Irish was unable to move. Her feet wouldn’t peel away from the hardwood as she stood in deep thought. Jovanis had did it. He pulled off what she thought was impossible. When he said he would handle it, she assumed he would jump him or do something to scare him. Not one to ask questions, she didn’t want to know his plans but confirming that he had eliminated her boogie man gave her a sense of calm.
“Irish, why aren’t you crying?” Daisy bellowed. “They killed your stepfather!”
Irish snapped out of her daze and stepped over Daisy, who was on the ground sobbing. She headed toward the front where there were police and a coroner, standing by Emanuel’s car. It was taped off with yellow crime scene tape.
“Ma’am, did you see anything unusual?” an officer asked her right away.
She looked over at the crowd that had gathered. Jovanis stood amongst them, wearing an impassive expression with his hands inside his pockets.
Aimlessly, Irish shook her head. “No, I’ve been sleep.”
He nodded and headed back over to the crime scene. Irish followed the trail to where the crowd was and stood next to Jovanis.
She didn’t say anything and neither did he. The two looked on as they pulled Emanuel’s lifeless body from the car. Daisy came out the house, wailing so loudly that Irish was certain she had awakened the entire neighborhood. She fell on the ground, prompting her gown to pull around her waist. Her floral panties were on display along with her rolls.
“They killed him! Emanuel, please! Get up!” she bawled.
Irish had never seen Daisy in such distress. Surprisingly, she was numb to her mother’s pain. What should've had her crying, actually filled her with joy. Now Daisy was suffering like she had been. She’d sacrificed her for a man that was no longer present. Irish smiled on the inside, knowing Daisy had reaped what she’d sown.
“You wanna go take a walk?” Jovanis asked.
Irish nodded and followed Jovanis away from the crowd. In silence, they walked toward the other end of the projects and took a seat on the rusty bleachers near the baseball field. No one ever came this way unless they wanted to score some drugs or pick up a prostitute.
“Can I ask how you did it?” she quizzed, timidly.
With his elbows resting on his knees, he smirked at her. “… I caught the bus to the gambling house. My unc told me where it was after he questioned the shit outta me. I told him I was ‘bout to hit a lick and would give him a cut. When I got there, I saw Emanuel’s car. I got in the backseat and waited for hours for his bitch-ass to come out. I damn near fell asleep when he finally got in. He drove home, mumbling shit and sounding like he was drunk.
“This nigga didn’t even know I was in the backseat. He pulled up to the projects and parked. I peeked my head up to see if anybody was outside. When I didn’t see anyone, I wrapped my shoestring around his neck and choked his bum-ass out.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“Nah, with his tints, nobody could see shit. After I choked his ass out, I got out the car and ran home.”
“Yeah, but what about fingerprints?” She had watched enough of Snapped to know fingerprints were always left behind.
Jovanis smacked his lips. “Come on, Irish. You think I’m a goofy? I had on some damn rubber gloves that I stole from Dollar Central.”
“Okay.” She breathed.
He pinched her cheek. “I ain't no lil’ nigga, Irish. I made sure I’m good.”
“Yeah, but what about me? Am I going to be good?” she questioned with doubt.
“Hell yeah, that pussy-ass nigga gone. You ain't gotta be subjected to his bullshit no more.”
That sounded ideal but how would life change for them? Emanuel was the breadwinner. He paid all the bills and expenses. Would this prompt Daisy to get a job or would they be submerged into more poverty?
“Aye, what you thinking about?”
“So, much,” she confessed, looking forward.
“Like what?”
“Life. What will we do without Emanuel? He paid all the bills. I was even able to attend the Boys & Girls Club this year because he paid for it.”
“Man, y’all rent is cheap as hell. That nigga wasn’t needed like that. Besides, I got you if you need anything. You know I keep money.”
“And what about this?”
