Page 30 of Cove City: Volume II
She and I had been chilling heavily the last couple of days, and I wasn’t going to miss one night with her. My only concern was Quinton. I was beginning to feel like the nigga had left the Cove because finding him seemed fucking impossible. I was headed toward Bishop when the front door opened, and Naheem walked in. I shot Bishop a look, and his face said he was ready to put a bullet in Naheem.
I jogged over to Bishop and leaned in, “Not here. Not tonight.”
Bishop flicked his nose as his jaw tightened. Naheem came over, then pointed behind him, “A party? This is not your style, son.”
Bishop pointed. “Nigga I’m—”
That’s when Tavaris came over, “Pops,” he said as he exposed his crooked smile.
Bishop’s head spun, glancing at Tavaris, who was happy to see Naheem. “That nigga ain’t yo pops Anthony. He’s a fucking monster. Naheem, what the fuck do you want?”
“A monster that created another one. I didn’t come here for all that. Bishop, whatever hatred you have toward me, I get it, but son, this is business between us, and until I’m fucking satisfied, I will be around.”
Naheem stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a blue envelope with a gold emblem on it. Bishop snatched theenvelope from his hand. Naheem turned and gritted at me. I could feel my lip turn up. “What, nigga,” I grumbled.
I hated Naheem. He should have been thanking me for saving his life tonight, but instead, he wanted to turn his funky ass nose up at me. Naheem chuckled like I was a fucking joke. I stepped over toward him, “I should smoke yo ass for putting your hands on my momma, nigga.”
Naheem flicked his nose. “I already put dick in her,” he winked.
“Nigga fuck did you just say?!” I barked.
I drew my fist back and hit his ass. I went to hit him again, and Tavaris jumped in. “Better pipe down, P, for real.”
“Anthony!” Bishop called out. “Not here, Naheem, get the fuck out before I split your shit open. I will be there.”
Naheem wiped his mouth as he nodded, and left the kitchen. I snatched my gun and headed behind him until Indigo jumped in front of me, dancing. “Please don’t,” she smiled.
I turned to Bishop and Tavaris. “Y’all about to have a dead daddy.”
Now I was eager to get to my mother because what the fuck he said to me, I had to know if it was true.
TUESDAY
I decided to spend time with Best and my mother since I had been in the penthouse with Pierre for the last couple of days. Since Pierre had gone to show support to Bishop and his adopted son at a party, I decided to spend my time with the older ladies.
Being back in my Benz, that my man bought for me, felt good. Hell, calling him my man felt even better. I had decided to take the long way to Best’s house because I wanted to take in the Cove. As I approached, I noticed that once I crossed the street, the city's dynamics changed. You could tell it was where the lower class lived. It was crazy how a single intersection separated the middle class from the poor.
When the light turned green, I slowed down to take in the neighborhood. It had brought back memories of the letters between Naheem and Best. To know the Mercier family had sucked the city dry, and Parkside Cove hadn’t had a chance to catch up, was sad. Although I was planning to leave Cove City Press, I knew my article was important. I needed to make the city aware that there was still hope. That the rich, or in this case, Lake Hill, didn’t define the city. To make it right on some parts of the Avery name.
I came upon a small church nestled near an abandoned store. What caught my attention was the type of people entering. There were a few older individuals, but the majority were young adults, particularly young black males. I pulled over, parked, and got out.
The festive sounds came from the church’s doors every time someone stepped inside. I glanced at the Youth for Christ sign that illuminated on top of the church. When I opened the door,the light that cascaded in the air gave me an awe-inspiring feeling. I had become even more intrigued as I stepped further inside. You could tell some things needed to be done and fixed, but oddly, it didn’t matter. The happiness, the welcoming presence, and the pastor preaching, you didn’t notice, or you didn't care about what it looked like inside.
“Hallelujah!”He belted into the mic. “Welcome one, welcome all to Youth for Christ.”
The pastor was young and edgy, with tattoos on his arms and neck. He smiled with pride as he extended his hand toward the crowd, welcoming them in. “Amen. Listen, I see you, young brother, come in, don’t be afraid, ain’t nothing too hood for me. God said Come as you are,” he continued.
A lady behind him took the mic and graced it with soothing, holy tunes. While another young woman sat at the organ, letting her fingers glide across the keys. He spewed encouraging words to the young men and gave the older people hope. Things like this are what the people needed to see. This is what I wanted to showcase in my magazine. It had inspired me. I wasn’t sure who he was, but I think I wanted him to have a full spread in my first issue.
I backed out of the church feeling motivated and couldn’t wait to get started. “Tuesday?”
I heard my name being called. When I turned to see, it was Navi coming up the street. She looked like she had been crying all night, as if her heart was broken. “Navi,” I smiled.
“What are you doing at his church?”
“Who?”
She pointed to the church, “Preach.”
