Mr Rumming And The Teacher ??

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. -Herman Melville

***

It is dark at sea, hallowing darkness and I am afraid so I tend to stay away from windows at night time, afraid I might fall over. Israel understands the rationale, we spend our nights on the bed, either fucking the fuck out of each other or connecting intimately without having sex.

"You want to hear a story?"

"I would love to." He agrees while caressing my thigh.

"My parents died when I was seven, it was horrible, everyone focused on everything but me. How they were splitting the assets, the little my parents had gone to relatives who could not pick up the phone when it was time for me to get relocated. I got put into a shelter and went to a new school and on the first day, this girl she comes over to me while I was reading a book during lunch and she offers to share her lunch with me if I explained the book I was reading. Seems fair so I do it and every day for the rest of primary, I spent lunch explaining to Mbali the plot of the books I read and she shared her lunch with me."

"Mbali?"

"Childhood friend, when I changed foster homes, I lost contact but I will never forget her, she made childhood bearable for me." He pulls me in and holds me close.

"I am glad you had someone."

"Now I am glad I have you." He kisses my temple.

"I love you Mimma."

"I love you Ciro." he places tender kisses on my forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. I take it in before wrapping his arms around me and making myself comfortable on his chest.

We arrive in The United Kingdom and were escorted by security and a lovable driver David, first to London for a brash shopping trip.

"Do you think we should get the funeral clothes here or do you want to get them in Miami?" He nods "Baby, yes for Miami or yea for here?"

"Yes for Miami, get just a few things, I just want to lay down for a bit." I wrap my arms around him

"I am here for you and we can leave, I think we got everything." We pay and leave for the hanger.

I can see him crumbling but I do not know how to tell him. How do I tell him I can see beyond the facade he worked so hard on? Maybe I can bring it up after he talks to Nonna.

We lay in bed the entire flight, Israel holding on to me a tad bit tighter. I don't know how he is dealing with Gianna's murder but I hope we can talk about it. I place a kiss on his forehead.

"I'm okay." He murmurs into my skin

"No you're not and that's okay, Baba."

"I wish it did not hurt."

"You loved her, deeply, it's going to take some time to heal."

"They are going to hate me."

"They love you, do you hate yourself?"

"A little."

"Don't, It was an impossible situation."

"Will they understand that?"

"I don't know, I wish I could tell you that they will but I do not know."

Once in Miami, we head straight for the Rumming compound. We spend a few moments in the car contemplating going inside. We get out of the car and take a deep breath before we head inside. He leads us in, holding my hand, squeezing it for comfort.