Chapter 2 #3
“Nothing has changed, East. I was able to buy some soap to wash my clothes at the house, but she was pissed about it. She interrogated me about where the money came from, and when I told her you gave it to me, she went on this tangent about me being fast like my momma. Apparently, you’re only helping me because I’m fucking you.
I tried to explain to her that it wasn’t like that, but she wasn’t tryna hear it. ”
“What happened after that?” Based on the expression on her face, I knew she was holding something back from me.
“She beat my ass and demanded I give her the rest of the money. I was already on punishment for some bullshit, but now it’s been extended.”
My blood boiled, and all I could picture was my hands wrapped around her aunt’s throat, choking the life out of her.
“Alright. I’ll be over there to handle it.
I told your brother what was going on. He said he hasn’t been able to get in touch with you.
It might be your aunt’s roof, but she ain’t paying for shit in that bitch.
She better get with the program before shit gets ugly,” I warned, thinking about how I was gonna handle the situation.
Logic wanted us to go in with a level head, but I couldn’t stand the way she was trying to handle Lyric.
If she wasn’t gonna do right by her, then she shouldn’t have taken her in.
“Please don’t. I know y’all want to help, but you’re only gonna make things worse.
I tried to explain this to Nauri on multiple occasions.
At the end of the day, I have to live there and make the best of the situation.
As much as Keynauri wants to protect me, he’s not in the position to do anything.
All I’m tryna is make it until my eighteenth birthday and I’ll be fine.
” Lyric tried to be the voice of reason, but her words went in one ear and out of the other.
“I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t give a fuck.
I hustle every night to make sure I have money to take care of you on behalf of your brother.
If that dusty ass bitch ain’t gon’ do right by you, she won’t be getting a dime from me.
I don’t let anyone play with my money, and I won’t start now.
Either some shit gon’ change, or I’ma have to show my ass. Simple.”
The fear in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed and it pissed me off. Her aunt made such a big deal about needing money to help support Lyric, but it sounded like she was over there treating her like Cinderella and that shit wasn’t sitting right with me.
“East, please. I already have it bad enough. You’re gonna make things worse,” she cried.
When I saw the tears in her eyes, I wanted to lay hands on her aunt right then and there. Instead, I wrapped her in my arms and held her tightly.
“Wipe your fuckin’ face. Don’t let anyone see you cry. You’re stronger than that and I need you to act like it.” I wasn’t the affectionate type, so I did the best I could to comfort her. Lyric got her emotions together and did as I told her. Once I made sure she was straight, I released her.
“I wasn’t tryna upset you, Lola B., but I’m not about to lie to you either.
Trina has the game fucked up if she thinks we’re gonna let her get away with what she’s doing.
You don’t need to worry about anything because I’m gon’ handle it.
I promise.” I kissed the top of her head before I took a step back so I could see her face.
“You trust me, right?”
“Yes. I trust you, East,” she whispered quietly, causing my chest to tighten. I couldn’t explain the way she made me feel, because then I would have to acknowledge something I wasn’t ready for.
“Alright then. I’m about to head out of here, but I wanted to make sure you were straight.
Here’s some money. Don’t tell anyone about it and only use it when you need to.
I’ma make sure you’re straight regardless, and if she doesn’t give your phone back after Logic and I talk to her, then I’ll get you another one.
You might have to hide it, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
Either way, I’ma make sure you have what you need. ”
The more I thought about her home life, the more irritated I became. My granny had her quirks, but she would never treat me or any of my cousins badly.
“Okay.”
She sounded defeated and it tore me up. If Jazzie had been a decent mother, neither of her children would be suffering.
It wasn’t fair that they were going through all of this shit while she was somewhere getting high and fucking on the next nigga.
She acted like she was devastated about Tone being killed, but the rumors around the city conflicted with her statements.
She had been fucking and sucking anyone with a few dollars to spare. The last I heard, she had gotten put out of their house and was couch hopping. It was crazy to see her decline the way she had, but she would never get any sympathy from me.
After I gave Lyric one last hug, I headed out.
The whole ride home, all I kept thinking about was how I wanted to make all of her pain go away.
I made a promise to my best friend that I would look out for his sister, and I felt like I had dropped the ball.
I planned to rectify it though. Her aunt was gonna see another side of me, and that bitch had better fall in line.