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“Deandre. We have to talk.”
“When you call me by my government, I did something wrong. I ain’t checking for no other broads it’s all about you.” He placed her hands in between his and kissed it. Karmella held her head down and mumbled.
“You deserve a woman who doesn’t embarrass you on your visits. A woman who fits your style, Money. I am not your type and you deserve better. I want to break up.”
“You messing with my head right, baby?” He lifted her chin, and she shook her head no.
“No, it’s over because I know I am in your way. You don’t want an ugly fat duckling like me. I want you happy and this dark curse over me is not fair to cast this on you. Mama said you’d be better off without me.”
“Your mother doesn’t know shit about how I feel and word on my life she just a miserable broad who doesn’t want to see her daughter happy.” He sucked his teeth and slid down in the chair.
“You never wanted me to be your girlfriend. One night of drinking Alize, and we had sex. My body, my face and look at all of these women on the visits they are perfect. Be honest on numerous occasions I embarrassed you. I can still send packages and money I would never stop helping you. ,"
Money frowned and sucked in his lip.
“To answer your question I never was embarrassed about your presence. My cell has nothing but your pictures on my wall. You think I give a damn about a package and money on my books. When I am about to lose you, Karmella. Don’t do this and leave me while I’m in here with the wolves. I am in love with you.”
“It isn’t love it us being friends...” He slammed his fist on the table and slid the chair back. The tall guard came to the table and glared at Deandre.”
“Calm it down or back to your cell your visit will be ended.” The guard barked. Deandre slid his chair forward, and he ran his hand over his face. Karmella couldn’t look him in the face. He cupped her chin and made her look him in the eyes.
“I’ve always represented you with honor and respect as my future wife. When I was on the streets and now in here, I never felt nothing but proud to have you as my woman. Baby, I will walk through hell just to make you my wife and protect you. Don’t quit on us, please.”
“Your friends, my family, and everyone snickering people talking about my weight no one wants us together. They are right, you deserve more than some fat woman with issues.” The guard called for the first round of visitors to go home and she stood to leave. He held his head down and he called out her name.
“Karmella, answer me one question before you walk away from me do you love me? Are you willing throw away what we built on other people's opinions?"
“It doesn’t matter because I know I am misfit in your life. I promise to keep sending packages and money. Thank you for being so nice and not judging me. I owe you because you are a good friend and never judged my weight.” He threw his hand in the air and blew out a deep sigh.
“A friend are you kidding me? All we shared and we just friends now? I am crazy as hell about you and just like that it’s over. What I feel and say about our love doesn’t count, huh? I don’t want your money and packages you never had to bribe me to be your friend or love you. I want you to be my wife. Please believe me when I say I love you and your weight isn’t or hasn’t been an issue. You're beautiful and I don’t know how to convince you I only want Karmella.”
“I thank you for seeing me in the eyes of the beholder and I don’t think I ever will see beauty in this broken soul. Bye Money and be safe.” She wiped the tears from her face, kissed his cheek and touched his hands for a moment.
He watched her walked out the door and his heart shattered. Later that night and every day for a year he attempted to call her but no answer. He finally found the strength to give up on getting her back into his life. Instead he poured his focus into school, and trainings. He read every day and prayed for Karmella.
Yet,nothing devastated him more than to lose her and groveled over it while doing his time incarcerated. He had lost his soul mate and best friend. She was the only woman for him and he wished everyone had of stayed the fuck out of their business. He will admit he heard the chuckles and friends telling him he could do better. His reply was, “I will slice your face in shreds if you ever disrespect my woman again.” He knew in Karmella was where his love stayed.
He asked her to marry him out of love not for some financial gain and visits. Shit, to be honest his twin brother, Cash blessed him with commissary and all that he ever needed while he was in Collins. His father Supreme ruled the City and even in his death his name alone still carried power in the prison system. Money was in on a drug possession charge and would never dishonor his loyalty by snitching on family so he took a plea deal. It was the same way he had honored Karamella she was his Queen. The two years they spent together was beautiful. She made him smile which he rarely did, bought out the best in him and touched a place he normally refused others access to. Yet, haters and her family had shit to say about their love.
He knew his faults and the shit he was into in his past was wrong, it was all he knew back then was being heartless, being a criminal and power. He found love in her when she discovered he only read on a third grade level and didn’t tease him like so many other women had. She bought books on his level and read with him and to him. Karmella wrote letters and placed it on their bed reminding him he was a King. Which helped him to improve his comprehension.
He had inherited the life of the streets and he couldn’t see doing anything else until she entered his life. She pointed out his strengths in math and science. They met on his birthday at a party thrown by his brother. She stood in a corner and stared down at her feet. She spoke softly when he asked her name. Some dudes had her in the corner crying as they taunted her about her weight.
Money pulled out his gun pointed it to the dude's head.
“I have not an issue spilling your blood on my white suit. Why are you making her cry?”
“Alright Money.”
“Apologize each and every one of you or your mama will be burying you tomorrow. Be sincere and don’t mumble I despise it.”
They all one by one apologized and scurried out of the party.
He took his thumb and wiped her tears.
“Are you okay?”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“Here is my card anyone mess with you or make you cry. Call me.”
“Thank you for protecting me.”
“You’re welcome and can I have your name?”
“Karmella.”
“Money but my government name is Deandre.”
The sparks didn’t instantly fly but the more they hung out, had in depth conversations about life, love, and anything funny. He found her to be attractive, and every day love grew without permission. When he was shot on Halloween she was the first to arrive. She nursed him back to health, and it was then he recognized what true love felt like. He knew loyalty didn’t come in a pretty smile, a sexy body but what was embedded in a woman’s heart. He made a promise to God if he made it through he would marry Karmella and let no harm come her way. As he counted the hours, he broke his promise by coming back out and getting caught up in his old lifestyle. The love grew, they moved in together and even with her insecurities he found her irresistible and the perfect woman for him. He could never convince Karmella beauty and love has no waist size.