Page 129 of Lily In The Valley
I laughed again, swiping away at a fallen tear. “Because I am, but I promise I’ll be okay.”
My father looked me over again, realization clicking in his brain. “You sad because that Khalil boy left, huh?” He smacked his teeth and took a sip from the mug in his hand. “I thought it was just him stuck on you, but I guess you got it bad, too.”
We talked for a while. He told me about the community center clinics and how they were doing. He’d finally gone back part-time to his practice, even though he was considering retirement to dedicate more time at the community centers andbe present for me. I shared the progress of my fellowship and how I finally felt I’d gotten into a good groove.
“But really,” he added, “I just wanted to check in. You look good, baby girl.”
I looked away from the screen, swallowing. “I’m getting there.”
“I can tell,” he said. “You got your mother’s eyes. You know that?”
“She used to tell me that all the time.‘You got my eyes, but your daddy’s spirit.’” We sat in the pause, soft and quiet.
“She still looking down and smiling on you. She would always say you were her greatest accomplishment. Mine, too.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” I choked out, wiping my eyes.
“Let’s say you and me go put some flowers at her gravesite the next time you’re back home.”
I didn’t have words, just a storm of emotions trying to work itself out in my chest. I just nodded my head and busied myself with picking up and holding Karter in my arms. He and my father had a conversation on their own while I gathered myself.
As soon as I hung up, I got a text from Lynn.
Lynnie Mae
Kelly belly. I need to crash with you. My flight changed and I have an overnight layover. I’ll uber to your place. Boarding plane to Seattle now. Will call when I land
“Come on, Karter,” I said, checking his harness. “Auntie Lynn’s coming for a visit.”
On the way back to my apartment, I scrolled aimlessly on social media. Soon, I felt Karter’s leash tug, followed by his usual attack-mode barking. I tried reigning him in, threatening, “Karter, if that’s not Lynn, you better hush it up, right now.”
But it wasn’t Lynn.
It was Khalil.
The leash slipped from my hand, allowing Karter to take off with a mad dash, tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth. Khalil picked him up, his bag still slung over his shoulder, a sheepish smirk on face.
“What are you still doing here? You left four hours ago.”
“I couldn’t leave,” he said simply. “Got to airport. Watched my first flight board and take off. Thought about buying another ticket, and couldn’t.”
I blinked.
“Every part of me felt like I was walking away from something I finally got right.” He stepped closer. Not too close. Like he was giving me space to choose. “I don’t want to rush anything. You can have your time. But know you’re mine. I just want to be where you are, even if I’m splitting time between here and Houston.”
My body relaxed. I fell against him, wrapping my arms around his waist, burying my face against his chest. “I want to be with you. I don’t need time to tell me that.”
Karter barked in agreement, wagging his tail. We both laughed. Khalil wrapped his free arm around my waist, pulling me into a kiss that stole my breath. His hand lowered to cup my ass and squeezed.
“When you go back to the hospital?” he asked, sucking on my neck.
“Day after next,” I rasped, leaning on him for support.
“Let’s get inside. I need that,” he growled, kneading my ass again.
Steam cloudedthe mirrors of my bathroom. My forehead pressed against the cool tile wall, one hand gripping the recessed shelf, the other braced against Khalil’s arm circling my waist. He was deep and determined.
“You keep squeezing me like that, Lily-Girl,” he growled into my ear. “You gonna to make a nigga come too soon.”
