Jhaylen tossed and turned all night long. Nothing about this current situation sat right with him. Just before the sun could peek through the blinds, he was out front, stretching, headphones in.
A morning run should help clear his mind some. He put on some music, Dr Dre circa 1999, the 2001 album to be exact. He was in a zone and he desperately needed to run it off.
His feet hit the pavement at a pace he didn’t think he could keep at this stage in his life. He slowed as he reached the neighborhood park. A bench close by was vacant, he definitely needed a seat.
His phone buzzes. A text.
Michal: Yo J, we need to link asap.
Jhaylen nods his head, sits forward, both elbows on his matching knee, phone in hand he replies.
Jhaylen: I’m already knowing. I’m at the park on a run if you wanna come through?
He knew Michal was in town due to him telling Michal somewhat of what was going on. He knew he needed to meet up with him, but this fall out with Serenity had him so off, he never updated Michal on the severity of what was going on.
His phone buzzes.
Michal: That’s cool, meet me at the courts. Be there in 10.
Jhaylen sits back, slowing his breathing. “You got this Jhay, it’s only a half of mile to the courts.”
He said to him self. He rolls his shoulders in an attempt to relieve the ache. He pushes himself off the bench.
“This is light work.” he whispers to himself.
Again, his feet meet the pavement, this time heavier than before, ankles weaker than when he began. Sweat beads glistening against his smooth caramel complexion.
Michal grabs the wheel tighter, his hands began cramping, sweating, his thoughts busier than normal as he takes the ride to meet up with Jhaylen.
When Jhaylen called him with the heads up about what was going on with the girls, never did he imagine he would come to find things as they were. As he recollected the conversation with Paige, he also couldn’t help but feel responsible. That? The fact that his absence played a role in this mess makes him feel ways he hadn’t in years.
The ten-minute ride seemed to end faster than normal. He pulled in, parked, grabbed the first picnic-style table he found, sat on the top, and waited for Jhaylen to arrive while his thoughts began to beat him more than the disrespectful rays of the sun.
Jhaylen turned the corner and saw Michal sitting on a tabletop near the courts.
“Whewww…” Jhaylen let out a loud sigh, trying to regulate his breathing.
“What’s up, man?” He reached out his elbow to tap Michal’s, avoiding getting sweat on him.
Michal raised his head. “Sup, Jhay.”
Jhaylen caught it immediately.The body language.Tight. Closed off. Shoulders squared.
“What’s really good, Michal? You tensed as hell…”
Michal’s jaw flexed.
“You definitely ain’t tell me how bad this shit was, Jhay.”
Jhaylen clenched his jaw.
“What’s that about?” Michal pressed. “We never kept shit from each other. Why you ain’t tell me Paige was….” He had to hold in a sob. “Da..damn near broken?”
Jhaylen shifted, one leg bent on the bench, the other foot planted on the pavement. His chest tightened, that pressure rattling up before he finally let it out.
“My guy… both our girls are breaking,” he said, voice rough. “Serenity just found out her whole life been a lie… we literally all in the same shit.”
Michal’s head dropped.
“Damn, bro…”
“It’s cool. You ain’t know…” Jhaylen replied.
A beat passed before Michal lifted his head again, eyes sharper now.
“So what we doing about this shit?” he asked, stroking his beard.
Jhaylen studied him, then let out a low snicker.
“Shiddd… I know that look.”
A pause.
“I’m with whatever.”
That was all Michal needed to hear.
No more questions. Just understanding.
Bentley lay stretched across the bed, eyes locked on the ceiling, thoughts drifting in places he couldn’t quite settle.
His phone ringing snapped him out of it.
He reached over, answering without looking.
“It’s Bentley.”
“Hey Bentley, we have a new one.”
He let out a quiet breath. “Let me guess… my building?”
“Yep,” the female chuckled. “420. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself.”
“Will do.”
The line clicked off.
Bentley stared at the phone for a second before tossing it to the side. He was grateful for the job. It came with perks most people would kill for.
Access.
Privacy.
Money.
But sometimes… It came with complications.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his face before reaching for his shirt.
“Sure hope this one don’t come with no drama…” he muttered under his breath.
Serenity stood in the mirror, thoughts running wild, eyes puffy, head pounding. The back and forth with her parents. The shenanigans with Chance and Paige. It was becoming too much. Her entire soul felt heavy. Like something inside her had cracked and she didn’t know how to piece it back together.
“Jynae?” Syn called out as she made her way toward Serenity’s bedroom.When she stepped in, her heart dropped. Her daughter wasn’t just upset.
She was unraveling. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically.
“Baby girl…” Syn whispered, tears slipping down her face before she could stop them. She moved closer, slower this time, like Serenity might shatter if she rushed it.
“Let me draw you a bath, get yourself dressed, we going out.”
Her voice was soft but firm. Syn was already shifting into overdrive. Because whatever this was, it was not taking her baby under.
Not on her watch.
She stepped into the bathroom, turning the water on, adjusting it until the steam began to rise. Hot, then cool. Trying to find balance where everything else felt off.
She poured in bath milk, the scent of lavender and ylang ylang slowly filling the air.
Calm. Peace.
Something Serenity needed, even if she couldn’t feel it yet. Syn walked back in, eyes locked on her daughter.
“Baby, I’m so sorry this is unfolding like this,” she said gently. “But you gotta hold it together, okay?”
A pause.
“Just relax for a minute, I’ll come check on you.”
Serenity didn’t respond. Didn’t move much either. Just stood there, staring. Lost in a world where everything she believed had come crashing down, and the only thing left to hold onto was herself. At least what was left of her.
Syn stepped out, closing the door halfway before heading into her room, already reaching for her phone.
She dialed fast. Too fast.
“Hey girl.” Patience answered.
“Hey P, how’s Paige?”
Silence.
Heavy.
The kind that didn’t need words. Syn heard the sniffle on the other end. That was enough.
“Aight, get dressed,” Syn said, her tone shifting. “We taking the girls out. Girls day. They need it, we need it, and we not letting this shit break them.”
Patience exhaled shakily.
“Say less…”
Syn was about to hang up.
“And P…”
“Yeah, Syn?”
Syn’s voice dropped just a little.
“Bring the good shit. I got the gars.”
A small pause.
Then Patience let out a soft laugh.
“Bring the liquor too, Syn.”
That did it.
Syn chuckled, shaking her head.
“Already on it.”
For the first time since all of this started, there was a crack in the heaviness.
A moment. A breath.
They disconnected.
Chance gazed at the silhouette of himself in the steam hazed mirror. He wiped the mist away with a towel, realizing for the first time in years he was able to witness his reflection. It mirrored the physical maturity that had taken place over the years. Facial hair, more defined facial features, and a toned upper torso that he had worked on while away.
Although the physical physique was something to stare at, who he was internally was definitely battling the outer appearance. He proceeded to grab his shaving cream and blade. Looking over the blade like it’s foreign, he began the regimen he so greatly missed.
Once he got himself together with his hygiene, he dressed. Relaxed, sweats, tee shirt, watch, tennis shoes. He didn’t want to do too much, but he also didn’t want to be in PJ’s when Sylvie arrived.
Just as he sprayed some cologne, had his curls popping, he heard the bell at the door.
Nervously he approached.
When he opened the door, Sylvie stood with a grin on his face he hadn’t seen before.
“Mr. Breaud…” Sylvie began. Chance stepped back allowing space for him to enter. “You clean up well, how are you adjusting.”
Chance smirked, “it’s been what, 20 hours, I haven’t yet.” He spat.
“Now now Mr. Breaud, there’s no need to be antsy.”
Chance rolled his eyes as he took a seat.
“Your father has really set you up nicely here Mr. Breaud.”
Chance smiled. “Yes he did.”
“Now on to business,” Sylvie continued. “This is going to be one of the most informal sessions we have. Tell me, what do you think you will need to help you cope with this adjustment?”
Chance just sat there. He really hadn’t had time to think about it. “I’m not really sure, this is all happening fast.”
Sylvie jots down some notes, that grin present again.
“Yes it is, but so will life. I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you a while to get that answer.”
Chance nodded in agreement.
Suddenly the bell sounds at the door.
Chance shifts in his seat.
“Oh great, go ahead and get the door Mr.Breaud.”
Chance furrows his brows in confusion but did as Sylvie suggests.
He opens the door to find a male standing there, smiling.
“May I help you?”
“Ahhhh, Bentley, come on in,” Sylvie interjects.
Chance looks on confused.
“Hey Doc! What’s up bro? I’m Bentley.” He reaches to shake Chance’s hand.
Chance just stares at him.
“Ahem,” Sylvie breaks the silence. “Mr. Breaud, this is Bentley your Resident Assistant that will help you in your transition here and also make sure all rules are followed.
There it was again, slipping away as fast as it came.
Freedom.
Syn knocked on Serenity’s door. “You ready Jynae?” Serenity sat on the bed, dressed in a white crop top, navy blue Nike sweats, all white G-Nikes with thick Navy laces. Her hair was pulled up into a nice messy bun, eyebrows arched and filled to perfection.
Syn looked at her and smiled. “This is more like it.”
Serenity had two waist-beads hugging her waist, lips glossed in a soft nude-pink combo that melted perfectly into her complexion.
“Where are we going mom?” Serenity asked as she added the final layers of her scent combo.
“Out baby girl,” Syn said smiling. She was so happy to see her baby out of that negative space even if it was for a split second.
“Okay, let me grab my purse and I’m ready.”
“I’ll be in the car Jynae.”
Syn texted Patience.
Syncere: Hey P, we are on the way.
Patience liked the message.
Serenity got in the car, strapped her seat belt, and allowed her mother to take her out the house for the first time in days besides the night with Bentley.
She picked up her phone.
Serenity: Hey Bentley, going out with my mom for a few, you crossed my mind, ttyl?🤞🏾
The car ride felt like an ode to normalcy. Syn tried playing some music to lift her daughters spirit.
🎶🎶 woke up feeling like I just might run for president even if ain’t no precedent, switching up the messaging…🎶🎶
Lizzo spilled through the speakers. Serenity glanced at her mom belting out the words along with Lizzo. She chuckled at the lengths she was going to uplift her, it was appreciated and she couldn’t be a sap in this environment.
Paige was reluctant at first, but she agreed to hang out with her mom. She hadn’t left the house in weeks, the unknown frightened her.
Patience peeped her head inside the door of Paige’s room, “you about ready Amore? She noticed Paige was wearing a dark, baggy, sweat suit set. She let out a sigh, “not today Amore..” she began. “You’re not going to allow him to have you living in one corner of the world. Loosen up, change, and let’s enjoy this outing please.”
Patience was losing it internally. She didn’t quite know how to pull Paige out of this rut, but she had to start somewhere.
Paige looked at her mom, tears streaming down her cheek. “But…” Paige attempted to rebut.
“No buts Paige. Today is about living in this moment, I’m not allowing you to sulk in fear, change quickly.”
Paige sighed, went into her bathroom, stopped in front of the mirror. She no longer recognized herself. She wasn’t that bright, over zealous girl that had come home just weeks ago.
Her spirit felt somber, her eyes were dark and puffy. She realized just what her mother was seeing, she was reverting.
She washed her face, hot water, brushed her teeth again, and redid her hair. Her curly hair was up in a pretty curly messy bun, with two pieces hanging on each side of her face, and two pieces hanging on each side down back.
Brows sculpted, a natural beat across her face, and giving her lip a semi bold look with a medium berry outline, and a bold matte red lip for a pop of color.
She changed into a yellow crop top paired with a pair of light wash short overalls, that she left one side hanging down. She paired the look with some yellow strapped, wedged sandals, silver ankle bracelets wrapped delicately around her ankles to match her silver charm bracelets on her wrists, and silver large hoops in her ear.
She glanced at her self once more in the mirror, and convinced herself that this was day one of climbing out of Chance’s shadows.
Syn pulled into Patience’s drive way, and honked the horn. Serenity looked over at her mom, “Paige is coming?!”
This was the first time in weeks she saw a sparkle in her daughters eyes. It made her heart flutter with joy to see the excitement on her face.
“Yes Jynae, it’s a girls day.”
Serenity lost her composure, she hugged her mom so tight before either one of them exited the Camaro.
Patience stood on the porch watching the exchange knowing their daughters needed each other.
“Hey Yall!” She said as they exited.
“Hey Ms. Patience.” Serenity said approaching the steps. She hugged Patience as tight as she did her mom.
Patience whispered in her ear. “I love you too Serenity, Paige is upstairs getting ready, she doesn’t know you’re here.”
A tear dropped from Serenity’s eyes. Patience thumbed it away gently, smiling, whispering, “only joy today.”
Serenity nodded and ran in to surprise her bestie.
Paige stood in the mirror, surprisingly pleased with how she had pulled herself together for this day with her mom.
She heard a knock at the door.
“I’m coming mom, just adding finishing touches.”
Serenity started singing, “I can tell her all my secrets…”
Paige gasped. “Cuz I know she gon keep em” she sang back stepping out of her bathroom.
Both girls sang along. “Can’t nothing come between us.” As they hugged, jumped up and down screaming after the last lyric.
“I missed you Serenity!”
“I missed you too Paige!”
They held each other rocking back and forth.
“Girl we really acting like we haven’t seen each other in years,” Serenity chuckled.
“Feels like it,” Paige chuckled. “Wait, why are you here?”
“Surprise” Syncere and Patience said walking in.
“Ms.Syn!” Paige yelled.
“Hey babygirl.” Syn answered.
“We figured you girls needed each other, so it’s a girls day today.” Patience said.
“Mom!!” Paige hugged her emotionally.
“Mani pedis, lunch, drinks for us oldies.” Syn chuckled.
Patience kissed her daughter on the forehead. “Let’s grab the keys and head out.” She said.
“Oh you driving?” Syn asked.
“Girl liquor, these knees, and your Camaro is a recipe for disaster.”
Syn laughed hysterically.
“Oh shit now, we rolling in the Autograph?!”
The girls laughed.
“Oh we top tier today!” Syn said jokingly.
“Always.” Patience said winking.
She hit the remote start, and they filled in ready to spend the day together in complete bliss.
As Patience pulled off, the speakers were low, but not low enough.
“Ohhhhh, that’s my song, turn it up Ms. Patience.” Serenity exclaimed.
🎶queen b, want no smoke with me..🎶
As Megan’s verse came on the girls were in full concert mode. Phones in hand, snapchats recording their bellowing, movements, and excitement.
Syn and Patience looked at each other, grinning quietly, both understanding this was the best move they could have made.
They all sang along with the chorus, 🎶 I’m a savage, classy, boujee, ratchet..sassy,moody, nasty.. 🎶
This was going to be a good time.
Michal rubbed his beard, already thinking of the next move.
“We need an update on this psycho. Is he still in the hospital?”
Jhaylen shrugged his shoulders as he repositioned on the bench. “I’m not sure, I’ll see what Syn knows. If she doesn’t know, I can make a call.”
“Yeah let’s start there, but the threats, I’m not taking this lightly this time.” Michal grimaced.
“I’m already knowing.” Jhaylen replied.
“Once we get that info, we can go from there.”
Jhaylen nodded in agreement.
“I’ll work on that bro, but I’m going to go ahead and walk back to the crib.” Jhaylen said.
“My joints aching.”
Michal chuckled. “They old bro. You want a ride?”
“Oh you got jokes, I don’t see you out here trying to get in shape. Nah, bro I’m gonna walk it off, clear my mind.”
“Aight then, hit me up tomorrow.”
They dapped each other up and went their separate ways.
Sylvie notices the shift in Chance’s attitude when he met Bentley.
“Well Mr. Breaud, we won’t hold you up from your day, remember Bentley’s here to help. “
He pats Chance on his back as he passes him heading to the door.
“Let’s go Bentley.”
Chance saw them both out.
Sylvie straps himself in his seatbelt and pulls off.
The property has many resting places around its perimeter. He pulls into one of the parking areas, parks, pulls out his work bag.
He’s sitting in the car, no music, windows up, sweat beads caressing his forehead as he jots down notes regarding Chance’s first meeting.
He reaches into the console next to him, pulls out a black phone. He starts a text.
Sylvie: introduction complete, phase 2 commences.
He hits send. Grabs a black zipped bag from the console, pulls out a pill bottle, puts a pill in his hand, tosses it back and swallows.
The phone vibrates. He drops the pill bottle, sending pills scattering across the floor. He checks the message.
Unknown: 👍🏾
He gathers his pills, place the bottle and phone back in the console. He pulls off from the parking area, face wearing a sly grin.
All there was left to do, was allow everything to play out.
Kae Jaye The Writer 