“That’s just something you guys have to get over together. If you truly want it to work, then you’ll hear him out and those meaningless words won’t hurt anymore.
“Bri-Bri, your phone is ringing.”
Tossing my tissue in the trash, I went back into the bedroom where we were making the vision boards. “Who is it, Mimi?”
“I don’t know, boo. No name popped up, just the number. They hung up and now calling back.” She passed me the phone when it started flashing again.
“Hello?”
“Hey, my daughter-in-law.”
When I recognized the little voice on the other end, I smiled. I was far from her daughter-in-law but that was cute.
“Hey, Mrs. Smith, is everything ok?”
“No, Baby, have you seen Brooklyn?” The panic in her voice had me on edge.
“Not since yesterday, Mrs. Smith.”
“That’s just it, I’ve been calling him since yesterday but he hasn’t answered or called back yet. That’s not like Brooklyn to just not call back if he sees that I’ve been blowing him up. Something is wrong with my baby, I just know it is.” Her sniffling on the other end broke my heart.
“Have you called Zoo and Sin? Maybe they know where he is. They all left my house together.”
“Lord, where is my baby?” My heart sank into my stomach once those words left her lips. Just to think the last conversation we had was an argument and I stuck my middle finger up at him.
“Is there anything I can do? Go to the police, or something?”
“Oh no, no, no police! The Smith men are the police, Baby. We handle everything in-house but I don’t want them knowing that he’s going through something and now he’s missing. You know men are never allowed to be weak so I just want to find him now.”
“So, what can I do?” I asked again.
“Can you please come over here and help me go find my baby? Please, Bri.” The tremble in her voice kept me from saying,Girl fuck, Brooklyn. ‘Cause he talked shit about me real bad.
“Yes ma’am. I’ll be right over.”
“Ok good, stop at the sto’ and bring yo’ mama-in-law a Pepsi,” she requested before hanging up.
My face scrunched up when her once trembling voice had cleared.
“Everything ok?” Mimi questioned while stuffing some chips in her mouth.
“Something with Brooklyn but I think she really just played me to bring her something to drink over there. One minute she was crying and when I said I was on the way, those tears dried up and she was requesting something to drink.”
“Just go see. It could be both. Something with Brooklyn and she’s thirsty. Text me and let me know what’s going on. I’m about to put PJ out so I can take me a nap.”
Grabbing my things, I hugged both of them then left out the house. I wasn’t sure what was going on but I hoped everything was good.
It didn’t take long before I was pulling up and parking in front of their home. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled then got out. I knocked a few times before I was greeted and hugged by Brooklyn’s little sister, Austyn.
“Hey, Bri.”
“Hey, boo.” I stepped inside and became even more confused. She didn’t look worried and neither did Jersey, who was in the living room with some other girls doing TikTok dances. “Which room is your mom in?”
“She’s upstairs. First door on the right. You may want to grab her a cup of ice for that Pepsi or she gone send you back down the stairs for a cup.” Nodding, I fixed her a cup of ice then headed up the stairs.
“Come in, Sweet Pea.” Pushing the door opened, she was tucked tightly under her covers with some Popeyes beside heron the table. That’s probably why she asked for a pop because I know she damn near took herself out with that dry-ass biscuit.
“You ready to go find Brooklyn, Mrs. Smith?” I walked all the way in and put her drink and ice down beside her.
