“Is that nigga up yet?” BK asked as soon as he stepped into my house. It was bright and early the next day after I’d picked up Boss from Roulette.
Once we got to my spot yesterday, whatever Boss ass took had him out for the rest of the night. After the stunt he pulled with disrespecting Lourdè at the strip club, I was cool with that, because I still wanted to fuck his ass up for that shit.
I had been up half the night researching rehabs that would be good for cases like Boss. Yeah, he was dealing with substance abuse, but he had a lot of mental health issues that needed to be handled with professional care.
“Naw, but I’ma get him up. I wanted to chop it up first to make sure we have a solid plan of action. Are you calling Tino or is he coming?” I asked as I dapped him up. I went to shut the door behind him when Art put his hand on the door, stopping me.
“I’ma call. I told him to stay laid up with Summer, especially since this ain’t the first go round with this fool. I brought Art with me as backup just in case this fool tries to run or some shit, because his ass is for sure going.”
“Hell yeah. Yesterday I watched my brother disrespect a woman in my presence with no remorse. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but to me that’s a whole different level. And I’m sure we all have seen and heard some new things over these six months or so when it comes to him.”
“Well, they say each time gets worse when they pick up old habits.”
BK blew out a heavy sigh as we reached my living room, all of us taking a seat.
“Man, I can’t believe after six years we’re back here,” Art said in a somber tone as I shook my head. “Yeah, he had a good run this time, but no lie, I should’ve seen this coming once I noticed the alcohol becoming a problem after Thanksgiving. He got into it with his pops then, and shit went left. I just thought everything would eventually blow over. And now these fuck ass pills popping up…” I said.
The alcohol addiction was new. Boss’s main source to keep his demons away were pills, and with him mixing both, the spiral was coming down fast.
“Yeah, Tino called it then too. You remember I told you how he got chatty and exposed me and Mickey. I put it off on the alcohol and let it go, instead of questioning him then. We all slipped.”
“Shit, not me. I told him back during New Year’s to chill out on the drinking,” Art said, making BK kiss his teeth.
“Fool, please not now. Anyway, Tunk, what’s the move?”
“I found a spot that treats dual diagnoses. Now, it’s longer than the one before, but I think it’s needed. The problem would be convincing Boss.”
“How long are we talking?”
“The facility is a year at a minimum and up to two years if they recommend it.”
“Two years! Who gon’ take care of Boss’d Up?”
“I would.”
“And why the fuck would I let that happen?” Boss’s gruff voice came out behind me as I turned to see him walking into the living room, rubbing his eyes, still dressed in yesterday’s clothes. The stench of alcohol oozed from his pores. I looked him over, wondering how the fuck he was already fucked up.
How long has this nigga been up back there?
And where the hell did he get anything from?
I put my attention on BK who was already on the move, hitting keys on his phone. Once I heard the ringing, I knew he was calling Tino and it was go time.
Art let out a light sigh as he got up and greeted Boss.
“What up, little nigga? What y’all doing here anyway?”
“We need to talk,” BK started as I prepared myself for this pushback.
Boss looked around then snorted and laughed hard.
“Naw, not this again. Whose idea was it this time? Yours?” He pointed at me and I held my stare down. I feared no man and he knew that. I didn’t get this nickname Tunk for nothing.
“It was all of ours. Man, nigga, you been off your game lately. We just care.”
“This about Johnni’s ass, ain’t it?” Boss kissed his teeth, then continued, “Man, fuck her. That hoe got my mouth still hurting. And once I tell her husband Quincey, he gon’ be saying the same thing.” I looked at him as he touched his fat lip. She did get him good.
“Whoa, Boss chill!” BK said with Tino co-signing.
