Forty-nine and a half months locked away in that hell hole of Tennessee Correction Academy. I took a deep breath the moment I stepped out of the security gates. Although, it was the same I breathe on the yard, it seemed a little different. It was free air.
I boarded a van that took me to the bus station an hour away. All I had with me was a folder with my information and the $250.15 I made working in the auto shop while serving time.
I had to do something different with my life. Four years gave me a lot to think about. The streets no longer appealed to me. They had abused me, used me and then sent my ass off to prison. Taking me away from my family and my girl, Naomi. The sweetest girl in the world.
I remember the tears that streamed down her beautiful face when they sentenced me. She loved me more than I loved myself. I failed her and left her all alone. All because of a stupid mistake I made. I spoke to her two days before they sentenced me.
"If they give me the max, I need you to move on and forget about me. Live your life."
"Sean, what they hell are you talking about? You are my life. I will wait for you no matter how much time they give you."
"Baby, I don't want that kind of life for you. I messed up, not you. You shouldn't be a casualty for my bullshit."
"But...I can't live without you. "She sniffled.
"I love you way too much to have you put your life on hold waiting for me to get out. You're too smart for that. I've already held you up enough. I don't need you to be my ride or die. I need you do what's best for you. I'll be okay." I fought like hell to keep my voice from shaking as tears welled up in my eyes.
We sacrificed a lot to be together. Our family's disapproval. The looks and stares we got from complete strangers. Rumors and gossip plagued our entire relationship from the beginning. We were determined, and we were fell love.
I was never sure what Naomi saw in this white boy from the trailer park in poorest part of the city. Especially since she came from the suburbs. Her father was the pastor of one of the biggest churches in the city and was well respected all over Tennessee.
We met at an open mic night at Jimmy's. The first thing I noticed about her was her huge afro. Next was the rich hazel nut tone of her skin. She wasn't what you would typically see in an old country bar, but there she was. Gorgeous. I watched her as she swayed to the music, singing along to a Kenny Chesney song word for word. I was mesmerized by the curves of her body. Her jeans looked painted on. She had the perfect heart shaped butt. Not too big, but not small either. Just enough to grab a hold of.
I usually wasn't attracted to black girls; aside from Halle Berry and Beyonce. It was something about her. I had to get to know her. I sought my chance when she made her way over to the bar. She ordered a shot of whiskey. She tossed it back with no recoil. It was one of the hottest things I've ever seen a woman do.
"Drinking away your sorrows?"
She looked at me with big brown eyes. "You talking to me?"
"Yes, who else would I be talking to?"
She shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
"I'm drinking away my nerves." She signaled for the bartender to give her another shot.
"Why are you nervous?"
"I'm up next." She downed the shot.
"You're a singer?"
"Aren't we all?" She pointed to my guitar laying against the bar.
I nodded my head. "My name's Sean." I held my hand out. She accepted it.
"I'm..."
She was cut off by the host. "Naomi Clark, come to the stage."
"That's me."
"Good luck."
"Thank you." She weaved her way through the crowd. Once onstage, the audience was silent. She sat on a stool.
"Hi y'all this is my first time doing something like this. I'm a church girl and sang in choirs all my life., so this is quite different for me. I have an oldie but goody. It's my rendition of Kitty Wells 'Makin' Believe'.
There were a few cheers, but it was mostly silent. She began singing and you could hear a collective gasp fall over the room. Her voice was so smooth and soulful. She captivated the whole room. She sung with so much passion and conviction. One the last not the small bar erupted with applause.
She stood and placed her hand over her hear. Her smile spread from ear to ear.
"Wow Naomi that was amazing. You did the late great Kitty Wells absolute justice. Give it up for Naomi Clark everyone." The host said hugging her. She got a standing ovation.
They played house music when she exited the stage. She was stopped by a few people who complimented her performance. A few of them even took picture with her. She made her way back to the bar where I was still seated. I clapped my hands.
"Wow superstar. That was the best rendition I've ever heard. You did your thing."
"Thank you." Was she blushing?
"You're welcome. Another shot of whiskey on me?"
"Sure."
"I would hate to be the guy to have to follow after that."
"Hey, Sean where's your rowdy ass at? It's your turn bud."
"I so hate this." I said grabbing my guitar.
Her eyes widen once she realized it was me they were calling.
She giggled, "Good luck, cowboy."
I ran up on stage and sang the hell out of Eric Church's 'Drink in My Hand' The bar was jumping and folks dancing. I spotted Naomi, she moved closer to the stage. She raised a bottle of water and sung along with me. Her body moved with fluidity. I was smitten.
We were inseparable after that night. It started off as a friendship with music being our mutual interest. We jammed together. We even preformed a few times at 'Jimmy's' together.
My friends were always questioning me on why I preferred to hang out with a her instead of them. It was simple. She was an escape from the poverty-stricken environment I grew up in. She didn't treat me like a bum or trouble maker. She treated me like a human. Like I was someone in this world. She made me feel good. Better than the crowds I performed in front of.
Last, I heard, Naomi moved to Cleveland with her mother and started college a year after I was locked up. I missed her like crazy. I still dream about her. Her face was a reminder to stay out of trouble. She wrote me a few times. I didn't open them. I was afraid of appearing weak in front of my fellow inmates. I was happy she took my advice and moved on, even if it hurt like hell to do so.
A couple months after my release from prison, I was doing well for myself. My uncle, Fred gave me a job at his auto shop detailing cars. It wasn't a lot of money, but it was enough for me to get a studio apartment near downtown Nashville.
I was sitting at the bus stop contemplating if I wanted to head home or stop at a bar to get a few drinks.
"Hey Cowboy, you need a ride?" A familiar voice sung to me.
I looked up and standing across the street was an image to behold. There she was in a black dress and heels. Her hair was bone straight and hung pass her shoulders. She was leaning against a parked silver Ram 2500.
My heart sped up. It couldn't be. I jogged across the street.
"Naomi?"
"In the flesh."
I was in awe. She was even more beautiful than I remembered.
"What no hug?" She smiled.
I lift her up and hugged me around my neck. God, she felt so good in my arms. She smelled like warm vanilla. I put her down, but I still held onto her.
"You look amazing."
"Thank you. You look good too. I ran into your cousin, Terri at the grocery store. She told me you've were home and you were working for Fred. I stopped by his shop and he said you just left. I almost didn't recognize you. You're jacked and shit." She touched my bicep.
