Page 4 of Give Me All Of You

My family ran an illegal immigration operation. We had ports set up all over the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, and Western Africa. Our vessels made it possible for immigrants to come to the United States undetected and attain the proper documentation to live a prosperous life in a new country. We provided documents, a place to stay, a vehicle, and a job to maintain their lifestyles. It didn’t get any better than that. It was only our job to get them started; they had to do the legwork themselves to be able to stay afloat. For years we used the ports owned by The RCF to transport the families, and in return, our family allowed The RCF to use our vessels to transport their bodies that held drugs and weapons. It was a win-win foreverybody. This sit down was only to assure that things would still run as usual. We also handled loans for those who couldn’t get approved at the banks. For a higher interest rate, you could get a loan from us. However, if you can’t pay and try to play in our faces about it, the penalties are much harsher and inhumane than those of a traditional bank. But hey, that’s the risk that you take when you get into business with The Ashby’s.

“I’m waiting for him to call and confirm the meeting. We’ll settle everything then.”

My brother nodded.

“Aight bet. Shoot me the time and you know I’ll be there.” My brother was my right and left hand. We did everything together when it came to business. Even though I was appointed to take over since I was the oldest; we still would run this shit side by side. I wasn’t having it any other way, and my pops knew that. I hope that nigga Knasim knew shit wasn’t gon’ change either.

“You out?”

Rising out of the chair he was sitting in, he responded, “Yeah. I need to go check on Lu and pick Peace up from Ma.”

I nodded.

“Aight. I’m gonna finish up here and go holla at Pops before I go home.” I stood to dap my brother up and walk him to the door.

“I’ll probably still be there, especially if Ma cooked.”

“You know she did.”

“Then I’ll see you when I get there.”

We shared a laugh, and my brother left, leaving me to finish up here. I didn’t mind because this was my forte, like collections were his.

It took me close to three hours to finish looking over the latest profiles and making sure they had all the documents that they needed. I wasted no time shutting my computer down and locking up my office. No one ever came here besides my brother. We didn’t even have workers at this location, and I preferred it that way. I needed to be able to work in peace. That’s why I had people in place to handle the small shit for me instead of me having to do it. When I looked at my watch, I saw it was close to six o’clock. By the time I left here and fought through traffic, it would be close to seven when I got to my parents’ house. As I got into my truck, my phone rang like clockwork, and it was Kari. Kari was a chick that claimed she knew how to handle her feelings when it came to us fucking around, but that turned out to be a gah damn lie. Every time I turned around, she was in her fucking feelings. That didn’t stop me from fucking her, though. Her pussy was okay, but her head made up for that shit.

“Wassup?” I answered.

“Wassup? That’s how you answer for me?” she sassed.

“I could’ve ignored the shit,” I spat.

“Don’t get smart Haze. You know what I meant.”

“Nah, I didn’t, but wassup?”

“You coming through?” she asked. I knew this was the reason for her call and shit, I needed to bust a nut. So, why not?

“Yeah. Let me go holla at my folks first and I’ll come through.”

“Okay, baby. I’ll see you when you get here,” she cooed.

“Yep,” was my only response before I hung up.

I kept navigating in traffic until I got to my parents’ house. Like I knew it would be. My brother’s truck was still here. He probably was staying here tonight. He did that most nights ifhe didn’t want to take his daughter out too late. Letting myself in, I followed the savory scent of whatever it was my mother cooked. I found the rest of my family already sitting at the table eating.

“Wassup, family?” I greeted. I kissed my mother on her temple before squeezing my father’s shoulder. When I got close, my niece started going crazy.

“Uncle Hayzie!”

“Wassup Princess Pea?” I picked her up and kissed her greasy face, making her giggle and squirm in my arms. I placed her back into her booster seat and took a seat by my brother. My mother did her damn thing in the kitchen today. She had prepared braised beef ribs, lima beans, candied yams, macaroni and honey cornbread. I was definitely smashing this shit and taking a to-go plate.

“Have you touched bases with Knasim yet, son?” my pops asked as I fixed my plate. He knew my mother hated talking about business at the table, but he also hated being ignored, so I kept my answer short.

“I’m just waiting for his call.” He nodded.

“Baby, how is Kari?” my mother asked. For whatever reason, she liked her, but she knew we weren’t together.

“Straight I guess.” I shrugged.

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