Aaron's Fall (2 page)

“Let’s go,” Tianna, ordered breaking the moment. Asia lowered her eyes, her face heated.

. Tianna and Martin left the dressing room followed by Asia and Aaron. When the stage door opened, Asia stopped so suddenly Aaron almost run into her. She could feel the panic rise up inside her as the darkness seemed to surround and suffocate her. .

“Aaron turned her to face him Asia?” Aaron said concerned. With fearful eyes, she looked up at him. He could feel her trembling beneath his hands.

“Asia, are you alright?”

Tianna and Martin turned when they realized Asia and Aaron were not following. Tianna rushed back to them, concern etching her face.

“Asia, what’s wrong?”

“I can’t, I’m sorry,” she muttered, tears welling in her eyes.

Tianna looked at Martin and Aaron. “Sh... Sh, it’s okay, we won’t let anything happen to you, I promise,” she said trying to reassure her.

“Asia,” Aaron said her name softly, taking her hand in his. Asia’s head turned to look at him. “We won’t let anything happen to you, I promise,”

Asia studied his face. Could she trust him, with his warm brown sultry eyes, eyes that did not show the pity she expected to see, just concern. Her hand tightened around his. She nodded.

Tianna looked from Asia to Aaron, surprised by what she saw. Aaron was genuinely concerned about Asia.

“Okay, let’s get you home,” Tianna said with a smile.

Asia directed them to where she lives. Tianna couldn’t believe what she saw. The area was deplorable. Tianna looked at Asia, no wonder she didn’t come out at night.
This was a side of life as an African American that she knew nothing about, unless she heard it on the news or movies she seen focusing on life in the ghetto. It brought tears to her eyes. She understood now why Asia was so frighten at night.

The area was dank and dirty, The some houses and apartment buildings on the block were grouped together with small shabby yards that looked as if they had never met a lawnmower. To say this was the hood was an understatement. Children still out at this hour running and playing on the sidewalk.
Groups of young men standing on the corners and sitting on stoops drink from bag paper bags. Rap music played so loud they could hear the bass vibrating in the car as they passed the blocks. Flickering streetlight flickered off and on, some illumining abandon stripped cars parked in various locations on the street. As they drove further into the neighborhood it didn’t appear to get any better.

Tia turned looking back at Asia. “Asia?” Tianna said frowning.

Shame went through Asia. Asia heard Mrs. Holland gasped. She glanced at the man beside her as he took in the deplorable sight of the neighborhood she live in.

“Its okay, I’ve lived here most of my life, I usually don’t come out at night. Here this is where I live,” she said looking out the window. Tia and Aaron exchanged looks. In her eyes she saw the pity. What did she expect from these obvious wealthy people? This was her home. At least she had a roof over her head. She would take living in this shabby decrepit house over living homeless on the streets. It was hers mortgage free. She was accustomed to seeing men handing out on their stoops drinking from paper bags. Seeing hustlers selling t shirts and hot jewelry was a daily occurrence in the neighborhood. Asia knew she was poor and lived poor. It just hurt and embarrassed her when wealthy people pity her.

“Thank you,” she muttered shyly. “Can you wait until I get inside?” she asked.

“I’ll walk you,” Aaron offered, opening the door for her. She put her small hand in his. “Thank you,” she said softly. Aaron stepped aside to let her pass, but she didn’t let go of his hand, pulling him along with her.

Tianna rolled her window down. “Asia come by the studio tomorrow.”

Aaron walked her to the door and didn’t leave until he heard four clicks indicated that she had locked herself in.

Asia let herself into the house and locked her door, keeping out the danger she knew larked outside her door. Because she knew that with the coming of night that the neighborhood drug dealers, crack heads, prostitutes and pimps would be out doing business. Her two bedroom one bath house didn’t have much but her second hand furniture which had seen better days. Her home was neat and clean with the small amount of furnishings that were arranged in the living room. She knew it wasn’t much but it was her home.

Chapter Two

Asia arrived outside the studio early the following morning. She eased open the door and was greeted by a friendly middle-aged woman who sat behind a desk in the reception area. Quietly Asia told her who she was. The woman told her that Mrs. Holland was expecting her and showed her in to one of the rehearsal rooms where she was to await Mrs. Holland.

All night Asia wondered why Mrs. Holland wanted to see her. So many things went through her head. Was it possible she didn’t like her performance, she thought. No, she had already said she was pleased. Then why? Asia frowned, silently berated herself. She should have never let them see where she lives, she thought; and Aaron. She groaned. He must really think she some sort of ghetto dweller.

Asia sighed. He was the most handsome man she has ever seen up close. She had seen handsome men before from afar, but she never actually met any. She bet his handsome face affected all women, she knew for certainly he affected her. Get yourself together Asia chided herself. A man like Aaron Harrison could never be attracted to a person like her. It didn’t matter, she wasn’t interested in a relationship, and in fact she did her best to avoid having any contact with men.

After being held hostage for two years to a man, she never wanted. And for those two years, she lived in daily constant fear. God forgive her but the day Marcus had gotten himself killed, she was ashamed to admit it, but the only thing she could think of was she was free of him. During those two years in bondage, she had accepted his verbal and physical abuse on a daily basis. She still was haunted with the memories of her life with Marcus and the nightmares of the night he died.

Asia wrapped her arms around herself. Chills racing through her as recalled that fate less night sent. Marcus the neighborhood drug dealer, proclaimed king of the block. Ironically, the people that reside on the block believed it too. They knew if Marcus was crossed, it was hell to pay. One time the neighborhood watched as Marcus and his thug friends, but a man near death. So the people learned to look the other way when things happen. Whenever the police came around asking questions they all claimed they knew nothing. If Marcus found out anyone talked to the police and it didn’t matter if it involved him or not just talking to the police made him suspicious and that person would suffer Marcus cruelty. So people kept quiet.

The night Marcus died was still so very clear in her head. It was an odd night, not yet nine o’clock, yet dark enough for the few street lights to come on. Usually the neighborhood block was full with activity. People usually sat on their stoops taking in the cool summer air, kids playing in the street, loud music coming from nearby houses, and down on the corners. Not even Marcus’s runners were at their usually spots under the streetlight. This particular night Marcus forced her go with him to one of his partner’s house, it was fruitless to refuse him, and refusal would only get her beaten.

When they stepped out on the porch, a car pulled up in front of them without any warning they started shooting. Stunned she watched as bullets ripped into Marcus, his body jerking from the impact of the shots. Stunned and astound she stood watching until a stray bullet hitting her in the shoulder. If she had not been a few feet behind him she probably would have gotten killed that night. Marcus died that night on the porch, even as she lay there injured all she could think of was she was free. No more physical and mental abuse from a man she didn’t ask for, and no more strange people in and out of her house. That night had a huge impact on her life. An unshakable fear striped down her defenses making her vulnerable as well as cowardly, because of that tragic night, going out at night put fear in her she could not overcome. Because of that tragic night, she refused to go out during nightfall. Tragically, she started keeping every light in her house was on in the evenings, and she slept with them on. If she had to go out it was only during the daylight hours, and she made sure she didn’t let the sun go down with her outside. That was three years ago, and still she lived with this terror.

“Hello Asia,” Tianna said coming into the studio. Startled Asia turned quickly.

“Hello Mrs. Holland,” she greeted desperate to push her terrifying thoughts away…

“Please Asia, call me Tia.” Tianna said smiling. “Come, let’s sit I want to talk to you about something.” Asia followed Tia into a small room with benches that lined the walls. A dressing room Asia surmised. After they sat, Tia took a deep breath before she spoke.

“Asia I don’t know how to say this…,” Tia paused for a second trying to find the right words.

“You don’t want me to sing for you again.” Asia jumped to the dreaded conclusion; it was as she had thought; disappointment apparent on her face.

“No it’s not that,” Tia assured her quickly. “I‘m very pleased with your talent, it I have to say is hard because I don't want you to think I am judging you. Tia shrugged. “I just simply have to say it bluntly; I have a loft above the studio, and I thought maybe you could live there, I mean, after seeing where you living, a single unprotected and alone, and well Asia I’m sorry the place is awful.”

Asia stared at Tia. “A loft?” she repeated confused.

“Yes, right here, I’m not using it, and it will be perfect for you, come let me show you,” Tia replied rising.

Asia followed her up the stairs. Tia opened the door wide so she could see inside.

It was a large open area, with light wood floors, a kitchen on the north side of the room, and the other side was a large platform she assumed for a bed. The living area was spacious and windows all around. Asia followed Tia to another area where a large bathroom, with a large glass enclosed shower, vanity, and toilet.

“So what do you think?” Tia asked smiling.

“It’s beautiful, but I can’t afford this,” Asia said simply.

“I don’t want your money Asia; I just want you to be safe.” Tianna said with concerned.

“I have to pay something Tia, I don’t like hand outs,” she said prideful.

Tia nodded. “Okay, Asia pay me one hundred dollars a month.

Asia looked over the room again. She so badly wanted to get out of the neighborhood. She looked around the room longingly.

“Are you sure?” Asia asked after a minute.

Tianna smiled nodding.

“Okay, thank you so much.” To never to go back to the neighborhood made Asia weak with relief. To never lock the four locks on her door and the many on the windows in her house was a dream come true. It was her mother home, and after her mother died, it never felt like home again. Then when Marcus forced his way in her house turning it into a haven for his thugs, drugs and guns it no longer was a place she wanted to be. How many times had she dreamed of walking out of that neighborhood to never return, but she could never afford to move out on hotel housekeepers wages.

Tia exhaled. “Good, now all we have to do is pack and move you in, I’ll get Martin and Aaron to help us. There’s an outside entrance, so you won’t have to come through the studio all the time, when do you want to move?” Tia asked, smiling broadly.

“Can I come today, I don’t have much, my furniture is old and ratty, I wouldn’t want to bring that here, just my personal stuff which isn’t much.”

“Good let go now and start.” Tia offered excitedly.

“Are you sure?” Asia asked warily.

“Come on girl, you could be moved in before dark, let me call the guys.”

Tia and Asia went to her house. She truly didn’t have much. They had the boxes packed and loaded into Tia’s SUV within two hours and on their way back to the studio. Asia didn’t look back.

“Martin and Aaron will meet us at the studio, is that okay?” Tia replied as they drove back to the studio.

“Tia, thank you,” she said softly, “You don’t know how grateful I am for this.”

“It’s okay I’m just glad you decided to accept it, I was so afraid I would offend you by offering the loft.” Tia replied reaching over to pat her hand.

“Offend me?” Asia repeated. Mrs.…Tia you don’t know how relieved I am. I don’t have to go back to that neighborhood.

Tia smiled, I’m just glad your going to live here. I worried about you all night.

Tia and Asia pulled into the driveway of the studio and started unloading the car. A few minutes later Martin pulled up and parked beside the car, Aaron behind him. Tianna waved, smiling.

Asia turned to see Aaron and Martin getting out of his car. She hadn’t notice how big Aaron really was. She was acutely conscious of his tall, athletic physique, the powerful set of shoulders, his broad chest, and muscular arms in the causal shirt he wore.

“Hi Tia,” Aaron said going around her to Asia taking the box from her hands.

“Hello Asia.” he said smiling. Her eyes lowered. “Hello,” she said softly, stepping back.

Aaron frowned. Why is she so frightened he wondered. She appeared very fragile and he felt the urge to pull her in his arms and hold her and make her feel safe.

Aaron moved around her and went up the stairs with the box, Asia stood where she was, she couldn’t move if she wanted to. Tianna came to stand beside her.

“Asia you okay?”

“He makes me nervous,” she whispered.

Tia frowned. “Nervous?”

“Yes,” she said and went grabbed another box from the SUV. She turned and walked to the stairs with a box in her arms. Aaron was coming down; when she saw him, she dropped the box.

“Oh no!” she cried when she heard the crash. Dropping to her knees, she opened the box in haste to examine the damage. She knew before she opened the box the few dishes she owned were broken. She looked up to see Aaron watching her.

Aaron couldn’t seem to take his eyes from Asia. Wisp of hair came free of her loose ponytail, the warm spring breeze lifting them. A look of despair on her face as she looked into the dropped box. Aaron came down the stairs.