Chapter 11
Eleven
Noble always appreciated the seclusion when he arrived at his Uncle Dame’s house.
He lived in Emerald Village, a suburb right outside of St. Parklynn.
Getting out the car, he walked toward the house just as Dame came outside.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, khaki shorts, and black slippers, he smiled when he noticed Noble approaching.
“What do I owe the mothafucking pleasure.” He laughed, holding his hand.
Noble shook it and quickly embraced him in a hug. Pulling back, he gave him a once over.
“You look healthy, Unc.”
“Nigga, I’m always healthy,” he joked, heading toward the porch.
Noble followed him, and they took a seat in the rocking chairs. He didn’t get a chance to see his uncle very much since he was always on the go, but when he did, Noble couldn’t deny the peace that encompassed him.
“How’s the family?” Dame asked, resting his ankle on his knee.
“They cool. You would know if you showed up. You brought this property and said fuck everybody.”
“Shit, that’s exactly what I did.” He scoffed, shaking his head. “I love it out here. Don't nobody bother me. I don't have to deal with no neighbors. Just me, Billie, and these dogs.”
“How Auntie been?”
He shrugged. “Still getting on my got damn nerves but that’s women though. She works now. Said she needed something to do so she goes into the city a couple times a week.”
“You cool with that? You know you old school and want your lady at home and shit.”
Dame leaned back, rocking gently in the chair. “That’s how me and your pops were raised. Our father didn’t allow our mother to work, so naturally, we did the same thing.”
Noble nodded. “I feel you.”
Dame turned to him, giving him a skeptical glance.
Being that he used to run the streets, his discernment was still at an elite level.
After his father was killed, Dame took over and gave Noble, Zayd, and Wilde principles to manhood.
Were they morals that society would consider the standard?
No, but by the streets, his gems were worth more than gold.
“You think I don't know you came out here ‘cause you got some shit you can’t solve? I can smell when a mothafucka is stressed.”
“I ain't stressed,” Noble retorted, rubbing his hand down his face.
“Nigga, that deep breath you just took says otherwise. We don't do casual visits. You stressed about something. What is it?”
Noble smirked, hating how he could never hide his dilemmas from Dame.
“A’ight… Zayd been proving himself more than Wilde. I wanted him to be the one, but that nigga don't got it. He’s been under Tuck’s ass for so long that he’s not structured, and he doesn’t move smart. Zayd does. He’s more like me. He shows up and he don't fuck around.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Dame asked.
“When Zayd takes over, I think Wilde will try him. Then, they’ll be at war, and I don't want that for my brothers.”
“Shit, let them go at each other. They need to fight it out. Prove to each other that they’re the best man. Ain't nothing wrong with a lil’ conflict. As long as it don't go too far.”
“That’s the thing, though.” Noble sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. “Wilde is a loose cannon, and Zayd is a quiet storm. You can’t gauge how far it will go.”
Dame seesawed his head. “They're still brothers. They got love for each other, but I get what you saying. It’s a thin line between love and hate. But don't let that stop you from making the right decision on who should lead.”
“I’m definitely leaning toward Zayd. He’s stepping up, especially since Rio’s been out of commission. Wilde ain't did shit but try to override what Zayd is doing.”
“I heard about Rio’s accident. How’s he holding up?”
“Still in the coma. I told his wife to keep him on life support ‘cause he might come through.”
Dame bobbed his head. “I done seen people wake up from that shit and recover like nothing happened.”
“Yeah.” Noble paused, trying to mentally prepare his next topic. “I got another issue.”
“What?”
“It’s this girl…”
Without warning, Dame cackled, making Noble chuckle and shake his head.
“It’s always a woman, Nephew. They literally are the center of our fucking universe and the reason for our headaches.”
Noble leaned back, contemplating his words. Women indeed made an impact but the red-headed girl who had invaded his life had shown him something different. There was a genuine quality about Irish that Noble couldn’t get enough of.
“Yeah, but this one different. She got me compromising my character, and I don't like it.”
Dame’s brows furrowed. “As far as what?”
“…she’s married.”
Dame’s forehead creased as a whistle resounded from his mouth.
“Married? Naw, Noble, not you. You don't move this way.”
“I know but I really fuck with her and that’s not even the bad part.”
Chuckling, Dame asked, “What else?”
“I work closely with her husband.”
“Aw naw, Nephew.” Dame planted his hand on his forehead, feigning distress.
Noble hung his head before looking at Dame. “I’m already knowing, and the worst part of all this shit is that I don't give a fuck about him.”
“Then, why you sound like you're struggling with this shit?”
“Because I pride myself on moving with integrity. I’m struggling with myself more than anything. You know me, I try to lead by example but I’m breaking all my rules by fucking with her.”
Noble tried to quiet the logical side of him that said this was a big mistake.
Irish didn’t belong to him. She was legally tied to another man.
Noble didn’t think he could compete with that fact, but he couldn’t let go of her.
Each time they were together, all of their obstacles were nonexistent.
It was just them two, trapped in their personal universe that no one had access to.
Whenever Irish was out of Noble’s presence, he came back to his senses.
“Then, on top of that, she scares me.”
“How so?”
“When I was married to Daysha, I didn’t realize how much of a responsibility and sacrifice it would take to love her.
Not because I was incapable, but I didn’t feel that for her, so I failed.
Now, I can see myself giving this woman all that I have and that scares the shit out of me ‘cause we been dealing with each other for a short amount of time.”
“Damn,” Dame muttered. “It’s like that.”
“Yeah, and that’s some scary shit.”
“Alright.” Dame pulled on his salt and pepper goatee. “You want me to tell you what you wanna hear or what you need to hear?”
Noble smirked. “You don't never tell me what I wanna hear, Unc.”
“Exactly, so listen up. You gotta let that shit go. If it’s causing you to compromise your character, it’s too fucking expensive to have.
All you got is your manhood, Noble. That’s what we’re left with when all this shit is over.
The money, cars and work we put in won’t be a factor when the sun sets on our ass. Let that shit go.”
That sounded reasonable but could Noble bring himself to let go of the sunshine that had illuminated his world?
“Alright,” Dame concluded. “Let it go. It’s more females out here that will give you what you need, Nephew.”
I doubt that they will be Irish…
“I hear you,” Noble said, knowing he felt differently on the inside.
“Now come get your ass whooped in a game of chess for old times’ sake.”
Cali rubbed Rio’s overgrown wicks while kissing his forehead.
She stared at him, feeling so many emotional tides wash over her.
Days had turned into weeks. Weeks had turned into a month of him being in this condition.
The doctor’s had been weaning Rio off the machine, making her overflow with so much hope.
After much prayer and reading her Bible, Cali’s faith had expanded.
She’d consumed so many stories regarding faith.
Job had suffered so much loss but because of his faith, God had restored what was taken from him.
Joseph had spent years incarcerated and enslaved, but his faith had made his enemies his footstool.
Cali had been a cheater, planning on leaving her marriage.
Initially, she thought there was no hope for her or Rio, but she had faith.
She prayed that God would give her the same outcome as the heroes in the Bible.
“I know you’re in there, baby. Wake up,” she whispered in his ear.
“He hears you,” the nurse told her. “Keep talking to him.”
“I told her that,” Irish said, sitting in the chair. “I read it somewhere that people who are in comas are conscious on the other side.”
“Well, hopefully, he’ll keep hearing these prayers because I won’t stop until my boy is awake.” Ruthia sighed.
Cecilia rubbed her arm. “He’s going to wake up. Your prayers are moving mountains.”
Cali smiled at her mother and Ruthia’s interaction.
Having them there on a daily basis had kept her sane.
Irish had been a godsend as well, sending their hairstylist to tame her overgrown mane.
Despite her pixie cut being freshly styled, Cali wouldn’t feel well until her husband came out of this coma.
“Alright, vitals look okay. I’ll be back in later to check on him,” the nurse assured.
When she walked out the room, Cali took her seat but kept Rio’s big hand tucked into hers.
“Rozalin hooked you up, friend,” Irish complimented her.
A small smile covered Cali’s face as she rubbed the back of her head. “I really needed this. Thank you, boo.”
“Yes, because you’ve run through your entire hat collection,” Cecilia joked.
“You know I got you. I wanted to do something nice since you’ve been cooped up in this room.”
Cali looked forward at Rio. “After this, I never want to see another hospital ever again.”
A chime resounded through the room. Cali turned her head and noticed Rio’s phone lighting up. Grabbing it, she looked at the screen and silenced the alarm. She then saw a reminder on the screen Call Cali. She smirked, tapping on the clock app and noticing all of the alarms he had set in place.