Page 58 of My Brother's Keeper
My mom’s head spun to see him standing there. He looked at her, then at me. My mother patted the seat next to her, and he sat down. Morgan was behind the curtain, cheering me on. I made my way to the far corner. I took a deep breath.Skip, skip,and leap. My legs and arms were fully extended as I performed the perfect Jeté.
Jalen jumped from his seat, while Morgan didn’t allow me to curtsey before she came running, hugging me tightly.“Girl!”She screamed.
The judges’ faces were neutral. Then one of them lifted their eyes, “Ms. Maverick, have you done anything beyond the courses you’ve listed?”
“Uh, no, sir. I have, however, been taking Ballet classes, so I am pretty advanced.”
He nodded slowly. “We do want you to join our play; however, I wonder if you would be interested in joining the Beau Cygne dance company.”
“Me?”
He smiled. “Yes, you. Listen, I will have Edith give you the information before you leave. Think about it and thank you.”
I rushed off the stage and jumped into Jalen’s arms, kissing him. I pulled away and hugged my mother. She kissed the side of my face, “Alyse, you did so well. I’m so proud of you!”
She pulled away, then handed me her phone. “Someone wants to talk to you,” she said.
I glanced down at the phone to see my father’s face. “Good job, sweetheart. I’m not going to apologize for wanting the best for you. I don’t want you to get entangled in what I did at TSU,but I also know you have your own life to live. I am proud of you,” he choked. “You’re not my baby anymore.”
A tear rolled down my cheek. “Thank you, daddy, I love you,” I said as I handed my mother back the phone.
When we left, I was supposed to ride with Morgan, but I hopped on the back of Jalen’s bike instead. I squeezed him tightly as he cruised through the city. Dancing did make me happy, but he made me happier.
The Zoo decided that we would go to Layoni’s. Most of them were scared because it was a bar, and they feared I would drink. However, I knew I couldn’t be shielded from every place with alcohol. The urge not to ask for a drink was hard, but I knew if I could do this, then it meant that I could follow through with my sobriety.
Diamond stood from the table and came over to me. “I’m proud of you, my nigga. You did something my father couldn’t, you changed. You're trying, and sometimes all a person needs to hear to keep going is a simple I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, D. That meant a lot.”
He headed back over toward Yana and their baby when the sound of bikes revving loudly caught our attention. Dio shot up from the chair. “There go those niggas again.”
“Fuck you mean again?” Zu asked.
Dio looked at Jalen, and Jalen looked at me.
NTR. That money for the race we lost.
I dropped my head and shook it. I glanced back at Jalen.Shit. I don’t even remember.
Xavier didn’t bother to use his crutches as he hobbled toward the door. “Fuck them niggas man.”
Symphony eyed me. “What do they want?”
Preach looked at Symphony, “A prayer if they don’t go find something safe to do.”
Chevy stood from the table. “Let’s find out. Aye, Z, baby, take the boys home. I will be there later.”
“June, you’d better come home.”
“Always.”
All the guys stood from the table and moved, including me. When we stepped outside, one of the nigga’s faces looked familiar. “Oh shit, look who came back from the dead!” he taunted me.
“Fuck you want?”
He smirked as he and his crew glanced at all of us. “NTR against you, Zoo niggas.”
Dio pointed. “We already smoked yo ass. What is it with these Toussaint niggas who don’t know how to lie down after an ass beating?”
