Page 12 of Give Me All Of You

“That’s not RCF or ACF business, so stay out of that,” I countered.

“Aight, y’all done?” Knas interrupted.

No one said anything as we waited for him to say whatever he needed to say.

“So, let’s get straight to business. I went over the books that were kept between our fathers and I don’t see the need to switch too much shit up. The percentages will stay the same. The only thing that will change is access to your freights that you have in Africa. We could get some heavy artillery from out there, and for a cheaper price. You good with that?”

I looked at my brother and he nodded, signifying that he was okay with that. I didn’t see a problem with it either, especially since I didn’t have to come off of any more money than I already was.

“That’s straight. When would all of this take effect?”

“Soon as your next load comes in. I won’t hold up your business. I know y’all have families and shit.” When he said that, I remained quiet because I didn’t have a soul to be responsible for but myself.

“Speaking of families. Haze, since you’re now the head of your family, I’m going to put in place the same stipulations that my pops gave me,” he stated.

“And what’s that? Didn’t your pops pick your wife for you?” I quizzed.

“Something like that.”

“Yeah, you can cancel that shit. I’on need no nigga picking who I’m going to marry. The fuck y’all think this shit is?” I was about to say fuck all this shit because this nigga had me fucked up if he thought I was going to let him tell me who I had to marry.

“You’re absolutely right. I’m not going to tell you who to marry. I’ll leave that solely to you, but you will find a wife and you got ninety days to do it,” he demanded.

“And if I don’t?” I challenged.

“Then you can tell your pops that you fucked up his business that he successfully ran for over thirty years into the ground. I could give a fuck what you do after that.” He stared at me stone-faced like that shit was supposed to bother me.

Fuck this shit. I got up to leave, and I heard Rock’s voice behind me.

“We’ll be in touch,” he said before joining me.

“Ninety days,” was all Knas said before we closed the door behind us.

When we walked back upfront, JaRue wasn’t there. I was relieved because that nigga had put me in a nasty ass mood, and I didn’t want to take it out on her. Once we were outside and to our vehicles, Rock spoke up.

“So, how we playing this shit?”

Rubbing my hand over my braids, I looked at my brother and said, “the fuck if I know,” before getting in my truck and leaving. I will go holla at my pops later. Right now, I needed to clear my head.

∞∞∞

I went straight to the freight yard after my meeting with Knas and I was just now leaving. It was already eight at night, but I was still going to holla at my pops about the shit that Knas laid on me. Pulling through my parents gate, I parked in the circular driveway and let myself in. I found my mother in her usual spot in the family room, being entertained by one of her shows. When she saw me, her face lit up.

“Hey baby,” she greeted as I bent down to her level, placing a kiss on her temple.

“Wassup, Ma? What you in here watching?”

“These crazy fools on The Oval. I don’t know who’s crazier. The President and First Lady or those bad ass kids,” she laughed.

“You and your drama shows. I won’t bother you. Where’s Peace?”

“She’s finally asleep. She’s teething and has been fussy most of the day,” she informed me.

“You told Rock?”

“Yes, and he wanted to take her to the hospital. I told him to leave me alone and get on somewhere like I don’t know how to take care of my grandbaby.” I laughed because I knew she cursed him out real good for playing on her top like that.

“You know he’s going to be here soon, right?”

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