Five Years Earlier
The porch light had been on for hours.
Aaliyah sat on the top step with her knees tucked against her chest, her backpack still resting beside the front door.
She'd already finished her homework.
Twice.
Every few minutes, she looked toward the end of the street.
Every pair of headlights made her heart race.
"Mom," she called through the screen door.
"Did Dad say what time he'd be home?"
Denise looked up from the kitchen table.
"He said he'd try, baby."
Try.
Aaliyah hated that word.
It didn't tell her anything.
She rested her chin on her knees and looked down the street again.
Nothing.
Across the neighborhood, porch lights flickered on one by one.
Kids disappeared inside for dinner.
Someone laughed in the distance.
Life kept moving.
She kept waiting.
Finally, Denise stepped outside with a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Come inside."
"I'll wait a little longer."
Denise's smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Aaliyah..."
"He promised."
Silence.
A tear slipped down Denise's cheek before she quickly wiped it away.
"Sometimes grown-ups make promises they want to keep..."
"...and still don't."
Aaliyah frowned.
"I don't understand."
"I know."
Denise kissed the top of her daughter's head.
One last time, Aaliyah looked down the street.
One last chance.
One last set of headlights.
But they drove right past the house.
She stood slowly.
Picked up her backpack.
Turned off the porch light.
And walked inside.
She didn't know it then...
But that would be the last night she ever waited by the window.
YOU ARE READING
More Than the Block
Romance📖 More Than the Block Aaliyah Brooks has a plan. Graduate. Earn her scholarship. Leave East Ridge behind. Love was never part of it. Especially not Jaylen Carter. Jaylen is carrying burdens most people never see. Between helping raise his younger b...
