“It wasn’t but they got me for no license.”
“Were you drinking?” Xai asks.
“No! Damn!” Kadean yells. “Just that and I need you to get me out. It’s five thousand for driving and the truck is six but they are requiring collateral too since I’m out of state. It’s habitual and they are both felonies. These crackers trying to fuck me over.”
“You fucked yourself over. Dutch and driving. What did you think was going to happen?”
“Bruh, I don’t need one of your lectures right now. Just get me out. I can’t stay in this shit. I ain’t ate or taken a fucking shit since they got me last night.”
“I’m not getting you out, Kadean,” Xai declares and both Kadean and Peaches yell dramatically.
“What!”
“I’m not getting you out,” he confirms. “What collateral do you have?”
“My fucking motorcycle,” Kadean barks.
“You don’t own that damn motorcycle; you’re making payments on that.”
“Man, I can’t stay here and you know it. Eleven stacks ain’t gon’ break you. Put the townhouse or the shop up. I’m going to come back and make it to court. You act like I ain’t. Xai, this ain’t the time to try and teach me no fucking lesson. Just get me out,” he pleads.
My mouth is on the floor. The dynamic between them is suffocating the room. There’s anger, entitlement, and fear in Kadean’s words and disappointment and tough love in Xai’s. I’m holding my breath awaiting Xai’s response, so I know Peaches has to be a mess.
“I can’t. Not this time. I can’t depend on you to come to work on time; I’m definitely not risking my business or home on you showing up to court.”
“Nigga, what?” Kadean yells and I hear his voice crack. Peaches sobs audibly.
“I’m not,” Xai says sternly. “Maybe this is what you need.”
“I’m pregnant,” Peaches cries, but Xai continues to speak to Kadean.
“Every time you fuck up, I bail you out. I fix it but it doesn’t help. You keep doing dumb shit. This time you have to learn and face the consequences of what you’ve done.”
“Fuck that! You ain’t face yo’ fucking consequences. Yeah, I said it. You killed my fucking momma.”
Wait, what! What did he say?
“What consequences did you face? Huh? You can miss me with preaching shit right now because we both kn—” he says then the phone goes silent.
“They cut it off,” Peaches cries. “What’s wrong with you?” she yells.
“Ay. Keep your hands to yourself,” he grits and I get up. “You need to go home, Peaches.”
“What’s wrong—” she cries again, but he cuts her off.
“Just go home,” Xai repeats as I descend the stairs. I watch as he holds her hand and coaxes her to the door. She snatches from his grip, glares at him, then up at me. Even with her puffy red eyes and scowl, I can see she’s a pretty girl. “You’re dead ass wrong,” she spits before opening the door.
Peaches walks out and he closes the door. Actually, he slams it then pounds his fists against it after. I ease down and amble toward him but stop when I hear him yell.
“Fuck!” he grits then pounds the door again. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,” he repeats and I hear the agony in his heavy voice.
I have so many questions,so many, but at this moment, his moment of apparent pain, I just want him to know he’s not alone. I’m here for him. The happiness and comfort he’s brought to my life are immeasurable. He brought light to my life when I felt stuck in darkness and grief.
Gingerly, from behind, I slip my arms around him and rest my head on his back. I don’t speak. I don’t utter a word. I’m merely present, willing and ready to be or do whatever he needs. He lets out a sigh so heavy and laced with pain that my heart aches for him. Then he grabs my hands, covers them with his, and holds them close to his chest. For I don’t know how long, we stay muted and still like this, with me trying to pour all I have into him.
“Ay. Let’s go back up,” he says, breaking the silence.
His hands drop mine and he turns to face me. My heart actually breaks at the sight. Although his face looks vacant, there’s a flicker of sadness in his eyes. His lips are downturned with an imperceptible tightening around his mouth. He’shurting and we are not going back to sleep as long as he’s in this state.
