Page 34 of Cove City: Vol. I

Ihad pulled up to Bishop’s before going home to see what he wanted to discuss. When I saw Naheem’s car, I could only shake my head. The way Bishop felt about my cousin is how I felt about his pops. I glanced at my phone again to see if Tuesday had texted me, and once more, there was nothing. I realized I had become more concerned about her than the chaos around me. I tried to shake off that feeling, but it was tough. It wasn’t that she and I had been intimate; rather, she took the time to listen to me. It was almost as if she knew me without really knowing me.

I got out of the car and jogged toward the door. Typically, I walked in unless Bishop gave the blue light that he and Indigo didn’t want to be bothered. This time I knocked. It took a few minutes before the door opened. Indigo greeted me. She was starting to look better. She gained a little weight since she had stopped using. London came running over. “Look at Lu-Lu with her pretty ass,” I said as she jumped on me.

“He’s in the back.”

“How are you? You holding up?”

She gave a half smile. “One day at a time. I met your girlfriend,” she snickered.

“A nigga single.”

“Right. She’s pretty. Nosy but pretty,” she said as she walked off with London behind her.

It was nice to see Bishop had moved her in. My nigga was really living a happy life, and a part of me wondered what that felt like. I made my way to the back as Bishop, Bleek, and Naheem sat.

The outdoor fireplace flicked off the glasses of whiskey. As they sat around, taking it all in. I took a seat as Bishop leaned forward, handing me the blunt. I took it and began taking pulls.

“This right here is the Cove. You three niggas are the heart of it, and it can remain that way as long as you all are doing your part,” Naheem started.

“You are aware this nigga’s girl is one of their sister,” Bleek added.

It was clear they were talking about the Zoo niggas before I had arrived. “As long as they don’t cross any lines a nigga Gucci. I’m trying to do right by Indigo. She wants to get to know the nigga and shit and wants me to layoff, so I promised I would,” Bishop explained.

I knew whatever Indigo said, he would do. I’ve seen him go through the fucking fire for her and him beefing with some niggas who merely came here he wasn’t going to lose her over that shit.

“Well, I’m not saying kill them, but keep your eyes open. Son, what—”

“Naheem, don’t start that shit. You're lucky you’re even in my space. You and I don’t move like that. Matter of fact. Don’t go fucking with them. Let shit simmer. If we have to move, we will.”

“Bishop all I’m saying is your mother is not around to keep shit going and it’s up to you to continue. Maybe having a hand in their businesses will keep the money flowing if you get my drift. You can’t live like this forever without making any moves. See, that Mercier boy, he’s paid. I knew that muhfucka Clark had something up his sleeve,” he clapped his hands. “He knew by his grandson coming here what would happen.”

Naheem was a trip. “You know for a man that’s supposed to be trying to get right with his son you’re doing a shitty job. Listen, I could be out doing something better with my time than talking about niggas that mean nothing to me, so what’s really good?”

“Summer is approaching, and you all know I dip during this time. The girls will lay Grace to rest now that Indigo is back in her right mind. However, I cannot leave without knowing where my mother is. Whether dead or alive, I need to find her,” he said as his head snapped toward Naheem.

I watched Naheem closely. He knew where Angela was, but the fear of losing his son completely settled in him. He said nothing as he leaned back. I turned to Bishop, “I got you. It’s whatever.”

“I got you, bro, bro,” Bleek said.

Bishop nodded, peering at Naheem. I knew he wouldn’t tell us shit and knowing him, he probably killed Angela dumping her ass somewhere nobody would find her. Then I thought about Tuesday and her story. I jumped, “Aye Bop, let me holla at you for a second.”

Bishop stood following me back into the house. “Look my nigga. Let Tuesday talk to Naheem. I know you don’t want her all in the business, but something is telling me that nigga knows something. Maybe she can get a clue from the nigga.”

Bishop crossed his arms over his chest. “You know what her putting our business out can do for us? From the murders to the drugs.”

“I get it but searching the city ain’t going to get it either. Trust me.”

He ran his hand over his face. “Fuck it. See what you can do but don’t be over their pillow talking, nigga. Aye, you talk to Sash?”

“Nah, not yet.”

“I’m going to head out. I’ll get with you.”

Bishop stopped me. “You like her? That girl Tuesday?”

“She’s straight.”

He chuckled. “You like her ass. She reminds me of ya mom a little. Aye, talk to Sash get what you need from it and move the fuck on.”

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