Chapter 20 #2
“Yeah. I’m heading over there as soon as I finish in here with you. Niko is closing; Black’s staying to show him how.”
“Well, I only set five interviews. That last one who seemed okay never called back. I can pull more resumes if we have to.”
“Nah. Hopefully we good. I’m trying to hire someone ASAP. I can’t be working all the damn time when I have a wife at home.”
“The resumes are on your desk with the times on them. I told Keeta too, so she can pull you out of the garage if she needs to,” he says, referring to our front desk clerk.
After I grab a water from the fridge, I sit behind my desk and see the resumes on top of my laptop.
“Hopefully I’m hiring for both positions from these. Thanks,” I say and he closes his laptop. “But before you go, I need to ask you something.”
“What’s up?”
“Was Asali here this morning?” I ask, and when he raises his head and doesn’t answer me right away, I have my answer. Black was right. He’d suspected the black truck pulling off when he arrived was Asali’s F350.
But why the fuck was Asali here?
None of us have spoken with him since he cheated on Shuga.
Well, at least that’s what the hell I thought.
“You didn’t let that nigga inside, did you?” I ask when he doesn’t answer after a minute.
“Fuck no. He stopped me outside before I walked in,” he finally says.
“I never thought I’d lose respect for Asali but I have none. How he did Shuga and the way he doesn’t fuck with Thursday is some hoe shit and not like the men he told us to be. I’m so good without seeing him. “
“Shit, nigga me too. I ignored him when I saw him but he walked up talking to me like shit’s sweet, like he didn’t fuck Shuga over and lie to us.
I honestly tuned his ass out ’cause he can’t say shit to me.
So while he flapped his gums, I walked in and left him in the parking lot.
Keeta said he sat out there for a few minutes then dipped. That nigga can stay gone too.”
“Real shit and I’m good if he stays where he is.”
“Facts,” he says, then stands. “Fuck him.” He snatches his cell and keys from the bowl on his desk then says, “I’m out, bruh.”
“Be easy.”
Since Black and Niko are closing, I spend my last thirty minutes looking at the resumes again and approving the inventory order from Keeta.
During the winter, we replace a lot of batteries and many heaters and defrosters.
I like to stay stocked up. Right as I’m leaving my office, Kyrah hits my cell.
Baby: Hey. Just wanted to say I miss you.
Me: You know I miss U
Baby: Am I seeing you tonight? Or do I have to drive to DF?
Me: I’m coming 2 U
Baby: I’ll cook.
Me: U must really miss me
Baby: Real bad. I love you and see you tonight.
Me: I love U 2
I hate lying to her but this is worth it. At least I hope it is.
After locking the office, I leave and make a quick stop by my crib to wash off the dirt from my day, change, and grab the fish I got for Sunday dinner.
It’s the twins’ birthday. They’re balling with friends tonight but chopping it up with the fam tomorrow at the cabin.
On the menu are all their favorites ,which includes fried fish, Zongo, and masa, of course.
Shuga’s already at the cabin, she and Niya are going to get the masa ready tonight and I’m dropping the fish off to fry tomorrow.
When I make it to the cabin, I pull in next to Quintus’s ride parked in front of the garage.
Looks like I caught him while he’s dropping Niya off.
After killing my engine, I get out, grab the cooler from my trunk, and head into the house.
Niya meets me at the elevator when I make it to the second floor.
“I knew it was you, Uncle Shiro,” she greets me, smiling. Her braids are out and all of her hair is on top of her head.
After grabbing the puff of hair, I ask, “How did you know it was me?”
“I saw you on the camera. Where’s Auntie?”
“She’ll be here tomorrow when I come back,” I say as we head to the kitchen. “What’s up with your hair?”
“I’m getting it done.” She giggles then adds, “They coming to do mine and make Nana’s pretty too for the birthday. Then, we gon’ be cooking all the food all night.”
“Yeah, the braider is on her way to make us both pretty,” Shuga says after I place the cooler in the bar area and hug her. “Did you get croaker and mackerel?”
“Don’t I always,” I respond, then kiss her cheek.
“Sometimes a yes is just fine,” Shuga snaps.
“Or yes ma’am. Right, Nana?” Niya adds her little two cents.
I grab her puff again then say, “I’m gonna cut this off, keep on talking.”
“No, you won’t!” she squeals, then shakes her head. Mireya enters the living room from the hall and walks into the kitchen. Niya snitches on me as soon as she sees her. “Mommie, he said he’s going to cut my hair off.”
“He’s just playing,” Mireya says, then hugs me. While we embrace, I catch Niya rolling her big eyes. “I thought you were going to Bev’s,” she whispers.
“On my way now.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks, again. Where’s your husband?” I ask, hoping to run this Asali shit by him. Maybe Asali has tried reaching out to him too.
“Still at the firm. He’s coming later this evening. We are going to the condo and leaving Niya here with her nana.”
“Bet. See you tomorrow.”