Chapter 16 Bentley
BENTLEY
Money always made a muthafucka get up off they ass. I had to hand it to Yonnis fuckin’ Taylor though. That nigga said to give him a week or two, and I’d be damned if he ain’t get me out in twelve days. I guess Royce and Heidi wasn’t flexing when they mentioned him being the best in the nation.
The steel gates peeled back and my brotha was on the other side cheesing from ear to ear.
Counting on folk wasn’t something I did, but this nigga was one nigga that held shit down for me while I ran them days up.
He never missed a visit, never declined a call, and always dropped the dough when I asked.
Kong… Keenan White was the realest nigga on my team.
Walking out the gate, Kong walked up to me with an extended hand.
We dapped up and exchanged a brotherly hug.
I was touching free soil, and a nigga couldn’t front.
This shit hit different. Letting muthafuckas play in my face was a one and done.
From today moving forward every nigga that crossed me was getting put down.
“My brotha!” he shouted.
“A nigga happy to be out that bitch. Don’t you ever go in that muthafucka G,” I advised him.
“Oh trust, I learned my lesson through you. I got you some grub in the whip. Fancy got in the kitchen early this morning bussing them pots and pans down for you. It’s turkey wings and the works on the side.
Baked mac, cabbage, rice, and some sweet potato corn bread.
I damn near fucked the plate up on the way here,” he said making that plate sound damned good.
“Yeaaahh. Hook a brotha up with that good shit then sis!” I yelled.
“It’s good to see you in good spirits. What you need from me?” Yonnis finally spoke up.
This was a nigga that swooped in on some hero type shit and dammit, I loved every second of it.
He had me feeling like a kid celebrating Christmas early.
I put my freedom in the hands of a bitch nigga that was doing favors for an undercover.
Windale would’ve rather see me rot in that bitch than do his job.
Yonnis on the other hand did his homework before seeing me and played ever card in the deck. I fucked with that.
Stepping to the side, I extended another hand and gave him some love too. He ain’t have to get yo’ boy out but he did and I ain’t have shit but thanks.
“’Preciate you for coming through big dawg. You got in and did yo’ thing. You need a bonus or something?” I asked genuinely trying to even the score. He did his big one for real.
“Nah., I do need you to come back with me to the Springs though. Your mother’s inheritance still needs to be claimed.”
Mentioning my mother caused me to take a step back. Rhema Atkins… I missed her and I didn’t even know her. I tended to shut down when she was brought up. I wasn’t trying to do that right now.
“Give me a week to settle back in then I’ll be that way. Let me ask you something though. You close with Heidi too?” I was curious to see how doted on she was by her surrounding circle.
Smiling, he asked, “Heidi… that’s where your focus at right now?”
“Nigga, that’s where my focus been since she came down here. She gave you high praises, and I took her word for it. Once I cut the check and you stopped through, I wasn’t sweating this shit,” I said motioning to the prison behind me.
“Damn, that much faith, huh? If I ain’t needed, I’m gon’ head out. Oh, I need to holla at Daisy before I go. It’s some things Rose left for her as well. Nothing monetary but it’s of value.”
Nodding, I said, “Follow us to the crib then. She should be home.”
We parted ways with me hopping in the whip with Kong.
The drive from the prison to the crib was hitting us for ‘bout an hour and some change. I had enough time to eat, get my mental together, and take my hair down. Kong gave me the rundown as if I wasn’t updated weekly.
He remembered every single detail and when they were repeated, not a word was changed. His word was trusted.
By the time we made it to the crib, I was stuffed. I was also in need of a fuckin’ shower. I went through enough having guards watch me, and me watching over my shoulders. Just being able to walk from my bathroom to my bedroom without having eyes on my ass was all a nigga longed for.
Kong made it through the gates, and I spotted Sarabi and Nyla instantly.
They brought a smile to my face not knowing their presence was missed.
Damn, it felt good to breathe without a muthafucka I didn’t know asking me random questions.
I never took my freedom for granted to begin with but being there made you appreciate it a lil’ different.
The whip was parked at the front steps. I hopped out and made my way inside using my thumbprint on the front door.
Anita Baker was playing through the intercom speakers letting me know Daisy was indeed home and in a good mood.
I made sure Kong kept my release on the low from everybody.
The crew would see me when they see me and Daisy just needed the surprise.
She’d been sad long enough with me being knocked. She needed a lil’ sunshine in her life.
I took the stairwell two steps at a time going for my bedroom directly.
Before I stepped in her face, I wanted to be how she remembered me before doing time.
Once I was inside, I shut and locked the door behind me.
I removed my clothes and trashed them right after.
Them threads wouldn’t hit my body ever again.
Walking into my bathroom, I turned on the shower letting it get to its designated temperature. Stepping back to the sink, I started on my skincare routine. I hadn’t cleaned my face the way I liked in a year and a half. This shit was needed. I took care of my mouth afterward.
The steaming water coated my canvas fifteen minutes later.
I stood underneath the showerhead with my head down.
This was surreal for a nigga. That feeling of defeat was hitting me hard behind them walls.
I wasn’t gon’ hold you, it felt damned good to be out that hoe and back in my place of sanctuary.
My thoughts went to Heidi and how she’d been a sense of peace since I met her.
Whenever I heard her voice, a nigga soul settled.
Shit, if I was being honest, she’d been a woman of interest since my birthday.
She wasn’t seeking attention and that alone gave her mine. She was someone worth getting to know.
It hurt my feelings knowing she went through that shit in her past. When I looked at that woman, I saw nothing but pure innocence.
She carried a light behind her, and I knew I wasn’t the only nigga that noticed it.
Her aura was surrounded by so much softness that I yearned for that kind of woman by my side. Kong found his and now I’d found mine.
I proceeded to wash my ass for the next twenty minutes trying to scrub that prison shit up off me.
I hadn’t felt like myself the entire time I was in that bitch.
Hitting the monitor on the wall, the shower was turned off.
I wrapped up in a robe before stepping out.
My closet was accessed through my bathroom.
It was normal Florida weather. Hot as fuck with no goddamn breeze outside. The fit I chose was simple. Shorts, shirt, and tennis shoes. I wasn’t doing shit but bonding with the number one lady in my life today anyway.
Finally making my way downstairs, I heard Daisy laughing with Kong. She had no idea her son was home. She was ‘bout to lose her shit. Walking through the foyer, I couldn’t contain my smile. Daisy was my rock and vice versa.
Turning the corner, Daisy had her back to me steady running her mouth to Kong. She must’ve known Yonnis because she showed no signs of stranger fuckin’ danger. She was a lil’ too comfortable if you asked me. Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed tightly.
She fumbled over her words while trying to turn around and see who was interrupting her peace.
I loosened my grip and gave her room to take a good look at me.
Her eyes were as big as boulders as she assessed me.
That smile I was accustomed to surfaced right after.
She was on her toes throwing her arms around my neck seconds later.
When I realized she’d began to cry, I squeezed a lil’ harder. She was the one person I never wanted to intentionally cause sadness to, and she suffered enough while I was confined. My girl had to go one too many nights without seeing my face, I knew this was all she’d been praying for.
“You good?” I questioned with heartbreak lacing my words. Daisy crying would break me down every time. Nodding, she stepped back and gave me another once over. “I’m good, Ma. Thank yo’ boy,” I said pointing to Yonnis.
She damn near suffered from whiplash from how fast she turned her head. “Yonnis, you did this?” she asked in disbelief.
“Yes ma’am. He’s family after all. I couldn’t let him sit. Royce made the call, and I hopped right on it. Speaking of family, when are y’all coming to Sage Springs? Everybody would love to see you,” Yonnis voiced.
I knew the drill. Royce looked as if he couldn’t hold water, so I was sure he was running his mouth.
Heidi, well she was gon’ see a nigga face regardless.
I couldn’t love my wife and kid if they were a thousand miles away.
She was gon’ need help packing up and coming to Miami so I might as well get there sooner than later.