Chapter 37 Ice Cream Rescue
MIA
MOMENTS EARLIER.....
He got out of the car, leaving Jay Jay and me with the driver again just like he did at the hospital.
I held Jay Jay as I watched his dad walk into a weird place that had the name, REEKO'S, written at the top of the building.
I scanned the area again like I did when we drove slowly. The street is filled with black people.
I fear the only white person around here is me.
Even though I am in a car.
I read the huge signpost far back when we were approaching this place.
It says, Bricktown Hood.
The place is just like a city. We drove past beautiful buildings, malls, boutiques, basketball court.
Lots and lots of basketball courts.
Cars, buses, cars.
I have no idea why we are here but this place gives me both the creeps and surprisingly comfort.
I rested my eyes on my window as Jay Jay said his piece while playing with my hair.
Right across from us is a grocery store. A few people are walking in and out of it. Next to them is a unisex salon.
I can see two barbers giving haircuts to their clients and next to turn are two girls working on their clients as well.
The place is calm but...
The fact that I can't find any white here is making me feel weird.
This must be a black only community.
Jay Jay moved, claiming my attention.
He is saying things while reaching for my face with his tiny hands.
I smiled at him, moving my hands under his armpits and standing him on my lap.
He grinned as I rocked him up and down, making him giggle.
I smiled at his adorableness.
I made him sit on my lap and his tiny hands hit my wrist continuously and happily.
I smiled again, ruffling his hair.
He is always a cute joy giver. One look at him and I forget where I am.
My situation.
And my new rising situation.
His dad.
His dad is lusting after me and in a creepy way too.
I can't help but imagine him taking me by force.
It is going to be horrible.
I don't want that.
Then again he is giving me time to be ready?
Who does that?
Why does he want me all of a sudden? I thought he hated me for kidnapping his kid.
He wanted me dead. He wanted my head chopped off.
What's with the twisted change?
What did I do differently to make him want me like that?
And he knows everything about me.
He knows Axel.
I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples.
I rested my eyes on Jay Jay. He is putting my hair in his mouth.
"No, no, buddy," I collected it from him.
He reached for my face, getting to his feet.
Which he clearly can't.
I helped him to his feet and he patted my face, making me close my eyes instantly.
"Jay Jay,"
He made happy sounds and a sound from the place his dad just walked into caught my attention.
I saw three girls, barely covered up, walking out of the building happily.
Their heels clicked on the floor as they walked, chatted, and laughed at their jokes.
I furrowed my brows as they walked past.
What kind of place is this?
I looked behind me, staring at them as they walked.
They look excited, laughing happily and saying whatever to one another.
I returned my eyes to Jay Jay.
He is sucking that part between his thumb and index finger.
He is hungry.
I let out a sigh.
Of course he is.
We have been in this car for hours. I don't know why we didn't go to the company today.
It is easier to get him something to eat there.
I caressed his hair, thinking about what to do.
His dad is still in there.
Something caught my eye across the road.
I looked in the direction and saw an ice-cream salesman with his beautiful pink, white, and chocolate-designed cart approaching the grocery store.
My taste buds danced in anticipation and so did my belly.
The salesman, dressed in his clown uniform, stopped close to the end of the grocery store as three kids hurried towards him.
I looked at Jay Jay. He is still sucking his thumb.
He is going to love ice cream, I am sure.
I looked at the driver through the rearview mirror.
He is busy with his phone.
I bit my lips, contemplating my next move.
"Um.... excuse me, sir,"
He looked up at me through his dark glasses in the rearview mirror.
"Is there a problem, Ms?"
"I uh...I need to get ice cream for Ja....Lil Kai. I need to get Ice cream for him. He is hungry."
"I am sorry but there is no ice cream around here."
"There is. Over there." I said, pointing in the direction.
He looked in the direction.
"Can I get some money, please?"
He heaved a sigh and reached for his pocket. He took out some cash and handed it to me.
I widened my eyes at the sight of three hundred dollars.
I took only a hundred from the others.
"Thank you," I said, moving to open the door.
"You have to wait for the salesman to get over here." He said, stopping me halfway.
I looked at him.
He has returned his attention to his phone.
I looked at the salesman.
More kids are clustering around him.
My shoulders fell.
I almost forgot how impatient I can be when it comes to ice cream. I want it now.
I can just go over there and get some for Jay Jay and me.
The driver's phone rang, taking my attention. He took the call and placed it to his ear.
"What's up, Roseline?" He asked the person on the other end.
I looked at the ice-cream salesman. I lost count of how many kids are around him.
"What I say about callin' me when I'm at work?" the driver took my attention again.
"What do you mean you saw me online? That doesn't mean you can call. Where Tyrese at? Give 'em..."
"I will be right back please," I said, getting out of the car with Jay Jay still in my hand before he could say anything.
"Hey, Ms," he called. "What are you...."
I held Jay Jay tighter as I crossed the less busy road without looking back, heading towards the ice-cream salesman.
I got closer and the kids' noise filled the place as they struggled to get an ice cream.
Geez. I don't think there will be more left for me.
"Easy, kids," the salesman said, chuckling. He is a good-looking middle-aged black man who looks like he is enjoying his job.
"One person at a time, okay?"
"Me, uncle Bob. Me!" The kids said in unison, raising their money to him as he served them each ice cream.
I stood close, staring and waiting for my turn.
That's if I will get a turn. There are so many kids here.
How will I......
"Oh, hello there," the salesman said to me with a smile despite the crowd of kids.
I smiled a bit.
"How can I help you, Ms?" He asked as he handed one of the kids a cone of ice cream.
"I need ice cream for my....."
BOOM!
A fire explosion made us scream and crouch down. The kids screamed the highest, running around as I held Jay Jay tighter while shielding us with my arm.
"Oh Lord," I heard the ice-cream man say as I felt hot air touching my skin.
Commotion filled everywhere as I looked at where the fire explosion came from.
I froze the minute I realized it was the car we came in that just blew up.
I held Jay Jay tighter again as my heart pounded.
The.....the driver.
I covered my mouth with my palm as terror washed over me.
Oh my God.
The driver.
God, I can't believe I just......I just.....Jay Jay and I just escaped death.
I took a few steps back till my back hit the wall as I watched the commotion. The car is still burning and people are running around. Everyone in the stores ran out and I can see people rushing out of the place Jay Jay's dad just walked into.
My hand shook and Jay Jay was crying louder.
I rocked his back, trying to keep him calm as my heart pounded.
How did this.....why did the car blow up?
"Come on, Ms, take your baby away from here. That's a bomb. A bomb blast is a terrible outcome here in Bricktown. Just run, Ms, run!" The salesman said, driving his cart away quickly.
I thought of what to do.
My head felt blank at the moment.
I looked left and right. People are still running to and fro.
Next, a loud groan caught my attention towards Reeko's building.
I saw Jay Jay's dad.
He is staring at his car.
My legs moved faster than I could even think, taking me towards the building.
I took a path a bit far from the still-burning car, getting closer to the building.
I reduced my fast steps as the thought of this being a good opportunity to run for my life filled my head.
I stopped in my tracks as I looked towards my right, staring at the road but....
"Boss, look!" A male voice called, making me look in that direction.
I locked eyes with Jay Jay's dad instantly.
My heart picked up.
He approached me, looking devastated but with a tiny pinch of relief on his face.
Our eyes were glued to each other as he got closer.
He towered over me as his eyes scanned my body in a way I can't explain.
I gulped as regret filled me.
I should have run away earlier.
I should have run away even if Jay Jay was still with me.
I should have run.
But no.
Going to him was the first thing I thought of.
First action my legs took.
Why, Mia?!
This is me giving up freedom the second time.
He moved his eyes to Jay Jay.
Jay Jay was looking at him.
He placed his hand on Jay Jay's head, moving his hand on Jay Jay's hair a bit.
His eyes moved back to me.
I lowered my gaze but sensed some people pouring water on the burning car.
Oh God, that poor driver.
He couldn't have survived this, could he?
God, this is awful.
"Rowland," the boss called, taking my attention and withdrawing his hand from Jay Jay's head.
"Yes, boss," the guard who followed him into the building answered, standing next to the boss.
"Take 'em home and watch over them." The boss said without taking his eyes off Jay Jay and me.
Yes, boss," Rowland answered.
The boss looked at him.
"I want no different story when I get back."
"Yes, boss," Rowland said, leading the way.
I followed, heading towards God knows where.
I looked behind me for some reason I don't understand.
I saw the boss taking off his suit jacket and handing it over to an unfamiliar tall man, not as tall as the boss, dressed in an ash colored tank top. The boss took out his cigar and put it in his mouth.
The man lit the cigar up and the boss puffed out smoke. Another man approached the boss with a big gun and handed it to the boss.
I furrowed my brows slightly.