PAIGE
We all gathered in Chevy’s living room. Alyse rocked back and forth, Morgan’s leg bounced nervously, and Samara stood near Zaria with trembling hands.
I'm not sure how we got here, but we did. Zaria took charge, making calls as if it were her domain. She arranged for someone to pick up Braylen’s car.
She also had all of us clean up, and now she stood at the center of us all.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and then opened them.
“Ok. I need all four of you to listen to me,” she started.
“I know what you guys experienced was a lot, but we Zoo women and Zoo adjacent women have to put on our big girl panties. Samara, are you sure you shot Keith?” she said, looking at her.
“Yes, Zaria. I didn’t know what to do, but you and Chevy taught me.”
Zaria ran her hand through her hair. “You did what you were supposed to. This shit is over with, do you hear me? Keith is gone. June and I will talk to Bishop. When June walks into this house, he will be on y’all’s ass like white on rice.
That man doesn’t miss a beat. The issue has been resolved.
Dealing with the Zoo men, you will have times much worse than this.
You four have been through something that should make your bond close as hell.
Morgan, you are the one who’s going to have to be there for Scooter.
That’s his brother and baby, pussy will not get him through this time.
No matter how much you try to explain that Keith was about to shoot you, that is his only family.
You love him, you be there for him, and you tell him if and only if he’s ready. ”
Zaria was so strong. The way she was able to snap in like a queen, I admired that. She had now pointed at me, Alyse, and Samara. “Y’all want to be with these Zoo men, get used to it. Samara, especially you, because Dio is not a cakewalk.”
The sound of the door opening made something in Zaria’s eye flicker. “Z! Samara!” Chevy shouted as he bent the corner.
He stared at all of us long and hard. It was as if he went straight into sensing our fear. “I handled it, baby,” Zaria said to him as she placed her hand on his chest.
He glared at her as if he didn’t believe her. They stared at each other for a minute. It was like they let their eyes do the talking. I stood from the couch. “We’re fine!” I blurted out.
“Yeah, had a small scare but were good, Chevy,” Alyse said as she came up and grabbed my hand.
I turned to look at her. Zoo baby. She mouthed.
What the hell was a Zoo baby? I looked at Samara, who cleared her throat. “I’m good, Dad, promise. Small scare, relax,” she finished as she moved toward Alyse.
We all glanced at Morgan, who couldn’t get her shit together. Chevy’s eyes slowly rolled toward her. I could see him waiting for her to crack. She shot up. “We,” she paused. “We’re fine,” she mumbled.
Zaria turned toward us, “See, baby, they’re fine. You go upstairs, I will be up in a minute,” she told him.
Before he could say another word, I heard the door open. “Mars!” Dio shouted.
When he came around the corner, his eyes landed right on Morgan. “It’s Scooter, that nigga brother got shot, he’s all fucked up.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Morgan said as she rushed to the bathroom.
Moments later, Braylen and Peanut came through the door. “June, did you call them?” Zaria asked.
“No.”
“Nigga, I called Stutter Man. Beans was already outside.,” Dio retorted.
Alyse ran into Peanuts’ arms while Braylen curiously stared me down. I walked over toward him, and I didn’t have to wrap my arms around him because he embraced me in a hug. “Let’s go,” he whispered in my ear.
My concerns were for Morgan because I wasn’t sure she could keep it together.
Knowing what we did to Scooter’s brother was probably eating her alive.
When she came from the bathroom, Dio told her he would take her to Scooter.
Everyone walked out of that house holding a secret, but the question was, which one of us would break first?