She wanted him to give a specific date. Soon could’ve meant next week or next month.
“Okay. I’ll let you listen then. Whenever soon is,” she joked, making Najee smirk. He was going to hold her to that, and he let her know it.
“A’ight, RiRi. I’ma hold you to that. It was good hearing your voice.”
Orielle blushed at the nickname assigned by him. Najee had given it to her so unexpectedly, in his casual type of way, that it made her look at him beyond her cousin’s best friend. Hearing him say it again a year later unlocked the core memory from her younger days. A time when she realized Najee was her first real crush.
That was years ago, though. Crushes weren’t meant to last long, especially when one of the parties was in a relationship and behind bars.
“It was good to hear yours, too. Don’t get into any trouble in there. You gotta get out and hear me sing,” Orielle advised.
Laughing, Najee nodded. “I got you. Keep your new shit reserved for me.”
Blushing, Orielle promised to do just that. Najee had no clue that the song she penned earlier in the week had his name and memory laced through every lyric.
“That’s asking for a bit much,” she teased. “But I guess I can do that.”
“’Preciate that,” Najee said, chuckling. “I’ma let you go so you can enjoy the rest of your day.”
She wanted to talk longer and savor this moment but reluctantly let him go.
“You enjoy yours, too.”
Orielle didn’t know what it was like in jail, but she genuinely hoped he had a good day. He deserved to even behind bars.When he hung up, Najee’s chest was full in a way it hadn’t been since he got locked up. It was a crazy feeling, considering the circumstances. He couldn’t help but wonder if Orielle was the good person Chuck mentioned holding onto. With the way things were looking and the way he was feeling, she just might’ve been.
3
“IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND IT AIN’T WHAT IT AIN’T.”
Today wasn’t Najee’s first time having a ‘first day out’.
But it would most definitely be his last. He bet every dollar in his bank account on that.
He made a promise to himself that no matter the situation, he’d never end up behind bars again. At least not under the circumstances he’d gotten locked up for. His promise had nothing to do with the situation, but his actions and lame ass probation officer. It didn’t matter that the year and some months flew by with a quickness. Physically, his life had been put on pause, and he was ready to press play.
Processing out took much longer than Najee liked, but at least he was free to an extent. He called it freedom-adjacent, with him being on parole for the next year. He’d take the random check-ins, curfews, and all the other bullshit that came with an early release over a cell any day.
The gate behind him buzzed loudly and drew out like it was reminding him of his jail stint. That his freedom wasn’t just handed over, but earned with every second, minute, hour, andday that he was confined. The sound made him grit his teeth, but he loosened his jaw the second he stepped outside.
Najee stood still for a second, letting the moment settle in his chest. Fourteen months of sleeping on a hard ass mattress, avoiding unnecessary fights, horrible meals that shouldn’t have been considered food, and silent prayers had gotten him here. He knew his Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ron’s prayers had kept him sane as well. Unlike the August heat he forfeited when locked up, the cool October winds and tolerable sun greeted him.
Inhaling, he exhaled and adjusted his vision with slow blinks. Some things would never change. The sun, air, and atmosphere always felt different on the outside. He let his eyes roam the parking lot while clutching a clear plastic bag in his hand. The clothes he went in with no longer fit thanks to his morning and nighttime workouts.
Men who’d been granted freedom just as he had swaggered to their waiting vehicles. Some had already posted up at the bus stop down the block. It didn’t take Najee long to spot his ride. Uncle Ron’s black Cadillac was the cleanest in the parking lot, sparkling as if he’d gotten it washed before pulling up. Knowing him, he had.
Najee smirked as he slowly walked over, taking in everything. The forgotten smell of freshly cut grass tickled his nose, and the passing vehicles made his reality that much more real. Ron emerged from the driver’s seat looking exactly how Najee remembered. He had that OG, comforting energy about him that made you stop and listen to anything he talked about. A thick silver chain peeked from underneath his collar, while his salt-and-pepper beard was lined to perfection.
The jeans, Timbs, and red Chiefs jersey he was wearing reminded Najee of the season and day. Every Friday, once football season commenced, Kansas City Chiefs fans wore red.Today was going to be a damn good day, especially since it was a home game on Sunday.
“Looks like jail ain’t break you too bad,” Ron said, stepping to him with open arms.
Najee let out a dry chuckle and pulled him in for a hug. “Never that. You know I wasn’t going out like that.”
They were almost the same height, but Najee towered over him a few inches at six feet four. The difference meant nothing; the love still felt the same. It actually felt stronger. Their hug was needed on both ends. The silence between them as Ron firmly patted his back was heavy with emotion neither of them would speak on. He shook his head, filled with an onset of emotions only an uncle, who was more like a father, could feel.
“Sho’ have missed you, nephew. You made it out with your mind in one piece. That’s a blessing.”
Najee couldn’t agree more as his head bobbed. “Absolutely. I missed you, too, Unc.”
