Page 26 of Feeling Blue

“I’m straight cuz,” she said, trying to keep a straight face.

Blue, on the other hand, could not and shot her an award-winning smile. “You better cut that shit out before you get your ass popped. You not gang, Forever.”

“Says the man that I just got off a RICO charge. I am gang,” she tooted her lips up and rolled her neck. “Need to be a leader round this bitch.”

“Aye, I’m cutting down the time you talk to that rapper girl, Slim Goody. She’s rubbing off on you,” he told her through his laughter.

Forever sniggled along with him as he grabbed the gate and pulled it open. As soon as he did, blue and white balloons came into view. They were all over the ground, in the pool, and tied to chairs. People draped in blue littered the backyard while music played loudly from the deejay booth at the back of the yard. Women in bikinis were everywhere from the pool to the screened in balcony.

From where Blue was standing, he had a good view of the entire yard, and he was already smiling at some of the faces he saw. Members from his gang were everywhere, and it made him that much happier to have his Forever standing by him. She’d done what no other could have done, and he owed her his life for it.

“Aye, lil’ mama, let me get another kiss.”

Forever looked up at him, clearly confused by the notion, but he was already leaning toward her, kissing her lips. Her soft hand on his cheek made his eyes close as he deepened the kiss. When he pulled away, she was staring up at him through her glasses.

“What was that for?”

He looked around at the backyard filled with his loved ones. “For making this possible.”

Her tightened grip on his hand was her response as he swaggered ahead of her toward the festivities. Obviously having just been spotted, the deejay yelled over the mic.

“The man of the muthafucking hour is here. Welcome Home to the biggest gangsta. Blue, we missed you, my nigga!”

Blue’s smile showcased again as he held his hand up, acknowledging the shout out as a few of his people began making their way toward him. Pat being amongst the first. His smile just as big as Blue’s as he walked straight to him and embraced him in a brotherly hug. The way he laughed and smiled while slapping Blue’s back extra hard showed his excitement.

All Forever could do was smile and shake her head at their boyish exchange. Even stepping away a few feet so they didn’t accidentally hit her.

“My boy!” Pat yelled happily again. “Step back and let me look at your Black ass.”

“You showing your age talking about let you look at me.”

“Nigga, you know you my son,” Pat chuckled some more as Blue stepped back and wiped his clothes as if dusting himself off. “I’m so glad you’re home, cuz.” He told him earnestly.

“Facts. This old ass nigga was about to die without you,” Blue’s cousin, Jugg told him before taking his turn to hug him.

“Hell yeah, I was. Can’t survive without my right hand. Y’all young asses will get a nigga killed.”

Forever snickered at their exchange until Pat looked in her direction. His smile brightened again. “Miss. Forever, it’s good to see you again, baby girl,” he told her before pulling her into a tight hug.

His hold felt sincere, and it made Forever feel good about her job. Her sincerest passion when entering law was to alwayshelp her people. Pat and the rest of Blue’s friends and family’s appreciation was her motivation and applause combined.

“Good to see you too. I’m glad I could help.”

“Help?” Jugg said dramatically. “This party needs to be for you instead of this nigga. You did all the work.”

“Sho nuff, gang,” another man agreed with Jugg openly before bowing to Forever. “Love and respect, Queen.”

“It was my pleasure.” Forever nodded her head in his direction and blinked up to Blue, who was standing there eyeing her like a proud father.

“I keep telling her she’s the biggest. Ain’t nobody seeing my baby.”

His admiration for her was so humbling and unnerving all at once. She prayed it never stopped.

“Aight, y’all come on and enjoy the festivities. You know the streets happy you here,” Pat began walking, ushering them behind him.

“I should knuckle up with your ass for surprising me with this party. You know Forever ain’t used to hood shit.”

Blue laughed when Forever punched him in the arm. “Stop trying me, Zurich.”

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