Page 11 of Mr. Calloway

“Chill, gang!” he snapped.

“Let’s do a bike weekend, and then you can perform. It’ll bring all the girls out, which are going to be your main audience, and some of the YNs.”

I could see Beans nodding. “I could see it. Sounds good to me.”

“Besides, I think the Zoo needs a Zoo-Ra after all the shit we’ve been through. I’ll talk to my brother and the guys, but I’m telling you, Scooter, this is where it’s at.”

Peanut nodded. “I-I thi-thi-thi-think that wo-wo-would be—” He closed his eyes to focus, “—fire.”

I pointed to him. “Even Stutter Man knows a good idea when he hears one.”

Scooter moved his face from his food as he sucked his teeth. “Fine.”

Now that everyone was in agreement, I needed to convince Zeus and the guys of the idea. My fear was that Chevy would decline because I knew his mind was on Clark, and until he wassomewhere buried, the possibility of Chevy doing anything else was slim to fucking none.

We changed the subject and started shooting the shit until I saw Mars mom come into Hoodoos. Her eyes scanned the space, and I knew she was looking for Samara. I stood from the table and made my way toward her. When her eyes landed on me, they became fixed.

“Dionysus,” she spoke softly.

“She’s not here. Why are you looking for her?” I asked.

She bowed before her eyes rose to me again. “Because she’s my child, or did you forget?”

I laughed. “Lady, I didn’t forget shit. It’s you who forgot, not just about your child, but clearly the world. You're in a cult. Do you know what that means? You’re brainwashed. You follow a fake prophet who’s going to lead you straight to hell.”

She smiled as if what I said was a joke. “For he will see who conquers all. You have a great day,” she muttered as she turned to leave.

I didn’t trust her at all, and now I kind of wanted Mars to leave so I could figure this out. The only person I knew who could help me was Z. Samara’s mother was stalking us like we were prey. Unfortunately, she stumbled upon the wrong animals, and if she knew what was best, she’d back the fuck off.

June’s Entry

Place: Hospital

Year: Can’t Remember

Time: I don’t know

Zaria,

This may be the last letter I ever write, and hell, I’m struggling to do this. Before the moon rises, you will be a married woman. I sent Harvey to make that shit happen. Damn. To know I’ve found a love so sweet that the taste is embedded on my palate and it’s about to be taken from me makes me want to do some crazy things. Things that I know could never be forgiven. Love. The one thing I had been silently praying for since I could remember. Hell, at one point, I didn’t think such a thing could exist, but you changed that.

I met my grandparents today. I met the very people who stood in the same house as me, and the demon Wonder bread, and didn’t think twice about saving me. They walked away from me before I knew what life was. Walked away from me while I was learning what life was like. How do you forgive something like that? They say my name is Clark Jonathan Mercier, but I know nothing of it. I’m a fucking Calloway, and no one can change that. You know that man stood in front of me with every excuse in the book, and although he mustered up tears in his eyes, he held something I’ve seen so many times before. He is merely a vessel with no soul, and I only know because at one point, when I looked at myself in the mirror, I was the same way.

To walk the earth soulless is a dangerous thing, and that nigga is dangerous. If I do make it out of all this, I don’t know when or where, but my animal instincts are telling me I’m going to have to put his ass down. I don’t trust the Merciers. So, if this letter finds you, know that they cannot be trusted, and you do what you have to do to protect our family. If you have to use the choppa, so be it. The Zoo is going to stand ten toes downbehind you, but trust your gut, Z. Trust that muhfucka like it’s me standing right next to you, baby, because the last thing I need is to be greeting you in the afterlife sooner than the time God has written for you.

Z, a nigga is tired. The little fight I have left in me, I’m giving it to the surgeon. I’m choosing life, and if God can forgive me for my past, you know the past I have chosen not to talk about, I’ll see you on the other side. Where the greenest grass grows.

Don’t mind the tear stain. It’s just that I don’t want to say goodbye. A nigga wants to walk away from this like a true king. I fucking love you with my soul. I love you more than anything or anyone. Zaria Calloway, it’s been a pleasure loving you. Thank you for every-fucking-thing. If I don’t see you on the other side, baby, just remember I’ll always, and I mean always, come home to you every night. Even in spirit.

Signed,

Mr. Fucking Calloway

I enteredthe fully furnished building June bought for me. It took a few weeks to create this soothing yet professional atmosphere, which made me proud. Even though this was something I studied in school, putting it into practice felt different. It was one thing to unintentionally be the therapist to those who were close to me but another to become a therapist for strangers who trusted me with their every word. However, I had the support of my friends and my husband, and that was all I needed.

There were still minor tasks to complete before I accepted my first client, and I had been trying to complete them daily to prepare.

“Hey, girl!” Lakia greeted me.