Page 34 of So I Know it's Real

After putting two blunts in the air, we exchanged flowers for food. Durk called me out because I ordered one thing then asked to eat off his dish, but a smirk stayed on his face as he fed me. I was in bliss in the company of the attentive man, however, a ball formed in my throat when the men I noticed earlier approached our table.

Cool as a fan, Durk reached for his glass and smiled. “I’m happy y’all came over. I need a refill.”

“This nigga thinks shit is a game,” one of the men spat. “Durk, you are one bold nigga. Coming to my hood by yourself is crazy. You know we don’t fuck with you.”

“I’m not by myself. I’m with my lady. I know you see that.”

The sloppy-body frontman snarled. “I don’t give a fuck about this broad. She’s a snake too. My boy wouldn’t appreciate his baby mama fucking on a crab ass nigga, especially—”

The screech from Durk’s chair cut off the wide man’s statement.

“Don’t talk to her. Don’t look at her. Nigga, hold your breath when she’s around!” Durk growled. “I don’t know what slob you’re talking about, but dry snitching instead of sliding is a bitch move. We all know why you’re really mad. I beat your brother’s ass ten years ago. Get over it!”

“That’s bullshit!” Big Man tugged on his jeans. “My hate for you runs deeper than that. Fuck you, and fuck Clover!”

The second my name reached the atmosphere, the beast in Durk soon followed. He smashed his fist into the lead man’s facebefore he gripped the neck of another, who seized the handle of a gun. I yelled and pleaded for him to get control of himself, but my words didn’t reach him. The only thing that snapped the menace out of his rage was the owner of the restaurant, threatening to call the police.

“Durk…” I sighed and touched the side of his face.

“Don’t fucking touch me!”

My head snapped back faster than I could blink. “What? I’m not your enemy. You’re letting them get the best of you.”

“Let them tell it, you’re somebody’s enemy. None of y’all can get the best of me, baby!” he shot back with words sharp enough to slice through my chest.

“Sir! The police are on their way!”

In shock, I watched Durk wave his gun in the faces of the people who challenged him. One man lay knocked down. Two wore mean mugged us but didn’t move a muscle.

As if he hadn’t almost killed a man, Durk tore four hundred dollars from a knot of cash and dropped it on the table.

“Let’s go, Clover!”

“Stop yelling at me!”

“You heard what I said.”

The car ride back to my place was so quiet I could hear my heart crack. Over and over, my mind replayed what happened. I couldn’t recall where I knew any of the men from, but it was obvious they knew me and my kids’ father.

“Durk...I didn’t know you and Calvin were from different hoods. Even if I thought about it, I wouldn’t have thought it made a difference.”

“What?” he blurted. “You are not that naive. I told you where I’m from and who I ran with before S.O.E. You knew enough.”

Frustrated, I slammed my palms against my thighs. “This is ridiculous! You’re too old to allow a gang to dictate how you move.”

“Not when I’ve broke bread and shred blood behind it!” A sinister laugh jumped from his lips. “The fucking irony. The last woman I loved…she played me for a slob too.”

“Love, I’m not playing you. We are still getting to know each other.”

He shook his head. “I think I know enough.”

“You can’t be serious. I have done nothing to you.”

“And I won’t give you the chance! How do I know you aren’t on some setup shit?”

My breath recoiled at the back of my throat. “Really? That’s something you think I would do after I let you into my home. My body. My heart?”

Durk sped up my driveway at the same speed a tear rolled down my cheek. I felt him look my way when I swiped the evidence of my frustration of view.

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