24. Back to Where I'm From 🏠

It didn't feel like I was really back home until I had my mom's cooking. Roast beef, cabbage, yams, corn on the cob, fried okra, and hot water cornbread with the infamous Sweet Iced Tea. As I ate, I was lost in my thoughts or lost in the food for thought.

"I can't believe Monica isn't over here talking your ear off, right now." My mom sat next to me at the kitchen table.

I smirked, "I may have given her the wrong return date."

My mom narrowed her eyes at me. "Throw away the evidence, because you won't hear the end of it if she finds out."

"Way ahead of you. It's all on my phone. She doesn't know my password."

We both laughed.

"I'm so glad you're back, baby. Now, are you here for good or you missed us that much?" My mom asked me.

How can I put this without hurting any feelings? I replied, "I recorded enough music to be granted a break. Zeke asked if I wanted to go back home before my schedule gets hectic, and I couldn't wait to come back. I missed y'all that much."

My mom pursed her lips at me. "I'm about five seconds away from taking your plate away from you. Tell the truth, Jamie."

Why are moms like this? I sighed, "I really am done with recording music for now. Just waiting on Zeke's next business move for my career. Whether you believe it or not, I did miss you and dad."

My mom smiled, "You just earned seconds and thirds before your dad gets home. You know the kitchen will be empty after his first plate."

We both laughed.

When my dad came home from work, I caught him up on life in LA, and that led him to ask if he and mama can visit me when he gets his vacation time from work. After another hour, I grabbed my car keys and drove to my old job - Music Bravos. Even though it was closed, I did see a car in the parking lot, but I didn't recognize it. I wonder if A.B. is at my apartment.

After making a stop at Sonic for some drinks, I found myself stuck outside my apartment gate. How could I forget I needed a key to get in? I pulled out my phone to call A.B. He answered on the third ring.

"Hey, umm, it's Jamie. I was gonna surprise you, but I can't get in. I'm locked out at the apartment gate. So, I'm just stuck outside looking crazy."

A.B. was silent for a few seconds. "Where are you?"

He sounded like he just woke up and didn't know where he was. Now, I feel bad. I said, "I'm back from LA, and I came to visit you. I just don't have my key to get in the gate. Could you come outside and open it for me?"

"Oh! Here I come." He hung up his phone.

I giggled as I waited for him. In less than a minute, I heard "Jamie!" A.B. unlocked and opened the gate for me.

"Did I wake you up?" I walked through the pedestrian gate.

A.B. closed the gate and it locked on its own. "Don't worry about me. How was your flight?"

"It was good." I held up both Sonic drinks. "Blue Coconut Slush or Ocean Water?"

"Ocean Water."

I gave it to him before leading the way back to the apartment. As we went up stairs, I heard the sipping of air and ice rattling.

"Thank you for the drink, Jamie."

"You're welcome." Instantly, I looked over my shoulder at my neighbor's door. Surprisingly, I didn't see Paulette or Joey's eyes peeping through their blinds. Good! Right when I was about to open the door, I quickly took a step back bumping into A.B. "I'm sorry. I'm acting like I still live here."

A.B. slightly smiled as he opened the door. "Technically, you do." He allowed me to walk inside first.

I looked up, down and all around the living area. Everything was the same except the TV was mounted on the wall and looked a lot bigger.

"That's not mine, is it?" I pointed at the TV.

"No. I just bought that the other day. Your cousin took your TV and some other things." He closed and locked the front door.

I rolled my eyes. Monica doesn't need anything of mine. She's the millionaire in the family.

A.B. moved his hands in the direction of the couch. "Have a seat."

I took off my sandals and blopped down on the couch. Then, I curled my legs in order to get snuggled into my favorite spot. "Where's my throw blanket?"

"She took that, too," A.B. informed me.

"And I thought she was going to behave herself while I was gone." I took a long sip of my slush.

"Are you cold? I can turn the AC down."

I waved my hand at him to mean no.

"I have an extra comforter you can use." A.B. went to the bedroom.

I wonder if he made any changes in there?

A.B. returned with a small gray comforter. He unfolded it and drapped it over my lap.

"Thank you!" I pulled it up to my neck.

A.B. sat on the opposite end of the couch. "Tell me how California's treating you." Even though he was grinning, there was sleep in his eyes.

"So far, so good. Hey, uhh, what time is it?" I pulled my phone out of my purse.

"It's not late. I think it's 8:30 or so," he estimated.

The time on my phone read 8:40 p.m. "What time do you normally go to bed?"

A.B. yawned quietly, "Around eleven or midnight."

"Oh, I won't be here that long. I just wanted to see how you were living, and if my apartment was working out for you."

A.B. rubbed his eyes. "More than you know. Sometimes, I walk to work."

I frowned. "That's like a twenty minute walk."

"I timed it. It's about thirteen minutes."

Then, I remembered. "Is that your car parked at the store?"

A.B. laughed, "Yes. I'm going to walk to work tomorrow, and then drive my car back here when I get off."

"Is it new? I thought you had a different car."

A.B. answered, "It's used, but it's not the same car. My old car was breaking down too much."

I took another sip of my slush. "I can take you to work tomorrow," I offered.

He shook his head, "Jamie, I owe you. How about I take you to lunch or dinner tomorrow?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. Then, you can tell me all about your life in California."

"Works for me." I removed the comforter from my body. "Can I use your bathroom?"

"Feel free."

I hopped off the couch and put my drink on the kitchen bar top before skipping to the bedroom. I turned on the light. Same layout. Same decor. Same bed, different sheets. Honestly, I was never big into decorating, and I was glad for it at this point.

I went to the bathroom and turned on the light. I immediately felt too big for the space. My bathroom at Zeke's house was three times the size of this one. After using the bathroom, I went back to the bedroom and sat on my old bed. It's definitely the same mattress. "Whoa. How was I sleeping on this thing?"

Next thing I knew, I heard the most annoying alarm I've ever heard in my life. I tried to turn it off with my eyes closed, but my reach was off. "Turn it off! Turn it off!" I whined.

Then, there was silence. I slowly opened my eyes to see A.B. putting on his backpack. "Good morning." He smiled brightly at me.

I sat up on my elbows as I watched him. "What time is it?"

"Time for me to head to work. I guess sleep got the both of us," he chuckled. "I put your purse on the nightstand, because your phone would not stop ringing."

I sighed knowing exactly who to blame. "I can't escape for nothing. Can I go to work with you?"

A.B. walked to the bedroom door. "It's 7 a.m. You should sleep-in. Then, you can visit the store afterwards. I put the spare key on the kitchen counter. I'll see you later." He waved before walking out.

"See you later." I fell onto my back. I'm so glad he left a spare key. Then, I thought about clothes and my bad breath. I covered my mouth as I quickly hopped out of bed. I went to the closet, and looked inside to see most of my clothes were still there. Did this man live here or not? And why did I leave all of my ugly clothes behind?

After grabbing a pink T-shirt and black leggings, I went to the bathroom to find my extra toothbrushes and toothpaste were still in the drawer. Either A.B. bought his own supplies or he already found a place to stay. Even my extra bars of soap were still under the sink. Once I grabbed a towel to bath with and a towel to dry off with, I was set.

That was the bath I didn't know I needed, because it truly woke me up. As much as I wanted to sleep in, my neighbors were on my mind, and I really didn't want to explain why there was a man in my apartment. So, I tiptoed my way out of the apartment at 8:15 a.m. and I made a dash for the gate.

Once I was in my car, I drove to a local donut shop for a dozen glazed donuts and a dozen specialty donuts. My former co-workers were going to have to buy their own drinks I was running low on funds.

I parked next to A.B.'s used-new car. It was a black Ford Mustang, but it looked far from used. I carried the two boxes of donuts and walked inside Music Bravos. It was still dark and the open sign wasn't on. Using my memory more than my sight, I headed to Mr. Dave's office where the light was on.

"Good morning!" I sang as I put the boxes of donuts on the desk. I dusted my hands to find no one there. I turned around. "And I'm talking to myself." Well, wherever he is, I do not feel like looking. I took a seat in the chair against the wall.

"I thought you were going to sleep in."

I looked up to see A.B. walking inside the office.

I quickly stood up, "Good morning! I brought donuts for everyone." I pointed at the desk.

A.B. laughed, "Jamie, you didn't have to do this. On second thought, this is perfect. Since today is Friday, I'm buying lunch."

"So, you're still being everyone's favorite boss?" I inquired.

"No. Only two people are coming in today."

My face dropped, "I bought all these donuts for two people?"

"Four including me and you," he pointed between us.

I sighed, "Is Mr. Dave coming?"

"No." A.B. went to the desk and opened the first donut box. "Wow. You bought a variety. Ladies first." He said to me.

I shook my head, "I just want a regular glaze."

Using a napkin that was inside the box, A.B. grabbed a donut. Then, he walked over to me.

The glazed donut was inches away from my face. I looked up at A.B. as he held a strawberry sprinkle donut in his other hand.

I took the glazed donut.

"God bless these donuts. I pray they are good and fulfilling. In Jesus' name. Amen."

"Amen," I smiled at him.  I took a big bite of my donut.

A.B. nodded his head before taking a bite of  his. "Mmm... these are good. Where did you get them?"

"King Donuts  in that shopping center across the street," I pointed.

"I never noticed. They must be new."

"I think they been there for about two years or so," I informed him.

A.B. grabbed his second donut. "Now, I need something to drink."

I quickly stood up. "Is the vending machine still in the break room?"

"Yes, but I'm buying." A.B. pulled out his wallet with one hand. He opened it. "Can you grab my card?"

I touched his debit card and pulled on it, causing his wallet to open wider. I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw several one hundred dollar bills. I pulled on the card, again. It came out the wallet. "What do you want to drink?"

"Anything you drink." He closed his wallet.

As I went to the break room, all I could think about is all that money. When I come to think about it, I still don't know very much about A.B. Now, I have something or someone to occupy my time other than Monica. This trip back home was going to be fun for sure.