“Oh, nigga, I ain’t worried. You know I ain’t never been the one to do the back-and-forth. And I got called out here to pick up her slack? I’m definitely not in the mood. She betta handle whateva she need to handle with you and go head about her business.”
“Aight. Hold it down. I’m coming.”
I ended the call with him, and a group message came through from Aura with Enzo attached to it. They were stored in my phone as Thing 1 and Thing 2, Aura being Thing 1.
Thing 1: So, we can’t trust you in the club now?
I rolled my eyes before typing back.
Me: What you talkin’ ‘bout? And how you just throwing people in a group chat without their permission? How you know I want Enzo in my business?
Thing 2: Shit, he probably figured you wouldn’t care. You lettin’ niggas put their phone in ya bag and shit. An unauthorized group chat should be the least of your worries.
Thing 1: Just movin’ like you anybody. Like you ain’t been taught better.
I snickered. These were the most overprotective group of men on the planet.
Thing 2: What’s that nigga name?
Me: Damn. Can y’all give me a second to reply? I’m not giving you his name, Enzo. I’m good. He didn’t track me. I’ve seen him since and returned the phone. All good.
Instead of replying to me, they texted back-and-forth to each other. To dismiss me like I wasn’t still a part of the chat was crazy. By the time they were done with their exchange, Enzo had confirmed the club name with Aura and said he’d be reaching out for the camera footage and would find the guy himself. Ilaughed because there was no point in them texting me anyway if that was the case.
Me: Are all hearts and minds clear?
Thing 1: Yeah. We’ll let you know wassup soon.
Shaking my head, I locked my phone and slid it into my back pocket. Seconds later, Jay’s matte black Porsche turned into the lot. I leaned up off my car just as India stepped out of hers. As Jay pulled up in front of me, I could hear Maverick City’sJirehplaying. I knew then that Baby Jay had either been cutting up or stimming real bad. Either way, we’d learned recently that gospel music calmed him in those moments.Jirehwas one of his favorite songs.
India was already power walking over as Jay stepped out of the car calmly. Shades covered his eyes, and his posture said he wasn’t in the best of moods.
“Why would you have me come all the way out here if you already called your cousin, Jay?!” she yelled.
“First off, watch how you talk to me,” he gritted. “Secondly, had you, his mother, answered one of my six calls, I wouldn’t have had to call my cousin to get him. You showing up now like our son is some type of inconvenience. You could’ve stayed where you was at. Fuck is you talkin’ ‘bout?”
I let them have at it and shifted my attention to Baby Jay. I opened the back passenger door where he sat in his car seat, rocking to the music, with his eyes closed and his hands clasped in his lap. My heart squeezed tight. This little boy was so special to me.
“Hey, Jay,” I spoke.
His eyes popped open when he heard my voice. Waving excitedly, he reached for the harness that held him in place in the car seat for extra safety measures. My boy was ready to get out.
“Out. Out, Keka,” he said, calling me by a nickname that only he used.
“Alright, man. I’m excited to see you too.”
I unbuckled him carefully, grabbed his iPad, Stanley cup, and his bookbag, and walked him over to my car. Jay and India were still going at it, but I was swift, making sure to get him securely locked in in the car seat I kept in my trunk for him. Checking every strap twice, I clicked the chest harness then rubbed his leg.
“All good?” I asked with a thumbs up.
He nodded and pressed his little thumb against mine.
“That’s my big boy.”
“You wanted me to get him, so I’m getting him,” I heard India say. “You can let my son out ya car!”
“One sec, Jay.” I clicked the child lock on and closed the back door.
“You gon’ make me beat yo’ ass out here you keep playin’, India,” Jay threatened, knowing he wouldn’t lay a finger on her.
