“Give me a week to settle back in then I’ll be that way. Let me ask you something though. You close with Heidi too?” I was curious to see how doted on she was by her surrounding circle.
Smiling, he asked, “Heidi… that’s where your focus at right now?”
“Nigga, that’s where my focus been since she came down here. She gave you high praises, and I took her word for it. Once I cut the check and you stopped through, I wasn’t sweating this shit,” I said motioning to the prison behind me.
“Damn, that much faith, huh? If I ain’t needed, I’m gon’ head out. Oh, I need to holla at Daisy before I go. It’s some things Rose left for her as well. Nothing monetary but it’s of value.”
Nodding, I said, “Follow us to the crib then. She should be home.”
We parted ways with me hopping in the whip with Kong. The drive from the prison to the crib was hitting us for ‘bout an hour and some change. I had enough time to eat, get my mental together, and take my hair down. Kong gave me the rundown as if I wasn’t updated weekly. He remembered every single detail and when they were repeated, not a word was changed. His word was trusted.
By the time we made it to the crib, I was stuffed. I was also in need of a fuckin’ shower. I went through enough having guards watch me, and me watching over my shoulders. Just being able to walk from my bathroom to my bedroom without having eyes on my ass was all a nigga longed for.
Kong made it through the gates, and I spotted Sarabi and Nyla instantly. They brought a smile to my face not knowing their presence was missed. Damn, it felt good to breathe without a muthafucka I didn’t know asking me random questions. I never took my freedom for granted to begin with but being there made you appreciate it a lil’ different.
The whip was parked at the front steps. I hopped out and made my way inside using my thumbprint on the front door. Anita Baker was playing through the intercom speakers letting me know Daisy was indeed home and in a good mood. I madesure Kong kept my release on the low from everybody. The crew would see me when they see me and Daisy just needed the surprise. She’d been sad long enough with me being knocked. She needed a lil’ sunshine in her life.
I took the stairwell two steps at a time going for my bedroom directly. Before I stepped in her face, I wanted to be how she remembered me before doing time. Once I was inside, I shut and locked the door behind me. I removed my clothes and trashed them right after. Them threads wouldn’t hit my body ever again.
Walking into my bathroom, I turned on the shower letting it get to its designated temperature. Stepping back to the sink, I started on my skincare routine. I hadn’t cleaned my face the way I liked in a year and a half. This shit was needed. I took care of my mouth afterward.
The steaming water coated my canvas fifteen minutes later. I stood underneath the showerhead with my head down. This was surreal for a nigga. That feeling of defeat was hitting me hard behind them walls. I wasn’t gon’ hold you, it felt damned good to be out that hoe and back in my place of sanctuary.
My thoughts went to Heidi and how she’d been a sense of peace since I met her. Whenever I heard her voice, a nigga soul settled. Shit, if I was being honest, she’d been a woman of interest since my birthday. She wasn’t seeking attention and that alone gave her mine. She was someone worth getting to know.
It hurt my feelings knowing she went through that shit in her past. When I looked at that woman, I saw nothing but pure innocence. She carried a light behind her, and I knew I wasn’t the only nigga that noticed it. Her aura was surrounded by so much softness that I yearned for that kind of woman by my side. Kong found his and now I’d found mine.
I proceeded to wash my ass for the next twenty minutes trying to scrub that prison shit up off me. I hadn’t felt like myself the entire time I was in that bitch. Hitting the monitor on thewall, the shower was turned off. I wrapped up in a robe before stepping out. My closet was accessed through my bathroom.
It was normal Florida weather. Hot as fuck with no goddamn breeze outside. The fit I chose was simple. Shorts, shirt, and tennis shoes. I wasn’t doing shit but bonding with the number one lady in my life today anyway.
Finally making my way downstairs, I heard Daisy laughing with Kong. She had no idea her son was home. She was ‘bout to lose her shit. Walking through the foyer, I couldn’t contain my smile. Daisy was my rock and vice versa.
Turning the corner, Daisy had her back to me steady running her mouth to Kong. She must’ve known Yonnis because she showed no signs of stranger fuckin’ danger. She was a lil’ too comfortable if you asked me. Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tightly.
She fumbled over her words while trying to turn around and see who was interrupting her peace. I loosened my grip and gave her room to take a good look at me. Her eyes were as big as boulders as she assessed me. That smile I was accustomed to surfaced right after. She was on her toes throwing her arms around my neck seconds later.
When I realized she’d began to cry, I squeezed a lil’ harder. She was the one person I never wanted to intentionally cause sadness to, and she suffered enough while I was confined. My girl had to go one too many nights without seeing my face, I knew this was all she’d been praying for.
“You good?” I questioned with heartbreak lacing my words. Daisy crying would break me down every time. Nodding, she stepped back and gave me another once over. “I’m good, Ma. Thank yo’ boy,” I said pointing to Yonnis.
She damn near suffered from whiplash from how fast she turned her head. “Yonnis, you did this?” she asked in disbelief.
“Yes ma’am. He’s family after all. I couldn’t let him sit. Royce made the call, and I hopped right on it. Speaking of family, when are y’all coming to Sage Springs? Everybody would love to see you,” Yonnis voiced.
I knew the drill. Royce looked as if he couldn’t hold water, so I was sure he was running his mouth. Heidi, well she was gon’ see a nigga face regardless. I couldn’t love my wife and kid if they were a thousand miles away. She was gon’ need help packing up and coming to Miami so I might as well get there sooner than later.
Being a man of certainty, I knew she was the one that was gon’ have a nigga jumping the broom. From the way she spoke to a nigga to the way she set her boundaries up. Heidi knew the kind of love she wanted and what more perfect nigga to give it to her than me. Plus, Lincoln needed a father, and I had no problem being that for him. Hell, we could all figure this instant family shit out together. The reality for both of them was I wasn’t going nowhere.
“Tuh. If you think I’m going anywhere near that hell hole, I’m not. I don’t like the way they did my sister, my niece, or my son. All that money Senior got, and he put her in a home. A damn home Yonnis. All for him not to pay her no damn mind. She died, and I can bet that nigga was nowhere around. God, I wish it was him instead!” she screamed through tears.
This was the first time I’d witnessed her so hurt and upset at the same time. Rose must’ve meant a lot for her to wish death on her own nephew. Daisy was the sweetest, most understanding person I knew. Them niggas in Sage Springs must’ve done some devilish shit for real.
“Ma, calm down,” I said touching her arm.
She snatched it back and continued on her rant with, “No Bentley. That family is so jacked up because of him. Forcing my sister to keep secrets because of that sorry ass nigga. He killedBentayga cause he couldn’t handle another man making money in the same city as him. Mind you, the only reason he got status was because Iris hit the lottery. He ain’t no damn hustla for real. Rose told me everything from beginning to end. My sister called me in panic asking for me to take in Rhema cause she knew Senior would’ve harmed you and her in due time. That nigga ain’t the fuckin’ savior they think he is!”
“Hold on Auntie. Say that again,” Kong commented, standing with confusion. “He did what to Bentayga?”
