Page 49 of Not A Homie, Lover Or Friend
My head flew back, “A what?”
He dropped his head and shook it. “I got to remember you niggas are new. An OLS. Orange Light Special. When you put on your forever person.” He winked.
“Like an initiation?”
He laughed. “Yeah, something like that. It’s a special celebration. We’ve all done it in the Zoo. Have you noticed we’re all committed to someone? When you know, you know. I’m not saying Foe’s sister is your one because it might cost you your life, and unless she is worth dying for, I would back off, but you get me.”
I thought about what he was saying. These niggas really had a ritual to put their girls on, and now he had me curious. “So, what do you do in this OLS?”
Diamond glanced around like someone was watching us. “Did you get everything that was in your bag?” he whispered.
“Yeah, the money and jacket,” I replied.
He shook his head. “Nah nigga you didn’t. When you get home, check your bag again. Anyway, just put her on. I shouldn’t have to tell you how to do that. Look, if it is your wife, good luck. Foe, that nigga will be alright, you just make sure she is for you. When the time is right for your OLS, you will know.”
I nodded slowly. Diamond was cool, he seemed like the more relaxed nigga out of the crew, but I knew to keep my head on a swivel with the calm ones, because just as Beans was, nigga’s like that had an evil side that was begging to come out.
He pointed at me, “I think you and Foe should talk without the Zoo around. I know him. You niggas are kind of alike.”
“We’re nothing alike.”
“Yeah, ok. Anyway, Bishop is hosting a Halloween party, but we’re turning that bitch into a Zooloween party. You coming?”
I laughed. “Zoo over everything, right?”
He held his hand up. “My nigga.” He smiled.
I looked in his basket again. “Damn, you about to make another baby, ain’t you?”
He laughed. “Nigga worry less about what’s in my basket and more about your secret marriage,” he said as he walked off.
We dapped each other up before we parted. I didn’t know about the whole Foe thing, but for the sake of the crew and my wife, I would do it.
LAKIA
The sound of banging made me shoot up from the bed. I hadn’t realized I had dozed off. My eyes searched the room for Monfua, but he wasn’t around. I got up from the bed, hurrying out of the room. The place was empty. “Where did he go?” I mumbled.
Foe’s voice boomed from the other side of the door, “Kia!” he shouted.
I hurried to the door, swinging it open. “Why are you banging on the door like that?”
“Nigga I’ve been banging on this muhfucka for a minute,” he said as he peeked inside the crib. “Where is Ma? I saw her funky ass rental outside.”
I had forgotten to take it back to her, “Shit. I forgot to drop it back off to her. She was so damn drunk at your party, I dropped her off,” I told him.
He peeked inside again. I rolled my eyes as I opened the door wider. “Come in, he’s not here. I think he stepped out for a minute.”
He sucked his teeth as his eyes tightened. “You said the nigga was missing.”
I knew I was tired because I forgot to call him back and tell him Monfua had shown up. “He came back,” I paused.
It was time to tell my brother the truth, and a part of me wanted to leave well enough alone, but I knew that for me to move on and feel free, I needed to tell him. Foe glanced around the place before he sat on the couch. He pulled out a blunt and held it up, “Can I smoke in here?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “No, but we can step on the balcony, come on,” I instructed him, leading the way.
Once we were outside, I let him take a few pulls of his blunt. “I know you don’t like Harvey and at first it really bothered the fuck out of me because I love you both, but I’ve never been a nigga to force somebody to like someone. I don’t know how it’s going to work, but she is not going anywhere,” he started. “And Ma, I’m cutting her the fuck off completely. I thought she would have gotten her shit together by now, but the shit she's doing is wild.”
“I don’t hate Harvey,” I blurted. “Did I think what she did was fucked, yes, but I don’t hate her. You know, although we bump heads. We both have the same issue. You know, with the whole Harvey and Monfua thing. I know I can not dictate who you’re with and,” I paused. “You can’t do that to me either. I love you, Myles, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I’m your sister, not your child,” I explained.
