Page 83 of Love U Down II

“I’m already here.”

“I’m on my way.”

“A’ight. Cool.”

I hung up and tucked my phone into my pocket.

“Was that my lovely daughter-in-law?”

“Nah, but I’m going to the studio.”

“To release your album?”

“Maybe.” I pushed up. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Berlin, I’m serious. Don’t come back here. Take your ass to the studio then take your ass home to your wife. I’ll see you when I see you.”

“Tomorrow?”

“If you bring your ass here tomorrow, not only am I going to stop talking to you and ice you out, but I’m going to change all the locks until me and your mother move to an undisclosed location.”

“You don’t think I can hunt you down, old man?”

“I’ve still got friends who can make people disappear, son. My contacts didn’t vanish just because they aged.”

“You really want to piss me off tonight?”

“Do you really want to piss me off tonight?” he countered. “I’ve let you mope around this bitch fussing and fawning over me, but I’m sick of it, and having y’all fussing over me is making me feel worse than the drugs and probing and shots and physical therapy. I need to feel some of my independence and I want some damn alone time with my wife.”

“I hear you.”

“You keep saying that but I’m not getting results.”

“Look, man, I just love you and want to make sure you’re good. That’s it.”

“I understand that but I’m telling you right now that I’m as good as can be and I’ll update you if that changes.”

“Yeah, but the thing is, I don’t trust you.”

“Excuse me?” My father sat up a little more.

“You heard me. You’ve been this strong, resilient man my entire life and I know how you and mom are. I know how y’all like to act like everything is okay because y’all don’t want to worry us and shit, but when you do that and walk around like you’re invincible, even when you’re not, it makes us not believe anything you say, Pops. How can I trust you when you’ve been having pain and shit this entire time and not saying anything?”

“Well obviously I’ve learned my lesson.”

“You think everything is a fucking joke and your life ain’t to be played with. I’m serious, Hendrix.”

My father laughed at me using his name and threw his empty cup at me. I snickered.

“Watch yo’ fucking mouth,” he warned. “And go to the studio!”

“Yeah but I’ll be back the day after tomorrow to hear your morning reading.”

“I can accept that.” He nodded. “You can come as many mornings as you want. I just don’t want you to sit here all day every damn day.”

“I’ll do a morning and nighttime visit and get back to working during the day.”

“You going up on time, son.”