From the Ashes

It took two weeks before Douglas could get by to check in on Elizabeth. National guard was still in the city. There were cops surrounding his old home 24/7, and he could see why. The old oak tree that he'd built the swing on for the kids was burned down. There was graffiti on the guest house, castigating Elizabeth for betraying the state' first Black Governor. There was graffiti on the main house by racists saying exactly what kind of men Elizabeth preferred to love. There was burn marks on one of the stately brick walls too.

Elizabeth looked remarkably well-composed for the ordeal she'd suffered on the surface, but Douglas could see the bags under her eyes, only mostly concealed by makeup.

"Tough month," Douglas said quietly.

"That's an understatement," Elizabeth agreed. She looked away, then back to Douglas. "I'm going to take the kids out of state, I think. Someplace far away from here. Take Daddy too. Saul got the divorce wrapped up in record time."

"That's good," Douglas said lamely.

"I want you to come with me," Elizabeth said simply.

"Me ... why?" Douglas asked.

"You make a good income. You're good at being a dad. You're reliable enough."

"But ... Shanequa," Douglas said.

"If you were really that invested in her, dear, you wouldn't have left her with Will. Handsome, single ..."

"Yeah, but there is something off about him," Douglas said.

"I don't think in a way that matters. Look, you're stable. Your biggest problem is getting happy and comfortable with a situation and then becoming self-destructive. I'm not asking you to be my husband. I'm not asking you to be my boyfriend. I'm asking you to be my partner, in the most legalistic sense possible. If you get to eat my pussy, I'll be shocked." Douglas squirmed a bit in his seat. This more assertive Elizabeth was something he'd dreamt of for a long time.

"Where are you thinking of going?"

"Hmm. I think Midwest. I was thinking Savannah, but too close. Probably Detroit or Chicago. Someplace Black enough that the kids will be comfortable. Someplace Black enough I'll be comfortable, if I'm ever ready again."