Page 16 of Heart of a Savage
“Nah, I’m unserious,” I replied sarcastically.
“Yeah, okay, Messiah.”
“We’ll work out the rent after you sign the paperwork.”
“Rent? You know I don’t make enough to pay the rent right now, Si.”
“You and your troll of a sister better get on the pole then. And don’t even think about taking my son with you. He ain’t living in no ho house.”
“I hate you so much. Don’t even think about asking me to suck your dick or fuck you ever again. You’re an evil-ass monster.”
I chuckled. “If I’m a monster, then why are you still fucking with me?”
“Because you won’t let me take my son!”
“Why would you want to take my son from his comfortable life to go to the slums with you? Make that make sense.”
“Go to hell, Messiah.”
“Are you serious about not giving me none no more? I mean… I could find somebody else to handle that for me.”
She was silent for a moment before she finally spoke. “What time are you coming home?”
I laughed as I hung up the phone. Jalea played tough all the time, but as soon as I said I’d get it from somewhere else, she would fold. I couldn’t be nice to her because anytime I tried to, she did stupid shit to piss me off. It’s why I remained single. Women gave me headaches, and I refused to add a woman to the other list of headaches I had to deal with on a daily basis. I loved being single. The only thing I truly gave a fuck about was my family, making money, and taking care of my son.
My eyes scanned the restaurant. Mayor Clifton Duncan was sitting in the booth waiting for me. Honor Thy Food was an upscale restaurant owned by Jaxson Santana, the president of the Motor City Rebels—a biker crew that did community work on the West and East sides of Detroit.
Last year, our company had a gala and had Jaxson’s restaurant cater the event. Needless to say, but the food was so damn good, I had to get his information so that I could make it my mission to come check him out. We talked for a while, and he told me about his and his brother’s club. I wasn’t into bikes, but the more we talked, the more commonalities surfaced, and we formed a friendship.
When Jaxson found out that I was in the buying and selling trade, he started explaining the condition of the neighborhoods he frequented and wanted to make a change in the community. Although we were a realty company, we bought houses, apartments, and businesses, fixed them up, then sold them or rented them out. Jaxson wanted me to buy the loftsand apartments downtown, but I needed a permit to start the building process.
Enter Mayor Duncan.
Jaxson was able to get me a sit-down with him so that I could get the permit once I bought the buildings. It was backward to me, but Jaxson felt as if I should get a written agreement showing they were bought. Duncan would then sign over the permits to start the building process seeing that I was ready.
“Mayor,” I acknowledged as I walked over to the booth.
He looked up at me as I extended my hand to him that he accepted. “Mr. Crawford. How are you?”
“Can’t complain. I know you’re wondering why I summoned you.”
“Yes. Jax didn’t tell me why I was needed, but his father was a good friend of mine, so I agreed to take the meeting.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. I’m Jessie, and I’ll be your server for today. Are you guys ready to order?” the server asked, approaching the table.
“I’ll take the brunch special with the Cajun shrimp and grits, my steak medium-well, orange juice, and wheat toast.”
Every time I came for brunch, I ordered the same thing. Homie had to be putting crack in his food because I never thought I’d meet someone who could top Ashlyn in the kitchen.
“Okay. And for you, sir?”
“I’ll take the same, but with white toast and an apple juice instead,” Duncan replied.
“Alrighty. I’ll be back with your orders as soon as they are ready.”
“Thanks, Jessie.”
