𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐀; august alsina

002; DEEDS IN THE COFFEE SHOP

A deepened sigh escaped from Nola. A sigh that was needed more than anything to calm her anxiety. She stood at ease against the outside of her bedroom door listening to the low volume resonating from her mother's television. Jaqueline, Edna's new nurse, had arrived in the nick of time and appeared to be settling in well. Nola's hope is that her mother continues to stay on her best behavior. Tears stained her cheeks in what felt like light crust. Nola was persistent about solely focusing on slowing the progression of her mother's brain cancer, perhaps find a cure, but that would be a stretch.

Her persistency didn't allow for emotions associated with sadness or tears, so she's learned to hide it well in front of her mother, in front of everyone. Fully dressed, she unravels her earphones wrapped around her iPod to prepare her playlist all the while headed downstairs. Nola continued on autopilot, reaching the door, before being ambushed with a Nerf gun by her youngest and only brother. A styrofoam bullet hit and bounced off her head.

"Bullseye! Target down. I repeat target down. Chicken Red Hot over and out."

Her brother was heard talking into his toy walkie-talkie beside a nearby wall. Lupe is the child that was the character which has brought a lot of light to both his mother and sister. His purity and sweetness of a little boy made his family forget all of their troubles for the given moments. Lupe wasn't quite of age to fully understand what was happening with their mom and as he's continued to grow, yet the main question: at what point is considered to be any good point?

"Target is not down. I repeat target is not down, Chicken Red Hot. Target is still standing by the door," Nola played along, smiling.

Lupe giggles before shooting another Nerf bullet in his sister's direction, this time falling short at her feet. "Aww, mannnn!" he dragged, stomping his foot.

"Aww, man, is right. You behave now. I'm off to work," says Nola.

"Fine!" Lupe responds as he reloading his toy gun with more bullets.

She unlocks the main entrance door before another thought comes to mind, "Oh. And no flirting with the nurse, little boy! She's married."

"That h-hasn't stopped me before," Lupe responded with an evil laugh.

"Yes, we know, but still don't do it. I'm out, papa!" Nola farewells, blowing quick kisses in whichever direction her brother stood behind her.

"Wait, sister!" he yells before Nola takes another step. His toy gun dragged along floor at his side, seeing that it looked to be too big for him to play with.

"What's up, Lup'?"

A look of nervousness plastered on Lupe's face. He fidgets with his fingers trying to conjure up the words to speak.

"I know y-you don't have much money sometimes, b-b-but can you still go buy me that wre-wrestling man for me?"

"Which one is it again?" Nola asks. She meets eye contact with her brother, kneeling down to match his height with a pen and ripped piece of paper in hand.

"It's the one I wanted for my birthday l-last time."

"Randy Orton, right?"

Lupe beams with happiness, jumping up and down on his tiptoes, "Yes! You 'membered."

Nola smiles, "How could I forget, you little rascal. Alright, I'll see what I can do and I'll see you later. Be a good boy," she extends her farewell with a kiss on her brother's cheeks, eventually closing the door behind her and out of the house she went.