I fumbled inside of my purse trying to dig for my phone, but it seemed like I was pulling out everything but it from lipstick to tampons. My bag then dropped, exposing all the remnants inside and when I finally got to my phone, I had missed the call.
“Dammit!” I shouted, stomping my feet like a child. This was the second call from Flame that I had missed, and I knew that the phones would be cutting off soon. Earlier, I had stepped away and missed his call and now, something so simple as having a messy purse had done it. I piled the things back into my bag and made it inside of my home a little disappointed.
Almost tripping over something that lay casually on the floor, I dropped my things and slammed down onto the couch. Today had been the longest day from hell and I knew that I would have to hear Flame’s mouth in the morning for missing his calls. Lately things had been so hectic with him going to jail, and me just trying to handle it all; everything was just happening so fast. People just didn’t understand that dealing with a person in jail was a job in itself. I was expected to visit him weekly, put money on the phone for call, speak with lawyers, send packages, and overall help to keep his spirits up with everything that he was going through.
Aside from tending to an inmate, I still was living out in the real world and had to work. All of Flame’s accounts were frozen and though he had stashed money, that he told me to dip into more than once, I knew that that was not something that I was willing to do. I didn’t want him to think that I was just with him for his money or that I was incapable of taking care of myself, so HIS money went solely to him.
I got up from the couch after about thirty minutes of just starring. My house wasn’t going to clean itself and I had been living in filth for the past few weeks. I kicked off my stilettos and turned on my music to hear Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl. Being a brownie myself, I really connected with the song and it could get me out of the funkiest of moods. I swayed to the beat as I picked up the work clothing and numerous shoes from the floor. Lately the living room had been my room simply because I had been so drained and couldn’t make it to my bedroom.
Loading the dishes into the dish washer and staring to vacuum the floor, I started to feel a little better that that my living space wasn’t so cluttered. They said that your home reflected who you were and honey, my house had definitely been a place of confusion and clutter for me lately. Once, I was satisfied with my progress, I headed to tackle my bedroom which wasn’t so bad besides the clothing that needed to be thrown in the hamper. Removing the clothing that I currently had on, I started my shower and knew after that intense cleaning session and a warm shower, I would be knocked out like a baby.
Just as I stepped into the shower, I heard my phone ring and from the time on my apple watch, I knew that it wouldn’t be Flame calling so late. I started to just let it ring, but my curiosity got the best of me. I wrapped a towel around my waste and jogged to my bedroom. The phone was still ringing and I scrunched my face up when I saw that the number was blocked. I ended the call and my phone automatically started to ring again and this time I decided to answer.
“Hello!” I answered full of attitude. I couldn’t hear anything on the other end but breathing.
“Helllloooooo!” I said, once more just before I was about to hang up.
“He hello,” the voice said lowly, but no matter how low it was I knew exactly who it was.
“ELLE! Elle ifs that you?” I asked, surprised. No one had heard from her in weeks. It was like she had dropped off the face of the earth.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Elle, where in the hell have you been? You know how worried Smoke has been.. how worried I have been!”
“I know I Know, but I had to get away.” Elle was still low. She already had a tiny voice, but she sounded different and it worried me.
“Elle tell me where you are. I will come and get you right now,” I assured her.
“Pia, I can’t. Not right now. I got myself into some shit.”
“What kind of shit that would make you up and leave. I’m sure whatever it is, Smoke can help you with it.”
“Pia just listen. I’m not coming back, but I wanted to reach out to you, because I consider you a friend. I am okay.”
“Elle, whatever it is. I am here for you. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I got you. You need money or anything?”
When she didn’t answer I knew it was her pride that wouldn’t let her.
“Look, I’m going to western Union your money tomorrow. I don’t even need to know where you are, all you have to do it go to the nearest one okay and be safe Elle.”
With that she let out a thank you and I could tell that she was crying right before she hung up.
I held the phone to my chest for a minute wondering what could be so bad that she felt the need to run. Day in and Day out, Smoke had been worried about her and I didn’t have anything to tell him. The smile that was constantly plastered on his face had disappeared and he had become someone hardened. A blind man could tell that he loved Elle and was disappointed in her for just up and leaving, but now I knew that she had a reason and even though I didn’t know the reason, he secret was safe with me.