Page 25 of Don Caselli

Beans was Menace’s top general, so a lot of things went through him. He couldn’t just step back and enjoy the breeze because he was the first-person things went through before Menace. I understood this was his life, and that it was busy and respected that. We both worked for the Caselli family, so we understood that they came first.

I looked over and Don was watching her every move. His hands were still as he continued to take in everything that she said or did. His eyes told me something different. I saw something different in his eyes as he watched Navy.

“She’s a special person, you know.”

He finally looked over at me. “Yeah, I’m already knowing that.”

I smiled. “You are, too.”

Don gave me a half smirk, not really wanting to discuss shit with me. Since working with the Caselli family, I noticed that about them. They weren’t the most affectionate family, and it made me sad. I lived for a kiss on the head from my uncles, or a warm hug from my aunt and grandparents. They each kind of existed and came together whenever it was needed.

Stevie was the glue.

She was the one who pushed them to be together more often. Scheduling family dinners that she knew they would hate but still pushed them because they needed it. They lost their parents and never had the chance to heal or deal with the trauma. Despite how rich the Caselli’s were, they were still in survival mode.

Never dealing with their emotions and traumas, always pushing forward because Menace had a plan for his family. Stevie was slowly healing them all, and I never knew if she understood the warmth and love she brought to the family.

“Bitch, I was feeling that shi….” Navy paused, as she looked at us through the glass, and Don was staring at her. “Now what the hell, Greene?”

She exited the booth, staring between us with the stink eye. “So, you trick me to come here to put on a show for free.”

“Voice like that, I don’t have no problem coming out of pocket,” Don replied. I laughed, as I watched the banter between the two, giving them space and going to find Beans.

6

Don Caselli

Beans and Greenewent to another part of the studio, while me and Navy remained. I sat on the leather couch, and she came and sat across from me, taking a pull of her spliff so effortlessly. She made the shit look sexy as she blew the smoke off to the side and watched me. Her eyes were so low and red, I knew she was high and feeling nice because she didn’t look away once. Instead, she met my gaze, and neither of us let words leave our mouths.

It was a comfortable silence.

“How long have you been singing?”

“Since I was a child. I sang in the church when I was younger, but as I got older, it was something I picked up whenever I felt like it. Even now, I hardly ever sing anymore. Seeing Maliek Dubrow perform tonight had me inspired.”

“You could do that shit professionally, Bleu.”

She smiled. “Think so?”

“I know so.”

She pulled her legs into her chest and took another pull, handing it over toward me. “That’s the thing with me. I haveso many talents and hobbies. I think singing professionally will take the fun out of it for me. Same reason I don’t accept money for my book reviews or free advance copies. The moment you start to profit from your hobby, it steals a little bit of the joy out of it.”

“Valid point.”

“Do you have any hobbies?”

I snorted. “Nah. Between school and handling things for the family business, never really have time for hobbies.”

“All this money and you cannot make time to find something that you enjoy doing for free.”

“Traveling, but that’s not free… I see you enjoy it.” I had been making my way down her videos since we met, and I felt like I knew her a little bit more with each video that I watched.

“Still making your way through my videos?”

“Yeah. Appreciate you putting me onto Demosea… fuck with they body oil.”

She squealed and clapped her hands. “Did you really buy some stuff? She’s a small business… that’s amazing, Don.”

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