Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
Burkeley
“Will this be for here or to go?” the cashier asked as I pulled out my wallet to pay for my food.
I was at BJ’s after being out in the field for the majority of my day, currently following a wife whose husband believed she was stepping out on him.
I had been on this one for the last week and a half now and hadn’t caught his wife doing shit but spending his money everyday.
I looked around the dining area of BJ’s and caught a glimpse of a familiar face that had me saying, “here.”
Not even two minutes later, I was walking my tray over, taking a seat in the same area of baby girl from the parking deck. As I got closer, I saw that this time, her red glossy eyes were indeed from crying. She was on the phone, trying to talk lowly but I had a good ear.
“No, Hollis. I tried that too. The number is no longer in service. It’s like he never existed at this point.” She got quiet before she spoke again.
“Hell fucking no,” she said in a harsh hushed tone.
“I am not telling Nas anything. She’s my lawyer, not my private investigator. There’s other ways to find a missing person.”
Hearing those words now had my full attention. This was my in.
BK, you can’t just offer up your services. She’s going to know you’ve been listening to her conversation. It’s that or nothing. This will at least put me in the position to get to know her.
I sat there patiently waiting for her to end the call before I made my move. She sniffled again, fumbling over her tray looking for a napkin. I smiled as I stretched a couple of mine over to her. I could tell I’d scared her as she jumped slightly but offered a weak smile in return.
“Look, I’m out in public crying over a deadbeat ass nigga. Let me call you back when I get home.” She ended the call then put her attention back on me.
“Thanks. I probably look a mess.”
“You’re welcome and not at all. You’re beautiful.” She paused as she blushed. It was quiet between us before I said something.
“I apologize for overstepping, but I couldn’t help but hear that you’re looking for someone.
I can help you with that. I’m a private investigator.
” To help sell my business being legit, I reached into my pocket, producing a business card for her.
She was hesitant to receive it as she pulled her top lip down, checking it out while I held it.
“Burkeley Morgan,” she said as she took it. “Do you just offer your services like this to complete strangers after eavesdropping on their conversations?”
“Only the gorgeous ones. And please call me BK.”
She snorted as she shook her head. “Well, considering how desperate I am right now, I guess I have no choice but to trust a stranger. I’m McKay, or Mickey. Tell me how this works, BK. Like what all do you need to find someone? I have a name and an old number and address.”
“However much you can get me. It works best if you know their whereabouts, like routine stuff. If they go grocery shopping this day or hang out at this bar.”
She tilted her head and frowned as she pressed her lips together.
“This might not work then. I don’t have much and now I feel silly for even being in my situation and not knowing a lot of that basic information. Thank you for trying though.” McKay went to slide the card back, but I halted her movements.
“You said you have a name? Give me that. It might take a few extra days to get a hit, but I promise I’ll help you out.” McKay was up now, moving to put all her trash on the tray.
“No. It’s okay. Maybe that’s my sign that this isn’t a good idea. It was nice meeting you, Burkeley Morgan.” I reached for her wrist, stopping her. Just the feel of her smooth ass skin had a shock of electricity running down my arms, causing goosebumps to form.
“Here. In case you change your mind.” I handed her the card. McKay stared at it before nodding then taking it. I watched her walk out and get into her car before I finally put my attention on my food.
I prayed like hell that she called me.
I sang along to the hip-hop playing through speakers in my house while I did plant maintenance.
This was a new hobby of mine, but I was in it deep.
I had a total of seven and counting in the front room of my house or bonus living room.
Of course, I had a money tree, but my favorite was my aloe vera plant due to all the benefits it produced.
Like a lot of my plants, they were air purifiers as well as natural healing remedies and great for both hair and skin.
Anna loved my hobby so much that she was always over here trying to steal leaves from my baby.
I trimmed the yellow leaves of my peace lily while I rapped the words from the song to it. I read somewhere that they loved music recently and had been trying out different genres to see which ones helped them thrive more.
The sound of my phone ringing broke my concentration from my process to see who was interrupting me and my babies.
“Hold on, Lily, Daddy has a call.” I turned the music down before putting my attention on my phone off to the side. I smiled once I noticed it was my mother calling. I was sure she was outside.
“Hello, Anna,” I greeted, saying her first name, knowing she hated it.
“Boy, you’re not too old to get popped in your damn mouth, now come help me bring this box in.” I was already in motion toward the back door where I knew she was parked. Family and friends knew to pull in behind me, leaving the other side of my driveway empty for my clients.
I chuckled just as I opened the door to see my mother standing there with her hand on her hip and a scowl on her face.
“I’m telling you. You go above and beyond for your kids and they remind you every chance they can that it’s too much. Get that box out of the trunk before I change my mind and send ’em over to Art,” she said, pushing past me into the house.
I shook my head as I smirked at her. Anna said all that but I knew better.
After I washed my hands, I followed directions. I made my way outside to her car to get my box of food from her trunk. By the time I made it back inside, Anna was looking at my aloe plant, plotting on which stem she would take with her, but I was ahead of the plan.
“I already got yours cut off and it’s waiting for you, Mama.” She popped up with her eyes wide, knowing I had just caught her in the act of stealing before she smiled. I pointed to the counter while I began unpacking the box to put the meals away.
“How did you know my stash was getting low? I swear your father is using my gel on that head of his. I keep telling that man he ain’t even got a pinch of hair and to stop wasting my stuff, but he doesn’t listen to anybody but himself.
Saying he’s trying to grow an afro.” I chuckled because my dad Paul was bald for sure.
“Ay, let my pops dream. It could happen.” I laughed again, continuing to put my food away. I glanced over at Anna who was waving me off while she picked up the stems I had cut off and wrapped for her.
“Who’s this, BK? She’s beautiful.” I frowned before I put my gaze back on her to see she now had those pictures of McKay I’d meant to discard the other day.
It had been a week since I’d officially met her in BJ’s and she had yet to leave my mind.
It was weird how I didn’t know anything about her yet had played out multiple scenarios of her being with me.
It sounded crazy as hell honestly, but I couldn’t help it.
I shrugged, hoping that was enough for Anna because that was all I had to give her, or wanted to anyway. I didn’t want my mother to know her son was out here taking random pictures of women while I was supposedly working.
Thankfully, Anna didn’t push for more.
“Well, whoever she is, she’s gorgeous. Ya know it wouldn’t be a bad thing if you decided to start dating, BK.
Your brother has Amber. I would love to see both of my boys settling down and finding love, Burkeley.
It’s time to make that move for you. Ooh, as a matter of fact, I know the perfect young lady for you.
Don’t worry, Mama’s got you. ” I tossed her a look to check her body language to see if she was serious right now.
When she wore a proud smile, it told me everything.
I chuckled because this was typical Anna behavior. The last time she tried to play matchmaker ended up working more for Art than me. That was how he’d met Amber.
“No thanks. I don’t need help from my mama to find a girlfriend.
Besides, I got time. Work has been a lot lately, no time for dating when my hours are forever unstable.
” Which was true. If I was on more than three cases at a time, my hours in the field varied, with me spending more time out than being home or available for any woman.
I barely had time to spend time with my boys and my family without work touching it in some way.
“Time is selfish. You think you have a lot left and it comes in to remind you that not even the youngest soul gets forever. Make time for the things you want before it’s too late.
Pretty girls like this don’t stay available for too long.
And haven’t you heard of that show where the parents pick their child’s spouses?
I think my track record should give me some type of faith from you. ”
I snorted at Anna doubling back to McKay’s picture as she pointed to it while she picked up her stems.
“Mama, you mean the same girl who’s now married to your other son? Yeah, all faith in your skills. I promise, I won’t show up alone. And for the last time, I don’t know that young woman in the picture,” I stressed to her.
She tossed me a knowing grin as she put her purse on her shoulder and grabbed her keys.
“And you never will, or anyone else for that matter, if you keep allowing work to run your life. I would tell you to go touch grass, but my son kind of does already. So I’ll say enjoy the grass outside of these walls.
I love you, and next week, dinner at the house.
And that’s nonnegotiable, BK.” She walked over to me, leaning over to embrace me.
I obliged, kissing her cheek before letting her go.
“Love you too and okay.”
I didn’t say anything else, nothing needed to be said because she was right.
And only one person came to mind when I actually considered Anna’s advice, but realistically that thought was too far-fetched too.
I walked over to the picture, taking one long glance before I tore it up and put it in the trash.
There was no need in fantasizing over someone who wasn’t mine.
I officially had other pressing concerns.
I’d just told my mom I wouldn’t show up for the holidays alone.
Another text came through and I noticed it was Art with a confirmation of the suite he’d booked for the opening Royals game.
Another reminder that the holiday season is coming up fast.
I went back to my babies. Sure the hobby cost money, but the reward I got from caring for my plants was worth every dime spent.
“Man, BK, where the fuck is your head at? Tighten the hell up. You’re leaving me wide open right now,” I grunted as Art tossed the basketball into my chest, catching the heat in my palms.
We had been at the rec for the last hour doing what I thought was a simple pickup game. It was two on two. Art and me versus Tino and Boss and we were down by two.
I wasn’t sure how this game had become so tense, especially when no money was riding on it.
I passed the ball and he dribbled and crossed over.
I had Boss trying his best to block me, but I stepped out, then swerved around him to receive the ball from Art that Tino tried catching but it was an inch too high, sending it flying my way.
I stepped back, quickly setting up my shot from the three point line, shooting it just as Boss came charging my way.
It was too late, it was gone. The swish of the net had me and Art cheering while Boss and Tino groaned with Tino talking shit. That was game.
“Man, that’s some bullshit. Ain’t no fucking way. Naw, we can’t end that shit on that.” I slapped hands with Art.
I was already moving toward the side to get my water bottle.
“Next week,” I called out. I had to head home.
I had an appointment with a client. It was the same gentleman who’d hired me to follow this wife.
It had been close to a month of me following her and nothing out of the ordinary happening.
I would be closing the case unless he had new information that would help me out.
“Hold up, wait. We can get in after them,” Tino said, now walking up on me.
I was sitting, wiping my face with my towel so I could see to change my shoes.
“I can’t. I have to head home and deliver my final report on a case.”
“On a Saturday?” Boss said.
“Yeah. It was the only time he could meet, I guess. I don’t stress the small shit when the money makes sense,” I said to him and Tino as I slapped their hands one-by-one before going in for a hug with Art.
“Oh and just a heads up. Mama called and asked if Amber’s friend Farrah was still available. So you already know what that means,” Art said during our embrace.
“Damn.”
“Don’t worry, I told her that unfortunately she’s engaged.” I blew out a sigh of relief.
“She ain’t got no faith in me.”
“About what? And what’s wrong with Farrah? She’s cute, professional, and has a great job. If you ask me, you missed out on that one. She asked about you a few times before this new guy came along.”
Nothing was wrong. Farrah wasn’t my type. That simple.
“I told her I wouldn’t come alone this year for the holidays. Now, I’m regretting it, but not as much as her attempting to play matchmaker again. Knowing Mama, she gon’ have somebody on standby.”
Art laughed deeply, making me walk away from him and all his negativity.
“Ay yo, hold up. I don’t know why you did that, but we can go out and scout if you want.” I turned to face him, frowning in the process.
“And I wonder how your wife would feel about you brother playing wingman. I don’t need your help either.” I turned back around, tossing my middle finger up as I walked out.