“I ain’t got shit for y’all little niggas to rob but this food in the bag.” The curvy woman felt bad for how she came at the young boys.
It wasn’t the gun that brought her down to a cold reality. This wasn’t the first time she experienced being held at gun point but the first time by little kids. What got to the woman was Abel’s glossy, tired eyes. While one twin had fire in his eyes, the other had defeat written all over his face and eyes.
Their hair was matted down in months old braids that the neighbor did for them before she moved away. They looked thrown away, worn down, and without parents.
“I’m sorry, Miss Lady. We see you all the time, you always lie to us and tonight I got fed up,” Abel admitted honestly.
“You know what, you right,” The lady sighed out.
She tossed her long tresses over her shoulder then tucked her phone into her front pocket.
“I be lying cause I see y’all so much. I work hard for my money and know that it ain’t nobody but one of your parent’s sending you to do their dirty work,” she spoke honestly.
“We ain’t giving our momma shit this time, and we don’t know who our daddy is,” Cain partially lied, he knew exactly who his father was. “Me and my brother don’t do drugs, we just trying to make enough money to buy ourselves some food before the grocery store close.” Cain looked the woman directly in the eyes.
What he said was the truth and all he could hope for was her to believe him and hand over anything that she was willing to offer. The lady’s heart tightened, she could see the honesty in what Cain said. She reached into her bra and pulled out a crisp twenty.
“This all I got as far as extra change. If you boys want to make a little extra money, come over to my beauty salon over on forty-third street. Y’all can help me clean the shop, take out the trash,and I’ll make sure y’all eat good. I’ll even hook y’all hair up.” She smiled.
Cain and Abel’s eyes lit up. The twins wanted to jump for joy but held in their happiness and relief. Abel took a step toward the lady reluctantly. He was very self-aware of his appearance and the way that he smelled. Before taking the money out of her hands, he stepped into her personal space and hugged her quickly.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed him tightly. He needed the hug, she could feel it. She said a silent prayer for both boys then reached down and tucked the money into his front pocket.
“You guys situation is going to get better. I’ll help you two as much as I can. See you at the shop.” She paused releasing Abel. “It’s called ‘Expressions’.” She smiled softly and strutted away.
“See, you ain’t have to up the toolie on her fine ass.” Abel snapped his eyes to Cain.
“Shut up simp ass nigga. She was calling us bums and shit.” Cain defended his actions.
“Whatever, help me pick this candy up. We can still use some of it, hopefully it’s not all broken up,” Abel said lowly.
Luca’s chest tightened. He watched the twins carefully inspect and pick the candy bars up from the dirty ground. They moved quickly with a small hint of excitement and relief evident on their faces. They had money to eat, a job offered that would guarantee their next meal. Luca never had to worry about working for money at the age of eight and neither did Kentrell.
“I’m killing him,” Luca whispered with disgust laced in each word.
“That nigga doesn’t deserve kids,” Roy spoke lowly.
He too was affected by the scene that unfolded in front of him. These were Kentrell’s flesh and blood. Most men prayed for their first kid to be a boy. He neglected them and acted as if they didn’t exist. That alone was a death wish to both Luca and Roy.
“He gets to wear nice clothes, sleep good every fuckin’ night…while his boys struggle and beg for dollars.” Roy’s right leg bounced faster.
“They my boys now,” Luca said again.
Luca reached for the middle compartment; the latch opened with a soft click, revealing neat stacks of cash. He grabbed a handful, not counting how much then hopped out of his idling car. The cold night air hit him immediately. His eyes remained on the twins as he took steps toward them. He could hear Roy’s heavy steps behind him as he got closer.
Roy knew long before Luca became Don that he would have to always be many steps ahead of Luca. He trained himself to read any room properly. Roy knew when to be his Don’s voice in dire times when it hurt Luca to the core to speak. He knew when to be Luca’s eyes behind him when he faced off against oppositions.
Right now, as they got closer to the twins, Roy understood that this was a moment that would cause emotions on both ends. As Luca’s capo, Roy was humble and ready to assist, even if it meant to unmask his emotions right in front of the boys. In his eyes they were his nephews as well, and he would die behind them.
The twins stiffened and squared their shoulders in defense mode as Luca and Roy approached. They both clutched the torn candy boxes a little tighter as Cain took a step in front of his brother as a sign of protection. Abel shifted his stance, he lifted his chin then blinked the wariness from his eyes.
Luca stopped a few feet away from them, not wanting to loom over the boys. He dug in his pockets and pulled out the wad of money and held it out.
“We’d like to buy y’all out for the night,” Roy stated confidently, stepping next to Luca.
Luca noticed that the boys glanced at the money but didn’t eagerly step up to take it. He could see it in their eyes that they viewed the money as bait. They didn’t trust Luca nor Roy, this action made Luca’s chest swell with pride. He stuffed the money back in his pocket then folded his hands in front of him. His twenty-four-karat watch glowed in the night air as he just stared at the boys.
“We good,” Cain said quickly, shaking his little head. “We don’t sell drugs.” He looked Roy square in the eyes.
