Page 35 of Meek: Chasing That Gangsta Love
“Where you going Kish?”I asked.
“To the store toget you some ice. It won’t take long.”
I tried to sit up.“You can’t go out there, it’s too late. Somebody will come tell on you.”
“These people don’t careMeek. You just sit tight. I’m gonna run real fast and I’ll be back in a little bit.” She climbed out the window and was gone.
I didn’t wanther to go, but I was too weak to get up and go after her. If her mama showed up at her room door, I was going to piss all over myself. I was afraid of that big mean lady. I closed my eyes and dozed off shivering since Kisha forgot to throw the covers over me.
“Wake up Meek.”She whispered when she got back. “She had a full bag of ice, some rags, Neosporin, and two cups of noodles.”
“How didyou get all of that?” I asked.
“I stole it.”She shrugged.
“What?!”
“Shhh.”She whispered with her hand to her mouth. “You too loud Meek, I said I stole it and ran before they saw me. They never pay attention to me when I go in there.”
“You’re a thief Kisha?You never told me that.” I frowned.
She shook her head violently.“No, but I need to help you, so I did it.”
“We’re going to jail Kisha.”
She chuckled.“No, we ain’t Meek. You didn’t even do anything and I’m too young to go to jail. Although it may be better than this place.”
“Don’t say that.”I told her.
“Why not?”She asked with her little face screwed up.
“Because,it’s gonna get better, watch. I’mma have a lot of money and I’mma take care of us both. We’re gonna be rich one day.” I smiled, even back then I was boastful and persistent on what I wanted.
She smiledwith those sparkling eyes that drove all the boys at the play yard crazy for her as she stuffed the rags with ice, then handed them to me so I could place it on my eyes. Next, she took her tiny fingers and put Neosporin on my bruises before putting her homemade ice packs on my back as well.
“Who taughtyou how to do this? Your mama?” I asked her. I was feeling better already.
“No.”She whispered. “The movies taught me. My mama never taught me anything.”
She gotup and snuck into the kitchen to heat up two cups of noodles and since I was using my hands to hold the ice to my eyes, she took her time and fed me mine before eating hers. I felt way better after that.
“Do you feel a little better Meek?”She asked.
“Yep,thank you Kish, you’re my best friend in the whole world.” I told her.
“I know Meek.Let’s go to sleep.” She said finally resting with me.
After takinga shot to the chest, I didn’t know if I’d live or not but now, I was able to see, it wasn’t my time to go yet. I saw the gates, I saw those lights, I had a taste of what it may have felt like, but something brought me back and I didn’t even have to open my eyes to know that Kisha was still here by my side, and if I knew her like I thought I did; she wasn’t leaving either.
THE AFTERMATH
I stayed in the hospital for two whole weeks before they finally let me go but I still wasn’t a hundred percent. Kisha took care of a nigga though; she never left not one time, and she stayed on top of the whole staff making sure they did what they were supposed to do. She had so much shit up there at the hospital it looked like it was her personal efficiency, and I knew they couldn’t wait to get rid of our ass.
It was cool though cause they catered to my every need. I wasn’t in the mood for visitors and shit so the only person who was actually allowed to see me was Kisha. Today was the day that I was about to be out. Today was the only day that she actually left so she could go clean the house and prepare it for me to come home and I appreciated her so much. The same way she took care of me back then, was the same way she cared now. I sat in the chair with my entire chest bandaged up with a sweater over it looking out the window from my hospital room. I couldn’t wait to get a breath of fresh air.
My phone had been blowing up for two weeks and I refused to take a single call. I needed this time for myself, but today I was gonna finally pick up. I interrupted the ringing before answering and accepting Reesie’s call. “Hey Charese.” I answered sounding dry, my throat was still kind of sore.
“Nigga! You haven’t answered me for two whole weeks. The most you’ve done is put money on my books Meek, but damn no visits, no letters or nothing. I would’ve never thought you’d do me like this.” She fussed.
