This year has been hell. I did have a few good moments though. I no longer work in Sales. I invested in my own start up philanthropy work. An art studio specifically to help kids of all ages to have an outlet. I'd been saving for awhile and finally it felt right to make that next move.

Now my business is growing even further. I partnered up with some well known companies and brands. I'm trying to make this a movement. I reached out to a lot of my frat brothers and clients. They were more than willing to get on board.

I struggled trying to find out what I wanted to do with my life, and figuring out my path. It was always in me. It was just a matter of being strong enough to be ok with possible failure.

My goal is to reach as many kids all over this world as I can. Let them know they shouldn't be ashamed of being an artist. It's ok to express yourself and your work shouldn't be hidden. Rather it's poetry, music, or like myself painting. Just do it because it fulfills you.

So we are now in the process of opening a poetry lounge studio, a music studio and a few others. It's all for the kids, we offer classes, performances, studio time with engineers you name it.

My assistant Melanie, I had to fire her before I left advertising. She went too far with the flirting. She was in my office one day and we were going over her last meeting. She came on to me, she got out of her chair and plopped in my lap. I moved her off and she tried grabbing at my pants. She begged me to let her give me oral and that she desperately wanted to be with me.

Some would ask why didn't I just let her. She's a beautiful woman I won't deny her that. I'm just not feeling her or anybody right now. Raina still has my heart, that and the fact I was too focused on my next move. I was grinding, I didn't have time to try to move on. I didn't care to.

I hope she get some help, she need it. Talking about she would do anything to have me inside her. I know crazy when I see it.

I'm now at my parents house in the basement waiting on my dad to come home. He's been real distant lately. I'm not sure why and when I ask my mama about it she doesn't have any answers either.

"Hey son what's up, what are you doing here?" He walked joining me.

"Came to see you. You've been missing."

"Just been dealing with a lot at work that's all, hows things looking on your end. How's the new partnerships going?"

"Everything's working out, everyone's eager to make a difference." I paused. "Pops what's going on with you?"

"Nothing Adrian. I just said it's work."

"Why haven't you been home much? Why y'all acting so weird around here?"

"If you came by to question me then you can go ahead and leave. I answered you now that's it."

"Aight, I won't ask again."

I hung out with my pops for a little longer then headed over to Mikes. We've been hanging out again. Raina's away at Howard and I haven't seen or heard from her since I broke it off.

My drive over to Mikes was quiet, I couldn't shake the way my parents been lately. It's almost like they've been avoiding me to keep something from me. I will figure it out sooner or later. Things have definitely changed.

I am happy the squad is back together. Even though it took me losing, not a day goes by without me thinking about her.

I'm meeting Mike at his place because some people are coming by with a potential dog for KJ. I knocked and Mike came to the door.

"What up man?"

"Nothing much." I said walking in, Leah was in the living room watching tv and KJ was on the floor playing a learning game on the tablet.

"Hey Leah, hey KJ."

"Hey Adrian, how have you been?" She took her attention off the tv.

"I'm ok. I'm good."

"That's good." She smiled.

"What kind of dog is it and how did he get you to agree to it?" I sat in a vacant seat across from Mike and Leah.

"Its a Labrador Retriever, we met him. Michael tricked me taking a trip to Oregon. He took us shopping and then out to lunch. That's how he got me, talking about he had a surprise to show me." She smiled at Mike.

"I'm not gon' lie he was so cute. Today they're going to see how KJ is around him at home. If everything workouts we can get him."

"Yep we've already been approved and everything is in motion, now KJ will be the test. Putting the dog in our environment." Mike added.

"I'm sure he'll do fine." I replied to them.

The doorbell rang, Mike went to get it.

"Raina's doing really well." Leah said after Mike left the room. "She had a rough start getting settled but she's been excelling there too."

"That's good. I'm happy for her." I nodded.

"Yeah she-"

"Look, we don't have to do this. I'm moving forward and so is she. Things are better this way. That part of my life is closed."

I don't mean to be short with Leah but it's not her business and I don't want to talk about it ever.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry, but it is good to see you're doing well."

"No it's cool, I get it. We kind of put y'all in the crossfire a little bit."

"I'm still in the crossfire with Rai and Mike but I'm glad y'all are good now."

I nodded. Damn all this time has passed and they're still at odds, I still feel solely at fault. I should've never gotten out of my seat to check on her that Sunday. I never should've gave her my card, all of it's my fault.

Mike came in and told us to meet him out back with KJ.

"Wow how old is he?"I asked as we stood out back.

"He's 15 months." The ASDA trainer stated.

"Oh so he's an adult?" I asked curious.

"Yes, and naturally we try to wait until they are adults simply because they're more service dogs then they are pets. KJ would get more use from him at this age."

"Come on Xan." She called out to the dog and he followed her over to KJ.

KJ reached his hand out for her to give him the leash. She obliged.

"Wow, that's crazy." I chuckled amazed.

"Yeah that's the same thing he did the first time he saw him in Oregon." Mike proudly stated.

Xan walked beside KJ and sat down. Seems like a perfect fit to me.

"Babe look at our boy, he loves him already." Mike said while walking behind Leah weaving his arms around her.

"Mr. Xan is KJs dog now." KJ blurted out.

"That's right son." Mike said full of emotions.

"Yes. We'll take him. This was so worth it. Baby you were right." Leah said while Mike continued hugging her from behind, kissing on the back of her neck.

I chuckled softly at the sight of my best friend loving on his fiancé.

"Ok, I think we've already touched basis with everything. I will be in town for in home training, a lot of it is the same stuff from when you were in Oregon at the training center."

We nodded.

"This will mainly be getting him adjusted to fit your everyday life and getting you adjusted to his." She went on to say.

"Ok." Mike and Leah said in unison.

The trainer went on to helping them get started, Leah went over and observed KJ interacting with Xan. Mike and I sat in two lawn chairs not too far.

"How's everything going with business?" He started off asking.

"It's great actually. I got Nick and Chauncey on board."

"Chauncey playing for Golden State now right?" He sat back.

"Yep, Nick just got traded to Chicago."

"So what are ya'll doing exactly?" He queried intriguingly.

"Well they're partnering with me, my goal is to build all around the world. That's my plan but for now places artistically for kids to go to in the inner city areas."

"You've been real busy lately, you got guts man. I respect you for this. It takes a lot of courage to do what you're doing." He nodded.

"Yeah, I couldn't work in Sales forever, that's playing it safe. Im following my own dreams and not my fathers."

"What about you, how's the stuff with KJs biological father going?"

He sighed. "Man this shit is draining. He's still trying to see him. They arranged a supervised visit for next week."

"Damn, who arranged the visit?"

"The lawyers came to this agreement. They're trying to settle outside the court but he won't budge."

"He still think he can get Leah back?" I asked.

"Nah I think I got through to him, and he see I'm not going anywhere."

"As soon as I marry Leah I'm getting KJs last name changed." He nodded pulling at his beard.

"KJ knows who his daddy is and that's you, so that's all that matters."

"One sign of inconsistency and he's gone."

"I feel you."

"I'm actually wanting to do an official engagement party, since we did everything in Nairobi. I haven't had time to do it since we've been back."

"When you want to do it?" I asked him.

"I don't know yet. —Just some friends and us hanging out having some fun."

"Cool, well I'm there. Just keep me posted. If you need me to do anything."

"Aight. It probably won't be until a few more months. Especially with all our schedules and everything.

We chatted it up more until I got ready to head home.

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