Page 97 of Finessed By A Hood White Boy

“This nigga sprung like a muthafucka.” Duke laughed.

“I would ask what is Julia doing to you, but I don’t want to know.” I shook my head in disgust.

Julia had his ass in a headlock. All this muthafucka wanted to do was be cooped up underneath her. I wasn’t saying there was anything wrong with that, because being under and around Ava was my new happy place. All I was saying is, I see the obvious change in my dawg. And this muthafucka was a complete dawg. So, I’m surprised my little pasty ass sister happened to be the one to tame his ass.

“Yo’ chocolate loving ass don’t have no room to talk. Don’t think that collar around yo’ neck is invisible, nigga. My sista be dawg walkin’ yo’ ass. You the one going out sad, not me.” Ace shook his head.

“Aye, yo’ sister can walk me like a dawg anytime she wants. As good as that pussy is⁠—”

“Yo! Chill with that shit.” Ace shot up from his seat. “I swear you gon’ drive me crazy. I don’t need those types of details when it comes to my sister.” He gagged.

“Well, quit playing in my face, muthafucka.” I laughed. “Talkin’ about she dawg walkin’ me. Yeah, alright. We both walkin around with leashes, yours lookin a lil tighter than mine though.”

“Shit, I don’t know. Both of yall going out sad if you ask me.” Duke shook his head.

“Anyway, enough about all that shit. When is the next trip to Vegas, so we can get the ball rolling?” Ace asked.

“Two weeks,” I answered.

“And the club?”

“Reconstruction starts in a few days. Ava hasn’t decided what she wants to do yet, so I’ma just have that shit gutted out.” I glanced at my watch. “Let me get outta here. I’ll holla at y’all later on.” I dapped my boys up.

I told Big Momma twenty minutes ago that I was on my way back to her spot. I had spent my entire morning with my mom, only to step out for a couple of hours to handle business. Outside of Ava and Zoie, spending time with my momma was the best part of my day. When I pulled up, Big Momma was standing outside watching the landscapers clean her yard. She stood with both hands on her hips, and a newspaper rolled up in one hand. I could tell by her stance, that she was out there bothering them when she should’ve had her ass in the house.

“Boy, if you plant them tulips too close together, I’ma make you dig em’ back up.”

“Woman, why are you out here harassing these people? Let them do their job in peace.” I chuckled.

“Oh no, you know I have to make sure everything is just the way I want it.” She waved me off.

I continued on into the house, leaving Big Momma to stand guard over her yard. As soon as I walked in, the home health nurse on duty was walking past with a tray of food in her hands.

“Good evening, Mr. Whitmore.” She nodded.

I hated that Mr. Whitmore shit. To be honest, I only liked it when it rolled off of Ava’s tongue.

“Just call me EJ.” I corrected her. “How is she doing today?”

We came into the living room where my momma was sitting comfortably in her recliner. She sat gazing out of the window across from her, rather than focusing on the TV. Big Momma had bird feeders placed right outside the window, just for momma. Humming birds were her favorite. I had one tatted on my chest with her name underneath.

“She’s been doing good.” The nurse smiled.

I kneeled down beside momma's recliner and caressed her face.

“Ma, I’m back.”

I watched as her eyes slowly found mine.

“You didn’t eat earlier. I need you to eat a little bit before it’s time to get you in bed. Can you do that for me?”

I motioned for the nurse to bring the tray over to me. Momma just watched me as I held on to her hand. Next thing I knew, I felt her fingers move followed by a gentle squeeze. I looked from her eyes down to our hands then back up.

“Go get my grandma.” I said to the nurse.

As soon as Big Momma came into the room she had a worried expression on her face.

“What’s happened?” She rushed to my side.