LOGIN"Aye Quincy" Mae yelled pulling me towards a group of boys
"What up shorty" the boy yelled back "that's Marie son that's all me" Mae said smiling ear to ear swaying her hips harder than before She walked past the group of boys and hugged the tallest one wrapping her arms around his waist Quincy was 5’9, skin the color of dark chocolate he was handsome in a way that you just knew he got girls but Mae had no problem putting any of the neighborhood girls in they place over him. “ Aye who yo friend.” He says finally noticing me walk up. “Oh this Ki, Stacy niece. She gone be here for the summer.” She says walking back to me “She my new best friend” she said grabbing my arm “What ever happen to Bionca “ one of the other boys say. Quincy shot him a look that let him know to kill the conversation “That bitch better not show her face or imma give her 2 more black eyes” Mae says unlocking our arms placing her hands firmly on her hips letting him know she means business. Bionca was another neighborhood girl who use to be best friends with Mae before Mae caught her in the park hugged up with Quincy. Story goes Mae kicked off her shoes and dragged her all through the park which seemed funny with her only being 5’1 with a little frame. “My bad Mae” the boy mutters looking at me “Hey lil mama what’s to you?” He asserts reaching for my hand “Nothing” I say pulling away going to the other side of Mae “See this why she my new best friend” Mae declares laughing shooting her eyes at the boy “What it do” I hear from behind me as I turn to see a tall caramel skinned boy smiling “What up Tez? Where you been at?” Quincy grabbed his hand dapping him up. “I ain’t seen you in weeks” he says “ shit Ma dukes had me on lock down you know how she get” he states as he looks at me “Tez this Ki my new bestie” Mae mentions pushing me towards him “Whats up ma” he says with a smile as he licks his lips “Hey what’s up” I mutter trying not to look at him which causes my cheeks to burn “We should go to the spot” Mae states bringing my attention to her “That’s cool I’m out here today anyways” Tez states looking at me “Bet let me go give Marie her Pepsi and we can go” Mae says grabbing my hand “Who is he? Where is the spot? How do I talk to…” I stammer out as Mae cuts me off “ That’s Martez Quincy best friend since they was in 6th grade, he from New York.” She shoots while noticing I’m hanging on trying to get all the information I can on him “ what u think of him” she whispers as she walks to Marie to hand her the Pepsi “We going to the park to watch Quincy em play ball that’s cool with you” she says as she looks over to me “Ok don’t be out all night I don’t wanna hear Stacy mouth about her being out all night and don’t be out there fighting, her face to pretty to be all scratched up messing with you” Marie bellows as we walk back out the door. I look around as I see scoot playing the game with a group of kids I see him smiling and laughing “Just let me check on scoot and I’ll be ready” I state not waiting for her response “You ok scoot” I ask standing on the side of him “Yea I’m ok” he yells as he presses all the buttons on the controller he’s holding “you ok” he says not even looking up at me “Yea I’m ok, don’t leave off the porch without letting Ms. Marie know” I say as I walk off the porch “ where did everybody go” I ask looking around after only seeing Mae standing there with her hands on her hips “I told them they can start walking so we could talk” she states as she locks arms with me once again “Soooo..” she insists “So what?” I ask not making eye contact “What u think of Tez?” She asks smiling “Oh he seem cool I guess” I say still not looking her way “Girl do you think he cute or nah” she shouts annoyed “Yes he cute” I say laughing at her “I knew it I knew you would like him, and the way he was looking at you know he likes you too” she says looking towards them “Let’s go over by the bleacher” Quincy says as we walk to where they was standing As we walk I keep my eyes down. I’ve never liked a boy let alone talked to one. Occasionally I would look up at him and catch him staring trying to figure me out. “Why you so quiet Ma “ he finally asked bringing my attention to him watching his lips as he licked them “Nothing really to say” I state as I step up to sit on the top bleacher “You got a man” he asks towering over me Wide eyed I looked at him speechless “ nope she single” Mae chimes in noticing me blushing “You from ‘round here” he says never taking his eyes off me “Naw she from the burbs” Mae speaks again “Damn Mae let her talk” Quincy snaps Rolling her eyes she looks towards me nodding her head “She taking too long to answer” Mae says pouting while sitting between Quincy’s legs “You wanna go over here by the swings” Tez says nodding his head towards the playground My eyes meet his and I smile nodding my head “You ain’t gotta be scared of me Ma I ain’t gone bite you” he says looking away while putting his arm around my shoulder “I ain’t scared” I say sounding more confident than I felt “Ok I see you with yo lil attitude” he says sitting me on the swing I could feel my cheeks burning as I try to look away He stands in front of me placing his hands on the swings chains “So tell me about you” he says pushing the swing gently “ what you wanna know” I ask shyly “Everything” he says walking to the swing beside me “ I’m 14, from the burbs, I’m here with Stacy for the summer, and imma freshmen.” I shoot out quickly He laughs as he turns me towards him “You sexy as hell ma” he says smiling showing off his grill I blush and look away “You mine now ok” he states with a straight face “Come here” he demands and I do as I’m told Standing in front of him I felt exposed and naked He put his hand in each of my back pockets I could feel my heart jumping out my chest and a strange feelings I’ve never felt before my nipples got hard and I could feel my heart beat between my legs “Ain’t yall cute” Mae says causing me to jump “Come on we gotta go before Stacy get back” she says pulling me away I turn to look at him as she guides me through the field little did I know that was the beginning of something bitter sweet.“Talk to me.” Tez whispered as he held me tight as I cried. “I don’t even know where to start.” I said pulling away to sit on the bed. “Tell me why you’re crying.” He asked as there’s a knock on the door. “Can I open the door?” Tez asked looking at me. “Ki can I talk to you please?” Shadow called from the other side of the door. “I don’t care.” I whispered rolling my eyes as I climb up the bed. “I know how that sounded out there.” He said walking into the room. “Sounded like you had two kids, one who knew you was they daddy and one who didn’t, and you chose to be around the one who didn’t.” I said nonchalant. “I know it seemed that way, and I swear to you on my twin it wasn’t.” He said closing the door. “So please explain how was it? Explain where I’m confused or got the wrong idea.” “Ok, you’re not exactly wrong. But it’s not that I didn’t wanna be with you or spend time with you.” He said walking past Tez. “Ok so it wasn’t like that or it was? I’m confused.”
“Lady bug you have every right to ask whatever you wanna know.” I said walking over to the chair beside her. “ You both do.” “Quincy.” Mae said nodding for him to ask his questions. “Ma did you take me to see him in the hospital when I was young?” He finally asked after Mae stared him down. “Yes. After he was shot he was at Rush hospital recovering. I wanted you to meet him before he left.” Marie said honestly. “So you did want me to know him?” Quincy asked walking over to her. “She always wanted you to know. Please don’t blame here it was me and Reggie who didn’t want to confuse you.” I said looking up at him. “So you didn’t want me? You just pawned me off on pops?” Quincy asked hurt all in his voice. “You were my first born, my boy named after my grandfather, my pops, and my brother. I named you. It was never a point I didn’t want you or wanted to pawn you off.” I said holding back tears. “So what was it?” He asked looking at me eyes full of tears. “Reggie and
“You ok?” I asked watching Ki pace back and forth. “Yea just thinking.” She responded without looking up. “What you thinking about?” I asked watching her look at the door then over to me. “Thinking about what Quincy said.” She said putting her hands on her hips. “Do you think it’s something wrong with me?” “What do you mean?” I asked reaching for her to come sit next to me. “Everyone seems to think I’m some type of sociopath.” She said finally stopping to look at me. “Ok to be honest, you have changed a lot but these past couple months a lot has happened but it’s like the only thing you think about is hurting people and it’s a bit scary.” I explained hoping my honesty won’t make her mad. “I don’t think I changed that much.” She said looking down at her stomach. “I wouldn’t lie to you, you were never like this.” I said grabbing her hands. “Like what have I done?” She asked concerned. “You were obsessed with watching your mom go crazy. Granted she deserved it,
“So after all these years she run back to the life I tried to take her away from. I tried to give her better.” Shadow whispered to no one in particular. “How bout we just wait til we get back to the house to talk.” Tez said noticing shadow demeanor. “Ma you missed yo exit.” Q said tapping Marie arm. “That car has been behind us ever since we turned on the E Way.” Marie said merging over. “Ma let me see yo phone.” Tez asked taking the phone and holding it up to see behind them. “These limo tent you can turn around.” Marie said watching Tez. “Ma is that the car that was watching the house?” Tez asking pointing back. “No it was smaller than that.” She said turning back around. “You sure they following us Ree?” Dia asked confused. “We about to find out.” Marie said merging over to get off the E Way. “You may be paranoid Ree. They kept going.” Lydia said watching Marie pull over to catch her breath. “You want me to drive?” Shadow asked reaching over to put the car
“So Marie, ma didn’t say what this was all about?” I asked staring out the window as we ride in silence. “No she just said she had information and she didn’t wanna talk over the phone.” Marie explained. “Don’t think the worse. Let’s just get to her first.” Shadow said looking back giving me a head nod. “Yea just don’t like Ma being all the way North that close to him alone.” I said glancing over a Q. “ you good bro.” “Yea just thinking.” He whispered. “What about?” I asked watching Marie and shadow start their own conversation. “How we go about getting to Curko.” He said causing everyone to listen. “What you thinking.” Shadow asked turning down the music. “Ok we all know his weakness is greed and power. And as much as I hate to admit ki was right he wants the Fort, because he don’t know what Uncle Marty hid there, for all he knows it a boatload of money and documents on him the cops unc had on payroll and all of you right?” He said looking between Shadow and Marie
“How is that different?” Q asked looking at me. “Because of my brother.” I said staring at him. “Be for real. It’s because she’s your mother. Whether you wanna admit it or not you couldn’t do it.” He said sitting at the table. “That’s not true.” I yelled annoyed. “No need to get emotional.” Q said smiling. “That’s not the case.” I said irritated. “So ok tell me what about your brother? Why you never planned to off her, I mean she deserves it more than anybody so why you didn’t plan to kill her?” “That’s enough.” Shadow said sitting on the arm of Marie chair. “I think she should answer.” Marie said softly. “Fine. Ki gone head give your explanation so we can all move on.” Shadow said rubbing his temples. I shouldn’t have to explain. I don’t like him and what he did to Stacy he deserves to die.” I yelled before walking off. “I got it.” I heard Tez say before walking behind me into the room. “Let me guess you agree with them.” I asked as I turn to see him cl







