Page 150 of He Don't Play About Me
I let out a sigh. “Iight, we’ll be on the way back.”
We hung up our phones at the same time, and Islah walked over to me, looking scared as she sat on my lap.
“Kenya said Gio walked up on her at the hospital. She said he was questioning her about me and where I was.”
That name made the room feel different, not even loud different, just heavy.
I tapped her on the thigh. “Okay, we need to get dressed and go home.”
“What was Keith calling you about?”
I paused before I answered her, wanting to make sure what I thought was goin’ on was true before I moved on it.
“Business, baby, come on, let’s get ready.”
She looked at me like she wanted to ask more, but she didn’t press it and started moving.
It took me a lil’ bit of time, and a lot of bread, but I got us some return flights home days before we were supposed to leave.
Islah laid her head on me the whole flight and was knocked out. I couldn’t sleep; I sketched and thought the whole time, putting all the pieces I had together. The timing, the break-in, him poppin’ up on Kenya, all that shit didn’t line up for nothing.
As soon as we landed, I was already waking Islah up and calling for a car to get us. Islah held on to me tight as we made our way off the plane and to grab our bags, still half asleep. We had like a ten-minute wait for the car; those ten minutes felt like an hour.
“Baby, are you okay?” Islah asked.
I gave her a slight smile. “I’m okay, luv, just want to make sure everything is okay.”
She didn’t press it.
The driver finally pulled up; we quickly walked out, and he took our bags while we hopped in the back.
“Two stops,” I said to the driver, then I tapped Islah on her thigh. “Give the driver Kenya’s address,” Islah raised an eyebrow.
“You are not gonna come with me?”
“After I check on somethin’ at the store.”
She watched me for a second, like she was tryin’ to read if I was lying or not, but she didn’t push it. She did what I asked, then leaned into me, her hand resting on top of mine like she needed that contact.
The ride was quiet.
I placed my hand on her thigh, trying to keep myself grounded for whatever I was about to see at my store. When we pulled up to Kenya’s, I got out first, walked around, and opened the door for her. Islah took my hand as she walked out, and I walked her to the door. She hugged me and kissed me before she cuffed my face softly with her hand.
“You gonna call me and let me know you’re okay?”
“Of course, baby, tell ya girls we will go out to dinner after I make sure this shit is straight, and tell Kenya I’ll have some of my niggas slide through.”
She laughed, kissed me again, and walked inside. I didn’t move an inch until she was outta eyesight, and then I looked around, making sure I didn’t see anybody just sitting.
When I hopped back in the car, the driver looked at me.
“Take me to my store,” I said, knowing the nigga already knew who I was. On the way, I texted Keith and told him to have a blunt put together for me.
The driver pulled off, and I closed my eyes for a second, preparing myself. That peace didn’t last long cause Islah started taking me, worried about Gio walking up on her friend, saying she’s now scared that the nigga was always watching.
I took a deep breath, and was texting her back not to worry when I looked up, and from two stop lights away, I saw lights flashing in front of my store.
Once we got closer, I saw people in front, tape around my store, officers, and Keith outside talking.
