I nodded and prepared to see my baby. She’d stayed at my house Sunday night, because her uncle Marcus was still at her house. Instead of leaving for Puerto Rico on Sunday, he decided to leave Monday morning. I hadn’t seen her since Tuesday and today was Friday. I missed her ass so much. She’d been working hard. People were coming from Beaumont to seek medical attention from a Black woman doctor. Black women were so grateful when they saw Bali’s and Noni’s faces.
I was happy for her, but that lessened the time we saw each other. It was more convenient for her to be in Nome in case there was an emergency of some kind. I was so proud of her. She was doing her thing and had the patients to show for it.
When I got to the diner, I could see her heading inside. She looked so sexy in her white coat. She was so proud of her accomplishments she wore that shit everywhere. I had laughed at her going into the grocery store with it on. Her exact words were,I earned and paid dearly for this shit. I’m gon’ wear itwherever the fuck I wanna wear it.I could only laugh at her crazy ass.
I got out of my truck and went inside to find her still at the counter. I gave the two men from Watchful Eyes head nods, then went to the fountain drinks and slid my arms around my baby and kissed her neck, since she had her hair up. I could see her cheeks redden. I gently bit her ear, and said, “Hey, Doctor Henderson.”
She giggled. “Hi, baby.”
She turned to me and kissed my lips, then handed me a Root Beer. She knew that was my shit. When she kissed my lips, I knew I would be staying in Nome tonight. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I missed her so much. Being away from her was always torture.
“How has your day been, baby?” I asked.
“Busy as hell, but productive. Ashanni is so close, and I’m so excited. The baby is in position. She may last another three weeks, tops. What about your day?”
“It’s been chill. I hung out with Treasure while my mama went to some kind of Black professionals networking meeting.”
She put the lid on her Big Red soda, and said, “Oooh, I would like to get involved in stuff like that. I’m sure Noni would, too.”
“Well, I’ll tell her to let you know whenever they have another social.”
She nodded as we headed to the table with Maui, Ashanni, and Mythic. My brother was doing well for himself. He was in school and working for Watchful Eyes. That was right up his alley, especially if he got to shoot his gun. I knew his former life had been haunting him. He was doing his best to stay away from that bullshit. While he was ready for a change, it didn’t stop the memories from interfering with his progress.
I remembered Philly telling my dad that. He’d gotten involved with Watchful Eyes as well, and Marcus had helpedhim with a race car to race at the track in China. I was pretty sure PJ was having the same issues. That nigga was still young, though, so maybe the transition wasn’t as hard for him. He’d only been in it for two or three years.
When I got to the table, I slapped my brother’s outstretched hand, then kissed Maui’s and Ashanni’s cheeks. Once I sat, Mythic asked, “How’s Treasure?”
“She’s good, man. She’s even crushing on somebody. I don’t know if she’ll finally let him in or not, but she likes him.”
“Well, that’s a step in the right direction. He putting in the work, that’s for sure.”
I nodded. He’d witnessed Kingsley’s tenderness toward our sister as well. Honestly, I couldn’t wait for her to allow him to love her. She deserved everything he had to offer and more. I looked around and didn’t see Noni. I interrupted Bali, and asked, “Where’s Noni?”
“She had to go to the hospital in Beaumont to see one of her patients. She should be here in a little bit.”
I nodded as Red Squared walked through the door. He came straight to our table and greeted everybody, then said, “Let me holla at’chu, bruh.”
I stood from my seat and walked toward the entrance with him. “What’s up?”
“Somebody reported me, man. I can’t go to fucking nationals. My sponsors pulled out. The police pulled footage from the restaurant and saw me grab Noni by the neck. Man, I can’t fucking go to nationals.”
“Did you get disqualified?”
“Yeah, man.”
I closed my eyes and let the wind leave my sail. Nationals was only two weeks away. I opened my eyes and followed him outside just as Noni was pulling up. He glanced her way and huffed. I knew where his mind was trying to take him. Shefucked up his career. Clearly that footage had to show her following us out of the restaurant and her hitting him first.
“Is there anything we can do about it? Can we appeal?”
“I don’t know. I just wanted you to know so you wouldn’t be wondering why I wasn’t practicing. I’m done, man.”
I grabbed him and hugged him like I would hug my brother. I couldn’t imagine how he felt right now, but I had a good ass feeling. I saw Noni heading our way, and I shook my head. She didn’t need to come over here right now. He was too emotional. There was no telling what words would fall from his lips.
She hesitantly went inside as I pulled away from him, holding him by his shoulders. “Don’t give up, man. I’m gonna get my dad to contact Missus Taylor. Back in the day, he got into a fight at a restaurant. The guy never hit him. He was able to get off, even though the guy tried to press charges against him.”
“My dad told me about that. The difference then was that she placed all the blame on Aunt Harper’s ex. I can’t do that to Noni, man. I can’t.”
He got inside his truck and pulled off. My heart was heavy for my boy. There had to be a way around this. I slid my hand down my face, then called my dad. After telling him what had happened, he said he would call her. It helped that she was familiar with Noni because she was one of the attorneys for the Hendersons as well. She certainly knew who Mr. Storm was.
