Chapter 5 #2
"True, but it is a birthday gift. Pops spoils her, but it's hard to top his gifts.
I try, though. I was making a local delivery when I walked past a new pet store that had opened.
When I stepped inside, I looked to my right, and there Papa was, staring at me.
I walked past him, and his eyes practically followed me as he barked.
When he kept barking, I went back, and he immediately stopped.
He made me forget my damn flower order for my moms, too.
You know I send flowers every other week, sometimes each week. "
"Uncle Cain should kick your ass."
"Please, nigga." Swift smiled. "I keep his ass on his toes. You already know that's my love language," he offered when Money pushed air from his lips and smirked.
"It is." Swift shrugged. "When it comes to people I love."
"My love language is getting money," his cousin countered, causing them both to laugh.
"As for Auntie Lo, you just got to keep the faith.
I honestly think that's why your ass won't settle down.
You're too afraid that all that bullshit you've done with women may come back and bite you in the ass.
God ain't like that, Swift. What your ass needs to do is sit down and talk to someone.
Who ups and leaves college to come back to this damn place and drive trucks? "
"Me, nigga." He was already irritated. "Pops taught me that we take care of who we love and what's important to us. I had to come back while he made sure she went to all her appointments from chemo to radiation. Who the fuck else was supposed to step in?"
"I hear you. I'm just saying that you can't have faith and fear at the same time.
Plus, we're family. We would have stood in the gap.
I was making plenty of money off your ass each time Lancaster University won a damn game.
That, and before you showed up, my daddy was there so much that Cain threw his ass out. "
Money's father was Lawson. His parents were divorced, but he felt they were secretly fucking because he'd fly in and out of town to check in on them. He'd even question him anytime he thought his mother was dating.
"Uncle Law is the real deal."
"He is, but it doesn't hurt that Auntie Lo is fine as hell." He whistled when Swift's eyes formed into slits. "Nigga, all facts, and take that shit as a compliment."
"Nigga, that's your aunt."
"Calm your ass down." Money chuckled. "I'm almost done."
"I knew you always looked at my mom's ass anytime you came over to spend the night. Nigga, that's sick. She's your auntie." Money grinned, knowing Swift would have a full-fledged brawl about his mother.
"Aye, I ain't trying to have sex with her. I'm saying I understand Uncle Cain's plight. I mess around, but one day, I plan to marry Tasha. Just not yet. I need to sow my royal nuts."
"Oats, dumbass."
"Same thing."
"When we're done, I'm taking my fucking pup."
"Naw, I'll hold on to your little shitter, but when you return, his ass is going to Auntie Lo's crib. Don't trip. I'll get him ready to go. Damn crib is covered in newspaper."
"I think you give Papa food that Tasha cooks. He never shits like that with me." Money grinned, and Swift twisted lips.
"He whines when he smells it. What else am I supposed to do?"
"Feed him dog food, nigga, but I appreciate you.
Before I slide, I'll have that cleaning lady come before you leave for work, then be on standby when you get off.
Uncle Law put me on to her services. Comes by my spot once a week.
Then I'll find a trainer or some kind of doggy daycare camp to train him. "
"I heard you, but nothing beats putting in time, Swift. Spend some time with him, get him used to your voice, your expectations, to the point you can even take him on the road."
"I hear you."
"Let me ask you something. If he's for Auntie Lo, why not a cute little ass dog like a chihuahua instead of an Anatolian Shepherd?"
The answer was simple for Swift.
"Papa looked at me, then barked his head off until I stopped and pointed at him."
That meant something to Swift, since he wanted a dog that was attentive, protective, and, above all, intuitive.
Those were the traits the woman at the pet store told him Anatolian Shepherds had.
Also, that they grew tall and would guard you with their lives…
as he would for his own mother. Instantly, he named him Papa.
"I'm done. Want me to hit this beard?"
"Yeah, but not too fucking low."
Swift knew women liked his beard, often complimenting it, which was thick and wavy, just like his hair.
After twenty more minutes, his cousin was dusting the excess hair from the cape before he lifted it from around his neck. Swift slid him eighty dollars and stood.
"You're gone until when?" Money asked him, looking at Swift admiring himself in the mirror.
"Late next week, unless I pick up another shipment. You know my moms keeps that brokering shit on lock."
"As she should and make sure you go make kissy faces with Papa's ass," he teased, pointing to the breakroom.
"I'm starting to think you like my fucking dog."
Money actually liked Papa and even hoped Swift would give Papa to him, but he meant what he said.
He wanted Swift to try to bond with him and train him as well.
He wasn't attached to anything but his family, but Money learned that family was also who a man chose.
It was also why Tasha, crazy or not, would be his wife one day. He wanted that for Swift, too.
"Yup, just as much as I like to hear that constant whining. If I wanted that, I'd live with Tasha." He playfully smirked as they slapped hands.
"Whatever, nigga," Swift replied. "See you when I get back, but you're right. Let me check on Papa before I head out."
As soon as he opened the breakroom door, Papa leaped toward him, knocking him down. He felt his cheeks lift as Papa whimpered, almost seemingly pleading for him. Swift sat up when Papa pounced on him again.
"Papa, man," he drawled, "I have to go." He slowly stood up while Papa barked, easily reaching his hip as he smiled at him. "Not gon' work, Papa."
He whimpered yet again, his sad, blue eyes hanging low.
"Come on, Papa. Let my ass take you for a walk before I head out."
Papa instantly barked, his tail wagging with excitement when Money called Swift's name.
"Yeah, nigga?"
"Your dad called. Check your cell." He slid his hand down his pocket and pulled it out.
Pops:
Nigga, the next time you don't pick up for my wife, I'm kicking your big ass. Get over here, and now. Send Stokely on that road in your place.
Within forty-eight hours, they were on the road, headed to Pellum with Papa in tow.