Page 29 of Krash & Bern

I overshared. It wasn’t on purpose, but speaking with Bern had been like old times. She made me feel relaxed and comfortable. I wanted to let her in. I wanted her to let me in.

“Good to know. Congratulations on your successful career,” she stated as she tapped on the screen of her tablet. She held the device out for me.

“These are the consent forms?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yes. There are four pages of consent forms. You are free to read them in detail, or I can paraphrase for you.”

“No need. I trust you. You wouldn’t be out here scamming me. That’s not the Bernice I know.” I signed my name on all the designated areas and held the device for her to take.

“No offense, but the Bernice you knew no longer exists. A lot has changed in the last eight years… Not to say I would scam you, but there’s new things about me.”

“Hopefully, one of these days, we can catch up. I would love to get to know the new you. The grown woman Bern.”

“You’re still the only person to ever call me that,” she stated with a chuckle.

“Good.” I smirked.

Her employees finally made their way into the home. The man’s eyes widened as the woman verbally gasped.

“Don’t crash out over this man,” Bern warned.

“I’m trying, but do you know who this is?” the woman asked with a squeal in her tone.

“Keyshawn, these are supposed to be my elite employees, Toni and Ralph.” Bern introduced me to the two techs wearing identical uniforms as her.

“Nice to meet y’all. I know y’all know who I am. It’s normal to act this way around someone famous. Bern doesn’t feel the same way because she knew me when I was barely a hundred pounds soaking wet.”

“Y’all go way back?” Toni aimed her question at her boss.

Bernice shrugged. “Something like that, but it doesn’t matter the specifics. What we need to do is walk through the property and figure out camera placements. The last thing I want to do is have to come back because we spent more time lollygagging than installing equipment.”

“Understood.” Ralph lifted his hands in surrender. “I will say it’s a pleasure meeting you, Krash. Me and my dad watch your matches every time. It’s always a fun time to guess what round you’re going to get your knockout.”

“Stories like that make me proud to be a household name.”

“We will break it down into three parts. Ralph will be on the left exterior; Toni will do the right exterior. I’ll begin inside the home, and we will move around as needed to help assist with the install.”

Seeing Bernice command her employees was attractive as hell. I watched her walk with confidence I’d never seen in her before. These years apart proved we’d both changed in many ways. Even though I wanted to continue to talk to her, she had to get to work. I needed my home secure, and the size of my property made it a long and strenuous task.

Once we took a tour of the home and picked optimal camera placement, I left them all free to do as they needed around the home. While they worked, I called up Gary and nem. I took the call in the main bedroom, away from listening ears.

“What’s up?” Gary asked when the call connected.

“Man, you won’t believe who pulled up on me today,” I said.

“Who?”

The others didn’t answer, but I didn’t feel like waiting on them.

“Bernice!”

“Nigga! You’re lying!” Gary gasped.

“No cap. Apparently, the company Camille ordered from is the company Bernice created while she was out of state. She’s back home and opened headquarters in Houston.”

“What are you going to do?” Gary asked.

“What do you mean?”

---