Page 5 of Whatever It Takes
“What’s up, Bless?” He responded, taking a seat on the bench
“First, I would like your consent to start filming our sessions for my social media accounts. It’ll help motivate others with the same injuries. You can post them on your page as well. Second, I know Mariah means well, but she makes me uncomfortable during our sessions. I let her slide with the constant remarks about my scrubs. But the micromanaging is too much. I know how to do my job, and I’m very good at it. So, either have a conversation with her and keep her out of our sessions, or the sessions can be held at the facility.”
He sighed, running a hand across his face. “I apologize for her actions. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable while you’re in my home. From now on, it’ll just be my mother and us here during our sessions. I never had a problem with your scrubs. Wear what makes you comfortable. As far as filming our sessions, I’m perfectly fine with that. I have a camera we can film with, and I know someone who can edit them for us if you’re okay with that.”
I smiled, nodding eagerly. “Oh, I would love that, Moo! I was just gonna film on my little iPhone with a ring light. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, Bless. My whole career is in your hands. You can get whatever you want from me.” He stood, grabbing his crutches as he walked over to me. His body towered over my short frame. He had to be over a foot taller than me, weighing 305 pounds. I could only imagine how it felt lying beneath him. I sucked in a breath, shaking away the thoughts.
I threw my workbag over my shoulder and laughed, “Anything I want, huh? I’ll keep that in mind. See you Monday, Moo.”
I left the gym and headed for the front door to leave. It was only noon, so I had a few hours before I needed to pick up my daughter from daycare and my sister from school. I loaded my gear into the trunk before climbing into the driver’s seat. I pressed the button to start my car, but nothing happened. Confused, I tried again, but it still wouldn’t start. “Shit,” I muttered, pulling my phone from my pocket. Before I could unlock it, I noticed a text message from an unknown number.
(578)333-8859: Time’s running out.
I rolled my eyes and deleted the thread before getting out of the car to knock on Saint’s door. He immediately opened the door with a confused look on his face. “What’s wrong?” he asked, stepping aside to let me back in.
“My car won’t start. I think the battery died. Can I wait inside while I wait for roadside assistance to come?” I asked, looking up at him.
He swiped his tongue across his lips and nodded. “Yeah, you can wait in the living room. I was just about to shower.”
“Thanks, Moo,” I responded, heading towards the living room. I plopped down on the couch, letting out a slight groan. The couch was so soft it felt like I was melting into it. I called roadside assistance, and they estimated a ninety-minute wait.
I looked around the spacious living room, appreciating its beauty. A gigantic television was mounted above a faux fireplace. The Sports Center was playing on the screen, with the volume muted. In front of the couch, a glass coffee table was perfectly centered, holding small decorative items and several remotes. I settled in by tucking my feet underneath me, making myself comfortable on the couch, and then pulled out my phone to scroll through social media.
It felt like hours had passed by the time Saint finally emerged from his room. I could smell him before I saw him. He laid his crutches on the floor beside the couch before he took a seat at the other end of it and turned his body to face me. He was dressed in a pair of gray Nike sweat shorts and a white muscle shirt.
“What time did they say they’d be here?” He asked.
“I have about an hour left. This is the third time my battery died.” I whined, rolling my eyes. It was obvious I’d probably need a new battery.
“I’m surprised you ain’t use those healing hands to fix it.”
I burst into a fit of giggles. “I fucking wish. I ain’t Kevin Gates. A new battery is gonna run me at least $800. The price isn’t an issue, but I hate spending my own money.”
“Don’t trip, it happened on my property. Let me pay for it.”
“Moo no,” I shook my head. “I can’t let you do that.”
“I insist. Matter fact…” He pulled out his phone and began typing. A few seconds later, my phone dinged, indicating an Apple Pay payment. I gasped, unlocking my phone. He’d sent me fifteen hundred dollars. It was way more than I needed. My mama always told me not to turn down my blessings, so I wasn’t about to complain.
I grinned, leaning over to pinch his cheek. “Wow. Thank you so much. That’s way more than I need, Moo.”
“Just use the rest for whatever maintenance you need done, whether it’s your car or your hair shit. I told you, whatever youwant, you can get it. Look at how much progress we’ve made with my injury. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where my career would be going.”
“I’m just doing my job. You’ll be back on that field before the new season starts. Shit, you might even be better than you were before. I got you. I told you these hands are magic.” I winked.
We started a casual chat, gradually learning more about each other. I discovered he knew my older brother, Messiah, and his girlfriend, Gia. Some of his friends ran in the same circle as my brother. Oasis Cove truly is a small city. Soon, roadside assistance was allowed through the gate by security. Moo remained outside with me while they replaced the battery in my car. I thanked him again for paying for it and said goodbye before driving off.
By the time I made it home, I had an hour before I needed to pick my daughter, Sage, up. I took a few minutes to clean the house, then jumped in the shower. After moisturizing my body, I threw on a pair of light blue jeans, a cropped white T-shirt, and a fresh pair of whiteAF1s. I pulled my hair from the ponytail and brushed it out. Because I was pressed for time, I threw on a red baseball cap.
I admired myself in the mirror and even snapped a few pictures. I looked good as hell. I grabbed my keys and purse before locking up my house and setting the alarm. After Seven was killed, I put the house up for sale and moved into a 4-bedroom, 3.5-bedroom home. The community is gated; you have to be buzzed in to enter. Seven’s murder still hasn’t beensolved. My brother was doing everything to find the person responsible, but it’s like he disappeared without a trace. With him still roaming, I had to move. Regardless of the cheating and lies, he still deserved justice. Rather, it’s by the hands of my brother or the law. My neighbor Ariana was getting out of her car as I was getting in mine. I sent her a quick wave and smiled before pulling off.
The ride to Sage’s daycare didn’t take long. I walked into the building and greeted the secretary, Miss Kari. I signed my name on the check-out sheet and waited for Sage to be brought out. My baby would turn 10 months old in a few days, and I was thrilled. She’d started crawling a few months ago, and now, she was working on taking her first few steps. I looked towards the door of her classroom when I heard her tiny voice squeal. She was trying her hardest to jump out of Miss Kari’s arms. I laughed, taking her. My arms wrapped around her small frame as I embraced her. I’d missed my baby all day. I smothered her face in kisses before saying goodbye to the staff. After securing Sage in her car seat, I made my way to Journey’s school.
Journey is seventeen. When our parents were killed, Messiah got full custody of both of us because my grandma was too old to take care of us. My parents passed away during my senior year of high school from a drunk driver. Messiah was only twenty-two and still managed to make sure we stayed on the right path. The rest of our family never tried to step in and take us. She’d lived with him until a few months ago. Messiah figured it would be safer for her to live with me until she went off to college after graduation. Journey is a great teenager. She had her moments, like most kids her age, but she wasn’t a problem most of the time. Her grades were good, she was respectful, and responsible. She didn’t know it yet, but Messiah and I had purchased her a car for Christmas. It was hidden in the garage at his house.
The line at Journey’s school was wrapped around the block by the time I arrived. I sighed and settled into my seat, knowing school wouldn’t end for another fifteen minutes, so I’d be here a while. I pulled out my phone and openedInstagram, scrolling through my camera roll to review pictures I’d taken earlier. After choosing the ones I wanted to post, I uploaded them, and it didn’t take long for the likes to start coming in. I noticed Saint had posted a story. He was sitting on a gym bench, dressed the same as before I left, with the word ‘blessed’ at the bottom. My cheeks flushed immediately. I liked the story and then exited out, but I couldn’t help scrolling through his pictures, admiring how good he looked. I saw a photo of him and Mariah, clicked on her tag, and went to her page, only to gasp and realize I was blocked.
