Chapter 27
When I saw my sister’s name flashing across my phone screen in the middle of the day, I knew something was up. Ramina had been on her best behavior, and I hoped she didn’t let someone knock her off her square.
I picked up, and what I heard was the last thing I expected. There was no way in hell I’d let another grown man disrespect my woman. I didn’t give a damn if it was a co-worker, a nigga off the street, or her damn daddy.
“I gotta go take care of something. I may or may not come back,” I told my uncle.
“Hold on, Nephew. What’s going on?”
As I headed to my car, my uncle followed me, and I shared with him where I was headed and why.
“Rowdy, I understand why you’re upset, but you can’t go up to that school and put hands on one of the staff members. That’s a federal offense.”
“By the grace of God, my record is clean. It’ll be my first offense, so they’ll go easy on me.”
Before he could say another word, I drove away. A twenty-minute drive took me ten minutes. I didn’t bother parking in the visitor parking and pulled right up to the front entrance. I remained calm as I checked in and asked for Noelani.
When she appeared, she looked nervous, and when she opened her mouth to speak, I put my hand up.
“Don’t try to talk me out of it, baby. I’m well aware of the consequences for what I’m about to do.”
I leaned down to kiss her before she took my hand and guided me to the main part of her office area. She tried to take me directly to her office, but I snatched away from her.
“I’m looking for a nigga named Alvin. Can anyone direct me to his office?” I shouted, loud enough for Alvin to hear me if his door was open.
The secretaries looked at each other nervously, and as I prepared to ask again, a man came from around the corner and said, “I’m Alvin. Who’s asking?”
“Were you in my wife’s office talking shit a few minutes ago?” I questioned as I approached him, daring him with my eyes to lie.
His eyes went from me to Noelani, then back to me.
“Oh, I—”
My question was rhetorical, so before he could respond, the hand on my good arm was gripping his neck.
I pushed him back against the counter where two secretaries worked, and they quickly stood and moved to either side.
I had him pushed so far back, his head hung over the counter as he gasped for air.
“If you say another fucking word to my wife, whether it’s work-related or not, she ain’t gon’ have to shoot your bitch-ass, because I will.”
My grip on his neck got tighter the longer I held him. His light-skinned ass was beet red and was likely to black out soon. I held onto his neck until his eyes rolled to the back of his head. When I released him, he fell to the floor, choking and flailing around like a fish out of water.
I looked around the office, and people who weren’t present when I arrived had come from their offices.
I thought it was funny that no one moved to help Alvin’s weak ass out.
Of course, the students who were present were recording.
I spotted Ramina in the corner with her phone out as well.
I waved her over and pulled her into my side.
“Good looking out but go back to class. I’ll talk to you later.”
I kissed the top of her head before releasing her, and she rushed from the office.
“C’mere, baby.” I summoned Noelani, who was only a few feet away.
After wrapping my arm around her, I said, “Y’all see this woman?
She’s mine, and I don’t play about her. If any of you other muthafuckas got something to say to or about my wife defending herself, keep that shit to yourself or tell a friend.
Male or female, you’ll end up on the brink of death like this nigga.
As you can see, I ain’t got no problem coming up here to see about mine. ”
Noelani and I headed for the door, and as I expected, the school police officer was running down the hall.
“Here are my car keys. Move my shit so they don’t tow it. Call my uncle and he’ll handle bailing me out.”
“Okay.” I could hear the worry in her voice.
“Don’t worry about me. I should be home no later than usual.”
We kissed again before the officer took me by the arm. He couldn’t cuff me, but it wasn’t necessary anyway. I went to his police car without incident, not feeling any regret about what I’d just done.
I was surprised to see Rocky had bailed me out. He waited for me to get my belongings and paperwork, and we walked out together.
“Thanks, Bruh. How much do I owe you?”
“No problem. I didn’t have to pay anything.”
I looked at him, confused, before unfolding my paperwork to take a look. There were no charges or dollar amount listed anywhere.
“How’d you make this happen?”
“I’m not sure if you’re ready for that conversation, Lil Bruh. Just know me and Russ always got your back.”
“I won’t press you, but whenever you’re ready to share, I’m all ears. In the meantime, do you know if my car is still at the school?”
“Nah. After your uncle told me what happened, he connected me with Noelani. After she told me what happened, I took Russell with me to pick up the keys and take your car to the center. I didn’t think it would be a good idea for you to be on school property again so soon.”
I chuckled. “You’re probably right. As long as nobody in that building talks sideways to Noelani, I won’t have to make another appearance until Ramina graduates.”
When we got into his truck, I texted Noelani to let her know I’d been released, was with Rocky, and headed to the center to get my car. My brother and I rode to the youth center in silence. Once we arrived, we went inside, and I got my car keys from Russell.
“You choking niggas out with one good arm,” Russell joked. “I see you, baby brother.”
“I damn near forgot my arm was in a sling. If that nigga wasn’t a bitch, I might be back at zero with my therapy.”
“You might look like Russ, but you’re damn sure a hothead like Roman. I wish you could’ve met him,” Rocky said.
I nodded. “Me too. From what you’ve told me about him, we were one of one.”
“That’s real shit,” Rocky agreed.
We shared a solemn moment before Russell’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and released a breath.
“It’s Rose. I’ve been calling her ass all day and she’s just now returning my call.”
As he left, Rocky shook his head. “Those two are gon’ drive each other crazy.”
“Are they together? I thought they were, but then I wasn’t sure because—”
“No explanation needed. Those two confuse us all. One day, they’re inseparable, the next, she’s pushing him away, talking about she doesn’t want anything serious. When Russ gets tired of the back and forth and finds a more willing woman, her ass gon’ be sick.”
“From the looks of it, he’s running out of patience.”
“He’s probably close.”
“Before I go, any updates?” I asked.
“Oh shit. I meant to call you last week, but my wife and daughter got sick as hell. They’re doing much better now, but they had me running.”
“I’m glad they’re doing better.”
“Me too, hell. I couldn’t take too much more, but back to your question.
Mayhem and the Riders had a situation a few years ago that sparked a war after decades of peaceful coexistence.
I wouldn’t say it was resolved, but the Riders acknowledged they were wrong, so they agreed to go back to peacefully coexisting.
You’re one of us, and the Riders are aware, so technically, they can’t fuck with you. ”
“I appreciate that, Bruh, but I ain’t no bitch. If—”
He shook his head as he interrupted me. “It ain’t about you being a bitch.
It’s about you being alive. You just got engaged and got a kid on the way.
Some members of the Riders don’t follow protocol, and from what I’ve found out about Zelle, he’s one of them.
Chill and let us handle him. We’ve had eyes on him since he touched down, and he seems like one of those niggas whose mouth writes checks that his ass can’t catch. ”
“He’s most definitely that.”
“My source told me that the majority of people they sent to watch the stash houses went back to Savannah because nothing was popping off. Zelle continues to bring your name up every chance he gets, but his people are finally starting to question the validity of his claims.”
I chuckled. “His claims are valid; he just has no proof.”
“Well, what’s the saying . . . proof is nine-tenths of the law?”
“Nah, Big Bruh, I think it’s ‘possession is nine-tenths of the law’, but either way, he doesn’t possess any proof, so it’s all the same.”
“That’s right. Well, either way, we got your back, and I’ll keep you posted.”
When I arrived home, Noelani had dinner waiting. After greeting me with a kiss, she made our plates. When I returned from the bathroom, she was already seated at the table. I quickly blessed the food because I knew she was ready to talk about what happened today.
“What happened at the police station? Did you get charged? How much was your bail?”
“They put me in a holding cell, and I didn’t get charged or have to pay bail.”
She looked confused. “What? How did that happen because I know Alvin’s ass pressed charges?”
“I asked Rocky the same thing, and he told me I wasn’t ready for that conversation. All I can say is he must have connections. I’m not gon’ worry about it unless I have to.”
“I still can’t believe you came up there and choked that man out in front of all those people. He deserved it, but still.”
“And I’ll do it again to him or anybody else who comes at you crazy.”
“You’re all over social media, baby. I’d be surprised if this dies down quickly.”
I shrugged. “I’ll deal with it. Don’t you worry your pretty little head.”
“I’ll try not to. Oh, Ramina wanted me to talk to you about something.”
“A boy, no doubt.”
“Yes, Rowdy. Someone asked her out on a date, and she wants to go.”
“Nah. These young niggas don’t want shit but pussy.”
“She’s almost eighteen, and she needs to experience dating before she goes to college, while she has the people she loves close by.”
“Can’t they just see each other at school? I mean, what is dating when the end goal is to fuck?”
“Oh my God. You’re ridiculous. Let her go on the date. I’ll find out where she’s going, and we’ll go and hide out in the corner somewhere.”
I thought about it for a minute before finally agreeing.
“Just so you know, I don’t have a problem choking the shit outta young niggas either. I hope he’s on his best behavior.”