Page 52 of Lyric Squared
“No.”
“That’s why you can’t understand her sentiments. Give her some time, but don’t give her too much space. I have a feeling that this one will get away if you let her.”
“I promise I won’t. Now, can you please add some turkey bacon to my eggs, please?”
“I shouldn’t, but I guess I can.”
“I love you, though, Nanny.”
“I love you, too, son.”
With a stomachfull of Nanny’s food and a heart full of gratitude, I climbed into my truck on my way to the next destination. The orange gas light glowed as my engine howled, reminding me that my tank was low, however. Just before closing the door all the way, a small hand with pink painted nails pushed it open again.
“Twenty dollars, Ken?” Renny folded his arms, bringing humor to the moment.
“And what’s so funny?”
“Shit, Renny,” I lied.
“You must don’t like my nail color?”
He brought his hands to his face to examine them.
“Na. I don’t,” I admitted.
“Why not? What about my fit?”
He stepped back to show me the short ass top and baggy pants that he wore. His hair had been colored, too. It was a lighter color than I was used to seeing on him.
“It’s cool.” I shrugged.
“Okay, then. So, why you hating on me. Laughing and stuff?” He propped a hand on his right hip.
“I’m just happy you’re happy, Renny. But them nails need a fucking color change. That shit too loud.”
“Okay, well if you’d give me more than twenty dollars, then maybe I can get that change you’re speaking of.”
Reaching into my pocket with a sigh, I handed him one of the hundreds from my knot. His high-pitched squeal left me intears. Everything about my little cousin was changing before my eyes, but his freedom was the most precious thing.
“Get the fuck away from my truck sounding like that,” I insisted, grabbing the handle of my door.
His voice deepened immediately. “Don’t play with me,” he demanded.
“See, that’s that bullshit, Renny.” Unable to contain my laughter, I shook my head and wiped the tears clouding my eyes.
“At the end of the day, I’m still a boy,” he admitted.
“Good, and I need you to know that you’ll always be a boy. Be who you be and do whatever the fuck you want but don’t ever try to be anything other than that. We could never compare. Ever. Not to them, anyway.”
“Period,” he screamed, high-pitched and with so much emphasis.
“Get the fuck away from my truck, Renny. I’m going to need stitches fucking with you, my nigga.”
“Bye. Thanks for the coin.”
I closed the door after he’d moved out of the way, made sure that my Bluetooth was functioning properly, and pulled off. The gas station was my next stop before heading to Edgewood. It was Saturday, and I knew that my aunt and uncle were somewhere enjoying the start of their very short weekend.
Three blocks away from Nanny’s crib and closest to the expressway, I pulled into24/7, the gas station that never closed its doors. Rain, sleet, or snow, it was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It was a multi-purpose store that fixed cell phones, cooked dinner plates, served as an arcade, and was a one-stop shop for all the hood’s necessities.
