad mentioned having sex, and I was definitely down for that, right now, all I wanted was to hold her. My heart needed her. She was the cure and the remedy for what ailed me.
Nothing could bring my grandpop back, but she was sure to be the one who could lessen the ache in my chest. That ache had been pounding and chiseling away at my poor heart since my mama called and told me about my granddad’s stroke.
My father hadn’t been able to call because he was terrified, in the words of my mother. So, she had called and told me to come home instead. I had called Abril that day because she was at work. I hadn’t told her what was going on, just that I would be out of pocket for a few days.
I rang the doorbell again and waited. When I received no response, I called her. I had seen her car in the garage when we returned. Not only that, but I thought I heard the TV a little while ago. When I got her voicemail, I tried calling her again, but this time I noticed what I hadn’t before. My calls were going directly to voicemail. Was her phone dead?
ME:
Hey, pretty baby. Where are you?
