I took my usual spot at the tiny kitchen table. I’d tried for years to get her out of this neighborhood, to let me upgrade her into a nicer place somewhere safer, but Nana said she liked living where she knew the folks. So I made sure the young dudes looked out for her ‘cause anybody messing with Ms. Hawkins was gonna pay with their life.
She sat across from me with her own plate and gave me a once-over. “Why you look tired? You working too much—you need some rest and a nice lady. When you gonna settle down and give me some grandbabies?”
I groaned as I ripped up pieces of bacon into my bowl of grits. “Nana, no one thinking about no damn kids. Plus you have enough, you don’t need me to give you one.”
She waved a hand. “Yes, but they’re notyourchildren. I want my lil’ Melo to settle down with a nice girl, so you won’t end up an ol’ fuck boy like your Uncle Leroy.”
I nearly choked on my food. “Nana, whatchu know ‘bout fuck boys?”
“I be seeing things on TikTok.”
I was about to ask her who put that shit on her phone when the keys jingled in the front door.
Heavy footsteps clambered to the kitchen as my Uncle Leroy entered the kitchen smelling like weed and cheap cologne he probably sprayed on before coming up. “‘Sup, mama.”
Nana sighed, probably annoyed she’d conjured his worthless ass up. “Leroy.”
He gave her a quick hug, then looked over at me. “What up, nephew?”
I tipped my head at him. “‘Sup.”
He busied himself making a plate —without washing his hands— and slid into the chair next to me. His eyes darted to the Movado on my wrist. “Melo, you got something I can hold? I’m between jobs?—”
Nana went to say something, but I shook my head to cut her off. “Man, you always in a fucking tight spot. Aren’t you a plumber? Fuck you ain’t never got no money?”
He reared back. “Watch your mouth, boy. Just ‘cause you doing that street shit don’t make you better than me.”
I sucked my teeth and jabbed my spoon into my food. “Yeah, but I’m also not a fucking bum.”
Leroy bristled, ready to pop shit, but Nana shut him down with a look. “You not about to be in this house causing a ruckus, Leroy. No one got money for you. Plus, Melo’s right—you got a good trade but never got no money. Where’s it all going?”
“Nigga don’t do shit but drink and gamble.”
Leroy shoved his chair back. “I don’t have to deal with this shit?—”
“Alright, bye then,” I snapped.
He grumbled something and tossed his plate in the sink and stormed out, slamming the door behind me. Theapartment fell quiet except for the Earth, Wind, & Fire coming from the kitchen radio.
Nana shook her head, muttering something about men and their pride and started clearing the table. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I got up, kissing her on the cheek before stepping into the hall to take the call.
It was Sasha.
I hesitated and debated letting it go to voicemail. But I answered, remembering her text message from earlier.
“Yo.”
“I think he knows, Slim,” Sasha’s voice came out shaky from the other end.
I sighed and rubbed my jaw. “How?”
“He’s been extra clingy… he doubled my detail. There’s no way I can ghost them. And… I heard about that shooting at your friend’s baby shower.”
That gave me pause. “What you mean you heard about it?”
“They’ve been trying to figure out who did it, I’ve been hearing word from the other wives up here.”
“Are you good, Sash?” I asked.
