Page 78 of Butterfly 6, Phase 1

He turned to find Khadeen emerging from her open car door as the valet waited for her to hand over her keys.

Messiah pivoted. “Get in the car,” he said.

“What?” Khadeen was caught in utter confusion. He walked around to her passenger side.

“Get in,” he said.

Khadeen looked at the valet. “So sorry,” she said before hopping back in the car.

“What is happening?” she asked him frantically.

“She wants French fries,” Messiah said as he cradled his daughter in his arms and pulled the seatbelt over them both.

“They have French fries in the cafeteria. Did they discharge her?” Khadeen asked.

“We’re just sitting, KD. We’re waiting for the doctors to come tell us what I already know. She won’t eat. She said she wants French fries. I can’t control much, but I can get my daughter some fries,” he said.

“You broke Yolly out of jail,” Khadeen said, scoffing.

“We just need an hour,” Messiah said.

“Wait here,” Khadeen said. She hopped out of the car and jogged into the hospital. Ten minutes later, she came rushing back out.

“I told the nurse the plan. They didn’t like it, but they can’t stop you. Her bed will still be here when you’re done,” Khadeen said.

“You’re amazing. Good money,” Messiah stated. Khadeen shook her head as she put the car in drive.

“This was impulsive,” Khadeen said. “You want to talk through it?” she asked.

“Not really,” Messiah answered. “I don’t need you to psychoanalyze me right now. I don’t need you to be Dr. Brown.”

“What do you need?” she asked.

“A friend,” he said. “I’m kinda short on those these days.”

Khadeen sighed as they drove in silence for a beat. “My dad used to tell me you only need one good friend in this world. Too many and you’ll spread yourself thin. He told me to choose one and give that one friend the sum of what I was trying to spread across the others.”

“Sounds like a smart man,” Messiah noted.

“He was,” Khadeen responded softly, the tone of her voice reflecting a memory that both healed and hurt.

Khadeen drove to the nearest Coney Island and parked her car.

“Text Morgan and tell her where her daughter is and that you’re safe. You need to keep her informed,” Khadeen said.

“Yeah,” he said, almost like he was half listening, but he pulled out his phone and dialed her number. He thought nothing of it when it went straight to voicemail. He sent a text next.

Messiah

Just letting you know I had to get some air. I took Yara to get some real food. I’ma bring her right back. Don’t worry. She’s fine. We won’t be long. I’ll meet you back at the hospital.

Call me when you get this.

“Mo gon’ flip the fuck out,” Messiah scoffed.

“Probably,” Khadeen said, shaking her head. “It was a very extreme action to take, but we’re here now.”

“You want to be somewhere else?” he asked.