It was the middle of October, I was able to close on a nice home in Rock Hill, SC, with three bedrooms and two- and one-half baths. It wasn't fancy, but it was mine. It was on a nice plot of land and had plenty of trees, a nice driveway, and a huge backyard. All I could think is, this is plenty of space for a child to run around and have a grand time.
My brothers liked the space. They had helped me move some stuff into the house. I had found a job working as an office manager at a pharmaceutical company. It paid decent money, that along with the money Ken was providing in a secret account he had established would be more than enough to help me stay on track.
I was finally three months pregnant and my due date was in April of the following year. I would send Ken weekly updates and pictures of the ultrasounds. He enjoyed receiving my updates. He said it was the one thing that kept him sane amid his wild freaky marriage.
At the end of the month, I sat outside in the backyard, enjoying the nice fall breeze when I received a call from Sean, "Hey there sis, how are you?"
"I'm great," I replied, as I sat rocking back and forth in the chair. I could hear the sound of an engine in the background, I knew he was driving. We hadn't seen each other since I had left Winston.
"I'm in the area, I was wondering if I could stop by, we can catch up."
"Yeah. I'll text you my address."
He arrived around 3:00 pm. When we hugged at the door, I indulged in his familiar fragrance. His back was so nice and strong. I always felt like my chocolate was being wrapped in his caramel every time he hugged me.
"Come in," I said smiling.
He entered, "Okay, I see we got some swag now."
My place was far more decorative than the last. I had acquired some Black art, some Spanish art, it added a nice flare to the place. "So, you were visiting family or your girlfriend, what was her name?"
He smiled, "How many times I've told you that that's not my girlfriend."
"Um, well, you drive all the way here to see her, so..."
"I come to see my peeps." He chuckled, "I'm also here checking on you so--"
"You want something to drink?" I asked as I walked toward the kitchen.
"Whatchu got?"
I opened the refrigerator, there was water, juice, milk, sparkling cider, "I don't have any beers, but I got sparkling cider?" I laughed.
"I'll just take a water." He looked on the stove, "Wait a minute, you cooked."
"I know. Crazy right?" I had made some baked chicken, with red beans and rice with cornbread. As I reached for some plates, I paused and took the time to thank him, "I appreciate you for everything. You helped me and you didn't judge me and there was plenty to judge."
He smiled, "I got you always sis, so let's eat."
After we ate, we went to the living room to watch football. He told me he played in high school and college, but got hurt and had to stop. He decided to leave college and enroll in culinary school, later he became a chef.
