Chapter 16 #3
Shaking his head, he said, “Nawl, X. I can’t move like that.
My wife pregnant wit’ twins. I got a daughter who I can’t function without.
I got a son who’s accomplishin’ his dreams. I kept him out of the streets ‘cause I wasn’t in it.
King’s wife pregnant wit’ twins, an’ you know they got a shovel whackin’ guh.
Kingdon’s fiancée pregnant wit’ twins, an’ they her brother’s guardian, an’ they buildin’ a calm life in another state.
I mentioned them ‘cause if I make the move to be in formation wit’ you …
King gon’ be behind me. Kingdon gon’ behind him.
I … we need a less complicated life. We just got our shit fully together.
Befo’ you do anything wit’ George Senior, talk to his kids.
Pay attention to their body language. They fingers tell a story.
How still they is gon’ paint you a picture.
The inability to look into yo’ eyes gon’ have you askin’ them why they can’t keep constant eye contact.
Maybe shyness or shame. If you can’t figure out what to do, dome check him. ”
Exhaling sharply, she nodded. “I respect you declining me. Thank you for the insights into how to observe them. I’ve been around them for six years and always thought they were nerdy, shy kids. For your information, I’m putting a tail on all the Henry children. Not for good purposes either.”
Shooting further upright and wrapping his arms around me tighter, August asked, “Fo’ what?”
“When I don’t trust a parent, I always have everyone in that household followed. If something pops off that will disrupt what I have going on, it’s a funeral a week until the threat is eliminated,” she offered as I closed my eyes. She had officially become too much for me.
“You will kill the innocent?” I blurted, causing August Senior’s body to jerk harshly as he patted my ass the same way. It stung, and not in a pleasant way.
“Sometimes, the innocent ones hurt you more. I will slaughter a thousand innocent motherfuckas just to ensure my bottom line is secured. Goodnight. See y’all ‘round,” she voiced through an even tone as her goons backed away.
“But that’s wrong!” I bellowed, eyes becoming blurry.
“Mona, be fuckin’ quiet!” August growled nastily as X stopped walking.
“I will always kill for mine! I don’t give a fuck who has to die for mine to survive this gotdamn life because she’s half-black and half-Italian!
She … is … mineeeee! If I had known fully who her father’s family was, I would’ve never laid with him!
I choose my child! I have three kids’ lives I’m actively in, but that first one …
ooouu, that first one … not having her …
having to sneak to see her on her birthday and holidays makes me sick!
I shouldn’t have to creep around to see my infant turned grown child because her life, her siblings through her father, and her father’s lives are threatened.
My firstborn’s grandfather wanted his son dead when he learned his son had fucked a Black woman and got her pregnant.
Hence, Bango. Bango’s father and grandfather want him and his children dead.
In their eyes, it was cool to fuck Black women but not make a household with them.
This isn’t any ordinary fucking mission.
This is about my firstborn, her siblings, and her father’s motherfucking lives!
If you don’t like it, Mona, keep that shit to your fucking self!
I … I … I’m a motherfucking mother needing all her gotdamn kids!
I need her! Thus, I care less ‘bout who dies just so I can have her! You’on know shit ’bout a motherfucka out to kill your child because they feel like they don’t need to exist because their Italian blood has been mixed with Black blood!
You’on know the many nights I can’t sleep ‘cause I’m afraid of a damn dream that they got my grown child an’ lynched her!
Bitch, I’m aching behind mine! You don’t get to judge me ‘cause I can an’ will do anything fo’ mine!
Keep in mind, I’m that same bitch who kept yo’ name outta shit!
You parentin’ yo’ first child! I had to let mine go after my six weeks were up!
I was a sick, weak bitch! You was a jolly bitch wit’ Azaria in yo’ gotdamn face an’ still is!
My child got married last week, an’ I was in the fuckin’ trees watchin’ it!
I shoulda been in the gotdamn front row!
That shit hurt meeeee! You don’t get to fuckin’ judge me!
The next time you step to me ‘bout my moves … I’mma cut yo’ fuckin’ head off, bitch!
” X roared, shaking as she walked toward me.
“I’m sorry,” I cried, truly meaning it as I couldn’t see the hurt woman giving me all her pain.
“Move, Juvy,” a bald nigga said sternly as August Senior twitched and jerked underneath me.
The bald man was within arm’s reach as she growled. The small hairs on my arm and neck rose as if a creepy creature was near me, eager to devour me.
Smoothly, the bald man said, “You ain’t Chief anymore. Don’t take another step toward her, X’Zeryka. Come here.”
Standing upright, head straight and shoulders squared, she wiped her face.
Coldly, she snickered. “Rammer Jammer.”
All her men fell in line; August Senior shook harder as his growls became more demonic. I couldn’t look at him. I was locked onto the boss bitch, pointing her pinky finger at me.
Sarcastically, X chuckled. “Be careful, Mona. A mother missing her child and doing everything to make sure her child lives … is … a … dangerous … bitch. That’s me. Don’t let my tears fool you. Those bitches fuel me to be disastrous. Have a pleasant evening.”
While they marched off the balcony, August Senior shook his head. Harshly, he spat, “Mona, sit in the other chair, man.”
“Are you upset with me?” I asked as the hallway’s bright light slipped into our room.
“What the fuck you thank! That ain’t no question eitha!” he bellowed, shoving the chair from him, causing my back to slam against the table.
“Why?” I grimaced, watching him walk toward the balcony door.
Looking at me over his shoulder, he roared, “You don’t question a bitch that saved yo’ ass!
You havin’ much to say ‘bout her fuckin’ ways of movin’ could’ve had a gotdamn bullet in our heads!
X ain’t the chick to fuck wit’ Mona! By the grace of God, we ain’t dead!
You need to know when to keep yo’ dick sucka closed! ”
Feeling sad for X and hurt by August’s tone, I sat in the chair, bringing my knees to my chest. While resting my wet face on my knees, the room door slammed.
As I quietly cried for my fuck up, August hurting my feelings, and the pain X felt, from the right balcony, Min softly said, “The little girl who always wants peace with no killing comes out when you are pregnant. I brought that to your attention for a reason when you were pregnant with Azaria, and today. I’m sorry you are hurting, but August is right.
You must keep your mouth closed when she’s near.
Mona, she’s on a level of hurt that only true, kind, and loving mothers feel when they have lost a child.
If I were in her shoes, I would do the same thing, and so would you.
Give her grace. Most importantly, learn to keep your opinions to yourself when it’s referenced to her movements.
You can get us murdered, and we won’t see it coming.
I’m disappointed in you for not listening to me.
You always do. Don’t make it a habit of not listening to me. ”