Page 8 of Kassir and Rebel
“For her bachelorette party,” I say, teasing. A time will be had but there are no strippers planned. I don’t really like them either.
“Yeah, alright,” he says and Ma and I laugh.
“There’s no strippers,” I whisper to her and she squeezes me into her.
“Thank God but are you hungry? I cooked.”
“No. Teaira and I ordered Vic’s. I’m full but maybe later,” I say, then sit up. When I do, I get a good look at the living room. Her store seems to have grown. “When did you get that cooler?” I ask.
“Jimmy got it and fixed it up about three years ago. I sell a lot of cold drinks but I’m thinking about closing the store altogether,” she says, to my surprise.
“Really? Why?”
“Well, I only started it because I had so many foster kids. It brought in extra money when I needed it. With all my babies gone now, I don’t need it. Between my settlement money and Jimmy moving in here, I’m good and don’t need to do this anymore. Once I sell out, I think that’s going to be it.”
For years, Ma worked at Black Ops Bourbon in Crescent Falls. She worked first shift at the warehouse, but when I was inthe tenth grade, something happened and she got hurt. She filed a workman’s comp claim and got a pretty decent settlement.
“No store. Whew. I get it but that’s going to be a big adjustment for D-Ville.”
“I know, but it’s time, baby.”
“You deserve to relax and enjoy your new husband. We can’t have people running in and out of here while you’re trying to honeymoon.”
“I know that’s right,” she says with a titter. “You sure you’re not hungry because I need to fix Jimmy a plate. You see him shuffling in that kitchen. Let me take care of him and you go get settled. We can talk later,” she says, then eases off the sofa. As she treks to the kitchen, she says, “Kassir was here earlier,” stopping my damn heart.
Chapter 5
Kassir
Nothing gets past me in D-Ville. Nothing, not even the arrival of Rebel. Apparently, she made it in the building around seven, and by nine, I had received two texts, one from Nard, a DP member who lives on the first floor and an angry one from Linnea. One of her bird friends informed her. Although Rebel and I aren’t physically together, and haven’t been for a minute, she’s mine and everybody knows that shit. That fact pisses Linnea off because it only solidifies the fact that the only thing between me and her is our son.
Linnea: So she’s back.
Me: Yes.
Linnea: Do I need to come get my son? I don’t want him messing shit up between you and her.
Me: Our son is fine. I’m bringing him home tomorrow at 8 like I always do.
My words shut her ass up and she doesn’t respond to my text. I place my phone on my sectional and check on Kassan. As usual, he’s knocked out on his bed, balled up in the top corner. His TV is on but the volume’s low. He likes a little light when he sleeps. After pulling his comforter over him, I walk out and close his door. Leem is supposed to be stopping by when he leaves his body shop so we can chop it up about Mano.
When I step back in the living room, I hear my cell ringing. I rush over and see it’s Leem. “From the cradle to the casket,” I answer.
“Ay, I’m about to make a run,” he rushes out.
“The fuck you mean make a run? We got problems?” I ask. This nigga stays on go. Of the two of us, I’m the calmest, but if there’s a problem, I’ll be on whatever time is needed.
“Yahzi called,” he says and I stall out for a moment. Yahzi is his girl. Some shit went down and she left Diamond Falls. But no matter where she is, she is his. So, if she’s calling for him, I know he will stop everything for her.
“Then it’s notwegot a problem; it’syougot a problem, fam,” I finally say.
“Here we fucking go,” he scoffs.
“I’m just saying; you been waiting on that call for three years.”
“I’ve been doing me. You act like I pressed pause on my life and shit.”
“I’m not gonna argue with you about some shit you refuse to acknowledge. I’m assuming you making a run means you’re about to bring yo’ girl home.”
