Page 20 of Taming a Menace
“When I was a month out of the joint with my mom in my ear telling me how she prayed me up out of that hell hole.”
“I’m glad to see you’re trying to change. I agree that you need a new job though. Are you taking that gig?”
“What gig?”
“Have you been checking your emails? There’s a gig for a dinner party.”
“You know I haven’t checked no emails. I’m not with all that computer shit. That’s what I got you for,” I reminded him.
“I’m not a secretary, lil’ nigga.”
“When is the dinner, Kross?”
“Tonight at seven.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah,” he confirmed.
“At seven.”
“Yes, tonight at seven, parrot ass nigga. They paid fifteen hundred. The original chef had to cancel last minute, so he’s paying a 10 percent bonus for someone to take it up.”
“Damn, I hate I gotta work.”
“I hate it too because I already accepted it on your behalf.”
“What? You should have asked me.”
“I didn’t feel like I needed to ask you. I know you’re trying to get your shit back rolling. The guy was all excited when I responded. He said he didn’t know you were back in business. You know a dude named Kierre?”
“Yeah, I met him in a pastry class back in the day.” I confirmed, recalling the only person in the class that I could relate to.
“Well he just looked out for you in a major way. He also sent over information about an app that you should download too.”
“Bro, I can’t leave my steady job for some one-off shit. Franklin wants to make sure that I’m keeping myself busy and out of trouble.”
“I hear what you’re saying, but this is the perfect chance to get back in the game. Kannon is already putting the word outin the industry that you’re back in business. From what he said, everybody is glad to hear that you’re back on the scene.”
I sighed. “Yeah for now anyway.”
“For good, my guy,” Kross corrected me. “I’m going to get you another shot.”
“Enough about that. How’s my niece?”
“She’s good aside from blocking like hell.”
“How’s she blocking?” I laughed knowing that some foolishness was about to follow.
“She’s in a phase where she’s sleeping with us. Janelle gets mad when I put her little ass back in her own bed. I’m trying to get a son before I’m forty-five.”
“Well damn.”
“I know they’re in cahoots. That’s why her mama insists on letting her sleep with us. I gotta sneak and get my own pussy. It’s crazy out here, bro.”
“I see. Thank God I don’t have those types of problems.”
“I ain’t gon’ lie, bro. It’s the best feeling in the world when I come home and both of their eyes light up like I brought the sun home with me. I wouldn’t trade my life for all the money in Fort Knox.”
