I sighed. “I hear you. But don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Act like it’s a sin for me to go out and party,” I established, as I thought about how much I’d enjoyed myself, while I was partying with my people. Although clubbing wasn’t usually my thing, I had to admit that stepping out was fun. And I wouldn’t have minded doing it again. So, I hated that my boring ass had allowed Too Low to feel like he had a say so over what I did socially.
“You talking like you plan on going out again.” “And what if I did?”
“What chu mean?”
“Exactly what I just said. I don’t like this…thing where you act like I gotta answer to you. I offer you explanations, because I respect you as my man. But you arenotmy daddy. Me and you both know that I’m no clubber, but if I choose to go out on occasion, then I’m not trying to argue with you about it. Nor do I have to ask for your permission.”
He sucked his teeth. “I’m confused. Where is all this coming from?”
“It’s coming from my frustration, Jarvin. I’m tired of you making me feel like I’m in prison. You don’t trust me. You’re always questioning me. And it’s making me feel like a child. Like I gotta sneak and do shit, so you won’t trip. That’s not healthy…and it makes me feel like I need some space.”
“Some space? Nah, you tripping. I’m literally way in Huntsville, Texas. That’s more than enough space. And you know that I’d go crazy in here, if I can’t talk to you.”
“Then act like it,” I gritted, as I heard a tap on the door.
“I will,” Too Low claimed. “And I apologize for the way that I’ve been making you feel. The last thing I want to do is push you away. So, I hope that you can be patient with me.”
“I’mtrying.IswearIam.Butyougottameetmehalfway.
Show me that you love me enough for my happiness to be important to you.”
“It is, baby.”
“Youhaveoneminuteleft,”theautomatedoperator announced.
He breathed into the phone. “I guess that I’ma call you one more time.”
Just then, the bedroom door popped open, and Face stood in the doorway.
“No,” I yawned into the phone. “I’m really tired. Just call me tomorrow.”
He huffed. “Okay. I love you.”
“Loveyoutoo.Talktoyoulater.”Irespondedbeforethe phone hung up.
“Those collect calls be a muthafucka, huh?” Face quizzed, as he inched into the room.
I raised a brow. “Who said that it was a collect call?”
He smirked. “It’s pretty obvious. Plus, I knew that there was no way that you had a nigga freely walking around, and he allowed you to spend your whole day over here.”
I squinted. “You sure that you didn’t just ask around?” He shrugged. “That too.”
I shook my head. “Too Low, huh?”
“Yep. That’s him.”
He smirked. “They used to always say that his crazy ass had a gal and she pretty much went everywhere with him. But somehow, I never seen her. Would’ve never imagined that it was somebody like you.”
“Somebody like me?” I tilted my head. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that Too Low aint no ugly nigga, but he aint got no
real hustle. Was always just content was scoring the same amount of work. For years. Like he planned on selling dope, at the same level, for the rest of his life. And those type of niggas don’t usually have a girl like you.”
