Page 42 of Quasim II: King Inferno

We watched my father ride up and down the block one last time before he eventually left the block to go back to Capri and Blaze’s house. Gams went back to the kitchen to prepare whatever she was making for dinner tonight.

Anjo headed upstairs while I put food down for Pyro’s greedy ass. She rubbed against my leg and then went to her food. “That cat has an old soul.” Gams snickered.

“Yeah, an old hoe.”

“Quasim!”

“My bad, Gams.” I stole a pepper and headed upstairs where Anjo was on the phone. I could hear how stressed she sounded.

“She doesn’t like being there… she called me three times today, Tre.” I watched as she paced the bedroom. “I understand she doesn’t want to move to the west coast, and you don’t have the time to commit to caring for her… I don’t know… maybe I’ll have her move into my apartment with me.”

I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but they both agreed to pick up the conversation again because he had to end it. She tossed her phone on the sofa and ran her hands through her hair.

“Tell me.”

She jumped, turning around. “Augusta Mae is in some old folks’ home, and she hates it… she may be getting older, but she is still sharp and can care for herself. That was one of her biggest fears.”

“What you wanna do, Anjo?”

“I don’t know. Tre says he doesn’t have the time to commit to her, but she doesn’t need a bunch of time. He lives on the other side of the country, so of course, it’s easier for him to stick her into a home.”

I motioned for her to come to me, and she dropped her shoulders with her lip poked out, wrapping her arms around me. “Tell me what you wanna do, Anjo. You know what you wanna do… tell me.”

“Would it be so bad for me to move her into my apartment with me? This woman took me in when everyone kept tossing me back into the system. She gave me a home when I didn’t have one. Never judged me for my decisions, even though I know she never approved of them. If I had listened to her, none of this would have happened. Augusta hated Tyshawn. She called me crying, and Augusta Mae doesn’t cry, Simmy.”

I wrapped my arms around her, as she sighed. “You intended to piss me off, my love?”

She lifted her head. “What are you talking about, crazy?”

“Why would she move into your apartment?”

“Cause that’s my home.”

“Your home is with me.”

She smiled and squeezed me as tight as she could. “Awe, Simmy… but I do have an apartment.”

“There we go.”

“Whatever, home is with you.” She laughed.

I grabbed her ass with both hands and kissed her ear. “Bring her here. It’s clear she means a lot to you, Anjo. If that shit messes with you, then let her come stay here.”

She smiled up at me. “Yeah?”

“Uh huh.”

“I’ll have to talk to Tre about it, but I love you wanting to help solve my problems.”

I kissed her lips. “Your problems are mine… got a question for you, though.”

“What?” she looked concerned.

“You pregnant?”

“Huh?

“People around here dreaming of fish, accusing me of napping, and shit… you got my baby in there, Anjo?”

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