Rain's Theory

by K. C. Mills

  “It’s true, see,” Diamond reached towards me, but I slapped her hand away and she laughed.

  “I don’t want to smell that shit and don’t touch me either.” I leaned into the passenger side door of her car and she frowned.

  “Lord, let me hurry up. I feel all dirty now,” she said, shaking her hand like it was going to get the smell off.

  “You’re so stupid. Nobody told you to touch that damn hoe,” I said with a smirk.

  “Girl please, I wasn't about to let that hoe lay hands on you.” Diamond mugged me like I was that trick.

  “Trust me, it wasn’t going down like that. I might be quiet but I don’t play when it comes to that,” I said. Growing up in group homes had trained me well. I was good with my hands and that hadn't changed. I was never the type to start shit, but I would damn sure finish it.

  “See, it’s those quiet ones that you have to watch. I should have let her come at you. I bet that would have been funny as hell and my damn hand wouldn’t smell like shit,” she said and frowned, before she held her hand to her face again.

  “Why the hell you keep smelling your hand when you know it stinks?”

  She burst out laughing. “Shit, I don’t know. Forget you Rain.”

  We laughed and joked the rest of the way back to the office. I had never been big on friendships, but I was glad I had Diamond. Sometimes you just needed that in your life.

  -12-

  Theory

  It was weird to me how easy it was for Rain to fit right back into my life. It was almost like time hadn’t passed. I just had a lot of shit to figure out because I wasn’t about to complicate her life with the things that I was caught up in. Before I even knew she was back or laid eyes on her again, I had already made plans to go legit, but it seemed like the harder I tried, shit kept getting in the way. Frank was already not feeling the fact that I wanted out, but my mind was already made up.

  When my pop-up attempt for Rain didn’t work out, I decided to head to my lawyer’s office as originally planned. Since Rain’s building was a few blocks away, I was hoping that I would get a chance to see her but it would have to wait until later.

  The second I entered the building, all eyes were on me. Everyone who moved through there was dressed in suits and wing tips, while I was rocking jeans and Timbs. My jewelry was subtle but expensive, so I could guarantee that everyone that watched me move through the building had already formed opinions about me: criminal or drug dealer. I didn’t give a fuck. It was true but not for long. I had done my time and was ready to call it quits. The streets would always be in me but I refused to always be in them.

  “Good afternoon Mr. Bryant, do you have an appointment or are you just dropping by?” Rissa smiled at me like she wanted to jump over the counter and rape me right there in front of everyone.

  “Morning Rissa, appointment,” I said as I looked down at my watch to check the time. I was a little early but it was cool though. I could chill if Alex was busy.

  “I think she’s in a meeting, but I can set you up in her office to wait if you want.”

  “Yeah, I’m cool with that.”

  Rissa stood and stepped from around her desk. She was wearing a form fitting skirt that showed off her thick frame, and she made sure she kept her ass swaying as I followed behind her. I would have fucked her already, but I never mixed business with pleasure and this law office was my business.

  Once we got to Alex’s office, she pushed the door open and waited for me to walk in. I sat down in front of Alex’s desk prepared to wait.

  “Can I get you anything Mr. Bryant?” Rissa asked as she stood there awkwardly, just staring at me.

  “Nah, I’m good ma.” I flashed her a smile that likely had her panties wet, and she grinned leaving me there, shutting the door behind her.

  I just shook my head. Females are a trip. They just put shit out there not giving a damn how it made them look.

  About twenty minutes later, Alex came walking through her office door smiling at me like she was high.

  “Hey Theory, if I had known you were here already I wouldn’t have kept you waiting.” She walked in and sat down behind her desk.

  I faked a smile and said a silent praying, thankful that she didn’t try and hug me like she usually did. Alex was a stripper turned lawyer. She used to fuck around with Niles which is how we met. She was a good ass lawyer and discreet. She was familiar with street life, so she kept her mouth shut and did her job, but she was tacky as fuck and thirsty as hell. She wore cheap clothes and always looked a damn mess.

  From day one, Alex was on my dick and trying to get me to fuck with her, but she could kill that. Aside for the fact that I didn’t mix business with pleasure, she just didn’t do it for me. Alex still occasionally parted with Niles and Frank; the few times I was around her, she smoked and drank too much. I had no interest in her and she just didn’t get my dick hard no matter how much she tried. Some shit just wasn’t for me and that was Alex, but when it came to the law, she knew her shit. She kept my business on point and made sure I was straight, so I kept her around.

  “You’re good, I just got here and I was early. So, do you have my paperwork ready?” I asked.

  Frank and Niles were signing over the business to me since I was getting out the game; that way, if shit went sideways for them, their names wouldn't be connected to my legal businesses.

  “Yes, I have everything right here.”

  My phone rang and it was Rain, so I held my finger up requesting a minute so that I could answer.

  “What’s up Rain?”

  The second that I said her name, I could feel Alex’s eyes on me, so I glanced at her and she had a sour ass look on her face which struck me wrong.

  “Diamond was wondering if she could tag along tonight. Do you think Frank would mind?”

  “Nah, she can come; hell, Frank will be happy as fuck. He keeps asking about her anyway, but I’m with my lawyer so let me hit you back.”

  “Alright, I just got back to work anyway, so I’m about to go over some shots.”

  “Don’t forget you’re staying with me tonight so have your shit ready.”

  She laughed, “Are you asking me or telling me?”

  “Don’t ask questions you already know the answer to, but I have to go, ma.”

  “Bye Thee.”

  When I ended the call, Alex was in my damn face looking like she had just lost her best friend. I didn’t know what the fuck her deal was but she needed to adjust her face.

  “Did you say Rain?”

  “Yeah, why?” I narrowed my eyes at her because if she was on some fuck shit with Rain, then that was going to seriously complicate things for me. Alex was my lawyer but Rain was my heart, so Alex's ass would have to be the one to step.

  “No reason, it’s just a unique name is all,” she said with a fake smile, but I could see the fire in her eyes.

  I stared at her for a few seconds because something wasn’t right, but I didn’t know what it was so I couldn’t call her on it. For now, I would have to just sit on it, but it was fucking with me.

  “Let's look at these,” she said sliding a folder across her desk. I knew she was trying to take my focus off her, but she could cancel that. My wheels were already spinning and I needed to find out what she knew about Rain.

  “Yo, I’ll take these with me and get back to you. I need for Frank to check them out.” I grabbed the folder and stood, while Alex moved from around her desk and walked me to the door.

  “So you’re going to be at Frank's tonight?” she asked, which pissed me off a little, because I knew her snooping ass had to have been listening to my conversation.

  “Not sure, I’ll hit you up soon,” was all I said, and after one last glance, I was out the door. Shit didn’t feel right but I knew one thing for sure, if Alex had some shit with Rain, she was about to be handled.

  *****

  When I walked into Frank’s office, I dropped the folder down on his desk and sat down across from
him. He was on the phone, so I leaned back with my arms propped up on the arm of the chair and sat patiently waiting for him to finish.

  “What’s up Thee, what’s this?”

  “The paperwork for the shop.”

  Frank opened the folder and glanced at it. “You know I don’t know shit about this stuff. Just tell me where to sign and we’re good.

  “You talked to Alex lately?” I asked.

  “A few days ago, what’s up?”

  “I just left there and some shit didn’t sit right with me about her. I mentioned Rain and it was like her whole mood changed. Shit was weird as fuck yo. And before I forget, Diamond’s swinging through tonight. You cool with that?”

  “Word,” Frank was smiling big as hell. “Shit yeah I’m good with that. So what’s up with Alex, she knows Rain or something? I thought she just moved back and shit.”

  “She did, that’s why that shit didn’t sit well with me.”

  “You can check her ass tonight. You know she’ll be there.”

  “Yeah, I figured.”

  “But on another note, you sure you want out? Shit, things are good and money’s lovely. You barely even have to touch shit as it is, and Niles is bugging the fuck out.”

  “I’m done. I don’t need this shit, it’s just time.”

  “Does shorty know what you do?”

  “This ain’t got shit to do with her, hell, you know that. I said I was out before she moved back.”

  “I feel ya.”

  “Ross tried me on some fuck shit last night too,” I said and then watched Frank for a reaction.

  “Word, you handle that muthafucka?”

  “I checked him but not the way I wanted to. Rain was with me so I had to keep calm.”

  “It’s just a matter of time. He don’t seem to get it. We don't fuck around. Shit, if you can’t run your shit then expect someone to do it for you. That’s exactly what we did, so he needs to come to terms with that before his ass turns up missing.”

  “Yeah, well looks like he can’t, but trust me when I say, won’t be too many more times for him to walk up on me with some bullshit. My bullets don’t discriminate. I’m trying my best not to let the old Theory return but muthafuckas want to try me and shit.”

  “See, that’s what I’m talking about. It’s on you, bruh; you can’t let this shit go and you know it. I get that you want a change, but you are who you are Thee.”

  “True, but I also know that this shit ain’t forever. I want more than this; I want a family. I never had that shit and that’s the one thing I wanted the most. I can’t expect to have that if I’m still connected. Hell, you know that. I see how stressed Niles is, worried about the twins and shit. I don’t want that. I got money but that shit don’t mean a damn thing. I want more than that.”

  Frank looked around his office for a minute before he focused on me again. I knew this was hard for him. Hell, me, him and Niles had been down for a minute and this business that we worked hard to build meant a lot to him, it meant a lot to me, but I needed out. I needed peace of mind, and I was never going to get that shit if I kept living the way that I was living. I understood that I would always be connected, but the further away from it I distanced myself, then the better chance I had at a normal life.

  “I’m good with whatever, you know that Thee. I just want you to be sure, but either way I always got you. Fuck man, we built this shit together, so it’s always yours, no matter what.

  He reached across his desk with a closed fist which I met with mine. That was his way of telling me he had me, the same way he knew I had him. I was always gonna be there if he needed me, but I needed a disconnect.

  “Yo, I’m out, but I’ll check you later. We’ll be through there.”

  “Tell old girl to be ready, she’s gonna be mine before the night is over.”

  I just laughed. “Good luck with that shit. You remember what happened the first time you met her. She shut your ass down with the quickness. That shit was funny as fuck though.”

  “Man, fuck you, I wasn't trying. But trust me, I’m ‘bout to put that thang on her. You don’t have to worry ‘bout takin her ass home. I got that covered, so just get her there.”

  “Yeah aight, I’m out. We’ll deal with those tomorrow,” I said pointing to the documents I left on his desk.

  -13-

  Rain

  “Rain, don’t look at me like that. What else am I supposed to do? We have to eat. I’m just delivering a package. It’s a hundred dollars and all I have to do is deliver the package.”

  I looked at Theory as he stood outside the apartment building where he was supposed to meet Mac’s guy in. Mac basically ran this side of town and he was definitely bad news. I didn’t want Theory getting involved with him, but I knew that he was going to do whatever he wanted anyway. He always did, especially when it came to decisions about how we were going to survive or make it to our next meal.

  “He’s bad news, Thee. Who's to say that he’s not sending you into a bad situation. I mean, who trusts a kid to handle something like this? Maybe he knows that it’s not a good situation which is why he’s not doing it himself.”

  Theory stepped down off the porch and stood in front of me with his arms folded across his chest. We were in the streets but he was from the streets. I didn’t know anything about anything, if it had to do with street life. Theory took care of everything. He made sure we had food, a place to stay, and that nobody messed with me. From the day we left the group home I had put my life in his hands, simply because he asked me to. I loved him and he loved me, what more was there?

  “Look Rain, I can handle myself. You already know that, so stop worrying. You worry too much. Don’t I always make shit work for us? This is who I am, this is where I’m from. I might not know shit about anything else, but I know the streets and I’m safe here. We’re safe here, now come on so I can go get this money.”

  “I’ll wait here,” I said, looking up at the building that Theory was supposed to be delivering his package in.

  “Nah, you’re coming with me. I won’t be able to think straight if I’m worried about you.”

  Theory grabbed my hand and drug me towards the front door. There was no argument to be had. His mind was made up, so I followed behind him hesitantly, but I followed.

  “What’s in that package anyway?” I asked as we climbed the four flights of stairs.

  Theory chuckled as he looked back across his shoulder at me, while still holding onto my hand. “You really wanna know?” he asked with a smirk

  “I guess not if you’re asking me like that.”

  “It’s dope and a lot of it. I thought about keeping this shit and selling it for myself. We could probably get off the streets and get our own place, with what this would go for. I mean, not a mansion or anything, but a shitty one bedroom somewhere. At least we’d have a place of our own. Mac would probably put a bullet in my head though.” Again theory chuckled.

  “That’s not funny Thee, why would you laugh about something like that, and you’re not a drug dealer.”

  We made our way to the fourth floor and stopped outside of one of the apartments. Theory turned to face me with the most intense look on his face. “I’m not laughing because it’s funny. Just sort of laughing about the idea of it and for the record, if selling this shit will keep a roof over our heads and provide you with the life you deserve, then I’ll be a fucking drug dealer. Would that change how you feel about me?”

  I searched his face realizing that he meant every word. There wasn’t anything that he wouldn't do for me and that feeling meant more to me than anything that money could buy. I simply shook my head to say no and watched as a smile formed on his face. “Stay here. Don’t move and don't talk to anyone, got it?”

  Again I nodded.

  Theory banged on the door. A few seconds later it opened, and I saw the barrel of a gun pointed at Theory's head.

  “I’m here for Mac,” he said calmly.

  A voice on the other s
ide yelled, “Bout time, lil’ nigga. Come on in and you better have all my shit.”

  That was the first time I realized just how dedicated Theory was to me. He would risk his life if it meant making sure I was good, and I’d never forget that.

  “Hey, what time are we heading out?” I opened my eyes when I heard Diamond’s voice. I had been sleep for what seemed like hours, so I felt disoriented and my mind was fuzzy. The memory I had about Theory and I was still lingering clear as day, but everything else around me felt out of focus.

  “Damn girl. You acting like you’re high or something. You good?” Diamond walked in my room and sat on the corner of my bed. I scooted to the side of the bed and let my feet hit the floor, before raising my arms above my head and then giving my body a good stretch.

  “Yeah, I’m good. I just feel like I’ve been sleep for days,” I said as I reached for my phone.

  “Try hours, boo, but what time are we heading out? I need enough time to do my hair and figure out what I’m wearing.”

  “Not sure, let me call Thee and I’ll let you know,” I said as I scrolled through my phone, realizing I had two texts from Theory and one from Jamel. I wished Jamel would just go away. Why was it so hard for him to understand that I was done?

  “Aight boo. Well, I’m about to go type up these two articles, just let me know after you talk to him.”

  I glanced at Diamond and then focused on my phone again. “I will.”

  She stood, disappeared into the hallway, and I called Theory instead of texting him back.

  “I was starting to think your ass was hiding from me,” Theory said and laughed. I could hear a lot of noise in the background and it sounded like machines.

  “Sorry, I was sleep.”

  He chuckled. “Damn Rain, I got your ass pregnant already. I thought it took a minute for that shit to kick in.”

  “That’s not funny, Thee. Don’t even play like that.” I could feel my face scrunching up.

  “It’s like that Autumn Rain, you don’t wanna have my baby?”

  I just shook my head and changed the subject. “What’s all that noise in the background, where are you?”