Page 40 of Just Listen
I jogged down, as he answered the door, with his shirt slung over his left shoulder.
“Nigga, why you aint answering the phone?” Claro immediately questioned, as he stepped inside.
“Shit, I been in here dealing with this broad,” Zae spat, as he glanced back at me.
“Pshh.” I waved him off, as I approached them. “Like I said, I’m not done talking.”
Zae’s eyes looked me up and down. “I know one muthafuckin’ thang. You better go put on some fucking clothes.”
Glancing down, I examined the way his jersey clung to my body. It was definitely snug, but was fully covering everything. “I’ll change, when you bring your ass back upstairs,” I argued.
Claro cleared his throat. “I’m saying, my nigga,” he addressed Zae. “I came through, because we gotta handle something.”
Zae looked at his boy. “Now?”
Claro nodded. “Right now.”
Suddenly, my stomach twisted into knots. “Nah, wait a minute. This is deja vu, Zae. You know I just told you about my dream, and now here’s Claro, trying to get you to leave.”
Claro scowled, as he peered at Zae. “What she talking about?”
Zae sighed. “She had a dream…that’s playing out…just how she described it. She said that we was being shot at, when she woke up.”
“Damn.” Claro uttered.
“Yeah, I know, huh?” Zae added.
Claro shrugged. “But shit, it is what it is. Can’t live our lives in fear.”
“Bet not,” Zae agreed.
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “This is so fucking stupid,” I grumbled, while tears rolled down my cheeks.
Zae turned to face me. “Look, I’ma roll with this nigga, right quick. We can pick this conversation back up, when one of us comes back to get our car.”
“Whatever,” I pouted, while the tears continuously fell.
“It’s alright, sis. That nigga will be back,” Claro promised, clearly not realizing that it was about more than them leaving, right then.
He turned to open the door, when Zae pulled his shirt over his head.
“Wait.” Claro paused, and turned around to face us. “My nigga, hug ya gal, and tell her that you love her. Just in case.”
For a second, Zae paused, before turning to me. “Come here,” he whispered, before pulling me into his strong arms. “I’ma be back. I promise. I love you. You hear me?”
I nodded, as he released me. “I love you too. Be safe.”
“I will,” he vowed.
I peeked around at Claro. “You too, big boy. You be safe.”
Claro smiled, and winked. “I got you, sis. We’ll be back.”
“Okay,” I exhaled, before watching them march out of the door.
With my emotions all over the place, I stood in the doorway, watching them hop into Zae’s beamer. As they backed out of the driveway, I closed my eyes, and did a silent prayer.
God, please watch over them. Protect them. And bring them back home. I beg of you. Amen.
