Impossibly Forever: Two Books in One (Impossibly Duology) (20 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Moya

  
I’d wanted to say those words
again because I felt sure of myself—more
certain now than when he was in the hospital. People often say crazy things in situations
like that, and often ended up retracting their statements. Thankfully, I hadn’t
regretted saying it then, even after getting some clarity.

  
My heart felt as if it was going to burst out of my chest if I didn’t tell
Branden. I couldn’t fall asleep after he replied saying he loved me too,
staying up until the wee hours thinking about seeing him again before I left
for school. When sleep overcame me, I dreamt of nothing else but him.

  
At the crack of dawn, I climbed out of bed, washed my face, and then headed to
the kitchen to make breakfast for Momma. Soon she’d be waking up to get ready
for her shift at the supermarket.

  
By the time she came down the hallway and entered the kitchen, I had scrambled
eggs with sausage and toast on a plate, and coffee with no cream in her
favorite mug waiting on the oval table.

  
“Well, look at this,” she gushed, walking over to the table. “Oh baby you
didn’t have to get up so early to do all this for me.”

  
“Never mind, Momma, eat before it gets cold.”

  
“All right.”
She sat down and sipped her coffee. I
joined her after fixing myself a plate.

  
Momma kept a watchful eye on me while eating. Her eyes narrowed when she took
up the mug and drank some more coffee. Settling it down next to her plate, she
said in a suspicious tone, “You don’t look right.”

  
Confused, I stopped eating. “What do you mean?”

  
She twisted on the chair and looked at me sideways. “How come you jumped out of
bed so early, on a Sunday at that?”

  
I shrugged. “I just…have a lot of energy, I guess.”

  
“A lot of energy?
Humph.” She went back to drinking
her coffee. “And why do you keep giggling like this? You got the laughing
sickness or something?”

  
It just so happened that I chortled my reply, “I’m in a good mood. I’m feeling
great, that’s all.”

  
She still regarded me with suspicion. Taking a bite of a sausage, she swallowed
then said unexpectedly, “You ain’t on nothing, are you baby?”

  
My eyes widened. I coughed as coffee rushed down my throat too fast.
“
Wha
-what?”

  
“They didn’t give you anything they say supposed to boost your memory for
exams, did they?”

  
“No.” I didn’t know if I should laugh or take her serious. “Momma, I’m not on
drugs.”

  
She sank back on the chair and crossed a leg over the other. “I read something
in the paper about a girl going to college in Florida,” she explained.
“Apparently, some classmate gave her pills they say will help her remember, but
it ended up driving her crazy instead. I’m just making sure my baby is all
right.”

  
“Momma,” I placed my hand on top of hers. “I don’t take pills from people and
I’m not on drugs otherwise. I’m fine.”

  
She tittered and continued eating, “So it’s Branden then. No wonder you’re
glowing.”

  
Picking up my mug, I drank my coffee and prepared myself. This was going to be
the moment for “that” talk. I was sure of it.

  
“Moya, I know you’re nineteen now, but,” And here it was. “You can talk to me
about sex. I mean, if y’all getting that serious—”

  
“I know.”

  
“I’m only saying, things can get pretty heated fast so be safe—” 

  
Awkward.

  
“Momma, trust me, I’m keeping safe.”

  
Pursing her lips, she eyed me seriously. “Still, I’m letting you know there’s
nothing you can’t talk to me about.”

  
I nodded and peered up at the clock hanging next to the refrigerator. “You’re
cutting it close today.”

  
Remembering she had work, Momma shot up and carried her plate and coffee mug
over to the sink.

  
“Leave them. I’ll do the dishes in a bit,” I said.

  
She turned and smiled at me, coming over to give me a peck on the forehead.
“Thank you, baby.
I’ll probably be back before you take off
for Harrington.”

  
“Okay. You better get going.”

  
“Remember what I said.” She patted my head then hurried over to the counter to
get her keys. 

  
“Yes, Momma, see you later.”

  
“Bye, girlie,” she waved on her way out the front door.

  
I finished up my breakfast then did the dishes, heading into the living room to
do some cleaning before Branden came by to pick me up. We were going to have
lunch then check out a Sunday matinee at Berlin Heights’ little cinema.

  
While dusting the Oakwood ladder shelf, I heard a knock at the door. It was
still early so it couldn’t have been Branden already.

  
I walked over to the window. Easing away the sheer white curtains, I saw it was
Calvin outside. This was a surprise. He and I were not friends. We agreed to
get along for Vanessa’s sake.

  
Going over to the front door, I opened it with one hand on my hip, not in the
mood for whatever arguments he and Nessa had this time.

  
“Calvin, it’s early, and we ain’t cool like that.”

  
“Nessa here?” he shushed, seeming annoyed. Taking in his troubled
appearance—weary eyes, wrinkled t-shirt, gray sweats and matching hoodie—he
looked as if he rolled out of bed and came searching for his girlfriend.

  
“No,” I creased my forehead, perplexed. “She’s at her house.”

  
“Obviously she’s not, genius; hence, why I’m standing at your door. Her mom
said she was here ‘cause Nessa told her she was sleeping over. Now where is
she?”         

  
He inched closer, trying to come inside to look around for himself. I sucked my
teeth and eased him back out on the porch.

  
“Are you deaf? I just said she’s not here. She’s probably really at home and
avoiding you.”

  
“She’s not. Look, if you know where she is, tell me.”

  
“Calvin, the last time I saw Nessa was yesterday before she left Harborplace to
go meet you.”

  
“Say what?” He screwed up his face in confusion. “I didn’t see her yesterday. I
had practice.”

  
Uh-oh.

  
“Um,” Not sure what to say next, I peered at one of the columns on the porch.
If Vanessa wasn’t meeting him, then who was waiting for her yesterday?

  
“Maybe…” I searched my head for an excuse; never been good at lying. “She
probably went to see another friend and stayed there for the night. Nessa’s
been sick since going to your game last week so—”

  
“She never went to my game last week. She said her joints hurt too much and she
had to stay in bed.”

  
This was getting even worse. My best friend had been lying to both of us it
seemed.

  
“So, when was the last time you saw her?” I had to ask because it didn’t seem
like they’d been talking much.

  
Calvin ran his hand over his low-cut hair, letting out a deep sigh. “We had a
fight two weeks ago. I called her and apologized, but she’s been making excuses
why we can’t meet up. If it’s not studying, then it’s because she’s sick. I
don’t know. I’m starting to worry…about us.”

  
He stuck his hands inside the pockets of his sweatpants and gazed around my
porch, trying to figure out what was going on with his girlfriend. I could only
draw one conclusion from hearing this: Nessa was cheating. Suddenly, I felt as
if I didn’t know my friend at all.

  
“Anyways,” Calvin continued. “Tell her to call me. Tell her I want to know
what’s going on,” he said in a sad whisper. I wanted to sympathize, but
couldn’t. Their light switch relationship overwhelmed me, and I wasn’t even a
part of it.

  
“I will,” I replied, closing the front door as soon as he walked away. Then I
treaded down the hallway to my bedroom, picking up my cell phone off the end
table.

  
Branden’s text from last night popped up when I touched the screen. I couldn’t
help a smile, but then remembered what my intention was. I called Vanessa’s
phone. It went straight to voice mail so I left her a message:

  
“I know what you’ve been up to. Call me ASAP.”

***

  
Not too long after getting some stuff together to take to school with me,
Branden showed up. It seemed whenever I looked into his gorgeous blue eyes I
forgot about everything and everyone else.

  
We hung out for a while at my house, lounging on the sofa, and I figured I’d
make lunch for him here instead of spending money at a restaurant. He was
determined to go out though.

  
“Bran, it’s really no big deal. I can whip us up something in
seconds.”     

  
“I know you can,” he stood from the sofa and pulled me up into his strong arms.
“But I really want to try out this place. I rarely come to Berlin Heights,
remember?”

  
I caved.
“All right.
So I take it you still want to
watch a movie too?”

  
He held my hand, leading me to the front door. “Actually, I thought we could do
something else.”

  
Getting my denim jacket by the door, I asked as we stepped out onto the porch,
“Something else?”

  
Branden shrugged, grinned sneakily, and nudged me towards his car. He opened
the passenger door for me and said softly, “You’ll see.”

  
Then he hurried around to the driver’s side, bringing the engine to life the
instant he hopped in and closed the door. He looked particularly excited now.
With any luck his surprise wouldn’t shock me too much.

  
Branden drove to a riverside restaurant looking out at Downtown Baltimore in
the distance. I hadn’t been to this place in a while. In fact, the last time I
was here, it was two days before my dad moved out.

  
“You want to eat here?” I confirmed, getting out of the car once Branden found
parking on the street and paid the meter. 

  
“Yep.”

  
We walked hand in hand into the restaurant. The second I entered, he pointed to
a table in the back. A familiar man was sitting there, waiting.

  
“What’s my dad doing here?” I turned and asked Branden. I wasn’t upset, only
surprised.

  
“He’s not working today, and you’ll be back in school by tomorrow and won’t
have time. So just hang out with him a bit.” He placed his hand at the arch of
my back and prodded me forward.

  
I felt a tad nervous. When I went to my dad’s birthday party a few weeks ago,
he was busy trying to mingle with everyone who attended so we didn’t get to
talk much. Today would definitely be different. I still had a lot to say, but
with him, I’d turn shy unless he mentioned something about my mother.

  
Dad stood when we drew closer. “Hey there, baby girl. How you doing?” he leaned
in and gave me hug.

  
I hugged him back and breathed out my reply, “I’m good.
You?”

  
“Life’s good,” he replied.

  
After he gave Branden a firm handshake, we sat down at the table, both guys on
opposite ends. Dad’s dark brown almond-shaped eyes never left me. He looked so
proud to be my father.

  
“How’ve you been? How’s the jewelry business?” I asked.

  
“Good. I’m still holding a position at the store for you if you want a job—”

  
“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” I cut him off. “I found a job at the plaza near
school. I’m starting after the holiday. It’s easier for me because I can work
after classes in the days.”

  
“I see,” he appeared somewhat disappointed. “Anyway, that aside, I’d love for
us to see each other more often, but I know school’s keeping you busy.”