4. Savvy Morris
CHAPTER FOUR
SAVVY MORRIS
“’ P reciate it,” I thanked the cashier after I paid for my food.
As I made my way back to my brother’s room, a mischievous smirk crept onto my face at the thought of Jai lost in her own thoughts. I found it amusing to imagine her reaction—whether she was surprised by my comment or shocked that I knew she had a boyfriend. How I became aware of that information was neither here nor there, though what mattered was the intrigue I had stirred up.
Bumping into Jai at the hospital was definitely a coincidence. I wasn’t lying about my brother being in the hospital. In fact, my visit to the cafeteria was solely to grab a bite to eat. However, when it came to our encounter at Starbucks, that was a different story. I had purposely followed her there. Now, I didn’t expect Jai to spill her drink all over me, but I did intentionally bump into her; it wasn’t so much the other way around. Knowing that Jai agreed to give me her number if we just so happened to cross paths again, I found myself thinking of scenarios to create another ‘accidental’ encounter.
When I entered Monte’s room, I noticed his doctor, Dr. Lennox, standing by the bed, engaged in a serious conversation with my parents. Their expressions were tense, and it was clear that he wasn’t delivering good news, which caused my mood to instantly change.
“What’s going on? Is Monte alright?” I asked as I shut the door behind me and set my food on the nearby table.
My mom, Gwen, turned to me and gently placed her hand on my shoulder.
“Savvy, your brother is okay. Dr. Lennox was just talking to us about the circumstances surrounding Monte's stay here in the hospital.”
“What about his stay? Is there a problem?”
I had been personally managing Monte’s hospital expenses, consistently paying his bills every week without fail, so I was curious about what particular issue they might be discussing.
My mom glanced over at Dr. Lennox as if she wasn't sure how to continue.
“I’ll… I’ll let Dr. Lennox tell you himself.”
She stepped out of the way and allowed him to take her spot.
The whole time my mama and I were talking, I didn’t fail to notice the angry glare my father was giving the doctor. So, I assumed whatever information he had delivered to them couldn’t have been good.
“Mr. Morris, as your mother has just indicated, your brother's condition remains stable. Although he has not yet regained consciousness from his coma, I want to assure you that there have been no changes in his health status... at least not yet.”
Anger flared within me at his ambiguous phrasing.
I closed the space between us.
“What the fuck do you mean, ‘at least not yet’? You said that shit like you're expecting something bad to happen!” I snapped as I struggled to contain my rising emotions.
“Savvy, let the man talk, son,” my father interjected. “What he has to say should be very interesting, though.”
There was a smirk on my father's face, one that made it clear to me that what was coming next wouldn’t provide any comfort but rather something that would only infuriate me further.
“Talk,” I instructed, striving for a calmer demeanor, though my tone still reflected underlying aggression.
Dr. Lennox took a deep breath. “Mr. Morris, I sincerely apologize if my previous statement was perceived as offensive. I did not intend to imply that your brother's condition would inevitably deteriorate. However, as I was discussing with your parents, the prolonged use of life support for Monte entails significant risks. There is a possibility that he may develop bed sores or neurological and physical complications the longer he remains on life support.”
“And you said all that to say what exactly?” I inquired, crossing my arms.
Dr. Lennox surveyed the room, taking in the presence of the three of us.
“Moving forward, if your brother demonstrates no signs of improvement, I believe?—”
“Hell no! We're not taking my brother off life support if that’s what you’re getting at!” I barked, my voice echoing within the confines of the room.
“Mr. Morris, please calm down! It was merely a suggestion!” he tried to explain.
“Man, fuck your explanation!” I exclaimed, thrusting my finger into his chest with intensity.
“Savvy!” my mama shouted, her voice rising in a warning tone that commanded attention.
“Nah, Ma! Did he happen to make that same suggestion to the wife whose husband has been on life support for almost a year down the hall?!”
Dr. Lennox's response was a heavy silence. He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape route.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so! Now, the way I look at it, either you want him off life support because you’re a racist ass doctor who just no longer wants to treat him, or… you’re a jealous ass nigga, no cracker, who hates seeing a wealthy Black man, who’s richer than you, exercising his privilege to pay for his brother’s hospital stay.”
“No, no! I can assure you it's not a race issue! I’m simply just doing my job!”
“Yeah, I bet,” I commented, eyeing him skeptically. “We’ll you’ve done your fuckin' j ob. Now, get the fuck out!” I waved my hand dismissively, then turned my back on him, hoping to signal the end of the conversation.
“Very well. I still think―”
Before he could finish his sentence, I pivoted sharply, invading his personal space.
“Muthafucka, I said leave, ” I gritted through clenched teeth, my eyes narrowing into slits as I glared at him. The flare of my nostrils betrayed the irritation radiating from within. The look I gave him brooked no dissent, making it clear that there was no room for further discussion.
“You people have a good day,” he finalized before quickly turning on his heel and scurrying away, eager to escape the tense encounter.
“Pops, can you believe this shit?! Like, what the fuck was that?!” I asked once Dr. Lennox was out of earshot.
“Savvy, calm down. Believe me, I join you in your frustration, but this is not the time to be making irrational decisions.”
“I’m just saying, Pops, I ain’t the smartest nigga in the world. Then again, I probably am,” I boasted, “But since when do hospitals suggest those kinds of options to families who are paying in cash ? As long as they get their money, most of these places don’t seem to give a damn about someone’s health, especially not in Monte’s condition. They know that taking him off life support could potentially lead to him dying, which also means losing out on a paying patient.”
“I have to agree with you, son,” my father replied with a questioning expression.
We exchanged a knowing look that spoke volumes. It was filled with the kind of mutual understanding that only came from years of dealing with danger together.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I asked, although my mind was racing with hundreds of possibilities.
“I’ve been two steps ahead of you this whole time, son,” he responded.
We were no strangers to danger. Our family had long been tangled in a web of risky lifestyles, and the unease bubbling beneath the surface told us that someone was after one of us. I assumed since my brother was the one laid up in the hospital, he was the likely target, caught in the crosshairs of something larger than either of us could comprehend.
Just then, my mom interjected and stepped between us.
“Well, listen, I don’t know what you two think you may know or what plan you’re trying to devise, but before you go doing something crazy, let’s remember who is truly at stake here,” she said, glancing over at Monte, who lay motionless in bed with tubes and machines surrounding him as he fought the battle of this life.
I let out a heavy sigh. Seeing him in that condition took me back to the night he got shot.
“Monte!” I called out to my brother after hopping out of my whip, its engine still humming softly in the background.
As I scanned the area, my heart dropped when I spotted him sprawled out on the pavement a short distance away. From where I stood, I couldn't tell if someone had knocked his ass out cold or if he was dead―that was my worst fear, but I couldn't rule it out. Just to be on the safe side, I retrieved my phone from my pocket and dialed 911.
I had a doctor on standby for emergencies, a precaution I’d taken after a close call once before, but that was my brother lying there, and the thought of waiting for my private doctor—a decision based more on convenience than speed—felt agonizingly inadequate. Every second counted, and I had to do everything I could to make sure Monte got the help he needed as quickly as possible if it was really immediate help he needed.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“Aye, I need an ambulance sent to Warden Street! I think my brother has been shot!” I answered as I rushed toward Monte, fear gripping me tighter with each step, yet desperate to reach his side.
“Okay, sir. Do you have an exact address? And do you think or know that your brother has been shot?” The operator’s voice was calm, completely opposite to mine.
“Lady, he’s laid out in the fuckin’ street! So, nah, I don’t have an exact address! And I said I think, which means I’m not sure! Are you sending somebody?!”
I wasn’t trying to be rude—I knew she was just doing her job—but my anxiety was at an all-time high. All I wanted in that moment was for help to arrive quickly. I could provide more information once I knew he was in safe hands.
“Sir, I acknowledge your frustration, and I would like to assure you that assistance is en route. However, in order to accurately assess this situation, I must inquire about the events that transpired. Are you able to provide any details regarding what occurred with your brother?”
“I…” my words trailed off as I drew closer to Monte. “Nah, bro.”
The sight of blood pooling around him caused tears I thought I wasn't capable of producing to leave my eyes.
“Sir!” the operator spoke, regaining my attention.
“Look, he has been shot! I don’t know how many times or who in the fuck did it! Just send help, aight?!” I responded and then ended the call.
Fifteen minutes prior to my arrival, I had received a text from Monte that simply read “911.” In our line of business, that one word carried a heavy weight, signaling an urgent emergency. To add to my concern, Monte quickly followed it up with another message: “Check my location.” Just those few words alone had me on edge. I didn’t bother calling him to see what was up; I just headed straight to his location. I knew if Monte had resorted to texting me instead of calling, it meant he was likely around someone he couldn’t trust.
I glanced down at Monte, then dropped to my knees and cradled him in my arms, holding him close as panic and sadness flooded my heart.
“Monte, you can’t leave me like this, bro! We’re a team, man! Not to mention, you didn’t even say goodbye! So, yeah, wake yo’ ass up, nigga!” I tried to slide a little joke in there to make the situation not seem so real. “Seriously, bro. Wake the fuck up! This shit ain’t no joke no more!”
I gently tapped Monte's face several times, hoping to rouse him from unconsciousness. Each light touch felt like an eternity as I watched for any sign of life. After a few desperate attempts, he suddenly coughed, and to my horror, blood spilled from his lips. Monte’s eyes fluttered slightly, struggling to open, and I clung to that small hope that he'd be okay.
“Sa–Savvy,” he managed to croak out, his voice barely above a whisper, but the sound felt like music to my ears.
“Yeah, it’s me, bro! What the fuck happened?! Who did this shit to you?! Talk to me!” I urged.
“Bro, if… if I don’t make it through this shit, make sure you kill the muthafucka… the muthafucka who did this to me. Also, tell…” he coughed again, “tell Skye that I… I really did love her, and I’m sorry.”
“Monte, stop talking like that, bro! You gon’ beat this shit! I already called for help, and they're on the way! And I don’t have to tell Skye anything because you’ll be able to, but who did this to you, bro? That’s all I need to know right now! They’re good as dead! I swear to God!”
“It was…”
Monte's voice faltered. Then, suddenly, his body began to convulse, trembling uncontrollably as a seizure overtook him, leaving the question hanging in the air unanswered.
“Monte!” I shouted. “Bro, come on! Don’t leave me like this!”
I glanced over my shoulder when the eerie silence was pierced by the wailing sound of an ambulance, signaling that help was on the way. I said a quick prayer that they made it in time.
Regardless of whether Monte pulled through or not, one thing was clear: I was my brother’s keeper, and I was determined to honor his wishes. As I sat there and watched Monte fight for his life, I felt a fire igniting within me, a vow solidifying in my heart. I would find his shooter–or killer–and I wouldn’t rest until I uncovered the truth and made their ass pay for not only his suffering but mine as well.
“Savvy!” my mom yelled my name, snapping me out of memory lane.
“Are you good, son?” my pops followed up.
I could see the love and concern in both of their eyes.
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m going to have Monte removed from this hospital and take him to my place,” I firmly declared.
It was a risky decision, but I could feel time slipping through our fingers like sand, and I knew I had to act before it was too late.
“Whaaaaaaaaaat?!” my mom exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
“Hear me out, Ma. I just don’t trust these muthafuckas in here. Nothing about what that doctor said sounded right.”
She shot a worried glance at my father, seeking reassurance. “Apollo, what do you have to say about all of this?”
My father took a moment, his expression thoughtful as he considered the gravity of our circumstances.
“Gwen, sweetheart, I have to agree with Savvy. Something doesn’t feel right about this whole situation. Besides, you know our son has a good instinct for character, and my gut feeling has rarely steered me wrong.”
My mom's expression shifted, acknowledging the urgency behind our plan. Monte’s life hung in the balance, and we all felt the pressure of that reality closing in around us.
“Something like what, though? Like, someone is after you two, or maybe even him still? If that’s the case, wouldn’t they have just killed Monte already?”
“Ma does have a valid point, Pops,” I said, acknowledging her concern.
“Not necessarily , son. If what we’re predicting is true, the shit that muthafucka was yappin’ felt more like a warning than anything else.”
“Okay, so what’s the plan?! I absolutely do not want my son, or either of you, in harm’s way!” my mom fretted, her voice rising with anxiety as she began to grasp the seriousness of the situation.
“Calm down, Ma. Nobody is going to hurt Monte. That I can promise you,” I assured her, trying to keep my own nerves in check. “As a matter of fact, I want y’all to have them discontinue all his medications until I can get him out of here. Y’all also know that I can’t be here twenty-four-seven, but y’all can. So, I need one of you at his bedside at all times! No excuses! Lastly, I shouldn’t even have to say this, but Dr. Lennox is to be nowhere near him, nor is Monte allowed any visitors, and I do mean none, with the exception of Skye. Monte would probably kill me if I didn’t let her see him, but only her.”
My father frowned in confusion. “What about Blue? He’s been visiting him quite often,” he pointed out.
Blue was my brother’s closest partner, and I knew they rocked heavily. However, given the circumstances, everyone had to be looked at as a potential suspect.
“Blue neither,” I ordered. “Actually, I now realize that I shouldn’t have allowed anyone except family and Skye to visit him since he’s been here. But effective now, until we find out who did this shit to my brother, everybody is a suspect, and no one can be trusted, again, except for Skye. She’s been the one consistent presence in his life, and I trust her to be here when he needs her most.”
“Okay, but how long before you can get him out of here, Savvy?”
“I don’t know right off top, Ma. I’ve never had to do this shit before. I gotta round up doctors, nurses, all the necessary equipment he’ll need, things like that. I have most, if not all, of what he’d need at my warehouse, but I’m damn sure not taking Monte there to recover. It's not safe. Just give me a few days, I may not even need that long, and I promise I’ll have him out of here. I just need y’all to watch after him while I’m not here, so for the next few days, I’ma need y’all to rotate your sleeping schedule, meaning the two of you can’t be asleep at the same time.”
Ma nodded, her expression softening as she processed my words.
My father placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“We’ll take care of him, son. You go handle what you need to handle.”
“Aight, I’ve got some errands to run and phone calls to make, but I’ll keep y'all updated on everything that's happening.” I approached Monte’s bedside, then leaned closer to whisper, “I’ma get you out of here, bro. Believe that. But in the meantime, can you at least try to wake yo’ ass up? Knowing you, you enjoy making me do all this extra work,” I joked, smirking slightly before stepping back and turning to my parents. “Aight, I’m heading out. I love y’all, and just remember?—”
“We’ve got everything under control, son,” my father interrupted and assured me. His level of confidence eased my mind.
I nodded in response.
After we said our final goodbyes, I left the room, only to run into Dr. Lennox, who looked scared shitless. I let out a quiet chuckle, a sound that was barely audible above the muffled conversations and footsteps echoing down the busy hallway.
With a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure no one was eavesdropping, I leaned over slightly and whispered, “I don’t know what all of that was about in there, but I’ma say this one time and one time only, stay the fuck away from my brother’s room. If I get word that you so much as touched the doorknob, I’m coming for you. Oh, but if I find out that there’s a deeper motive behind you basically telling us to kill my brother.” I traced the collar of his white coat, then discreetly tightened the tie around his thick neck, “Well, let’s just say, me and you are going to have a real fuckin’ problem then. And just an FYI, I don’t fight fair. Well, actually, I don’t fight at all. I let my guns, knives, machetes, drills, hammers, and all that good shit do the talking if you get my drift.”
I slowly loosened my grip on the tie, allowing Dr. Lennox to finally breathe freely. His face, once pale, had radiated to a deep crimson hue, a reminder of the panic that had gripped him. As he gasped for air, soft wheezes escaped his lips, each sound a painful struggle to reclaim his breath. Droplets of sweat also began to form on his brow, shining like tiny jewels.
“Oh, yeah, I’m having my brother discharged in the next few days.”
“Wh-What?! But… you can’t!” he spoke while still trying to regain his voice at that point.
“Oh, I can, and I will.”
“You don’t understand! It’s… it’s too risky to transfer him! You don’t know the complications he can have!”
“Nah, it’s too risky keeping him here around snake muthafuckas like yourself, so I’ll just take my chances and pray that God be on our side.”
“Well, he… he can’t get transferred unless I sign off on it. I’m his physician. That’s the only way it will be approved.”
“Well, then, I suggest you do your job and make sure it gets approved. I don’t give a damn what kind of lie you have to come up with, but you need to conjure up a damn good one within the next seventy-two hours. Because if you can’t,” I tugged at his tie again, “then I know a lot of people in higher authorities who will make that happen with just one call. Oh, but if I have to go that route,” I paused, chuckling mischievously, “well, let’s just hope it doesn’t reach that point.” I patted his chest and fixed his tie. “Now, after saying all of that, I’m sure we’ve come to some sort of mutual understanding, right?” I asked, observing his reaction closely.
Dr. Lennox nodded repeatedly. Each nod was quick and somewhat frantic as if he were trying to convince both himself and me.
“Good,” I said, a slight smile creeping onto my face. “I really don’t want to have to make good on my words, although I could if the situation calls for it.” I rested my hand on his shoulder, though my grip was firm. “What I just did was merely a teaser. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to me showing you the real deal. Now, have a good day, and try not to kill anyone or get yourself killed,” I added, letting out a light chuckle as I turned to leave.
I glanced back to see Dr. Lennox standing there, completely frozen, his expression caught between disbelief and apprehension as if my words had paralyzed him in place.
If Dr. Lennox truly knew what was best for him, he would take my words seriously and heed my warnings. Lucky for him, that day, I found myself occupied with more urgent matters that demanded my attention. As a result, I chose to spare Dr. Lennox’s life for the time being. However, I had a feeling that his remaining days on earth were limited.