Read Online Powder Blu by Brandi Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

would have to shank the shit out of him.
    â€œWassup?” he asked, nodding his head.
    â€œSup?” I replied, pretending I was looking for something on my shelf.
    â€œWaku,” he said holding out his hand for me to shake.
    â€œVomo,” I replied while shaking his hand.
    â€œWhat do you call a bunch of grown men who’s trapped in one place with no way out?” he asked out of nowhere.
    I looked at this nigga like he was crazy. I didn’t know if this nigga was trying to be the next Bernie Mac or what; all I knew was his question was rather odd.
    â€œA buncha horny niggas,” I guessed.
    â€œJust like I thought, another stupid muthafucka locked up with no sense!” he snapped.
    â€œWhat?” I frowned, offended by this funny-looking nigga’s comment.
    â€œYou heard me.” He frowned too.
    â€œJones, you got a visit,” the CO yelled right before I could respond.
    I slowly walked out of my cell mean mugging dude the entire time. We was gon’ have to finish this discussion when I got back from my visit. I didn’t give a damn how big this nigga was. I was gon’ have to let him know I was not the one to be disrespected. I pulled myself together as I headed to the visiting room; the last thing I wanted was for my mom to notice I had an attitude. Only thing that would do was make her worry about her baby boy while he was locked up. She had enough shit to deal with. After getting strip searched I put a smile on my face and headed her way. Our relationship hadn’t been the same ever since she’d sent me away to boot camp, thinking that was gonna keep me out the streets. It had only made matters worse and lightweight had me resenting her. I’d felt like she’d been trying to get rid of me. It was still good though seeing the woman who gave birth to me. She was all I had left in this world. I had no brothers or sisters. Yeah, I had a lot of hoes, and my two baby mommas, but I knew they weren’t gon’ be in my corner my entire bid like my mom was gon’ be. Knowing that made my bid easier and letting my resentment go even easier.
    â€œHey, baby.” She stood up and smiled as I walked over to her. She wrapped her arms around me and gave me one of the biggest hugs. I wrapped my arms around her as well and gave her a tight squeeze. It had been a long time since I’d hugged my mom. I didn’t realize how much weight she’d lost since the last time I’d seen her. I felt bad knowing my mom was out there stressing, bout me and losing weight over it.
    â€œHey, Ma,” I replied while letting her go.
    â€œYou lookin’ good, son,” she stepped back and said with a smile.
    I wished I could say the same for her. Her face looked sunken in. I hoped she wasn’t out there smoking again. “You look good too, Ma,” I said, not wanting to hurt her feelings.
    â€œYeah, right, boy. You don’t have to lie to me. I know I look bad.”
    â€œNaw, Ma, you look a’iiiight. You done lost a lot of weight, but other than that you still strapped,” I joked.
    My mom laughed until she started coughing.
    â€œYou okay, Ma?” I asked, patting her on the back.
    She shook her head yes as she continued to cough. After catching her breath, we laughed, talked, and ate everything we could out of the vending machine for the next two hours.
    Ten minutes before visiting hours was over my mom looked over.
    â€œYou okay, Ma?” I asked, concerned.
    â€œVomo, I got somethin’ to tell you,” she said.
    â€œWhat is it, Ma?”
    She looked at me while she tried to find the right words to say.
    â€œWhat is it, Ma?” I asked again in a raised tone.
    â€œTwo months ago the doctor diagnosed me with pancreatic cancer,” she blurted out.
    It took me a few minutes to process what my mom had just told me. “You’ll be okay, Ma,” I said hopeful. “Don’t they have some medicine out