by KC Mills
I was tired because I really didn't sleep much last night. After my shower, I went to check on Siah and he was in the living room on the phone talking business, so I climbed in bed with my mind heavy. I dozed off at some point because I felt Siah climb in bed with me and wrap his body around mine.
He just held me, no sex, just laid there with his arms around me and went to sleep. Problem was, I was up at that point and couldn't go back to sleep to save my life, so I laid there listening to him breathe, thinking about my life. My mixed up, crazy life. With no answers to be found I eventually fell asleep again, and now this dummy was kissing on my face and neck trying to make me get up, and I was sure I had just fallen asleep.
“Come on, Pretty, get up. I need you to make a run with me.”
“To do what?”
“Just get up. It's a surprise, but I promise you’ll love it. Now get your lazy ass up so we can go.”
At this point, I still hadn't really opened my eyes, so when I finally did, I realized this idiot was already fully dressed. I should have known when I inhaled his cologne.
Siah moved his body from mine and smacked the shit out of my butt, making me jump and yell. “Damn, Yosiah, that hurt. You better stop playing.”
He laughed and moved to the door. “Get up then, and I won't have to do it again.”
An hour later I was dressed and we were in Siah’s G Wagon on our way to God knows where. He wouldn't tell me, so I stopped asking. It was pointless because it was like some kind of high for him to keep it a secret. When we reached our destination, it was this cute little house out in the middle of nowhere. It was painted blue, with nothing else around it, but a sign out front that said, Welcome, Leave Your Worries Behind.
Siah jumped out and opened my door, and when I was on my feet, he took my hand and led the way, grinning like a damn child. This was one of the things I loved about this man. When it came to business, he was always serious and on point, but really he was a big ass kid, well with me at least. We had so much fun sometimes that I got lost in who he was and forgot the other side of him, the Siah that people feared and hated.
The second we entered, I fell in love and couldn't hide my smile. The place was some sort of restaurant and it was rustic and quaint, but my smile was because I laid eyes on Senior. He was on his feet with his arms open, so I took off and ran to him, falling into his embrace.
“There she is. I missed you, Nonie. You really need to stop hiding from me, Pretty.”
I smiled when he called me that. He and Siah were the only ones, well and Jock, but Jock only did it because of Siah, it was sort of their thing. I remember telling Siah once that if I ever heard him calling anyone else that, there would be hell to pay and he promised me the name was mine. I later found out that it was what Senior had called Siah’s mother, so it meant something to me, just like his promise that it belonged to only me. How true it was I didn't know, but I believed him.
“Break that shit up. Damn, he’s not all that,” Siah said, waiting for me to break my embrace with Senior, who chuckled and kissed me on the cheek.
“I not hiding from you, Senior, I’m just busy and he never brings me.” I made sure to place the blame on Siah because it was actually true.
“You don’t need him to come see me. You know where I live, Nonie.”
“I told her that same thing, Pops. She just be acting funny and shit,” Siah said, trying to be pay me back, before he pulled my chair out and waited for me to sit. Once I did, he scooted his chair close to mine and sat down, while Senior took a seat across from us.
“I promise I’ll come see you more,” I said, making sure to roll my eyes at Siah.
“I'm going to hold you to that. Don't make me come looking for you, Pretty,” Senior said with a sly sexy grin that reminded me of his son. They both had a way with women, which I loved and hated. The two of them were so much alike that it was scary sometimes.
“I promise.”
“So how have you been? This one treating you good?”
I glanced at Siah, who was looking down at his menu.
He spoke without looking at me. “Don’t even fix your face to say some foul shit.”
Senior laughed. “You can tell the truth. Don’t worry about him.”
“He does alright, I guess.” I leaned into Siah’s shoulder just a little, which made him place his hand on my leg and let it move up and down my thigh.
“If you have any problems, just let me know. I’ll straighten him out for you.” Senior winked at me.
“I will.”
Siah didn't bother addressing his father’s statement, he just leaned back in his chair and smiled before placing his arm across the back of mine.
“So, business is good, I hear. Siah told me that you’ve been working a lot lately.”
I smiled at the fact that he discussed me with his father. I knew he did, but it still felt good when I heard Senior talk about it.
“Yes, sir. Hopefully we can get it out of the hood soon and on a bigger stage.”
“Money is money, Pretty. Doesn't matter where it comes from. It all spends the same.”
“I know, I just want more than what we’re doing.” I shrugged.
Senior was a hustler, just like Siah, in fact, he was the reason why Siah had his empire. It all started with Senior, and when he retired, he passed it down. Years later, Siah had changed things to suit his needs and was doing much more than his father ever had.
“I get it, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You can make it happen, just stay at it.”
“Soon, Pretty, real soon. Trust me, you’ll get there.” Siah leaned in and kissed my cheek.
Senior glanced at his son and then me, he didn't say anything though, he simply smiled before he held his hand in the air to summon the waitress. She came right over, showing all thirty twos, which I was sure was due to Senior.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Yes, but I’ll order for everyone.” Senior rattled off a list of items and then looked at me.
“Coffee or juice?”
“Coffee, cream and sugar,” I said, looking at the waitress.
“I’ll have coffee, black and bring two glasses of orange juice, one for me and the other for my son.”
“Your son, I should have known. He’s handsome, just like you, Senior,” she said it in a way that didn't offend me because I could tell that she was more interested in Senior than Siah, which was clear as day.
She was pretty, but not what I would have considered Senior’s type. He usually liked his women pretty young, and she was clearly in her mid-forties, slender build like she worked out. Her jet black hair was pulled into a ponytail in back of her head and she was dressed in jeans with a powder blue polo. Nothing over the top.
“’Preciate it,” Siah said in reference to her comment about him before his hand moved down my arm since it was still across the back of my chair.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
She smiled at Senior and then left our table. Shortly after, she returned with our drinks, and then our food not long after that. Senior had ordered pancakes, eggs, sausage and homemade biscuits. The food was great, and I ate way more than I should have, but I couldn't stop. We all caught up and talked about any and everything going on in our lives. Senior and I ganged up on Siah as usual, and like always, I enjoyed my time with the O’day men until breakfast was over and it was time for Siah and I to leave.
“I'm about to hit this bathroom before we make this drive. Stay away from his old ass while I’m gone.”
“Whatever,” I said, sliding my arm around Senior’s waist and resting my head on his side.
“Keep that shit up and he’ll be taking your ass home,” Siah threatened and then walked off, leaving us.
Once he rounded the corner, Senior started with the questions. I knew it was coming because he knew me, but even more than that, he knew his son.
“So now you can tell me how you really are. Is everything okay with you and my son?�
�
“Yeah, why?”
“Because I know my son.” Senior offered a sympathetic smile.
“We are what we are. That hasn't changed,” I admitted.
“Be patient with him, Nonie. He’s complicated, and unfortunately he learned from me, but he loves you. Just in his own way. I’m not sure that Yosiah can just change who he is. He’s trying for you, but I don't know that he can.”
“What am I supposed to do with that?” I understood what he was saying, but it didn't mean that was good enough.
“Love him. That’s all I can tell you. He has a good heart, he just doesn't know how to give it to anyone. Don't blame him for that, blame me, but he loves you, Nonie. He really does.”
“I know that, but love isn't always enough, Senior. You of all people know that. You love a lot of women, which is why I’m struggling with your son.” The smirk that adorned my face caused him to laugh.
“Agreed,” Senior said before pulling me into another hug, just as Siah joined us again.
“Here you go with this shit. Let's go, Pretty, before I have to handle his ass,” Siah said, pulling me away from Senior. We all walked to the front and Senior got in his car to leave, while we got in Siah's to do the same.
“Thank you.”
I knew the motive behind my surprise breakfast with his father, but I didn't mind. I missed Senior, and never regretted spending time with him.
“You’re welcome.” Siah winked at me.
Jock
“Jock, hold up.”
I looked over my shoulder at the young cat who jogged up to me just before I was about to slide in my truck. My hand was on my gun because I didn't know him, but he was calling my name. You couldn't trust people for shit, and I wasn't about to die today. Fuck that.
“What’s up?” I asked, looking him over. He was dressed casually, simple but clean, so he didn't appear to be a fiend but you could never be too sure.
“I know this is your area, well yours and Siah’s, and I was wondering if I could get some work. It's just me because my pops just left me and my brother. We don't know where the fuck that nigga is and we gotta eat. I was hoping to get put on with you. I’ll start anywhere, I don't care, I just need to make some money.”
I looked him over, taking in his story, but didn't say much. Being around Siah for so long, I’d learned to read people pretty well. I wasn't nearly as good as Siah, ’cause that nigga could tell your whole life story just from looking in your eyes, but I was decent. Hell, you had to be in our line of work.
I leaned into my car, got out a business card, and handed it to him. It was for FlyKicks one of our legitimate businesses. I didn't know dude, so I wasn't about to talk shop with him out here on the street, no matter what his story was.
“Hit that number and tell them to set up a meeting with me. You get one chance. If I’m feeling you, you get a trial run. Understand this though, if you fuck up with us, it cost you your life and not your job, so make sure it's what you want.”
He paused for a minute, like he was thinking, and then nodded. “Cool. I can do that, and I understand. Thank you. I appreciate you even talking to me.”
Again, he nodded, and then extended his hand to me. He was young, I could tell, but he had heart. I accepted his hand; he smiled and stepped back. He watched me until I was in my ride and pulling off, almost like he was waiting for permission to leave. I guess I’d check him out and see what was up. If I liked him, I’d run it by Siah just for informational purposes, but the employees were my thing. He didn't really deal with it.
That nigga was all about money and big moves, which I was cool with. Everyone had their role, and I loved this shit. It was just my thing, no other way to describe it.
“I was cruising peacefully on my way to meet Siah until my phone went off, killing my vibe. I glanced at the screen, hit the Bluetooth, and Anjali’s voice filled my ride with Jahari screaming in the background. I instantly got worried because he rarely ever cried like that unless something was wrong.
“Jock, can you come get us? Something’s wrong and I think we need to head to the doctor.”
“Anjali, you have a damn car. If something's wrong, why the fuck you calling me? Take him and I’ll meet you there.”
“I can't, I’ve been drinking and I don't want to leave with him. Please, just come. He won't stop crying, and I don't know what’s wrong.”
I could hear the panic in her voice, so I hit the corner to turn around. I was currently heading in the different direction from her house and need to reroute. I needed to get there soon because if something happened to my son, I swear on everything, I’d kill her dumb ass. Anjali was a good mom, which was why she called me instead of putting our son at risk. But it was two in the afternoon, so why the hell was she drinking, especially if she had Jahari? I didn't really give a fuck what she did on her own time, but when he had Hari, she needed to act like a got damn mother.
“I’m on my way. Make sure you’re ready. I should be there in like fifteen minutes,” I yelled and then disconnected the call.
My next move was to call Siah. I was supposed to be meeting him, but this shit had just changed all that.
“What up, Jock?”
“I’m not coming, yo. Anj just called and something’s going on with Hari. I need to swing by, get her, and then take him to the doctor. Let's reschedule.”
“Aight bet, you need me to meet you there, you good?”
“I don't know what’s up yet, could be nothing, but I’ll hit you as soon as I know.”
“Make sure you do. I need to know what’s going on with my little OG.”
I ended the call and laughed. Siah was my dude. He was Jahari’s godfather and his ass was good as hell with kids, but had sworn off having any. I understood why, but hoped he would get over that shit one day. For him, kids were a reminder of what went down with his mom. That situation had his head all messed up. She died giving birth to him, and there was a small part of him that blamed himself.
Her life for his, is what he always said. It was like he couldn't really get over that, even though sometimes shit just happened. It was part of the reason why Siah and Senior lived the way they did. Both of their asses were afraid to love someone enough to feel pain if they lost them. Neither of them admitted it, but it was obvious as fuck.
When I reached Anj’s house I noticed her looking out the window, which was good because I was anxious to figure out what was going on with my son. I wasn't in the mood to be playing around with her. Before I could even get out the car, the door was open and she was coming out with Jahari in his car seat and his bag over her shoulder.
She was pretty as hell as always, but she looked stressed. I could see the worry in her face. Part of it was from knowing that I was about to get in her ass about drinking in the middle of the day while she had my son, but also I knew that she was genuinely concerned about our son.
I jumped out and grabbed Hari from her because I needed to lay eyes on him, just to give me a peace of mind. He was sleep, but his eyes were all puffy and I could tell he had been crying. I kissed his little face and he was burning up, which sent fire through my veins.
“How long he been like this, Anj?” I asked after getting him situated in my ride, while she climbed in the front seat. She knew I didn't play about my son, so she was tense as hell. I really didn't give a fuck though, it was about him and not her.
“A few hours. I gave him Tylenol, but his fever wouldn't break and he’s been crying for almost two hours. He finally just passed out.”
“Why the hell you just now calling me then? And why the fuck is your sister’s car here? She in there?”
Anj’s sister was trifling as fuck. She was a fucking junkie and a stripper who lived off her sister and mother. When their mother put her out, she came straight to Anj. I hated her dumb ass, and knew she had something to do with Anj drinking in the middle of the day.
“It’s not her fault, Jock. Please don't start.”
“The fuck y
ou mean it's not her fault? You ain't never do this shit before, but she’s here and you’re drunk, with my son, I might add. Look at your damn eyes, Anj. They’re red as fuck. You been smoking too, I smell that shit all over you.”
“I was stressed. I just needed to escape for a minute, but I—”
“Man, shut the fuck up, Anj. I swear on everything, you better hope he’s good. The only reason why I tolerate you is because you’re a good mother to our son, but this shit right here got me rethinking that.”
“It’s one time, Jock, just one time, and you can't talk. You do the same thing and you know it.”
“Man, dead that shit, Anj. When Hari is with me, I don't drink, I don't smoke, and he’s my got damn priority. That's what a good parent does. What I do when he’s not with me ain't got shit to do with that, so don't come at me with that bullshit. You fucked up, so sit your ass over there and don't say shit, aight.”
She looked at me like she wanted to say something, but she was smart and kept her thoughts to herself. She knew she was wrong and she could tell that I was beyond pissed, so she did the right thing and kept her damn mouth shut.
*****
I sat in the hospital room with my son on my chest. He was finally sleeping peacefully after screaming his head off for damn near three hours after we got him there and the doctors were poking and prodding all over his body. That shit pissed me off, but I knew it was necessary in order for them to figure out what was going on with him.
After all of that, me holding him was the only thing that would calm him down and keep him quiet, so that was exactly what I did. The doctors had run all kinds of tests and were talking about doing a spinal tap, but I wasn't with that shit so they agreed to give him a heavy dose of antibiotics to see if that helped. Thankfully, his temperature had gone down and he was resting now.
Apparently, he had a virus of some kind that took over his whole body and wasn't responding to normal medications. There was no real explanation, but the doctors said stuff like that happened from time to time. It could have been something simple that had spun out of control. Either way, I didn't really care. As long as he was good now, it didn't matter to me. I hated seeing him like this, that shit broke me down. I was my son’s keeper, and not being able to do anything about him hurting or being in pain was fucking with my mental. I was just happy that we had it under control now.