Ten
It was like they never left each other at all.
Aaliyah and Ocean explored Atlanta and everything it had to offer. She took him all of the touristy spots like the Georgia Aquarium and Botanical Garden. She also took him to hidden gems like Junkman’s Daughter. They stopped by Fresh Nectar, a clothing brand co-owned by Ocean’s brother, Soul, and received free clothing.
Aaliyah didn’t typically wore a lot of urban clothing but saw a super cute hemp bracelet and matching necklace, so Ocean got it for her. She also picked up some waist beads at another local shop.
“What do the waist beads do?” Ocean asked.
“Well, these promote energy and healing,” Aaliyah replied as she admired the turquoise and purple beads, “good vibes all around.”
“Mmm,” he snaked an arm around her waist and kissed her temple, “I like that how that sounds.”
Aaliyah shivered as Ocean touched her. She would never get over feeling Ocean on her body. She almost forgot why they finally escaped her condo. Ocean’s surprise phone call from his mother wasn’t a surprise at all. She reminded him about Briana Gooding’s fundraiser that weekend. “I don’t have anything for this weekend’s fundraiser.”
“I thought that’s why we’re out shopping right now?” He asked. “You wanted to buy a gown since you didn’t have one?”
“I do but…” Aaliyah paused. “…are you sure you want to make a public appearance like this so soon?”
“You wanted to be a part of my life, rainbow.” He politely reminded her as they walked down the street. “This is my life now.”
“I know that and I get it but we’re still trying to figure things out between us. A public appearance might tell people something.” She countered.
“Like?”
“We’re together,” she replied, “and you still haven’t figured out how you were going to handle your father with that info.”
“He’ll deal.” Ocean stated.
Aaliyah didn’t like how lackadaisical Ocean was about his father’s power. Ocean may have been used to it but Aaliyah never could be. “You’re willing to risk me being told off by your father in front of the wealthy and elite?” Aaliyah asked. “How romantic of you.”
“He wouldn’t do that.” Ocean reassured. “He has too much pride to do something that despicable.”
“Does he now?” Aaliyah asked. She folded her lips together and refrained from saying anything further. “Okay.”
“The fundraiser is for Briana Gooding,” Ocean replied, “so, my father will not make a scene when it’s a fundraiser than benefits her and the rest of the Democratic party.”
“You sure you want me there?” Aaliyah looked over at him. Even with the bright sun shining down on them both, Ocean was gorgeous as ever. “I might make things uncomfortable for everyone.”
“If you’re going to be with me, I’m not going to hide you.” He lifted up her hand and kissed it. “Besides, I’m sure you want to see everyone again.”
“If you mean your brothers, yes.” Aaliyah smiled.
After a day of shopping, the pair returned and watched TV while catching up on their respective work. Ocean went over another bill while Aaliyah finished working on the lion’s head tattoo.
They settled back into a quiet familiarity with each other. Being in the same space, yet doing their respective interests. It felt warm, and at home, as if they’d always done this routine and it was just another day in the Ellison household.
Aaliyah briefly wondered if it would be like that once they’re married. “What made you go into civil rights service?” Aaliyah asked as she sat at her dining room table.
“A part of it was seeing how my father interacted with the community. Despite his personal misgivings, he was about equality and justice for all.” Ocean said as he prepared dinner. “He was about Black Lives Matter before it became a hashtag. I had a lot of black friends when I went to college and just hearing their stories about being followed in a store, harassed by the police, and automatically being assumed they’re criminals when they’re working on their degrees?” He shook his head. “I had to get involved and I did.”
“Were your parents okay with it or were they like, ‘Stay out of this, this is not your fight’?”
“My mom was gung-ho and my father was to an extent,” Ocean replied, “my father went through a lot back then with people calling him all sorts of names ranging fromnigger lovertowiggerto everything else under the sun. I’m not sure if it ever bothered him but I do know he didn’t want us to be subjected to that as well.” He paused for a beat. “Which is why he didn’t want us to have black girlfriends.”
Everything began to make perfect sense to Aaliyah. It didn’t matter if she came dressed as nun or if she presented her true self to Thomas, he wouldn’t have accepted her, anyway. “Yet, you and your brothers all have black girlfriends?”
“When you make something forbidden, you naturally want it more.” He replied. “I’m attracted to most women regardless of race.”
