While I sit at the picnic table in the courtyard, I browse the web on my phone out of boredom, and quite possibly, to get my mind off everything that is happening.

The door opens and out comes Akela. Her body exudes insecurity and nervousness when she sees me out here. It lets me know she wants a breath of fresh air. The same air I constantly crave.

“Hi,” she greets, her words timid.

I motion to the other side of the picnic table for her to sit. I have no issues with her, and from what I can tell, she seems as genuine as her sister was.

“What’s up?” I ask.

Akela blows out a breath as she takes a seat across from me.

“Nothing is really wrong. I love it out here. The wind whips down into the courtyard, and the air smells so fresh and clean. It’s relaxing is all.”

“It really is all of those things,” I reply as I look back down at my cell. I really like this woman.

“Can I ask you something?” She shifts nervously.

I look back up. “Of course.” I set my phone aside and give her my full attention.

“Do you think it’s absurd that I want to move here so I get a sense of being around my sister?”

Oh, boy. The lines in my forehead crease with confusion. Why she is coming to me with this question. I’m the youngest one here, and probably the last person she should be asking advice from.

“You’re wondering why I am asking you, aren’t you?”

My head tilts up and down on its own accord.

“You’ve grown up in Jamaica, Nevada, so I thought you’d be best to ask. There is no deeper reason here. It really is that simple.”

I can’t remember the last time someone actually wanted my opinion, or valued me enough as a person to ask. My chest tightens with the knowledge that maybe others will finally realize that I am now an adult and no longer a child. If a practical stranger values my opinion, then maybe I will get the respect I deserve.

“I don’t think it’s at all absurd.”

One side of her mouth tips up slowly at my response, as my phone dings with a text. I pick it up, look at it, and smile. Haden is here, and his presence will be another welcome distraction.

“My friend is here with my lunch. You’re welcome to join us, but I don’t know if he brought enough.” I frown.

Akela stands with a pleasant shrug to her shoulders, as if it is no biggie.

“Thank you, Tatiana. Your small answer really did give me the comfort I was looking for.”

I stand, walk around, and give her a hug. It seems friendly enough, and not at all awkward.

“Enjoy your lunch,” she says as she pulls away from me.

“Thank you.”

I text Haden directions on how to get to the courtyard of the live-in building, as Akela leaves. I hope she stays because it really is benefiting my uncle.

The door to the courtyard opens and closes behind Akela, and a few minutes later it does so again, and out comes Haden. He looks handsome as always, and he greets me with a grin while he sets the fast food down.

“Your old usual hasn’t changed, I hope.”

He knows me so well. Now that we are back to being friends, I am really going to miss him when he decides to go back to college.

“It is,” I beam at him as I sit back down. “Thank you for understanding why I didn’t want to leave the compound, and thank you for bringing lunch. It was really sweet of you.”

Haden sits down across from me and divides our food. Even though I love lettuce, I hate it on my tacos. He really does remember what I like.

“So, what’s going on, babe?” he asks as he takes a bite.

I finish chewing a mouthful before answering him.

“There’s so much going on these days that I just didn’t feel right, putting my family through even more stress, just so I could enjoy lunch with you. And it didn’t feel right to cancel on you, either, so here we are.” I gesture around the courtyard with my free hand.

“I don’t mind coming here. I get it all now. Obviously, I would understand, now that it’s too late.” He chuckles as he brings his food up to his mouth.

I grimace at his response. “Haden,” I start then stop. Based on the frown on his face, he doesn’t want me to respond to what he said.

“I want to chat about this pain thing you’ve got going on.” He laughs around a mouth full.

I put my taco down, pick up a napkin from the middle of the table, and wipe my mouth. “I don’t really need pain during sex, but he knows it’s an interest of mine now. And that was another way to take a jab at him when he saw this.” I point at the mark he left on me. “It seemed like an excellent way to piss him off more.”

I can’t believe that I admitted that.

“It was, uhm, definitely something else.” He snickers.

“I agree.”

Haden does exactly what I want him to do. He distracts me for a good two hours. It isn’t until he’s saying his goodbyes that everything comes rushing back into my head.

“Text or call me so we can do this again, babe,” he murmurs into my hair as we hug goodbye.

I squeeze him tighter before I let him go, and he walks off.

“Tell your father I said hello.” I say as I wave goodbye.

I watch him open the door and go thru it, and before it shuts, Shadow saunters through.

“What the fuck is goin’ on with you, Tea? Huh? Because one minute, you’re fuckin’ me, and the next, you’re dating your ex again?” he whoops loudly. “Was all your interest in kink all a goddamn lie? Did you do that to get to me? Because from where I’m fuckin’ standing, that is exactly what the fuck your ass did!”