Page 116 of Finessed By A Hood White Boy

“Nah, I’m good,” I assured her.

“Um, huh, that’s what your mouth says. I’m not blind, boy, and I know you like the back of my hand. I have to be honest, though. I admire your commitment to Ava. These last few days, all I can think about is how she reminds me so much of Kat. In a good way, that is. I can see why you’ve become so attached to her in a short period of time. She has a good heart. Soon, very soon, all of this will be behind you two.”

“Yea, I know.” I sighed.

I really wasn’t in the mood to discuss my mother or Ava’s condition. I had a blunt resting behind my ear and decided to step outside to fire up. It was too much shit on my mind, and for the first time ever, the weed hadn’t done shit to help. The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky. No clouds were visible as I stared off into space, exhaling the smoke from my lungs.

My phone rang, and I dug in my pocket to answer.

“Aye, bruh, I just got a call saying Ava woke up,” Ace informed me.

“Word? I’m on the way.” I quickly ended the call.

My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. My anxiety began to get the best of me as I rushed back into the house.

“I have to go. I’ll be back a little later. Is it cool if I leave Zoie?” I asked Big Momma.

“You know she’s good. What’s going on?” she asked.

“Ava’s awake.”

“Praise God.” She threw her hands up to the Heavens.

Upstairs, I went to let my baby girl know I had to step out and that I would be back to pick her up.

“Are you going to see Ms. Ava?” she asked with a smile.

“Yes, I’m just going to check on her to make sure everything is alright. Is that cool with you?”

“Yes, give her a kiss on the cheek for me.”

“I got you. Be good for Big Momma. I love you.”

“I love you too, daddy.”

Once I grabbed my keys, I was out of the house in a flash. In and out of traffic, I flew down the highway. The closer I got to the hospital, the more anxious I became. The past seven days had been hella depressing. Watching her lay in the hospital bed in a comatose state ate away at my heart. Overall, I was just glad that she finally opened her eyes and she’s still here with me.

When I pulled up to the parking lot of the hospital, I quickly threw my car in park and rushed inside. As soon as I stepped off the elevator, I saw Ace and Aja standing in the hallway. They both turned at the same time to look in my direction. It was something about the expressions on their faces that didn’t sit too well with me.

“What’s up?” I shook up Ace.

I leaned to the side to give Aja a small hug. I was ready to see my girl. My nerves were all over the damn place.

“Shit, man, they just brought her back in from running a few tests. Moms and pops in there with her now.” Ace sighed.

“Alright, so what are they saying?” I asked.

They looked at each other with this dumb ass stare as if contemplating on giving me an answer.

“She, um… they’re saying she’s having problems with memory loss,” Aja said.

I had no words because this shit was like déjà vu. I took slow and deep breaths through my nose to control my emotions.

“They said they don’t see any type of permanent damage, brain-wise, but they want to keep a close watch on her,” Aja said.

“How long has she been up?”

“Momma said she woke up two hours ago.” Ace told me.