Chapter 17
Jasmine
“Can I help you cut up anything, sister?” I asked Pernelle as she chopped up some vegetables on her cutting board.
“Nah, sis, that’s okay. Everything is chopped up because Ciara came by earlier and did it for me. I appreciate you, though.” She bumped me with her hip.
“Oh, of course, your bestie did it already. She does everything for you and keeps me from being able to be sister in law of the year.” I joked, with a little truth behind my smile.
“So, is my nephew going to make it to the cookout today? You know, we are letting the kids jump in the bouncy house once my mama brings them back today.”
“No, I haven’t heard from him. I called his dad today to ask him to call me, but he hasn’t. He’s really starting to get on my nerves, P. I would hate to have to take his ass to court after all.”
“Well, we may have to and trust, Crew and I will be backing you a hundred percent. We will get you the best lawyers and run that nigga name through the mud in the streets so bad that his mama won’t even want to be a character witness.”
Pernelle made me laugh.
Our small talk was interrupted by the sound of the guys coming into the house down the hall. I recognized Hov, Crew’s voice, Bam, and of course Amir.
When Crew walked into the kitchen, he wrapped his arms around Pernelle. Hov spoke, “What up?” Followed by Bam, “Yo, Jassy. P.”
Amir’s smooth, respectful ass shook hands with Pernelle and then came over to hug me so gently that I almost melted right off the fuckin bone for him.
“Y’all need some help in here, P?” Bam asked, looking over the pots.
“No, we don’t. I got it from here, and I’m about to show you how to really get down on these ribs.”
Bam rubbed his hands together.
“I’m ready to see. Shit, if these ribs are better than mine, then I may need the recipe for my restaurant.”
“When you opening up your restaurant, Bam,” I asked.
“The fifteenth of never-fuckin-uary.” Crew interrupted before Bam could even answer, but Bam found that shit funny.
“This hating ass nigga just talking shit, but next year sometime.”
“Don't save your appetite for that day, you will starve to death, but let’s head to the backyard to smoke this so called fire Hov grew outside.”
“Not so called, it is nigga. Let's roll.”
They all left the kitchen, Amir lagging behind.
“Jas, how has your day been gorgeous?”
Pernelle looked over her shoulder smiling at me because of Amir's words.
“It’s been good so far. How you been.”
“Making it, I guess.”
“Why just making it?”
“You know, the usual shit. I got a lot on my mind. You look good though, and that makes my day a little better.” He said into my ear and smirked before walking out of the kitchen.
“Ouu, girl. Amir, on you like chocolate on a strawberry.” I couldn’t help but giggle as my phone chimed with a message from Maleka.
Maleka: Did they say it was okay if I can come? You know I can pull up now since I’m whipping in my new car.
I sighed because I hated having to ask P this but Maleka been dying to see me since she got that expensive ass birthday gift.
“Sis, I told Maleka that I was coming over here for a barbecue, and she is determined to come over and show off her new car that some nigga done bought her.”
“Maleka? Your friend, the thick one? Mmm.” P, twisted her lips to the side as she thought about her answer.
“I mean, it’s okay, I guess. She's been around you guys for a minute now. I’m sure you can trust that she wouldn’t give up our location, right?”
“I’m positive, Maleka, not on that. She’s like my Ciara, I should say.”
“Okay then, yeah, send her the address.”
She replied and then I text Maleka the address.
Once the addy went out, me and Pernelle carried most of the meat she’d seasoned to the grill, talking with one another while the guys played beer pong for a thousand dollars a game.
Of course, my brother, being an ex-basketball star, was winning game after game.
He’s such a scammer, but it was funny. I bet Amir could beat him in an IQ test, though.
I can tell Amir is smart just by having conversations with him.
Because my phone was in the kitchen, I didn’t hear it ringing until I went inside to grab the tongs for P to flip the sausages she’d put on the grill.
At first, I thought it was Maleka saying she was outside, but it was actually a call marked 'Baby Daddy,' and I hurried to answer it so I could hear my baby’s voice.
“Hello?” I tried not to have an attitude because I was sure it was my baby.
“Jasmine! Where you at?”
Reggie asked in a panic.
“I’m at my brother’s house? Why?”
“RJ is hurt, he’s hurt real fuckin bad!” He made my heart speed up almost instantly.
“Why! What happened? What’s wrong with my baby!”
“He, he, him and Bryson were playing on my mama’s back fire escape, and there is a piece of metal on the railing near the last step sticking out. He fell or got pushed into it or something, and it.”
“And it what?” I rushed his words because he was talking too fuckin slow for my liking.
“And it went through his stomach, Jas. The ambulance is here! They are about to take him to the hospital up the street.”
I was silent for only a few seconds before a loud screech came from what felt like my stomach. Everyone outside rushed into the back door when they heard me screaming.
“Jas, Jas, what’s wrong?” Pernelle was shaking me for an answer, but before I could get words out, everything started to fade to black, and I quickly lost consciousness right on the kitchen floor.