Page 25 of Save Room for Us

“I didn’t ask for Grady’s help. He just kind of gave it,” I wanted him to know.

“I know you didn’t. He like you, so he doing the most, despite me telling him it’s not gon’ happen.”

“It’s not? You never know. Men have worn women down in the past,” I jested.

“You right.” He nodded, watching me move around the room. “But the only way he or any other nigga is gon’ get a chance to wear you down is if they go through me, and I ain’t met a nigga yet willing to do that,” he stated seriously.

Just as I was about to say something in response, I noticed a humongous bouquet of red roses sitting on top of the desk I was to use for clerical work. They were so vibrant, and the amount let me know it cost a lot of money. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had gifted me roses. But maybe these weren’t for me.

“Who are these for?” I questioned, not wanting to be presumptuous.

“You,” Asif replied, nodding at the arrangement.

“From who?” I asked, and he just stared at me, so I tittered softly. “But why?”

“Don’t gotta be a reason, Anastazia. I wanted to buy you flowers, so I did, and I also wanted to welcome you to the crew.”

“Do I get a blingy chain?”

We chuckled in unison before he responded, “Nah, you can wear mine when you earn it.”

“Excuse me?” I folded my arms playfully.

Grinning, he said, “You free to do whatever for the moment. Just be ready when I hit you for help.” He quickly left the room before I could say anything.

Nothing happened for the first couple of hours, which was to be expected since this job wasn’t as high traffic as a hospital would be. So all I did was attempt to read to pass the time, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than how my life had changed, so it was difficult to get into the story.

Suddenly, I heard some commotion, and when my work phone chimed, I knew it was go time. Hopping up, I shoved myKindle into my workbag and then went to wash my hands in the deep basin, just before the door came open.

Being carried in by three niggas was a young boy with a deep gash along his shoulder.

“Put him on the table!” I shouted, and the men surprisingly listened and didn’t argue.

As I prepared to look him over, slipping on gloves, I noticed Asif leaning in the doorway, watching. It was only then that I understood why everyone was on edge around him. He had this demeanor that made you anxious. I’d treated stab wounds one hundred times over, especially ones of this nature, yet I was anxious knowing he was there watching.

“Give her some room,” he told his soldiers, and they did just that, backing away and leaving out.

Taking a deep breath, I zoned in on the job at hand. “What’s your name?” I asked the boy, wanting to distract him a bit.

“Taj—arghhh!” he called out as I began to clean it.

“I’m sorry. You’re gonna be perfectly fine. We’re almost done,” I said, continuing on. “How did this happen?” I continued working. When he looked behind me at Asif, I figured he didn’t wanna say. “You don’t have to tell me. Now just relax a bit while I finish up, okay?” I smiled.

Taj went from wincing to smiling back up at me, almost like he was taking me in for the first time.

“Don’t get no ideas, nigga. She spoken for,” Asif called out, causing Taj and me to laugh.

An hour later and Taj was fast asleep in one of the hospital beds, shielded by a curtain, with his shoulder stitched up.

“Once he wakes up, he should be fine and able to go home,” I told Asif, inputting some notes into my computer. “His shoulder will feel tight, so he can’t move it as much. If you have some kind of desk work he can do, that would be preferred.” When Asif laughed, I asked, “What?”

“Nothing, love. I got you. I won’t have the little nigga working the stockroom.”

I finally caught on, realizing this wasn’t a typical job, and desk work wasn’t exactly a position within a drug empire.

“Ha ha, you are so funny,” I said sarcastically.

“You perfect for this shit. Nigga was so busy admiring you he forgot he was stabbed.” We exchanged smiles before he said, “You can dip if you want to. Just remember to keep ya phone close and be ready.”

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