The Lighthouse of Love

I sat in front of Auntie Bethea, the house smelled of collard greens made with turkey tails, cornbread with honey and sweet butter. She wore a beautiful dress. It is the place I came to lay my burdens down. Auntie Bethea greeted me with a warm smile and as she opened the door. She was dressed in a beautiful yellow housecoat, her silver hair pulled neatly in a hair bun. She blurted out, “you can’t heal w what you won’t face, Laurel.”

“I don’t want to. It hurts to see him again. I didn’t mess us up he did.”

She scoop the greens with a ladle in a bowl and placed it in front of me. She made sure to give me an extra turkey tail. The corn bread on a plate, she drizzle honey onit. She took her fingertips and wiped my tears.

“I know but do it for your healing so your heart can go on.”

“I might hit him in the eye.” She chuckled.

“Eat and listen.” She walked over to the record player, placed the vinyl on the record player. Donny Hathaway signature voice sang about being alone. Without permission tears fell and I couldn’t eat my favorite meal. The knock on the door startled me and Auntie Bethea blurted out, “I invited Luke, Laurel. Don’t be mad. Catch your healing, hear his truth.”

I sucked my teeth and said, “Auntie seriously I’m not ready what part don’t you understand?”

“Im old and hard of hearing. You look good too, hair freshly did, make up on point even with tears stains. My beautiful niece.”

I straighten my dress, checked that I didn’t look like what I felt in her mirror. The image of him appeared. He wore his clothing line Asante tank top that showed the definition of his muscles, his sweats showed the print of his manhood. He smiled and his white teeth lit up the room, his dimples dug in deep.

“Hello Laurel.”

“Hey.” I wanted to run and hide, hang my head and cry. I could hear Auntie Voice never hang your head. He…

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