The Homecoming - Episode 10

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I suddenly feel nauseous, why do I feel like puking, I am sure I've never met this guy's but...

I clutch at the seat arm with one hand and at Sage's hand with another,

"Don't have to hold me so tight baby girl, not going anywhere"

He teases but immediately becomes concerned when I don't respond,

"Little bird, you doing okay?"

Am hyperventilating, oh God, today is just not my day, I can't get in enough oxygen, am out of breath.

"Julliet? Julliet!"

I can hear sage calling me but I can't respond, please somebody help me!, Any body.

"I think she's having a panic attack".

Steve or Wesley says and I immediately panic more, I stand from Sage's body and turn to justice he immediately comes forward.

"July calm down, please take deep breath".

I want to tell him, I can't, but my vision is blurry, I think the lack of oxygen is going to make me pass out.

" Swear to God bird, bloody breath!"

Sage rumbles and one of the Osas brother steps forward, I scramble out of reach,  don't let them touch me, I want to say but all that comes out of my mouth is a keening wail, thats all I know before the world turns black.

 

*******

"What do you think happened,"

I come to with that question being asked by Justin, oh my gawd, I can't believe I had one of my panic attack in front of sage of all people.

I used to have these attacks immediately after the incident, they usually came when I over thought and feel depressed, they had stopped for a while now but am surprised and I don't know what triggered this one.

Am lost in thought so I don't hear the response to the question, I slowly open my eyes and I see am in my room, sage is seating in a chair beside me and is looking worried, my eyes stray to the clock and I see it's past 1, I've been out for the better part of two hours.

I turn and see justice looking worried, Justin is looking much the same.

"Hey,"

My voice sounds rough, even to my ears, Sage is instantly alert and starts fussing.

"What the hell happened back there little bird?"

I sit up gingerly cos my hands and knees still hurt.

"Does this happen often?"

That question from justice some decide to answer first,

"Not for a while now, I think maybe 6 months."

"So you have panic attacks and you've decided not to let any one know about it?"

That burst of anger comes from Justin and am surprised, he is always so calm.

"Calm yourself brother"

Justice says and I see Justin does not appreciate that, he always kinda had a bad temper, I know this will soon likely turn to a male pissing contest so I moan miserably, they buy my shit .

"Are you in pain?"- Justin

"Do you want some water?"- justice

"Where does it hurt?"_.sage 

If I was any other girl, I would have gobbled this attention up but as it is right now ,I have bigger fish to fry.

"Where's our guest"

They immediately back off when they see the irritation on my face.

"Don't think we won't talk about this little bird"

I knew it was too good to be true, thinking they would forget about my panic episode 

"They are still in the study, we tended to you first, they waited"

Wao, money must make boys out of men, I stand up from my bed and I walk past sage to my closet,

"I will be downstairs soon, we can talk about the footage when I get there"

I turn , dismissing them, I have to regroup, my panic attack had taken away big chunks of my amor, I need them to leave so I can construct my walls again, but they don't buy what am selling.

"You don't have to act so strong July, we are here for you"

I stop, I want to tell then to get out but the words won't come, why won't the words come?

Am pulled into a hug and finally, finally I sob to my heart's content.

Why did I feel dirty all over again?, Why do I feel like I was raped just yesterday, I have forgotten but why is the memory so fresh?  Shite!

"Let it out sister, let it all out"

I am surprised am in justice arms,  I pull slightly away and he stares at me softly,.

"Am scared justy"

I admit and it felt like taking a big weight off my chest

"Am right here July, let it all out on me"

I smile and he does too, looks like our relationship is coming back on track I kiss his cheek and he kisses my head, it's a thing we always did.

*******

I entered the media room this time with more armor around my self than even the white House has ever seen.

I see Wesley and Steve Osas sitting on a couch and  playing the footage of my near accident.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen,"

They are instantly alert when they notice me, they introduce themselves and I know who is  who.

I stare them right in the eyes and I notice that the one called Wesley could not meet my eyes, interesting.

We get to business and they talk on the footage, analysing from all point, we came to a conclusion, it was definitely on purpose.

We make plans at length and Steve promises to run the plates and the both of them promise to get on the case as soon as they leave.

We say our farewells and we all see then to the door, as soon as there car exits another enters, I recognize this one as Sandra's car, well that was fast, I turn to the men.

"Who called her?, Did you guys make her worry?"

"I called her lil bird, wanted you to have a woman near"

I can't believe it was just last night I went to the club with Sandy, it feels like a month ago.

"Sister! Are you alright?,, I heard you got run over by a truck"

Sandra ever the exaggerater exclaims, I raise my eyebrows slowly, by a truck and am still standing.?

"No sister, I almost got run over by a motorcycle, big difference"

"Oh that's good then, I mean it's good it was a motorcycle and not a truck, no wait I  don't mean you almost getting run over by a truck or motorcycle is good, I mean....,am gonna shut up now".

I laugh, oh Sandra.

"I get what you mean love"

I see her look behind me and I feel her entire demeanor change, I turn to see who caused this and I see her staring at Justin, well well well, what do we have here?.

"Justin, will you be a darling and take Sandra to the kitchen so she can help me  get some drinks,?uh?"

"Am sure she knows where the kitchen is at sister kin".

I see Sandra instantly deflate and I push harder,

"Am sure she will be needing some help,won't you sandy?"

She nods dimly and Justin leads her to the kitchen, I smile and justice shakes his head.

"You are so full of shit lil bird, even I didn't buy your attitude"

I just smile.

 

***** 

Getting Alec from the bus station has me riding in the back of Sage's Jeep with Justin and justice by my side, they are been over protective.

I sigh as we stop I front or the school bus, Alec was down and already waiting for me, he runs towards me when he sees me and I run towards him too like i didn't just drop him off this morning.

"Momma!"

"Hey sunshine, how was school?"

"Awesome, we made a chocolate volcano"

"Really?,. That must have been fun,"

"Yes it was cool,"

He seems to finally notice my Entourage and he greets.

"Hey Uncle justice, hey Uncle Justin, uncle Sage"

He fist bumps each of the men and I smile, we entet into he car and I finally notice him clutching an envelope.

"What's that baby?"

"Oh, a man gave this to me when I exited the bus, he was wearing a cool helmet, mom, can I get an helmet for m birthday?"

"Your birthday was last month baby boy"

"I want two birthdays!"

"We will talk about that when we get home"

I take the envelope and I see the guys watching me keenly, i open it and i gasp.

Justice immediately shields Alec from seeing and am grateful.

It's a picture of me in the club dancing with Sandra, but in this case  the person cut off my head, I recognize myself by my dress, in bold letters " AM COMING FOR YOU" was printed below the photo.

Well,what the hell?

Today's totally not my day.

 

Special thanks goes to oluwadare, Carmen, godiya wisdom, ahmed, olaleye, favour abathue, - I hope I remember everyone next time, -
Thanks so much for reading the homecoming,you guys are the best, can't express the feeling I get when I see your comments, makes me keep writing, I heart all of you guys, xoxo

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-homecoming

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Read " An Arranged Marriage " by the same author ( Bebe Ernest )