Page 11 of The Deed to a Gangsta's Heart

“Outside of someone’s house. Why? Did you need something?”

“Oh. Um… no. I just woke up to use the bathroom and you were gone, so I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I released a heavy breath and decided to be honest with her. “Yeah, well, I’m fine but my dick ain’t. You kept putting your ass on me and my shit got hard.”

The line remained silent for a while before she exploded with laughter, causing me to relax in my seat. “Wow, Rem. Are you serious?”

“Dead. I started to wake you up so you could handle this since it was your fault, but I didn’t want to cross that line.”

“You know how I get when I drink, so I wouldn’t have minded. Unfortunately for you, I’m sober now.”

Her giggle made it clear she found this amusing, but I wanted to beat my head against the steering wheel because of a missed chance.

“I can grab a bottle of tequila and come back to the house.”

She laughed again. “Goodbye, Remedy. Take care of your business. I’ll probably be sleep when you get back, so I’ll talk to you after the sun is up.”

“Aight, pookie. Get some rest.”

After disconnecting the call, I sat there for a while. Ashorny as I was, I couldn’t deny that I was horny for Callie. I sent Whitney a text letting her know I wouldn’t be able to come through before heading back to the house. If I couldn’t get Callie’s pussy, I honestly didn’t know if I’d be satisfied with anyone else.

Later that Afternoon

I didn’t realizehow long I’d been working until Pops came and told me it was time for lunch. I’d gotten here around nine to work on their fence. My thoughts had been distracted by Callie. The good thing about that was it allowed me to get a lot done. Before my time in prison, I hated reading and doing manual labor. During that time, learning and being productive kept me sane. Now, I loved working with my hands and feeling like I was doing something that mattered.

Once I made it to the kitchen, I kissed Mama’s cheek. She handed me a pitcher of sweet tea to put on the kitchen table as Pops sat down.

“What are we reading this week?” he asked, and I smiled.

While I was sat down, we started reading a different book together to talk about. A lot of habits I’d picked up on while in prison I carried today. I didn’t tell them, but I hated being in the kitchen or any small space with other people around. I’d gotten used to being confined to a small cell alone. Plus, it was common for us to be in one space at a time. Now, being in the kitchen or a bathroom area with other people felt foreign and intrusive to me.

And they ate so damnslow. I had to be mindful andkeep reminding myself to slow down. That I didn’t have to make space for someone else to sit down and eat. Sometimes it worked, but others, I’d be the first person done at the table. They loved to talk while they ate and that was a habit I broke while in prison too. There was no talking back then, and it drove me crazy when they wanted to do it now. Still, I dealt with it, because the only other option was feeling institutionalized while I was a free man.

Conversation ceased after Mama put the food on the table, and I was grateful for that. When it did pick up, they talked to each other. By the time I was done, they were only halfway finished with their plates. I tapped the table with my knuckles to let them know I was done and about to leave, which was another habit that made Pops chuckle and shake his head.

“Before you go back outside, how are things with Callie?” Mama asked.

“Things are good. I think she’s still in the headspace of being a guest.”

“Opposed to what?” Pops asked. “You want her staying there to be permanent?”

I ran my hand down my mouth as I smiled. “I mean… yeah. I have plenty of space. There’s no reason for her to leave any time soon.” They looked at each other before looking at me. “She got the position at the elementary school,” I continued, not wanting them to think too much into what I’d said.

“That’s good,” Pops replied. “She’s going to make a fine teacher.”

“She’s going to make a fine wife and mother too,” Mama added before taking a small sip of her sweet tea.

“I don’t know about all that,” I said with a chuckle.

“Invite her over for dinner,” she said. “Soon. I miss my lil Callie wally.”

All I could do was nod my agreement and laugh. Mama had been calling my girl that for as long as I could remember, and Callie would melt every time she did.

“Mailman asked me if y’all were together because he delivered some mail to her at your place.” Pops’ smug grin spread. “You uh… thinking about making something happen between the two of you?”

“I wish,” Mama mumbled.

“We’re just friends,” was what I said, though if I had to be honest, I wanted us to be more. “Things will never be romantic between us.”

---