Part 11 – Ghosts
Deon wandered the streets aimlessly, not taking in anything. He just felt numb. He wasn't exactly trying to shrug off the lingering emotions of Amina. On the contrary—he was wallowing in them. Even this heaviness was something she'd given him. Something to remind him that it had all been real. He needed that. Their time together had felt like such a dream, he was sure he'd wake up any minute now. In truth, he hoped he would. He hoped the entire morning had been an illusion conjured up by his mind. That way, he could redo it all again when he woke up. Just be with her.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Probably Sierra. It always was. He checked the screen, unsurprised by the name that popped up.
Sierra: Meet here in 20.
She'd pinned the location—but he recognized the name. The same café he'd just left. He didn't really want to go back there. Not without Amina. He'd rather keep the bittersweet feeling preserved for as long as possible.
Deon: Can we meet somewhere else? That place is just kinda not my vibe.
He hit send.
Sierra: Huh? 🤔 I thought the place felt exactly like you. Maybe I'm losing my touch.
Deon: Maybe.
His reply came out shorter than he intended.
Sierra: .....Okay? I'll find somewhere new and send you the place. See you soon.
Deon: Yeah.
He shoved the phone back in his pocket and took a seat on a nearby bench, looking out at the beach. It was a little after noon. The sun was high now, bearing down, but he felt cold. He watched the world pass by, drowning in what-ifs.
Another chime from his phone—Sierra again. She'd sent the new location. It wasn't far. He could be there in five minutes on foot. He figured he'd take a slow walk and get there right on time.
He arrived ten minutes late.
"Should I just put an alarm clock around your neck?" Sierra quipped as he walked listlessly into the restaurant.
"We tried that once," Keyon interjected. "Didn't take."
"I'm not an accessory guy," Deon said, sliding into the booth they were already sitting at.
"Oh yeah," Sierra said. "I thought since he kept missing classes from oversleeping, an alarm around his neck would help."
"He wasn't oversleeping though. He was playing hooky," Keyon laughed.
"I know that now! But back then he kept saying, 'my bad, I overslept.'" Sierra said, doing her best Deon impression.
"That's pretty good," Keyon laughed.
"Right!?" Sierra beamed. "I've been working on my Deon." She smiled proudly.
"Needs work," Deon said flatly.
"You good, bro?" Keyon asked with a hint of concern—rare for him.
"Yeah, man. You?"
"I'm cool, fam. But seriously—are you?"
"Like the other side of the pillow," Deon responded, but the tension was obvious.
"You say that, but the way you're talking to my girl makes me think otherwise."
"Feel how you're gonna feel, my guy," Deon said without emotion.
"Guys..." Sierra warned, some worry in her voice. She knew how it got when these two butted heads. They'd even gotten into their share of fistfights over the years. Enough that she knew when one was coming. "Keyon, I'm really not bothered by it. And Deon, you know how defensive he gets. I know something's eating at you, but can we just have one last meal together as friends before we go home and don't see you for another five years?" she said half-jokingly, placing her hand over his. "Please?" she added, eyes soft and upturned.
She still knew how to work him. Just like that, she'd found her way back in. Amina had pegged it—he really was in love with this woman. He felt like scum for admitting it, knowing how he felt about Amina too.
He swallowed the feelings and put on his best mask, deciding to just get through the meal.
"You're right. My bad, y'all. Something happened that threw off my whole morning. I'm trying to shake it off," Deon said after a few moments of awkward silence.
"Want to talk about it?" Sierra asked.
"Not really," he said truthfully.
"It's a girl, huh?" Keyon smirked.
Deon looked away instinctively.
"Really? Then—" Sierra started before Keyon cut her off.
"Ah-ah-ah. Let the man be. He said he didn't want to talk about it."
Sierra sat back, pouting. Deon gave him a look that somehow said thank you and I don't need your help all at once.
"Anyway, Deon, what's life been like for you? We didn't really catch up at the wedding. You never told us how college went since you bailed on our plan to stay a trio," Sierra said, taking a jab.
She was lying, of course. The two had plenty of time to catch up before the wedding—though not much reminiscing. Not about college, anyway.
"College was alright. Took some classes, learned some things, graduated. Probably a lot like your experience," he said.
"Don't get smart with me, jerk. Seriously, you gotta give us something," she said, full of anticipation. "Did you make any friends?"
"You know me," he said with a hint of arrogance. "Not at all."
"Asshole," Sierra said, tossing a few napkins at him.
Keyon laughed loudly. "Yeah, that tracks."
"Nah, for real. I did make one connection that stuck," Deon said, putting the napkins back on the table.
He was about to explain when the server returned to take their orders. Once she left, Sierra was quick to restart the conversation.
"So, who's this person who actually got you to call them a friend?" she asked.
"Her name's Jordy. I guess we just kinda vibe, you know? Like how I am with you guys—except she has a lot more in common with me. Anime, video games, favorite pizza... stuff like that," Deon said casually.
"She?" Keyon and Sierra said in unison.
"Yeah, she's a she."
"With a name like Jordy?" Keyon said in disbelief.
"Yeah."
"Is it short for something?"
"Nah."
"And you're into that?"
"What?"
"You like chicks with dude names?"
"Two things: first, Jordy isn't a dude's name. Second, we aren't together."
"Jordy's definitely a guy's name. And yeah, alright—tell that lie about not being together to someone who doesn't know what's up."
"Well, the only Jordy I know is a female. About five-two, dyes her hair all kinds of vibrant shades, has several piercings, and a pair of breasts the size of melons. Pretty hard to misidentify her as a 'he.' Also, she says her pronouns are she/her."
"I can't say I know anybody named Jordy, but it just sounds... dude-ish. Wait—never mind. Now that you paint the picture, I can kinda see it. Artsy type?"
"Yeah."
"Knew it."
"A girl?" Sierra cut in, the temperature seemingly dropping.
"Yeah, babe. Jordy's a girl—weren't you—"
"I'm sorry, Keyon, but shut the fuck up for a second," Sierra said sweetly, never taking her eyes off Deon. Keyon snapped his mouth shut and pulled out his phone, pretending to be elsewhere while tuning into his favorite drama—the Sierra and Deon Show.
"So. A girl?" she asked again.
"Yeah? That a problem?"
"Why would it be? Unless it is. Is it, Deon?"
"Not for me. I mean, she's dope. Practically lives at my place."
"...Oh? Must be nice. Having a woman around," Sierra said, small cracks forming in her façade.
"It's whatever, honestly. She's kinda a slob—leaves her underwear all over the place. I have to do her laundry half the time 'cause it's like she's allergic to the machine or something. She never replaces the toilet paper either. And she eats all my good snacks. But she is a good cook, so sometimes there's a hot meal waiting when I get home from a long shift. Overall, I'd say it's a net negative."
"She cooks for you?" Sierra asked, her smile fading.
"Did you hear any of the other shit I said? 'Cause it was a lot."
"Mhm. You prefer her food or mine?"
"Yo, this is hella awkward. Keyon, can you—"
"Leave me outta y'all lover's quarrel, bro," Keyon said before Deon could finish.
"But she's your lover, though," Deon shot back.
"So? Mine or hers?"
"Sierra, you know I love you. And your food is dope—"
"But?"
"But Jordy is a wizard in the kitchen. It's like her only redeeming quality."
"Whatever. You haven't had my food in a while, so you must've just forgot. I'm a wizard too, okay?" Her Hispanic accent slipped out the way it always did when she got worked up.
Deon found himself smiling at how much things hadn't changed—despite how much they had.
"Fair, fair. Chef me up something next time I'm in town and I'll compare."
"Whatever. You never come back home. That's why it's been five years."
"Nah, for real. I'm due to stop in on Mom and Pop. They might kill me otherwise."
"Mhm. I won't hold my breath," she said, folding her arms and puffing her cheeks.
"You look like a squirrel doing that."
Keyon burst out laughing. "High-key—she does!"
She shot him a glare cold enough to freeze blood. His thunderous laugh dwindled to a nervous chuckle.
She turned back to Deon, still pouting. "So you're only coming to see your parents, or...?"
"Didn't I say I'd stop by?"
"That's what I heard," Keyon chimed in.
"Keyon," Sierra said sharply.
"Shutting up," he muttered.
"Seriously, D. I miss you."
"Si," he said, looking her in the eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat. A message only the two of them understood—a secret code from their teenage years.
"You know how I call you Si sometimes?"
"Of course! I love that. Only you can call me Si. I hate when others try—it just feels so gross."
"Well, if I ever respond to a yes-or-no question with just 'Si,' just know I'm saying I love you. Always."
She felt her pulse quicken at the memory.
"Always," she whispered. He knew the message had been received.
Soon after, their meals arrived. They ate and enjoyed their usual back-and-forth until it was time to part ways. Deon found himself feeling lighter than before the meal—grateful, even. The walk back to his room was slightly more pleasant. The colors of the world were a little less dull. The echoes of Amina still hung in the air. He could feel every ounce of the bracelet she'd tied around his wrist. A small comfort.
The elevator ride up to his room felt longer than usual—maybe because he was so ready to flop into bed that time itself seemed to drag. His social battery was in the negatives. The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. He sauntered down the hall until—
"Hey there. I may have missed my flight."
It was Amina. Luggage in hand, sitting in front of his door.
Instantly, the world had color again.
"Missed it, huh?"
"Well, you know... I figured—maybe just a little more time here. With you."
He took her into his arms, giving her a firm hug. Burying his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. She smelled like the sun. She buried her face in his chest and did the same.
"I missed this smell," they both said simultaneously, laughing softly. When the laughter faded and their eyes met, their lips followed. When they finally pulled away, it was clear they both wanted more.
"Nothing could ruin this moment," Deon whispered into her ear, placing a kiss on her neck.
"Deon?" came a familiar voice from behind him.
"Except you," he mumbled, doing his best Joe Goldberg impression.
Amina tried—and failed—to stifle a snort.
Sierra was standing there, an expression of pure confusion and shock on her face.
"Who... is that? And why does she have my face?"