Page 66 of The Wright Man

He looked like a ghost. Hollow eyes. Cracked lips. Ashy skin. His braids, usually fresh and neat, were dull, dry, and frizzed at the roots.

"You need your hair done," I said, sounding stronger than I felt. My voice didn't shake. "Your mom would cuss me out from the grave if I let you keep walking around like this."

He didn't move. Just looked at me.

"I brought snacks," I added, lifting the bag. "And the good grease."

Still nothing.

"I'm not asking, Leek."

That earned me a look—something between annoyance and exhaustion—but he stepped aside.

I walked in. Dropped the bag on the table. Started unpacking.

"You know I can do it myself," he muttered behind me.

"But you won't," I shot back. "So shut up and sit your ass down."

He didn't argue again.

Not that day.

The first wash day was quiet. Almost eerily so. No teasing, no music. Just the soft sound of water running in the kitchen sink as I washed his hair, followed by the anime playing low on the living room TV. Something dramatic and loud in Japanese—he didn't offer the name, and I didn't ask.

He sat on the floor in front of me, and I got to work.

Slow. Careful.

I parted his roots with my fingers first, then the comb. Worked in the grease like it was holy oil. Let it melt between my palms before I twisted each section down, letting my hands remember the pattern Dana taught me when I was twelve. I could almost hear her voice over my shoulder.

"Small parts, Angie baby. Neat and clean. That's how you show love."

He didn't say a word the entire time.

Didn't need to.

Week after week, I came back. Bag in hand. No invitation necessary.

He tried to push me away sometimes—told me I didn't have to do this, that he was fine, that he wasn't some charity case. I pushed harder. Loved louder. Sat his ass down and dared him to move.

Eventually, I started asking about the anime.

"What's this one about?"

"Is he the main character?"

"Wait—did he just die??"

At first, he'd just grunt. Maybe nod. Maybe not.

But one day, he actually turned around and answered. Gave me a ten-minute breakdown of a plot twist with all the names and lore like I hadn't missed the first fifteen episodes.

That was the first time I saw a flicker of him again.

Bella started joining us not long after that. Then Tina, when she was in town. Usually quiet, but always present.

Kareem was gone, mostly.