“You know, one of these days, you’re going to wish you had picked up the phone and answered for your old man.” He inhaled sharply, and I knew his ass was smoking. “I never thought I'd see the day a lil’ nigga from my nut sack would say, ‘to hell with me’. What the hell are you doing?”
“Contemplating double homicide.” I rubbed my chin with the handle of Kimbo. “This girl thinks I’m playing with her ass.”
“You’re your daddy’s son, so I’m sure you have a good reason to kill them.”
I nodded without replying as I continued to watch Blossom. She looked too good in an all-black pantsuit that completed her petite curves.
“I take it your trip to Florida was a success?” he asked as I heard rustling in the background. Moments later, my mother could be heard telling him she wanted to head over to Willow Springs for the day. “I saw the news this morning. It was a damn shame that Governor Reid’s son is fighting for his life at Grove’s Memorial.”
“Yeah, too bad he—Let me call you back, Pop.”
Disregarding what he was saying about being careful, my eyes narrowed as I watched some dingy, suit-wearing-ass nigga approach Blossom as she took a seat in a booth. Her smiling up at him as he slid in across from her caused my blood to boil. That was all I needed to see before I was hitting the locks to get out of my car.
“What are you about to crash out about, son?” My mother’s voice vibrated through my receiver. “You’re a doctor, JJ. Think about what you’re doing before you do it, baby boy. Mama doesn’t want to spend her Saturday mornings visiting you in the county. Those are the days your daddy does that freaky thing I like.”
Ignoring my nasty-ass mama, I kept my phone to my ear and machete in hand as I crossed the street and approached the door of the café. The door chimed as the smell of freshly-brewed coffee slapped me in the face. Scotlyn’s greeting caught in her throat as her eyes widened at the sight of me. Slowly dragging her glance over to Blossom, her shoulders dropped in defeat. She knew it was about to be some shit.
“Blossom, I really hope you have your insurance policies up-to-date and a plot picked out because I’m about to send you to meet your muthafuckin’ maker.”
Startled at the sound of my voice, Blossom looked up at me like a deer caught in headlights. Her breath came in pants as she looked from me to the unknown man to my machete before she shakily stood from her seat. We garnered the customers’ attention in the coffee shop, but I didn’t give a fuck. They were going to have to call the cops on me today, and I meant that shit.
“Excuse me, but who are you?” The Pee Wee Herman-looking-ass nigga had the nerve to ask. “Why on earth do you think it’s okay to waltz your black behind in here and talk to a lady that way?”
Staring at him, and then at her, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Before long, I was in full-blown laughter. My eyes misted, causing Blossom to jump back once I wiped them with the hand holding Kimbo.
“Man, let me take my ass to work.” I looked from her back to him. “Ain’t shit going on here.” Grabbing her by the waist, I pulled her into my chest. “Give me a kiss, Bloss Baby.”
“Get your hands off of me, Jaseon!” She groaned, trying her hardest to pry herself from me. She could front all she wanted, but her eyes didn’t lie. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why would you say nothing is going on? I could be on a date.”
Tilting my head to the side, I nodded before I let her go. “So, you’re on a date with my girl?” I leaned forward on the table, eyeing the mangy mutt. I could see the sweat that formed above his brow as his eyes darted around the coffee shop. No one was coming to his aid, but he didn’t have to worry. He wasn’t dying… today, at least. “I know that’s not true, right? Out here looking like the president of the He-Man Woman Haters Club.”
Picking up his cup of coffee, I poured the steaming hot liquid on his head, throwing the cup at his forehead as he screamed in pain. Mouth on the floor, Blossom said nothing as she stood and watched him in shock.
“Can I get a kiss now?” I stepped to her, lifting her chin and bringing her eyes to mine. “I love you, baby, and I hope you have a great day.”
Pecking her lips twice, I couldn’t help myself as I eased my tongue inside. She gripped the sides of my hoodie as she melted into my embrace. She could play hard to get all she wanted, but I knew she missed me too. Reluctantly, I pulled back from her and watched as she fought an internal battle within herself. I was going to give her a few more days to get her mind right, but she’d better make it quick.
Whistling Jennifer Hudson’s “If This Isn’t Love,” I made my way back to my truck. I knew my actions were a little uncalled for and dramatic, but this could have been worse. The nigga could have lost his life, but one look at him let me know he didn’t have a chance in hell with my baby. Sliding inside my truck that was still running, it was then that I realized the call with my parents was still connected.
“I know y’all aren’t still on the phone.”
“Boy, if I had any doubts about you being my son, you just showed me you are.” I simpered at the pride in my dad’s voice as he spoke. “The way you’re acting reminds me of a young Jaseon.” I heard my mother groan in the background before calling him an idiot. “Since you’re headed to work, let me tell you about the time your mama was still living with her nigga, and I sat outside of his home with a Draco, praising God for his grace and mercy.”
For the next fifteen minutes, I was bent over in laughter as I made my way to the medical examiner’s office. The light-hearted conversation with my dad was much needed, because deep down inside, I was ready to crash out behind Blossom.
Stepping inside the building, I nodded at the various coworkers who spoke as I made my way to the elevator. As I got on, I locked eyes with Marsha. Holding her stare, she droppedhers as if she’d lost her best friend. If that bitch started her shit, she would become swish cheese just like her bestie, Sheena.
"Ahhh, right on time, per usual,” Dr. Massey greeted me as I stepped inside the Ice Hotel. “It appears that we have guests this morning.”
Gesturing behind him, I locked eyes with Captain Young and the Chief of Police, Bullock. Dressed in their uniforms, I held my words in until they spoke first. It wasn’t odd that the police would come into the building to speak to us about certain cases. It was, however, odd that these niggas wanted to speak with me.
“Dr. McKnight.” Captain Young was the first to extend his hand. “I apologize for popping up on you like this, but we have a few questions, if you don’t mind. This is Chief Bullock.”
“What’s up?” I shook his hand after he offered. He and I hadn’t had many dealings, but I was familiar with him. “What’s the special occasion? It’s not often that we get police personnel down in the morgue.”
Folding my arms, I stood and eyed them both. The only acceptable reason for this visit, in my mind, was that it was tied to something work-related. My professionalism only goes so far, and I wasn’t opposed to slicing these niggas the fuck up. Massey could get it too if he had a problem with it.
“Trust me, this isn’t my favorite place to be.” Young chuckled, stuffing his hands in his slacks as he looked around. “I’ve been on the force for over twenty years, and I’ve seen a lot of things. What you guys do…” He shivered from his thoughts, not bothering to finish. “Anyway, I just have a few questions for you about Detective Hines.”
