Chapter 25: October Varies Opaqueness Pt. 2

Okay. Alright. I guess we're officially back now. FINALLY. Eh. Idk. Thanks for sticking around though. Oh.. S/o to @StilliRiseTM.That random ass dm touched my heart tbh. Read.
                                                                                                                                         Cooncerely,
                                                                                                                                                Green & Purp... who didn't really proofread this shit, but y'all will deal.

Nicki woke up to a quiet and empty home. A home that up until two weeks ago, was filled with so much life. Life that she no longer thought she deserved to be in the presence of. A presence she had taken for granted too many times. And now that that presence was gone… again… with the possibility of never coming back, it was easier to see how valuable it was. Easier to see how wrong she was. Even through the almost constant sheet of sorrow that glazed her red, puffy eyes, and seemed to cause this time to go by in a blur. She had cried every day since Safaree had left, regardless of the fact that she knew it wouldn’t bring him back.

Loneliness had hit her the moment her best friend left out the door, but depression didn’t settle in until after Wayne, who had stayed a couple days extra to make sure she was alright, had flown back to Miami. The day he left, she woke up to find all traces of him gone. Even the guest room that he was supposed to sleep in, rather than random pieces of her furniture, looked the same as it was before his stay. She was officially alone and after the first week had gone by, she had become numb to it.

 But she needed the time to herself anyways. Just her, her emotions and thoughts. So she could sort them out with minimal distractions. Because at the end of the day, if you’re not a hundred percent sure about something, that leaves room for doubt and gives other’s opinions more power then they deserve to have. At least that’s what Wayne told her, after Martin unknowingly talked her into taking a false business call from him. She was pissed, but she was also thankful. Wayne was right. And of course she tried to take his advice into consideration. But making decisions about the matter was the last thing on her mind.

8

As she slugged around, getting ready to keep a few promises that she regretted making at the moment, the door rang. Nicki let out a big dramatic huff as she crossed the main room. The ringing increased with a few kicks in between causing her thoughts to race. She wondered what could be so important that whoever it was, needed her to answer so quickly. Approaching the door slowly, she stood on her toes to look out the peep hole. Seeing her expected guest, she snatched open her door and to her surprise, it was Micaiah who was causing all the commotion this time.

          “Lamb chop!” She exclaimed in a scolding matter.

“Excuse me, gotta go.” He said, rushing past her.

“Wha…?”

“Damn, Nika. You out here sippin’ or somethin’ cuz?” Jelani asked his younger sister in between breaths.

“Excuse me?!” She responded, full of attitude.

“Chill, Alice...” He told her, but Nicki didn’t change her look. “In Wonderland.” He added.

“I think he’s referring to 'Caiah being your height now.” Martin said sounding winded himself. Nicki rolled her eyes.

“Where are my lady bugs?” She asked, moving on from the misunderstanding.

“Uh…” Jelani sounded while looking around as though he just noticed they weren’t with him

“What was the point of coming if you weren’t gonna bring them, Jay?” She huffed, voice full of annoyance. “I hope you didn’t think you were comin’ in here without them. ‘Caiah can stay, but… ”

“I did, damn!” He yelled, interrupting her potential rant. “They probably still down in the lobby.” Nicki gave him a death glance, before brushing past him.

“Y’all STAY playin’ TOO fuckin’ much. Done raced up here actin’ childish and forgot my babies down in da damn lobby.” She said, while rushing to the elevator in her socks.

As soon as she reached the doors they opened. She squealed and screamed out of surprise and pure happiness.

“Candy Girl!” Nicki exclaimed, while giving her an embracive hug. Candi stumbled a bit.

“Girl!” Candi scolded. Not only was she holding Imani, but Nas was behind her, latched onto her leg. He didn’t like elevators and on top of that, Nicki’s reaction had caught him off guard.

“Nene, baby.” Nicki cooed, kissing Imani on her nose. She squirmed while clapping in joy.

“Tee Tee!” Imani exclaimed. Nicki put her hands up to receive her niece, but Candi turned away.

“Wha… Are you freakin’ serious right now?” Nicki asked, hitting the button to keep the elevator doors open.

“Dead.” She said simply. “Once you get her, nobody can. So I’m getting’ all my time in now.” Nicki rolled her eyes, even though she knew it was true.

“Uh, Tee Tee?” Kellise spoke up, sounding too grown. Nicki’s face went blank in disbelief.

“Oh. Somebody don passed kindergarten and think they’re to old to show Aunty some real love, huh?” Nick said.

Kellise shook her head in disagreement before darting towards her aunty with her hands up for a hug. Nicki hit the button again before bending down to her level.

“That’s my Kellise-ie bug.” Nicki sighed happily, swooping her up and giving her a big kiss. She giggled. “Come here little boy.” She told Nasir who was peaking around his mother’s leg. Nicki smacked her lips.

“Boy gon.” Candi told him. He crept around slowly, never letting her leg go.

“Here.” Nicki said, pointing to the space in front of her before hitting the button once more. He inched over, still holding on.

Nicki began backing up, slowly stepping off the elevator and Candi moved with her. He hadn’t even noticed what they were doing until he heard the doors closing. It startled him so he picked up his pace during the last few steps to Nicki.

“Yay!” Nicki cheered, before planting a kiss on his little forehead. Imani began to clap.

“Good job, man.” Martin said, surprising them all. Nicki had assumed he had gone in already. He smiled at Nas, before looking at her with his attempt at puppy eyes.

Not only did she take his key before kicking him out after the false business call last week, but she told him if he ever stepped foot into her place again, he’d be crawling out in pain.

“Go.” She huffed. He hesitated, but did as told when he saw the irritation on her face. Candi laughed.

“You so mean.” She told her. Nicki made a fake gasping noise.

“You hear that Nas? Mommy thinks I’m mean. Do you agree?” Nas looked at his mother, then back to Nicki before shaking his head. Nicki smiled big and held out her hand for a hi5. He jumped up and hit it.

“Whatever… Traitor.” Candi mumbled. Nasir felt bad so he went to go give her a hug. “Nah.” She said, speeding up her pace to Nicki’s door.

“So. How have you been, bug?” Nicki asked Kellise.

“Good, but Daddy didn’t get me the costume I want.” She pouted.

“Oh really, and what was that?”

“A robot!” She exclaimed.

“Hmmm. I wonder why?” She thought out loud.

“Cuh, they for boys.”

“They are?”

“Uh huh.” She nodded her head.

8

Nicki went in her closet to get their costumes she had had for some months now. At Micaiah’s request, they would all dress as a character from Adventure Time of Finn and Jake. She was to be Princess Bubblegum. Micaiah, Finn the human. Jelani, Jake the dog. Kellise, Beemo. And Imani, Lumpy Space Princess, aka LSP. She imagined how adorable her nieces would look in their little costumes, and wondered if Candi and Nas had brought their own. As she continued looking in her costume trunk, she found the Mr. Cupcake costume she had originally gotten for Kellise before Jelani had informed her she wanted to be some type of robot. and since Kellise and Nas were about the same size it would fit and it was a male anyways. Nicki was going to look further for something for Candi, but stopped when she saw S.B.’s Ice King costume.

Pulling out everyone’s mask and costumes except for that one, she laid them out on her bed.  She returned back to her closet to shut her trunk, but froze when she saw his costume again. She sighed, shut it and closed the closet doors before going to get her phone. Taking a deep breath, she decided to powered it up and text him.

          You still going trick or treating with us? No response.

She sat there staring at her screen for 5 minutes, before getting up. She missed him, dearly, but wouldn’t let his absence hunt the evening. She just had to man up for a day. Leaving it on, just in case, she tossed her phone on her bed before sitting down.

“Nicki?” She heard Candice call.

“I’m in here.”

“Oh.” Candi said walking in. “When I passed by the first time I didn’t see you.”

“I was in the closet.”

“And now you’ve come out?” She smirked.

“Shut up.” Nicki told her. Candi laughed. “Where’s my baby?”

“In there with the rest of them, watching the boys play da game…”

“I was talkin’ ‘bout Isaiah.”

“Oh.” She sighed, before flopping down next to Nicki. “You know how moms be.” Nicki nodded her head slowly in understanding as Candi just stared up at the ceiling.

“It’s gotten better though.” Nicki said, laying on her side. “Forgiveness isn’t some people’s strong point.” Candi grunted. “Forget you!”

“I guess, but it shouldn’t be like this.” Candi responded.

“I know.”

“Not now, when I’ve been had my shit together.” Candi continued, Voice wavering.

“Small steps Can.” She encouraged, rubbing her thigh. “You and her.”

“Crawls on her side.” She huffed.

“C’mon now. I’ll see him when I come back to visit.” She reminded her, squeezing her leg a little bit.

“Go somewhere!”

“Whaa?”

“I’m supposed to be coachin’ yo confused, depressed, and lonely ass.” She chuckled, while smacking her hand off of her….

8

Drake had returned from the bathroom. He could remain patient, but by now his nerves had kicked in. Before returning to the door he placed a Benjamin on the counter and grabbed him a couple packs of gum.

“Good look.” CJ told him. Drake nodded before attempting to head back to his spot at the door.

“Aye, Drizzy.” Jaz called out, stopping him in his tracks. Drake turned around. “We gon need some shells.”

 Without giving a response Drake back tracked. Reaching behind the counter, he tried to grab them, but was having trouble. Emonie noticed.

“You know you can go back there.” She reminded him. He nodded before doing so.

Emonie turned her attention back to the street. She was growing impatient and wanted to be in the mist of the celebration. Oliver’s phone had gone off and Chubbs’ face lit up after he’d answered it. Whatever he was overhearing made him mouth something to Emonie, but she could barely make it out.  After a minute had passed he began hopping up and down in a jumping jack motion. She turned around to see what Drake was doing and huffed loudly at him taking his good ol’ time. She looked back out to see Oliver shaking his head before putting his phone back in his pocket and making his way to the door. Emonie half smiled and twisted the handle for him.

“Thanks.” He told her before moving out of the way of the door. “It’s time.” He laughed mischievously.

“Shut up.” Niko said. Upset by the fact that their gift was actually coming into fruition.

“Don’t Be Mad.com.” Emonie told him. They laughed as Drake approached Courtné with five assorted boxes of Black & Milds, four assorted boxes of Swisher Sweets and a box of rolling papers.

“Really?!” Courtné asked with an attitude while opening her purse. Drake smiled, dropped them in, and headed for the door.

“So I’ll just…” He began, but stopped when he saw Chubbs in the way. “Man move.” He told him. Chubbs shook his head and kept his stance. Drake nodded before continuing to push the door open. Oliver grabbed his shoulder.

“Chill, man.” He said before letting him go. “It’s being brought to you.”

“Oh. Well, why didn’t y’all say so?”

“We ain’t know you was gon be propellin’ niggas with screen doors and shit.” Chubbs joked as he came through the door with Hush right behind him.

“Ya mom said don’t forget to lock the back door before we leave out.” Hush informed Emonie in a voice only she could hear. She nodded, even though she was confused as to why it was unlocked in the first place. “Where the bathroom at again?” Hush asked out loud.

“In the back. Second door on the left.” Emonie answered. Hush mushed her head wear then headed to the back. “Hey!”

“Come hear ‘Monie.” Courtné called, before slapping Hush in the arm as he passed by. “Jerk.”

When Emonie left her spot at the door, Oliver took it.

“Nervous?” He asked Drake.

“Naw, man. More like anxious.”

“Oh.”

“Why? Should I be?”

“Nervous? Not necessarily.” He answered. This made Drake relax a little. “Anxious?” He paused. “Always.”

“Always?”

“Yeah. Only if it’s real though.”

Drake nodded in understanding while continuing to stare out the screen door. Oliver mimicked.

 “You ever go back in that record store?”

“Nope. I haven’t had the time.” Drake sighed. “Plus, I want someone to accompany me.”

“Well why didn’t you ask me?” Oliver asked. “It’s because I’m white, isn’t it?”

“Naw, man. I hadn’t even noticed.” Drake chuckled. “I just… I wanted to take a special someone, that’s all.”

“Right.”

“Honestly.” He affirmed. “Someone with a good ear and some sort of musical background.”

“Lies told to an A&R.” They both laughed.

“Whatever man.”

“All you had to say was Nicki. I would’ve dropped it.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Yeah you’re right.” Oliver confirmed. “So… any progress?”

“You could say so.” Drake said “Just building from the bases.”

“You still think you deserve her?”

“Not on my best days.” He sighed. “But she deserves me on her worst.”

Oliver flashed an awkward smile. He couldn’t understand how his friend was still so determined, after all these years, to earn this woman’s love. The irrationality of the matter sometimes left him feeling sorry for Drake. To him, it seemed like he’d always end up wasting his time or blocking out more realistic chances of love, and for what? No doubt, she was bad, but there had to be something he was missing. Something Drake could see that he couldn’t. Even after they were introduced he didn’t think his friend would seriously pursue someone like her. She just wasn’t his type. Fast forward to the present, now she’s his only type. And any other girl he gives his time to is just a sad excuse to feel in the void. He could even find one that had some similar characteristics. But they’ll never have it all… because she’s the exception.

“She’s the exception.”

“Huh?”

“Nicki’s the exception?”

“To?”

“The motto.”

“Naw man. There is no exception.”

“Bet?”

“On what? Man no.”

“That you’ll never truly live by YOLO.”

“Man I breath it.”

“Nope.”

“Seriously?”

“You don’t really think you’re living.”

“What??”

“Can you live without her?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Just answer the question, man.” Oliver told him. Drake hesitated before speaking.

“Elaborate.”

“I mean… how can you live by ‘only living once’ and not even be living?” He said. Drake’s face went blank as he focused heavily on what his friend had just said. “You’re just surviving in my opinion bro. And if you’d lose her, you’d barely be doing that.”

“I guess. I mean, I’ve never really had her to lose.”

“Oh yeah.” Oliver said as if he’d forgotten.

“Man.”

“So it’s a bet?” He asked. Drake hesitated for a minute too long causing Oliver to think he forgot what it was on. “That she’s the exception.”

“And if I do?”

“I’ll grow a santa beard.”

“How long?”

“You know, like…”

“I mean how long would you keep it?”

“Uh.. until you and Nicki’s off spring have their first Chrishanukkah.” Drake let out a dry laugh, before holding his hand out.

“Bet.”

“Bet.” Oliver said, shaking it. “You really think that’s gonna happen don’t you.”

“I pray.” He answered. “And what do you get out of this?”

“The satisfaction of being right.” Drakes face twisted. “And you admitting you have a problem so you can recover.”

“I’m addicted?”

“To something.”

“What you mean?”

“I can’t tell if it’s to Nicki or pain.”

“Nicki is pain eh? And pleasure. That will be all mine.”

Drake’s eyes bucked when he heard someone clear their throat in the room he didn’t hear get quiet. The atmosphere was still as he slowly turned around to see that the population of the store had doubled. He was beyond embarrass. And not because he’d never confess his intentions to people outside of his crew. No. He had let his feelings be known to the whole world many of times. Complete strangers knew he was fond of her, but these weren’t strangers. These were Nicki’s immediate family and a child hood friend. Her world.

“Why is it so quiet in here?” Nicki’s voice chimed before she had come into Drake’s view.

As usual, his heart skipped a beat. She was absolutely beautiful. Dressed up in pink from head to toe looking like royalty in only something she could make look so good. Drake rubbed the back of his neck and adverted any really eye contact. He knew dressing up as a king or a prince would’ve been cliché, but man did he wish he would’ve gone with either of them now.

“The question is, why you so loud?” Chubbs responded. Everyone, besides the little ones, snickered. They were either lost, or to busy observing their surroundings of junk food to care.

“Boy bye.” Nicki told him. ‘Y’all introduce ya selves.” She instructed as she made her way over to Drake.

 “You look…” He began.

“I know Drake. I’m in costume. Princess Bubblegum for your info.”

“I was going to say so beautiful.”

“Oh.” She said, fixing her hair. She knew he preferred her as natural as she’d allow him to see so she wasn’t sure. “Go ahead.” He chuckled.

“But that changed once you told me who you were supposed to be.” He said seriously. Nicki barely caught herself from showing a reaction.

“Really?” She tried to say sardonically.

“Yep.” Drake smirked. “Now you look edible.”

“Don’t I always look edible?”

“Hmmm.” He pretended to ponder. She lowered her eyes. “Don’t I always look hungry?” She looked down, blushing.

“Thirst and hunger are two different things, babe.”

“That’s true.” He answered, causing her to look up. “But they’re both taken into the same place.”

“Ew.” Nicki said, smacking his chest. Drake flashed his contagious smile and she hesitantly followed suit.

“Raise.” Courtné coughed. Everyone who knew about the arrangement chuckled.

8

“See you in less than 3 weeks.” Nicki told Kellise.

“Okay.” She mumbled. Nicki’s heart ached.

“Oh bug. Cheer up, it won’t be that long.”

“I know.” She responded, still sounding sad.

“I’ll bring you and Imani gifts if I hear good reports.” Nicki told her, causing her demeanor to change a bit. “And Pretty Lady Lauren with her make up.”

“Yay!”

“Yeah, she aiight.”

“Will Saree come too Tee Tee?” She asked. Nicki’s face twisted at the question. “Sah-Free.” She added, trying to pronounce it better.

“Why do you ask, Kellise?” Nicki asked confused. Jay cleared his throat. “No reason.” She said, reminding Nicki of when ‘Caiah would lie.

“Okay, Mama.” Nicki told her, pulling her into a long embrace. She let go, but not before placing pecks all over her face. Kellise giggled.

“I love you Tee Tee.”

“I love you too, ‘Lise-ie bug.” She said, giving her another hug. “Now go get on the plane with Uncle ‘Caiah. Daddy will be right there.” She instructed, looking up at Jay. Kellise nodded, and skipped over to ‘Caiah in obedience.

Nicki watched her brother and niece make their way to the stairs and up them slowly. She smiled at ‘Caiah hanging his head because Kellise refused to be carried and was taking baby steps. Once they got to the top, Kellise turned around and waved bye. Nicki blew her a kiss and she mimicked before skipping out of sight. ‘Caiah nodded and Nicki quickly put her hand over her mouth to hide the smile that was forming. She relaxed her face and slyly made it look like she was blowing him a kiss too. He grinned before disappearing.

“Who told him he was cute?” She asked rhetorically while laughing.

“Besides yo smotherin’ a...”

“Up.” She sounded, cutting him off. “How many times do I have to say it? Liddle ears here.” She reminded him while grabbing Imani’s ear. She giggled and squirmed in her father arms as she reached for her aunty.

“Whatever.” He said, going into is pocket. “My girls know better… right?” He said lookin at Nene. Her face became serious as she nodded in assurance. Nicki thought it was the cutes thing ever.

          “Okay. When one of ‘em slip up in front of mommy…”

          “I’ma blame dey mama.” He laughed.

“Mommy?” Nene asked. Nicki shook her head while taking her from Jay.

“Daddy’s a buffoon.” She whispered in her ear. Imani giggled.

“Bah-Foo.”

“Aye.” He said sternly, before lighting a Black & Mild and taking a pull. Nicki’s face went blank.

“Didn’t you just get done smoking?”

“Yep.” He exhaled. “Ya boy and them got that loud.” Nicki rolled her eyes, then kissed Imani on her cheek.

“So what was that all about?” Nicki asked.

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Jelani.”

“Don’t assume I know what you talkin’ ‘bout, Onika.” Nicki side eyed him.

“Why did Kellise bring up Safaree?”

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she was wonderin’ where dat nigga at. Shit, I was.”

“Watch ya mouth.” She told him, pointing at him. “And what you mean WAS?”

“I honestly don’t care anymore.”

“What?”

“It’s obvious y’all in some deep sh… stuff again, and I don’t want any part of it.”

“So she was just randomly wondering where he was?”

“Yep. I’m right and you know it.”

“Because you won’t answer my got damn question??”

“Oooh.” Imani sounded before yawning.

“Sorry, mama.” She told her before switching her to her other hip. Jelani smirked.

“No, because I did and you’re still focused on it.” He told her. She huffed. “Look at you. Getting all defensive.”

“No. I’m getting cold and irritated.” She said, before walking towards the stairs of the private jet. Jelani followed suit.

“80/20.” He said simply, taking another pull.

“Shut up, I mean be quiet.” Nicki corrected herself while looking down at Imani, who had laid her head to her chest.

“Relationships will always be 80/20.” He continued. Nicki didn’t respond. “No matter WHAT kind of relationship, someone’s gonna get the 80 and the other’s stuck with the 20.”

“We’ve already had this conversation, Jay.”

“But in order for it to work, you gotta learn to take turns.” He finished. “Did you?”

“Don’t preach to me when you can’t even...”

“I know. I fucked up big time. But she still loves me. And with everyday, I’m slowly, but surely regaining her trust.”

“Well, good for y’all. Try not to mess it up this time.” She said coldly. “Shoot, she’s a good one cuz it wouldn’t be me.”

“Thanks, I won’t. She’s everything… and you never really know.” He answered. “Always expect the unexpected.”

“Expect to get lied to and cheated on??” Imani flinched.

“Wow.” Jelani said, shaking his head. He inhaled some more, then looked at the glow of it burning. “People make mistakes. You out of all people should know that.”

“Twice?”

“Three times a charm.” He said sardonically.

“Bye.” She told him, before kissing a very sleepy Imani. “Aunty will see you soon, okay?”

“Kay, Princess bubgum.” Nicki smiled and hugged her niece one more time. She took in her baby fresh smell that she loved so much before handing her to her father.

 “Get your own.” Jelani joked. Nicki flashed a half smile.

“I will, Jay.” She said, zipping up the jacket Martin had grabbed for her some more. “Just gotta get some things in order.”

“I hear that.” He said, exhaling.

“Now you do.” She chuckled.

“Aye.” He said before taking a long pull from his mild. “If wisdom don’t come with age and kids… yous a dumb fuck.”

“UmmHmm.”

“I’m not dumb.” He said putting his mild out on the jet’s metal stair rail. “I learn from my mistakes.” Nicki felt a bit insulted even though he probably didn’t mean it that way.

“Please tell me what you’ve learned new.” She said sarcastically. Jelani chuckled.

“There’s another version to the 80/20 rule.”

“Uh huh?” She said, looking towards the truck Martin was waiting for her in.

“It can also go for choices.” He continued. Nicki knew where this was going.

“Okay. Well that’s nice, but y’all really need to get back so Caiah can rest for school tomorrow.”

“Right.”

“Yep.” She said before turning to walk away.

She didn’t want to talk about it yet. Especially not outside in the middle of a plane runway on the first day of November.

“Nika.” He called out before she could get too far. Nicki turned around. “Appreciate the 80 cuz in the end, the 20 ain’t worth it.” She tilted her head.

“Don’t settle for the 80 unless you’re sure it’s an 80 and the 20 just a 20.” Jelani nodded.

“If the 80’s really an 80 it’s not considered settling.”

“If a 20’s just a 20, why’d you keep going back?” Nicki said, putting her hands on her pockets.

“Look. I’m not the one who got you in this shit. I’m just trying to help you out.”

“How can you help me out of something you know nothing about, Jelani??”

“You right.” He said, sounding a bit bitter.

“Safaree must have called you.”

“How you sound, Nika?” Nicki slowly walked back towards him.

“He called you before.”

“Almost a decade ago.” He said, voice raising.

“Shhh.”

“I’m just saying. Why would that grown ass man call me? About you? A grown woman.” She shrugged, looking away. “I told you females and niggas can’t just be friends.”

“You think you know everything.”

“I know you betta fix yo attitude before you come back home. Mommy can read yo ass with her eyes closed.”

“Gramma?” Imani mumbled. They’d assumed she was sleep by now since she had remained almost inert since Nicki gave her to Jelani.

“Yes baby, now go back to sleep.” Nicki said, pulling Imani’s little purple sweat pants leg down.

          “Well alright. See you at the table.”

          “I’m tryna make it before then.” Nicki almost whined.

          “Sure.” He said as he walked up the stairs.

          “Watch.”

          “Uhm hmm.”

          “Whatever.” She said, walking away.

          When she got back to the truck she turned around to see Jelani in the door way watching her. He was sweet. Always looking out for her, but she wanted him to get her niece out of the cold.

          “If you don’t get in there and sit down so the man can take off.”

“Get some rest! You look exhausted!” Damn. From here? She thought. As she felt the urge to lean against her door.

“Anything else while you’re telling me what to do?!” She yelled back. Martin had gotten out to help her in.

“Put aside yo crazy and bring him!”

“Safaree ain’t gone come.” She said moving so he could open the door.

“Did you even ask him?!” Jelani continued.

“You betta quit yellin’ in my baby’s ears before you wake her up.”

“Bring Safaree!” He yelled louder. Imani jumped at the sound of his voice. Nicki went to flick him off, but stopped herself when Kellise appeared in the door way, yawning.

“Yeah! Bring Saree!” She joined in. Jelani looked down at her and smiled before looking back out to his sister.

“Bring Saree!” He mocked. Imani was now awake and rubbing at her eyes.

“Saree! Saree! Saree! Saree!” They both cheered. Nicki shook her head.

She waved goodbye before getting in and buckling her seatbelt. Martin made sure she was settled with her limbs and clothing out of the way before he went to shut her door.

“Ice King!” She heard Imani yell… TO BE CONTINUED ;-P