Chapter 5
Arris
I checked my phone, locked it, and flipped it back over before adjusting how I was sitting.
I looked at the DP member in front of me and got ready to clock him in his fucking head if he kept moving.
For someone who’d gotten branded, he was taking this tattoo horribly.
He kept moving and making little noises like I was actually stabbing his lil simple ass or something.
“Ay. Keep still or get out of my chair,” I warned. “You’re not about to make me mess up then walk around this bitch telling people the trash on your arm was done by me.”
“Yeah, man. Come on,” he snapped.
I scoffed and shook my head, but didn’t even comment back. I just picked my needle back up and got back to work.
I lived on the third floor of the Meadow Glenn Apartments or Douglasville Projects if you weren’t one of them weird niggas who thought slapping a new sign in front of a historical building would somehow change its entire history.
The building was home to the majority of DP; so living here not only made sense but was somewhat encouraged.
What was safer than being neighbors with the same dudes who repped what you did?
Because of that, we saw each other often and I had a somewhat open door policy when it came to the guys and their tattoos.
I had a nice little setup where I inked the guys in my spot for discounted prices.
Hell. Sometimes I inked them for free if they had something I wanted or needed or if I just wanted them to owe me a little something later on.
I was a strong believer in the bartering system.
I lifted the needle when dude flinched and his shoulder bounced.
“Man, get the fuck outta my chair,” I grumbled. “I’ll get you some numbing cream and we’ll try again in a few days.”
“Come on, Arris, man. You’re going to let me walk around with these three lines on me?”
“Wear shirts with sleeves.” I nudged my head to the side and he climbed up. “I’ll get the cream to you tomorrow though.”
“Alright, man.”
I dapped him up and he headed toward some of the other DP members. There weren’t a lot of them, just three other dudes and Darryl who made a beeline toward me.
“Either that was one of the fastest damn tattoos you’ve ever tattooed or he bitched out.”
“He didn’t bitch out. I put him outta my chair.” I shrugged.
Darryl chuckled and shook his head.
I grabbed my phone the second it vibrated and looked at the screen. It wasn’t Dyani. That was disappointing. It was after three in the afternoon and I hadn’t heard from her even though I texted her when I started my day.
I wasn’t sure if she was embarrassed about the drunk meetup we had with her homegirl or what, but she had no reason to be.
I wouldn’t hold anything over her head that slipped out.
She was cool people so far and I meant what I said.
I was interested in getting to know her as her own person instead of just Darryl’s younger sister.
“So, what’s up? How’s shit been shaking at the shop?” He pulled out a pre roll.
“I prefer tattooing in the crib,” I admitted. “I mean, it’s cool being with other artists and getting walk-ins, but the cut I’ve been giving the shop for the room is insane. Every cut I give them, I think about how I could be putting that lil money in my savings to open my own fucking shop.”
“You deserve it.”
“Yeah, but with me making sure Jayme is cool and all the unexpected shit that comes with having a kid, it feels like I put a grand in and pull fifteen hundred out.” I shook my head while I started cleaning my work space.
“You know if you need something, we got you.” Darryl put his joint to his lips and lit it.
“I feel you though. I told Dyani I was going to help her out with rent or furniture or whatever for her to move out here so the extra cash ain’t all that crazy right now.
” He took a hit. “One thing a woman gon’ do is run a nigga’s pockets. ”
I chuckled.
“Hell yeah.” I threw the napkins I’d used away and rearranged my ink and tattooing machine, getting it out of the way.
“But they’re worth it,” I added. “I’d rather Jayme depend on me than anyone else.
Shit. If I found out another nigga was taking care of Blake, my fucking chest would start hurting. ” I laughed.
“I’d say the same shit about Dyani, but she don’t date that type for real.” He took another hit.
“What type?”
“The type who happens to actually be providers.”
“Dyani date bums?” I snickered. Darryl gave me a look. That shit only made me laugh harder. “That’s fucking crazy.”
He shook his head but laughed a lil bit too.
“Man, she dates niggas who get money or whatever, but they ain’t providers. She’ll have a nigga and still call me about getting her oil changed or where to get tires or something. Them niggas be worthless.” He took another hit.
“Maybe she’ll meet a real nigga while she’s living out here.”
“Whoever she dates better not play with her or I’ll up the blick on they bitch ass quick.” He exhaled. “Dyani likes to try to keep shit close to her chest but now that she’s close, that shit is dead. I’m on her case and on they ass.”
“Dyani is a grown woman,” I reminded him.
“And she’s still my baby sister.”
“True.” I shrugged. “I feel you.”
“Ay!” one of the DP members yelled. “We’re about to make a food run. Y’all coming?”
“I’m down for it.” Darryl took another hit and put his joint out. He climbed up and dusted himself off. “You coming?”
“Nah. I’ve got an appointment in about two hours and y’all like to fuck around for hours.”
“Yeah, alright.” Darryl dapped me up. “I’ll hit you up later.”
“I’ve got you.”
“From the cradle to the casket.”
“From the cradle to the casket.”
I hopped up while the guys slowly made their way out of my spot. I locked the door behind them and walked over to my couch to collapse. I cracked open a bottle of water and found something to watch.
I checked my phone again a few minutes in, then dialed Dyani. She let it ring four times before she picked up, sounding confused.
“Hello?”
“You alive over there?” I asked.
“Yes.” Dyani giggled. “What’s up?”
I skipped the pleasantries.
“You ducking me, Dyani?”
“Would I ever do such a thing?”
“Shit. You tell me.”
“Okay.” She paused and I waited. We sat in silence for a moment, then another one. “A little bit,” she confessed.
“I’m not in the business of chasing women who don’t want to be caught, sweetheart. So let me know how you’re feeling and I can move accordingly.”
She exhaled. “I think you’re attractive,” she said carefully. “And I think you’re nice and respectful and it would be cool to get to know you but—”
I cut her off. “If the rest of that statement is about Darryl or Jayme, I’m good on it.”
Dyani scoffed. “Seriously?” She paused. “You’re serious?”
“Yeah. I know Jayme and we’re good and I ain’t scared of Darryl.”
“I never said you were scared of Darryl but—”
I cut her off again. “Imagine me, a grown ass man, letting another grown ass man’s feelings stop me from doing what I want to do.
” I forced a little laugh. “Yeah. That’s dead.
You said you weren’t against us getting to know each other.
I have two appointments today but I should be done by seven or eight at the latest. Jayme has Blake. What’s your availability?”
“I don’t have anything planned for tonight.”
“Cool. I’ll see you later tonight. I’ll pick you up at your spot. If you have something you want to do, let me know and I’ll make a reservation. If you don’t, I’ll just surprise you.”
“Okay, Arris.”
“Alright, Dyani. Have a good rest of your day, love.”