Willow

<< THIRTY SEVEN >>

His voice just sent me over the edge. My legs shook wildly and I felt my eyes roll back. 

After settling down, I sat backup looking at my handsome soon-to-be husband. His face alone had me ready to jump him. 

"9 days." He said definitively. 

I pouted a little but still agreed, blowing him a kiss. "9 days." I repeat. 

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Dave.

"It's game time, brody." Chris said, cracking his knuckles and bouncing around hyping himself up. 

As if he needed anymore energy. 

I smacked my teeth. "Man, would you calm down. Acting like we going into a whole war." 

"Shit, you never know. Let's hope this goes smooth because you already look like you want to bite my head off." 

He was lowkey onto something. After Willow's little drunken show, I really could've killed about 10 men just to get this edge off. 

If I didn't get home and make this woman my wife and fly her out to France to fuck her on a balcony soon, I was going to explode. 

"Ready, fellas?" Benny coughed, pushing himself up with the walking stick he now had. 

"Let's go." I grumbled, suddenly remembering the fact that he's the reason I'm not inside of my lady right now.

How and why Benny got caught up into this mess is beyond me. But no matter how upset I am, loyalty still lies with him.

We had to take several dirt roads which was a rough ride for Benny, but he made it. 

The van stopped outside of these raggedy looking gate. 

"The ride ends here. Only those seeking help may enter." Our driver explained in a thick Haitian accent. 

"Thank you. Appreciate it." I said, handing him over $30,000 Haitian gourde. That's not even half a stack in our currency. 

We damn near had to carry Benny down the winding pathway to the hut. Inside we met with the witch doctor who had to examine him and figure out what to do for him next. 

"Madichon an fo men li pa ka kraze. Nou bezwen yon bagay pi fo. Yon safrifis."  He spoke, I immediately looked over to the translator because I did not like the look on his face, nor was he making any moves to help Benny. 

"He says, the curse is strong but not unbreakable. We need something stronger. A sacrifice." 

"Sacrifice? Nah, sacrifice who? Sorry, D, but it's looking like ya mans gotta go." Chris spoke matter of factly. 

"Nigga, if you don't shut the fuck up." I said shaking my head. "What kind of sacrifice, what do we need?" 

Benny sat up on his cot. "Hey man, no rush, but uh... can we make this speedy?" Benny rasped out, before flopping back down. 

I called the rest of the guys who had eyes out on the man responsible for the curse and his family. And sent Chris to aid them.

More violence and death would be too much to worry about, so we put together something an alternative. 

Their tears. 

I didn't care how they got them to be honest, but we needed genuine tears. 

No more than an hour later, Chris called me to retrieve the vials from the gates. 

"Will these do? The tears of the man responsible, along with his wife's and their children." I said handing them over to the witch doctor's assistant. 

"These should work, depending on the severity of the curse. It looks like it's a pretty heavy one but he is good at what he does. You may exit the room now, we will handle things from here. There is a small sanctuary for prayer two room over. Help yourself or you and your friend may wait outside." He bowed and gestured for us to leave. 

"You ain't say nothing but a word." Chris said, throwing up the deuces and heading out. Shaking my head, I made my way out not knowing exactly where I should go. 

I paused in the corridor for a minute, Chris went straight outside but something made me want to stay inside. 

"Zansèt, nouvin jwenn ou. Ranvèse madichon sa a sou nonm sa a. Yo te achte yon ofrann."

I heard the witch doctor begin the process. 

I found myself walking further into the hut, making my way into a room with cushions on the floor and Bibles stacked in one corner. 

This was something I hadn't done in a long time, even after I considered converting to Islam. But I felt the urge in this moment. 

"God... Allah..uhm, it's been a minute since you heard from me. I know, and I apologize. For a good minute I ain't think you'd want to hear from a nigga unless he was up there with you. But, the blessings, challenges and events you've put in my path has made me see otherwise. I appreciate you for everything you have given me. The love of my life, my biggest supporters and a second chance at life for real." I spoke, already feeling a heavy weight lifted from my chest. I continued pouring out my thoughts. That shit felt amazing. 

"Ayo, D. They looking for you man." Chris said barging in the room.