Chapter 28

Saturday morning, Esined

"What time you be back?" I asked my dad as he got ready to work.

"Around nine tonight. Why?"

"Just wanted to know what time I should have dinner done," I said.

He nodded and put a cigarette in between his lips. He lit it and inhaled. "See you later,"

"See you," I said.

He left and I closed the door.

I went on to go to the kitchen. I grabbed an apple and rinsed it off. I bit into it and chewed. I thought about ways to have my Uncle Don cover for me.

I had to make time pass as I waited on Uncle Don to wake up. I did all of my homework and began to draw. I didn't know what to draw, so I drew random things.

When he finally woke up, I got nervous to ask him even though I had rehearsed it in my head.

He sat next to me on the couch and turned on the tv. "Good morning, Caterpillar," he said.

"Morning," I said.

He flicked through the channels.

I stared at him and when he noticed, I looked away.

"You okay?"

"I need a favor,"

"What's that?"

"I want to go out with a friend and I was wondering if you could cover for me?"

"Who is this friend?"

"Her name is Viola," I lied. I knew he wouldn't do it if I said it was August.

"Where will you be?"

"The park,"

"Okay,"

"Okay?"

He nodded. "Okay,"

I smiled. "What are you going to say?"

"That I said you could go out. He can't do anything about it. And if he tries anything, I'm gonna pop him in the mouth," he said nonchalantly.

I looked at him, shocked.

It's rare to hear him speak violently or ever see him being aggressive.

"Sorry," he said.

"It's okay,"

"I know you aren't used to seeing me like this. It just really angers me. How can a guy do something like that to his wife and daughter? Doesn't make sense," he shook his head.

"He apologized to me for it-"

"Apologizing doesn't undo or fix what he did. He needs his ass kicked,"

"I didn't say it solved anything,"

"You're right," he sighed before looking at me. "Just promise me something, okay?" he took my hand and held it.

"What's that?"

"Promise me that you won't ever get with a boy like him. I call him a boy because he isn't a man. A real man wouldn't do what he does... So promise me that. I don't care how handsome or how much money he has. He doesn't mean it when he says that he loves you and he will hurt you again. He won't change," he stared into my eyes. "Promise me,"

"I promise," I said, locking my pinky with his before we let go.

He focused back on the tv.

Time passed by and I decided that I would make dinner before I left then get dressed.

I made sure that I wore my best outfit on my date with August. Of course my clothes had all came from our landlord and it was nice. His daughter had nice taste.

My outfit matched my set that August bought me. I definitely pulled off the fall colors. For once, I felt nice looking.

Uncle Don walked by the bathroom then backtracked. "You look nice, Caterpillar. You sure this isn't a boy you're going to see?" he joked, but I still felt as if he had caught me in my lie.

"I'm sure. Thank you," I said.

"You're growing up on me," he chuckled. "I hope you have fun,"

I laughed a little. "Thank you. It's about time for me to go anyway,"

We hugged and he told me to be safe.

"I will, bye," I waved and left.

I walked as if I was walking to school and August was already there in his usual spot, waiting to pick me up. Of course, we had planned this before. He knew I was sneaking out and that my dad didn't know.

August got out of the car and smiled as he opened the door for me.

"Thank you," I smiled.

"No problem," he closed it and went to get in on the drivers side. He put on his seatbelt as I put mine on also. He started driving and glanced at me. "You look pretty,"

"Thank you. You look nice,"

"Thanks," he continued driving.

The car ride was quiet. I assumed that if we spoke now, we wouldn't have much to talk about on our date.

I looked out of the window, observing our surroundings. I listened to the lyrics in the background.

You think that life's gonna pass you byAnd you feel that's there is just not enough time, timeWhy would you stress something that's out of your control, control?Close your eyes and dream that we'll never grow old, old

"What song is this?" I asked him.

"Long Song Away by Kevin Ross," he said. "You like it?"

"Yes,"

It was a nice song and it was catchy. The music that August listened to was definitely different than music I listened to, but I liked it.

"I'm guessin' you don't like ta dis type of music,"

"No,"

"What type of music do you listen to?"

"Stuff like Nina Simone, Bille Holiday, John Coltrane, and Minnie Riperton. Some Alanis Morisette. That's just what I grew up on,"

"Ohhh okay. So you just took it back wit me? I can dig dat. I listen to old school sometimes too. Nothin' wrong wit dat, but dis Alanis. I've never heard of them,"

"Really?" I looked at him. "She's amazing. I don't know if she'd be your type of music, but I love her,"

"What's her music like?"

"Alternative rock, sometimes. She's multi genre so it's hard to categorize her,"

"I'll be honest, rock ain't really my thing, but you seem like you know whatchu talkin' about, so imma trust it. I'll give her a listen,"

I thought it was really cool that he was willing to try to get into things that I enjoyed just because I enjoyed them.

"Really?" I asked him.

"Yeah," he said.

He drove for about thirty minutes longer until he pulled up to a carnival. There were huge and little rides. The lights were so pretty and bright.

He got out the car and came over to my side.

I took off my seatbelt and he opened my door.

He put out his hand and I took it. He helped me out of the car and closed the door. He locked it and we walked up to a ticket purchasing booth. He paid for our tickets and looked at me as the man stamped my hand.

"Thank you," I told the man.

He smiled at me and I walked through the gates with August.

"Any ride dat gotcho attention?"

I looked around before pointing to a space shuttle looking ride.

We walked side by side to the space shuttle ride.

"You gon' be stuck to da wall," August warned me. "It spin real fast too,"

"I'm fine with that," I smiled.

We got in line and waited our turn. When we finally got in, there was about ten other people who got in with us.

"Please stay on the walls and enjoy the ride," the announcer said.

August and I laid back onto the walls and the ride began. We were spun around for about two minutes and everyone was screaming and having fun. I liked this ride, but it made me dizzy.

As August and I walked out of the ride, I tripped a little and we both started laughing.

"You good?" he chuckled as I grabbed his hand.

"Yep," I giggled. "That really made me dizzy,"

"I see. You need ta sit down?"

"I'm good. I like that ride,"

"You scared of big rides?"

"I don't know. I doubt it. I'm not really afraid of heights,"

"Let's get on dat then," he pointed.

I looked up at the ride, noticing that it wasn't a regular ride. You had to lay down on what looked like an airplane and get strapped down. It made circles high up in the air quickly. The people on the ride screamed as it went faster and faster.

"Okay," I followed beside him and we stood in line for it.

When our turn came up, I didn't want to admit to August that I was scared to get on it. I didn't want to chicken out.

August

I looked at Esined and she stared at the seat.

"If you scared, we don't have ta get on it," I said.

"Pssh," she shook her head. "I'm not scared," she climbed onto the seat and laid down.

I got on next ta her and a man came down, lockin' us in.

"Why'd he just do that?" she looked around.

"So you won't fly off," I started laughin'. "I hope you was sure about gettin' on dis because ain't no turnin' back now,"

She cleared her throat as the ride started.

The ride started off slow and gradually sped up. I had ta admit dat seeing her facial expression go from this ain't nothing to oh shit was pretty funny.

Esined grabbed my hand and shut her eyes tight as we were flying in circles in the air.

"Oh my gosh. Lord, the ground is safest for me to be. Flying isn't for me," I heard her say and I busted out laughin'.

When the ride was over, she got off so fast.

"Esined, wait," I chuckled, havin' ta catch up wit her.

"I ain't never letting you talk me into getting on anything else," she folded her arms.

I couldn't stop laughin'. I had no clue that she was this funny.

"I asked if you were scared. You can't be mad at me," I said.

"I'm mad because you're laughing," she giggled.

"I'm sorry, okay?" I put my arm around her waist, pullin' her to me.

"Okay," she poked out her bottom lip a little. "I wanna get in those tea cups," she said.

"You luh stuff dat spin," I said as we walked up to it.

We stood in line and waited ta get on. When we got on, we sat next to each otha and strapped ourselves in. Music began ta play and there was a huge smile on Esined's face. I hadn't heard the song before, but I wanted ta play it just to see her smile like dat. Plus, the song wasn't bad.

She even started singin'. We were bein' spun in circles and she was just worried about the music. She seemed happy and I enjoyed it. I liked seeing her happy and out of her normal element like this.

When the ride ended, we got off and began ta walk around, searchin' fa our next ride.

"I'm guessin' you like dat song?" I asked her.

"Yes. It was Alanis Morisette,"

"It was nice," I said.

It wasn't what I normally listen to, but it wasn't bad.

I began ta look fa rides that could get me closer to Esined. I saw a ride and pointed.

"This better not be a crazy ride," she laughed as we got in line for it.

We stepped up ta the seat and she looked at me.

"We get in this together?"

"Yeah, I guess," I pretend that I didn't know. I got into the seat and she got in, sitting in between my legs. "You good?"

"H-Huh?" she looked up at me.

"You good?"

"I'm okay,"

"You aren't uncomfortable?"

"Not at all,"

The doors were locked and the ride began. Slow then fast. When it got faster, I noticed Esined's body jerk forward, so I wrapped my arm around her. Her back was to my chest.

"I gotchu," I said.

She put her arm over mine, her fingers lined up with mine. I smiled ta myself as we stayed like that the whole ride.

Esined and I got on almost every ride, except one. I personally was savin' the Ferris wheel fa last.

"Eat or Ferris wheel first?" I asked her.

"Eat. I need a break," she said.

We went to a concession stand. We got pizza, chips, and juice before going to find seats. We sat across from each other and ate. We decided that we'd get an elephant ear before we left.

"Are you enjoying yourself so far?" I asked. I took out my phone and snuck pictures of her.

Mel wanted me ta take pictures of her because he didn't believe dat she agreed ta go on a date wit me.

"Definitely. Thank you so much for this experience," she said before biting into her slice of pizza.

"No, thank you fa agreein' ta comin' on this date wit me," I snapped anotha picture.

"You're welcome," she looked at me. "Are you taking pictures of me?"

Damn.

"Huh?"

"How'd I look in them?" she asked.

I showed them to her and she started laughing.

"Creep,"

"My brotha didn't believe dat we were actually togetha on a date,"

"Why didn't you just ask to take a picture with me, silly?"

I chuckled. "Will you take a picture with me?"

She came and sat next to me. "What's your brothers' name?"

"Mel," I said, putting it on the front facing camera. I pressed record and she smiled. "It's recordin',"

She laughed. "Oh. What am I supposed to say?"

"Just say hey ta Instagram,"

"Hey," she hid her face in my neck. "What's Instagram?" she whispered.

I started laughin'.

"Don't laugh," she said. "I know it has something to do with pictures, but I've never been on there,"

I posted our video and we took pictures togetha.

"It's just an app for social media. You can get followers and you can follow people on there. You just post pictures and videos of anything. It's easy ta use,"

"Oh okay. How many followers do you have?"

"Twenty thousand," I said.

"What in the world... How?"

"Baybeh, you see me. I'm fine as hell,"

She started laughin'. "You're conceited," She went back to her side of the table.

"I'm confident. Not conceited," I chuckled as I sent all of our pictures and videos ta Mel. I put my phone away and gave her my full attention.

When we finished eating, we threw away our trash. We went to stand in line for the Ferris wheel.

When we finally got on, we sat next to each otha.

"Are you nervous?" I asked.

"Not even gonna lie, I am. I thought I wasn't afraid of heights, but all of those rides we got on proved me differently,"

We laughed a little.

"Well I'm hea, so you safe," I said.

She gave me a small smile.

We got higher in the air and I decided ta make conversation.

"Tell me about yourself,"

"What do you want to know?"

"What do you like ta do in your spare time?"

"I like to draw and write poetry. What about you?"

"I like drawin' and spendin' time wit my family,"

"You draw? I'd like to see your sketches one day,"

"Maybe I'll bring 'em ta school. What do you want ta do or be when high school is ova and we goin' into college?"

"I'd rather not say," she looked down.

"Why not?"

"It's nothing that I'll ever accomplish, so it doesn't matter," she shrugged. "Maybe I'll try to get more into my drawing or writing,"

"What do you mean you'll never accomplish? Tell me this goal of yours,"

She sighed, puttin' her head down. "I want to be a model,"

"Do it,"

"I can't,"

"Why not?"

"I'm not pretty enough to model,"

I looked at her like she was crazy. "I'm seriously thinkin' you've neva seen yo self,"

"I have,"

"Why don't you think you're beautiful?"

She shrugged. "I just don't see it,"

"Baybeh, lemme let you know dis," I sighed. "Y'een nowhere near ugly. And I ain't sayin' this because I like you. I genuinely think you're beautiful. If you wanna model, you getcho self out there and do it. You can do anything you put your mind to, you heard me? Don't let nobody take yo dreams and crush 'em. Stunt on 'em. You can do this and I'll be hea, supportin' you,"

She looked away from me.

"I ain't mean ta make you get emotional," I chuckled. I opened my arms and she put her head on my chest.

"I'm sorry but no one ever says nice things like that to me, except my uncle, but still," she sniffed.

I rubbed her back and gave her a small squeeze, causin' her ta look up at me. "Just know dat if nobody else got you, I do, okay?"

"Okay,"

I wiped her tears.

"Did you mean it when you said you like me?"

I chuckled before noddin'. "Yeah. I wouldn't have said it if I ain't mean it,"

She stared into my eyes. "I like you too," she said as she looked at my lips. "Awe, you're blushing," she smiled.

"No, I'm not," I mumbled.

"You are. It's okay,"

"It's kinda cold. My cheeks get red when I'm cold,"

"Now, August," she laughed. "That has to be the lamest excuse. Just admit it. I kinda made you blush,"

"You kinda gettin' me outta my element," I said. "I'm not usually so straightforward and vulnerable,"

"Is it good that I'm getting you like this?"

I nodded. "Yeah,"

"Well if it makes you feel better, I'm way out of my element too,"

"In what ways?"

"I've never been this close to a guy," she admitted. "And when we were in that one ride with you behind me, I was nervous. We were really close," she laughed a little.

"Did dat botha you?"

"What?"

"Us bein' so close?"

"Not at all,"

"Oh. So you like bein' close ta me, huh?" I teased.

"Yep," she said.

"I see you aren't bein' so nervous around me. You gettin' bold,"

She laughed. "Trust me, I'm still nervous,"

I looked down at her hand and held it. I rubbed my thumb ova the back of her hand. "You wanna go again?"

"Sure,"

I told the guy we were staying on and he didn't bother ta open our doors. He let us stay on and we were goin' up into the air again.

She put her head on my chest and we messed with each other's fingers.

"You are so silly," I chuckled when she turned us messin' wit each other's fingers into a thumb war.

"One, two, three, four. I declare a thumb war," we said togetha before laughin' and attemptin' ta take down each other's thumbs.

I let her win and she was happy.

"I won," she said, dancin' a little.

I chuckled. "You cute,"

"Thank you,"

As the ride came to a stop, we got off and began ta walk.

"You ready ta go?"

"I don't want to, but I have to," she frowned.

Our hands accidentally bumped and we grabbed each other's hands. We looked at each otha and laughed.

"Awe, you wanted ta hold my hand," I teased.

"Oh hush it. Always trying to make someone blush," she mumbled.

I laughed and she smiled before something caught her attention.

"Ooo. August," she pointed like a kid.

"What?" I looked in the direction. "Dat huge teddy bear?"

"Yes,"

"You want it?"

"Yesss," she dragged out.

"Consider it yours,"

She pulled me ova to the stand.

"What I gotta do ta get dat huge bear?" I asked the man.

"To get that huge bear, you need to knock down four sets of bottles. You've only got four balls," he said.

I paid for the balls ta knock down the bottles.

Esined gave me space and I began ta throw the balls. I knocked down two sets and missed the third one. How the hell was I supposed to get the last two sets?

I looked at the man when he began ta laugh.

"Looks like you've only got one ball and two sets of bottles left!" he smirked.

I wasn't leaving until I got this teddy bear fa her.

I turned at an angle and threw the ball. One set of bottles knocked over the other set.

I looked at him. "Yeah, she want that huge bear up there, homie,"

Esined hugged me and smiled.

I hugged her back and he sat the bear on the stand. I got the bear and it was a tad bit taller than Esined, but she loved it.

"I wanna carry it," she said.

I gave it to her and she smiled widely as she held it with one arm.

We held hands as we approached the elephant ear stand. I bought two and we ate them before walking to the car. I put the teddy bear on the backseat and opened the passenger door for Esined. She got in and I closed the door. I got in on my side and closed it. I put my seatbelt on as she did also. I started the car and pulled off.

I drove all the way back ta where I picked her up from and parked. I turned ta her.

"I had an amazin' time,"

"Me too. Seriously, thank you for taking me out. It was an amazing experience. Thanks for the teddy bear too," she smiled.

"No problem," I said. I got out of my car and went ova ta her side. I opened her door and put my hand out.

She took my hand and got out of the car, closin' the door behind her. She opened her arms and we hugged tightly.

We pulled away slightly and stared at each otha. I leaned in and kissed her cheek.

As bad as I wanted ta kiss her, it was too soon and I didn't want ta rush anything wit her.

She smiled and kissed my cheek too.

We hugged again before lettin' each otha go. I wanted ta hold on, but I knew she had to go. I got her teddy bear from the backseat fa her. She held it in her arms.

"Call me when you get in," I said.

"I will. See you Monday," she smiled.

I gave her a smile and she began to walk off.

Esined

When I walked up to the house, I noticed my dads truck in the driveway.

Just as amazing of a night I had, I knew it would come to an end. I just hoped that it wouldn't end so bad.

I walked into the house and he was in the kitchen, eating the dinner I had made.

He looked up at me. "Hey,"

"I should have asked for your permission to leave, but I was scared. I'm sorry. It won't happen again," I apologized quickly.

He shook his head. "Don told me. You had what I told you to do done, so you're okay. Did you have fun?"

I looked at him confused. "Yes,"

He reacted completely different than I thought he would. I expected him to be waiting on me with a switch.

"Nice teddy bear. Thanks for cooking. It was delicious," he even began to wash the dishes.

"You're welcome,"

I was afraid, so I stayed a good distance from him. In fact, I hadn't even took five steps away from the door yet.

"Dad..." I said softly. "Are you okay? Where's Uncle Don?"

"I'm fine. He had an interview," he sighed. "I'm gonna get some sleep. Goodnight," he said, going to his room.

I stood next to the door until I heard his bedroom door close.

I let out the breath that I held in before going to my room. I snuck the phone and called August.

"Helluh?" he answered on the first ring.

"Hey, I'm home," I said quietly.

"Me too,"

"Good. I'll see you Monday, okay?"

"Alright. Goodnight beautiful,"

I smiled to myself. "Goodnight,"

We disconnected and I put the phone back. I took a shower and got ready for bed. I couldn't sleep so I stayed up and sat in the living room. I was writing and I heard the door open.

"How was the interview?" I smiled as Uncle Don came through the door.

He kept his head down and I sat up.

"Don't worry, Uncle Don. There'll be more jobs to come along," I said.

He began to smile. "I got the job!"

I jumped up and ran over to him, hugging him. "Congratulations!" I smiled.

Uncle Don had applied to many jobs and finally, he got an interview and now he has a job. I was beyond happy for him.

He hugged me back tightly. "Now I can save up and get us somewhere else to stay," he smiled.

I smiled up at him. "Where will we go?"

"Anywhere you want to go, Caterpillar. Anywhere. Just tell me,"

I began to think about moving out of state and going back to Texas, or better yet, finding mama. Then I thought about August, I wanted to stay in Atlanta for him. I wanted our bond that we were making to remain strong, but I missed my mama and I needed her. I couldn't think and my mind became cluttered with possibilities of outcomes. I decided that I knew for sure that I really wanted to be with my mama more than anything.

"Is out of state asking for too much?" I asked him.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Wherever my mama is,"

"Well, we'll write her back and see where she is exactly then we can start planning,"

"Okay," I said.

He smiled. "I'm gonna get some rest and you should too, Caterpillar. It's late,"

"I know," I hugged him. "Goodnight, Uncle Don,"

He kissed my forehead. "Goodnight,"

I went to my room and laid in my bed.

I began to think of how things would turn out if I actually moved to be with my mama again. What if people weren't as nice as Viola, Ricardo, PJ, and August? Or even Mr. Togel?

August. How would he feel about all of this?

Maybe I should stay. Maybe things would get better here and Mama would still come back for me.

I was torn and I didn't know what to decide on. I ended up deciding to just sleep on it.

-Hmm. How are y'all?

I'm feeling a lot better.

Did y'all enjoy the date?

I think this is the longest chapter I've wrote for this book so far. There was so much to put into this chapter lol.

Should Esined leave or stay?

Do y'all think they should have kissed or was it too soon like August said?

Esined is so unaware of social media that it's cute and sad at the same time lol. She needs a phone.

I listened to Alanis while I wrote this chapter lol.

What was y'all favorite part of this chapter?

Idek what else to ask.

Any questions or concerns?

Comments and votes are appreciated. Don't forget to follow me.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo.

2024 A/N: Yes, I changed the song and the artist. You're not tripping lol.