Page 61 of The Perfect Verse
Even though life had taken her on a crazy ride, from addiction, heartbreak, and almost incarceration, it had given her back so much more, including opening up to be loved.
Epilogue
Six Months Later…
“Hi, I’m Kaleela, and I’m an alcoholic.”
The crowded room of her peers greeted her with a chorus of “hellos”. She was nervous because not only were her peers there, but three of the most important people in her life were too. Scooter and the boys sat front row with huge grins on their faces. They’d completed their twenty-city tour, but he was back in the studio, busier than ever but still, never too busy for his girl.
“They say keep coming back, and I’m back. It took me some time, I know.” She took a deep breath and looked at Shawn, who stood in the back of the room. He greeted her when she first showed up, like a proud parent, but not for too long, when Scooter approached them both, introducing himself as the man in her life.
“I didn’t pick up, but it was hard.”
She tucked her lips as her chest swelled, fighting back tears. She hadn’t cried that much since she was seven or eight, the age Shonasia told her to get over the fact their mother was never coming back. This time though, they would be tears of joy.
The door opened, getting her attention, as Chaney and Donovan walked in. Once it was clear that Scooter was all in, Donovan didn’t want to lose his cousin and his best friend. It took some time, but there wasn’t more than a day or two when he didn’t hit Kaleela up, or she didn’t swing by the studio to kick his ass in a game of dice. As for Sashay, she was back in jail, and it was for selling stolen goods to a cop. Donovan still looked out for Granny Paula, but Sashay and the rest of her family had been cut off.
Serita took it hard, but as predicted, in no time, a Morehouse man saw her struggling to load up her car when she moved out of the apartment Scooter was paying for. She invited him over for dinner, a smaller apartment her financial aid and part-time job could afford, and they’d been together ever since. Scooter still sent a large lump sum of money because a promise was a promise, and she needed to make sure she crossed that finish line and apply to law school.
“I used the tools I learned and built my support system. Many are here today. They’ll tell you I’m a handful.”
“And is!” Chaney chanted, the room filling up with laughter. “But we love you, Kaleela.”
“I love y’all, too.” Her eyes went to Scooter, who mouthed he loved her more. Instantly, she blushed. He could do the smallest, simplest things like rub her feet, even polish her toenails, and in return, she’d suck his dick damn near all night.
“I’m also still learning, but each day, it gets easier. I’ve learned to forgive others, but the hardest work is forgiving myself.”
Her eyes lifted, and there was Shonasia and X, who slowly crept inside. She smirked since Shonasia was always the last one to arrive, and she looked stunning. She already knew if Chico was there, he wouldn’t be able to tear his eyes away. Her streaked, sandy-brown and blonde hair fell over one shoulder,which complemented her gold satin, off-the-shoulder top and black slacks. Three-inch gold stilettos clicked as she waved at Scooter and the boys.
X’s eyes skated across the room in search of Chico. He appreciated him and Chello helping out, but he wasn’t too keen on him also sending a million-dollar donation to his law firm. He tried to send it back, but his bank advised it had been redeposited.
“I’m also learning to accept help. For so long, I had to pretend I was invincible. Proof of that are my two superheroes, my sister and my future brother-in-law, Xander West. I still remember the first time I met X.” She smiled, watching him smirk. “I was drunk, and his best friend fake arrested me at the strip club until Shona arrived. I guess my drinking led her to one of the best things that ever happened to her.” She watched as Shona dabbed each corner of her eyes with tissue.
“X, bro, you helped her save me.”
“You did the work, Kaleela,” he replied, pulling Shona in and rubbing her shoulder.
“I have more to do because of my babies and my man, my man, my man.” The entire room hooted and laughed, a few clapping their hands as Scooter covered his heart and blew a kiss at her. Rell snickered loudly while Travis nudged him, before Rell nudged him back. She gave them that look with lifted brows, and they settled themselves down. Her heart melted each time she looked at them. All three wore the same shirt and jeans from Scooter’s clothing line. It was called Beatz. With Nazir’s wife, CeeCee’s assistance, he managed to get his clothing line in several major stores.
“It helps to know that people can finally trust me. For years, I didn’t think I was trustworthy enough for anyone to trust me. Instead, I threw money at my businesses and hid, figuring mypresence didn’t matter. It mattered, and I have to thank my sponsor, Shawn.”
He pumped his chest, followed by the nod of his head.
“I now know my purpose, and I have more than a plan. I’m executing them.” She looked at Scooter as he sat and stared with nothing but love in his eyes.
“My plans also include partnering with someone to add a spoken word, motivational speaking, along with a musical component to my community resource center. I know this certain someone, and his name is making waves, the best beatmaker and deejay in the music industry. I’m grateful he trusts me with his vision.”
He pumped his fist over his heart two times and nodded. He still wasn’t too sure if she’d taken on more than she could manage, but it would keep her busy in between their downtime. He’d already told Nazir that if he couldn’t do both, he’d bow out gracefully and work independently. As soon as Kaleela wrapped up, Shawn made his way to the front, then motioned for the others to stand.
“Ain’t she amazing?”
Scooter tucked his lips and narrowed his eyes, clapping his hands. He didn’t care what Kaleela said. A man knew when another man wanted his woman, and Shawn’s interests were beyond being her sponsor. He’d have to pay Rell and Travis to keep an eye on his ass.
“Glad you came back because now I need to give you this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a chip, but not any chip. It was one that symbolized two years of being clean.
“Take it. You worked hard these past two years.”
“Uh, two years, two weeks, and three days,” she corrected him.
