“Damn, dawg! That’s good fucking news!”
“‘Preciate it, fam,” Kross thanked him while they dapped each other up. “I need you to stay on your shit when I’m gone.”
Ivan rolled his eyes from the dusty ceiling filled with cobwebs down to the filthy floor underneath them that was littered with their belongings. “Man, you know how I’m movin’.” He shrugged before aiding Kross with picking up their things.
“Yeah, nigga. You proved more than once that you a certified fucking crash out, but what else you got to offer life?”
“You steady talking about life.” Ivan shook his head. “You get a fresh start tomorrow. Me, I got eighteen more years in this hoe.”
“Shit, I feel you, but doing dumb shit like pokin’ motherfuckas in here gonna fuck around and get you life,” Kross preached, referring to the altercation that landed Ivan in solitary confinement. The kid had a short fuse, and it didn’t help that he was banging one of the rival sets proudly. Kross stayed out of his shit but always made sure to tell him right from wrong.
“What’s the first thing you doing when you get out this bitch?” Ivan shifted the conversation to something lighter, not wanting to face the fact that he almost extended his time.
Kross returned his eyes back down to the photos of Aniyis and Cassie. He was counting down the minutes until he became a free man so he could wrap his arms around his family without being barked at to let them go.
“Man, I’m chillin’ with my lady and baby boy.”
Ivan whipped his head over his shoulder to face Kross with his face screwed up. “I ain’t talkin’ about that, old head.” He smacked his lips. “I’m talkin’ about business. You still gone be trappin’?”
It had been seven years since Kross had been in the streets. It was all he ever knew, and he made one hell of a name for himself. Getting caught up with a few kilos was never his plan, but after he’d had so much time to think, he decided maybe it was necessary for him to sit his ass down. He wanted shit to be different this time. He had some paper stashed away, so he knew he and his family would be good until he figured some shit out to make some steady income, but the thought of jumping back into the paper chasing game had him torn. He was fuckingKross Hunter!The streets was anticipating for him to touch down and reign supreme again. The thrill of it all made him want to jump right back in where he left off, but when he thought of Cassie and Aniyis, he knew being the man they needed was much more important.
“I’m good off that.” He shook his head.
“Don’t tell me that seven years done made you a bitch, old head.” Ivan side eyed him, somewhat disgusted by his choice not to return to the streets.
“Ain’t no bitch in my blood, young nigga. There ain’t a block you done been on that I ain’t spun before. I’m just realizing that the paper chase ain’t the most important thing in life. I got a little boy I gotta be there for and a lady I gotta take care of. I’m moving different now.”
Unable to wrap his 22-year-old institutionalized mind around the thought of being a better man, Ivan shook his head at Kross. “Do you, old head.”
“I will, young nigga.”
After cleaning up the cell and packing up his things, Kross laid out on his bottom bunk. Their unit was on lockdown, so he wouldn’t have a chance to make a phone call before he got processed out the following morning. Despite not being able to contact Cassie, there was no doubt in his mind that his lady would be there standing on the other side of those gates lookinggood as fuck. She had been hyping up his release more than he had, so it was a no-brainer that she was counting down the minutes like he was. To kill some time, he resorted to re-reading the last letter Cassie sent him.
Hey baby,
How’s it going in there? I know this lockdown has been hard as fuck on you since you couldn’t call for Aniyis’ first football game, but I want you to keep your head up. ‘Niyis did so good out there, baby. We for sure getting out the hood with his ass! Your brother showed up to support him, and you know how Ezekiel is?loud as hell! ‘Niyis was so happy to have his uncle Zeek there, though. He showed out on that field! All he talks about is you coming home to help him practice. He’s so excited to have his daddy home, he done told his whole class that you’re coming back. Usually, I would get on his ass about telling people my business but fuck it. I’m just as excited as he is. This is what we’ve been waiting for! I can’t wait to have you home so we can do everything we’ve talked about. I’m ready to be Mrs. Cassie Hunter! And I’m for sure ready to move out of this condo and get that house you promised me! No pressure, though, baby. LOL. I know you will make everything happen in due time. You’re a man of your word. You’ve been making sure me and ‘Niyis are good even from behind bars, and for that, I love you so much! I hope you love this picture of Aniyis after his game. He’s starting to look more and more like you every day. I’m gonna keep this letter short since you’ll be in my arms soon. I love you, baby!
See you soon!
Reading that was enough to put Kross at ease and allow him to fall asleep. He had something to look forward to his family.
The next morning, his eyes sprung open upon hearing the banging on his cell door. “Fuck,” he cursed as he stood up from his bunk. He ran his hand down his face as he walked toward the door to put his face in the small window that allowed him to see who was on the other side.
Usually, Titus being the first person he saw in the morning would fuck with his day and have him on ten, but today, he was feeling different.
“You’re being processed out, Hunter. You got ten minutes to pack all your shit and get ready for transport!” Titus barked at him from the other side of the door.
“Heard you, fat motherfucka’.” Kross turned his lip up at him. He could see the visible agitation that masked Titus’ face before he turned away from the door. A chuckle streamed out of him. He was glad that he had one last opportunity to piss Titus off.
Kross handled his hygiene before ensuring that he had all his belongings packed. This was the quickest he’d moved since being locked up. He was ready to get the fuck up out of there!
“Yo, Ivan,” he called while shaking him out of his sleep. That nigga could sleep through a fucking earthquake. After a few more shakes, Ivan jolted up and turned his lip up at Kross for waking him.
“Nigga, pipe down.” Kross smacked his lips. “I wanted to tell you I’m out. I left some commissary for you.” He pointed to the small table they had in the left corner of the cell. There, he had a few cup noodles, chips, and tuna packets stacked up for Ivan.
Ivan’s eyes widened at the sight of the commissary he left for him. He ain’t have much family, so commissary was slow tocome in, but Kross always made sure to break bread. “Damn, nigga! Good fucking looks!” The men slapped hands, Ivan’s way of showing his appreciation.
Kross shrugged. “You’re good. Keep your head up while you in here and don’t do no crash out shit,” he preached just as Titus called for the switchboard operator to open the door of his cell. Kross and Ivan shared one more handshake before he was instructed to put his wrists together for handcuffs. Titus proceeded to chain him around his ankles as well before he was handed the cardboard box with all his belongings.
