EJShaun.com

Tiffany needed two things after a vacation: a hair appointment and a really good workout. She hit the gym for an hour that morning, finishing with a couple miles on the treadmill. Her ponytail swayed behind her in a mess of loose braids. She broke a nail earlier, so a set of acrylics was also on the list.

Outside, Jamal parked in front of the courtyard. She could see the Escalade through the window. The house’s shadow stretched into the driveway. Kelvin soon hobbled out with two duffle bags, one over each shoulder.

“Best vacation ever,” he shouted.

Aliyah shouted something back.

Tiffany turned off the treadmill, grabbing a towel on her way out. She and Kelvin said their goodbyes last night. Funny how she thought she’d be happy to see him leave. Although she wouldn’t call it sad, the boy had obviously grown on her.

In the entrance hall, the chandelier flickered like a dim candle. Half the bulbs were burnt out, dulling the reds in the wood. The walls didn’t shine the same without. The windows brought in some light, but the corners of the room remained dark. Shadows covered the artwork and tarnished the vibrant colors. The sculpture of the rhinoceros seemed dingy, almost green.

To her surprise, Aliyah hadn’t moved from the door yet. Her hand clung to the handle, barely holding on. Tiffany could sense her disappointment from across the room.

“Are you alright? Did it not go well?”

“No, it went great. Better than expected, actually.” She turned around. “Hell, I think I’m taking it worse than he is. He left without even looking back.”

Tiffany walked to the window. “Well, maybe he couldn’t. He could be hurting and putting up a front.”

“Yeah, I don’t know. He’s not really like that. I guess by now I just thought we’d be past this stage. Like, he’s gotta realize he can be more than a fan, right? If he wants.”

That answered a lot. The boy just refused to take the next step, didn’t he? If she wasn’t so sweaty, she would’ve given her a hug. She dabbed the towel under her neck before peering outside.

The windows along that wall were tall and thin with a view down the driveway. She flinched when she saw the Escalade. For some reason, Kelvin hadn’t gotten in yet. He stood by the passenger door while texting somebody.

Aliyah’s phone buzzed.

Tiffany peeked over. “Is that him?”

“Yeah, he’s texting me. It says one move wave… What do you think that means?”

She tapped on the glass. “Look.”

The two squeezed together at the same window. He waved once she peered out.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispered.

They could read his lips.

“I’ll miss you, too.”

He climbed in after that. The music blared inside. He rolled down his window for one last wave. The tears in his eyes betrayed the smile on his face.

“I’m not drifting,” Aliyah said, “I’ll put work first, like always, but I’m gonna try to see that boy as much as I can.”

Tiffany wiped the sweat from her brow. “I understand. To be honest, I’d like to sit down with him more myself.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’m worried about him. A lot of people caught the skate fest online. With his buddies’ video out there, things are blowing up. And most of it isn’t good.”

Aliyah exhaled, fogging up the glass. “Okay. Yeah, it’s probably better you coach him anyway. I’m not really able to concentrate around him anymore.”

“You’re not? Why’s that?”

“No, it’s nothing bad. He just makes me laugh. He’s always quoting my movies or rapping back something I’ve said. Apparently, I rhyme a lot.”

They watched the Escalade until the gate closed behind it. Aliyah held her chin up, fighting the quiver in her bottom lip.

“Are you okay?” Tiffany asked, “Like, actually? I know this vacation wasn’t what you had planned.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. The skate fest was great. I’m happy we’re in the black. I just feel like I’m still in the red.”

Tiffany wrapped her arm around her. She tried to give her a hug, but Aliyah pushed her away.

“Whoa, girl, you’re sweaty.”

“Sorry, busy day today. Had to get the workout in.”

She groaned. “Don’t remind me. I think I put on about five pounds at my dad’s. They got me in a bikini in two weeks. I doubt I’ll be leaving the gym until then.”

“I’m sorry you feel things aren’t going well.”

“Nah, they are. I just want more from him. He’s getting tougher to read. Every time I try pulling him closer, he pulls away. But, if I pull away, he just ends up pulling me closer.”

“He’ll get there. Remember, to him, you’re not just Aliyah. You’re Aliyah Gavins.”

They both smirked.

“It’s weird hearing you say it.” They linked elbows before heading out. They frowned at the chandelier as they passed under it. Another bulb burnt out.