Behind Communication Lines
*typing* Rasheed: Damn pretty girl what I do?
Olumide: You’ve done nothing, I haven’t been able to reach out to anyone. I had to go away to handle a court case.
Rasheed: You? How were you involved?
Olumide: Someone tried to end my life and it didn’t work out how they planned. Of course, this had to be proven to a jury of 12.
Rasheed: Damn, and here I’m thinking you were intentionally ignoring me.
Olumide: Agreement 3 Don’t make assumptions. The positive about that case is that I was able to enforce a lot of new agreements.
Rasheed: Who was this person that wanted to harm you?
Olumide: I didn’t know them personally. One evening I was walking alone, and they appeared from the shadows. It was a man, Black, middle-aged, potentially mentally disturbed. He brandished a gun and told me to listen to him or he would shoot me. I was slightly startled but unafraid, I had to think about what my next move was. He led me to an alley to a space behind a large trash heap and instructed me to pull down my pants. I did. He walked towards me with his dick in his hand and I swung my hand across his face as hard as I could with my brass knuckles (he was unaware that I was wearing them because they look like jewelry). He stumbled but I knew it would be dumb to run, he had a gun. I kicked him in his groin knocking him down, stomped his stomach, and grabbed his gun shooting him in both legs. Unfortunately for him, he had underlying health conditions and the shot hit a major artery. I did not run. I called the police immediately and they came and the process began.
Rasheed: Wow, I’m sorry you had to experience that. How has that experience impacted you? Are you afraid to be alone at night now? How did your family respond?
Olumide: No, I’m not afraid to be alone at night. I’ve continued to walk alone if I’m leaving from work but I continue to stay armed. I don’t have a gun but I believe I have enough. I am interested in taking a martial arts course. Of course, my family was extremely upset and concerned. Financially, They’ve made sure I don’t have to walk home alone at night. I’ve enrolled in driving school and I’ll be able to get a license in the next few months. I’ve been promised a vehicle.
Rasheed: Good, good. I think it would be dope for you to take a martial arts course and see how far you go with it depending on if you like it. Having a car changes your life and since you don’t have a gun you never know if the next crazy will shoot first and ask questions later. I’m really happy that you are safe and free. I have thought about you plenty of times during this period but I wasn’t sure if you want me like I want you.
Olumide: I want you. Before that situation occurred, I thought about you profusely. Wanted to call you, also wanted to give you time and space. Continuing to work on my communication trauma but our experiences are etched in my memory. Needless to say, I do miss you and I still like you. I hope you’ve been well.
Rasheed: I miss you. I want you. I like you. I want to feel you again if the feeling is mutual.
Olumide: I guess we both learned something about communication, which is good. Let’s keep it wide open. I don’t want all that time to elapse without us speaking to each other. When you think of me and want to communicate do so. I will do the same if that’s what you want…
Rasheed: I do.
