He had to leave. Jonathon couldn’t think with a clear head when he was angry and talking to Octavia didn’t seem to be working out in his favor. Jonathon made a sharp left and headed for the highway. He powered down the windows and let the frosty air swirl around him. She couldn’t know how bad it stung for him to find out Steven had been in her home all weekend and not just for purposes of the search. What was she thinking? Why would Octavia talk to him at all with the disastrous way their dating had ended?

Feeling possessive, Jonathon took in deep breaths. If he had stayed any longer, there was no telling what he would’ve done to Steven. That asshole didn’t deserve her. He didn’t deserve to be in her presence, never mind get an invite from her. What messed with Jonathon even more was Octavia had reached out to Jonathon, and he was unavailable. To some extent, her argument held merit. The dreams were back again, and he hadn’t been there for her. Steven had.

Releasing a streak of vile oaths, Jonathon tried to maintain his sanity. Yes, Mia had shown her interest in him. Sure, she’d flirted up until that very morning when he’d jetted as soon as her brother walked through the door. But unlike Steven, Jonathon had never been on a date with Mia. Jonathon had never shown any interest in her except for friendship. Octavia couldn’t say the same, and now it was as if she was punishing him for being there. He couldn’t understand it. Jonathon had a mind to turn the Rolls Royce around and go back to Octavia’s house. But he didn’t. As bad as he wanted her, Jonathon couldn’t play games with her. He needed to cool off, and the best way to do that was to stay away. For how long, he wasn’t sure, but for now, this was his best bet.

 

The relief Octavia felt when everyone was gone settled her soul. This had been the worst day she’d had in a long time. Octavia didn’t want to think about anything, but unfortunately for her, there was no stopping the turbulent thoughts that shifted through her head. After getting Steven stitched up, Octavia had told him going to the hospital would be his best option, but he pretended to play hard and brush it off although every time he spoke, he winced from the pain shooting through his nose.

“Serves him right,” Octavia spoke to herself, as she left the living room for her bedroom. She pulled the sweater over her shoulders and unbuckled her jeans, pulling them down her curvy hips. They fell to her ankles just as the doorbell rang. Rolling her eyes and groaning, she said, annoyed, “Now what?”

Her first thought was to ignore it. Whoever it was could come back tomorrow, but as for now station three was officially closed. Then, the doorbell rang again. Whoever it was better have a bottle of wine and some good news if they were knocking on her door at ten o’clock on a Sunday night.

Dragging her pants back up her thighs and tossing the sweater back on, Octavia took her time getting to the door.

“This better be good,” she said, opening the door without checking the peephole. Standing on the other side in the shadows appeared to be a young girl. Octavia’s eyes stretched, and she flipped on the porch light. It flickered before shining a dull haze over the deck, and the girl’s appearance became clear. Gasping and covering her mouth, Octavia flung open the screen door.

“Ayana!” she screeched.

Ayana Bradwell cowered in the corner of the porch as Octavia stepped out. “Oh my God,” Octavia said. Her eyes jumped around as she glanced up and down the street. “Ayana, where did you come from? Did someone drop you off?”

Ayana took a timid step toward Octavia. The young lady cleared her throat and rubbed her nose with a balled fist. Her hair albeit long and draping over her thin shoulders was disheveled as if it hadn’t been combed in days. Dark circles sat under her eyes, and by her looks, you wouldn’t have known she was a sixteen-year-old girl. There was no coat on her arms, and as the wind whipped around them, the small framed girl shivered.

Octavia reached out to her. “Come in, please.”

“I saw your house on the news,” Ayana spoke. Her voice was clear but held a profound depth that one would hear coming from a grown woman’s voice. “I would’ve come sooner.”

“What happened to you, honey?”

Ayana shivered again, and this time Octavia went to her and covered Ayana in her arms, slowly helping her over the threshold into her house. Octavia’s mind ran rampant. The first thing she should do was call her grandmother, but Octavia was so struck by Ayana’s appearance that she only stared at Ayana and waited for her to speak further.

Ayana’s eyes glazed over, and tears sprang down her face. “I would’ve come sooner,” she cried. “I didn’t mean to hurt my nana.” Ayana broke down and fell to her knees.

Octavia dropped to the floor with her and cuddled Ayana in her arms.

“What happened, Ayana, did you run away?”

Ayana’s chest rose and fell as she tried to pull together her words.

“Yes,” she said softly.

“But, why?” Octavia asked.

“I can’t get them out of my head,” she said.

“Get who out?”

“My mom,” Ayana sniffled, “and dad.”

Octavia wanted to coach the girl into finishing, but she waited for her to gain the courage. Ayana sniffled some more but didn’t move further.

“What happened, Ayana? Tell me and maybe I can help you.”

Ayana’s tears flowed down her cheeks as she spoke. “They died. Two months ago, in a house fire. I wasn’t there. I couldn’t help them.” Her tears streamed faster as she shook in Octavia’s arms. Octavia thoughts went back to the news segment. Ayana’s parents had suffocated from smoke inhalation. Without warning, a flashback of Octavia’s own demons cruised through her mind like that of a slideshow. If anyone knew better, Octavia did.

“I feel so alone.” Ayana continued to cry. “I’m sorry.”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Octavia shushed Ayana. “Everything will be okay. I know exactly what you’re going through.”

Ayana looked up, hopeful. “You do?”

Octavia gave her an encouraging smile. “I do. My parents died in a car accident. I was there, and I still wasn’t able to help. Trust me, it’s worse when you relive the accident. I know it doesn’t seem like it now, Ayana, but you were spared from witnessing the horror of your parents’ deaths. I know that doesn’t make it any easier, but we can get better together.”

“How?” Ayana asked.

Octavia thought for a moment. How could she help Ayana get over something she had yet to beat herself?

“I have a doctor,” Octavia said. “I’m going to see her Wednesday. She helps me deal with my parents’ deaths so I can live without fear, regret, or shame. Would you like to go with me? I’m sure she could help you as well.”

“You’re not kidding?” Ayana said, still hopeful.

“No. If your grandmother says it’s okay, we’ll go together.”

And that’s precisely what they did. After contacting Ms. Monroe about Ayana’s reappearance, the senior woman had been over the moon with happiness. She’d agreed to let her granddaughter attend the upcoming session with Octavia. Ms. Monroe wanted more than anything for her grandchild to gain some closure if it were at all possible.

When the news broke that Ayana had returned home safe and sound, the neighborhood rejoiced, and the very next day a welcome home celebration had been thrown in honor of Ayana. The young woman had never felt more loved, and it hurt her even more that she’d caused everyone so much grief.

No one blamed Ayana. Her aunts and uncles understood as well, and they were all ready and willing to do whatever needed to be done to help their niece get better.

Octavia didn’t hear from Jonathon until Monday night when he’d called to ask her how she was doing. When the news broke, the reporter made it known that Ayana had come to the place she’d seen on the news several times, the place where everyone had been searching for her, Octavia’s house.

Their conversation was brief, and after Octavia had reassured Jonathon that she was okay, he’d promptly told her to take care and ended the call. Now more than ever, Octavia was worried that she’d pushed him to his limit. Every man had one, but that was the last thing Octavia had wanted to do.

The week started at a snail pace but quickly picked up by Wednesday morning, and before she knew it, Octavia and Ayana were sitting in Dr. Celia Cooper’s office.

“It’s been a long time, Octavia,” Dr. Cooper began. “What brings you to see me today, and who’s your friend?” she asked with a calming voice.

“This is Ayana Bradwell,” Octavia said. “She and I have the same problem. We were hoping you could help us out with that.”

Octavia glanced to Ayana who sat next to her adorned in a simple blue blouse and a pair of denim jeans. Ayana looked at Octavia and held her hand out to which Octavia accepted. Their fingers linked, and Octavia winked then turned back to Dr. Cooper who had left her chair to lean against her desk in front of them.

“I will most certainly love to help you two, if it’s the last thing I do.” Dr. Cooper’s smile was soft and honest. For the first time in a long time, Octavia felt reassured that she would finally be able to move past her troubles.