They had started wrong, but Irish was determined to bring some normalcy into their relationship. Noble needed a complete handbook on who she was. She wanted him to connect puzzle pieces that may have been missing. She didn’t only want Jovanis to know who she was. Irish needed Noble to be aware of every part of her being.
“Okay, then tell me what’s up.”
Again, she suspired deeply and licked her peachy lips. “Do you remember when we broke up and you asked me what Jovanis had on me?”
He nodded, peering at her with so much intensity it prompted her heart rate to increase.
“Well, he doesn’t necessarily have anything over me but… he did something for me, and I’ve felt indebted to him over the years.”
Noble rubbed her exposed arm. “What did he do?”
Irish had never told a soul about this part of her and Jovanis’ life. It was always between them. A tiny part of her felt as if she was betraying Jovanis but she didn’t want to leave Noble in the dark. He was an important person in her life, and she wanted to share the ugly part of her.
“Well, it started after my stepfather groomed me…”
2007
Irish had taken two buses to get back to Havenwood. The sun had set, casting a red and orange hue over the city. Her heart had to be beating over one hundred beats per minute. Angst wasn’t the appropriate word to describe her current state. Irish was in shambles, looking over her shoulder every other minute, hoping she didn’t see Emanuel’s Cadillac in the distance.
She needed someone to talk to. Someone who could save her from the inevitable. Going to Daisy was a bust and since she didn’t have any other family, Irish walked to Jovanis’apartment. When she approached his unit, she noticed his two uncles, Mel and Fish, sitting outside with two other men.
“What’s up, Big Red?” Fish greeted her with his personal nickname.
Forcing a smile, she said, “Hey, Uncle Fish and Uncle Mel.”
“You looking for Van big head ass?” Mel asked.
She nodded. “Yes, is he here?”
Please be here…
“Yeah, I think he’s in there. Gon’ head.” Mel tossed his thumb over his shoulder.
She entered the house, smelling the permanent scent of marijuana. It was so embedded in the interior that she saw the smoke stains on the walls. She traveled through the apartment and went upstairs to where Jovanis’ room was. Knocking twice, she heard rumbling and entered.
“Damn, Irish,” he complained, hiding the bundles of money with his pillow. “I ain't tell you to come in here.”
Gasping, she asked, “Where did you get that from?”
“Close the fucking door.”
Right away, she did as he demanded and twisted the lock. “Van, where you get that from?”
“I hit a lick.” He beamed, removing the pillow. “I caught this nigga slippin’ coming out of a trap house.”
“Wow,” she marveled at the sight of all the cash on his bed. Irish had never seen money of that magnitude. “What are you going to do with it?”
“Shit, save it.” He shrugged. “I might even get me a Donk,” he gloated, referring to an ol’ school Chevy.
Jovanis’ uncles had taught him everything he wasn’t supposed to know. He fought, robbed people, and schemed under their guidance.
“Don't tell nobody you seen this money either,” he warned. “As soon as niggas find out I hit a lick, they think they ‘bout to get a cut when they not.”
“Who? Your uncles?”
“Yeah. They not about to be making me do they dirty work no more. They don't even be giving me a fair cut. So, it’s fuck them niggas for right now.”
Irish bobbed her head, understanding his sentiments. Jovanis peered at her with curious eyes.
