Page 4 of The Prettiest Outlaw

“I have a background in security… getting information about people. The pastor asked me if I knew of any members that might be connected to an auto body shop. I remembered you from our new members class. I checked you out. I saw how you got out from under KG’s thumb to open up your own business and run it legitimately, and I appreciated that. I know KG. He’s a dirty motherfucker. I’m not sure anybody ever got out from under him with as clean of a break as you had.”

I met Brother Reedy’s gaze head on. I knew what he was asking me. He was asking two questions. One was if I was really out from under KG’s thumb. Was my business really legitimate? The other was if I owed KG anything in return for him letting me go.

“A couple of things happened to get KG to let me go. The first was the fact that I got popped for grand theft auto like three times in one year. He was either gonna have to let me go or move me to another arm of his operation. I was single-handedly making his block as hot as fire. The second thing was a word from Gianni Outlaw in his ear.”

Brother Reedy nodded, indicating that he was familiar with Gianni Outlaw as well. “Say less.”

I never would’ve guessed it, but clearly, Brother Reedy was a reformed street dude.

“So, I’mma go ‘head and get the word to Pastor Sharpe that you’re the man I’m recommending for the job. I’m sure he’ll bring you in and speak to you about what he’s looking for. Expect to hear from Sister Paula. She’s the church secretary. She’ll call you to set up a meeting with Sharpe… if you’re interested.”

“The church seems like a good account to have.” I nodded my head. “I’m interested.”

“Good. Good.” He held out his hand for me to shake. “It was good speaking with you, young man.”

“Same here, Brother Reedy.”

I walked him back out past the work bays to the customer waiting area.

“You take care now, and expect that call.”

“I will,” I assured him. “You do the same.”

“What was that all about?” Kayla asked when I joined her over at the front desk.

“I don’t know yet, but we might’ve just picked up a new account.”

* * *

I left the shop around 4:00 p.m., which was my usual time. I typically got there between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., so I put in my time. In my early days, when I first opened the shop and I was the owner, employee, cleaning staff, payroll clerk, receptionist, customer service rep, and everything else, I regularly put in fourteen or fifteen-hour days. Gianni Outlaw was kind enough to not only invest in my auto body shop but also offer me a sort of mentorship. After eighteen months, he talked me into hiring trustworthy and capable employees. That changed the trajectory of my business and stopped me from suffering from burnout. It allowed me to have time to myself, even though I spent most of my free-time chilling at the crib.

I was about to stop by the wing place to pick up an order of twenty flats before I headed home for another night on the sofa when a call came through from my little brother.

“What’s up, Dono?” I asked.

“Aye,” his voice sounded funny, shaky.

“What’s wrong?” My older brother antennas immediately went up.

“Aye, old girl, the healthcare chick, she just called me. They’re rushing Ma to the hospital.”

“What? What happened?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know.” He gave me the information through shallow breaths and voice cracks.

“Aye, meet me there.”

“Yeah,” he told me. “Unfortunately, I’m down in Indianapolis working on a project. I’m about to head that way now, but it’s gonna take me a minute. Hit me back when you get there, and let me know what’s up.”

“What hospital, dude?”

“Emmanuel.”

“Got it. Let me head that way, and I’ll hit you back when I know what’s up.”

“Later.”

We ended the call, and I headed toward Emmanuel Hospital to deal with my mother’s possible health crisis by myself. Dudes tried to act like all they needed was the homies like women didn’t matter, and they were just for physical enjoyment and release, but that was fucking cap. I would’ve given anything at the moment to be able to call Emerald and have her meet me at the hospital. I would’ve given anything to know that when she got to me, she would give me someplace soft to lay my head.

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