16 Oath of Pain

Aminah.....,

I couldn't begin to imagine what was going on through Wardell's head right now. Riley and Ryan were both cuddled and fast asleep on the bed. I knew they were tired from last nights events. Who wouldn't be ?

Wardell been quiet the whole morning. I haven't heard a peep from him since he woke up. Ayesha and Seth were currently under police custody for drunk driving and endangering a minor. Meanwhile, I just couldn't sleep after last night.

When I saw Wardell's first hit connect with Seth's nose, I couldn't stop him. It was like he turned into a whole new person. I didn't even know what I could say to him to make him feel better at this point. How could your own blood do something like that to you?

I watched from the bed as he flexed his knuckles and rubbed his jaw. Even while drunk, Seth still managed to get a few hits. Wardell's fists were red, black, and blue. His cheek was a bit red and his lip busted, however that didn't compare to what he did to Seth. Seth looked like a whole different person, Wardell practically almost rearranged his face.

Can you imagine what TMZ will be talking about later?

I quietly removed Ryan from my chest and stood up to use the bathroom. Wardell had been staring at his bruises all night and just stayed dead silent with a whole lot of pain in his eyes.

How could I help him in a time like this?

I grabbed some rubbing alcohol, a small towel and bandages before  sitting right next to him on the small sitting area on our window sill.

"Hey.." I softly smiled trying to lighten his mood. He didn't respond, just looked at me with this longing look and somehow I understood.

"Give me your hands." I spoke quietly and poured the rubbing alcohol Right on his busted knuckles. He hissed in pain and tightened his jaw.

"It's okay." I sighed and dabbed around his knuckles dry. I quickly wrapped the bandages around it hoping for quick healing.

The whole time Wardell just stared at me silently and watched me take care of him. Just as I finished wrapping his other hand I got an ice pack held it to his face.

It just scared me how silent he was. After a while of holding the freezing ice pack to his face, Wardell grabbed my hand so gently and kissed it. "Thank you."

It was the first words he said since last night. I nodded and just held his hand for a while until the sun came up.

By the time it hit 12 noon, the girls were still sleeping and I let them get every minute they needed. Wardell kept himself busy around the house the whole day, just avoiding me and possibly any form of communication.

The shock in my eyes was evident when his parents turned up on our doorstep within the next hour. His parents greeted me quickly and rushed to find Wardell. He was in the backyard practicing his jump-shot and listening to music. I, myself refused to bother him.

By the next hour Ryan was up and ready to run around. Unfortunately, Ryan had the same issue with her hair that I had to fix. The house was quiet and the long hours went by slow. I watched the backdoor where Wardell and his parents were the whole night.

By the time Riley and Ryan were sleeping again, that's when Wardell and his parents left the backyard. I didn't know what to say or do. I just stood in my seat around the island and kept drinking hot chocolate.

Wardell's mother gave me a warm hug and urged me to stand by him no matter what, especially in this really rough time. Of course, I agreed. I wouldn't dare to leave his side. It wasn't in my blood to do such.

Some time went by after his parents left and Wardell went upstairs to take a shower. I whipped up something quick for him to eat since he hadn't eaten all day and hoped that he wouldn't leave it where it was like he did this morning. I knew he was hungry but emotional times don't let you eat. I understood.

Wardell rushes downstairs in an all black tracksuit like he was ready to leave. I immediately followed him to the door. "H-hey where you going ?"

I stood up trying to get in front of him. "Out."

"I made you some food, y-you should eat before you go." I tucked a couple strands of hair behind my ear anxiously.

"Thank you. I'll be back." He kissed my forehead and left anyways. I didn't know how to feel. I picked up the plate of food and covered it before setting it in the microwave.

I made another cup of hot Chocolate and sat at the island quietly waiting. I was sure he'd be back soon, it seemed like he was going out for a run. I sighed.

Hours passed by and Wardell was nowhere to be found. I could barely keep my eyes open or my head up too long. It was about 8am when I heard the door open but I was way too tired to stay up anymore.

7 hours Later...,

When I woke up it was around 3pm. I shot up quicker then a bunch of teenagers caught smoking weed. I looked around and realized I was on the bed Wardell and I shared. I rubbed the guck out of my eyes and sat up still tired.

I rushed out of bed to do my hair and get dressed. How can I forget to stay up and make something for the girls to eat? I ran down the stairs hoping they weren't crying or hungry or attempting to make something themselves. Shit. Why didn't they wake me like they usually would.

When I got downstairs I took a deep breath. Wardell was on the couch with Ryan sprawled out in his lap watching tv and Riley was playing a game on his tablet. A smile rose on my face. I guess I worry too much sometimes, however, Wardell's face remained the same as yesterday.

"Mommyyyy!" Riley saw me sneak into the kitchen and shot up instantly.

"Hey Peanut." I smiled softly and engulfed her in my arms. She smiled widely, excited that I was finally able to join her for the rest of her day.

"You slept okay Mommy?" Her light doe eyes showed her concern.

"Of course baby. How has your day been so far?" I kissed her cheeks and ruffled her curls a bit.

"Welllll... Daddy took us out to get breakfast and then we saw Mamaw and Pawpaw." I chuckled at what she called her grandparents.

"Is that sooo?" I inquired with a huge smile.

"Yeaaa and Daddy took us to the park and I made a friend named Dariya and we played in the swings and the slide and she gave me this." She held up an adorable homemade candy bracelet.

"Oh my Gosh Peanut... it's beautiful." I cheesed Along with her. She seemed so happy that she made a friend and got a present I didn't want to take the moment away from her.

"L-look, try it on Mommy." I squeezed her into a tighter hug and sighed.

"Baby it's for you that can't fit my wrist." She pouted trying to figure out a way to fit in on my wrist.

"Tell you what, later, before you go to bed... we can make our own bracelets too." I smiled at her.

Riley twirled in excitement swinging colorful princess dress into happy swirls. I chuckled at her innocence. Sometimes you wish life could be that easy but it was clear that it wasn't. I laid a huge kiss on her forehead and watched her run back to the tablet with the biggest smile on her face. Nothing put my heart at ease more then that smile.

When I looked over at Ryan, she was fast asleep on Wardell's chest. His face seemed so sad, as if he was dead and couldn't change his expression. Wardell laid Ryan on the couch and stood up gesturing me to follow him. Of course, I followed.

Wardell lead me back upstairs to our room where he locked the door and sat on the bed. The room felt so thick with tension from the both of us. Lately we been arguing and that isn't us and the most recent situation didn't help at all. I bit my lip and slowly walked toward him. I didn't know what was bound to happen.

"I'm sorry for not coming home last night. I shouldn't have left you worrying about me the way you did. That's my fault and it's unforgivable." He looked me straight in my eyes.

I was taken back by his straight forward apology. My mouth was left ajar by surprise. "I-it's fine babe,.. I-,..."

Wardell cut me off by pulling me closer to him. "It's not fine Aminah. I shouldn't have worried you like that, it's not right. You don't have to tolerate what I do just because of what I'm going through right now. It's alright to speak up you know.." He paused and sighed.

"Baby I'm not tolerating your moods or you in general. Just know that I understand." I smiled softly at him and his eyes watered.

"I swear I would never do you the way Ayesha did me. I promise you I would never break your heart like that. That's some crazy shit man."

My heart ached seeing him cry. It was clear that he was going through some emotional turmoil far worse then I've ever been through. I pulled him into my chest and hugged him as tight as ever. Wardell held unto me  like a mother holding her dying child. I rubbed his head and back and tried to soothe his pain in any possible way I could. After a while he stopped crying and lifted me into his lap.  

"I just need to hold you right now... I-I it makes me feel so much better." He sniffed and slowly tightened his grip around my waist.

I sighed and got into bed with him. It was the most I could do to ease his pain.