“Pick me up something while you’re at it,” Lyric joked but those were my intentions anyway.
I wasn’t feeling the last picture Laike had sent me of her. Her wrists were empty, aside from the iced watch and the chain she wore on her neck looked like it needed a bit of an upgrade. A bracelet or two would get her right.
“I plan to.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. Your wrists look a little scarce, baby girl. Laike got you out here looking like the help.”
“I got her out here looking like– What I got to do with this shit?”
“You supposed to look out for her while I’m away.”
“Leave my name out yo’ fucking mouth, Luca. I ain’t got shit to do with what you want her to have on her wrists. If she wanted some new shit, she has my number, nigga.”
“You know he’s sensitive, Luca. Don’t even play with him like that. Next thing you know, he’s not answering the phone for either of us for a week.”
“Fuck you both,” Laike challenged.
“See you later, Lyric. Eight. This crybaby is about to send you the location.”
“See you at eight. I love both of you.”
“Always.” Laike got out of his feelings long enough to recite along with me.
“Did you hit Whiteboy up?” I asked as soon as my call with Lyric ended.
“Na. Whoever is in the chair when we touch down has to get up.”
“Say no more.”
I picked my sandwich up and bit into it again. Not much of Channing had changed. Nearly everything seemed the same as I rode through Dooley on the way to the Galleria. Not quite ready to make my presence known, I kept my distance and allowed the tinted windows to shield my identity. When I got to the mall, it would be impossible to avoid the people of my city, but I’d tackle the task when I came upon it.
For the first time in a while, I felt comfortable. I was in my city, with my people, pockets loaded, and ready to spend some money. It felt like ages had passed since I was given the freedom to do or see either. The only piece to the small puzzle missing was Ken.
He was the only man who could ever honestly say that he was a friend of mine. I’d had a few associates through the years, but Ken was part of the circle. He ate Sunday dinner when we ate at the crib. He was in church falling asleep just like Laike and I during worship. He wanted all the church girls just like we did that came for vacation Bible school.
When I lost my virginity, so did he in the next room. When I shot my pistol, so did he. When I was at a nigga’s neck, so was he. It had been eight years and four months since I’d seen his face or heard his voice. He didn’t have to answer a single call from mewhen I was down because I never made one to him, but we were still locked in. He didn’t have to visit even once for me to know that he was missing a nigga. He knew Laike was taking care of the books, so I was good.
All I needed was for him to be around when I came home and that was enough for me. So many of our people had lost their lives to the streets or the police while I was away. My only wish was to be able to see him in the flesh when I did hit the pavement.
“Ken up in The Heights. By the time we leave the mall, that nigga will have word that you’ve already touched down.”
“I was just thinking about him. When he hits my line, I’ll pull up on him. I’m not reuniting over the phone. I’m home now.”
SIX
The beamof light that shined through my darkened bedroom awakened me. It was as if someone had turned on the light. With the girls away, there was only one person to blame.
“Ever,” Lyric called out to me.
“Hm?”
My eyes bounced around the room as I tried comprehending what was happening, what time it was, and how long I’d been sleeping. Still in a very tranquil state, my arms remained stretched out on top of the cover while my head rested on the pillow beneath me. The sleep I’d gotten, however long my nap had been, was everything I’d needed.
“It’s a little after six,” she revealed, helping me understand the world around me a bit more.
“I slept the day away.” I yawned, finally able to lay eyes on her.
