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Alex parked on the pavement next to the wire fence of a shabby brick building in one of Kitalo City's lower income districts. He regarded me with worry in his eyes, his hand rubbing my thigh as I fiddled with the dress I had on.
"You sure you don't want me to go in there with you?" he asked for what must have been the fifteenth time since we left my place twenty minutes ago.
"I'm sure, Alex. I don't want to overwhelm her. She asked me to come, not me and my man." I said, rolling my eyes when a grin spread on his face from what I'd called him.
He pulled my hand into his and pulled it to his lips, the soft caress on the back of my hand easing away some of my tension. "I just don't want you to be overwhelmed."
"I won't be." I insisted, even though we both knew I was blatantly lying.
The neighbourhood Latoya's note led us to reminded me so much of Inde as soon as we took the first turn into it from a main road that led to town. The streets were littered with trash that the city council seemed to be in no hurry to clear up, young guys hanging around drinking and smoking in broad daylight, ladies of all shapes and sizes standing around in outfits that made it very obvious that they were selling their bodies.
It was strange being in Kitalo City and seeing an area so underdeveloped. Ninety percent of the city was well-kept. Even areas that were built specifically to appeal more to people living just above the poverty line were pleasant places to live in, with clean streets and budget friendly flats that had a strict vetting process for potential residents to avoid overcrowding and misconduct.
The building we parked next to was old and in poor condition, with holes in the fence where little children ran in and out happily, making the most of the horrible conditions they were living in, a burst sewer system pouring a putrid stream of water into the pavement, several broken windows on the side of the building that we had full view of, and a pedestrian turnstile that had no security system in place, judging by the number of people who just went in and out without having to unlock it. Every other building in the street was in a similar condition and I wondered how long Latoya had been living here and with who. I hoped with everything in me that I wouldn't meet my mom or DJ here today.
"Stop, Chey, your dress is perfect." Alex said as I pulled out my lint roller to smooth out the long sleeved velvet maxi dress I'd put on. "You're perfect. If your sister doesn't think so, she's crazy."
"You're my boyfriend," I giggled. "You're supposed to say that."
"I mean it, though." he said through a grin, and I let him take the roller from me. "You should go in. Get the answers you've been looking for."
I blew out a nervous breath and nodded, the wise words Dr. Baloyi had imparted to me over the week since I saw my sister again comforting me as Alex opened his door to accompany me on the short walk to the gate.
