Page 33 of Mercedees: Forever An Atkins
“That’s just who I am. You want some more, or we done?”
“Take me home and do it again. We ain’t done till I say we done.”
Talk yo’ shit then Hubba Bubba.
* * *
Walking into The Lazy Skillet, I immediately looked for my sister. Aurora dropped in for a couple of days and the first person she called was her lil’ bro’. I missed her ass and that beautiful smile she always wore. To be honest, I needed her advice.
The Greek kids were close as fuck. Aurora being overseas didn’t change that. There wasn’t shit you could say ‘bout us growing up that the other didn’t defend. I’d put my life on the line for both my siblings without hesitation. Arion got on my muthafuckin’ nerves but better not nobody touch him. I never played ‘bout them.
Spotting her at a table by the window, I ignored the hostess that was trying to speak to me. I jogged over to her and scooped her up out of her seat. Hearing her laugh in person was low key making a nigga emotional. I missed her little ass for real.
“Put me down boy. I am still your big sister!” she fussed. I refused her request and hugged her tighter. “Okay, okay. I get it. I missed you, too.”
Finally releasing her, I placed her down on her two feet. She ended up getting my mother’s height. She was tiny as fuck with the confidence and attitude of a giant. Her lil’ ass could hang with the big dawgs and put you on yo’ ass just as easily, too. She had Greek blood flowing through her.
“You look good, sis’,” I complimented her taking a seat across from her.
“Thank you, big head. You do as well. I see you’ve added to your collection,” she said pointing out my new tattoo.
Nodding, I replied with, “Hell yeah. I had to do something. This one chick got a nigga going crazy. I blew her muthafuckin’ back out. I’m talkin’ ‘bout took her through there, only to wake up to an empty bed. I been tight ever since. That pussy too good.”
“Ashaun, please spare me the details of you and your whores. I am not interested in hearing about the disgusting things my little brother participates in. I was going to ask how’s life treating you but clearly, it’s giving you hell,” she jested.
She could laugh all she wanted but the reality was, women weren’t worth a fuck. Akira was a different breed. I knew that from the way she talked to the way shawty walked. She wasn’t a bitch looking for a nigga to take care of her either. She may have been humbly grounded, but she damned sure rocked labels from head to toe. Anybody that knew money knew she had plenty of it.
“She giving me hell. Shit, while we at it, so is Arion’s wife. Clover left the club with him on their birthday. Oh yeah, they share a birthday. Ain’t that something? Anyway, her hardheaded ass done dipped on his ass again and now I’m left looking for her for the umpteenth time. I’m tired of this shit, Ro,” I complained. All she could do was laugh. Apparently, my hardships was entertaining.
“What is going on with you two, and where did y’all meet these women? Seems like y’all are reaping someone else’s karma. No, I take that back. You deserve everything you’re getting. You dogged so many bitches from coast to coast, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was karma herself. You need to do better, Ashaun.”
“I don’t need to do shit but stay Black and die. You ready to eat?” I questioned changing the subject.
“I already ordered for us. It should be out any minute. I know how much you love pancakes, so I got you a five stack, some scrambled eggs, grits, and sausage links. I didn’t know if you wanted a mimosa or not, so I just opted for orange juice.”
She’d looked out for me and Arion since we were kids. Her and Linh were damn near the same person. If it wasn’t Ma Dukes making it happen for us, she was. The love I carried for my sister would always be irreplaceable.
“’Preciate it, sis’. When you got to go back?”
“In two days. This was just a quick stop for inventory before going back. I figured I’d tag along this time since it’s been two years.”
“Two long ass years, too. You gon’ see the rest of the crew or what?”
“I am. I called Pops and he’s waiting for me. Ma Dukes is cooking a feast. Something I don’t need. I’m already picking up weight.”
“You look good, Ro. You been a twig all yo’ life. It’s good to put some meat on yo’ bones for a change.”
She reached across the table and punched me in the chest. “Don’t get beat up in here, aight?” Nodding, we both shared a genuine laugh. I really did miss my sister.
Just that fast the good spirits I shared with my sister was snatched away. I watched the woman that had me so throwed off in the head waltz her giddy ass inside with another nigga on her side. I tuned Ro out completely as I focused on the scene at hand. I knew I was taken for a joke, but a clown was crazy work. I looked like Boo-Boo the Fool thinking ‘bout her when she damned sure wasn’t thinking ‘bout me.
The fact that she had her arm looped around his was causing my blood to boil. I knew I threw warnings out left and right when I was in that pussy, so her trying me right now meant she ain’t give a fuck. My crash outs came from muthafucka’s playing withmy blood or our money. But this lollipop head ass lil’ girl had me on ten just from the shit she put in front of me.
“Shaun, you’re red as hell. What got you so disturbed?” Ro inquired with worried eyes.
“Call the police.”
“Wait, what? Why?”
