Halimah M. > Quotes

“Noah was handsome. Light brown skin, sharp cheekbones, and a clean, low cut with deep waves that looked freshly brushed. A thin scar split through his eyebrow, the kind you get as a kid from running too fast and falling too hard. His build was tall and lean, athletic without trying too hard, and tattoos wrapped around his forearm all the way down to his wrist where a gold watch flashed under the streetlight. He had the kind of face women noticed immediately, and judging by the way he was looking at me, he knew it too.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I used to believe love was enough. That if you loved somebody hard enough, stayed long enough, bent enough, it would all even out in the end. Nobody tells you how much of yourself you lose trying to prove you’re worth choosing. I’ve been chosen before. I’ve also been abandoned. Both changed me.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I dropped down, my mouth finding her, my hand sliding along her hip, right over my name inked into her skin. My thumb brushing over it.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“Zaire was easier. Cargo shorts, white t-shirt, a little BAPE hoodie pulled over his head, and tiny Jordan 1s on his feet.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“For anyone who loved someone the right way at the wrong time and learned that loving them wasn’t always enough.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“A few minutes later, she was dressed—denim shorts, a plain white tee, brown sandals. Her hair bounced in neat little ponytails, ballies clicking every time she moved. She threw her tiny crossbody over her shoulder, the bag barely holding anything, but the way she wore it, you’d think it was designer.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“And I already knew this wasn’t no regular little neighborhood party. Something like this took time and money. Food trucks were lined up down the street—tacos, cheesesteaks, soul food, Jamaican. Somebody had a grill set up off to the side, too, smoke rolling straight through the air. There was a little bit of everything. An ice cream truck had a long line of kids wrapped around it, and right across from it was a water-ice stand doing the same numbers. Cars lined both sides of the street, people leaning against them, sitting on hoods, posted up just talking.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I shook my head even while firing. “This nigga think he, Denzel.” “Nah,” Ermias snapped back, ducking another shot. “Think he Tom Cruise.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I arranged the food neatly before stepping back to admire my work. The table looked perfect. Now all that was left was the surprise. I wiped my hands and grabbed the Carters’ bag from the counter. Carefully, I pulled out one of the tiny white onesies and laid it in the center of the table. Next came the little pair of Air Force Ones. They were so small they almost looked fake sitting there. Finally, I placed the ultrasound picture right between them.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“We never broke up.” I said obviously. “I thought you were fucking dead.” “Exactly,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I died. We never got a chance to break up. You ain’t end shit. I ain’t end shit, our situation just paused.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“Now we have locations in LA, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago. Bloodline Boxing was damn near becoming a brand. And it all started right here in little old Atlantic City.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“And then there was Noah. This nigga was grinning. He slid across the hood of a car like he was in a damn action movie, landed hard, propped himself against the door frame, and leaned out firing.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“Judah stuck his dick in Ashley too, but we all know Kamari still finna fuck.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I pulled out the little black dress with a deep cut in the back and placed it on the bed.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I changed last. Opting for something comfortable. A two-piece set and trainers. My hair was pulled up into a loose ponytail,”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“A small pony ride circle. Little folding tables where volunteers were painting designs on children’s faces. Bright plastic cones marking off areas for games. Sack races. Ring toss. Little obstacle courses were just a few.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I kept moving down the rack, letting my fingers glide over the fabrics until I finally spotted them. Plain white onesies. Nothing fancy, no quotes, and no bright colors. Just small and simple.”
― Halimah M., Residuals

“I crossed the street and headed straight for the Nike store. The bell chimed softly when I pushed the door open. Rows of sneakers lined the walls. I walked straight to the kids’ section. And there they were. The tiniest pair of plain white Air Force Ones I had ever seen in my life.”
― Halimah M., Residuals