When You Know It's Real: Siah and Nonie (11 page)

“Are you ready to order?”

“Yes, but I’ll order for everyone.” Senior rattled off a list of items and then looked at me.

“Coffee or juice?”

“Coffee, cream and sugar,” I said, looking at the waitress.

“I’ll have coffee, black and bring two glasses of orange juice, one for me and the other for my son.”

“Your son, I should have known. He’s handsome, just like you, Senior,” she said it in a way that didn't offend me because I could tell that she was more interested in Senior than Siah, which was clear as day.

She was pretty, but not what I would have considered Senior’s type. He usually liked his women pretty young, and she was clearly in her mid-forties, slender build like she worked out. Her jet black hair was pulled into a ponytail in back of her head and she was dressed in jeans with a powder blue polo. Nothing over the top.

“’Preciate it,” Siah said in reference to her comment about him before his hand moved down my arm since it was still across the back of my chair.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

She smiled at Senior and then left our table. Shortly after, she returned with our drinks, and then our food not long after that. Senior had ordered pancakes, eggs, sausage and homemade biscuits. The food was great, and I ate way more than I should have, but I couldn't stop. We all caught up and talked about any and everything going on in our lives. Senior and I ganged up on Siah as usual, and like always, I enjoyed my time with the O’day men until breakfast was over and it was time for Siah and I to leave.

“I'm about to hit this bathroom before we make this drive. Stay away from his old ass while I’m gone.”

“Whatever,” I said, sliding my arm around Senior’s waist and resting my head on his side.

“Keep that shit up and he’ll be taking your ass home,” Siah threatened and then walked off, leaving us.

Once he rounded the corner, Senior started with the questions. I knew it was coming because he knew me, but even more than that, he knew his son.

“So now you can tell me how you really are. Is everything okay with you and my son?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Because I know my son.” Senior offered a sympathetic smile.

“We are what we are. That hasn't changed,” I admitted.

“Be patient with him, Nonie. He’s complicated, and unfortunately he learned from me, but he loves you. Just in his own way. I’m not sure that Yosiah can just change who he is. He’s trying for you, but I don't know that he can.”

“What am I supposed to do with that?” I understood what he was saying, but it didn't mean that was good enough.

“Love him. That’s all I can tell you. He has a good heart, he just doesn't know how to give it to anyone. Don't blame him for that, blame me, but he loves you, Nonie. He really does.”

“I know that, but love isn't always enough, Senior. You of all people know that. You love a lot of women, which is why I’m struggling with your son.” The smirk that adorned my face caused him to laugh.

“Agreed,” Senior said before pulling me into another hug, just as Siah joined us again.

“Here you go with this shit. Let's go, Pretty, before I have to handle his ass,” Siah said, pulling me away from Senior. We all walked to the front and Senior got in his car to leave, while we got in Siah's to do the same.

“Thank you.”

I knew the motive behind my surprise breakfast with his father, but I didn't mind. I missed Senior, and never regretted spending time with him.

“You’re welcome.” Siah winked at me.

“Jock, hold up.”

I looked over my shoulder at the young cat who jogged up to me just before I was about to slide in my truck. My hand was on my gun because I didn't know him, but he was calling my name. You couldn't trust people for shit, and I wasn't about to die today. Fuck that.

“What’s up?” I asked, looking him over. He was dressed casually, simple but clean, so he didn't appear to be a fiend but you could never be too sure.

“I know this is your area, well yours and Siah’s, and I was wondering if I could get some work. It's just me because my pops just left me and my brother. We don't know where the fuck that nigga is and we gotta eat. I was hoping to get put on with you. I’ll start anywhere, I don't care, I just need to make some money.”

I looked him over, taking in his story, but didn't say much. Being around Siah for so long, I’d learned to read people pretty well. I wasn't nearly as good as Siah, ’cause that nigga could tell your whole life story just from looking in your eyes, but I was decent. Hell, you had to be in our line of work.

I leaned into my car, got out a business card, and handed it to him. It was for FlyKicks one of our legitimate businesses. I didn't know dude, so I wasn't about to talk shop with him out here on the street, no matter what his story was.

“Hit that number and tell them to set up a meeting with me. You get one chance. If I’m feeling you, you get a trial run. Understand this though, if you fuck up with us, it cost you your life and not your job, so make sure it's what you want.”

He paused for a minute, like he was thinking, and then nodded. “Cool. I can do that, and I understand. Thank you. I appreciate you even talking to me.”

Again, he nodded, and then extended his hand to me. He was young, I could tell, but he had heart. I accepted his hand; he smiled and stepped back. He watched me until I was in my ride and pulling off, almost like he was waiting for permission to leave. I guess I’d check him out and see what was up. If I liked him, I’d run it by Siah just for informational purposes, but the employees were my thing. He didn't really deal with it.

That nigga was all about money and big moves, which I was cool with. Everyone had their role, and I loved this shit. It was just my thing, no other way to describe it.

“I was cruising peacefully on my way to meet Siah until my phone went off, killing my vibe. I glanced at the screen, hit the Bluetooth, and Anjali’s voice filled my ride with Jahari screaming in the background. I instantly got worried because he rarely ever cried like that unless something was wrong.

“Jock, can you come get us? Something’s wrong and I think we need to head to the doctor.”

“Anjali, you have a damn car. If something's wrong, why the fuck you calling me? Take him and I’ll meet you there.”

“I can't, I’ve been drinking and I don't want to leave with him. Please, just come. He won't stop crying, and I don't know what’s wrong.”

I could hear the panic in her voice, so I hit the corner to turn around. I was currently heading in the different direction from her house and need to reroute. I needed to get there soon because if something happened to my son, I swear on everything, I’d kill her dumb ass. Anjali was a good mom, which was why she called me instead of putting our son at risk. But it was two in the afternoon, so why the hell was she drinking, especially if she had Jahari? I didn't really give a fuck what she did on her own time, but when he had Hari, she needed to act like a got damn mother.

“I’m on my way. Make sure you’re ready. I should be there in like fifteen minutes,” I yelled and then disconnected the call.

My next move was to call Siah. I was supposed to be meeting him, but this shit had just changed all that.

“What up, Jock?”

“I’m not coming, yo. Anj just called and something’s going on with Hari. I need to swing by, get her, and then take him to the doctor. Let's reschedule.”

“Aight bet, you need me to meet you there, you good?”

“I don't know what’s up yet, could be nothing, but I’ll hit you as soon as I know.”

“Make sure you do. I need to know what’s going on with my little OG.”

I ended the call and laughed. Siah was my dude. He was Jahari’s godfather and his ass was good as hell with kids, but had sworn off having any. I understood why, but hoped he would get over that shit one day. For him, kids were a reminder of what went down with his mom. That situation had his head all messed up. She died giving birth to him, and there was a small part of him that blamed himself.

Her life for his, is what he always said. It was like he couldn't really get over that, even though sometimes shit just happened. It was part of the reason why Siah and Senior lived the way they did. Both of their asses were afraid to love someone enough to feel pain if they lost them. Neither of them admitted it, but it was obvious as fuck.

When I reached Anj’s house I noticed her looking out the window, which was good because I was anxious to figure out what was going on with my son. I wasn't in the mood to be playing around with her. Before I could even get out the car, the door was open and she was coming out with Jahari in his car seat and his bag over her shoulder.

She was pretty as hell as always, but she looked stressed. I could see the worry in her face. Part of it was from knowing that I was about to get in her ass about drinking in the middle of the day while she had my son, but also I knew that she was genuinely concerned about our son.

I jumped out and grabbed Hari from her because I needed to lay eyes on him, just to give me a peace of mind. He was sleep, but his eyes were all puffy and I could tell he had been crying. I kissed his little face and he was burning up, which sent fire through my veins.

“How long he been like this, Anj?” I asked after getting him situated in my ride, while she climbed in the front seat. She knew I didn't play about my son, so she was tense as hell. I really didn't give a fuck though, it was about him and not her.

“A few hours. I gave him Tylenol, but his fever wouldn't break and he’s been crying for almost two hours. He finally just passed out.”

“Why the hell you just now calling me then? And why the fuck is your sister’s car here? She in there?”

Anj’s sister was trifling as fuck. She was a fucking junkie and a stripper who lived off her sister and mother. When their mother put her out, she came straight to Anj. I hated her dumb ass, and knew she had something to do with Anj drinking in the middle of the day.

“It’s not her fault, Jock. Please don't start.”

“The fuck you mean it's not her fault? You ain't never do this shit before, but she’s here and you’re drunk, with my son, I might add. Look at your damn eyes, Anj. They’re red as fuck. You been smoking too, I smell that shit all over you.”

“I was stressed. I just needed to escape for a minute, but I—”

“Man, shut the fuck up, Anj. I swear on everything, you better hope he’s good. The only reason why I tolerate you is because you’re a good mother to our son, but this shit right here got me rethinking that.”

“It’s one time, Jock, just one time, and you can't talk. You do the same thing and you know it.”

“Man, dead that shit, Anj. When Hari is with me, I don't drink, I don't smoke, and he’s my got damn priority. That's what a good parent does. What I do when he’s not with me ain't got shit to do with that, so don't come at me with that bullshit. You fucked up, so sit your ass over there and don't say shit, aight.”

She looked at me like she wanted to say something, but she was smart and kept her thoughts to herself. She knew she was wrong and she could tell that I was beyond pissed, so she did the right thing and kept her damn mouth shut.

*****

I sat in the hospital room with my son on my chest. He was finally sleeping peacefully after screaming his head off for damn near three hours after we got him there and the doctors were poking and prodding all over his body. That shit pissed me off, but I knew it was necessary in order for them to figure out what was going on with him.

After all of that, me holding him was the only thing that would calm him down and keep him quiet, so that was exactly what I did. The doctors had run all kinds of tests and were talking about doing a spinal tap, but I wasn't with that shit so they agreed to give him a heavy dose of antibiotics to see if that helped. Thankfully, his temperature had gone down and he was resting now.

Apparently, he had a virus of some kind that took over his whole body and wasn't responding to normal medications. There was no real explanation, but the doctors said stuff like that happened from time to time. It could have been something simple that had spun out of control. Either way, I didn't really care. As long as he was good now, it didn't matter to me. I hated seeing him like this, that shit broke me down. I was my son’s keeper, and not being able to do anything about him hurting or being in pain was fucking with my mental. I was just happy that we had it under control now.

I glanced across the room at Anj, who was balled up in one of the chairs asleep. Her drunk and high ass had pissed me off beyond explanation. I wouldn't even let her deal with the doctors because her dumb ass smelled like weed. What kind of shit is that? It was just embarrassing, but I had a trick for her ass. When Hari was released, he was going home with me. For how long, I didn't know, but I needed her to understand that this was unacceptable and was not going to happen again.

“What’s up, Jock? He good?” I glanced at the door when I heard Siah’s voice. He stepped inside looking just as concerned as I was. His eyes moved around the room and landed on Anj before he was back to me again.

“Yeah, for now. They don't know what the hell happened. Some type of virus and shit, but he’s good. Fever’s down and he’s finally asleep. Cried for like three hours straight, though.”

Siah looked over his shoulder and then back at me.

“I have Nonie and Kizzie with me. I told them to wait outside, though.”

“Fuck her, they’re good, they can come in,” I said, glancing at Anj. “Her dumb ass was drinking and smoking instead of handling her business. Maybe she needs to see another women deal with her son, ’cause if she don't get her shit together then you can just call Kizzie Mama Kiz.” I laughed.

“Nigga, you dumb as fuck. You can't just make Kizzie raise your seed.”

“I don't have make her do shit. She’s already in love with his little ass. You know Hari be pulling ’em like his pops.”

I grinned, thinking about how Kizzie had just took to him. It was sexy as fuck watching her do it too. I didn't get that feeling from Anj, because I hated her ass, but with Kizzie it was different. It made me want to plant a hundred more in her so that we would be in that shit for real.

“I'm not fucking with you like that, but hold up.”

Siah stepped out the room and then returned a few minutes later with Nonie and Kizzie. Kizzie eyed Anj, looked right at me and then reached for Hari. I lifted him from my chest, careful of his IV, and handed him over. I didn't really care if Anj had a problem with it or not, and I knew she was going to have one. In her delusional mind, we were a family, no matter how many times I told her I didn't want shit to do with her that wasn't connected to our son.

“Aww, he looks so pitiful,” Kizzie said, poking her lips out just before she kissed his little face. He balled up in her arms, but didn't wake up.

“He’s good now,” I assured her.

Nonie walked over and hugged me. My sis looked so sad, but it was cute though. “I’m sorry he’s not feeling well, Jock.”

“Don't sweat it, Pretty. He’s good now since his step mom is here.”

Kizze looked up at me and rolled her eyes just as I heard Anj’s voice.

“Who is this holding my son, Jock?”

Nonie and Kizzie both turned at the same time and Siah mumbled, “Here we fucking go.”

“My business is who the fuck it is. Don't worry about it.” I snapped, causing Anj to look at me like I was crazy.

“Can I have my son, please?” she asked, looking right at Kizzie, who I could tell was annoyed.

“Nah, he good. In fact, why don't you head home and clean your ass up first. Then you can come back and see him,” I said to Anj, which really pissed her off.

“Jock, really. I’m not leaving my son here with them.” She pointed at Kizzie and Nonie, which made them both snicker.

Neither of them were the type to tolerate disrespect, and I knew shit could get bad real quick. Siah did too, so his arm moved around Nonie’s waist, pulling her back against him.

“Stay out of it, Pretty,” he said calmly.

“Yes, really.” I reached in my pocket and pulled out my phone to make a call.

“Yo, head up to Memorial. Anj will be out front waiting. Take her to her crib for me. Aight, bet.”

“Let's go.” I lifted her purse from the cart by the door and grabbed her arm. “I’ll be right back. Keep an eye on him for me.” I winked at Kizzie who shook her head and then looked down at Jahari.

Once we were in the hall, Anj spoke up. “Jock, that’s so disrespectful. Are you fucking her? Is that why she’s holding my son like he belongs to her? I can't believe you would treat me like that.”

I stopped dead in my tracks because she was getting loud and drawing an audience. I didn't like that loud ghetto shit, so I pulled her to me and spoke calmly.