Page 77 of Citiali: Teach
The crowd laughs
I do my bit and know he feels the appreciation.
Prez moves fast, kissing Justice’s head before he walks away. Prez smiles at the crowd then us. “You always find a way. Thank you for being here, Officers, Brothers from around the country. This break, according to Badass history has only come a couple of times. Pres told me of two.”
I laugh, looking at the table with a smiling old Pres and Danny.
“The reason we got this break is because a Brother found a new way with help from the ancestors. If you haven’t guessed, that’s Citiali. We all owe him a drink but he doesn’t drink. He’s an ability kid so hugging him isn’t a good idea. He’s Indian so don’t buy him shit. That leaves appreciation. Just say thanks.”
The whole crowd looks up at me and yells, “Thanks!”
I crack up with the Brothers and Bits around me yelling it too.
Prez is smiling. “We have some new coming to all Clubs, you’ll get that in email from José soon. I could list it but you’re not here to work.” He turns back toward the table and throws chin, then says to the Brothers, “Go do whatever the fuck makes you happy.”
The table behind him laughs loud. The Brothers cheer, Indians throw out war cries and Prez is in front of me.Asgina.
He hugs me. “Thank you.”
I step back when he lets me go.
“You’re feeling it. Your back is radiating energy.”
I nod. “I’m shielding the Protectors.”
“I got you a bike with a changing paint job. It’s an Indian, you’ll love it. Cort is going to try for a chopper. Hemy told himyou fly. Justice is doing the dinner here and said it’s enough but Cooper wants to send you horses. Harky said he has dogs.”
My head shaking stops him. “Can you stop all that, Prez. The thanks was enough.”
“You’ll take the bike?”
I breathe deep hoping for strength. I smile. “If you can keep all the other shit away, yeah. You got a reason to celebrate that has nothing to do with me.”
He freezes then smiles and is gone. I laugh at him hugging Aylen. “You’re not naming her anything Sesame Street.”
“What?” Walker pitches forward.
“How did Aurora get here! Citiali! Hold them!” I’m shocked at Mucimi’s yell. I’ve never heard him yell like that.
Feeling us lower. I look around and move. “Atohi, Yona, kids, the field!”
Dyani moves closer but doesn’t touch me.
We float to the empty field and I breathe. Fuckin’ Mucimi.
Yona is on the grass by Walker. I look for Atohi. “This is crazier than your Club. I’m going to see if Andrew will leave tomorrow. I need a break from all this.”
I laugh and hug him. The crew follows him back down the hill.
Dyani laughs at the Bits all lined up single file while doing the messenger run with Zeke, Axe and Luke Rayne jogging beside them.
Trask is following a floating boy that doesn’t look like he wants to be caught. Hannah has the other. Mase is on fire carrying his youngest girl who is not happy. Old Pres, Danny, Knight and a line of Brothers appear in front of Aylen.
Maiyun hits my leg. “Luke Rayne said to stay close to you until he gets back. Spirit in the sky, where did they all come from?”
I look and move her back. “They look like Princes. Yeah, that’s Darren. Aylen’s pregnant they’ll all show.”
She screams and Dyani laughs. Aiyana shows. “I will get us to the women’s teepee.”
