Chapter 12

"She tell me, "Badman, see, I need your love, see, I need your love"

Mi need you close to me, me, I tell her say me, oh, stay on the road

Bad energy stay far away, make it stay far away

Just give me love for the night, give me love for the night, gyal, waste no time."

Skepta ft. Wizkid "Energy (Stay Far Away)"

Nicole

"I see your eyes. Pretty brown eyes." I sang as I loaded up the washer.

It's my 27th birthday and unfortunately, I'm sick. I was supposed to go to SZA's concert last night with the girls for a pre-birthday celebration. It was when Tae was doing my hair and I sneezed four times in a row, I knew it was a wrap for me.

My night wasn't bad. I woke up around 7 this morning and finally got out of bed at 8:13. I honestly think I'll be fine before tomorrow. My nose is just stuffy and I sneeze once in a while. I'm staying in the house today and doing some light chores.

"Come on Leo." I opened the sliding door and he ran into the backyard. I sat down in the egg chair as he did his business. I leaned back and closed my eyes as I took a deep breath, letting the sun cover my face.

My phone started vibrating repeatedly. When I checked it, it was a Ring Camera notification. I saw my Mom and Mario in the camera. I walked back inside the house and went to unlock the front door.

"Happy birthday sweetheart!" She engulfed me in a hug.

"Thank you, Mom." I saw Mario standing behind her with a bunch of bags in his hands.

"Happy birthday Nicole."

"Thank you, Mario. Please come in." Life is too short to be holding grudges. If my Mom, my Dad, and Mario can get along, I don't have any problems with him. "Are all of these for me?"

"Yes, I bought every fragrance that was on your wish list. Just an FYI, these are your birthday and Christmas gifts."

"If I knew you were actually going to look at the list, I would have added more purses instead of fragrances."

"Don't play with me."

"I'm just joking. I really appreciate it, Mom."

"You're welcome."

"I got this for you." Mario handed me a small gift bag.

"I can't wait to see what it is." I pulled out the red box that was inside. It was Cartier. I opened it to find a white gold bracelet with four diamonds and an engraving of my name on the inside. "This is really beautiful. Thank you so much." I smiled at him.

"You're welcome."

"Have you eaten yet?" My Mom asked.

"No, I was either going to eat some cereal or order some McDonald's." I went into the pantry to grab Leo's food to put in his bowl. Once I filled it up, I poured water into his other one.

"Good, because I'm here to cook my sweet angel some breakfast."

"Y'all are spoiling me but I love it. What's on the menu?"

"Shrimp and grits with a little bit of bacon."

"Sounds good. My stomach is growling already."

"Don't tell me you're getting rid of these dresses?" She pointed towards the clothes I laid on the arm of the couch earlier.

"No, I just need to bring them over to my dry cleaners. I think they open at 10 today."

"On your birthday? No, no, no. We'll drop them off for you on our way out." Mario offered.

"Really? Thank you, guys. I am going to freshen up real quick."

"Take your time." I went upstairs to my room. I showered and then put on a maxi, tube dress. I didn't do anything special. Just gave my lips some chapstick, rubbed my Fenty shimmering body butter all over my skin, and put my hair in a half up, half down style.

When I went downstairs, my Mom already had my food dished out with a glass of orange juice and a fresh bowl of fruit. Breakfast was delicious as always. The three of us chatted for a while before they decided to leave.

"Thank you so much for coming."

"Don't mention it."

"Try to get some rest."

"I will."

"It's just me and you buddy." I rubbed Leo's head as we got comfortable on the couch. I turned on the tv to HBO Max. I clicked on Cold Case. I literally have an obsession with these detective shows.

I don't know when I fell asleep. The sound of the doorbell woke me up. I looked at my phone to see it was 12:11. I slowly got up and stretched before going to look in the peephole and opening the door.

"Hi, Dad."

"Hey, baby girl. Before I come in, I want to show you your surprise. So close your eyes." Chile, what is this man up to?

"Okay, they're closed." I wanted to peek so bad, but I waited patiently as I heard some shuffling.

"Open them up." I opened my eyes to see my Dad with Alfonso standing beside with him with a bow on his head.

"Happy birthday!"

"Y'all are so corny, but this is cute. Thank you for this surprise, but I know this isn't all you got me."

"You are so greedy." He pulled out a fat envelope from his back pocket and handed it to me.

"Thank you very much." I let them come inside.

"I got this for you." Alfonso handed me a medium-sized box covered in pink wrapping.

"Awww. Alfonso, you didn't have to." I removed the wrapping paper, and then opened the box. I saw a rainbow Kurt Geiger bag.

"This is so cute. I love it. Thank you."

"Of course."

"He's just trying to kiss your *ss and make you like him."

"Omari!"

"She's not dumb."

"Don't listen to him. I already like you. Trust me." I winked at him.

"Thank you. Oh, we also got you some other things like Benandryl, nasal spray, and tissues."

"I'll take some of this before bedtime. I already know it's going to knock me out."

"Mhmmm. So, Alfonso and I came over because we are going to make you lunch. A nice juicy steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus."

"That sounds good. Did y'all plan this with Mom?"

"What do you mean?"

"She came here with Mario and made me breakfast. Now, y'all are here cooking me lunch."

"I have no idea what that crazy lady has going on." He turned to the stove.

"Dad." I laughed.

"He's just mad that she and Mario beat us at miniature golf last night."

"Y'all went golfing without me? I can't believe you." I pretended to cry.

"Nicole, stop being dramatic."

"I guess. So was that a yes or no?"

"Why are there clothes in the washer?" He's obviously avoiding my question.

"Oh, I forgot. I need to dry them."

"I can put them in the dryer for you."

"No, it's okay. I've got some things in there that you shouldn't see."

"Like what?"

"Undergarments."

"If you're talking about thongs, Alfonso has many of them so it's fine."

"Omari!" Alfonso slapped my Dad's arm.

"Oh my God. The image that just generated in my head. Let me go sit down."

"You do that. Lunch will be ready soon." He chuckled. I shook my head. He is a mess.

I don't what I've done to deserve this, but I'm glad that I've been eating good today. After lunch, I played with Leo. When he decided to take a nap, I made myself comfortable on the couch and started scrolling on TikTok with the tv playing in the background.

My eyes became heavy and within a short time, I feel asleep once again.

*************************************************

"Remember the plan?" I was standing behind Tucson and Tae. I looked down at myself to see that I was wearing a white set with my arms tied around my midsection and my feet were bare.

"What? Wait—." We were at a corner close to a open gate. I could hear footsteps coming from behind us.

"We have to go now!" They started running and I followed them because I had no idea what was going on. We ran through bushes after going pass the gate until we reached a road that went either left or right. There was a blank white sign that gave no directions.

"Which way do we go?"

All of a sudden, I saw the three of us back at that corner.

"Weren't we just here?"

"Remember the plan?"

It was like we were in a time loop and I was the only one who was aware. It got to the fifth time that we were standing at the crossroad when I thought the situation was hopeless.

"How do were get out of here? I'm tired of this."

A black go-right symbol appeared on the sign.

"Come on."

We ran towards the only building at the end of the road. It looked like a cathedral. I stopped in my tracks at the sight of a man I knew too well.

"Kyle?" He was dressed in a white suit jacket with a black bowtie and pants. He looked so handsome.

"You look beautiful." I thought he was being sarcastic. I looked down at myself expecting to see the stray jacket, but this time I was in a white dress that had an embroidered corset and a long train with a slit on my left leg. "Don't keep the groom waiting. Congratulations Nicole."

I felt a hand on my shoulder and it made my body freeze as my surroundings turned pitch black.

*************************************************

My eyes shot open. I woke up on my back. I couldn't move my arms or legs. It's been a long time since I've had sleep paralysis. That dream didn't make any sense and I have so many questions.

Why was I in the mental asylum in the first place?

Why was I in there trying to escape with Tae and Tucson?

Why did I see Kyle at my wedding?

Whose hand touched my shoulder?

Kyle's mother and I cleared out his personal belongings from the house. I really didn't know what to do with that. It doesn't feel the same staying there with him being gone, so we're selling it and donating the proceeds to various charities researching cancer treatments. Several museums have indicated interest in creating exhibits for his work. We're still thinking about what's best to do.

I could feel my phone vibrating under my back. I focused on curling my toes, so I could recover control of my body. I sat up and grabbed my phone to see someone was pressing on my Ring Alarm. I saw the crew standing there.

"Nicole?"

"Are we sure she's home?"

"Watch she played us and went on a solo trip somewhere."

"I can hear y'all."

"But you didn't hear the doorbell. I think that's called selective hearing."

"If you want to come in, take off those damn suits. Until then, I'll keep my *ss on this couch." I really can't believe Tae and Tucson are wearing hazmat suits. Where did they even get them from?

"Nicole, it's hot as h*ll out here and this food is heavy."

"Get your boyfriend and that other fool in check." After some convincing, my annoying friends did as they were told. I finally let them in. They came in with gift bags, balloons, and a couple of aluminum pans.

Shawn whipped up some fried catfish and chicken, mac and cheese, collared greens, green beans, and cornbread.

Dennis and Karin couldn't make it because with Karin being pregnant, they didn't want to risk her getting sick. I totally understood. They definitely made up for it when Dennis FaceTimed me and they did the baby mama dance for me.

"I would like to make a toast." Tucson stood up from the table.

"B*tch, you know you f*cking wrong. I'm supposed to do that." Tae complained.

"Why don't y'all do it together?" I suggested.

"Our dear Nicole. You're an inspiration to all of us. The way you care so much for others, and persevere through any challenge in your business and personal life."

"Today, we're celebrating your life. We wish you many more years of joy, success, and love. We love you girl. Happy birthday!"

"Happy birthday!"

When the guys were cleaning up, Tae put on some music and dragged me to the middle of the living room to dance. As soon as Pound Town came on, I let loose. That's my jam right now.

"I'm not trying to sound ungrateful, but do I not get a cake?"

"We're not in charge of that department."

"Who is?"

"Anyway, we hope you enjoyed your birthday even through your little sick moment, but we have to go now."

"I did. Thank you guys so much. Y'all mean the world to me and I'll always be grateful for having you guys as my friend."

"We love you too."

*************************************************

Dewayne

I knocked on Nicole's door for the millionth time. She's got to be in there since her lights are on. I couldn't see inside the house because the blinds were shut. Calling her would defeat the purpose of the surprise. Let me see if I can find a key somewhere.

There was nothing under the mat or in the mailbox. I saw a birdhouse hanging at the end of the porch.

I don't think I've ever seen any birds in this motherf*cker. I put my hand inside to feel a bunch of leaves inside. When I was about to pull it out, I felt something small and cold. I pulled my hand out and saw a key.

I shook my head, chuckling and went to unlock the door. I walked inside the house and walked into the living room. I saw Nicole curled up into a ball on the couch and Leo was right beside her.

"Nicole." I saw a pack of Benandryl on the table. Two of the pills were missing. I put my finger under her nose. I felt warm air come across it and released a sigh of relief. Okay, she's still breathing.

I placed the cake box onto the table and picked her up gently into my arms. I walked upstairs to put her into bed. After tucking her in, I went back downstairs.

I've been running around all day, trying to put things in place with the label. I haven't gotten the chance to eat anything since breakfast. I only went home to shower before coming here.

I opened the fridge to find some leftovers. I heated up a plate and sat at the island. This sh*t is bussing. As I washed the plate after eating, I heard screaming coming from upstairs.

"Nicole!" I ran up the stairs and barged into her room. I immediately put my hands up because Nicole had a gun pointed at me.

"Don't move an inch."

"Woah. Nicole, it's me." The room was dark except for the tv that was on. I watched her back into the wall where the light switch was. She flicked it on.

"Dewayne?"

"Yeah."

"What are you doing here? I thought someone broke in when I heard the sound of boots coming up here." She lowered the gun and sat on the bed.

"I brought your cake. When I got here you knocked out, so I brought you up here. I got scared when I heard screaming."

"I was wondering how I got here. I thought maybe I sleepwalked or something. Oh, and the screaming came from the tv. I'm watching SVU."

"You and these crime tv shows."

"Sorry about the gun."

"I understand. How about we put it away?"

"Boy, I'm not going to shot you." She opened up the top drawer of the nightstand and put the gun back in its safety box. "You okay now?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"So, where is it?"

"Where's what?"

"The cake."

"Oh. Let me go get it." I ran downstairs and grabbed the cake with the small plastic bag I came with. I made sure the door was locked and shut off all the lights before going upstairs.

When I reached Nicole's room, she had spread out a towel on the bed. I placed the cake on the towel and sat down.

"Hold on. I brought candles." I tried to open the box of candles, but it had so much tape on the corners.

"Not you struggling to open it." Nicole laughed.

"I got it, I got it." I placed one candle in the middle and lit it up. "Happy birthday, Nic Nic. Make a wish." She closed her eyes. I saw her lips move before she blew out the candle.

"Thank you." I handed her a fork to dig in. It was a small vanilla cake with pink and yellow buttercream frosting.

"How have you been?" I asked her.

"I'm getting ready to do my seminars around the country where the girls and I will be sharing our experiences as business owners and giving people information they need to start their entrepreneurship careers. I'm also going to have some popup shops along the way, so I can let some of my loyal customers meet me and give new customers the opportunity to try the products."

"Sounds like you have your plate full."

"Yeah, but I'm good. I'm just ahppy that I still have my passion to do this."

"I am too. Did you make a decision about opening a shop here?"

"Yeah, I decided not to doo it. I would want to be there all the time, but I won't really have the time. I mean Remedy is already accessible by ordering it through my website for shipping, and buying it at Ulta and Target. Right now, I'm trying to get in either Sephora or Walmart. I feel like it'll be fine once I accomplish that."

"Yeah, you got this. Don't even stress about it."

"I know. So, how are things with you?"

"Well, I'm going on tour soon."

"Okay, that should fun. With who?"

"Toosii with Ice and Nardo."

"That is going to be bomb. I'll have to come to one of the shows."

"For sure. We also got Pierre's birthday party coming up next month."

"I completely forgot about it. Wait, did y'all send invitations?"

"We did."

"Why didn't I get one?"

"Pierre didn't want you to feel pressured to go. You know you just recently started to get back out there."

"I still would have liked to have been invited."

"My bad. You think you can make it?"

"We'll just have to see. This cake is really good by the way."

"I made it."

"No, you didn't. You know damn well you got it from the Publix right next to your house."

"I swear to God. I did everything from scratch." She squinted her eyes at me, trying to figure out if I was lying.

"Okay, I believe you. When did you start baking?"

"A couple months ago, I started doing things to keep my mind busy when I'm home. I even started taking piano lessons."

"Okay. Look at you trying to become the next John Legend."

"Man whatever." I smiled.

"I'm happy for you. Thank you for the cake."

"You're welcome. Oh, let me give you your gift before I forget."

"I thought this was the gift."

"Nah, I actually got you something." I removed the small box from the bag. I handed it to Nicole.

"Is this a pack of gum?"

"Now why I buy you a pack of gum?"

"That's what you would get me every year until we were 12."

"That's because I was broke. I got money now."

"Okay, Mr. Money. Can you buy me a yacht?"

"Just open the present." I watched her lift the lid.

"A cassette tape?"

"Remember when you and Kyle came to the studio to hang out?"

"Yeah."

"Even though y'all were playing around in the booth, I was able to put something together that actually sounds really good. When Kyle heard it, he added a little message to you and said I should give it you when I felt the time was right. So, here it is." Nicole stared at the tape as she held it in her hands. It was silent until I heard her sniffing. That's when I realized she was crying.

"Come here." I hugged her as she held the tape to her chest.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I got you." Her breathing slowly calmed down.

"Olivia lowkey got something against black people."

"Back up off my girl. Please and thank you. You're just mad."

"Mad about what?"

"You're just mad."

"Your *ss is crazy." I laughed.

We ended up binge watching the show all night long. Anything to put a smile on her face.

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