show that he didn’t have nothing on him but that fifty dollar bill.
“ Mr. Moore, this must be your lucky day. I usually don’t give anyone a pass, but I’m a man of my word. Now, go on and get out my face before I change my mind,” Brody threatened.
Trent put back on his shoes and walked around the corner to the parking garage, where he met up with Marcos.
“ My nigga, you alright? I thought you was a goner, my nigga,” Marcos laughed.
“ Ain’t shit funny, nigga. Yo ass took off like a bitch,” Trent snapped.
“ Yeah, nigga, I have warrants, not tryna get caught off some bullshit,” Marcos said, continuing to laugh.
Without warning, Trent became serious when he confessed, “On some serious shit, man, I miss my fucking girl so bad. It’s been two weeks since I last seen her. She’s not answering a nigga’s phone calls or texts. I keep showing up, and she doesn’t even come to the door.”
“ Give her some more time, Trent. She’s hurting right now with all that y’all are going through and her mom passing. It’s really taken a toll on her, but don’t stop showing affection just ‘cuz she’s telling you not to bother her. In reality, nigga, she needs you,” Marcos said, reclining in his seat.
“ Aw, nigga, you getting sentimental on a nigga now,” Trent laughed.
“ Nah, young grasshopper, I’ve been down that road before,” Marcos said, turning his face to gaze out the window. Trent heard and understood every word that Marcos spoke. He just had to bring his thoughts together before he chanced going over to Kendra’s mother’s house.
Trent dropped Marcos off at home. Once alone, Trent was able to think things through. He drove to a flower shop and picked up some tulips. Then, he picked up some fresh fruit and chocolate— her favorites.
*****
Kendra tried to keep herself busy at her mother’s house, so she didn’t think of her too much, but, as she went through her mother’s belongings and separated them, Kendra’s heartbreak overwhelmed her. She kept those items that had sentimental value and spent most of her day reminiscing. After boxing them up, she gave the remaining items to the Goodwill. As she was going through her mother’s items, Kendra ran across a picture of her father and mother. In the picture, they were all lovey dovey. This was before he was sent to prison on a twenty-five year bid for killing his best friend after his best friend had tried to molest his children and rape his wife.
*****
Chuck didn’t have a family of his own, so he spent all of his time at Amir and Bernice’s house. One Sunday, Amir and Chuck were drinking and shooting dice with a neighbor. They did this every weekend. When there was a lull in the game, Chuck excused himself and went inside. He let Bernice know that he was going to give the girls some money for school.
After what seemed like forever, Mrs. LaSalle realized that he was taking longer than usual, so she went to see what was holding him up. When she stepped in the room, she found Chuck with his pants down. He was trying to force his penis into Nia’s mouth.
At the sight of this, Bernice lost it and jumped on his back. She hollered for Kendra to go get her father. Chuck slammed Mrs. LaSalle on the ground, while a very scared Nia slid under her bed. He, then, dragged Bernice into the bathroom and ripped her clothes off.
“ Bitch, since you want to interrupt shit, I’m gonna take it from you,” he slurred as he punched Bernice in her face.
“ So, you’re really going to disrespect Amir like that? I thought he was your best friend.”
Frustrated, Chuck spat, “Fuck, Amir. I never liked that pretty-ass nigga anyway.”
Meanwhile, Kendra ran as fast as she could to get her dad. He was standing outside in their the backyard, talking to their neighbor. When she came running up, he said, “Slow down, Ken! Why don’t you have on no shoes?”
“ Daddy! Daddy! Nia! Uncle Chuck!” was all she could get out,
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