Page 5 of Broken
I wouldn’t mind hooking up with him again. He was a good time.
Ding! The fasten seatbelt sign popped on.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s your captain. We’re passing through some storm clouds, so please return to your seats and buckle up.”
Already buckled, Jacqueline stared out the window as the blue sky got gobbled up by a sea of angry clouds. She closed the Asylum app and refocused her attention on work.
At just past nine, the jet touched down at Dulles. After collecting her suitcase at baggage claim, she headed toward the exit to grab a taxi.
Her brother and sister-in-law loomed into view, and Jacqueline grinned. Keith looked exactly the same. Tall and lanky, he wore his brown hair clipped short, and he was starting to sport a golfer’s tan. Naomi was Jacqueline’s height—five seven—with a big smile and light brown eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Jaqueline exclaimed.
Naomi threw her arms around her. “Of course.”
Jacqueline hugged her. “You look amazing. When did you stop wearing wigs?” Naomi’s beautiful Afro, resting softly on her shoulders, framed her pretty face.
“A couple of weeks ago,” Naomi replied. “I’ve gotta throw some love to the hubs. He’s been begging me to go natural for—”
“Forever,” Keith replied before hugging his sister. He took Jacqueline’s rolling suitcase. “You got everything, Jack?”
“All set,” she replied.
They headed outside.
“Talk about looking good,” Naomi said, “youlook fantastic.”
Jacqueline playfully tossed back her long auburn hair. “Really? You think?”
“Absolutely,” Naomi replied.
“Go on,” Jacqueline urged, while she and Naomi followed Keith into the airport parking lot.
Keith laughed. “You two are hilarious.”
“Your hair grew so much,” Naomi said. “And the color is richer.”
“I only got one trim in eight months,” Jacqueline continued, as they pulled to a stop at Keith’s vehicle. “You’ve seen my hair. We video chatted a bunch of times since I left.”
“Your hair was always in a ponytail or piled on top of your head.”
“I found this amazing shampoo and conditioner. You havegotto try it.”
“For Black hair too?”
“Absolutely,” Jacqueline replied. “It’s so good.”
After loading Jacqueline’s bag, Keith said, “Honey, why don’t you sit in back so you don’t get a crick in your neck.”
Naomi leaned up, kissed her husband. “You are the best.”
The ride back to Keith and Naomi’s house zoomed by while Jacqueline got caught up with her family. She was close with her brother, even closer with her sister-in-law.
As Keith street parked in front of their older, two-story townhome in Alexandria, Jacqueline asked about her sister, Leslie.
“You haven’t talked to her?” Naomi asked.
“Just a few texts, but no video chats like with you guys, and Mom and Dad,” Jaqueline said.
