The Quiet Girl

Chapter 20

Derrick is on the couch and I sit beside him.

"Yes?"

"You start school tomorrow. No BootyCalls, do not do the same thing."

He only enrolled us in school if he plans on staying here long.

"How long will we be staying?"

"Three to five years."

"For what?"

"Training." He answers.

I nod.

"Jasmine, I know you and Rachel were talking."

"Derrick you can't keep listening to my conversations." I demand.

He smiles. "I wasn't trying to, but you and your mother don't exactly talk quietly."

I chuckle.

"Just know, I do what I do for you so you can be happy."

"I understand." I tell him, though I feel I am not a child.

"I love you Jasmine."

"I love you too Derrick."

He comes and hugs me. I bury my face in his shoulder. He holds me tight and I feel safe and secure with him. I know he's not going anywhere.

"Go tell the others." He advises.

I head off.

"And tell Adi, I need to talk with her."

I nod and head off.

Rachel is asleep in my bed, completely at peace.

I slowly creep forward and sit next to her.

"Yes Jasmine?"

"Derrick wants to see you."

She sits up with a sigh and slowly walks out of my room. I go into Malcolm's room and find him playing with his toys.

"Can you play with me?" He asks.

"Sorry Malcolm, I gotta tell everyone a message. You start in school tomorrow and training as well."

"Okay, and later you'll play with me."

"It's a date." I tell him with a smile.

I go into Ghost's room and see he's looking out the window. I go to him and see he's looking at a family next door. The mother and father are watching their two small children playing in the big backyard as the sun goes down.

I go to and wrap my other arm around his waist. He takes my hand and brings it to his lips, still not taking his eyes off the family.

"Their anniversary is coming up."

"Your home town isn't far from here, we could go to the cemetery."

"I don't want to Baby Girl. I can't be bothered."

I grip his hand tight and kisses it again. He faces me and I see his eyes are watery.

I hug him and he wraps his arms around my waist.

"Baby, cry." I tell him.

His body starts shaking and I hear his sobs. I hold him tight and rub my hands on his back.

"Baby it wasn't your fault." I tell him.

He slowly pulls away from me. He kisses me passionately. The kiss is sweet and soft. He kisses me, because he wants to feel secure.

"I love you Baby Girl."

"I love you too." I wipes his face.

"Baby Girl, what did you come in here for?"