Page 40 of Set My Soul Ablaze

“Flame, I-I . . .” She ran into my arms and cried. Her knees buckled in my embrace, and the food was no longer a priority. Idropped the bag and scooped her into my arms. I held her like a baby—my baby. I walked into the house and closed the door with the back of my foot.

“I got you, baby. You’re safe in my arms.” She clung to me, sobbing deep from the pit of her soul.

I didn’t care that this was her parents’ house. I climbed the stairs and searched for her room. Luckily, it was the first door I opened. I had her room memorized from the late night FaceTimes. With calculated movements, I lay on her bed and let her cry into my chest.

My heart ached at the sound of her sobs.

I didn’t move.

I barely breathed.

All I could do was hold my girl while she cried. All I could do was to be her safe space to feel her feels until she was ready to share with me. All I could do was lay beside her and pray we made it through this together.

While I rubbed her back, I tried to prepare myself for the worst. Something or someone hurt my lady, and I would be out for blood soon.

Time passed.

When she finally calmed down, she peeked up at me and sniffled.

“Hey,” I spoke first. I offered a smile.

“I got snot on your shirt. I’m sorry.” She rubbed her hand on the wet spot of my shirt.

“I don’t give a fuck about this shirt. Are you okay? Are you ready to talk about it?”

She sighed. “I guess I have to.”

“You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable doing.”

“You’re right. It’ll be hard, but I don’t want to push you away anymore.”

“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

She took a deep breath. With a quivering lip, she began. “Last week, my ex popped up at the shop . . .” She told me everything. From the threats, the cheating, and the possibility of an STD. She told me about how they had done nothing intimate in over five months. She said they spent most of their time arguing. There was no peace in her home.

I was gutted. I kept my facial features neutral as she continued. I didn’t want my shock to shut her down.

“That night, I came home and scheduled a next day full panel testing. I wanted to make sure nothing was coursing through my body without me knowing.”

“That’s the smart thing to do. I know waiting had to have been eating you up.”

“It did. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. It was a mess. The test results came back a few days ago. I have a clean bill of health. It’s only by the grace of God, really.”

“I’m happy to hear you’re free of any diseases. I want you to know I’ve got your back through any and everything. I’m your safe space. I’m your protector.”

She poked out her bottom lip and rubbed my arm. “I know. I guess it scared me to think about what would happen to our relationship if I had something.”

“It would definitely be hard to navigate, but I would for you. I’m thanking God we don’t have to go through it.”

She sniffled. “You’re a good man, Flame.”

“I am, but I’m also human. Part of me wants to find your ex and kill him with my bare hands. He hurt you in ways you should never have experienced. He deserves to be eaten by maggots.”

“He’s not worth you losing your freedom.”

“You deserve justice. The only way a nigga like him learns his lesson is if he meets a real man not afraid to put him in his place.”

She cupped my face and rubbed her thumb against my cheek. “I don’t want you to think about that anymore.”