Page 53 of Intentional Foul
Marquise, stopping by our spot.
The text didn’t settle before he sent me his order. The same one I knew by heart, a grilled chicken sandwich. Steve pulled near the sidewalk, and I climbed out first. I extended my hand to Jhae, and she took it to step down to the sidewalk. Before I could kiss her hand, she snatched it backward. Per usual, the Vine was filled with people. They were the only health-conscious place with food you could actually taste.
I held the door open for her after she refused to hold my hand. The earth tone painted walls, wooden tables, and hanging plants lent to the vision and menu. Jhae stood in front of me as we waited in line. As we moved up, I caught eyes with my mother. Jhae saw Mom and tried running, but I blocked her path.
“Be yourself, Jhae,” I said and turned her around.
With my hand on her back, her body trembled as she stiffened.
“Malcolm,” Mom said, giving me a side hug and kiss.
“Jhae, are you okay? Were you running from me?” Mom asked, and Jhae struggled to get her words together.
I moved us forward with someone exiting the line. “She was telling me you were here,” I covered.
“Yeah,” Jhae said with a trembling voice.
“Jhae, we are past due to hang out. Marquise said he was coming to rescue his sister. From what? I don’t know. But it gives me some free time,” Mom said.
My wife’s mouth opened and closed, but no words exited.
“Are you okay? Jhae, your behavior has been all over the place. I know you’re recording an album but I’m worried,” Mom expressed her concerns to Jhae, reaching for her hand.
I pinched Jhae’s back to wake her up from her trance, and her chest jumped
“Yeah, I’m good. Like you said, the album. I’m under quite a bit of pressure.”
Mom pulled Jhae in for a hug, but my wife’s body stiffened.
“For a second there, you and Malcolm appeared to be a couple. Son, you were a little too close to Jhae,” she said and kissed my cheek.
After Mom exited Vine, my Music Note glared at me. “I’m leaving today,” she said through gritted teeth.
“I respect your choice, but I’m going to follow you. Where are we moving to?” I said as I returned her stare.
She tightened her nose, squinting her almond-shaped eyes before snatching her body around.
Jhae
Anissa catching me with Malcolm stood as a clear sign for me to run. The trapped air in my lungs pushed my heart to pound against my chest. The thought of hurting her turned my stomach. I hate to hurt Malcolm, but he would get over it with time. He had plenty of opportunities to meet someone else. Stepping to the counter, I moved. Malcolm crowded me and ordered my favorite salad, green juice, and more items.
“One hundred even,” the server said.
“Marquise! Marquise!” a youthful voice said.
Two high school aged boys appeared next to us with basketballs. Malcolm paid for our food and slapped hands with them, pretending to be his brother. The first time I observedthem switch identities, I was speechless. They did it without effort. Although they were identical, they didn’t resemble each other enough for people to get them confused.
“What am I signing?” he asked as we moved to the side.
“To JaShon,” the teen boy said, unable to keep his composure as he danced. “Tell Malcolm I’m coming for him on the three-point line,” he bragged.
“Not too much on my brother,” Malcolm teased.
I shook my head and caught eyes with Chasity. She cut through the tables to get away from me. Leaving Malcolm behind, I trailed her outside the doors.
“Chasity, where the hell have you been? Why is your phone off?” I asked.
She smirked as she gave me a faint shoulder shrug. “I’m glad I found you. I need you to give a statement about us drinking at club After.”
