Chapter 9 #2
“I don’t know… something about all this is not sitting right with me,” I said.
“The police coming fast, how it was right after you met with ya people. And in the house, it don’t seem like they were actually looking for something.
They just tossed our shit all around in every room.
Nothing was taken but the shit that was on the table from what I can tell. ”
Another pause on the line, but longer this time.
“I’m not sayin’ I’m right—”
“Nah, baby,” Gio said, cutting me off. “You may be onto something.”
My stomach tightened.
“But let me think on it,” he continued. “We gonna keep that between us, okay?”
“Okay, baby,” I responded.
We switched the subject to packing. I told him what I tried to get done and how I quit and hired movers and packers instead. He laughed at me.
“Do whatever makes it easier for you, baby. I don’t want you out there doing too much.”
I started to walk back to the crowds of people once our time was almost up. Before the call ended, Gio yelled out.
“I love you, Islah, more than anything. I don’t deserve you, but I’m glad I got you.”
Those words, that tone, it all put a smile on my face and gave me goosebumps.
The call hung up before I could respond, and I stared at the screen for a second, reminding myself it was all going to be over soon.
I went back to everybody and continued catching plays until I was all out. After Bully finished his game of spades, he dapped Kronic up, and I hugged him.
“Don’t be a stranger around these parts. With or without Gio, you are welcome.”
I nodded and headed to the car.
On the way home, I counted the money and felt at ease.
“I think I should be good for a lil’ bit until Gio comes home at least.”
“That’s what it’s all about. I’m glad you can chill now.”
I nodded and looked outta the window. The next few days are going to be all about getting into the new house, picking out furniture, and choosing paint colors. The only shit I should have been doing.
I could finally see the apartment in the distance, and I felt relieved. I was tired and ready to pick up some food and slide to the hotel, but Bully pulled into the complex, and we saw somebody banging on my door again.
“What the fuck!” I blurted out.
“Who the fuck is that?” Bully asked, pulling into a parking spot.
“I don’t know, but it looks like the same bitch that was at my door earlier.”
Bully turned the car off, and we both hopped out at the same time.
“Bitch, who the fuck are you looking for?!” I yelled out, and she turned around.
“Oh shit!” Bully yelled out.
I looked at him, and he looked at me.
“Islah, go ahead and get outta here, sis. I know you are tired. I will handle this crackhead.”
I tilted my head at him, but his eyes were deadlocked on the bitch at my door.
I exhaled loudly. I was too tired to ask more questions.
I walked around and hopped on the driver’s side.
“Whatever, I’ll see you later, Bully.”
He nodded, and I backed up, not even giving what was going on there a second thought. As I drove down the street, I got a text from Mr. Groom that made my night. He said that Gio had a bond hearing in the morning, and he wanted him to have a suit.
I texted him back that I got it and turned the car around. I turned the music up and sang, My baby, coming home, to myself.
But when I pulled back into the complex, my mood changed, and the hair on my arms raised.
I saw Bully still talking to the bitch that was in front of my door, but she wasn’t in front of my door anymore; they were in the road.
And what caught me off guard was that they were talking to each other as if they knew each other.
When Bully noticed that it was my car that was pulling back in, he said one more thing to her, and she walked off while he stood there waiting for me to park.
“Everything okay?” I asked as I was getting out of the car.
“Yeah, like I said, a crackhead, a broke one at that.”
I nodded, letting his lie go.
“The lawyer texted me, Gio got a bond hearing in the morning.”
Bully clapped. “That’s wussup, I will meet you at the courthouse.”
I nodded and walked up the stairs. As I opened the door to the apartment, Bully was still standing out there and waved once I closed the door.
I was headed to the room but stopped and checked the window, watching Bully look around, then walk up the steps to his place. I wasn’t so much worried about him, but the girl who’s been around my door all day seemed gone.
I continued to the room, moving what I could out of the way, and pushed through our clothes. I found my plain black fitted dress that was court appropriate and some black heels, then found Gio’s black suit and pulled out a white shirt, black tie, and his black dress shoes, and left the room.
Just as I was about to open the front door, I heard feet coming up the steps.
I paused on opening the door. Gio telling me be careful echoed in my ear.
I held my breath and listened closely to the steps passing my door, and let my breath out, opening the door and stepping out, glad to see my neighbor turn back and wave.
I waved back and looked all over the complex before going down the steps. I don’t know who that girl was or how Bully clearly knew who she was, but I couldn’t let it worry me the way that it was.
I hopped back in my car, started it, and pulled out, but this time, I felt like Gio. I knew eyes were on me.