Page 73 of Hellcat Barbies: Imani
“Two! Ok Mr. Firefighter! You gone let me drive them?”
With so much amusement in his tone, he says, “Miss Imani, you gonna be too old then; I’ll drive you in it though.”
“How old do you think I’ll be?” I ask, holding in my laughter.
“Old like my Maw Maw. I think she fifty,” he says so seriously. A child’s concept of age has always fascinated me.
“I think she’s a little older than that.”
“I don’t know. She might be,” he says then shrugs the conversation off. He pulls his lunch kit from his bookbag then opens it. After rummaging through it, he asks, “Can we stop to a store? I’m thirsty.”
“I actually need some gas. There’s a station in a few blocks. We can stop and you can get something from there.”
“And some blue Takis?”
“If they have them.”
“Okay.”
I drive the few blocks to the big gas station, C-Mart, then pull up to a pump. Before getting out, I shoot Daymir a text so he’ll know that I have DJ.
Me: I got him.
Daymir:Thanks again, beautiful. I’m gonna be at least another hour. Sorry.
Me: I told you he’s fine. We’ll grab something to eat then go to my class. Take your time. Ily ??
Daymir:Love you too.
“That was my daddy?” DJ asks.
“Yes. I told him that I had you but how did you know I was texting him?” I ask.
“Cause you was smiling,” his little intuitive self says.
“I always smile,” I counter. “But leave your headphones in here. Let’s go.”
I unlock the doors and we both get out. As we walk towards the store, he says, “I can pump your gas for you. My daddy taught me.”
“Ok. You can definitely do that.”
We enter the store and go to the drinks first. As soon as he spots the slushie machine, he rushes to it. He mixes all three flavors like I used to do as a child. I fix myself an ice coffee with pecan infused cold brew and a vanilla protein shake. I’ve barely eaten today and I need something with substance. We find his Takis next then we head to the cashier so I can pay for our items and my gas.
As we are walking out the door, I spot a blue NISMO pulling into the station. At first, I shrug it off but when I see it pull in behind my car, too damn close, everything in me heightens and my intuition tells me it’s the nigga I beat at thestreet race, Mase. He was on bullshit about a month ago at the track and now he’s here.
Fuck! I don’t have time for this, especially in front of the baby.
“Go get in my car. I’ll pump the gas so you can drink your slushie,” I tell DJ and he runs ahead of me and gets in my car.
I hit my key fob and lock the door as soon as he’s in. I debate for a second if I should just get in my car and drive off on a quarter tank or if I should pump my gas and ignore Mase. Obviously, he just wants to rattle me. He didn’t do shit at the track and I highly doubt he’ll gone do shit here, out in the open. At least four more cars are at the pumps.
Deciding on my second thought, I walk to my car and start pumping my gas. My eyes never leave his ride as I do. Right when I’m placing the hose back on the pump, the door to the NISMO opens and Mase steps out. The ominous look on his face causes me to instinctively go to my door, for my gun. It stays tucked under my seat. However, I remember DJ and hesitate.
“Where’s your bodyguard now, bitch?” he grits but I ignore him. DJ is in the front seat and I don’t want any shit to pop off in front of him or put him in harm’s way. So, I press my key to unlock my door. As I open it, he says, “I hope you can beat me this time.”
His words don’t make any sense so I ignore him and slide in. When I close my door, he steps to it then like a bitch, he spits on my window. DJ is the only thing saving this nigga from my reckless mouth and hands. I just shake my head and start my car. When I do, he steps back.
“Are you okay?” I ask DJ.
