I pulled my phone out and called Keith. That nigga must have been waiting for my call.
“Yeah, nigga, you good?” he said as soon as he picked up.
“You at the store yet?” I asked, ignoring his question.
“Nah, nigga, I was pickin’ up donuts for the staff.”
I looked at the phone and put it back to my ear as I exhaled. “Nigga, get yo’ ass to the store.”
“Damn, nigga, iight,” I heard Keith saying as I hung up.
I walked outta the room and jogged down the steps like I didn’t just leave them peoples door off the hinges, unlocked my car, hopped in, and pulled off, tryin’ to dodge traffic while keeping my eyes on a swivel, just in case that nigga decided to just be standing on the sidewalk.
On my drive, I thought about my next move while listening to the radio, rapping along to the different songs, then shit kept getting interrupted by my baby mama calling my phone.
I kept ignoring it and went back to singing, then checked on Islah, knowing she should have been heading to work.
“Hey, baby,” she said when she picked up.
“Wussup, wifey, you good?”
“Yess,” she responded. I could hear that she had a smile on her face.
“Good, I wanted to make sure you was good?—”
“Did you find Gio?” she asked, cutting me off.
I froze for a second. “I left you a note on the pillow that said I was going to the gym.”
She sucked her teeth. “Love, baby, when the fuck have you ever left me a note that didn’t have flowers attached to it?”
My baby was smart.
I laughed. “Damn, girl, you got me.”
She laughed along with me.
“Did you find him?” she asked again.
“I can’t tell you that, baby...”
“Why?” she asked before I could even finish.
“Because I don’t want you involved in shit.”
The line went silent for a second, my baby mama still calling. I gave Islah a second as I ignored that bitch.
“You at work yet?” I asked, cutting the silence as I was getting close to the store.
“Yeah, baby, I am pullin’ in now.”
“Well have a good shift, I’m finna hit the store. I’ll see you tonight, and your lunch will be there for you like always.”
“I love you, Love,” she responded softly.
“I love you more, mamas.”
We hung up, and I pulled up to the front of the store. I turned my car off, hopped out, waved to some regulars on the block, and walked into the store to see Keith placing donuts on the counter. I stopped and stared at him.
