“Like I told you years ago, you don’t need to be comin’ down here if I don’t have anything important to say. The day I allow you down here, just know it’s some shit.”
“I got you, Pops. These phone calls only hold me over so much, you feel me?”
“I do, and that’s why I don’t want you or my wife comin’ to see me. Seein’ y’all leave this hellhole without me was a pain I hated feelin’. You think I don’t wanna see y’all? Shit is hard, man. I’ve been gettin’ by and able to do my time simply because I don’t have visitors,” he expressed.
“We gotta get you home, man.”
“I been trying everything I can for that to happen. The lawyer Dennis hired never has any real updates. That shit is pissing me off because I know I was set up. The streets talk, yet I been rottin’ in this muthafucka for almost two decades. Somethin’ ain’t right,” he vented.
“I feel you, Pops. We gon’ figure it out though. I don’t care what I gotta give, but you comin’ home soon and that’s on me,” I said confidently.
I had no plan in motion, but I’d start by asking my uncle and going from there. The rest of our time was spent talking about my mother and her newfound hobby. She was infusing every damn thing and it was all good. When the automated voice interrupted our conversation to let us know we only had one minute left, I felt the shift in my dad’s tone. Ending a call always brought me back to the realization of him not being free. I was talking to him now, but one wrong move from another person could prevent me from hearing from him for an uncertain amount of time.
The call ended just after my dad informed me that he’d call again later before the phones were cut off. Unbuckling my seat belt, I cut my truck off and walked toward the Exclusive Diamonds building. I’d been here a handful of times over the years, but didn’t spend much time. Taking over the company had never crossed my mind and I wasn’t one of those people who frequently bought jewelry. I still hadn’t decided on the commitment, but my uncle wanted me to see how everything operated on the inside.
The familiar jingle of the bell sounded when I pulled the door open and walked inside. Like any other jewelry store, a plethora of pieces rested in two large displays on each side of the store. There was only one customer inside right now being helped by Janet. Janet and her husband Steven had worked for my uncle since he started the company. They both were nice people and seemed to love the job. When Janet noticed me, she smiled and offered a small wave. Her uniform consisted of a blue blazer with matching slacks ironed to a crisp. Her small, sterling silver necklace along with the diamond studded earrings came from Exclusive Diamonds. I knew this because my uncle once told me it was a good marketing tool.
“Good morning, nephew. You’re here early. I wasn’t expecting you for another hour or so,” Dennis stated as he came from the back.
Like Janet, he had on a blue blazer with a gold-plated name tag to the left. My uncle was always dressed nicely and held himself to a higher standard. Honestly, that was one of the reasons I had so much respect for him. He took care of his business and looked out for his family. Looking at the man before me, I would never think he’d fathered Deontay’s ass. They were night and day and the shit was crazy to witness. I was my father’s son through and through. I couldn’t imagine being out here embarrassing him without a care in the world.
“I know. I was already up, so I thought I’d just come by,” I said as we shook hands.
“A productive man is a man I can respect. Come to the back and let me show you around. I know you’ve seen it before, but now it’ll have some meaning.”
Once the two of us entered the back, I was given a thorough breakdown of all the areas. From the security vaults to the consultation rooms, my uncle made sure every staff member acknowledged me. Everyone looked hard at work and it made me gain more respect for my uncle. He was truly in here running a smooth and professional operation. The energy was calm and the staff members were diverse. My uncle was in the middle of explaining how an in-office consultation went when Janet caught his attention.
“Mr. Scott, your ten o’clock is here.”
“Bring him back please. Sit him in room one. Thank you, Janet.”
Nodding in acknowledgement, Janet left to do as instructed. Straightening his tie, my uncle led me to the room where the customer was. When we walked inside, I laughed on the inside and took the appointment as a joke. Sitting before us was none other than Spinna and Celeste, the latter looking like she couldn’t wait to leave. Her facial features softened when she noticed me and I visibly saw her body stiffen. Although I knew her situation and why she was sitting next to this lame ass nigga, that didn’t mean I had to like it. Celeste was so much more than this, but she had to realize the shit for herself.
A part of me was also salty because she and I shared a connection. It wasn’t sexual, but it didn’t take a blind man to see I wanted her.Maybe I’m pissed because I can’t have her.My uncle greeting them pulled me from my thoughts and brought me back to reality. At the end of the day, Celeste belonged to Spinna and there wasn’t shit I could do about it.
“What’s up, Shane? Hope shit been good in the studio,” Spinna said.
“It’s been cool, man. Can’t complain,” I responded, keeping the shit short.
I took a seat next to my uncle and listened as he took control of the conversation. When he took the rings from the box, Spinna smiled and Celeste forced a small one. Whenever Celeste and I crossed paths, I’d noticed she wore necklaces and charm bracelets, but never any rings. Had Spinna really known his girl, he'd know that. All the money he’d spent on all these rings just for them to sit in a jewelry box was crazy.
“Is it too tight? It looks a little snug.”
“No. It’s fine,” Celeste responded.
“You like it, baby? I think this may be my favorite of them all,” Spinna stated as he held her hand in his and inspected the ring.
Before anyone could say another word, the door was pushed open by none other than rude ass Deontay.
“Pop, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Excuse me, everyone. My son has forgotten his manners this morning.”
“My bad. What’s up, y’all?” he said as he waved to Spinna and Celeste.
When Deontay made eye contact with me, he burst out in laughter. He was being sarcastic, but I’d let his immature ass have it for now. Once my uncle stood to leave, I followed suit. There was no way in the hell I’d be staying in this room alone with Spinna and Celeste. Stepping into the hall, I was grateful my uncle decided to take Deontay into his office. I roamed around, ending up in the front. There were no customers inside, giving me a chance to really look at the pieces on display. A few minutes went by when I heard my uncle’s voice. He was comingto the front with Spinna and Celeste in tow. There was no sign of Deontay and I hoped his ass had gone out the back.
“Shane, you mind keeping the Mrs. company while I speak with Allen?”
