Page 23 of The Ninth

I cackled.

Me: Papa, please leave that man alone! She’s tryna work it out.

K3: Nah, fuck Poncho. I’ma see him whenever I get out.

Me: Don’t say whenever. We’re speaking this year into existence. At your upcoming parole meeting.

K3: I know, Crybaby. I know. I just can’t stomach hurting you if I go and it’s denied. The last thing I want is to get your hopes up.

Me: I’m with you through anything, Kenzo. You can’t protect my feelings from everything. I know I’ll be with you again one day and that’s all that matters.

The line went silent.

K3: You know I love you.

Me: I know....

K3: You have been one of the only things keeping me going, keeping me motivated in here. I know when I come home I’m shutting shit down just because my baby deserves the world. Cassandra, you mean the world to me.

Me: Dedd—

Some Hoe: K3, boo. Here’s your iPhone charged up.

A female voice interrupted me.

K3: Aw, good lookin.

Some Hoe: You don’t need anything else from me?

K3: Nah, just the charged phone.

Some Hoe: Hmph.

I heard her walk away. K3 said nothing.

My heart dropped instantly. I heard a rumor but never fed into it. This man is so fucking down bad for me. And it’s returned. I just couldn’t imagine him doing that to me.

You’re doing it to him.....and it’s been five years...

Nah, fuck that.

Me: Hello?!

K3: Yeah, I’m here. You okay?

Me: Nah nigga, is you?! You got some maggot ass bitch coming in your shit asking if she can do anything else for you? Then when you tell her no, the bitch got an attitude? What the fuck else is she doing for you? WHAT THE FUCK YOU GOT GOING ON IN THAT MOTHAFUCKIN JAIL! BECAUSE I’M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW NIGGA, IF I FIND OUT YOU FUCKING WITH A GUARD LIKE I HEARD, IT’S OVER FOR YOU. I’M GONE YESTERDAY, ON MY DEAD MAMA!

K3: Who the fuck you raising your voice at?

Me: YOU! I RESPECT YOU AND ALWAYS TRY TO KEEP IT COO BUT YOU REALLY GOT ME BENT. MERCH RIGHT NOW YOU AINT FUCKING WITH ANY BITCH IN THERE!

K3: Cassie--

Me: I’M DONE WITH YOU. BYE!

K3: If you hang up I’ma break out this mothafucka tonight, on baby!

Me: FUCK YOU! I’MA FIND THAT HOE AND BEAT HER ASS WHEN SHE GET OFF WORK! AND HER PEOPLE! BE LUCKY IF I DON’T FUC—