Page 86 of Love & Vendettas
“I’on know, but his future seeds gon’ wish he’d never crossed me up.”
Jamal steps out of the store and asks, “You ready, Bossman?”
“Yeah, let’s roll.”
“Where are we heading?” Parker asks.
“To the Hovel.”
“Damn. Wish we had our shit built back up,” Parker mutters.
“I’on need that shit. We good,” I assert, lowering myself into Jamal’s car.
“A’ight, meet you there,” he replies.
39 – MISSING BABY
We will survive these attacks that are coming. I’m tired as hell, and I know my man is. I don’t have time to be down and out, though. Right now, is when I’ll have to be the strongest. This is the time for me to stand up and hold things down.
Zaire’s been on the go since Damascus’ visit the other day. He’s been an essential player in Zaire’s claim to power, and he always helps keep my man on his toes. I respect and love Damascus greatly, so I hope that whatever that meeting was about will help us get back on top again.
Zaire and I haven’t spent much time together, but I did just see him at Pam’s place while I was helping her with the funeral arrangements.
He said he was about to roll out and handle some things, but I have an eerie feeling that something’s about to go down.
I’ve headed back home to chill with my sister. She’s been sick a lot lately, and I need to check on Riley.
I honestly think that most of what’s going on with her, as it relates to her sickness, has more to do with her grieving Kenny than anything. I think she doesn’t want me to know that she’s mourning him.
I knock on her bedroom door and wait. When I get no answer, I knock again. Worried that she might be in need, or maybe she’s just sleeping, I turn the knob to her door.
I step inside, and when I don’t see her in her bed, I call out to her.
“Riley!”
She doesn’t answer, but I hear water in the bathroom. She must be showering.
“Riley!” I yell.
I get no answer.
My heart thuds loudly in my chest, and I pray that she’s okay. She told me this morning that she’s been feeling faint lately.
I see that the bathroom door is partially open.
I peek my head in and see that she’s showering and she’s okay.
I turn to walk back out of the bathroom, and as I head past the bathtub and the linen closet, I see something odd.
On a towel shelf next to the door, I see what appears to be a bodysuit, but it looks misshapen.
I walk toward it, unable to ignore the feeling that pushes me forward. Warning bells are ringing in my head, and I have no idea what they’re trying to tell me, but I can’t turn away.
I reach out to grab the bodysuit and find that it’s silicone. It’s a fucking fake pregnant belly bump!
Anger fills me, but not stupidity. I leave it lying where it is and slip out of the bathroom while my sister continues showering.
I should go to Zaire, but he has his hands full with everything else. Besides, it’s my sister, I can handle her little ass.
