My burner phone buzzed, signaling that there was business to handle. The light taps on my shoulder drew my attention. As I turned around, the black boxes were decorated with perfect red bows. The lady placed them into the bags as I handed her my card. Once she finished, I picked up the bags and glanced at her one more time as she tried to soften her eyes on me. “My wife and daughter will love them.” I winked.
I headed out of the store and into the snowy streets. I wasn’t sure if Coffee would be more accepting this Christmas, but a nigga hoped like hell she would. Since the whole Kira thing, a nigga’s soul has been chasing Coffee this entire time.
COFFEE
My feet hurt, and my back ached. The double shifts at the hospital had started to wear me down. I was nearing the end of my residency and determined to make New York my new home. Although my residency was here, I still had to apply, which I did, and I was currently waiting for a response. I applied to two other hospitals. One was out of state, and the other was here in New York. I received an offer from one, and I was still waiting to hear back from the other.
My nerves have been on edge since I applied because I wasn’t sure which direction my life was heading. So, to have the moment Chase and I shared, I needed a bit of relief. Since returning to the hospital, I had back-to-back patients to see. There was finally a small break, and I decided to step outside and enjoy some of the winter air. I only had a few hours left in my shift before my Christmas weekend started.
Chase and Gucci decided to spend the holidays at a cabin in the woods; however, I would much rather spend them at home with my family. I laughed out loud at the thought. I had a fucking family— a husband, a son, and now a daughter. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about having Kira around. Babysitting her from time to time was one thing but calling her permanently mine felt different.
Part of me was still mad at Chase for how he handled things. I’ve been trying to find ways to get over it, but knowing that we were stepping into a role as parents to a little girl who already had a parent felt wrong. I promised myself I wouldn’t mess up the holidays this year because last year, I reminded Chase everyday that he forced something on me without even talking to me about it.
The cold breeze and snow started to give me the chills, so I knew it was time to go back inside. Before I could re-enter the hospital, the director approached me. He had become my mentor during my time here. Dr. Fredrick Lucas was one of the youngest directors in the state. So, seeing him navigate a hospital was a big deal. He tucked his hands into his pockets as he turned to me, “Dr. Carter, don’t you think it's a little too cold for you to be standing out here?” he asked.
I looked around and then over his shoulders, peering through the window at the people moving inside the hospital. “I don’t think anything is colder than what’s beyond those walls.” I laughed.
He nodded slowly. Dr. Lucas is a handsome man. His height suggested he might have been a basketball player, but his physique showed he took care of himself in the best possible way. His skin is the color of a chestnut; his smile is that of someone who never had to lift a finger. His mind is that of a genius. However, he lacked something that didn’t give him that extra push. He lowered his head and laughed, “You always know how to come up with a clever comeback. I must admit that was a good one. Walk with me, will you?” he asked as he pulled his hand from his pocket and opened the door for me.
Before I stepped inside, I looked back at the busy streets, feeling a familiar rush of emotions that warm sense of love and the darker feeling of obsession. Chase was nearby.
I took a deep breath and stepped into the hospital. As we walked through, Dr. Lucas gestured around. “This hospital has come a long way. We’ve gone from having the worst save rate to the highest. I pride myself on keeping doctors and surgeons who I think are capable and the best,” he paused, stopping and turning to me. “I think you should make this your permanenthome. You are incredible,” he paused again as his eyes lowered to me. “Smart,” his voice softened. “And beautiful as hell. I would love it. Hell, it would make me a happy ma- I mean director if you stay after your residency.”
My head tilted slightly to the side as I looked at him. A waste of a man who couldn’t find any other woman to pursue than a married one. A man who probably does this often with women doctors, nurses, techs, and whoever else catches his eye. I knew he had been wanting to say things to me, but he had kept things professional so far, so I let it go, but he had the wrong girl.
I smiled. “The offer,” I paused. “Sounds good. However, Dr. Lucas, I can assure you it’s not my time here that you should be worried about, but your time breathing that should be a concern. The answer is no, so please, while you can, enjoy your holiday.”
With that, I walked away. I hated knowing what was coming next for him, but the thought of men like that made me sick. Even if he lost his job or vanished during the holiday season, someone else would be put right in his place. Dr. Lucas’s doing exactly what he did made my decision about what I should do easier. I pulled out my phone, opened an email, and accepted the out-of-state offer. I knew this was my farewell to New York, but convincing Chase to move again would be a challenge.
CHASE
I sucked my teeth as I tapped at my driver’s seat. “Drive.”
A nigga was fueling inside. The fact that Coffee was entertaining some Tiger Woods ass nigga, made me want to split his shit open and send bullets through him until he exploded. I rolled my neck in a full circle as my driver headed to my next destination.
I gazed out the window as the city prepared for the holidays. The thought of not being with my kids right now was starting to bother me. I wanted this holiday to go smoothly; no tension, no silent treatments, no stubbornness, just smiles, food, and fucking. The tap on my window told me we had arrived. I got out of the car and stepped into a mushy, water-like texture.
“Mr. Carter, you made it. For a moment, I thought you’d gotten caught up in the holiday rapture,” Mr. Fanucci said with a hearty laugh.
I flicked my nose. “Well, I’m here now. You ready to talk business, or you want to sing fucking Christmas carols?”
Mr. Fanucci stopped laughing as he led the way into the cold, run-down steel mill they used as a warehouse. When I stepped inside, his crew stood around in all-black suits, looking prepared for anything. On the table was a small briefcase. I looked at it then at him, “That’s not enough. It's not what we talked about. Come holla at me when you are serious,” I snapped.
I was about to walk away when I felt his hand on my shoulder. My eyes dropped to his hand, “Get your fucking hands off me,” I growled.
He pulled his hand away and held it up in the air. “Chase, my guy. Look, we want to make sure our return is good. We give you a little product, you show good faith, and Botta boom, Botta bang.” He snapped his fingers as if I were some joke.
I nodded. “On behalf of GOLA, fuck you!”
This time, Mr. Fanucci didn’t laugh or budge. “Is this really what you want to do? You know it isn’t safe for you out here once you turn us down.”
When I met his eyes, I didn’t even blink. “Deal is off. I’m not sure what kind of man you take me for, but I need you to understand, I’m not him, respectfully,” I finished as I walked out of the warehouse.
I knew turning down the Italians wasn’t a good idea, but if you stand for nothing, you fall for anything. They owned most of the territory, except for a small part of the city, which the Black and Spanish shared. Telling them no was a death sentence, and since Gunz and I were the only ones running things here, I knew it wouldn’t be long before a war broke out or we had to get the fuck out of dodge.
After leaving the warehouse, I considered sneaking back to the hospital and turning Mr. Rogers' ass inside out, but I decided against it. It’s the last thing I needed to think about, especially now that Coffee was finally recovering from the Kira ordeal. When my driver dropped me off at the condo, I grabbed the few bags of gifts I had brought for the kids and Coffee before heading inside the building. The doorman and the front desk staff greeted me. I stepped into the elevator to go upstairs, but it stopped.
She eased on and grinned like she didn’t realize she had stopped the muhfucka before it went up. Between the jazz music and silence, I felt uneasy.
