Array Ashley: The Last Chapter

She thought about being in the basement of Ma’tee’s home and being hopeless and ready to die. She thought she would never escape his grasp, but to be married and starting a new chapter in her life brought joy to her heart.

Mecca wanted to confess to his sister and tell her all of the wrong he had done, just as he had done with the priest, but he could not bring himself to let Breeze know that he had betrayed the family in such a heinous way. How was he supposed to tell her that he had murdered his own twin brother and reignited the beef with the Haitians? All of Mecca’s betrayals eventually led to the death of Taryn and Breeze’s own kidnapping. How could he tell her this? He couldn’t, because he feared that she would never forgive him, and he needed his sister to look at him with admiration as she had always done.

He needed her love like he needed the air in his lungs, so as he stood before her, the only words he could let slip out of his quivering lips were, “Sorry. I’m so sorry.” He gently grabbed her shoulders and looked into her beautiful eyes. He saw his father’s features in Breeze, and also their mother’s, and it tore Mecca’s insides apart.

Breeze looked into Mecca’s eyes and felt his pain through the windows to his soul. She didn’t understand fully what Mecca was sorry for, but something told her not to ask. Breeze just smiled and nodded her head.

“It’s okay, Mecca. I forgive you,” she whispered as she wiped the single tear that streamed down his clenched jawbone. She didn’t know what she was forgiving Mecca for, but she understood that he needed to experience forgiveness. She felt obligated to let him know that whatever he had done, it was in the past.

Zyir finished his brief conversation with Carter and headed over to Mecca and Breeze. He approached Mecca as Breeze stepped back and gave them room to converse.

“Congratulations,” Mecca whispered as he looked at his comrade, Zyir.

“Thanks, fam,” Zyir said with a smirk on his face. He embraced Mecca and hugged him tightly as he cherished the moment. He knew Mecca was a gangster, and real always recognized real. Needless to say, Zyir respected Mecca and vice versa.

Mecca noticed that Zyir hugged him tightly, and Mecca felt the genuine love coming from his new brother-in-law. The moment was almost enough to make Mecca cry again, but he held his composure and respected the authenticity of Zyir.

Zyir hugged Mecca like it would be the last time he would see him. “I love you bro,” Zyir said as he released his embrace.

“I love you too. Take care of my sister, a’ight,” Mecca said as he winked at Breeze.

“I got you,” Zyir said as he held out his arm for Breeze to latch on. Breeze did so, and they strolled down the aisle and out of the doors, where a cocaine white limo was waiting for them at the foot of the steps. The newlyweds were off to board a private jet to Rome for a weeklong honeymoon.

Carter and Mecca watched as they disappeared behind the large double doors of the sanctuary, both of them with smiles on their faces. Mecca looked to Carter and rested his hand on Carter’s shoulder.

“That’s our baby sister right there. I’m glad to see her happy,” Mecca said with deep sincerity.

“Yeah, Zyir’s a good dude. I raised that kid. I know that he’s one hundred percent… no cut. He is going to take care of his family no matter what,” Carter stated with a blank expression on his face.

Carter’s words were like a dagger straight to Mecca’s heart, as Mecca thought about his ultimate betrayal of his own family. He knew at that very moment that he wasn’t cut from the same cloth as Zyir or Carter. It was the hurtful truth that he would have to live with for the rest of his life.

“We all we got,” Mecca said as he looked into Carter’s eyes.

Carter noticed that Mecca’s eyes didn’t reflect that of a killer’s. Mecca looked as vulnerable as a lost young boy, and his words were heartfelt and without prejudice. Mecca truly meant what he had just said. He had made the transformation. Mecca was ready to leave the gangster life alone and live life without regrets. He hoped that the new country of Brazil could give him peace of mind and rinse him of the blood that seemed to stain his hands back in Miami.

The priest walked up to them and prepared to exit the church. He shook Mecca’s hand and then Carter’s.

“Thank you, Father,” Carter said as he gripped the priest’s hand. The priest exited the church, leaving Mecca and Carter alone.

Mecca put both of his hands in his pockets and turned on his heels.

“Excuse me for a second, bro. I have to make a quick phone call,” Mecca said.

Carter nodded his head and watched as Mecca faded into the back of the church where the dressing room was located. Carter thought back to the day that he was in the confessional booth and Mecca told on himself. He thought about how Mecca had killed the only love of his life, Miamor. He also thought about how Mecca cold-bloodedly killed Monroe.

Carter shook his head, not believing the disloyal acts of his only remaining brother. Images of Miamor smiling and in his arms popped into his thoughts, instantly making Carter chuckle while remembering the bond that they once had shared. He remembered how gangster she was, yet she was so soft, so ladylike. Miamor was built for a gangster like him, and Mecca had taken that away from him.

“I love you, Miamor,” Carter whispered as he looked to the head of the church and stared at the cross with a statue of Jesus Christ hanging on it. He hoped Miamor heard him from the depths of the heavens. Little did he know, with Miamor’s resume, she was probably in hell smoking a blunt. That’s a real bitch.

Mecca held his cell phone up to his ear, waiting for the person he was calling to answer.

“I’m on my way to the airport now,” Leena said as she smiled and made her way through the airport with her son by her side. She wore oversized sunglasses and a wrap over her head to try to disguise herself from any of Estes’ goons. Her son had on a baseball cap and heavy clothing, making him chunkier than usual. She was in a rush, trying to get to Mecca, the man she loved, the man who had once almost taken her life. She had snuck away from Estes and was on her way to Brazil to raise her son with Mecca.

Mecca smiled when he heard her voice, and the thought of sharing a life with Leena was inspirational. “Hurry up and get to me, baby,” Mecca said, filled with joy.

“I can’t wait to see you,” Leena said as she gave the flight attendant her boarding passes.

“I can’t wait to see you either, beautiful. I am going to make this right, and we are going to be a family. I am going to raise that boy like he is mine and teach him how to be a man… a good man. Just like his father was,” Mecca said, meaning every word of what he was saying.

“I know you are, Mecca. I know. We are on our way. Mecca Diamond, I love you,” Leena said as she boarded the plane.

“I love you more,” Mecca said just before he flipped down his cell phone and smiled. “Thank you, Lord,” Mecca whispered. He was beginning to believe that there was a God. He was determined to get a better relationship with his Savior and live his life right. He couldn’t wait until the rest of his family arrived in Brazil so that his new life could begin. Nevertheless, he would never get to see them.

Mecca heard the sound of a gun being cocked behind him, but he didn’t seem startled or even turn around, for that matter. He just took a deep breath and placed his hands together in a praying gesture.

“Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…” Mecca said as tears slid down his face. He already knew who was behind him, and it came as no surprise to him.