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Too many reports of men attacking women because they were rejected swirled around these days.
Defending people I knew in my heart were guilty had been causing it to ache. No amount of money was worth my peace.
Like Pac, I didn’t care about being the one to make change; but I did want to be the one who helped or inspired someone to do it.
She was taking my sew-in down so she could grease my scalp. The gesture was an act of love and service that our grandmother drilled into us years ago—greasing scalps and washing feet while singing gospel hymns for those who were hurting somehow made all things better.
I wouldn’t condone the young pregnancy, but I for damn sure wouldn’t make her feel bad about it. Her mother and life would do that enough.
If I wasn’t careful, the woman I once loved, then hated, would be the woman I loved all over again.
“As much hate as you’ve carried for that man in your heart, you’ve carried just as much love. Even if you don’t want to admit that, you still love him.”
“It’s been fifteen years, love,” I continued. “Fifteen years of us hating one another for something we didn’t even do.” His head flung back, and he pulled me into his chest. “Fifteen years of us grieving a child we both wanted to have.” “Fifteen years of us trying to find love in others when it’s been right here all along.”
I knew I was safe with him. I knew I could trust him. I knew I wasn’t stupid to love him. I knew what we had was real.
What problem a lot of men had was wanting their woman to operate a certain way but they didn’t provide the environment for her to flourish in it.
“I loved the teenage version of you, and I love the adult version of you too. We’ve changed, but your heart and character are still the same. We have the rest of our lives to shed our skin and change together… over and over again. But the one thing that will always remain the same is my love for you. So, I love you, Shalom. I’m in love with you. I always have been, and I always will be.”
“I’m in love with you too, Mecca. I love who you are, not what you do or what you have, that’s why there has never been a replacement for you. God…” Her eyes watered as she laughed quietly, looking toward the sky. “I hate that we spent so much time thinking a lie, but I’m so happy our paths led us back to one another. I love you so much, love. Thank you for having the courage to try again.”
“You’re right about that. Kids, like men, soften when they are listened to. I just hope I’m not wasting my time trying to get through to them.”
“She’s the last and only I swear.” I wrapped my arms around her. “You’re going to be my only wife and the only mother of my children. Fate brought us back together, and I meant it when I said nothing would stand in the way of our happily ever after this time.”
I didn’t just want to please her sexually; I wanted to please her in every way possible. I truly believe God made us for each other. We were chosen to give each other His love and a taste of heaven on earth. Maybe we got too early of a start while we were in high school and awakened love before its time, but this… this was our time. This was our love. And soon, we would have our child.
