“All we need to do now is check this luggage in so we don’t have to bring it back in. I’m gonna walk over and take care of that while you and Toya say good-bye. Come on, boys, you guys can help me!” The boys ran over to Kev, excited. Kev came over to me and kissed me. “We’ll be right back.”
Toya was walking up after going to the bathroom. “Oh, Lord, now what?” she joked.
“We are going to Arizona.”
“I’m gonna miss y’all. Kev taking my babies away, but I understand and I’m glad, ’cause Jason is unpredictable and he’s gonna be upset when he finds out you two are married. And that’s an understatement! But, Reese, I am so happy for you; you deserve a good man like Kev and he absolutely adores you and has for years.” We hugged.
“I remember a few years back we were all at your house. Jason had got mad and tried to fight you. But I watched Kev; he watched you and he talked to Jason so he wouldn’t hurt you. I knew then he was in love with you. It was the way he looked at you that made me know.”
Toya said, “Me and him were outside talkin’ that night and I asked him.” She giggled. “I wanted to know.” Toya held her hands up like, “I’m caught.” “He denied it at first but then he watched you from the outside, in the window, and his eyes never left you and I knew then his heart wouldn’t either.”
“Aw, Toya. Why didn’t you ever tell me that story?” I hugged her again.
“Reese, you wasn’t ready. And besides Kev was cool but he was in too deep back then.”
I whispered, “But look at how things change.”
“Look at God.” Toya pointed upward and smiled.
“Hi, Mommy!” Michael was excited. He and Gabe ran from where Kev was over to me and Toya. “Did you get us somethin’, Mommy?”
“Of course I did. I got you a bunch of stuff I think you’ll like.” I grabbed him and kissed his cheeks all over.
“Mommy, Kev said we getting on another airplane today. Are we?”
“Yes, baby, remember I told you we were going to a new place?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Kev is going with us too. Will you like that?”
“Yes, Mommy, yay!” The boys jumped up and down.
I kissed the boys good-bye. I sniffed in and smelled their little-boy scents. I then let them go with Toya for the last time. I would soon be the mother they deserved.
Chapter 26
Letting Go
I knew I couldn’t have any ties with Toya once we left Ohio. I knew Jason would do something stupid and I didn’t want him to do anything to her. He knew how close we were.
“I will call you when I get settled okay?” I told Toya.
“Okay,” Toya replied.
“Thank you, little sis, I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Okay, talk to you soon. Be good and let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.”
I was going to miss her. I watched them walk out of the airport until I couldn’t see them anymore.
“You okay? Baby? You okay?” Kev sounded very concerned.
I looked up; I didn’t realize Kev was standing there talking to me. I wiped my eyes and said, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just saying my good-byes to Toya. I realize I’m gonna miss her so much.” I stood up and lay against Kev’s chest for comfort.
He put his arms around me. “Don’t worry, babe, it’s all going to work out,” he assured me for the millionth time, yet I still needed more convincing.
We loaded up in Kev’s truck that we had parked at the airport. I watched Kev dip in and out of the traffic as he drove. I knew that I was getting closer and closer to walking right out of my miserable life. I was excited. I could feel somersaults in my belly flipping.
“I’m so nervous,” I said aloud.
“Why?” Kev responded.
“I don’t know. I guess it’s from everything that has happened over the last week. It’s been a crazy ride, huh?” I said, then looked up at Kev with my head still lying on his shoulder.
“Yeah, I guess it has.” He smirked.
“But you know what?” I touched his hand softly.
“What?” He glanced over at me.
“I am so glad it happened.” I sunk my head deeper into his arm.
“I knew I loved you from the first time we had a conversation. There was something special about you, Reese.” He kissed my forehead.
