“Where you at?” He started to really focus on my background as if he’d be able to tell.
He wasn’t from A.C., so I doubted that he’d recognize anything the way a native would have.
“At this Chinese restaurant called Mr. Miyagi’s to get some food.”
“Shit gotta be in the hood with that cracked ass ceiling. Let me find out I got a lil’ hood baby on my hands.” He chuckled.
“I did grow up in the hood, Magnolia Trace to be exact, but I don’t live over here. I just came for food, dassit.”
I didn’t frequent this part of town because it reminded me of my past; what I lost and what I was still dealing with because of my sister.
“Where are you?” I asked, checking his background like he’d done me.
“My people’s spot.” He turned around to show me. “Lil’ card party at my Nan’s house.”
“Nigga, I ain’t ya nan,” I heard a woman shout. “And don’t be showing them hoes you talk to my damn house. If one of ‘emcomes through here, it’s going to be a sad day for her ass. You better let her know!”
“Nan, chill,” he laughed. “This ain’t no hoe,” he said then looked at me. “You ain’t no hoe, are you?”
“No, nigga. I’m not. If they think every woman you talk to is, then you need to seriously switch up the company you keep.” I spat with a frown.
“That’s what I’m tryna do with you, but you playing hard to get and shit.” He grinned.
“I’m not playing hard to get. Iamhard to get. You have too much going on, so we need to keep things as they are.”
“How you know what I got going on?”
“You woke up to buy me breakfast while that woman was probably still in bed.” I chuckled, shaking my head as I thought about it.
“On Lord I didn’t sleep with that bitch.” He fired back. “Bitch got some dick and the boot. I don’t do no overnight shit.”
“And you couldn’t possibly think that anything remotely close to that would fly for me.” I scoffed.
“Of course not.” He smiled and I clenched my thighs together. He was too damn handsome for his own good. “I know you got the kind of pussy that come with a spinnanight bag.”
“Bye nigga.” I snapped and ended the call. They were calling my number for my food anyway.
As I slid out of the booth, I got a notification. Of course it was Makhai.
BigLocDawg: Don’t hang up in my face like that no more Lord.
BigLocDawg: You fine and all, but I’ll still fuck you up ‘bout my respect.
I smirked before replying back.
Golddiamondsss: Learn how to differentiate when you’re talking to a hoe and a woman then because just like youdon’t play about your respect, I don’t either. Have the day you deserve.
I locked my phone and pushed it into my purse before making my way to the counter to get my food. I hurried out of the restaurant afterward, ignoring the men that were desperately trying to get my attention. I locked my doors quickly once I was secure inside my car. Placing my food and purse on the passenger’s seat, I pushed the button to bring my car to life then pulled off.
I wanted to go straight home, but I thought about the note my sister had left on my door. I hated that I was burdened with her shit, but she was my sister, and I loved her, so unfortunately, I drove slowly, checking near the area where she told me she’d been staying. I spotted a pair of legs coming from behind a dumpster in the alley she’d specified, so I put my car in park after bringing it to a stop, then got out to see if it was her.
“Gwen,” I leaned down to shake her when I confirmed that it was.
Her frail body was slumped into the dumpster next to her, and her matted hair was sticking to her face that was still beautiful to me, despite her being filthy from living on the streets.
She stirred at first then her eyes fluttered open. When she noticed me, she tried to get up quickly, but winced, immediately alarming me. I looked her over to make sure she wasn’t hurt. From what I could see, she looked fine, but it could’ve been internal.
“Are you okay?”
