“Stop making fun of me, Royce. Some of those men don’t have anyone and those letters bring them comfort. If it was you stuck in here for life, you would want the same. Be nice sometimes. You know, if you want, we can get you into the women’s program. There’s plenty of men that write women in there,” she jested.
My face rested in an expression that made her laugh just as hard as I did moments earlier. It was good seeing her smile though. As much as she’d been through, seeing joy on her was refreshing. I’d put my life on the line for this girl. She deserved stability and my family was that for her.
My attention was temporarily captured by the same pregnant woman I’d seen come up here for months. The fuck nigga she came to see talked to her crazy. He ain’t show an ounce of respect to that girl. It was sad to watch honestly because I gradually watched her belly grow for the past three months and he didn’t seem to care. I also watched that nigga move foul as hell in here. He would’ve been in the dirt by now if he was dealing with one of mine.
Heidi noticed where my focus shifted, and her eyes followed. She took in ole girl briefly before turning back to me wearing a smirk. “I see your wheels turning so tell me what’s up.”
“What you mean?” I countered playing clueless.
“Who you think you talking to, Royce? I know you better than anyone and you can’t keep your eyes off her. I’ve been to visit you several times and your eyes have wondered to her each time. So, tell me what’s up.”
“She pregnant as hell and from what I caught the last time, he don’t give a fuck about her or them kids he left her with. She need to leave his broke ass.”
“And do what? Be with you?” she asked letting her pretty lil’ head fall to the side with brows raised.
Maybe, maybe not.
“Shit, if she knew better, she’d damn sure do better but that’s the thing, she don’t know me yet,” I responded confidently.
“She looks like she’s the sweetest thing to talk to. However, we’re minding our business. Leave her alone, Royce. I mean it.”
“What would Jesus do? See, y’all fake Christians so selfish nowadays.”
She scoffed as she lightly chuckled. “You dead wrong. I’m the last person you should be saying that to. All I’m suggesting is focus on you and get you together before bothering that darn girl.”
“Name the last time I bothered somebody. Nah, fuck that. Name a muthafucka I bothered.”
“You’re a piece of work and you know it,” she said shaking her head. She looked over to ole girl one last time before giving me her attention again.
“You love me though.”
We spent the rest of the visit chopping it up about the shit going on with the fam. She caught me up and brought laughs to the limited time we had left. With everything going on, I knew she missed having unlimited access to me. Three weeks tops and she’d have me out there searching for vintage vinyl’s and the lil’ shit she took interest in.
Spoiling my family was second nature at this point. Whatever they asked for, I granted without hesitation, especially my grandmother. Her health was declining and for the past three months, my hiccup had stressed her out mentally and physically. I hated not being able to see her and reassure her I was good in these streets. I was her only grandson, so I knew the weight it held.
I done made a lot of mistakes in my life but wasn’t shit I regretted when it came to my blood. Nobody had them the way I did. Their presence was missed.
Four
Klarity
Interview ready, I walked out the front door in a pair of slacks, and cute top. It wasn’t like I could do much to begin with, but I was trying. If it wasn’t for Serinity letting me drive one of her cars, I would’ve been shit out of luck. My car needed a new transmission, and I didn’t have the money for it. I barely had gas money to fill the tank up. It just wasn’t a priority right now.
Climbing in the car, I threw my purse and small file to the passenger seat. I expected today to be a good day. I prayed, I woke up feeling relaxed, got CJ to daycare on time, and enjoyed peace for the first time in a long time. Cojak wasn’t calling me at the crack of dawn getting on my nerves, so I was thankful to be able to breathe for a little.
Cranking the car up, I put the destination to Pledis Bank in the GPS. Once it was plugged in, I backed out and headed in the direction I was told. The radio played as I cruised through the city. There was morning traffic of course but I was mentally prepared for it and left out the house in time to deal with it. I was content for the most part.
With this job, I’d be able to catch up on a lot of bills that were behind. The light bill was sent with a disconnection notice over the weekend and the Wi-Fi was literally on by the grace of God. Ihadn’t paid that in months. I never had the left over funds to do it. As much as I was on my knees praying for this interview to be successful, I was hoping God showed favor.
By the time I arrived at the bank, I had ten minutes to spare. I checked my makeup in the visor mirror one last time before heading to the door. I rang the bell and a woman’s voice answered seconds later.
“We’re not open yet.”
“Hi, this is Klarity Monroe here for the interview. Do you want me to just wait out here until you’re ready?”
“Nope. You can come right in.” I heard the doors unlock for me and I stepped inside.
Pledis Bank was one of many bank franchises in Sage Springs. There was an upper level inside where some of the staff would be stationed. I could see myself building a foundation here if they were to hire me. It gave off a calm and subtle vibe and that was off the aesthetics alone.
