Chapter 19 #2
“Shane…have you talked to your dad? He hasn’t called me in two days. I think the prison may be on lockdown,” my mother stated, all in one breath.
Her back faced me while she cleared items from the dining room table.
“Hey, Momma, and yes, I’ve talked to him.”
She turned to face me after my statement.
When she saw my dad step inside behind me, her mouth dropped to the floor and so did the items she held.
My dad walked around me and headed straight toward my mother.
The hesitation he had only moments ago seemed to vanish and I was glad.
Light sniffles came from my mother once she was wrapped in his arms.
“I missed the shit out of you, Lynn.”
“I can’t believe you’re here…how are you here right now? I’m so confused.”
“We got all day to talk about that. Just know I’m home and I’m never leaving you again.”
While my parents shared a well needed moment, Tripp and I walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the refrigerator. I knew my mother well enough to know I’d find leftovers. I’d just put my plate into the microwave when my phone rang with a call from Celeste.
“What’s up, baby? How’s your day goin’?”
“Hey, bae. It was going okay until I got a call from Allen’s lawyer.”
“His lawyer? What the hell he want? You ain’t got no legal ties to that nigga,” I stated in confusion.
“That’s what I said. He said he was calling about the building.
Apparently, Allen got hit with a rape charge.
Some girl out in LA is accusing him of assault.
I didn’t get very many details, but he’s trying to get Allen out on bond.
I don’t know if he did it or not, but it’s not looking too good for him. ”
I couldn’t believe the shit Celeste was saying.
I had my opinion about Spinna, but that was heavily influenced by Celeste.
Aside from that, he may have been a fuck nigga, but I never thought he was that lowdown.
Mainly because I knew bitches threw themselves at him.
Serenity was on top right now and carrying his baby.
Either he was a stupid ass nigga or he was a stupid ass nigga.
There was no way I’d be out here throwing my career away over one night of pussy.
“What does any of this have to do with you, Celeste? He’s callin’ you like you’re that nigga’s wife or something.”
“He’s called me about the building. According to Allen, it’s been sitting empty since I moved Luxe Addiction. He has no use for it and is gonna try to sell it if I don’t want it. With that, it would go in my name and I’d be responsible for the property taxes and maintenance,” she explained.
“Damn. What did you decide?”
“That’s why I’m calling you. Keeping my first location was all I ever wanted. The only reason I even rented the second space was because I knew Allen would use it to his advantage. If I could get my building back with no attachment to him, it’d truly be a dream come true.”
“Take it back then, baby. That was your shit anyway.”
“I know. My emotions are all over the place. I told him I’d call him back with a time for us to meet.”
“I think you should take it. If you can afford two locations, go for it.”
“Shane, this is crazy. Like this is too good to be true. With both locations and my online store, I’d be set.
The next step would be locations in different cities.
It’s fucked up that this is happening under these circumstances, but I’m so damn happy.
I worked so hard to get that store up and running.
Me and Jade were there from sunup to sundown most days,” she explained.
“That’s exactly why you should get it back, love. You’ve been doin’ business long enough to sniff out any bullshit. If you want me to come to the meeting, I’m cool with that, but you got this. We both know you got this.”
Once Celeste and I were finished with the topic at hand, she asked how my mother was doing now that my dad was home.
I’d informed her of my dad getting out, but hadn’t told her the long ass back story.
I’d save that for when I saw her in person.
Judging by the way my parents were on each other, I was sure I’d be seeing her soon.
“Let me call you back, bae. This nigga getting’ a lil too close with my mom,” I joked.
Celeste let out a chuckle before ending the call.
“Pops. Let my momma breathe, man. You ain’t been a free man for five minutes and you already on her.”
“This my wife, lil nigga. I gave this woman my last name and she carried your big headed ass for almost ten months. If I wanna love on her, I’m gon’ do just that.
I’m home now. You’ve officially been relieved of your duties of playing protector.
I got this one,” he responded before kissing my mother on the neck.
“I’m leaving. I don’t wanna see that shit.”
Walking back to the kitchen, I wrapped my plate in aluminum foil before Tripp followed me to the front door. After letting my parents know I’d stop by later with Celeste, we headed to the studio.