“I’m straight. I’m more annoyed. I was finna put him on his ass but then Jameera was probably going to break up with me for hurting her uncle.”
“Like I said, lil nigga, try it.”
“Uncle Sam! Please! You’re drunk,” Jameera teared up.
“Relax bae, don’t cry. I’m straight. We good, let’s go to homecoming and enjoy our night as planned.” Lil Q gripped her hand, attempting to soothe her.
“I agree with Lil Q. You look amazing, dry your tears and go enjoy your evenings,” I encouraged, squeezing Marissa’s hand. She was fuming and I couldn’t blame her. It was taking everything inside of me not to go upside this nigga’s head. Jameera’s presence was the invisible arm holding me back. Like Lil Q said, I ain’t want to do shit to run her away from him when I just stepped foot into the picture. I didn’t want static with her son over this bullshit.
“Nah, she ain’t going nowhere with this disrespectful lil nigga.”
Before he could emit another breath, I pulled my gun from the back of my waistband and shoved him up against the wall, nudging the cold metal into his cheekbone. The thud echoedthrough the big ass house that lacked rugs and proper furniture to catch the sound.
Jameera screeched behind us, and the room was still as Sam’s lip quivered.
“The fuck be wrong with you niggas? Pulling guns out to scare jits that’s already cracking y’all daughters. You flashed a gun over curfews and corsages now my shit in your face. That shit feel good to you?” I snarled.
“N… N…”
“Don’t stutter, speak up nigga! Was you stuttering when you was playing the protective uncle role? Playing with guns when I can smell the liquor on your breath. They are going to homecoming, and you are going to apologize for raising Marissa’s blood pressure on what is supposed to be a beautiful night.”
“I’m sorry, Marissa,” he sputtered.
“Shit, you owe them an apology too,” I yanked him off the wall and turned him towards Jameera and Lil Q.
“I apologize for… for fucking up y’all night.”
“You ain’t fuck it up. We still gone have a great night,” Lil Q smirked, straightening his shirt.
“Please don’t hurt him.”
“I won’t,” I smiled, placing my gun back in position. “You good right, Sam?”
“Yeah, we all good,” he nodded his head rapidly.
“Good, and if you ever see my son again, you better walk the other fucking way. Do you understand me?” Marissa badgered.
“I understand. I apologize,” he fretted.
“Lighten up, nigga,” I nudged him. “You pulled your gun. I pulled mine. We all good now, right?”
“Yeah, we good,” he confirmed.
I really didn’t give a fuck if he was good, but I could tell Jameera was concerned about his drunk ass, and I still wantedthem to enjoy their night. Sam started some shit I just had to finish.
“Good, now let us get a picture of the both of y’all before you take off,” Marissa requested, walking out the door.
Lil Q had a quick private talk with Jameera, and he must’ve had the gift of gab because she was smiling and taking pictures in no time. I kept my eyes on Sam at the doorway. His bottom lip was still quivering in fear while they took pictures. When they were done taking pictures, he almost broke his ankle running back into the house. Lil Q and his date went on with their night, and we went back to Marissa’s house.
“Thank you.” Her sweet voice cut through the silence as we sat in the driveway, neither of us wanting to move and bring our time to an end. It was clear that we didn’t mind dinner or committing felonies together. Time together would always be time well spent.
“You’re welcome. I always have your back.”
She smiled at me and took a deep breath. “I need to get back in there with my family.”
“I know,” I commented, opening the door.
I stepped out and helped Marissa out behind me. “Make sure you don’t fall asleep on me.”
