Page 91 of One Good Reason

“I’mma see what they talking ‘bout and if I gotta bring him in, then I’ll let you know.”

My conversation with Poppa was put on hold when Talitha came strutting into my office with a brown takeout bag. Making Poppa laugh and rise from his seat.

“Just keep me posted on that and the other situation,” he said before wrapping his arm around Talitha’s shoulder. “What’s up buddy?”

“Oh, we’re friends now?” she sassed and slanted her eyes.

“What I do?!”

“Sold me out to him.” She held the bag out in my direction.

“You knew I couldn’t step on that man’s toes. That makes for bad business, Tali.”

“Bad business my ass!” she rasped. “As my friend, I expected you to help me out. I would’ve told him eventually.”

“Bullshit!” I blurted out. “You wouldn’t have told me nothing.”

“That right there is why I told him.”

Jabbing Poppa in the side, she rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” Shaking out of his grasp, she walked over to the desk and dropped the bag of food on it. “I was in the area, figured you hadn’t ate lunch yet.”

“I haven’t. Been sitting up here running my mouth with Poppa.”

“I bet. Poppa it’s enough if you want to stay and have lunch with us,” Talitha offered.

“I appreciate the offer but I gotta get back to the job,” he declined. “It was good seeing you, Talitha. Law, hit me up if you need me.”

“Will do Pop. Be easy.” Tipping his head at us, Poppa strolled out of the door.

“What you get me?” I asked and dug into the bag.

“Chicken marsala.”

Pulling out the takeout container, I sat it on my desk and got up to go wash my hands. When I walked out of the bathroom, Talitha had everything spread out across my desk. Before digging in, she got up and went to wash her hands too.

“How’s work going for the day?” I quizzed when she walked back into the room.

“Better than the other day.”

“That’s good right.”

“It is. Rossi was able to get me on Quantavious visitation list. I’m going to see him after I leave here.”

“That’ll be nice. It’ll let him know somebody got his back.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to figure out what I gotta do to be able to send him some necessities. I know I can put money on his commissary, but I read something saying I could send him a package every month.”

“They should be able to tell you when you go visit him.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for. Did those desk tables get delivered to the office?”

“They did. I had Chari go sign for them yesterday.”

“Good. Gema is coming home today. I’m going to cook dinner tonight. You coming to spend the night?” she asked and batted her eyelashes.

“You trying to get fucked.”

“I am not,” she lied.

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