Page 116 of Don Caselli

“Good.”

Beans held his hand out, and I dapped him as the elevator doors opened. We made our way down the hallway to the conference room. Checking my watch, I was five minutes early. According to Menace, if you were on time than you were late.

Rounding the corner, I saw Kennedy in the hall. Her arms were folded, and she was talking to her soon to be husband in his office. When she saw me, she couldn’t hide how her face lit up.

There used to be a time when I felt that same way and got excited when I heard her near. Alex turned to see what his fiancée was so stuck on, and he noticed me. Waving quickly, he closed the curtain in his office, and I entered the conference room.

“Hey Don,” Jeffie smiled when she saw me walk in.

Menace looked and nodded, checking his watch. “On time.”

There were a few other people in suits in the conference room with us. Menace made no move to make small talk or entertain them. He was strictly here because of me.

“Tell Alex he has five seconds to bring his little ass in here or I’m tossing fuckas out the window… ever flew before?” He leaned forward, his gold outlined tooth glistened.

The man popped up out the seat and quickly left to get Alex.

I got comfortable in my seat, as the remaining three quickly left to see what the holdup was with Alex. “Blood?”

“Had to handle something at Case House,” I replied, keeping it short because he didn’t need to know what happened.

“It’s handled?”

“Already know.”

There was this look in his eyes, a look of pride when I confirmed that it had already been handled. “How was St. Lucia?” Jeffie questioned.

“Nice… never knew we owned property there.”

“It’s nice?” Menace questioned.

It was a shame we owned so much property; some we may never make it to visit. “You should take Stevie and the baby… real nice.”

He nodded his head, messing with his beard. “And you went with Taupe’s cousin.”

Jeffie put her face in her hand. “Yeah… I got a favor to ask you both.”

“Anything,” Jeffie was there, ready to help and support in any way. It was the reason she was considered family.

“I’m cooking dinner at my place next week. I want you to meet Navy’s parents. Her family has welcomed me, and I want them to meet my family.”

“Of course, I would love to be there. Skyler may not come, but me, Corleon, and Estella will be there.” She smiled.

“She think I got roaches or something?”

Jeffie sighed. “Skyler is going through something… call herself wanting to date now. I love her, so I’m giving her space to figure things out without the pressure of me and Corleon. I’m there as her friend, sister, not as a sister-wife, you know?”

“She slow, and the quicker you all realize that shit you wouldn’t have to give her space,” Menace finally spoke. “They that important that you want me to meet them?”

“Navy is important to me, Mens… remember how you felt about Stevie?”

“Ain’t nofelt… how I feel about Wonder,” he corrected me.

I leaned back in the chair. “I barely ask for shit… would mean a lot if you, Kora, and Zoya showed up. If not, that’s cool too. I’m used to it.”

“Fuck you mean you used to i?—”

“Sorry for the delay… I had to make sure the Mrs. was well taken care of.” Alex winked, as he clapped his hands together.

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