Page 25 of Nobody Praying for Me

“Come here,” I said when I realized she was in shock.

Her tears dropped in time with every step she took to close the distance between us. “Kalm,” she whispered my name.

I took her hand in mine and squeezed it for reassurance. “Charisma Rae Jones, the day you came into my life is the day I truly knew God was real. Even though I know you had your reasons for approaching me, I’m so happy I was worth your time. So happy that I was your choice in a store full of other patrons. The way you show up for me and my siblings is more than I could ever ask for. I’ve told you plenty of times that you have been my anchor since we met, and I would like you to be for the rest of our lives. For the first time in my life, I don’t have to hide the darkness inside. I don’t have to pretend to know all the answers or even like everything is okay. All this time, I thought I was trying to save you, without realizing I was the one in need of saving too.” I swallowed the joy trying to escape and took a deep breath. “When I look at you, I see a girl the world forgot about, and that’s something I could never do. Would you do the honor of marrying me and becoming my pretty lil’ gangsta for life?”

She jumped up and down excitedly screaming in glee. “Yes, yes, yes!”

I eased the ring on her finger then stood to wrap my arms around her. I felt so grounded, standing with her, knowing we were going to spend our lives together. She was my choice in every lifetime, no matter what her background was. I was thankful that she felt the same way about me.

“We’re getting married?” she whispered in awe, staring at her engagement ring.

I nodded. “Hell yeah. I’m yours for life.”

“And what about afterward?” she questioned, gripping my chin.

I smiled, ignoring the sound of thunder from above. “I’ll be yours in heaven too, and if we get reincarnated, I’ll love you in that lifetime too. No matter the time, dimension, or universe, just know that my soul will find yours and will always belong to you.”

Her lips crashed into mine at the same time it began to rain. I laughed against her lips because it felt so dramatic, like some movie shit, but it didn’t matter. Other people had their fairy tales, and this one was mine. I might’ve taken on a lot of responsibility at a young age because of the loss of my parents, but thankfully, God gave me a partner who could not only handle it but be my peace amidst the chaos. I was committed to this woman until death did us part, and I didn’t need vows at a big, fancy wedding to know it.

17

CHARISMA RAE JONES

Six months later. . .

“Oh my God, Pretty. Why did you let me oversleep?” Sissy asked with a pout, coming from the back of the house. She was busy, spritzing her hair to bring the curls in her little afro back to life. With the diamond stud earrings she wore, she should’ve been the one with the nickname Pretty because her beauty was undeniable.

I shook my head and wagged my finger at her. “Don’t try to blame me.” I chuckled and winked at her. “I woke you up on time. You were the one up all night on the phone with your boyfriend,” I teased her.

A blush covered her face, so to hide it, she ran over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. “Stop it,” she whined. “He is not my boyfriend. We are literally just friends.”

I hugged her back, feeling a bit emotional. A few months ago, her future was so uncertain, so to see her smile and even blush about potentially having a boyfriend made my knees weak. I patted the back of her head and sighed. “Me and your brother were just friends before too, but you see what that led to.”

I wiggled my fingers, and my wedding ring sparkled like it was desperate for attention. Some days, I just sat and stared at it because I couldn’t believe I was someone’s wife. Back when I was still dancing at Parlay, I didn’t think a man would ever find value in a woman who made a living exploiting her body for money. But Kalm saw every dark corner in my heart and thought it was still beautiful. That was why I fiercely loved my husband.

“That is true, but for now, it’s nothing serious. If he’s not making me laugh, then I’m listening to him make beats all night long.”

“As long as he’s making you smile, then he’s alright with me.”

“You sound like my brothers,” she teased me.

I waved her off. “That’s because all of us just want you to be happy.” Feeling the tears ready to escape, I spun her around by her shoulders and pushed her out the kitchen. “Now, finish getting ready so you’re not late. You were the one who said you wanted perfect attendance this school year.”

Her head fell backward when she groaned. “I know, I know. Let me grab my bookbag. Is my outfit okay?”

She wore a white distressed-band t-shirt with a flowy, red skirt and cute, gold sandals. “It’s cute, and I love how you did your eyeliner. You are even better than me at a cat eye now.”

“I could never be better than the queen,” she called out while racing to her room.

I finished wrapping the breakfast sandwich I was in the process of making for her and placed it in her lunch bag. By the time she came back, I was handing it to her and ushering her out of the door. “Have a good day!” I hollered as I stood at the door, watching her go. She glanced over her shoulder to wave at me, and I returned it with a smile.

The last year was a challenge for Oasis, but she made it to the other side of her diagnosis. She was currently cancer free and doing better than ever before. Her grades were perfect; she had found a genuine friend when she was in the hospital; and pretty soon, she might even have herself a little boyfriend, to her brother’s dismay.

All we ever wanted was for her to have a full life, and it was happening. We were already planning her prom look because Kalm had already said there was no budget. I told him we were going to have my girl pulling up in a Rolls Royce to shit on all the little hos who hated on her. He’d called me crazy but also agreed with it because it was fuck them for life.

Heading back inside, I closed the door behind me and locked it. Kaos was up before the sun came up to begin training for the day, and my husband was all the way in California for training camp this time. The only thing keeping me upbeat was that tonight was his fight, meaning I would be seeing him in the coming days.

Since his win a few months ago, his career had shot off like a rocket. He had sponsorships, brand deals, and millions of fans who were rooting for him. After seeing the way he was willing to sacrifice for his family, I knew God was blessing him because he’d managed the little he had well. Now, there were so many zeros in his bank account that I couldn’t keep count. Even though my coffee shop, Black Bean, was doing well, he still paid me a monthly allowance. He said it was for being his wife, and who was I to complain?