LEMONADE|| Keith Powers

Chapter 48: The Cut Off

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Santana we formally invite you to the Mayors Ball"

"Wow," he mouthed. "Hey man, that's more opportunity for you to network with more people. I really want this conference to go greatly" he said

Ricky sighed "It will," he said reading that the event is in the next week. Why the fuck would they just send me this shit? Ricky pulled a full stack of mail realizing this was probably sent months ago. "How's Josie doing? He asked.

"She's well, everything is going well. How's the baby? I asked. "Ahh can't name a better feeling. Aint nothing like a family you know and to think I used to feel weird about taking her daughter in as mine. My ignorant days, anyways I'll talk to you soon my brother" he said

"Okay Greg, take care... see you soon," he said before hanging up. "Is Morgan here? He heard a little voice. He turned around this his neighbor's child. Morgan's new friend Madison

"Morgan doesn't live here anymore," He told the little girl. She was on her bike ready to have Morgan tag along and that reminded him that he never got her that bike he meant to get her. "Really? She said sadly

"Yeah, I'm sorry kid but if I see her soon. I'll tell her to knock on your door okay" He said disappointedly. He forgot about how Morgan would be affected by this and he figured Josie would tell her everything that happened

"Okay," she said. "Morgan told me you do adventurous things. Is that why you have a bruise on your face? She asked. He shook his head. "Why am I not surprised? He said to himself

"Yeah, something like that kid. You be careful out there" He said before going in. I watched her ride down the street before I closed the door.

Ricky stood there for a minute taking in the quietness. He hates being in the house alone yet alone being by himself in his own thoughts for too long. He went back upstairs into his room. He walked in the bathroom turning on his shower. He stepped in placing his body under the cool shower.

Josie

I laid on my towel looking up at the sky. Erica, Morgan, Jace and I were enjoying our day at the beach. I haven't had time to spend with them ever since I started working with Ricky. And this whole week without his mixed signals and mood swings were everything to me. Just spending time with the few important people in my life was refreshing. It did feel weird not being in Ricky's presence and I had to get used to it. I hated how we left off, I'm such an empathy and I feel everything so deeply. I don't regret what I said to Ricky and I feel relieved letting my anger out I just hate that it became a beef. I just wanted to express myself and I thought he would understand just a little. I really hate fallouts with people. "Uhh it feels so good out," Erica said drinking her Fat Tuesdays Daiquiri. "Yes," I sighed watching Morgan run in and out the water. My phone vibrated and I quickly turned around to check it. "Please don't tell me you're still waiting by the phone for him" she rolled her eyes. "Umm no" I scoffed.

"Lying ass," she said. "I'm not, I'm like this with everyone," I said. "And I'm like Beyoncé," she said pushing up her glasses.

"I get it, why don't you post one of those cute bikinis pictures and post it on the gram" she snatched my phone. "And show that ass," she said. "Stop," I said trying to snatch it. "Show that ass so he can see what he took for granted," she said

"First of all, you would tell me not to entertain that shit. Why do you want me to do all of that?

"So he can see that you're chilling and you ain't worried about what a nigga gotta say about you, you ain't worried about shit," she said

"Living my best life" she typed. "Nope, that's corny that's what a bothered bitch uses as her caption and you aren't bothered," she said making corrections