Page 27 of The Prodigy 2: Rise of a Queen

11

Jakari

Afterthefifthtimemy phone rang, I finally dragged myself from the fetal position to grab it. I didn’t even bother seeing who it was.

“What?” I croaked into the phone.

“Where the fuck you been?” That was Nay hollerin’ in my damn ear.

“At the apartment. What you want, man?”

“Joe been trying to call you all day. We got some news on Prez.”

I went to stretch my feet out and hit something hard. That’s when I remembered I was curled up on the living room couch.

“That shit gon’ have to wait, Nay. I’m serious. I’m dealing with some shit right now.”

He was quiet for a minute. “You alright?”

“I’m good.”

“J. Don’t act, nigga. I’m your big brother. Tell me what’s wrong or I’ma come over there and whoop yo ass.”

That got a chuckle out of me, cuz his ass would really do that shit.

“It’s some personal shit. Gimme a day. Aight? Twenty-four hours.”

“Yeah, okay. Hit me up if you wanna talk, man. I’m here.”

“’Preciate it, bruh.”

I hung up and let my phone drop out of my hands. Didn’t even have the strength or will to hold it anymore. The only thing on my mind right now was how Malika was doing. I hadn’t seen her since we got home last night.

Crazy.

A hardcore nigga like me was scared to go see my wife.

That thought was what got my ass off the couch and sent me to the linen closet to find a towel and washrag. When I passed through the room to get to the shower, she looked like she was sleep, her back to the door. Quietly, I shut myself up in the bathroom and got myself cleaned and dressed.

After a few deep breaths, I left the bathroom and approached the bed. I knew she was awake when I heard her sigh, but she didn’t turn over.

I sat next to her and waited. Still nothing.

“Malika?”

She didn’t move or make a sound.

“I know you’re upset right now, which you got the right to be. I just came in here to make sure you was okay.”

I waited. Still nothing.

“I remember you saying you had to work tonight. You want me to tell ‘em you ain’t coming?”

After several seconds, she nodded.

Okay, it was a response at least.

I left her alone and went back to the living room to get my phone. I found Sliders online and hit the button to dial the number. A man answered, sounding annoyed as fuck.

---