A BROKEN GIRL’S JOURNEY 2 (A BROKEN GIRL'S JOURNEY) Read online

  A Broken Girl's Journey

  - Written by -

  Nicole Jackson

  Copyright © 2014 by True Glory Publications

  Published by True Glory Publications LLC

  First Edition

  Facebook: Nicole Jackson

  Instagram: NikiJilvontae31

  Email: [email protected]

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblances to actual events, real people, living or dead, organization, establishments, locales are products of the author’s imagination. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously.

  Cover design/Graphics: Michael Horne

  Editor: Tiffany Stephens

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission from the publisher and writer.

  Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

  The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

  Dedication

  I dedicate this book to all of the people I have loved and lost. My son: C.J. , aunt: Devon Wirt, daddy: Allen Jackson, granddaddy: Leroy Russell, uncle: James Roger Russell, Pooder, Marcia, Trisha, Rita, Pongo, Neilo, Woody, Kelton, Jeremiah, Desmond, Lil Chris, Nookie, Ms Peggy, Lucus, Marlon, Deon, Lil Brian, Boo Boo, Shawnna, Dishika, and Mu-Mu. May you all Rest in Heaven.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank God for life. Thank you to my TGP Family, you all are the best! S/O to the city of Memphis... I love my city! Special thanks to a couple of people near and dear to my heart, but they are far away right now on lockdown, these books for y’all too. My lil cousin Byron Russell, love you lil homie keep ya head up. Thank you to my love of 14 years, Torenzo Currie and my best friend of 20 plus years Adrain Williams. Love you all... Thank you to my readers. I really appreciate your support!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 1

  A loud bang from the killer's 9MM was the last sound Lakea heard before everything went black. Jeremy's face, his words, and that look of fear in his eyes kept playing over and over again in her mind. She felt herself floating somewhere far away from Frayser, far away from Memphis, far away from this world for that matter. She felt so pure, so innocent. All the burdens of her life seemed to have been lifted off of her shoulders. She felt complete for the first time in a long time, totally at peace, except there was nothing but darkness all around her; nothing but darkness and silence.

  Just then Lakea heard a voice.

  “I love you my princess. I have missed you so much, but you have to go back”, the voice said.

  Lakea looked around confused. She knew that voice, but it couldn't be.

  “Lady Bug you have to go back because it's not your time. You have so much to live for. Go back and live your life. Be happy and forgive your mama. She has some hurtful things to tell you but you still must forgive her”, the voice said.

  Lakea reached out into the darkness. She knew that voice was her daddy's.

  “Daddy is that you?” Lakea asked frantically.

  “Daddy please come to me. Daddy I don't want to go back and I don't want to forgive mama; I want to stay with you” Lakea said trying to peer through the darkness.

  “You can't baby, and you have to forgive her even after she tells you what she has to say. Know that she loves you so much and so do I. Never forget that Lady Bug”, Marvin, Lakea's dad, said as his voice began to trail off.

  “Daddy, what does she have to tell me and why can't I stay?” Lakea yelled but her daddy was gone.

  She was alone again in the darkness. Just then through the darkness Lakea saw a ray of light and Jeremy appeared. He was beautiful and glowing. As clear as day he stood before her eyes. Lakea reached her arms out to hold him and to her surprise he was still there. She could feel his smooth, chocolate skin under her fingertips. Jeremy pulled her into the light and she stared into his beautiful gray eyes. They floated there in the ray of light for a while, saying nothing, just holding each other. Then Jeremy spoke.

  “Baby, I love you but you have to go back,”

  Lakea shook her head no. She didn't want to go back. She wanted to stay with Jeremy and be in his arms forever.

  “Noooo, I don't want to go back; I want to stay with you and my daddy”, Lakea said holding Jeremy close to her and laying her head on his chest.

  She could smell his cologne. He stroked her hair and inhaled her scent like he always did. Then he slowly lifted her head and spoke.

  “Baby, you have to go, it’s not your time”, Jeremy said with tears in his eyes.

  “I don't care if it’s my time or not, I want to be with you. I have nothing to live for”, Lakea said as Jeremy gently caressed her cheek.

  “Yes you do. You have Quan who needs you and Ray-Ray needs you too,”

  Lakea shook her head no as her tears began to flow again.

  “No, they took Ray-Ray away from me too, and soon Quan will be gone off doing his own thang too and I will be all alone. I need to be with you!” Lakea whined.

  “No Ray-Ray is still with you baby and he will need you. Y'all will need each other, but I know someone else who will need you more”, Jeremy said wiping the tears from Lakea's eyes.

  “Who?” Lakea asked.

  She was certain that he meant her mama, but what he said next changed everything.

  “You have to go back for our child”, Jeremy said rubbing Lakea's stomach, then bending down to kiss it.

  By then the tears had begun to flow down his face and Lakea gasped for air. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Lakea wiped away Jeremy's tears and pulled him close to her. She loved him so much and it was apparent that he loved her just as much as she loved him, and now she would have their child to love. Suddenly the sound of trumpets startled Lakea and Jeremy.

  “I have to go”, Jeremy said with tears still streaming down his face.

  “And so do you. Live life to its fullest baby; never take one second for granted. And tell my son that I loved him with all of me. Baby please makeup with your mama too”, Jeremy pleaded.

  Lakea turned her head and began to protest. She couldn't understand why everyone wanted her to forgive her mama. She couldn't see then how that resentment was hurting her. Jeremy grabbed Lakea's chin and turned her face back to him.

  “Baby our child deserves a mother with a loving heart. Besides she doesn't deserve your hate. I bet if you talk to her you may find out y’all have more in common and you may just begin to understand why she did all she has done; either way baby you have to let it go!” Jeremy pleaded with tears rolling down his face.

  Tears were falling from Lakea's eyes too. She felt Jeremy's love and she knew that he and her father were right. She had to find a way to forgive her mama, not only for herself, but for the sake of her child too.

  “Okay baby”, Lakea whispered into his ear.

  “But I still don't want to live without you”, Lakea pleaded.

  “You won't be without me, ever!” Jeremy said.

  “I will never leave you. I will always be right here”,
Jeremy said touching his hand to Lakea's heart.

  Just then Lakea felt relief she had never felt before. She felt a love greater than she had ever imagined. Her broken heart was starting to mend. Jeremy kissed her slowly and deeply. Lakea could feel his soul as they kissed passionately while looking into each other’s eyes. Their whole life together flashed before her eyes in that instant and she knew then that Jeremy's flesh was gone forever. Suddenly the light began to disappear and Jeremy began to back away from her into the darkness.

  “Don't forget I will never stop loving you”, Jeremy said as he disappeared into the darkness, leaving Lakea crying and screaming his name.

  He was gone and she was alone again, floating in the darkness. Just then she heard Quan's voice.

  Chapter 2

  “She been in a coma forever, she ain't gone never come back to us”, Quan whimpered.

  Lakea tried hard to open her eyes but they felt glued shut. She tried again and her eye lids fluttered.

  “Wait, she’s waking up!” Quan yelled as Lakea opened up her beautiful hazel eyes.

  She was out of the darkness. She was alive! Lakea stared up into the bright lights over her hospital bed. She was so confused. Had it all been a dream? Did she really hear her father talking to her? Did she really see Jeremy? Suddenly as she stared up at the ceiling and her eyes moved frantically back and forth her brother Quan's face came into focus. There he stood as handsome as ever with a worried look on his face and tears falling from his eyes. Lakea tried to turn her head but it felt heavy and stuck to the bed.

  “Lakea!” Quan said crying as he laid his head on his big sister's chest.

  Lakea moved her arm and rubbed her brother's head as he embraced her.

  “She woke y'all!” Quan yelled running to the door as Anterrius, Anthony, MJ, Mesha, and Aunt Violet came rushing into the room.

  Lakea stared up into their loving faces going around the room. Then she noticed her standing in the back with her head down, it was her mama Felicia. Standing next to Felicia was a man Lakea recognized as her uncle Jacob, her daddy's best friend from childhood. He was tall and handsome with skin the same color as Lakea's and hazel, almond shaped eyes just like hers. He was Lakea's favorite uncle because he always played with her and brought her the best gifts when he came from Atlanta to visit. He called her his twin, his chocolate chip. Lakea looked back at Felicia and saw that tears were running down her cheeks and she was praying.

  “Mama”, Lakea said weakly.

  Everyone looked amazed as they cleared a path for Felicia so that she could stand right by Lakea. Lakea remembered how Jeremy and her father told her she had to let it go. She knew that it was necessary and she was willing to give it a try.

  “I'm sorry, baby. I'm so, so very sorry for everything!” Felicia cried as she kissed and held Lakea's hand.

  “I love you baby, please forgive me!” Felicia begged.

  Tears started to fall from Lakea's eyes. She loved her mama and even though she had hurt her so much in her life, Lakea hated to see her mama in pain. Lakea tried to turn her head again but she still couldn't.

  “Why can't I turn my head mama?” Lakea asked weakly.

  Just then a tall, handsome Caucasian doctor and two nurses walked in.

  “Oh, I see our patient is finally awake”, the doctor said smiling at Lakea as he checked her vitals and the nurses went about fixing medications and preparing for her sponge bath.

  “How nice of you to join us young lady after 2 and a half months”, the doctor said with a chuckle and Lakea's heart dropped.

  Lakea couldn't believe it. She had been in a coma for two and a half months.

  “What happened to me?” She whispered.

  The room had begun to spin and she felt like she was falling.

  “Well sweetie…” The doctor said looking into Lakea's eyes with a light.

  “You were shot two times, once in your head and once in the abdomen. The bullet that entered your head right above your temple came out behind your ear, missing your skull. That's why you cannot move your head”, the doctor said taking the brace off of her head.

  “We had to keep it stabilized until you were awake and we knew the extent of your injuries. There wasn't much structural damage done, but there was some neurological damage that caused your coma and which may require physical therapy to ensure full mobility of your limbs,”

  Just then Lakea remembered what Jeremy had said.

  “You have to go back for our child!”

  She was pregnant.

  ‘Oh my!’ Lakea thought.

  “Didn't he just say I was shot in the stomach?” Lakea began to panic.

  She couldn't lose her baby too; her only piece of Jeremy.

  “What about my baby?” Lakea asked frantically.

  Everyone in the room looked confused and amazed.

  “How does she know that she is pregnant?” Mesha asked Quan with a bewildered look on her face.

  Lakea heard Mesha's question so she turned her head slowly to look at Mesha and reply.

  “Jeremy told me”, Lakea said in a matter of fact tone.

  Everyone looked at each other then back at Lakea with sympathy in their eyes.

  “Your baby is okay”, Aunt Violet said.

  Just then Lakea reached down and touched her stomach. Then she felt it...LIFE! Her stomach was round and starting to protrude. She could feel her baby growing inside of her. Then with tears rolling down her face Felicia spoke to her daughter.

  “Baby Jeremy didn't make it,”

  Those words hurt Lakea to her core, but she already knew it. Jeremy had already given her the strength she needed to get through it. She had her baby and she was going to be the best mama she could be.

  “I know”, Lakea said as the tears fell from her eyes. Felicia and Violet hugged Lakea.

  Lakea could feel her mama's love for the first time in a long time. Just then the hospital door swung open and Lakea could hear the click of crutches hit the linoleum floor. She looked at Quan's face as he stared towards the door then looked back at her smiling. She wanted to know who it was he was smiling about. Lakea tried to stretch her neck to see around Mesha, but she couldn't. Mesha stepped to the side and Lakea could see who had just entered her room. Standing before her, walking on crutches due to the stab wound that was close to his spine, was Ray-Ray, her big brother. Lakea gasped loudly and then burst into tears. Her brother was alive and looked just like she remembered except for visible scares on his face and the crutches he had to use now to get around. Ray-Ray got to his sister as fast as he could and began to hug and plant kisses all over her face and cheeks. Lakea cried uncontrollably thanking the Lord for bringing her brother through. Ray-Ray cried too as he held his sister tight and stroked her hair.

  “I love you lil sis and I told you I would never leave you”, Ray-Ray whispered into Lakea's ear as she sobbed and held on to him.

  “Can I have a few minutes alone with my sister please?” Ray-Ray asked wiping the snot and tears from his face.

  Everyone hugged and kissed Lakea before they left the room. Jacob waited behind and slowly made his way to Lakea's bed.

  “Hey chocolate chip”, Jacob said handing her a dozen of pink roses, her favorite.

  “I just wanted to tell you how much I love you, and I would love to talk to you once you heal and get settled,”

  “OK, Uncle Jacob and love you too”, Lakea said staring up at him as he kissed her forehead and stared down at her battered body.

  He had a faraway look in his eyes. Lakea wondered what he wanted to talk about. Once Jacob left the room Ray-Ray sat on the bed beside her, looking into her eyes while rubbing her stomach.

  “Lil sis, I'm sorry about Jeremy”, Ray-Ray said as Lakea sobbed.

  “But you gotta know that maine loved you with all of his heart,”

  Lakea shook her head yes, indicating she knew how much Jeremy loved her.

  “I saw Jeremy the day I got fucked up and he gave me some stuff to give to you
”, Ray-Ray said as he took a small pink box and a long pink box out of his pocket.

  “It was like he knew something was going to happen to him and he wanted to make sure that you would be alright”, Ray Ray said staring at the boxes in his hand.

  Lakea began to cry a little harder thinking about how strong Jeremy's love was for her, and how she may never find another man to ever love and care about her as much as he did.

  Ray-Ray opened the long pink box he held in his hand and showed Lakea its contents. Inside was a key ring with a picture of them in high school attached to it. There were also two keys on the key ring inside the box along with a beautiful platinum chain with a heart shaped locket on it. Lakea wept and thought of her one true love as her brother unhooked the clasp and put the locket around her neck. Lakea touched the locket with her fingertips then she pulled the long chain up to her face and opened the locket to see pictures of herself and Jeremy inside. Lakea kissed Jeremy's picture then closed the locket and laid it over top of her heart while staring at her brother.