“Why? Did Dame find her?”
“Nah, but I knew he would be coming to look for her soon.”
“Do you know his ass had the nerve to threaten me?”
“Oh, yeah? What did he say?”
“That if he finds out that I had anything to do with Jela leaving him, he’s going to beat my ass or some shit like that.”
“Well, we both know that's cap. But to be on the safe side, I’m going to call Law and have him put a detail on you.” I moved to the furnace and turned the knobs to heat the house when I noticed the line had grown eerily quiet. “Neveah?”
“Yes, I’m still here. If Dame knows what's good for him, he’ll stay the fuck away from me. I don’t need the detail, though. I’m good.”
“It's not up for debate. Damien is not the same brother I used to know. He’s something different. I don’t know what that nigga on, but I have a strong feeling that I’m going to either have to put him away or put him down.”
“Shit, Truce. Please don’t get me wrong, I love Jela, but… he’s your brother. I know he’s a little off the chain right now, but could youreallysee yourself hurting him that way?”
“You know that will never be my first option, Nev. That man threatened to put my name on a tombstone. Am I supposed to overlook that he’d do me in if the opportunity presented itself again?”
“I know…” she said with sadness in her tone. “Just be careful. I’ll come by tomorrow and see if my girl wants to have some drinks. I don’t want to take her out in public until shit calms down some.”
“We’re not in Muskegon anymore.”
“Oh, where are you guys? Wait, nope… don’t tell me. If I run into that nigga, I don’t want to have to lie. Wherever y’all are, I hope it’s far the fuck away from here.”
“Eh, it’s a little ways away.”
“Good. Are you coming back, though?”
“Of course. My job and home are there. I’m going to get Jela settled, then I’ll be home next week.”
“Okay. Love you, Tucci. Hurry up and get my girl a phone so we can chat.”
“She’ll hit you tomorrow. I love you more.”
“Okay. Byyye!”
I chuckled and hung up after checking to make sure the fire was lit. I went back upstairs to see Jela sitting in the windowsill with Chunks as she pointed to items outside, trying to get Chunks to repeat them.
“Tree.”
“Teeee.”
Jela chuckled. “My smart girl.”
I smiled and went to grab some blankets. When I returned, I signaled for her to come to the couch to sit. I powered on the television, then spread the blankets over them.
“It shouldn’t take long to warm up, then y’all can shed the coats. Are you hungry? I don’t have any food here, but I can order you something, if you’d like?”
“I’m okay for now, but I'm sure chunky mama here is starving.” She laughed. “There’s a dinner in her bag that I can warm up for her.”
“She doesn’t want that bullshit, Jela.”
“She loves those, actually.”
“Nah… we gon’ get her somerealfood. Ain’t that right, Chunks?”
She smiled and reached for me, and I gladly accepted her.
