Carnival at Mountain Trashmore

"You okay with dis?" Kingston asked after he and Renae received their wristbands.

"Yes, I haven't been here in a few years," she smiled as he moved her on the left side of him.

"Anything off limits?"

"I don't like the crazy rides."

"Cool wit me," he shrugged, "I don't fuck wit 'em either,"

"So where should we start first?" She queried.

"You lead, I'll follow," he answered.

Renae nodded, "Sounds good to me."

"When are you gonna get yourself a car girl?" Terri, an associate of Egypt's asked as they stood outside having a smoke break.

"I do not drive, I keep telling y'all that. Too many crazy people on the road."

Terri laughed. "You sound like the younger me, all you gotta do is get crazy back."

"Long as my ex-husband and I are on good terms and he doesn't mind driving me around, I'm not complaining."

"You lucky, my ex told me I better use my two feet or catch the greyhound. I told him to kiss my ass and put him right on child support. The money that I didn't need for the kids I saved and got me a car," Terri explained.

Egypt laughed shaking her head, "At least you got it, my daughter's father couldn't even give her money."

"Blinded by love," Terri casually stated.

"That feeling is long gone,"

"He must've had a good pipe game then." She said.

Egypt busted out laughing. "I wouldn't even say that, I guess I thought he would change after I had my daughter but was sadly mistaken."

"A baby won't change nor keep a man who don't wanna be kept, especially not one that ain't ready to change. Only genuine love and maturity," Terri told her.

"You're right about that one, I just wish he wasn't such an asshole when it came to her."

"It's hard E, daughters hold a special bond with their father just like they hold a different bond with their mother. But it's something about that father's love that just hits them different. I'm sure she'll find it in her stepdad." Terri explained as she tossed her cigarette.

"I hope so."

***

"How many do I gotta hit to get dat giraffe?" Kingston asked the guy behind the water balloon stand.

"Gotta pop fifteen blues in forty five seconds." He replied and Renae twisted her mouth nervously.

"I can do dat." King replied turning his hat backwards.

Pulling out a dollar, he placed it in the jar and the guy handed him fifteen darts.

Holding up the timer, he counted down.

"Go!" He yelled and Kingston started tossing the darts like they were free lottery tickets.

Renae stood next to him cheering him on and a few passerby's stopped to watch him as well.

"Stop!" The guy asserted, Renae looked at King unsure of the results.

The guy turned around and counted the busted balloons.

"The giraffe right?" He asked and Renae squealed throwing her hands up.

King managed to pop twenty two balloons by aiming to hit two at once.

Once the guy handed King the giraffe he proudly gave it to Renae who smiled from ear to ear.

"Is it big enough for you?" He asked hugging her from behind as they walked the area.

"Yup, this will be the first thing to go on my bed." She announced proudly and he smiled.

"It could be a good luck charm." He spoke as they approached the photo booth.

"Can we?" She asked grinning and he chuckled nodding.

"Yes!" She beamed rushing inside and he followed behind.

The first two photos consisted of them making silly faces, the next two were of them mugging the camera.

The next one was of them making the gun gesture and the last one was King's favorite.

Renae sat on his lap and smiled at the camera while he looked at her with admiring eyes.

He was happy to see her genuinely happy for a change.

Whatever it took, he was all for it.

**

"You had fun today?" He asked when she walked into the kitchen and hopped up on the counter.

"Yeah I really did, thank you." She spoke wrapping the towel around her hair.

"I never knew you were so good at basketball." She added as she watched him cut up the bell pepper.

"I can't be dis damn tall for no reason, gotta make use out of it." He replied and she laughed.

"Well I'm only five three and I made some pretty good shots."

"You did, I won't front." He told her and she smiled.

"What are you making?" She asked when he started peeling the garlic.

"Grilled chicken, sautéed vegetables with spicy rice."

"Sounds interesting." She replied and he chuckled picking up a piece of the orange bell pepper and turned around.

"You like peppers?" He asked.

"Not really." She answered.

"Try dis." He suggested holding up the sliced pepper piece.

Hesitant for a moment, she leaned forward and opened her mouth some allowing him to feed the pepper to her.

"How you like it?" He asked popping the rest in his mouth.

Making the "so so" motion with her hand, he nodded.

"Try dis one." He spoke picking up the jalapeño.

Opening her mouth, he fed it to her and watched as she chewed slowly before her expression changed.

"I don't like that one." She mumbled spitting it out and tossed it into the trash.

"You won't be able to taste them in da food." He assured as he went back to preparing the food.

"Am I dropping you off tonight?" He asked looking over his shoulder briefly.

"Not today." She answered swinging her legs.

"Another movie night?"

"Absolutely." She replied then smiled.

Washing his hands, he leaned in between her legs and busied himself with the Temple Run game.

"I'm cool here right?" He asked and she nodded as she went ahead and started massaging his scalp.

"Will you care if I braided your hair?" She asked, "Nope." He answered then curse when he fell into the water.

Running her fingers through his hair, she scratched his scalp earning a groan from him.

Giggling, she kept scratching that area and he laughed putting his phone down and turned around to face her.

"Shit feel good." He mumbled pulling her body closer towards him.

Wrapping her legs around him, she moved down his scalp some and he closed his eyes.

"Feels good?" She asked and he nodded.

"Looks like I found an easier way to put you to sleep." She replied and he laughed softly.

"You tryna get rid of me?" He asked looking at her. "Nope, just making mental notes of things you like." She assured as she continued to massage his scalp.

Locking eyes, she slowed down as they both started inching towards each other.

Licking over his lips, he tilted her chin and brushed his lips over hers.

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head some and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Pulling back, he waited for her to stop him but she went in for another kiss.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, he cupped her face and deepened the kiss.

Their heads moved in sync slowly, slipping his tongue inside her mouth, she allowed his tongue to explore freely.

Moaning into the kiss, Renae leaned her head back some releasing a soft gasp when he started sucking on her neck.

Breathing unsteady, she arched into him and released a moan.

Reaching for her T-shirt the sound of someone knocking on his door interrupted them.

Both breathing heavy, he cursed resting his forehead against hers.

"Fuck." He mumbled, pissed at himself for more than one reason.

"My bad Nae." He apologized stepping back after helping her down from off the counter.

"It's ok... I'm gonna go upstairs and start on my hair." She spoke softly, nodding, he walked behind her as they exited the kitchen.

Heading towards the stairs, Kingston had to smooth his soldier down before he went to see who was at his door.

Checking the peephole, he kissed his teeth seeing that it was Malik.

"Well damn nigga, don't pretend to be happy to see me." He spoke about to step forward but King blocked his path.

"I got company." He announced.

"Tell the bitch to go home, yo nigga here." Malik responded trying to walk under his arm but King wouldn't allow him.

"She's not a bitch, watch yo words. Second, I told y'all niggas to call before y'all pop up at my shit." He told him and Malik stepped back.

"Oh this shorty girl you told me about a few months ago?" He asked and King nodded.

"Y'all finna fuck?"

Laughing at his friend, King shook his head.

"Nah, she not on dat. What you need bro?"

"I need to borrow yo PS4 controller and Call of Duty, I let Keenan borrow my shit and now he don't know where it's at." He informed, "How many times I gotta tell you when you loan Keenan something it now belongs to him?" He asked and they both laughed because it was true.

They loved Keenan but he never returned stuff he borrowed.

Letting him come in, Kingston headed back into the kitchen to check on the food.

"I took yo two k also brodie!" He yelled, "Bring my shit back nigga!" King asserted.

"I will, damn, go head and boo love call my jack later."

"I'll think about it." He replied, moments later he heard the door shut and he shook his head laughing to himself.

"I'm da only sane one in dis damn group." He spoke as he flipped the chicken.

Turning the temperature down on the vegetables and rice, he left out the kitchen and walked into the living room.

Picking up the remote, he stared at the tv but his mind kept drifting back to Renae.

Shorty really had his head gone.

**

June 4th

"Are you and that "friend" of yours getting serious?" Bryson asked as he and Renae sat in their living room watching Bernie Mac.

They moved into the apartment last week and she's been so busy with helping Dajon prepare for his exams she hadn't had time for dance or Kingston.

But little did she know, he was busy as well.

"Can I tell you something without you getting mad?" She asked looking down at the picture she and King took.

"Oh Lord." He stressed cutting the tv off and Renae laughed.

"It's not what you're thinking dad." She assured and he rose a brow.

"Oh yeah? What am I thinking?" He challenged and she giggled.

"That we had sex." She replied giving him a look and he looked away.

"See!" She chirped then laughed and he had no choice but to laugh as well, he was caught.

"So y'all aren't doing that?" He asked to be sure and she nodded.

"But..." she trailed causing him to leaned towards her with a raised brow.

"We kissed." She revealed then covered her face.

"That's it?" He asked and she nodded still covering her face.

"Zuri that ain't nothing, I thought you were gonna tell me y'all were having sex." He said cutting the tv back on and she threw her head back laughing.

"Almost gave me a heart attack for nothing." He spoke making her laugh harder.

"The kiss isn't important enough to you?" She asked once she calmed down from her laughing fit.

"You're nineteen, so you had your first kiss? I thought it was something else." He admitted and she smiled laying her head on his arm.

"So you don't care about the kiss because I'm "grown" but if we were having sex you would have an issue?" She asked and he nodded.

"Dad that is backwards." She giggled and he shrugged. "Oh well, you're still my little girl." He told her and she smiled.

"Forever and always right?" She asked looking at him, "Always gonna be my lil Zuri." He promised hugging her.

"Are you thinking about going there with him?" He asked once they released from the hug.

"I rather talk to mom about that part." She answered.

"Well if you're having thoughts, I need to meet this mystery guy." He demanded.

"I'll think about it." She replied as she laid her head on his shoulder and stared at the tv.

"Do you want to talk about what you learned at the center?" He asked.

"No." She answered.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to." She answered simply and he sat up.

"What's the attitude for?"

"I don't have one, I just don't want to talk about it." She replied staring at the tv.

"Wasn't that part of your journey to discuss stuff that's been bothering you with us?" He questioned.

Ignoring him, she kept her eyes on the tv.

"Zuri?"

"I don't want to talk about it." She spoke in a firmer tone.

Picking up the remote, he cut the tv off and turned his body towards hers.

"Did something happen while you were there?" He asked and she looked down at her wrist.

February 13th

"Where you think you're going?" Ed, the morning Doctor asked.

"Bathroom." Renae mumbled keeping her eyes down.

"You're not supposed to be out your room or did you forget?" He questioned following behind her.

Ignoring him, she picked up the pace.

For the past week, there has been a total of 4 doctors that have attempted to rape her.

"Did you hear what I said?" He asked opening the supply closet and forced her inside.

Before she could scream, he covered her mouth and pressed her back up against the wall.

Each time he reached for her pants she pushed his hand away.

"Stop fighting it." He gritted pinning her arms above her head.

Going to kiss her, she turned her head and he laughed licking her cheek.

Snatching her pants off, he ripped her panties and freed himself from his slacks.

"Scream and I'll dislocate your jaw." He threatened.

Shaking her head frantically, the tears clouded her vision as her screams were muffled.

Placing himself at her entrance, she squeezed her eyes shut and used all of her might to free her hands.

Once free, she pushed him back as hard as she could watching as he stumbled back and fell into one of the nails.

Covering her mouth to hide her scream, she watched as the life slowly began to leave his eyes.

Pulling up her ripped clothes as best she could, she went to touch him but her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

"Oh God...."

"What did I do?"

"Please don't be dead" she begged as she placed her ear up to his nose.

Not hearing anything, she shook her head as the tears began to fall.

Hearing the knob turning, she felt her heart leave her body as she stood frozen as the Janitor walked in.

"I-I didn't... It was an accident!" She cried looking down at her shaky hands.

"Did he try to hurt you?" He asked and she nodded quickly.

"It was an accident!" She cried.

**

Present day

"I didn't mean to..."

"It was an accident."

"What was Zuri?" Bryson asked trying to get her out of her daze but she was gone.

"I didn't mean to." She spoke as tears rolled down her face.

"What? What happened?" He asked trying to shake her from the trance.

"H-he... tried to."

"What? Who did what?" He asked grabbing her face, coming back to reality, she blinked a few times as she stared at him blankly.

"Zuri what was an accident?" He asked, shaking her head, moved his hands from her face and stood up.

"Zuri?" He called.

"I shouldn't be here." She spoke distantly as she made her way towards the stairs.

"What are you talking about?" He asked getting up about to follow her but the doorbell rang.

"It was an accident." She repeated as she walked up the stairs.

Confused of what to do, Bryson rushed to answer the door.

Not giving Kingston a second look, hearing Egypt scream caught both of their attention as they rushed upstairs.

"What are you doing?!" Egypt asked fearfully, "I shouldn't be here." Was all Renae kept saying as she sat at the edge of the balcony.

"Stop her!" Egypt cried when Bryson and King made it to her room.

"Zuri?" Bryson called softly as he eased inside her room slowly.

King furrowed his brows.

"I didn't mean to." She spoke as she looked back at him with tear filled eyes.

When her eyes locked with King's it was as if something clicked inside her.

"What I tell you ma? I got you right?" He spoke as he walked towards her balcony slowly.

"I didn't mean to." She told him as she shook her head.

"It was an accident." She cried looking down as she started to lean forward slowly.

"I'm h— NAE!" He yelled diving towards her.

Egypt covered her eyes afraid of what was gonna happen.

"Fuck.... give me your hand ma." He spoke through clenched teeth as he tried his best to keep a tight grip on her left arm.

Nodding, she bit down on her lip as she reached up slowly with her right hand.

Grabbing it, he pulled her up slowly and fell back with her on top of him as he tried to calm his breathing.

Egypt was about to rush out to embrace her but Bryson stopped her.

"What were you thinking Nae?" Kingston asked as he hugged her tightly.

"I wasn't." She cried as she buried her face in his shirt as her body trembled with fear.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She apologized.

He couldn't even respond, he just let out a breath and stared up at the sky thanking God that he decided to come by.

If he wouldn't have, that may have been the last.

*

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Thoughts?