Page 58 of Can I?

Looking at the phone, I saw it was my brother. “What’s up, Ryder J? You ready to get out of HJ?”

“Hell yeah. What’s up? Where you at?”

“I’m on my way back to practice. You out there?”

“Yeah. It was class trip day, but I didn’t feel like going on that shit. I’m ready to walk that stage and be done with those people. So since I didn’t go on the trip, Mama said I could stay home.”

“Oh, okay. Where were you this morning? When I woke up, you weren’t home.”

“I was at Brix’s gym,” he said. “I’m used to working out early in the day.”

“Got’chu. I’m on my way. Can you go get Ace out the house for me?”

“Yep. I’m ahead of you. I was on my way there.”

“Good. He needs to socialize that shit away.”

“Yep. I ain’t neva seen that nigga all depressed over a woman. He was always the stick and move type.”

I rolled my eyes. Ace was horrible out in them streets. His ass had community dick for sure. That shit was statewide. So this was crazy as hell. “A’ight, bruh. See you in a few minutes. Don’t take no for an answer.”

“I won’t.”

He ended the call, and I immediately called Ferris. When he answered the phone, he immediately went in. “You went to talk to my mama, Lana? What would possess you to do that?”

I chuckled. “I want you to be good, baby. I can see that shit is bothering you. So whatever I need to do to make you whole again, I’ll do. Our talk went well.”

“So I heard. Thank you, baby. That’s why I love you.”

“Mm-hmm. Love you too. Are you working hard?”

“Hell yeah. I guess they said I had too many days off last week. A nigga swamped. I was just taking a lunch break so I could call and talk to you. I miss you.”

“I miss you too. I’ll have to come over for one of those lunch breaks to feed you lunch.”

“I bet,” he said and chuckled. “Your brother’s graduation party is this weekend, right?”

“Yep. I’m so proud of him.”

“I know you are. Well, I need to get back to work. Call me when you’re done with practice.”

“I will. I love you, baby.”

“Love you more.”

When I stopped at the traffic signal in China, I got slightly nervous. I believed we’d all been a little jumpy since everythingthat went down. Those people lived in China, not to mention, this was where my grandfather got attacked. The Dollar General was right off the highway. The flower display was still there, marking the spot where he was assaulted. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to go to that store for a long time or any Dollar General for that matter.

Heading to the practice arena, I noticed a lot of cars. I frowned slightly. I wasn’t sure what was going on. I hurriedly grabbed my bag with my gear and made my way to the dirt to see people everywhere. When I walked in, everyone started cheering and applauding. My eyebrows lifted.They here for me?

My mama appeared at my side, along with Aunt Kema and two other ladies from her rodeo team, Willina and Jeralyn, as the applause continued. Aunt Kema was on my mama’s relay team and was also married to Uncle Philly. “Milana, when your mother was practicing barebacking, one particular practice, everyone showed up because they knew they wouldn’t all be able to see her compete. To show their support, they all showed up to her practice. That’s what they’re doing for you today. You can thank your brother for getting the word out.”

I turned to see Ryder J approaching me with Ferris right next to him. I wanted to cry, but I refused to do that. I’d been a crybaby for the past few months. I hugged my brother tightly and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Ryder J. I love you.”

“Love you too, sis. Go show these people who the champ is.”

Not long after, “Jade’s a Champ” started to play. It was the song he picked out for me, but I knew I would be changing it back. I decided to continue to use the song my mama used to use. “I love the song, bruh, but after it goes off, put on ‘Like a Boss’ by Slim. That was Mama’s song.”

He nodded repeatedly, letting me know he approved. I went to Ferris’s arms. “What are you doing here?”

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