Please excuse ANY errors.

December 28, 1998

~Ashari's P.O.V~

I decided to leave with Daryl because I refuse to be there with Yasir, his mother... While Daryl went into Urgent Care, I went right across the street to get some food at McDonald's. We sat outside instead of inside because Masir needs some space to run and it's not that cold.

We all ate a little earlier, but it was late and we didn't even eat it all. Our leftovers are at home. I feel bad because I'm the one that pulled out the switchblade in the first place. Then Daryl is the one who got slashed and it was AFTER I slashed her ass. None of us know her or there's no telling what the hell diseases she and Yasir have.

"I want toy!" Masir whined because his sister had the toy that come with the meal in her mouth.

"You got one already," I told him because I got them their own happy meals.

"I want two, mommy."

"That's a girl's toy, Masir. You got your own. Play with it." I told him. "Stop whinin' or imma give you somethin' to whine about," I warned.

He angrily huffed at me and continued to play with his toy.

"Want a French fry?" I asked Asiri.

She took the toy out of her mouth and I fed her a piece of a french fry. Masir took that as the chance to snatch the toy from Asiri and he ran off.

"Masir, get back over here!" I shouted as he ran all around the area, laughing.

Once Asiri noticed her toy was gone, she threw a hissy fit.

"Masir!" I shouted at him. "Come here," I said trying to give her a pacifier, but she wouldn't take it.

He laughed even harder and I stood up. "There you go, I knew that was my son!" Yasir said snatching him up.

"Daddy!" Masir said excitedly.

"Why do you always feel the need to take my kids away from me?" Yasir said walking close to me with Masir in his arms and his heifer on his side.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?" I sighed. "I'm so fuckin' tired of y'all. What are y'all followin' me?" I exasperated.

"I didn't follow you. I simply looked up the closest Urgent Care around here and boom, I just happened to spot my son across the street." He chuckled. "The you holding my daughter."

Irritated, I replied to him. "You know exactly why. You are always putting my children in harm's way. Always sayin' and doin' shit in front of them. Especially Masir, he's at a point where he's very impressionable, so he repeats and reenacts what you do, but you don't seem to care about that. I keep having to repeat myself." I spoke over a crying Asiri, at the same time trying to soothe her.

"You wouldn't have to if you at least let me see my kids. You act like I'm one of those niggas that don't wanna take of their kids." He frowned. "I'm very concerned for you because you can't seem to have a civil conversation with someone you were with for years. The man that you were with who was good enough for you to have two children with. What happened?" He frowned, but his face held a smile.

"YOU know what the hell happened. It was YOU that happened. You changed from a carin' man to some nigga off the fuckin' street. Now it's two of you." I looked at Ms. Thang. "If y'all both don't go, I'm slashing some throats." I threatened because all I have are threats.

He raised his eyebrows. "Threatening me? Again? When will you learn that threats get you nowhere?"

"What you gon' slice me with? You ain't got shit." Bianca laughed. "What the hell is wrong with this bitch?" She looked at Yasir, pointing to me.

I've said this before and will say this again, I can't fight which is why I've been carrying weapons on me. I've never had to fight growing up or never fought with my siblings. I only had my words to defend myself and my family fought my battles.

"She scared now. Ain't nobody here to defend yo lil black, burnt ass! Say what you was sayin' at home. Gon' 'head." She leaned forward with her ears close to my mouth.

I remained silent, squinting at him. "You're seeing your kids at the moment, don't ruin it."

Yasir put Masir down and grabbed Asiri from me, making her pause for a second. Asiri's head jerked back, staring at her father and she began crying again, turning away from Yasir and reaching out for me. I grabbed her and she immediately stopped, turning her head away from him and towards me.

"This don't make no sense. She cryin" because she don't know me because YOU, her mama, tryin' to keep it like that." He deeply frowned with his jaws puffed up. "That's some fucked up shit. I know that everybody is turning against me, but the fact that you tellin' my kids shit about me, making me look like the bad parents is what's fuckin' with me." He shook his head.

"What the hell can I tell an infant? Huh? I can't tell her nothin' and Masir is old enough to see it for himself. He may not understand, but he sees." I replied.

He shook his head at me. "Tsk... Tsk... Tsk... See... Don't try to- you are causing trauma to the both of our kids. First, you leave and kick me out, letting them witness everything that happened between us. You gon' make them think I don't want them with the way you actin' towards me."

"I thought it was you who left the black bitch?" Bianca asked Yasir confused.

"Ain't that what the fuck I said?" Yasir raised his eyebrow at her, then frowned. "Don't interrupt me no more. This shit is ridiculous."

I looked down, silently laughing, then looked back up. At first, I had no problem with her, but now... Ever since she's been talking shit, I hated her gut. Meddling in business that ain't got shit to do with her ugly ass. I only felt sorry for her, but now... I believe she deserves everything he's giving her.

"And you laughing?" Bianca asked me. "Bitch, I oughta beat the shit outta you. Swing on yo ass. Get yo scary ass up!" She shouted.

"No, you not because we ain't got nowhere else to go. Do we? Unless you finna pay for a hotel?" He asked her and she remained silent. "So calm yo lil pale ass down. Matter of fact, go over there- sit in the fuckin' car because you just pissin' me off and don't touch nothin'. Gettin' on my fuckin' nerves." Yasir shook his head at her. "I just want custody of my kids. Don't worry, you will see them during the summer."

"You got me fucked up," I told him. "Custody for what? You are not a good enough parent as is. You talk about your reputation, but talk to me like shit in front of my kids and even put your hands on me."

He inhaled then exhaled, I guess it's his way of calming himself down. He gritted his lips and teeth. "I'm so fuckin' tired of yo stupid ass accusing me of putting my hands on you when that shit ain't ever happen. You KNOW I NEVER put my hands on you, especially in front of my fucking kids!" He whisper-yelled, smacking the table.

"Choking me is putting your hands on me," I replied.

DeVanté's bodyguard, Creed, came out of McDonald's. He was in the bathroom because I guess he got food poisoning from the place we at lunch at. "What are you doin'?" He asked him. "You followin' us or somethin'?"

"Came here for something to eat and wanted to spend time with my kids." Yasir chuckled. "Why? Who the fuck are you?"

Creed gave him a look. "You don't know who I am, but you been staying in the same house with me? You know who the fuck I am. Messy ass nigga."

Yasir laughed. "Welp!" He stood up. "I guess I better head home!"

"Yeah, back to Georgia." I nodded with a smile.

"No... Who the hell said that? I'm goin' back to where WE ALL are stayin'," Yasir chuckled, "back to the house we go. I'll see you when you get there." He waved, wiggling his fingers.

Bianca walked back over to where I'm sitting, leaning down, and whispered. "I'm still gon' kick yo black ass."

"Didn't I say get in the fuckin' car!? Bitch, get yo ass in that fuckin' car!" Yasir raised his voice at her.

"Please, you look like yo ass was bein' messy," Creed told her. "But you talk to women real reckless, I see. You don't talk half as bad like that to a man."

Yasir just walked off, his witch had already hastily made her way to the car. Creed sat in the spot Yasir once took up once Yasir pulled off. "Was he anything like that when y'all were together?" He asked. "Sorry to pry."

"Not as bad because he didn't make demands as he doin' with her ass, but he was abusive in a few ways," I replied. "Much of the didn't occur until we were broken up. That's why I need someone with me at all times. He's crazy and it's even more dangerous with someone on his hip who does anything he says." I told him.

"Oh, I vetted him as the type." He shook his head. "I don't like his ass."

"He seems to not like his damn self. The only person that loves his ass is his mama and sister. Daryl does too in some way, but it's hard to display it." I chuckled. "He's quickly burning all of his bridges. Someone will handle him."

"Whole family fucked up?" He questioned.

"Just about." I nodded. "In some way or another. I mean the WHOLE damn family too. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins..." I chuckled. "Really crazy. I haven't met them all, but it's just what I heard."

~Tia's P.O.V~

After walking into the house, I just followed the voice of Yasir complaining and it just so happens that he was in the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen to see the three men and Bianca standing there. Yasir and Derek stood face to face while Dalvin stood beside the two with his arms crossed, facing me.

"I'm tired of yo lil ass squeakin' at me and shit!" Yasir laughed and Derek socked Yasir right in the jaw.

Yasir stumbled back a few steps, wiping his mouth. I stood there shocked at Derek. Derek seems like... Not like punk or anything, but he seems like he doesn't like confrontation and chaos. I turned around to see Donald behind me.

"H- OH, SHIT!" Donald laughed with his fist to his mouth.

"Who's the bitch now?" Derek asked Yasir with his arms out at his side. It was almost welcoming Yasir to hit back. "You been talkin' non-stop shit about me and my brothers! Then talkin' even more reckless with these women. You ain't no man. What's up, nigga? I'm tired of yo punk ass!"

"Beat that nigga ass!" Bianca yelled at Yasir.

"Bitch, shut yo ass up!" Yasir yelled at Bianca.

"Beat his ass!" Donald cheered for his brother, moving in closer to get a better look.

Yasir sped towards Derek, swinging, but missed because Derek ducked. Derek punched Yasir in the gut. Yasir grunted, holding his stomach, then punched Derek on the side of his head.

"Y'all stop!" I screamed. What the hell is taking the police so long?

"That okay! That only one on you. Beat his ass, Derek!" Donald hooted at his brother, jumping up and down.

They punched each other a few times, then Yasir slammed Derek onto the hard kitchen floor and punched him. Donald and Dalvin jumped into action, pulling Yasir off of their brother. Dalvin punched Yasir in his stomach. A loud gasp escaped my and Maria's mouth. She came in at the same time that I did. Donald looked at me and dropped Yasir's arm.

"Look, I ain't hit him," Donald said backing up.

Maria rushed to Derek who was still laying on the floor, impacted by the hard slam.

"You okay?" Maria asked on her knees beside Derek.

"Think you just gon' slam my fuckin'-" Dalvin punched Yasir again, but this time harder, " brother like that and get away with that shit!?"

"Fuck you!" Yasir punched Dalvin, still on his knees.

That gave Yasir the chance to stand up. It took a while for Yasir to get up, but he did and got some licks in on Dalvin. They exchanged hits and Donald grabbed Yasir from behind by his arms. Derek finally got off his back, standing up. Maria rushed to the freezer and grabbed something cold, handing it to Derek.

"Leave y'all. This nigga ain't worth the dirt we walk on." Donald told his brothers as Yasir stood there breathing hard in Donald's grasp. Then Yasir snatched away from Donald.

Derek and Dalvin left the kitchen. The kids, who I didn't even know were standing there, made a path so the two could leave.

"Go upstairs," I told them all and they scattered.

"I should beat your ass too," Yasir said to Donald, leaning against the island, panting. "You lucky as fuck that I'm tired as fuck, nigga." He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "All y'all niggas got crackhead speed."

Donald smiled, "believe me, I want to do the same. You KNOW who stoppin' me though. It's not that we can got crackhead speed, it's that you got diabetic weight."

"You gotta go, bruh." I pointed to the door with my thumb.

Yasir sat down on the stool still breathing heavily. "Now you speakin' to me?" Yasir said shocked with a smile. "I'll leave the kitchen, for you." He said turning away.

"No, you gotta leave this house. I don't know where you go and nor do I care, but your ass has got to go." I told him and he spun around on his heels. I looked at Bianca. "The both of you." I made it clear.

"Why?" Yasir questioned. "The first time you speakin' to me and you tellin' me to leave? I didn't do nothin'. I did what you said. I followed it to the T. I didn't put my hands on nobody or nothin', until now. Derek started that shit though. These niggas basically jumped me and I'M the one gettin' kicked out? What about them? They ain't even yo family. I get my ass beat and I got to leave? How that shit work?"

"You gotta go. You know what you did and you gotta go." I shook my head. "The both of you." I reiterated.

His head jerked back. "Why do I have to leave when it looks as if his people stayin'? They just as much in the wrong as me. You ain't even hear my side of the story."

"Nigga, you heard her! Get your fat ass out!" Donald told Yasir. "Why she got to keep repeatin' herself? What? My brother's punched your sense to hear out or some shit?"

"Donald, I got this," I calmly spoke. "It's okay. Wait out there for me, please?"

"For what? You said get out and that should be it. Nigga leave!" Donald told him.

"Donald..." I trailed off and he left the kitchen. "He is right about that, get the fuck out," I told Yasir. "I don't need to hear shit. I'm tired of you too. We all are."

"Gon' 'head." Yasir nodded at Bianca he said telling her to leave, I'd assume. "Get her." He finished, catching me completely off guard.

So he's really standing here in front of me, siccing his dog on me? I looked at him and perked up with my adrenaline rising and turned to her. I saw the door open more, revealing Donald and the guards and I shook my head at him, telling him it was fine. Through my peripherals, I saw the door close, but not completely. I focused my attention on Bianca again. I didn't even say a word, but I made eye contact with her and held it, waiting... I'm ready! Bianca stepped closer to me. I raised an eyebrow, then she backed away a few steps.

"I got people. You watch your back." Bianca pointed at me. "And your front, bitch."

"You scared of my sister? I know you ain't scared of her scary ass. She ain't gon' do shit to you. Not while I'm right here." Yasir scoffed at her. "Why wait?"

"I'm tryna figure out why the fuck you waitin'? I said get the fuck out. Your shit is outside. Now, GO." I squeezed my eyes shut with my head pounding very hard, pointing to the door, then opened them again because I need to watch for any one of them. I'm a little lightheaded.

They like to sneak on people or so I heard. Yasir walked closer to me with his eyes tight, but opened and his finger pointed at me. I looked up the closer he got to me due to his size. He cuffed his hand like he was getting ready to choke me out. The door flew open, hitting the wall, and revealing Donald, Jax, and Apollo. Yasir immediately straightened up.

"Nigga, you must be ready to be laid up in a fuckin' hospital bed if you THINK you finna touch her," Donald said aloud, clearly speaking to Yasir. "You treat her like a sister, instead of just sayin' that shit."

"What my bitch said... Watch yo fuckin' back! Both of y'all!" Yasir pointed at us."Look as far as I'm concerned, fuck you and we ain't shit. Fuck that blood shit. Water must've thickened the fuck up because THAT right there is sticking' to me no matter what!" He said referring to Bianca. "Remember that shit!" Jax pulled Yasir away and out of the kitchen. "We not blood no more! You too!" He pointed at Donald. "Watch your fuckin' back!"

The police FINALLY showed up! They heard what was said. "The MAIN problem is being escorted out," I told the police. "Now, it's just her," I pointed at Bianca.

"Ahh, fuck you. You ain't gon' do shit to neither one of us." Donald waved him off and I can tell that he's riled up.

"Who's house is this?" The police asked us about Bianca's yapping. "Who's the owner?"

"I'm rentin' it out, officers. They not supposed to be here," Donald replied to the two officers.

"Are you the owner?" The black cop asked him.

"I'm the renter for the time being." Donald repeated with a look of irritation. "It's just for the holidays. Escort them out please. You heard them threaten us." Donald gestured towards Yasir and Bianca.

"Fuck you! You ain't shit without them guards nigga!" Yasir cackled.

"Take them away," the white cop spoke.

Amused, Donald smiled. "The same nigga who can't stand on his own two feet without havin' to lean on your sister for financial support? You ain't shit without her. Without her, you are homeless. Let's see who can stand the most on they own! 'Cause I damn sho' can fight my own battles, but you can't pay yo own bills!" Donald laughed as we followed them.

Why did I call the police? Because if something else happens, it's Yasir's words against mine and whomever else. Yasir probably doesn't know it, but the police heard his threats. I called them expecting them to be here way earlier than they arrived. It took them long enough to just show the fuck up, but I didn't want anything to happen, which it did. People tend to do anything when they're broke and angry. Then here comes my mother, following. Satan and his puppet were escorted out of the house.

"I'm getting a restraining order," I exhaled deeply, speaking to myself. Placing a restraining order in France would be pointless because of the amount of time it takes to take effect. I know we won't be here too much longer.

"When did my son get here? Why you putting him down?" She turned to Donald. "I know you was in this position before, financially unstable, but you push that onto the next man and you allow this shit too." She turned to me. "That's your fuckin' brother and you chose him over this man?"

"You heard all of that, but not him, YOUR SON, threatenin' YOUR DAUGHTER and me?" Donald emphasized, but didn't raise his tone or anything. "Sounds like favoritism. It always does Mrs. Toussaint. I know you don't care about me if you don't care about your own daughter, but could you TRY to care about your daughter?"

"You lyin' on him. Even if he did, he ain't mean none of that. He's just upset that she kickin' him out. He's hurt and I would be too at my sibling for doing some shit like this." My mother responded, then looked me up and down with her arms crossed, "just scandalous."

"Your daughter is hurt by the both of you and I would be too, Mrs. Toussaint." Donald took a deep breath. "You should really think about that," he squinted, hurt.

"Momma, stop because this ain't got nothin' to do with you. You're standing here as if he's completely right and your only child. Did you forget you have a daughter? Or let me guess, you gon' cosign him and say we ain't blood no more either?" My voice held sarcasm. "You can go follow in his steps if you feel a way and escort yourself out too. Please because I'm over it." I finished speaking to her. "Dalvin and Derek, I'm sorry about all of this." I apologized to them both not expecting them to accept it but just letting them know that I apologize for all of this.

They sat there with frozen bags of food on their faces. The rest of Donald's family just watched everything go down silently. They weren't there for the fight, but they came in afterward. My mother made her way up the stairs and I made my way towards the elevator because I don't have the fucking time to be listening to his family talk shit either. I'm scared of elevators, but it seems better than taking the same stairs that my mother is going up.

Honestly, I appreciate what Donald has done, taking us all on a trip because it's thoughtful and not to mention expensive, but I'm ready to go home. I'm emotionally exhausted and I can't blame anyone but myself. I brought this on me and I'm ready to go.

Do stupid things and win stupid prizes, they say and this trip is definitely proof of that. I allowed Yasir to stay and the consequences are THIS. What can I say? That I have a good heart? No, it's the fact that I have a dumb brain and don't trust my intuition when it comes to my family. I'm always thinking about the what-ifs instead of reality. Repeating actions over and over has nothing to do with a good heart. This is fucked up. I hope Daryl is okay!

I went straight into the bathroom to wash my hands, then sat on the sink just thinking about all this toxicity. Don't have my laptop here, only my CD case. Right now, I need a pick me up and it's always music that helps, so my only choice is to sit here in silence which I don't like. Wait, I can leave, that isn't my only choice. I don't have to stay in this room and be miserable! I'm on vacation!

I don't have my phone though because it's in the car, so I can't call Jax. No... Jax probably needs a break, he's been with us all this time. I made my way downstairs to the main floor, walking past all of the grandparents, and made my way to where everyone usually hangs. Everyone seems to be alright. In fact, they're all having fun, and that's great. I would've knocked on the opened door, but I just quietly walked inside and walked up to Slim. Jax saw me and walked to me.

"Need anything?" Jax asked.

"You probably need a break." I turned back to Slim.

"Nahh, I'm fine. You need somethin'? Go somewhere?" Jax asked. "I'm ready if you are."

"You sure because I was just gonna ask Creed or Slim?" I asked him.

"I'm sure. Creed is not even here. I don't wanna be in the house if you tryna leave." Jax replied.

"Okay. Yeah." I nodded at Jax. "Nevermind." I looked at Slim. "Sorry for disrupting what you were doing. Good day." I then walked back up the stairs.

Donald grabbed my hand, "I was just lookin' for you all around. My brothers are cool. You okay?"

"I'm okay," I nodded with a smile, softly squeezing his hand in reassurance.

Donald glanced at Jax. "You leavin'?"

"Yeah..." I exhaled through the word "For a bit, but meet me at the hotel because I'm not coming back here."

"Do you need me to be with you?" Donald questioned.

"No, I need space and this a family vacation," I replied. "Your brothers and family need you more than ever right now."

"Okay." He nodded. "I don't want to do this because your brother and that girl threatened you, but you need your space. I'm not there, so I think you should at least add one or two more security guards if you gon' be out and about. Imma send Slim up here too. Alright?"

"Okay."

"Good, I'll be back." His voice deepened, almost robotically, like Arnold Schwarzenegger on Terminator.

"Aht, Donald," I laughed. "Corny, but I'll be in the car, love."

"Imma go get him right quick." He jogged away.

I nodded and made my way through the house, bumping into Daryl. I smoothly glided past him with a quick apology and continued on my path outside. I didn't even get into the car before Donald came jogging back out of the house.

"So, I'm leavin' her safety in y'all's hands, so PLEASE take care of her. See some suspicious people, take heed. Suspicious includes her brother and that girl he got with him. I don't need y'all to be playin' at a time like this." Donald then turned to me. "And if YOU need anything and I mean ANYTHING, you can call Tyrone." He sang. "Don't call me!"

"I'm not finna keep playin' with you!" I said laughing. "I love you!"

"I'm just playin'. Definitely call me and the police. I love you, but can you wait?" He questioned. "Like ain't you forgettin' somethin'? Someone..." He trailed off.

I looked up at the sky, then at him. "No," I smirked, getting into the car, then got back out of the car. "I'm just playing. Give Big Mama some sugar!" I grabbed his cheeks.

"Oh, hell nah. Tia, you over here soundin' like somebody diabetic grandma." He said cracking up. I pecked his lips. "So you just gon' leave me with a little birdy peck?" He said lifting me up by the waist.

I tucked my lips into my mouth and shook my head no. He placed me down on my feet.

"Alright." He nodded. "Be that way then. I love you. Bye."

I grabbed his hand, pulling him close. "I'm joking and you know it."

"Don't I though?" He cackled. I jumped on him, causing him to stumble a bit because he was taken off guard. "Woah. Caught me completely off guard. Warn me, please."

"Mhmm," I muffled against his lips.

When we pulled away, he spoke. "You sure you wanna be by yourself? I don't feel right doin' that after him sayin' that. I may not have seemed like I was takin' his ass seriously, but I was. That nigga is off. I don't take threats lightly."

"No, not really because I have guards, so technically, I'm not alone." I clicked my tongue. "I need to get away from- from this and your family needs you too, especially after that fight that just took place."

"Alright. I love you. Bye," he stared at me, placing me back down on my feet. "Let me give you your space or whatever."

"I love you," I replied.

"Third time's the charm," Slim told us. "How many times y'all gon' repeat y'all love each other? We get it and I'm sure y'all get each other." He joked.

"Kiss my converse," Donald told him pointing down at his shoes.

"Nigga, you wearin' Tums," Slim replied.

"Tums!?" Donald and I busted out laughing.

"I ain't ever heard of them shits. I don't even think them shits exist." Donald said laughing.

"You know what I meant." Slim gave us a look. "Then fat ass brown boots."

With tears in his eyes, Jax replied, "nahh, because I was tryna figure that shit out too. This guy over here talkin' 'bout the heartburn medicine."

"Imma go." Donald dapped up Slim and Jax.

"I wanna drive," I told Jax, getting into the driver's seat and Donald closed my door.

"Take care of my love!" Donald yelled making his way back to the house.

Slime opened the passenger door. "This a whole-ass movie," Slim said laughing. "Hey, I'll look for you in the stars, head ass," Slim said cracking the hell up.

"Aye nigga, you gon' be seein' stars alright!" Donald said laughing and closing the house door.

Jax hopped into the passenger seat. Once Slim turned around, he gave Jax a look. "Now you know I was about to sit here."

"Shit, my bad. Get in the back." Jax shrugged. Slim slammed the door. "I guess I'm a lady now. You just opened and closed my door." He said once Slim got into the car.

As I adjusted my mirrors, I saw Slim puckering his lips, making kissing noises.

"Just childish," I said adjusting my seat. "Y'all act like siblings. Make those seatbelts click."

I didn't even drive to busy Paris. Instead, I went deeper into the city that we're already in. Right now, I don't need to be around all those people. As Donald said, Yasir isn't right in the head and it'll be harder to spot him, but if he were to do anything around all those people, he'd most likely be seen. Anywho, I drove to a secluded area.

"Um, where we at?" Slim asked me. "What we doin' here? This is some white people ass shit. We on a mountain, overlookin' a big body of water. What is this? Ain't nothin' to do here and it's probably some creepy ass people around here." Slim got out of the car.

"You should just shut up sometimes," Jax looked at Slim. "Just do your job, man."

Before getting out of the car, I handed Jax the keys. "You can stay over here. I'll just be right over up there."

"Up where?" Slim eyebrows furrowed. "We are already on a mountain. How you gon' get higher? You smoke?" He questioned. "Hold up... He trailed off, you ain't talkin' about endin' your life, is you?"

"No!" I chuckled at that crossing his mind. "I'm just climbing up the tree to think. It's a nice view."

"A tree? You climbin' up a tree?" He raised his eyebrows, confused. "What is this? DeVanté could have come if this what you just gon' do. This seems more romantic than anything."

"Slim, shut up. Damn!" Jax said getting out of the car. "Let her go ahead and do what she needs to do."

I grabbed my notepad and pen from my bag. There's nothing important in my bag, so I left it on the seat. I'm not saying that they're thieves, but still. I climbed the tree with my notebook tucked into my pants and the pen hooked onto my shirt, looking at the view as I climbed. I'm afraid of heights, but this view is magnificent. I sat down high up in the tree on a thick branch.

I know that this thing is my fault, but I can't help but cry about everything. I'm allowing myself to truly feel every emotion that I have been holding back these few days. I know that there's really not much there if anything at all between my family and I. Letting them go is hard when they're all I had for a while. No, I never leaned on them for emotional support, but they were always there.

Things didn't use to be this bad or maybe it always has been this bad and they were a little nicer about things. Maybe the full wool cloth has been removed from my view. My love for them is unconditional which is dangerous. They know that they're able to run over me because of the unconditional love many of us are taught to have.

My parents are moving out of the guest house and that's it. From there is a new start. I'm starting on my new journey now, but the point that they officially move is my official start. I'm leaving Georgia too, so that's even better. I won't even tell them that I'm leaving, they just won't hear from me. Part of that is me being a coward and unable to face them and say that they're cut off, but another part of me feels like they don't even deserve an explanation.

I'm not selling my house, because I had it built just to my liking. I wish I would've waited to build in a different part of the world where I want to remain, but it is what it is. Plus, I know that I will be in Georgia a lot, especially when I first move away because that's where my business resides. Then I would just be spending tons of money on hotel rooms.

Life can be longer without the stresses of everything, but it shortens when you have people around you constantly stressing you out. That leads me to Donald. I love that man and I'm not choosing him over my family. However, he doesn't bring me stress as my family does. Whether he knows it or not, he actually livens things up even when he doesn't know what's going on. No, that man isn't a distraction, working is. When I'm alone, it's peaceful, and when he's around, he partakes in my peace or adds onto it, if you will.

When people's peace gets ruined by whatever, their partner has going on, it gets old and tiring. Having our emotions heightened then lowers is damaging to the mind, and body, and changes our view of them. When I do leave, my family will believe that I'm choosing him over them, but that's not true. I'm choosing myself. I'm choosing what I want to do. If things don't work out the way we want between Donald and me, then so be it.

I'm not saying that I don't want things to work out between us, but I'm being realistic. Things happen and sometimes people grow apart or other things occur that tear them apart. Sometimes we just have to live in the moment, although what we have doesn't feel like an in-the-moment thing.

I remained in the tree branch for some hours, letting out everything and not feeling like I have to do it silently. Well, I know I don't really have to silently let my emotions out, but I don't want to worry others, and neither do I want to explain why every time. Not only did I let out my emotions, but I also spoke to God and wrote in my notebook. My emotions always end up becoming a book and/or film. I finally climbed back down and walked back to the car.

"Hey," I called out to a sleeping Slim who was sitting on the trunk of the car with his back aginst the windshield.

He opened his eyes and hopped off. "We leavin' now?" He questioned.

"Yes," I said making my way back to the driver's seat.

"We're leaving?" Jax asked me. "Where we goin'?"

"Yeah, and I don't know. I'll drive where my mind leads me. Traffic isn't as heavy here, so it's easier." I strapped myself in.

Jax cleared his throat. "Alright," he said turning off his CD player. Jax moved the backrest of his seat up again as Slim closed the door. "For a scared person, you sure didn't seem like it the way you were sleeping," I turned to Slim who was sitting in the backseat.

"Ehh, it was peaceful other than these loud ass birds chirpin'. It was hard not to go to sleep and it felt good out there," he replied. "Nice spot."

"You remind me of Dalvin," I laughed, backing out. "And leave it to my man, it's colder than the Antarctic waters."

"It is a little cold," Jax told me. "It's why I stayed in the car bundled up."

I turned on the heat, "you could've turned on the car."

"And runout of gas!?" Jax exclaimed. "No. I don't know where the hell I am."

"Ain't that what I said earlier?" Slim asked him.

"I know where we're at," I replied.

"That's not enough for me. What happens if you die? We stuck!" Slim replied.

"We're all alive and well, so... Mm," I shrugged, finally making it to the main road.

Sometimes ladies and gentlemen to need to take ourselves out on little dates. This is much needed and I haven't done it since Donald already takes me on a whole lot of dates and time is something I don't really have. I drove to a movie theatre and got tickets to see Princess Tam Tam.

"I didn't even know they still played black and white movies in theaters. It's the 90s for God's sake." Slim told me.

"Just enjoy the movie," I told him.

"How? I don't speak whatever they speak on here." Slim said confused.

Jax responded, "FRENCH. We ARE in France, slow ass." He whispered because the movie was already playing when we walked into the room.

"Y'all ain't gotta sit next to me," I spoke up.

Jax walked behind the row I'm entering. "Alright, imma be behind you a couple of seats over and he gon' be in the same row, not too far."

"Go ahead." Slim gestured. "Ain't nobody really up in here. Who the hell wants to see a black-and-white movie in french? Go ahead. I see a few old heads, but what are they gon' do? You ain't even get nothin' to eat or drink. How can you watch a film with nothing occupying your hands and mouth?"

"Got damn, you always complainin'," Jax spoke, clearly irritated by Slim. "Do your job and shut the fuck up. Damn."

Slim shrugged. "I'm just sayin'."

"I'm just sayin' too," Jax replied.

"Shhhh!" Someone from far across the theater hushed them.

"Can y'all shut up?" I said looking between them. "I wanna be able to see AND hear the movie. Thanks."

Word Count: 6,620

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