And yeah, maybe it wasn’t his business… but he made it his.
Just like he had as a kid, protecting his mother.
“I wasn’t gon’ sit back and not do anything,” Najee finally said.
“I get that,” Chuck said. His voice was low and understanding. “You saw her in a moment, and your instincts kicked in. That ain’t wrong. That’s who you are.”
Najee let out a heavy breath.
“I don’t even regret what I did,” he said lowly. “Just regret putting myself back in here.”
Chuck nodded slowly, the lines on his face deepening. “Times almost up, though. Make that shit count. What you mention her for?”
“She hit up one of my partners the other day,” he finally admitted. “Told him to give me her number.”
Chuck smirked. “Word?”
“Yeah. That’s whose number this is.”
Najee looked down at the number again, contemplating.Damn. Is it cheating if I hit her up?
“Well, what the hell you sittin’ here talkin’ to me for?” Chuck questioned.
“You right,” Najee said, chuckling.
“Damn right I am. She must got something she wanna say. A woman ain’t reaching out for no reason. She must care.”
“You sound real optimistic for somebody who keep fucking up and ending up in here.”
Chuck shrugged and laughed, a deep raspy sound that echoed through the small space.
“Whatever, man. I’ma be back in the free world in a minute. Optimism don’t die in here. It just gets a little quieter.”
Najee stood up, stretching his arms above his head.
“I feel that. I’ll holla at you after I make this call.”
“A’ight, youngin’. Go tell that girl you still remember how she smells,” Chuck called after him jokingly. “And don’t fumble your words either.”
“Never that,” Najee said, heading out of the cell.
The phone area was damn near empty, just how he liked it. He hated making calls with too many ears around. It always felt like everyone heard his business. Reaching for the receiver, he punched in the number. As the phone rang, Najee’s heart thudded. By the fourth ring, he was about to hang up, but then the line connected. He announced himself and was somewhat relieved that she accepted.
“Hello?”
Orielle’s voice was soft but had an edge of curiosity.
“What’s up, RiRi?”
She sucked in a quick gasp, hoping he didn’t hear her. Silence filled the line for a beat.
“Najee... hi.”
Caught off guard, though she asked for him to call, Orielle’s voice cracked with her greeting.
“You sound like you weren’t expecting my call. You got somebody else calling you collect?” He joked, mouth curving at the corners.Shit, I hope not.
She laughed, breathy and nervous. He could hear her smile.
