Page 44 of Suleem and Yahzi
“Girl, stop looking like that. Nobody really cares that Joel is gone. Hell, they probably don’t even remember he worked here and I’m hyped as hell to have an ally. These niggas in here stay on some dumb shit but now it’s two against seven which basically means four to seven because you already know we have twice the brain power.”
I laughed and looked around. “It’s kinda empty in here.”
“Don’t trip, everyone is down at the courts watching practice because of the game Saturday. Trust, when the doors open it’sgoing to be back to back before we close up. You straight to be here Saturday morning? Games start at four, we close at two.”
“Yeah, that works.”
“Aight, I’m about to lock up and head down to the courts. You want to bring your stuff in or…”
I shook my head. “I don’t have it with me. I can bring it when I start.”
I told her goodbye and left the shop. As soon as I was in the Jeep, I got a text from Suleem asking me to meet him at the courts in an hour. I had time so I decided to grab something to eat before I headed that way but I received a call from Blue Haven and panicked.
“Is she okay?” The words rushed out in one breath but I relaxed as soon as Dr. Ross responded.
“She’s fine. I was just calling to provide an update. As of now, we don’t feel any surgeries are required. Of course we’ll continue to monitor her, just to remain on top of her condition.”
“But she’s fine?”
“Yes, your mother is doing well. Will you be coming by soon? You can see for yourself. That might put you at ease.”
“Yeah I’ll do that. Thank you.”
I could stop by to see her on the way to the park since it was en route. I would definitely feel better seeing and hugging my mother. I hated that she could no longer give me her thoughts and feelings, or even a reflection of how much I know she loved me, but regardless, I felt it each time I snuggled in her bed and lay my head on her chest. That was all I had and it would have to be enough.
Chapter 10
Suleem
“You know my brother and Riq are about to embarrass the fuck out of all them teams. We’re winning this shit and I’m cashing out off baby bro.”
The bets on the tournaments reached six figures a game, which meant we would all be cashing out thanks to Kove and Riq.
I nodded at Yoel’s statement but didn’t respond verbally because of the text that came through at the same time
Mano: I’m trying to make money. If that’s not what you’re on, then I’ll just figure something else out.
This muthafucker was really trying my patience…
“Ay, you good, Bank?”
I swiped out of the thread with Mano and opened the one with Yahzi to send her a text.
Me: Meet me at the park in an hour.
After I hit send, I locked my phone and dropped it into my pocket.
“Yeah, I’m straight.”
“You sure? Your face is all twisted and shit.”
“I’m cool. Just trying to decide how I’m gonna handle Mano. This muthafucker is playing with his life.”
“Oh shit, you found out about him over there onRalph’sblocks?”
I normally would have laughed at one of our people referring to Riz by his government because the disrespect was funny as hell but I couldn’t bypass the part about Mano being in Bedford’s area.
“The fuck you mean being on his blocks?”
