Page 101 of Standing In The Sun

“Now, you got my baby out here trickin’ because he sent me with a card to his bank talking about it’s for his baby. Chile, this for the pretty girl that got a hold on his heart… got my baby standing in the sun with no sunscreen. And where Butta at? Don’t think I don’t know about that.” She rested her hand son her hips. “I agree with her too. Monday tripping.”

Ahvi smiled before wrapping her arms around Tiny and hugging her. It felt so good and so right. Now, she needed to figure out a way to get her man back home.

twenty-one

The night airwrapped around Lunar like regret. It wasn’t cold, just sharp. Like the kind of air that reminded you, you were still breathing, even when everything inside felt like it was crumbling.

After he dropped Monday home and talked to his Mama and Pops, he decided to go over to his uncle and aunt’s house. Lunar loved being at French and Solar’s as a child because they seemed to be the most fun and understanding. If Ahvi needed time and space, him being in the same city as her wouldn’t give her that. The natural pull between them would have him fucking her into understanding the ways of a man in love.

So, he fled and he’d been holed up in the house ignoring the world for days now.

He sat on the steps behind French’s house, hoodie pulled low, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. His phone buzzed again.

The world wouldn’t let him sit in peace--- wouldn’t let him gather his thoughts. It was what drove him to always be so impulsive. Pimp was calling about his promotional tour now that videos of people in the club showed them vibing out to his new song, the radio had requested the files too. In the blink of an eye, everything was picking back up and he was ready to bare his soul to them on the album, but like the sun taunting him - Ahvi just had to fold. His phone buzzed again, his thumb eager to swipe right and answer but his emotions had him declining.

It was Ahvi.

She called again.

This time he let it ring.

“Little Lunar, if you let that phone ring one more damn time without answering it, I’mma chunk it in the fuckin’ woods,” French’s voice was loud as he stepped onto the patio, his bare feet padding the concrete.

Lunar didn’t lift his head. He just sighed, his fingers digging into his scalp. “Then do it.”

Behind him, the screen door slid again. Javen walked out with three glasses of brown in one hand and a rolled blunt in the other. Now that he was retired, he stayed high. “You good nephew?”

Javen often stared at Little Lunar because he was the spitting image of Big Lunar. It was like seeing what Big Lunar would’ve looked like at twenty-four.

“Lite that shit up,” French said, grabbing one of the glasses from Javen.

Javen plopped down next to Lunar, handed him the cold glass and bumped shoulders lightly. “You good?” he asked again since Lunar never answered the first time.

Lunar scoffed under his breath. “Do I look good?”

He was so out of his head, he wasn’t thinking straight. He wasn’t disrespectful to his people but his chest was so tight, shit was just spilling out all wrong.

“Calm yo’ ass down, Little Lunar.” Javen leaned his head back.

Lunar kissed his teeth. “My bad,” he mumbled.

“You getting snappy with me when I ain’t did shit,” Javen added, lighting the tip of the blunt, taking a few pulls before dodging Lunar’s hand to pass it to French. “You got me fucked up if you think you ‘bout to smoke my weed and catch an attitude.”

That made Lunar chuckle a little.

French laughed too, almost choking on the smoke filling his lungs. “You talk to her yet?”

“Nah.”

“Why?”

Lunar tilted the glass back. “Cause I ain’t have shit to say that don’t sound like begging.”

There was a long pause. Just the sound of the wildlife distant in the background, a few crickets, and the occasional plane flying in the sky.

“You love her?” Javen asked, dead serious now.

Lunar’s jaw flexed. “With everything.”

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