Page 13 of Bern and Isley
“Fuck him,” she blurted. “He had the opportunity to handle that shit before Bern got out, but he didn’t. So, he can’t complain because another nigga got the job done.”
“He says that he would have given me the money if I’d asked,” I told her.
“A real man sees a need and meets it, Isley. And you know this. Marshall must have a dick of gold because you typically don’t go for this type of bullshit.”
I sighed heavily. “I mean the dick is good… but it’s not that. Marshall has been good to me. Is he perfect, no? But what man is. I’m thirty years old and ready to settle down. I can’t end every relationship just because a nigga has flaws. The perfect man doesn’t exist, Snow.”
“So, you’re okay with Mr. Good Enough?”
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. Was I mistaking red flags as just personality flaws? She was definitely right that Marshall shouldn’t wait on me to ask him for something as big as a car repair. Common sense should’ve told him that a car was a necessity and to offer the money if he had it to spare.
“That’s definitely something to think about,” I admitted.
“So how did the conversation with him go after he and Bern had words last night?”
“He said since I wouldn’t answer his calls or messages that he came over to apologize in person for being an asshole earlier that morning. Then, when he saw me and Bern when he got off the elevator, he snapped.”
“I’m glad Bern was there. I understand him being upset that you were ignoring him then running into you with another nigga. But he could’ve handled it better. Snapping on you like that was out of pocket. He should’ve given you a chance to explain shit. Another red flag.”
“I can’t argue with that.” I leaned my head into my hands. The shit was giving me a headache. “That definitely wasn’t how I wanted the two to meet.”
“He’s lucky that Bern’s trying to turn a new leaf.”
That was also true. The rage in Bern’s dark brown eyes nearly scared me. The way he muffed Marshall’s head was his way of challenging him. I was so glad my man had enough sense to stand down. Although he was clearly bigger than Bern, there was no doubt in my mind that my best friend would have beat his ass.
I sat back in my seat and grabbed the menu from the holder on the table. “Okay, enough about them. Let’s order some food, I’m starving.”
Although I studied the menu like I was preparing for a pop quiz, I decided to go with my usual. Half of a club sandwich with a small chef’s salad. And I couldn’t forget their famous sweet tea. While we enjoyed our lunch, Snow brought me up to speed on her work drama. Her boss was fucking with one of the Latino custodians and the wife had found out about it.
On my way home after lunch, I continued to think about my conversation with Snow. Was my desire to settle down clouding my judgment? I had broken up with niggas for less in the past, but I’d given Marshall the benefit of the doubt. At what point would enough be enough? I didn’t know yet, but I figured time would reveal all.
Chapter 6
Bern
It had beena month since I was released from prison. As expected, the job hunt had been disappointing. I tried to hold out hope for the position at the food distribution company where I interviewed. But when one day turned into two, then two days turned into a week, then two weeks, I knew they weren’t offering me the job. Theo was apologetic, but that shit wasn’t his fault. I appreciated him for putting in the word. Deep down I knew checking that box admitting to having a felony would outweigh any personal reference from a friend.
As salty as I was about the situation, I knew it was a result of my own bad choices. I could only be upset with myself. But being the man that I was, I didn’t sit around feeling sorry for myself. I knew I had to make some shit shake regardless. So, if “the man” didn’t want to give me an opportunity, I had to create my own. Legally.
Mr. Bobby Joe, one of the shade tree mechanics in the city, had told me about a business opportunity he thought I’d be interested in. He had given me the details and the name of the person to contact if I wanted to go through with it. I did some research and found that it could be a really lucrative business if I put the work into it. The only thing that made me hesitate wasthe fifty grand investment. I had put some money back before I went to prison, so getting the money wasn’t an issue. But if the shit didn’t work out, then I would be sick about losing that kind of money. But I’d always heard that scared money didn’t make no money.
“Boy, you don’t hear me talking to you?”
My mom’s voice broke my thoughts. “My bad, Ma… what did you say?”
“I said I’m going on a date tonight. I won’t be back tonight, so don’t wait up.”
“You sure are going on a lot of dates lately, you must really like the man.” I folded my arms as I rested against the kitchen island.
“I don’t know yet. I’m just trying to go with the flow,” she admitted.
My mother had lost her husband Norman two years into their marriage. She was devastated. Hell, I was too. He was a really good man and treated her like a queen. Norman wasn’t a rich man, but he went above and beyond for her. And me. So I was glad that she was finally at the point where she wanted to test the dating pool out. I just hoped the men in her age range had their shit together. The last thing I wanted to do was check a nigga about my mama. But I would if I had to.
“Well, I want to meet him once you figure out if you want to keep him around.” I knew what he looked like because she showed me pics on her phone. I told her that’s the least she could do until she was ready to formally introduce us. I needed to know what the nigga looked like in case I had to go looking for his ass.
“All you needto do is sign your name on the dotted line and the business is yours,” the slender, Black realtor told me.
I took a deep breath and began signing all of the documents that made me the owner of a self-serve car wash. It had four bays and four dryers. The location was perfect. As a matter of fact, I’d used the car wash plenty of times to clean my own whips. The previous owner was retiring to travel abroad and needed to sell the business. After realizing that the odds of me securing a nine to five with decent pay were slim to none, I had no choice but to gamble on myself. And this was it.
