Chapter 7
The Twins…Cain let her go. She not obligated to give us shit!” Abel yelled at his brother.
He forced Cain to lower his gun. Abel regretted even getting Cain’s attention about the curvy woman walking briskly trying to avoid them.
Truth was, both twins were tired as hell tonight.
They hadn’t eaten all day, plus both of them came up short today.
None of them made more than eight dollars.
Cain told Abel that if their candy boxes looked like a school funded box, people would probably buy them out.
They weren’t in school, so they did the best that they could. Abel was the brains while Cain was the short-tempered, impatient twin.
“I ain’t got shit for y’all little niggas to rob but this food in the bag.” The curvy woman felt bad for how she came at the young boys.
It wasn’t the gun that brought her down to a cold reality.
This wasn’t the first time she experienced being held at gun point but the first time by little kids.
What got to the woman was Abel’s glossy, tired eyes.
While one twin had fire in his eyes, the other had defeat written all over his face and eyes.
Their hair was matted down in months old braids that the neighbor did for them before she moved away. They looked thrown away, worn down, and without parents.
“I’m sorry, Miss Lady. We see you all the time, you always lie to us and tonight I got fed up,” Abel admitted honestly.
“You know what, you right,” The lady sighed out.
She tossed her long tresses over her shoulder then tucked her phone into her front pocket.
“I be lying cause I see y’all so much. I work hard for my money and know that it ain’t nobody but one of your parent’s sending you to do their dirty work,” she spoke honestly.
“We ain’t giving our momma shit this time, and we don’t know who our daddy is,” Cain partially lied, he knew exactly who his father was.
“Me and my brother don’t do drugs, we just trying to make enough money to buy ourselves some food before the grocery store close.
” Cain looked the woman directly in the eyes.
What he said was the truth and all he could hope for was her to believe him and hand over anything that she was willing to offer. The lady’s heart tightened, she could see the honesty in what Cain said. She reached into her bra and pulled out a crisp twenty.
“This all I got as far as extra change. If you boys want to make a little extra money, come over to my beauty salon over on forty-third street. Y’all can help me clean the shop, take out the trash, and I’ll make sure y’all eat good. I’ll even hook y’all hair up.” She smiled.
Cain and Abel’s eyes lit up. The twins wanted to jump for joy but held in their happiness and relief.
Abel took a step toward the lady reluctantly.
He was very self-aware of his appearance and the way that he smelled.
Before taking the money out of her hands, he stepped into her personal space and hugged her quickly.
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed him tightly. He needed the hug, she could feel it. She said a silent prayer for both boys then reached down and tucked the money into his front pocket.
“You guys situation is going to get better. I’ll help you two as much as I can. See you at the shop.” She paused releasing Abel. “It’s called ‘Expressions’.” She smiled softly and strutted away.
“See, you ain’t have to up the toolie on her fine ass.” Abel snapped his eyes to Cain.
“Shut up simp ass nigga. She was calling us bums and shit.” Cain defended his actions.
“Whatever, help me pick this candy up. We can still use some of it, hopefully it’s not all broken up,” Abel said lowly.
Luca’s chest tightened. He watched the twins carefully inspect and pick the candy bars up from the dirty ground.
They moved quickly with a small hint of excitement and relief evident on their faces.
They had money to eat, a job offered that would guarantee their next meal.
Luca never had to worry about working for money at the age of eight and neither did Kentrell.
“I’m killing him,” Luca whispered with disgust laced in each word.
“That nigga doesn’t deserve kids,” Roy spoke lowly.
He too was affected by the scene that unfolded in front of him. These were Kentrell’s flesh and blood. Most men prayed for their first kid to be a boy. He neglected them and acted as if they didn’t exist. That alone was a death wish to both Luca and Roy.
“He gets to wear nice clothes, sleep good every fuckin’ night…while his boys struggle and beg for dollars.” Roy’s right leg bounced faster.
“They my boys now,” Luca said again.