Page 8 of Meek: Chasing That Gangsta Love
I lookedinto his eyes wondering what my next move should be; I knew firsthand how niggas could act when they got rejected. “How old are you?” I asked.
“How old do I look?”He asked.
I tookanother good look at him. “About twenty-two?”
He chuckled.“Nah baby, but close, I’m twenty-one.” He replied, answering my question with no problem. “How old are you?”
I thoughthe probably should’ve asked me that before he even asked for my number, but I kept my thoughts to myself. “I’m seventeen.” I said.
“That’s notbad at all. Put my number in your phone.” He said.
“I don’t have one.”I lied. “But you can scribble it down for me and I’ll call you.” I said ripping a piece of paper from my composition book passing it to him along with a pen.
He scribbledhis number down and looked at me; he was smiling again but I wasn’t, I was distracted by the chiming of the door, which let me know that someone was entering the building. Clint entered with his arm wrapped around a cute little bright skin that wasn’t his girlfriend. The look on his face when he saw me sitting there talking to Kidd almost scared me; Kidd followed my eyes to Clint.
“You know him?”He asked. “Cause the nigga looking like he got a problem.” He said.
I frownedand looked away from him as he went on his way and focused back on Kidd. I shook my head. “No, I don’t know him.” I lied.
“Oh, aiight.”He replied. “Well look, I’m about to bounce so give me a call Kish.” He said holding up his hand that held the book he was about to check out. “You see this shit.” He said. “Now this is knowledge.”
I shiftedmy eyes to read the title ‘The Law of Attraction’ is what it read.
“Check me out later Kish.I’m out.” He back peddled to the desk to check out. I watched him have a brief interaction with Mrs. Russell before he disappeared out the door. When he was gone, she made her way on over to me and spoke her mind.
“Kisha,I know it’s none of my business, but it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t address this. You see that young man that just left from out of here? Those are the ones you need to stay away from.” She warned.
I focusedon my book and formed a slight smile. “It’s okay Mrs. Russell. I don’t really plan on talking to him, I just wanted to get rid of him and get back to my book.”
She adjustedher wool sweater and then checked the time on her watch. “Okay, well I’m just making sure.” She said. “The library is closing in a little while so try to finish your study.”
“I’m aware Mrs. Russell.I’m almost finished.” I replied. Truthfully, if she left me alone as well, then I could finish quicker.
“And another thing,”she said, “don’t allow these young boys to mess up your skin sucking on your neck. Not everyone needs to know your business, and also there’s a free clinic down the street that’ll also provide you with contraceptives and stuff like that.”
I feltmyself starting to sweat watching Clint walk out the door and listening to Mrs. Russell all at once. She really thought that I was just freely out here having sex, but I couldn’t blame her. The image wasn’t a good one. I wrapped my scarf around my neck.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”I told her.
She walked away humminga tune of a song I knew all too well ‘If this world were mine’. I absolutely loved that song. After another thirty minutes, I was wrapping it up and grabbing my books after I put my coat back on. I said goodbye to Mrs. Russell and walked out back into the cold. It was even colder when I walked out this time. I beat the pavement up with my boots and held my books close to my chest. I was getting ready to cross the street when I heard someone honking at me from behind.
I was surprisedto see my daddy sitting there at the stop sign waiting for me. His white Expedition awaited me, and I washappy to see him. I turned around making sure that the scarf hid my neck. I would hate for my daddy to see that hickey; that’s what I called it instead of a passion mark. There was nothing passionate about anything that Clint did.
He reached overand pushed the door open for me. “Hey daddy.” I spoke to him as soon as I hopped in closing and locking the door before actually facing him.
“Hey precious.”He smiled showing his perfect teeth. He still had on his hospital scrubs. I could see the sadness in his eyes; he worked so much I knew he had to be exhausted. “I’m glad I caught you coming out of the library, I was just heading home to pick you up and go to dinner.” He said.
I nodded my head;it wasn’t as awkward being around him as I thought it would be. “I’m glad you picked me up too, cause it’s so cold.” I complained.
He let out a hearty laugh.“You Miamians are spoiled, get a little bit of cold and don’t know how to act.” It was good to see him laugh.
I frowned.“Miamians? Daddy is that even a word?” I asked.
“Google it.”He replied. I sat back and laughed too.
“So,where you want to eat at Precious? You have all of my time before I head back to work.” He said.
I secretly wishedhe didn’t have to go back. I didn’t want to deal with Clint tonight; I hated being alone with him. “Let’s go to Red Lobster.” I suggested. I was a sucker for those biscuits, and I hadn’t had one in years. As a matter of fact, I hadn’t been there since I was about eight years old.
