Page 3 of Honey Sugar
They were resilient. They bent before breaking instead of snapping at the first sign of pressure like a lot of men. Not me though. Mama taught me how to be resilient. She taught me how to bounce back no matter what and to not let the pressure get to me.
I didn’t have a choice in learning those lessons. I was a skinny kid from New Orleans growing up post-Katrina. If I hadn’t learned how to bend with the pressure, I’d be broken by now.
I took my money to the bank and deposited it then rode the bus back home and got ready for the Mardi Gras festivities for the night. My phone rang as Mario pulled into the driveway at six. It was Mama calling. I looked at her name and smiling picture on my phone. Her eyes were like mine but only in shape. My eyes were coal-black and I knew I got that from my dad.
I contemplated not answering her call but I knew she’d worry if I didn’t. The last thing I needed was her worrying about me while I was out selling bumpers. It would weigh on my mind and throw me off my selling game. I hadn’t sold anything on the street since I was thirteen. I needed to get my head right.
I pushed out a breath and answered the ringing phone.
“What’s good, Mama?”
“Hey, Titan. I got a minute of downtime and wanted to check on my baby. You staying out of trouble?”
“Yeah, Ma.” I opened the front door for Mario and put my finger over my lips. He nodded and walked over to the coffee table. He tossed his black backpack on the couch and pulled out gallon bags of smaller bags with all kinds of fake shit inside. My eyes saw every individual baggie as dollar signs. My mind churned with ways to make all that counterfeit shit seem like gold.
“I’ve already seen a fatality today. Maybe it’s good you’re not out riding around.”
“This is my city. I know how to navigate. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Uh huh. Whatever you say, Titan.”
“I made the drop-off and got paid today,” I told her. She blew out a puff of air and grunted a sound that was a cross between approval and annoyance. She hated that I grew and sold weed but she didn’t hate it so much when our fridge was full of food and the lights stayed on without fail.
“That’s good, Titan. Can you make sure you stay safe tonight and stay away from that troublemaker you like to hang out with?”
“Hang out with? You know I don’t hang out with anyone but myself.” She was talking about Mario and I knew it. He wasn’t my friend though. I didn’t have friends. I stayed to myself and networked when I had to. I was a lone wolf who could blend into a pack when necessary. I was always more comfortable without the noise of other people though.
“I don’t like that little boy, Mario. He’s trouble.”
“I know.” I eyed Mario while he separated baggies into two piles. One for me and one for him. The rustle of plastic on plastic seemed louder than life in the quiet space of my living room. “I’m good, Mama. I’ll hit up some parties tonight and then come home later on. I’ll text you.”
“Okay, Titan. I love you.”
“Love you too.” I ended the call and sat on the couch beside Mario.
“Aww, listen to that mama’s boy. Gotta smooth things over with her before you go out and do some fucked up shit, huh?”
“Pretty much.” I scooped up the bags meant for me and put them in a bag I designated earlier. “How much money am I looking at?” I asked him.
“What I gave you is at least six grand. There’s mainly bumper coke and pills in there. Move fast and don’t get caught by any of Bear’s boys on the block. You know that’s their space.”
“Yeah. I know. That’s why I’m wondering exactly how crazy I am for letting you talk me into this shit.”
“You want to get your mama a new car or what? It’s only one weekend out of the year, Shadow. Stop being a little bitch.”
“Fuck you, Mario. Let’s get this shit over with for the night.” I stood to my feet and Mario did the same. I had about four inches on him but then again, I was taller than most at six-foot-three.
Mario drove his car to a parking lot and parked it. We walked the rest of the way to avoid anyone pointing out his vehicle. The streets were packed with tourists wearing masks and colorful beads, holding cups filled to the brim with liquor. Bright, energetic music painted the air while the sun turned to a golden disc in the sky, sinking into the earth.
Mario and I split up and went our separate ways once we got to the thickest parts of the crowd. I swiped a Mardi Gras mask from a vendor and slid it on over my face. I tuned my ears into the conversations bubbling over around me. I locked on to a group of three girls unsuccessfully asking strangers for the best bar nearby. They finally gave up on asking and pulled out their phones. I knew I had to swoop in when I heard them complaining about not having any fun in the height of Mardi Gras.
I walked over and flashed them a smile. It was a smile that said I was trustworthy and friendly. Both were lies.
“What’s good, ladies? I overheard y’all talking about partying and having fun.” Their expressions perked up. Their eyes brightened and they locked on to me.
“Yeah, you know a bar or something? We’re trying to be lit as fuck but we’re failing miserably.”
I flashed another deceptive smile and ran my hand over my beard. All three women’s eyes followed my lips. The group leader was tall and blonde with big blue eyes that held enough curiosity to get her feet burned by the fire.
