On top of that, she didn't want to owe anyone anything. What if she didn't get along between her and Aquila ? She groaned and grabbed her soap, scraping the stack of dishes and focusing all her annoyance. Why did she think she and Aquila could be anything?She saw April approaching the corner of her eye. With a towel in her hand, she bent down to pick up the plate and began wiping it clean. "When did you mean to say you had her father's ashes?" April asked in a low voice, as if she were afraid to offend Atiya by saying it. "I don't know," Atiya whispered. She had no intention of hiding them from April . The truth was she was hiding from them now. Every time she stared at the urn, all she could think about was her father and how hot the oven had to be to melt his body. The thought of it made her feel like she had become a terrible daughter, so she buried the urn in the back of her closet until she figured out what to do. "I think it's better to make a mess," April said, placing the mixing bowl on the counter. "Oh, really?" Atiya tried to calm her voice, but her emotions were smoldering. When she thought Loretta's ashes were her father's, she remembered that. Thankfully she got out of her trouble on her own. Imagine what she said to her family when she was contacted by her funeral home. She felt it wasn't appropriate at the time and she didn't know how to take it now. April stared at her, again giving her attention. "I think it's good for you. Let him go. Letting go of the past, your father didn't want you to think about your own death." April gave her a sympathetic smile. Tears burned in Atiya 's eyes as he fought them with all his might. "but-"
"Be patient, darling. You will not be able to have meaningful relationships. It doesn't mean forgetting, it means washing away with the ashes the pain and suffering of trying to move on." She leaned forward. "Believe me, your father would have wanted it too."
Atiya wiped the tears from his face with the back of his wrist. Her stomach tightened as she tried to make sense of April 's words. Before they could say anything, the doorbell rang. April wiped her hands with her cloth and stepped out in front of her. Grateful for the silence, Atiya finished scrubbing the baking sheet and utensils. The thoughtlessness of what she was doing eased her nerves. She later worries about what to do with her ashes. At this time, she was tasked with completing and saving the business. We'll have to wait another day to reveal the wounds of her past. As Atiya stood in front of the store and stared at the car in front of her, the November weather turned cold. Five o'clock may not be the best time for him to invite Aquila to a meeting. Traffic was terrible during this time. She wrapped the cloak tightly around her body and warmed her gloved hands with her breath. This time of year was her favorite time of the year. The fresh air and cool temperatures made her want to curl up under her duvet with a mug of hot chocolate and the latest Hallmark movie. "Atiya !"
A voice behind her turned her around. Aquila ran up the sidewalk. He walked towards her and then leaned forward. His breath came out like a misty gasp. "Oh, good thing you didn't leave."
Atiya stared at him. "Did you walk here?"
He straightened her up and smiled at her. "Not far. I left Georgia a few blocks away. It was a slug festival and I didn't want you to go without me. "
She nodded at the shop's awning. Aquila followed her. He leaned against the glass window and took a few more deep breaths. "Well, I'm honored that you wanted to see me and you ran all the way here."
He gave her her big smile. "Don't get too excited. I didn't go to the gym today either," and poses as Superman. "So I figured I could kill two birds with one stone."
"Oh, I know what it feels like," she said with a smile. He rubbed her hands together and breathed several times. "So, ma'am, what are you doing today?"
She pulled her hat over her head, turned her around and nodded toward her street. That's surprising.
They walked along the sidewalk. She could feel him when he was inches away from her. It was so cold outside that he wanted to stay close to him for warmth. She hopes he doesn't hear her heart pounding. "How was Baton Rouge?" she asked, desperate for a conversation to hide the sound of her own emotions. "Oh, boring. It's not like this." His voice deepened and the sound sent shivers down her spine. She turned to him, but she immediately scolded herself. His expression said more than words. They moved very quickly from her friend zone to another place and that other one scared her.
She swallowed and turned her attention forward. She had to change the conversation. Now. "How's your mom doing?" Talk about his mother tiger. She hadn't yet told him what her mother had said to her using the kitchen. She didn't know how to approach the subject. How do you tell someone that her mother did a terrible thing to you?Aquila cleared his throat. "Raquel ? She's fine. She always interferes in my life whether I want her there or not. "
Atiya glanced at him. Perhaps he still didn't know what Raquel had done. She let a glimmer of hope grow in her chest. Hope to have nothing to do with her mother. That he was honest and open. She didn't have to guess in front of him. That he could take care of her even though her bank account number was only her two digits. "good for you."