Atlanta, Georgia
March 2021...

Looking back to how I got here, everything was so surreal.

From the initial encounter with the late Gerald and Melania Booker to being the muse for the best-kept secret created by the one whom I abused (but not by choice) yet loved, I knew that my life was chaotic enough for me to begin my own great reset.

The one thing that I would never forget was becoming the base model for Derrick's biggest project while I was in prison (I was exonerated of all the charges but was held under protective custody for my safety). Wearing that one-piece blue swimsuit that I still kept after all these years and posing for the camera not only helped me make amends after all that I done but also helped me reaffirm my sexuality as a gay man. Even so, I knew that Derrick was going to play the most dangerous game with his stalkers known as Deathly Glamour lingering around.

"Just be careful with this," I had warned him when he reported his progress. "With your family's sordid lifestyles and thirst for revenge against you, there's no telling what might happen."

Who would've thought that the fateful spring of 2019 would be when he'd take his final bow on the runway of life?

I was heartbroken when Smitty (one of the guards who became my friend while I was in jail) broke the news to me. I had cried endless tears for three days straight and had to be sedated when I had the meltdown that almost made me consider ending my life. But I had to keep it together because I had a strong feeling that Deathly Glamour was behind his death. So when the time came for my release from custody as I met Diana Yuen who had invited me to help Derrick's sister Jana solve the case while helping her set up the final fashion show for Solaris Couture in New York City, I was all for it.

Of course, I knew that the time would come to confess my role in helping Jamal create the Winter Lady when the painting and the dress would be revealed. And much to my surprise, everyone was very accepting and praised me for being the inspiration.

After the case was solved and everyone had received their inheritances (or in the case of Gerald and Melania, they got what they deserved), I was finally allowed to start over and live life as a gay man. But once I went home with my mom and grandparents...I was feeling more lost since I knew that I wasn't sure of where to go.

That's when I remembered my initial encounter with Cameron Suarez-Rice, the up-and-coming model, designer, and owner of Pacifica West Menswear. We shared a bond when we talked about my past (which he was very receptive and understanding), even confessing that I had no idea on where to start after the case was up since I knew that no one in the Atlanta area would hire an exonerated convict. That was when he invited me to come live in his hometown of Solstice Hearts, a thriving coastal town near the beaches in Rhode Island.

"You know that Derrick had already forgiven you for everything," Cameron had said. "He would want you to leave Atlanta, to escape from the judgemental eyes and the memories that reminded you of the past. You deserve to finally live and be who you are. Don't let the pain of rejection and being jaded take away your joy."

I knew he was right. I wouldn't be able to live in Atlanta even when I had the love of my grandparents and my mother- the same people who still believed in me even while I was in jail- around to help me stay grounded. So with their blessing and during the coronavirus pandemic, I began the process of finding and buying a house in Solstice Hearts. And since I knew that Jana's best friend Tyler was going to need somewhere to stay after being disowned for being gay; I was the one to offer him and have him stay with me until he was able to get on his feet.

Everything was starting to come together...before I would lose Momma, Grandma Rosalia, and Grandpa Joseph to the virus. And that's when the relatives who also knew of my story began their campaign to get me to reconsider leaving Atlanta.

"You're breaking everyone's heart, son. I know you wanna start fresh and shit, but you don't have to run away."

"Think about your future, boy. I think you should stay with someone who can get you back in church so you can renounce your sins. And while you're at it, you can start finding a real job and get yourself a girlfriend."

"I think that you're going about this the wrong way, Jamal. You need to have a more-detailed plan before you do something you might regret. And let your friend stay with his family and let them get his life in order."

"You're playing a fool's game, bro. I think you just need to get laid with a honey and find a job here in the ATL."

Lovely family, am I right?

Anyway, their campaigns went on even as I laid my three anchors to rest. And even as I was packing up the last of my things with the moving van full of everything that I needed to get settled in my home, I knew that my kinfolk weren't going to back down until I played by their rules.

But there was nothing left for me since Jana was now in New York while Yvonne Battle (my former arranged lover, by Gerald's designs) was now getting settled with her life in Cincinnati. I was dead set on leaving Atlanta and fulfilling Derrick's promise to allow myself to start fresh. Moving to Solstice Hearts was going to be the starting poing of my road of redemption.

I was finishing up with sweeping the now-bare living room carpet floor when my cellphone rang. Huffing a sigh, I placed the broom to the side while stepping outside on the patio before getting my phone. Jana. "Hey," I said after the fourth ring. "I was just finishing up with some sweeping when you called."

"Hey yourself, and sorry for interrupting your cleaning duties," I heard the voice of Derrick's little sister over the line. "I just came to check in on you since tomorrow you and Tyler will be leaving tomorrow. I bet you're excited."

"I am, but I'm also a little nervous," I admitted as I sat down on the swinging patio chair, taking in the sights and sounds of the Castleberry Hill residence. "I mean, I'm going to be leaving the town that I was familiar with. Then again, I had never anywhere outside of Georgia before, so I guess that a change of scenery is beyond overdue."

"How are your relatives doing? Are they still trying to get you to reconsider?"

"Not as much, but I've been dealing with some snide comments from some cousins. One of them said that I was betraying the Oglethorpe and Walton family name while one of my uncles believed that I was responsible for the crimes that your dad framed me for and that I belonged in prison instead."

"Jackasses," Jana spat. "Any protests from the neighbors?"

I shook my head no, waving hello to a runner who was sprinting past the house. "They're pretty cool, but they're worried that I was going to forget them. Some of them knew me when I was a kid, so they're pretty bummed out that I was leaving. Other than that, I'm getting ready for this move out of here so I can get to Solstice Hearts."

"Well, I'm excited for you, Jamal," Jana said in a pleased tone. "I knew that you were under duress to become Gerald's lackey and all that, but my friends and I know that you have a good heart and you loved Derrick as much as he loved you."

A lump formed in my throat. "I think about Derrick every day," I said, my eyes getting misty. "I can never forgive Gerald and Melania for what they did to him. I hope they burn in hell for this."

"You and me both, Jamal. You and me both."

I sighed deeply. "Anyway, how are things going for you in the NYC?"

"They're coming along. I'm helping out with repurposing the apartments that Jamal left for me and making them into various shelters for the homeless youths and the battered women while helping Wendy with her new fashion label. Everything is on pause due to this pandemic, but we're getting our hustle on."

"Have you heard from your friends?"

A pause. Then, "Alexa and her family are in Miami while Ellen's getting ready for more job interviews when the time comes to get back to work. I talked to Tyler before calling you, and he's getting himself ready to leave town with you. I told him that you were leaving tomorrow afternoon so he could get to you before the lunchtime rush."

"Thanks, Jana. And I promise you that Tyler will be in good hands with me. I really believe that he'll find what he's looking for in Rhode Island since he's being shunned by his family and all. Tell him to call me, okay?"

"I will. Look, I gotta head out to a meeting, but we'll chat tomorrow before you head out. Keep your head up, okay? Derrick believed in you as much as I believe in you. You got this, Oglethorpe. It's time for you to live."

"Thanks. And thanks for the phone call. I needed that."

"Hey, what are friends for? Have a good day."

"Same to you."

We disconnected before I got up and headed back inside to clean.

Solstice Hearts in Rhode Island was going to be the town where I can find solace in moving forward with my life while allowing myself to love and live in my truth. And I had a feeling that I could find what I was looking for. "It's all coming together," I said to no one in particular as I grabbed the cleaning products so I could head to the kitchen and bathrooms to clean. "After today, there will be no going back."

I was sure of it.

You damn right, Jamal! I believe that you will find what you're looking for, especially when it comes to Cameron. But that'll come later.

Anyway, folks, we'll hear from Tyler in the next chapter as his family has an offer for him over lunch while he gets ready to leave Atlanta. Don't go away!

Media: "Any Other Day" by Wyclef Jean ft. Norah Jones.

Vote.
Comment.
Share.
Follow.
Add.
FAN!