“That’s nonsense. I have space for you at my house. It’s only temporary, Quade. A man knows when to accept help from his village.”
I sighed. She was right. Staying with Jess would be better than rooming in some boarding home with a bunch of men I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have to look over my shoulder in defense every night.
“I just want to help, lil’ bro. All we really have out here is each other.”
“Okay, but only because my parole officer is already breathing down my damn neck. Said I need steady work, a support system, and no infractions.”
“Well, your support system already handled your job situation. You start with the Northside Rehab Program next week.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You got me a job?”
“Yep, construction. I know you got certified in there.”
“Nah, Jess. I don’t need a handout. I can find work.”
“I know you can. I just… It’s Ronald’s business.”
“You want me to go work for the nigga you fuckin’.” I shook my head. Ronald was her newest baby daddy. I remembered her telling me on a visit that her new boyfriend was in construction.
“Ronald’s not just some nigga I’m fucking. He’s your niece’s father and a good man. You know that.” She shoved me in the shoulder. “He owns the company, and he understands where you’ve been because he’s been in your shoes. The program is city-funded. The pay is good, and they help you clean your record.”
“I don’t know, Jess. I don’t like being some charity case.”
“Let go of that ego. You’re not a charity. This will be good for you. You get to build shit that matters.”
“Build shit that matters… What that mean?” I glanced between her and the road.
“They rehab homes for the low-income and disabled.”
“What’s the catch, man?” I shook my head. I didn’t want a handout from my big sister or her boyfriend, but I knew Jess wouldn’t let it ride, and I needed a damn job.
“You gotta talk to people. Might even have to smile,” she joked.
“I ain’t smiled in seven years, yo.”
“Then you overdue, baby bro.”
“I’ll think about it,” I told her as I merged onto the highway for this nearly two-hour drive back to Azalea.
“That’s a start.” She smiled, and I nodded. I wasn’t rich anymore. I wasn’t famous. Hell, I wasn’t even clean on paper, but I was free.
I pulled the Challenger up to Jess’s house and instantly knew something was off. They had tied balloons to the porch railing, and the curtains were pulled back like someone was peeking through, waiting for my arrival. I glanced over at Jess, who was suddenly suspiciously quiet.
“Nah…” I muttered, pulling into the driveway and throwing the car into park. I knew damn well Jess hadn’t thrown me a party. I didn’t want to spend my first day out surrounded by a bunch of fake ass folks pretending they missed me, when most forgot I even existed. I sat in the car for a second, the engine ticking quietly. I could feel Jess staring a hole in my face.
“You just gonna sit in the car?” she asked.
“Yeah, you didn’t say shit about a party.”
“It is a gathering with nobody that doesn’t live here,” she said, laughing. “Your nephew thought we should decorate, so don’t break his little teenage heart, please. Come on inside.”
I smirked. Jess always was extra, so I couldn’t really blame my nephew for being just like her. I sighed as I rubbed the back of my neck.
“Jess, if I walk through that door and see a bunch of motherfuckers?—”
“It’s not,” she said, heading up the stairs. “It’s just my tribe. No extras.”
I nodded, still tense and nervous.
