Page 17 of Still Made For You

“I told you I didn’t need y’all to make a fuss over me. I’m just happy to get out of that hellhole,” Law declared. I’ve been a few times, but never as long as him. The shit truly strips you of everything you’ve known. Simple pleasures become foreign, even simple things like waking up when you want to. We’ve never been the type to take too well with authority, so the idea of another person having control over your entire life was demeaning.

“Granny and ‘nem’ cooked a whole feast in your honor, but if you need me to stop somewhere before we head over there, let me know.”

“I just need to change out of these small-ass clothes and get my hair lined up. I’m not trying to be around the family looking like a bum ass nigga.” My head nodded in understanding.

“You know they don’t care, but I got you. I already called Ced, and he told me to pull up on him as soon as you touched down.” Law was vain as hell anyway, so I knew his ass was going to want to look his best. I couldn’t talk shit because I thought the same way. For most of the ride, we caught up as we jammed to our favorite nineties rap music. This new age shit wasn’t my cup of tea, so I stuck to what I grew up on.

“Where ol’ girl at? I thought you said she was going to come pick you up this morning?” I pressed. Law was talking to some chick, and he swore she was going to meet us at the jailhouse, but she was nowhere to be found.

“Man, she calls herself mad at me because a chick approached her at the bar this weekend, talking about how we were together.” Glancing over in my brother’s direction, I observed his demeanor.

“So, were you? Cause bitches lie all the time, but that seems personal for her to be approaching her in a public setting like that.” Law scratched the back of his neck once I asked, which told me everything I needed to know about the situation.

“It’s not like she was saying. I just kept shorty around to do a few favors on the outside for me. A relationship is a bit of a stretch, though. It was more like a mutual understanding between two consenting parties.” Bullshit. Law has always been a ladies’ man like our father, and it was rare for him to keep only one woman in his life for more than a short period.

“Boy, you must not know who you’re talking to. Not only do we share the same father, but I’m all too familiar with that jailhouse talk, so I know how things go. You know women be taking shit like that seriously, even if you don’t think they do. Have you talked to shorty since she got confronted?” Dragging his hand down his face, Law let out a deep sigh.

“She blocked my ass. I even tried calling her from my homie’s phone, and she blocked his shit too. I’ve been trying to reach her, but she ain’t fuckin’ with me. The only reason I even found out about it was because I was also talking to the cousin of the girl who confronted her.” I almost swerved my car after hearing his revelation.

“Law, what kind of ghetto mess is that? How are you talking to a chick and her cousin?” He shrugged as if he didn’t have an explanation for what he had done.

“I was really in over my head with the whole situation. I figured it wasn’t too bad since everyone was getting paid, you know. Now, I’m sitting here feeling like a simp ass nigga because Demya is the only person I really want.”

“If you knew that beforehand, why didn’t you keep it one hundred with everyone involved? At least then there would have been any surprises.”

“That’s the thing, bro. The other chicks knew what type of time I was on because I made my intentions very clear. When I found out my release date, I tried to cut everyone off so I could focus all of my attention on the woman I really wanted to be with. I thought they would be cool with it, but Trina’s ass was on some other shit.

You know, I’ve never been the type to lie. I let every woman know upfront what they’re getting with me, so I can avoid all that bullshit and drama that comes with it. I couldn’t bring myself to tell Demya the truth because I didn’t want to risk her trying to leave me. I thought I was good until ol’ girl blew the whistle on our situation.”

“See, that’s where you fucked up at. You’re supposed to be honest with the one you like the most. If you cared about her the way you say you do, it was your job to protect her. So, what are you going to do?” Us Graham men loved hard, and even when we messed up, we still tried to make things work.

“I have her address and shit, so I’m going to slide on her in a couple of days.” I almost felt bad for him because he seemed hurt since she’d blocked him.

“Damn, bro. lil’ mama must have really got your heart to have you over there pouting and shit.” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Man, I think I might love her. She encouraged me every day. She sent me inspirational scriptures and shit. You know the mental warfare that place does to you, so I’m sure you get it. She cared about my mental as well as my physical. My life needs to be in order before I go after her. Now that I’m free, I’m ready to figure out what’s next for my future. Yes, I have money in my account, but it’s so much deeper than that, you know. I love Pops to death, but I don’t want to be like him. He’s fucked over every woman who’s ever entered his life. I don’t want that for myself. One of these days, I’m going to have a daughter, and I want her to know how a real man is supposed to treat her. I want to set the example of what a real man looks like, and I can’t do that playing childish ass games.” He spoke nothing but facts. I’ve had the same thoughts myself over the years.

“Well, you’re already on track because you have your own place, your own car and you have a nice little savings set up for you. Now, all you have to do is figure out what it is that you want for yourself. The resources are all at your disposal, so it’s up to you.”

“I’ve been thinking about starting an auto repair shop. I’ve learned even more skills since being locked up, and I think it’s time I opened my own shop instead of working for someone else. I’m done with the guns and shit, so I need an actual business that will hold my attention and sustain me.” Law has been the family’s mechanic since we were children, so I knew he had the potential to accomplish some major things if he really put his mind to it.

“Say less; we can start looking for a building as soon as you’re ready. My girl has a friend in real estate that I can get you in contact with.” Law gave me a weird expression I didn’t understand.

“What was that for?”

“I see you’re still parading that girl around as if she’s really your girlfriend.” He chuckled, then shook his head at me.

“What is that supposed to mean? She is my girlfriend.”

“Oh, yeah? What does Granny think about her?” I paused for a moment to process his question.

“She, uhh, she hasn’t met the family yet,” I admitted. Taking someone to meet my family was a major step, and I really didn’t do it unless I felt like that woman was someone I could really see myself with for the long haul.

“And how long have you two beendating?” I glared at him for using air quotes to make his point. Our bond has always been airtight, so even if I didn’t speak about something, he always knew when there was a part I was leaving out.

“Man, go on with all that. I just don’t want to rush into anything. Plus, you know how granny is when she doesn’t approve of someone. Her filter is nonexistent.” Pulling out my phone, I handed it to him.

“Can you text him and let him know we’re about to pull up? The code is 0826,” Law grabbed the phone from me.

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