“Nah. How’s he doing?”
“He, uh, he’s dead, man,” Marshall said.
I stood, feeling my eyes go wide. “Wait. What?”
“Yes. Dead,” Marshall repeated. “Sorry to break the news to you.”
“What happened?”
“You know Simmonds was good people. He died saving some woman who was being assaulted by her boyfriend. Simmonds rescued her and gave the man a beat down. But homie had a gun and shot him in the back. Can you believe that?”
“Yeah, I can actually. I’m not surprised that Sincere died helping someone.” Sincere was the nickname we all had for Simmonds.
I couldn’t believe what Marshall was telling me, but this was beyond a prank. It had to be true.I can’t believe he’s gone. I was supposed to call him the other week and I didn’t.
I walked a short distance away from Niya in a daze. All I could see was Simmonds’ laughing face.
“Word on the streets is, that woman is standing by her man. Ain’t that something? He died saving someone who obviously didn’t want to be saved.”
My eyebrows rose. “Wow. But that wouldn’t have stopped Sincere. You know he wasn’t about to stand there and watch a woman get hurt. As he would say, his mama taught him right.”
“Yeah, that was him,” Marshall said. Then his tone changed. “I can’t believe he’s gone. Just like that; in a moment, life as we know can change. We’re all flying out to Los Angeles tonight. Hoping you can join us. His mother isn’t taking the news too well.”
Troy Simmonds idolized his mother. Maizie Simmonds had been his world. The men had often teased him about it, but Troy would shrug and say, “She’s the only woman who will love me unconditionally for a lifetime.” There had been no arguing with that. His words had caused a few men to wipe their eyes, myself included. Then, Ms. Maizie had become all our mother when she’d started sending care packages for me and several of my buddies.
“I’ll book a flight. If I can be of any help to her, just say the word.” I shook my head, unable to picture Simmonds still, without life. “I can’t believe he’s gone.” I ran my free hand over my head. “I’ll be there by tomorrow evening.”
“Good. I’ll tell the other guys. When stuff like this happens, all I can think is life is too short to hesitate. You have to pounce when opportunity knocks and grab onto everything good that comes your way,” Marshall said.
“You’re right, man.” I looked Niya’s way.Or grab onto someone good. Like Niya.I knew then and there I wasn’t going to let her go. Ever. I ended my call with Marshall and scurried over to tell Niya my news.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” she said, once I had filled her in. “When will you be leaving?”
I pulled up my phone to look for flights. “Tonight if I can catch a flight.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll be here when you get back,” she said, preparing to leave.
“No, you won’t,” I said, reaching to hold her hand.
Niya licked her lips. “I thought…” She shook her head. “Never mind…”
“You won’t behere, because you’re coming with me.” Seeing her wide-eyed expression, I rephrased my words. “I mean, I’d like you to come with me. So, will you? Come with me?”
