Chapter 2 :: A New Life

Kia Ray POV

had to figure out how to move forward. The weight of grief was heavy on my shoulders, but I had to push through for Aries' sake. The days felt long and empty without Dustin by my side, his absence a constant ache in my heart.

I tried to distract myself with taking care of Aries, but the pain of losing my friend was always there, lingering in the background. I felt lost and alone, unsure of how to navigate this new reality without him.

As I sorted through the remnants of our wedding plans, I couldn't help but feel a sense of bitterness. The dreams we had shared were now shattered, replaced by a harsh reality I never could have imagined. I had to make tough decisions, cutting costs and making sacrifices to make ends meet.

But through it all, Aries was my guiding light. His innocent smile and laughter brought me moments of joy in the midst of my sorrow. I knew I had to be strong for him, to be the best mother I could be despite my own pain.

One month after Dustin's death, I was still reeling from the shock of losing him. But I knew I had to keep moving forward, for Aries and for myself. The road ahead was uncertain and daunting, but I was determined to face it head-on, one day at a time.

Two months gone, we were excited for this new adventure in downtown Brooklyn. The bustling streets, the vibrant culture, and the endless possibilities that awaited us in our new neighborhood. As we stepped into our new apartment, Aries let out a squeal of excitement, his eyes wide with wonder at the new space we would call home.

The elevator ride up to the fourth floor was quick, but as the doors opened, I could feel the anticipation building inside me. This was a fresh start, a chance to create new memories and forge new connections.

As I set down the last box in our new living room, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of all the adventures that awaited us. Aries ran over to his basket of toys, already making himself at home in our new space. this two-bedroom apartment may not have the rooftop garden like our old place, but I knew that we would make this new apartment our own. We would explore the streets of downtown Brooklyn, discover new parks and playgrounds, and make memories that would last a lifetime.

As I looked out the window at the bustling city below, I knew that this was just the beginning of our grand adventure in downtown Brooklyn. And I couldn't wait to see where this new chapter would take us.

"That's your room, the first one down the hall," I said, watching as Aries took in the space. "Do you like it?" I asked, hoping he felt comfortable in his new home. It was a far cry from the orphanage he came from, and I was grateful to have him as part of our family. Dustin and I had always talked about adopting kids, and Aries was like an early wedding plan to us. His presence brought a new light and joy into our lives, and I couldn't imagine our home without him now that Dustin is gone.I put the box down and soon my stomach grumbles. "Want to go have dinner outside?" I asked and he nodded.

We took the elevator and he was glued to his iPad, while I checked the bills we needed to pay. Aries needed school supplies for his art project, and I was trying to pick up as many part-time jobs as possible - from Caroline's diner in downtown Brooklyn to the Monte El restaurant in the upper east side.

The upcoming school year, and I made a mental note to go shopping for him soon. As the elevator dinged open, we stepped out into the warm evening air and headed towards our favorite diner.

we walk in and we found a cozy booth, by the window a waitress in her forties handed us the menu. “is he your son?, does he take after his dad ?”. she ask with a smile. “Thank you, he definitely takes after his dad” I replied, flipping through the menu.. Fiona took our drink orders and left us to decide on our meal.

Aries ordered a classic bacon and eggs sandwiches, while I opted for the avocado toast.

Aries was busy with his Ipad, his tongue sticking out in concentration, I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Fiona stopped by she drops a basket of fries.

“Its on the house darling ” as she stroll away, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her friendly demeanor. This was going to be a good meal.we chatted about our plans for the day. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with the sound of sizzling coming from the kitchen, our meal arrived in no time, and we dug in, enjoying the simple yet delicious meal.

. “What color do you want to paint?” he strokes his hands on his chin momentarily and grins. “Blue! Daddy loves blue” It felt like a knife had pricked my heart at that moment, why did he have to die? “Yes, he did, I'm sure he will love it” Tears fell off my eyes but I flushed staring at him. Fiona soon returned while she Pick up dirty dishes she gave me a card. “Kia, everything happens for a reason, the almighty knows best” I didn’t tell her my name

how does she know my name ?. Why did she want me to call that number so urgently? Was it a matter of life and death? Was she in trouble? I couldn't shake off the uneasiness that settled in my stomach.

Once alone, my mind wandered off to the waitress at the diner, but I kept the card in the basket on the dinner table. "Kia, tomorrow you're going to return to work strong and healthy," I tried to motivate myself by chanting the mantra "I can do it," putting on a strong girl's face. The alarm on my bedside table went off, and I could hear the sound of the train in the distance. "Damn, I'm late again," I thought as I ran into the shower, the cold water hitting my skin. Once out, I knocked on Aries's door and found that he was already up. I made breakfast, and we quickly ate, almost as quickly as when we sat down. We began our morning routine, and I asked, "Do you know where to go after school?" Aries replied, "Yes, Mom, I will take the Line 5 subway at the church avenue, which takes me to the 86th, and then walk a little to Monte El." "Good boy, do you have your money?" I asked. "Check," he replied, holding up his phone for emergencies. "And take a sweatshirt, it might rain today," I said, but he frowned. "You always say that, but the weather forecast says it won't," he pointed out. I tousled his hair and said, "You're too smart for me." I grabbed my purse and jacket, and we headed out. Aries joined the school bus, while I walked to the train station at Church Avenue to board the train headed to 86th. As the train reached the terminal, I put on my headphones. I arrived at Monte El on the Upper East Side. thankful that the manager had not yet arrived, I quickly changed into my uniform, and came out just as Rico, the manager walked in.