Page 55 of All The Smoke
I tuned most of the shit he was saying out as he talked and talked, making false promises to the people about his plans and how he was going to bring about all this change and shit. It was bullshit to me. He was a liar. I honestly couldn’t believe my ears when he let people know the foundation of his platform was fucking fiscal responsibility. The nigga was more worried about saving people money than any fucking thing else. Out of all the shit he could have done, that was what he settled on.
I wasn’t that shocked though because he was driven by money and power. That was why he kept his distance with me. He couldn’t control and manipulate me. He’d been able to do that shit with my brother, but I wasn’t going for it.
“Solomon, Solomon, wait…” my mother called out to me after her husband’s speech was done. I jetted as soon as he let it be known he was wrapping up.
“What’s up?” I asked, looking down at her.
“We aren’t keeping SJ tonight? It’s…”
“Naw, I’m taking him.”
“Oh.” She looked down briefly then back up at me. “We’re having dinner catered here tonight. You don’t want to let him eat?”
“Naw, we cool,” I declined. “I got moves to make so I’ll grab him something.”
She nodded. “Alright, but you don’t want to speak to your father before you leave? I know he wants to talk to you and the press is here…”
I cut her off. “That’s y’all thing. I came to this because he was announcing his candidacy andNoahcarried on about how important it was that I be here for it. I ain’t agree to no conversations and definitely not taking pictures for the press like we one big happy family.”
“But we are, Solomon.” She stepped forward and caressed my cheek. “I don’t know why in the devil you’re working so hard to force a line in the sand with us, but your father and I love you and SJ so much.”
“That’s just it, Ma.” I chuckled and shook my head. “I didn’t cause the division of us all, you and Bishop did, I’m just making you stand on it. You don’t get to throw away the most important person in my life and think I’m cool with it.”
“We didn’t…”
“You did and every time you lie and say you didn’t, it pisses me off, Ma.” I frowned. “Y’all flaw as hell for the way you did him and making the foundation of his candidacy about some fiscal shit is insane.”
“That is an important matter,” she argued.
“Naw, what’s important is your son is sitting in jail for something he didn’t do and gaining another platform to shit on said son, making the foundation of your candidacy somethingother than prison reform or fixing this fucked up ass justice system is nasty work.” I shook my head, preparing to walk away, but I had one last thing to say. “And trying to convince me that you guys are these loving and doting parents, but saying you love me andmy sonis asinine.”
I left on that note because I said all I needed to say and a nigga ain’t feel like dealing with the theatrics. She was always looking and sounding sad, trying to guilt trip me but I wasn’t going for it. She and Bishop were never in my face this much when I was younger. It wasn’t until I really stopped fucking with them that they started coming around more.
Solo asked for a seafood boil when we were on the way to the crib so we stopped by Phat Fish to grab food. I told my mama we had some shit going on tonight, but truth was, I just wanted to kick shit dolo with my baby boy. Our little duo would soon be a trio so I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.
Doyou want to just meet there? I don’t want you to have to do a lot of unnecessary driving.
I frowned down at my phone laying on my dresser as I read the message from Kaori. I didn’t know what kind of nigga she took me as, but she had me confused. There was no way I was gon’ allow her to drive to meet me anywhere.
I’m on my way.
There was no reason for me to even address what she said. The plan was to go to eat first because she had been sending me pictures and videos of that dim sum shit and other foods, so I knew she really wanted it. The plan was to listen to her talk, hopefully she’d say something to give me an idea of what to do next.
After spraying on cologne and grabbing my wallet and phone, I bounced. My car was freshly washed and detailed because I didn’t want her to get in no dirty shit or smell weed because a nigga definitely always blowed in the car. Kaori smoked too, but she wouldn’t be doing it while carrying my kid and potentially afterward because I hoped she would be breastfeeding.
I spent the majority of my ride to her crib talking to Solo. I’d told him about the baby the night before and he was excited about being a big brother. I left out who I was having a baby with because I knew it was only a matter of time before he told his mother. The last thing I wanted or needed was Bri pressing Kaori. I did promise to introduce them soon though. Solo was gon’ be too lit when he realized it was Kaori because for whatever reason he loved her ass. Lil nigga had only been around her a few times and swore they were locked in forever.
I thought about texting her and telling her I was there then meeting her at the door but decided against it. She already thought I was going to let her drive and meet me for a fucking date.
After knocking, I stuffed my hands into the pockets of the Adidas track pants I wore and waited. I looked the restaurant up to make sure a nigga didn’t have to dress up and was glad to see people wore normal shit.
“Damn,” slipped out quicker than I intended when Kaori opened the door looking as beautiful as ever.
She wore a blue jean Ed Hardy skirt with a matching olive screen top with the brand name in orange letters along with the army olive and orange Jordan 5s on her feet. Her pretty ass was glowing like a mothafucka too. My baby looked good on her.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, breaking me from the trance she had me in.
“You should,” I admitted, pulling her close into a hug. “You look good as fuck, baby.”
