“Girl, he’s a mess, but this place wouldn’t be the same without him.” Nurse Hawkins shook her head. “I’m going to let you go visit your mother. She’s not feeling her best and I know seeing you will brighten her day.”
“I don’t know about all that.”
“Oh girl please. She might not know that you’re her daughter, but deep down, I know she enjoys seeing you. She’ll sing for hours after you leave and if that’s not happiness, I don’t know what is. Gone on.” Nurse Hawkins bumped her hip.
Making her way down the hall, Tyler stopped in front of her mother's room and lightly tapped on the door. She waited for a response, and when she didn’t get one, she slowly pushed the door open. Maple was curled up in her bed, the TV played lowly in the background. Her blinds were shut, letting Tyler know she didn’t want to be bothered with anything, not even the bright sun.
“I don’t want food.” Maple coughed and then wiped her nose with a piece of tissue she had tucked under her pillow.
“How’s my favorite girl?” Tyler whispered, not wanting to disturb her peace.
“I don’t want to play either,” Maple grunted. “Go home. Go home today.”
“Can I just stay for a little while?” she nearly begged. Tyler wasn’t stupid enough to think her mother could talk her through what was going on in her life, but she needed to be in her presence. She needed to smell the Blue Magic hair grease that stained her pillowcases or the powdery Dove soap that covered her skin. They didn’t have to talk, Tyler just needed to be near her.
“Just for a minute,” she repeated, pulling on her sleeves.
“Fine, a little while, but no playing. I don’t want to play,” Maple grumbled.
“No playing,” Tyler swore, wanting to jump up and down.
Without hesitation, Tyler pulled a chair beside her mother’s bed and took a seat. She removed her jacket and balled it up to form a pillow. Placing her head on the bed, Tyler let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes. Just for a minute, she had peace and that’s all she wanted. Maple’s eyes were on the TV, but her hand found its way to the top of Tyler’s head, causing the tears on the brim of her eyes to fall.
Chapter Fourteen
“That was good shit.” Rahlo dapped Logic as they made their way backstage. “You getting better and better with the performing shit.”
Logic could only grin. It didn’t matter that he was only the opening artist, Logic enjoyed every moment of being on stage. The audience didn’t know many songs, but that didn’t stop him from doing his thing. Even if they didn’t know the words, they bobbed their heads to the beat, and that was enough for him.
“Yea,” Al agreed. “I was impressed. We didn’t even have to beg yo ass to get on stage.”
“Because I trained him, duh,” Czar boasted.
“You a fucking lie.” Logic frowned. “All you do is talk shit and post me fucking up on your TikTok.”
“It’s called constructive criticism. I’m making you a better star.”
“I thought you was a silent partner. You be on stage bopping around like Diddy,” Al jested, making everyone chuckle.
“Fuck outta here.” Czar waved them off. “Diddy oily ass ain’t got shit on my two step.”
“Ain’t shit silent about this nigga,” Rahlo snorted as they moved through the crowd of people. “You going to the club?”
“Nah.” Logic shook his head. “I’m tired as fuck.”
“Ole granddaddy ass nigga,” Czar taunted. “I used to be the life of the party.”
“And now?” Al questioned.
“I watch Ms. Rachel pale ass repeat the same shit over and over. This is an apple,” he mocked. “Can you say apple? That’s right, apple.”
“This nigga,” Rahlo chortled, but understood his pain. He no longer hung out after concerts either and Ms. Rachel was a staple in his home. If his kids weren’t listening to Ms. Rachel, then they were trapping withGracie’s Corner.
“Welp, I don’t have kids.” Al clapped his hands. “And I don’t have anyone to go home to. I’m going to the booty club.”
Logic started to comment but paused when he spotted a group of unfriendly men stalking toward him. Rahlo, Czar, and Al caught on quickly because they stopped talking too. Logic didn’t have to guess who it was because he recognized a couple of the men that ran with Dexter.
“Who the fuck are these knock-offMen in Blackniggas?” Czar questioned, staring at the men. It had been a minute since he had to get active, but he wasn’t above knocking a nigga out.
