Page 20 of Set My Soul Ablaze

“You guys . . .” I wiped at my teary eyes.

“I knew your first day back would be heavy on you, so I got with these amazing people, and we did something special for you.” Joylei stepped up and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. She rocked me in her arms for a long moment. I took the time to gather myself, using her as my anchor.

“Thank you, bestie.” I sniffled.

“Any time, baby love.”

“How did y’all get my babies to sit still for the banner?” I asked as I walked closer to it.

“A lot of patience,” Kira joked.

“We’ve missed you, Boss.” Diego stepped up and wrapped an arm around me.

“I missed y’all too. I will definitely put in some vacation time for all of you once I get my footing back on track.” I patted hisback and looked at all my employees with so much gratitude and appreciation.

When I couldn’t show up for my clients, they all split the responsibility and gave me the time and space I needed. Some people would never know what it felt like to have a team who respected you enough to show up during hard times. I prided myself on creating an environment for not only me to thrive, but everyone who clocked in daily to thrive as well.

“Besides the banner, gift basket, and cards . . .” Alisa came around the front desk and pulled out a large piggy bank.

“We collected donations for two weeks, both virtually and in person. We’ve raised twenty thousand dollars to help you replace some things you lost in the fire.” Dominique finished.

“Y’all are so . . . I don’t even know what to say other than thank you! Thank y’all so much for everything.”

They each pulled me into a tight hug before a client walked in with their fur baby. While they got back to work, Joylei helped me carry everything to my office. I set the gift basket on the floor beside my desk. I put the piggy bank on the desk and sat in the chair.

I wiped my eyes and smiled.

“How are you feeling, pooh?” Joylei asked as she set the cards on my desk and sat across from me.

“Blessed. The village I have has shown me unconditional love. Y’all have poured into me in ways I never imagined. I’m so content,” I expressed in a gentle tone.

“You get what you put out into the world. Despite everything you went through in private, you never put that negativity into the world.” Joylei stood up and walked over to me. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled my head into her chest. I listened to her heartbeat as I enjoyed her warmth.

Best friends were so important. To have a woman love you and accept all your flaws without judgment was an unmatchedfeeling. Genuine friendships were hard to find, and I would cherish every moment with my girl.

After work, I took myself on a ramen date. I enjoyed a spicy miso ramen bowl and a glass of sparkling wine. When I got back to my parents’ home, I caught them up on my day and listened while they did the same. Then I showered and lay across the bed to doom scroll on social media for a couple of hours before I fell asleep.

Midway through a compilation video of cats doing crazy things, I got a text.

Unknown number:

You should have died in that fire stupid bitch. Next time, I’ll make sure you don’t make it out alive.

My eyebrows knitted together as I reread the message again . . . and again . . . and again. I took a screenshot of the text before I blocked the number. They wouldn’t get the satisfaction of a response from me.

You should have died in that fire.

As the text continued to torment me, my chest tightened. A persistent throb drummed in my head as several emotions swarmed my body at once.

Panic.

Anger.

Fear.

Exhaustion.

Confusion.