43. Rico #3
It’s not hard to see she’s been crying, under the LED lights on her street. Her hair’s braided into small plaits and pulled on top of her head, and even though it’s night time, she’s dressed like she’s about to go work out.
“I’m surprised you came,” she says, stopping in front of me.
“I’on know why. I always come when you call.”
Her eyes water immediately. “It feels like I lost you forever. Like you traded me for Wyn.”
“If anything, I traded Wyn for you once upon a time.”
“I see,” she whispers, looking off.
“Haze… Autumn. You know, this our first real disagreement? Almost fifteen years and this the first time we ever hurt each other. I hate seeing you hurt, bro. You like a part of me. And, I’m sorry I hurt you by putting Wynter over you.
I’ve never put anyone over you, and for it to be Snow, I know that knocked you off your square.
But you need to know that I love her, Haze.
I’ve loved her as long as I’ve loved you, shit, longer.
She’s the reason I even followed Turk into Hell in the first place; because I loved her, and she loved you.
She’s the reason we are locked in. But I’m not trading you for her, or her for you. ” I reach out, and pull her to me.
“You’ll always be my Hazey. Even when yo ass acting like a selfish fuckin’ brat. But she’s my Snow, my woman, and she’s going to come before you, and I’m not ever gonna apologize for that… just like she’s always going to come before me, and you’ll never apologize for that, either.”
She clings to me, her tears soaking my t-shirt. But she nods, and I breathe easier, knowing she understands.
“You told them? About the BPD?”
She nods again, then leans back and clears her nose. “I couldn’t start therapy until after the holidays, so I’m enrolling in a facility instead. I think we all need a break. It’s been a warzone lately… thank you, for keeping my secrets, even after you found out about Slime.”
“I’m glad you said something and you’re getting the help you need, Haze. Shit, maybe I’ll start grief counseling in the New Year. Maybe then Fredo can rest instead of popping up all the time.”
New tears come, as she laughs at me. We both know I’m serious, but she laughs anyway, hugging herself to keep warm.
“You’re good for her,” she admits. “You don’t need my blessing; you’re gonna do what you want anyway. But you’re good for her. Thank you for helping her get right.”
“I don’t need your blessing, but I’d love to have it all the same.” I pull her back to me and hug her once more. “When you going to the crazy house?”
“Tomorrow,” she chuckles, before sobbing again.
“I’m scared out my mind,” Haze whispers into my shirt.
I kiss her forehead. “You been through shit that would have people jumping off bridges, Haze. You got this. You deserve peace, baby girl. Fight for it.”
She holds onto me for a few moments, before saying her goodbyes and going back inside. Before I pull off, she texts me, telling me she loves me. I tell her I love her, too, and pull off toward my next destination.
“Whose whip is this?” Bleach rasps, in front of her place. She never does shit like this, so I make sure to give her a fat holiday tip.
“This nigga’s. We drove all the way from Washington. I just got back a few hours ago.”
“That why you not at Wynter Snow’s album party?” She snaps her gloves on and smirks at me, before leaning against the telephone pole in the alley behind her house.
“I’m finna meet her at her crib. Where the big nigga at?”
She glances behind her, then up, and I see a shadow move from her window.
“Upstairs, waiting on my word. So what’s up, Luney?”
“You can get rid of the car and the cargo. Just gimme one second.” I turn around and open the trunk, grinning at what’s inside.
The last of Snow’s exes–that I can get to, anyway. Isaiah Lawson. Sweat dots most of the freckles on his face as he begs and pleads for his life, though the sock and duct tape are hindering him from making any sense.
My poor Snow. She loves a degenerate muthafucka. All of her exes, including me, I have killed. Most were scammers. Some had rap sheets as long as those legs she loves showing off.
But Isaiah Lawson is probably the worst of the worst. Asa’s surveillance of him revealed this nigga likes to hurt women, beating to death three of his last girlfriends he’s pimped out.
Thinking of what he could have done to my Snow had their puppy love developed into anything more has the smile sliding off my face.
I reach into the pockets of my pants for my gun and silencer.
“You’re the last one, Isaiah. The last nigga who has touched my precious Snow.
I can’t kill my day one nigga, and Cochise lucked up and saved my life, so sparing him evens the debt.
So yes, you’re the last one. Hopefully my last kill, at least for a while.
And I’m ridding the world of filth, so it’s a win-win. ”
My arm straightens. I barely hear the gunshot to his forehead.
“You need a ride anywhere?” Bleach asks as she closes the trunk.
“Nah, I parked my whip around the corner days ago. Happy holidays.” With a salute, I jog off, my grin back on my face.
“Time for the finale.”