Chapter 21 Arris
Arris
I didn’t stand up to greet Darryl when he walked in. I just looked up at that nigga and held his gaze until he sat down across from me.
I had a good ass lunch with my baby. Then Illiana had stopped by to scoop her up so they could go meet some people together so I just invited Darryl to the spot where we’d had lunch. Since he was still in the area, he agreed to pull up.
“What’s up?” He sat across from me and immediately clasped his hands on the table.
“What’s up?” I gave him a quick nod. “What did you want to talk about, man?”
Darryl exhaled and squared his shoulders.
“Look, I love Dyani and you were right. She’s a grown woman so she’s going to do what she wants to do, but I want to make it clear that if you fuck her over, we’re going to have some fucking problems.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” I deadpanned.
“But let's be clear. The way you spoke to her and ran up on her wasn’t respectful; so you really don’t have room to try to tell me how I should or shouldn’t treat her.
I’m doing a hell of a lot better than you these days.
” I didn’t pause long enough for him to give his weak ass rebuttal.
“I told Dyani and Kassir I don’t have beef with you and I mean that, but I’m also not copping no fucking pleas.
So if you want to run a fade, it is what it is. ”
“Nigga, don’t nobody want to fight yo’ simple ass again.”
“Cool. Keep that shit in mind from here on out then,” I said.
“For a nigga who don’t have beef with me there’s a lot of hostility in your throat, Arris.” Darryl chuckled.
I didn’t. I just shrugged.
“I’m not asking for your blessing or no shit like that, but I would like it a lot if we could be cordial for the sake of Dyani and DP.”
“Yeah, alright. I can do that.”
“Cool.” I nodded once and looked off to wave the waitress over. “Can I get a beer over here?”
“Make that two,” Darryl corrected.
The waitress nodded and hurried to grab them. We sat in silence until she came back. We each popped our beers open and drank from the bottles. Then Darryl tapped his fingers on the table and sighed.
“I’m not even mad at you for real,” he said. “I just felt like you were playing my sister and I didn’t want to stand by and watch that shit happen.”
“It’s not like that and it never was. I—”
Darryl cut me off. “I know that now and I respect that you made it clear to Dyani that she was worth more than just a one night stand and it wouldn’t be worth it to throw our friendship away for it.”
“Good because I’m not the type of nigga to just fuck on random bitches and you know that. I was damn near a born again virgin when me and Jayme called it quits.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“So don’t act like I’m some nigga who can’t turn pussy down or is fucking pressed to get some and planned on just making your sister a notch in my bedpost. It was never that. Ever.”
“I hear you and I’m sorry for how I reacted to finding out, alright? I don’t want us to just put this shit behind us for Dyani or DP but because we’ve been boys a long time. As long as Dyani is happy, that’s all I care about, and if you make her happy, that’s where I want her to be.”
“I’m always going to make sure baby girl is happy.
” I shifted and locked eyes with Darryl.
“And I’m willing to squash shit but I want to make it as clear as I possibly can, the next time you call yo’self running up on either of my women or coming out the side of yo’ mothafucking neck at them, bitch you gon’ have to kill me where I stand to stop the ass whooping I’m gon’ give yo’ ass. ”
“Yeah, okay, Arris.”
I noted his simple ass didn’t call my bluff.
“We can move forward for real, but I want you to apologize to Jayme if you don’t do shit else to help smooth shit over.”
“What?”
“For calling her out of her name,” I clarified. “I don’t disrespect my women and I’m not about to let another nigga do it.”
“It was some shit I said just because I was upset.” Darryl tried to wave me off. But I didn’t let him.
“Nigga, that’s an excuse. If I got mad and started talking to Dyani crazy, you would lose your fucking mind and you’ve already proven that.
Not only is Jayme somebody’s daughter and sister too, but she’s my future wife and the mother of my child, a child she asked yo’ simple ass to be the godfather to. ”
“You’re right and I’ll apologize to Jayme.”
“Thank you.”
“So, that’s it? We good now?”
“As good as we’re going to be right now,” I said. “It’s all love over here and I feel you being protective of yo’ little sister for real.”
“Thank you.”
I nodded. “If you have any questions or concerns or whatever, this is your chance though.”
“Alright. Be real with me then. Why Dyani? I know you said because you just wanted her but I know you don’t even get down like that. So be real with me.”
“You know your sister better than I do, but if you just want to hear it from me, Dyani is an amazing woman. She’s smart and beautiful.
She’s goal and family oriented. Blake loves her and it’s amazing to see how much she loves him back.
She’s soft in a way Jayme ain’t and that’s not to knock her because I wouldn’t trade Jayme for the mothafuckin’ world but it’s amazing having that balance in my life.
She’s so sweet and supportive and I don’t know.
She’s funny as hell and I feel like I can just chop it up with her about any fucking thing.
She’s not like these groupie bitches who want to fuck with someone just because they’re branded by DP or no shit like that.
She’s real and I like that. I love that shit.
” I took another drink from my beer bottle. “I love her.”
Darryl’s eyes jumped.
“What?”
“You heard me.” I leaned back in my seat.
“So you actually think this shit is sustainable? You, Dyani, and Jayme?”
“I know it is because I love them and they love me and each other. Shit ain’t gon’ always be easy but nothing worth having ever is and I ain’t ever been one to quit.”
“Alright.” Darryl exhaled. “Well, good luck.”
“Thanks.” I tilted my head back and finished my beer. Then I set it on the corner of the table. “Go ahead and cover that tab, lil nigga.”
I hopped up, dusted myself off, and offered Darryl my hand.
He dapped me up and we both grinned. There was a newfound respect between us and I was also happy I could go home to my baby and let her know her nigga and her brother had dapped it up and she wouldn’t see us on the news anytime soon for tearing shit the fuck down in public.
I glanced around the tournament and made sure I had eyes on both of my women. Dyani was standing near Darryl with an ice cream in hand while Jayme was with Blake near a few of the other concrete roses, glancing at their kids as they played in the bouncy house we’d gotten.
I took another bite of my chicken and dropped it back on the little plate.
The annual block party was always a big deal so of course I had to show up and bring both of my babies along with me.
There were food and ice cream trucks as well as the bouncy house and a DJ.
DP picked up the tab for all the food available but there were some local hits out here and I knew for a fact I wanted one of Miss Delanie’s soul food plates before I headed out.
I dapped up some of the DP members who closed in on me and we stood around and just talked while we ate and a few of us drank a little bit.
I glanced at my women again.
“Nigga, you paranoid or what?” one of the DP members joked.
“He gotta keep his head on a swivel with two women to run his ass ragged.”
“Especially when they’re fine like mine,” I shrugged, “I’d hate to have to show my hands out here, but y’all know I never played about Jayme and that shit goes for Dyani now too.”
“Nigga, ain’t nobody gon’ mess with your women. This whole shit is built on us keeping shit cool and neutral.”
“And I’d never take shit anywhere crazy. I just respond to craziness when it’s brought to me,” I said simply. “I never one hundred percent trust niggas who participate in skin trade though.”
“Nah. That’s real as fuck.”
“Exactly.” My eyes automatically gravitated back to Jayme who was helping Blake out of the bouncy house. “Alright. I’ll fuck with y’all.”
“I know you not going to run behind one of them women.” He chuckled. “You can calm down. I promise. They’re among family nigga, especially Jay.”
“And I’m still gon’ be a present father, bitch.” I chuckled and pushed him away.
“Nah. That’s real.”
We dapped each other up and I left the guys to meet up with Jayme.
Blake wanted a snack so we took him to one of the food trucks.
Then Jayme mentioned wanting to grab a drink so I told her go ahead without us.
I loved Blake but he hadn’t mastered the art of walking and eating just yet.
He had tunnel vision and right now that vision was stuck on the little plate in his hand.
I checked my phone to see if I’d gotten a hit back about Reena.
She’d been running and ducking for a lil minute now but I was confident I would get at her eventually.
Shit. I wasn’t giving up until I did. The fact that she’d cheated on Jayme, dotted Dyani on the forehead, and fucked with my place of business that let me provide for my family meant her ass had three strikes. I was getting her the fuck out of here.
I looked up and dropped my phone into my pocket when I heard crying. I looked both ways and my eyes landed on a little girl. She was on the ground sobbing, an ice cream cone on the ground in front of her and what looked like a little gash on her knee from falling.
“Shit.”
I looked around to see if I saw anyone coming toward us who looked like they might be her adult but didn’t so I plucked Blake up and quickly walked over to her.
“Hey. You’re okay.” I dropped to a knee. “You’re alright.” I plucked her up and set her on her feet. “See? You cool.”
If I’d learned anything from raising Blake it was that kids fed off their parents. As soon as you started acting dramatic, like they were dying, they fed into that shit. When you acted like nothing was wrong, so did they.
“Why you crying?” I asked seriously. “Huh?” I tapped her little elbow lightly when she didn’t answer. “Does your knee hurt or are you upset because you dropped your ice cream?”
“Both.” She sniffled and wiped her nose with both hands.
I plucked the napkins I’d grabbed for myself from my pocket and offered her one.
“Look, we can get you a Band-Aid and a new ice cream, but you’ve got to stop crying, okay?” I waited for her to nod. “I’m Arris.” I offered her a hand.
“Lainey.”
“Nice to meet you, Lainey. This is my son, Blake. Do you see your parents?”
Lainey looked around then shook her head.
“No.”
“Alright. Well let’s get you a Band-Aid and a cone, alright?”
“Yes, please.”
“Cool.”
I tied Lainey’s shoe before anything else.
Then I hopped up and picked up the dropped ice cream in a napkin.
I walked it over to the nearest trash, came back, and grabbed one of Blake’s hands and one of Lainey’s to walk them over to a small group of concrete roses.
I was sure they had a little first aid spot around somewhere but I also knew these women long enough to know they had what I needed in their purses.
I scanned the area while they patched her up but didn’t see anyone who looked frazzled or like they were looking for their kid, so I took Lainey to get an ice cream cone.
I sat her and Blake at one of the little tables and sat across from them, keeping my eyes on them while they talked about some show Blake watched with Jayme and ate their snacks.
They finished and I walked around the table and washed their hands over the grass with water from my bottle. I wasn’t walking nobody’s kid who wasn’t mine anywhere near a mothafuckin’ bathroom. I let Lainey dry her hands on the bottom of my shirt like Blake did without asking.
Then I walked them back toward the bouncy house.
We were halfway there when a woman half my size damn near barreled into me.
“Lainey!” She dropped to her knees and hugged her. “Where have you been? What did I tell you about walking off, baby? You can’t do that kind of thing.” She sniffled and it was obvious she’d been crying when she looked back at me.
I scratched the back of my neck and thought about just walking off on her ass.
“I’m sorry. I went get ice cream.”
“You went get ice cream, huh?” The woman scoffed. “Well I hope it was good because you won’t be getting any more for a very long time, kid.”
“But—”
She cut Lainey off. “No buts. Little girls who don’t listen don’t get treats.”
Lainey pouted and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Arris lets me have ice cream!” she snapped.
“Ay, nah, lil mama. You have to do what your people say, alright?” I held my hand out to high five her.
“It was cool hanging out with you though. Don’t run off again.
” I gave her a little smile. “I’m sorry you were worried,” I told her guardian.
“I was looking around to return her but I didn’t see anybody. ”
“You’re good. Thank you for keeping an eye on her.”
“Yeah. No doubt.” I nodded. “Come on, Blake.” I held my hand out to my son who rushed over to grab it.
“Damn,” the woman said quietly and I looked back at her. “Sorry. I just meant, I, uhm, I like your tattoo.”
“Oh word?” I looked at my arm just out of reflex. “Thank you. I actually tattoo full time so a lot of this shit is just doodles and practice.”
“Wait. You did these yourself?”
“Most of them.” I pointed to the ones I’d done and noted how interested she was in each detail.
“Do you work out of a shop?” she asked.
“Most of the time. We’re a little bit under construction right now but we’re hoping to be back in there soon.”
“Well, do you have a card or something? I really want some new back art.”
“Yeah. Hold on.” I dug into my pocket for my wallet and a business card then handed it over.
“Thank you. I’ll definitely be in touch.” She tucked the card into her pocket. “Come on, Lainey.” She held her hand out to her and I plucked Blake’s up.
We each went our own way.
I found Dyani and Jayme together near the DJ booth, both laughing and line dancing.
Blake dropped my hand as soon as he saw them and raced over. The women slid him between them and did their best to lead him while they stayed on beat, laughing and talking with each other.
I just watched them with the goofiest and stupidest fucking grin on my face.