Page 41 of Chrome

“My wife knows what’s best for you.”

“She knew what was best for me when I was a child. I been grown out here, Pops. She can settle down. Is that what you came over here for? To question me about my woman?”

“I heard she came to the party but left just as fast. What’s going on with y’all? What you done did?”

It was him assuming I was the problem for me. I did a lot of shit, but when it came to my heart and feelings, I ain’t play ‘bout them. The way I felt about Fade, it wasn’t a muthafucka that could change a thing about it. She was still gon’ be my wife, she just needed to get her shit together. I went after her before, now she needed to put forth that same effort.

Not everybody took the higher roads. I could be a cold ass nigga when my feelings got hurt. Fade was still learning me but everything I presented to her was nothing less than a hunnidpercent real. I never gave another woman the impression that we would ever be since fuckin’ with her. I was waiting on her to reciprocate that same energy.

“I ain’t did shit to that woman but love her indecisive ass. Ask what the fuck she did. Don’t ever play with me like that, Pops.”

“I’m not no fuckin’ talk show host. I ain’t ‘bout to be asking all these fuck ass questions. Tell me what happened, boy.” Pops never did have the patience for anything or anyone outside of his wife. He wanted you to get to the point as soon as the conversation started.

“I got a call a couple weeks ago ‘bout her ex causing havoc at the shop so me and the crew rode down there. I get there and he choking her the fuck out. I put a hot one in his arm to turn her loose. That ain’t what got me though, Pops. It’s when I went to knock his ass off, and she stepped in front of him. I’m thinking to myself like, not my bitch. I know mine ain’t protecting another nigga.”

“Her ex, is he the father of her child?”

“Yeah, and Mel love that nigga. You should hear how she talks to Fade behind that pussy muthafucka.”

“I’m gon’ stop you right there, son. When it comes to a real mother, she gon’ protect her child at all costs. Her standing in front of that nigga was for her daughter, not her. I know how it may look, but my mama wouldn’t let a soul touch my daddy, and he wasn’t shit. But… I loved him. He deserved every ass whooping he got plus more. However, if we were there, he walked away an untouched nigga. She did what any parent would. A child is innocent and shouldn’t ever see their mother or father harmed. I’m sure she explained why she did what she did to you so what’s the problem?”

“You would think at her big age she would clear shit up, but I ain’t heard from that woman in weeks.”

“It hurt yo’ pride to reach out first or something? Women emotional and don’t always think with a clear mind. You the man in the relationship, ain’t it?” He gestured for the blunt and I handed it over before answering.

“Nah, I’m just not ‘bout to be the only one putting forth the effort. She made me work for her ass and if I’m being honest, I still am. She ain’t showed me shit except how many games she could play. I’m over that shit.”

Fade had a nigga heart fa sho. I mean, all it took was for her to call my phone and tell me to come to her and a nigga would hit eighty in a thirty for her ass. I couldn’t resist her no matter how hard I tried. However, the lack of communication came naturally to her. She wasn’t sweating a nigga.

Defending her while she was unsure of a nigga had to be the stupidest thing I’d done so far. Her name hadn’t shown up on a nigga call log or text thread… and yet, I still woke up the next day thinking she’d finally hit me. I was waiting but shawty was living. How the fuck did muthafuckas think I was supposed to feel or act behind that shit?

My phone ringing on the counter caught my attention. I sighed deeply and walked over to it knowing it wasn’t her. Litty’s name was on the screen, so I answered. He didn’t want shit. He never did.

“Yo.”

“What you doing nigga?”

“Shit, cooling and chopping it up with Pops. What’s good?”

“Everybody in the chopping business today, huh?” he said laughing.

“Nigga, what the fuck is you talking ‘bout? What you calling me for Litty?” I was already growing tired of the call, and it had only been a few seconds.

“Me and Tarin at the abortion clinic and yo’ woman is, too. I think she finna chop y’all lil’ shit up, bro.”

“Nigga what?” I heard him but for some reason, his words weren’t registering. It was like I didn’t want to process Fade getting rid of my child.

“Yeah. I told her I was gon’ tell you and she said fuck ya! Aside from a nigga finding that very fuckin’ hilarious, I ain’t want you to miss the opportunity of having a kid. Come get yo’ woman out this muthafuckin’ clinic, nigga.”

“Send me the lo. I’m on the way.”

I hung up and grabbed my keys out the drawer. Pops was right behind me. I had the phone on speaker, so he heard everything. I didn’t really have too much to say at the moment. My fuckin’ blood was boiling, and a nigga saw nothing but red.

“Give me the keys, son. You don’t need to drive right now,” he said grabbing me by the arm temporarily stopping me in my tracks.

“Aye, I love you, Pops, but I ain’t even in the mood for the bullshit. Get the fuck off me and get some fuckin’ bail money together.”

“Don’t you go down there on that bullshit, Chrome,” he warned me.

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