Rain's Theory

by K. C. Mills

“Yep,” I picked up another shrimp and forced it in my mouth.

  “And what did you do?” Diamond asked.

  “Got my ass back in the bed with him,” I said and laughed at how ridiculous it sounded.

  “So you didn’t talk about it at all?”

  “He told me they kicked it pretty strong. He forgot to change the code but that she didn’t mean anything to him, and he made it clear to her that I was the only person who ever had his heart, then he told me to turn off the light and leave my clothes on the floor.”

  “Damn, Daddy putting it down like that,” Diamond said with a smirk.

  “Girl stop, it’s not even like that.”

  “Shit, yes it is. You got your ass back in that bed didn’t you, and do you believe him… you know, about how they rolled?”

  “Hell yeah I do, ‘cause that was the thing that set her off. He has my name tatted on him and when he called my name, she was like ‘oh, so that’s the bitch you in love with.’ It was funny as hell and she was beyond pissed.”

  “Well, at least the bitch knows who you are. So I guess she sitting somewhere in her feelings right now. You better watch your back. Hell, I better watch mine too, fucking around with you,” Diamond said and then laughed.

  “Kiss my ass,” I said and laughed, but I knew she was right. Theory wasn’t the type of man you just walked away from like, oh okay, you’re done with me, cool. So I knew I would be seeing this Lani chick again.

  After we finished our food, we headed back to the office and that’s when all hell broke loose. I walked in my office and it was dark and my desk was empty. All my things were gone, so I walked back to reception to ask Jena.

  “Hey Jena, someone removed all my things out of my office, do you know why?” I asked.

  She looked at me hesitantly. “Dallas, needs to see you,” she said, nodding towards my boss’ office.

  “About what?” I asked.

  “He didn’t say, just asked me to get you when you got back.”

  I let out a sigh. This wasn’t making sense; I knew they couldn’t be firing me. I was good at my job, did everything I was supposed to, and basically the best photographer they had. I walked to Dallas’ office and the door was cracked, so I knocked and pushed it open. Dallas looked up at me and his normal happy demeanor was tense and agitated.

  “Come on in Rain, close the door.”

  Shit, this can’t be good, I thought. I walked in, shut the door and sat down in front of Dallas.

  “Look, I hate to even tell you this and believe me when I say I fought it, but it’s out of my hands. I have to let you go.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Honestly, I really don’t know. It came straight from the owner, Detroit Washington himself. Do you know him?”

  “No, how would I? I’ve never even met him. Why would he want me fired?”

  “Rain, I don’t know. All I know is he called, talked to my boss and she called me. He requested that it happened immediately. I even asked if you could stay on until I found another photographer, which I planned on dragging out long enough to figure out what was going on, but she refused. Are you sure you don’t know him?”

  “Positive.”

  “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m looking into it. You’re my best photographer, shit, I don’t know what I’m going to do without you but for now, I have to do as they asked. Just give me some time to try and sort this out and if you need anything, anything at all, please call me.”

  “What I need is my job, but apparently you can’t help me with that.”

  Dallas looked at me and I could tell he felt helpless. It wasn’t this fault but I was still pissed. I stood to leave but he stopped me.

  “Here are your things.” He leaned down and lifted a box off the floor and handed it to me. He looked like he wanted to throw up and I felt like I wanted to punch something. I didn’t know what was going on but trust me when I say, I was about to find out. They were not about to fire me for no reason, and whoever this Washington guy was going to hear from me.

  “Rain, I’m so sorry.”

  “This not your fault Dallas.”

  I left his office and went straight to Diamond. I told her what happened and she had a long rant, using every cuss word ever invented. She was going to leave with me, but I insisted that I was fine. I just wanted to be alone. So, I called Theory and asked him to come get me since I didn’t have my car. I didn’t tell him why, but he said he was on his way. About thirty minutes later, I was standing in the lobby and Theory was walking to the doors. I stood there ready to explode.

  -18-

  Theory

  I stood in front of Mac while his guy, Sway stood by the door watching me. He was giving me a bad feeling, the way he kept his eyes on me with that damn smirk on his face. I had respect for Mac, but he was still a typical street nigga, so I didn’t trust his ass. Shit could always change, and even though I didn’t fuck with him and he didn’t fuck with me, you always had to keep one eye open and watch your back. Sway was grimy. He took over for Mac when he retired, and the only reason why he didn’t fuck with me, Frank and Niles was because Mac wouldn’t let him but trust, I felt like that nigga was plotting behind Mac’s back.

  “Sit down Theory, you’re making me nervous and shit standing over me like that. You know there’s no bad blood here. Shit, you’re my man, came up in my system and did your own thing. I got nothing but respect for you,” Mac said from his place behind his desk. I decided to hit him up to see if he heard anything about people coming for me. Ross had me thinking with that shit he was spitting about watch my back.

  I glanced at Sway. “I just need to holla at you about something in private, if you good with that?” I said now focused on Mac.

  Without hesitation, he looked in Sway’s direction and nodded towards the door. I saw the fire in Sway’s eyes as he looked at me and then left, but he knew better than to say anything to me or Mac.

  “What’s up Thee, what you need to holla at me about?”

  “Ross came at me last night.”

  Mac chuckled, “I figured that was you. Ross was a bitch and had it coming.”

  “True, but he also told me that there was a price on my head. You know anything about that?”

  Mac was quiet for a minute but then spoke. He made sure to look me right in the eyes. “Other than Ross’ bitch ass, no. I mean, his people might try but shit, they’re softer than him, so I don’t see that happening. Other than that, I don’t know shit about anybody coming for you.”

  Mac didn’t flinch and he seemed sincere but fuck it, everybody had a poker face so his as could have been lying.

  “Aight.”

  “Shit Thee, you Niles and Frank pissed off a lot of people, but that’s to be expected when you running shit the way you three do. I’m not surprised so I know you’re not, but if there’s a price on your head, the streets talk. You’ll find out. I thought you were done anyway?” Mac said.

  “Trying to be, but shit like this is holding me up.”

  “It will all work out. I don’t have any doubt about that. That’s exactly why I got my ass out. I was too old for that shit,” Mac said and laughed to himself. Fuck his personal situation. I was more concerned with my own.

  “Yeah well, I hope no one is stupid enough to try me. I’ve grown accustomed to shooting first and asking questions later. That’s not gonna change.”

  “Trust me, I know, and I bet Ross regretted that shit the second your ass pulled the trigger.”

  “Shit, that’s on him. I gave him plenty of warnings. Too many in fact.”

  I reached in my pocket to get my phone and when I pulled it out, I smiled when I saw a picture of Rain asleep in my bed. I snuck that shit last night and I knew she would be mad as fuck if she saw it, but she looked cute as fuck with her fist balled up under her chin, knocked the fuck out. She was my motivation to get this shit sorted out. I refused to have her in the middle of it.

  “What’s up ma?”

  “Are
you busy right now?” I could tell from her voice that she was angry.

  “Just in a meeting, what’s wrong?”

  “Never mind, I’ll-”

  “Rain, chill, what’s up?”

  “I needed you to come pick me up from work.”

  “What happened to Diamond?” I asked, curious since she told me she was riding home with her, but it was still early so I figured maybe Rain was ready and Diamond wasn’t.

  “If you’re busy, I’ll figure something else out,” she said, sounding even more frustrated.

  “Calm all that down. Give me a minute and I’ll be heading your way. I’m across town so I’ll be about thirty minutes. You good until then?”

  “Yeah fine,” she said with an attitude, which I assume was coming from the fact that she was dealing with something.

  “Aight, I’ll see you in a few.” I said trying not to snap.

  Rain let out a short sigh and then she hung up on my ass. She better have a good fucking excuse for all the attitude, and it better not have shit to do with that damn nigga she was fucking with.

  “Yo, I’ll holla at you Mac, but if you hear anything let me now. I’ve got some shit to handle.”

  Mac stood up and stepped around his desk to walk me to the door. “Never thought I’d see the day when Theory dropped everything for a female.”

  I chuckled, “Yeah, well she’s worth it.”

  “Can’t argue with that. When you got a good one you do what’s necessary.”

  “Exactly, but I’m out.” I dapped Mac and then left his office. I made a mental note about the hostility coming from Sway as I passed him on the way out. He made sure to keep his eyes on me, but managed a neutral expression. Shit, for all I know his ass could have been the one gunning for me. I didn’t put anything past anybody.

  *****

  When I pulled up in front of Rain’s building, I got out and walked to the door. I could see her inside heading my way, holding a box. She looked mad at the world and didn’t say a word, even after I took the box from her, kissed her on the cheek and we got in the car.

  “What’s up Rain, what’s going on?” I asked as we pulled away from the curb.

  Her head fell back on the headrest and she turned to look at me. “I just got fired.”

  “Fired, what the fuck, for what?” Shit, far as I knew she was doing her thing and seemed happy at her spot, so that seemed strange.

  “Your guess is as good as mine, but I will find out.”

  “So they didn’t tell you why, they just let you go?” I asked.

  “Oh, they told me why but it still doesn’t make sense.” I could hear the hostility in her voice.

  “So what’d they say?” I asked as I headed to her apartment. I needed her to get her car because I still had a few things to handle, but I planned on making sure she was heading to my house.

  “I was lucky enough to be fired by the owner, a man who I have never even laid eyes on or held a conversation with.”

  “That doesn’t make sense, so why would he fire you then?”

  “Don’t know, nobody knows. All they know is my boss said his boss called him personally and said the owner wanted me fired.”

  “So you never met the guy and he personally called to fire you?”

  “Yep.”

  “Don’t sweat it, we’ll figure it out,” I said not really knowing what else to say.

  “How Thee, I need my job?”

  “You don’t need shit.”

  “I’m not about to let you take care of me Theory, and I loved me job. I know you might not get that but-”

  I put an end to that real quick. I understood that she was upset, but she also wasn’t about to sit here yelling at me like I made the damn call to get her fired.

  “Rain, chill. I’m not saying shit about you not liking your job. I know it’s important to you, but what I also know that I got you for whatever you need, so like I said, you don’t need shit. Now calm the fuck down and stop yelling at me like you done lost your fucking mind.” I knew she was upset but fuck, it wasn’t my fault, it was that muthafucka who fired her.

  Rain didn’t say anything. She just sat there staring out the window fuming, and as mad as I wanted to be for her tripping, she looked cute as hell and I felt bad. I knew what her job meant to her. She worked hard to get it and for someone to just take it away for no reason, had to be fucking with her.

  “Hey, look at me?” I said softening my tone.

  She didn’t budge. “Autumn Rain, turn your yellow ass around and look at me before I stop this damn car.”

  She did exactly what I asked by looking at me, rolling her eyes and then turning back to the passenger window.

  I laughed, “What’s his name?”

  “’Whose name?” she asked this time turning my way.

  “Dude who owns Urban Style?”

  “Detroit Washington. Is that not the stupidest name ever? What kind of person is even named after two states anyway?”

  I pulled up at her complex and parked. That name changed my whole mood. I knew exactly why Rain got fired and now I was pissed. I felt an ass whooping coming. As soon as I got Rain situated, I was going straight to Lani to check her ass and if she didn’t fix this shit, then I was fuckin her up. I never in my life put my hands on a woman, but I could feel my first time so close I could taste it.

  I was so focused on the situation with Rain that I hadn’t even noticed the car that was parked a few spaces away from us, until I just happened to glance out my window just as theirs went down. I say two choppers pointed at me, so I grabbed Rain’s arm and pulled her to me before I leaned forward, covering her body with mine.

  Shots began raining on my truck like a mid-summer thunderstorm, and the sound of Rain’s voice filled the air. She was screaming, and the only thought that was in my head was that it was from fear and not pain. Everything went silent, and I heard tires screeching just as I felt parts of my body burning. My shoulder, my back and my side. I knew I had been hit, but I was more concerned about Rain. I felt light headed as I sat up. I reached for Rain and when she was where I could see her, I searched her body to see if she was good.

  “Thee, you’re bleeding, I need to call somebody. Oh my God, who was that, who did this?”

  Rain was rattling off questions and she had a horrified, panicked look on her face and a fear in her eyes that I would never forget. I needed that look to go away, so I fought through my pain and managed to say the words that I hoped would fix it.

  “I’m good Rain, calm down,” I lied. A nigga was fading fast. I leaned back and felt a sharp pain shoot through my body, as I reached in my pocket to get my phone. I knew I didn’t have long and I didn’t want Rain to be alone.

  I tossed it to her and she looked at me like I was crazy.

  “Call Niles or Frank. Tell them where we are and to get here.” I closed my eyes and that was the last thing I remembered before I passed out.

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