“I’ll be back.” he said cutting me off.
“But, Jahrein.” I called out to him as he left out the room. I climbed out of bed and followed him. “Jahrein, maybe we should call the police.”
He glanced back at me but didn’t say a word. I knew the code. We didn’t talk to police. He don’t make peace bonds. My nigga didn’t trust in the judicial system; he busted his guns.
“Please don’t do this.” I pleaded on the verge of tears.
“What’s going on?” Red questioned groggily as she stepped out of her bedroom.
“He’s about to go after Khalil.”
Red turned to Jahrein. “Jah, are you sure that this is what you want to do?” she asked her son.
“I got to, mama.” He told her.
“Red, tell him that he needs to stay his ass at home.” I snapped.
“That aint gonna happen.” Jahrein scrunchedd, as he entered Red and Ray-Ray’s bedroom.
I stood and stared at Red. I wanted to strangle her. When was she ever going to really step up and be the parent? She was calm as her son prepared to go commit murder. What real mother does that?
“You’re pitiful.” I rolled my eyes at her as I stepped into her bedroom. I noticed that Jahrein had awakened Ray. Maybe he’d have more sense this time around. “Daddy, I know that you are not cool with this too?”
Ray-Ray was going through his drawers in search of some clothes. “This gotta be done, Raven.”
“What? Are you fuckin serious?” I spazzed.
He spun around. “Watch your fucking mouth. Now, as much as I try to keep this street life from you, you are not naïve. This nigga has violated one too many times. We can’t let him make it. You are my daughter and I know that sometimes I could have done better. But I was young and dumb. That was my bad. But I’ll be damn if I let some nigga think that he can take you out just cause!” Ray-Ray shouted as he pounded his chest all of a sudden infuriated. “You are my child and I would lay down and die for you!” my daddy roared with bloodshot red eyes.
“Calm down, Ray.” Red begged as she tried to hug him.
He pulled away from her. “Move, Jaylah.” He told Red. He was the only person that called her by her government name. “We getting at this nigga, Raven. And that’s that.” He stated with finality.
I was so frustrated. Both Jahrein and my daddy both had their minds made up. Was this really the only way to handle things? I just threw my hands up, knowing that my pleas were falling on death ears.
Jahrein went and woke up Jalero. All three gathered some artillery, were out the door, and wasn’t trying to hear nothing that I had to say.
Chapter 22
(Many Men/50 Cent)
“Many men wish death upon me…”
“What the fuck is taking them so long?” Tammy vented.
“I don’t know. Ray-Ray aint even answering his phone.” Red sighed.
“I’ma try Lero’s cell again.” Tammy said as she dialed on her cell phone.
All the women in the house had been on edge since our men left. They’d only been gone for about an hour, but considering the circumstances it felt like a lifetime. I was restless. I wanted to just go out and find Jahrein and drag his ass back home with me. I was damn near frantic. What if he never came home? I think that I would commit suicide to be with him.
I was pacing the floors for long stretches. The more I thought about it the more I’d get pissed. Red and Ray-Ray were far from the best parents, but damn. I know that the street life is just embedded in some people, but it should come a day where they leave that stuff behind. These were two people with grand-kids and still living the life.
“Raven, why don’t you sit down?” Red asked me.
“I’m not sitting down until Jahrein and Ray-Ray comes back.”
“Okay, you know that you’re pregnant. Don’t stress yourself out unnecessarily.”
