Page 24 of No Remedy for Love

“Damn girl, they said a charity tournament, not a Lakers game.” Monique’s mouth opened in shock when they pulled up. The entire parking lot to the rec room was filled and so were all the surrounding areas as far as she could see.

“That’s why I told y’all to ride with me, so we can have a guaranteed parking spot.”

“Bitch, where?” Monique looked around trying to see at least one spot for them to park in.

“You gotta start hanging with boss bitches more often honey,” Tracy said as she sent Vinnie a text, letting him know that she was there.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Sweetie, we always have somewhere to park,” Tracy replied right as Remi pulled up into the second assigned spot up front that saidManager. Harry and her father always did have their assigned parking area, but Reid’s spot now belonged to her. She didn’t care who used it any other time, but Harry made sure it stayed free for her that particular day.

“Okay! You don’t ever have to stress when you’re with us, boo. We always got a plan.” Remi bumped Tracy’s outstretched fist since they were both on the same page.

“You got Tiffany, right? Cause Pumpkin is packed and ready to roll.” Tracy was speaking in code about Remi’s blue gun and her orange one. That was the nicknames they gave their dainty pieces that they were certified to carry.

“Same here boo. I’m ready in more ways than one.” Remi tapped her royal blue spiked Louboutin purse that matched the shoes that Mav got her.

“Who is Tiffany and Pumpkin?”

Monique felt out of place with some of the down south lingo and phrases. They had nicknames for everything and she got a headache trying to remember it all. She was born and raised up north, and Arizona didn’t have as much excitement. Remi and Tracy were so smooth with it and she loved their deep southern drawl.

“Nothing for you to worry about babydoll. Just know that you’re good as long as you’re with us.” Tracy pulled down the mirror to make sure her makeup was on point. She saw Monique smiling at her and winked. She liked the other woman but she was a little naïve at times. That was cool though. Tracy would have her back right along with Remi.

“I know Ferris bout to show off since Monique is here. Nigga barely can walk a mile without breathing hard but he bout to be on his Steph Curry shit today,” Remi laughed.

“Leave my boo alone. He already told me that he’s not the best basketball player, so I’m prepared.” Monique laughed too because she knew it was true. From the short time she’d known him, she knew that Ferris hated to walk. He would drive to the corner store if he had to.

“Girl, you got that nigga moving like a changed man. They said that a man will change for the right woman.” Tracy snapped her fingers as she looked at Monique and smiled.

“We’re just friends but we got a cool vibe going on.” Monique blushed.

“Look at you. Alright nah, bitch. You starting to sound like a down south girl with the vibes and shit,” Tracy joked right as they entered the building.

“Oh, my God, y’all! This place is huge and filled to capacity. It looks totally different from when I came here for Mr. Reid’s funeral and repast.” Monique gasped and became instantly overwhelmed at all the people she saw. It looked like a hood fashion show with how they were dressed and made up.

“Yeah, the bleachers were put up and they had chairs on the basketball court when you saw it,” Tracy noted.

“What’s up with it Tracy? Let’s see whose dick is bigger. Whip that bitch out and let’s compare.” Nardi was a local self-proclaimed hood comedian who Remi had come to despise. He took a joke too far and he was the main offender when it came to disrespecting Tracy. Some of the other men joked with her, but the shit he said was straight up insulting. They usually told Tracy how pretty she was or she didn’t look like she was biologically male. She was never offended by the compliments because it was true.

“Let me find out you outchea dick watching Renard,” Remi replied, calling him by his real name.

“Stop tryna play me, Remi. You better ask around about me.”

“Who should I ask, the girls or the boys?”

“I’m all man. Ain’t nothing gay about me.” Nardi seemed a little offended, as if she gave a fuck.

“Yeah cause trying to compare dicks is straight, right?”

“Girl, don’t let Nardi raise your pressure. Ain’t nothing funny about him but his looks,” Tracy replied, making Nardi walk away. Monique laughed at their exchange as she continued to look around.

Remi was like a hood celebrity and everybody was coming up to speak to her. Most of them hadn’t seen her in years and didn’t realize she was still in New Orleans. She now lived on the outskirts but she never corrected anyone. It really wasn’t their business. She spotted Blaze on the court with his teammates doing a few free throws and she tuned out all the conversation around her. Blaze was nice with the ball and he hadn’t missed a throw yet. He turned his head to look around the building anddid a double take when he saw Remi. She told him that she was coming and she looked good as fuck. The shorts that she had on could have been longer but, unlike his wife, she looked damn good in them. Her legs were thick, toned and smooth like butter. Her shirt was sheer and she had on a spiked bra that matched the spikes on her shoes and purse. Her makeup was light, but Blaze liked her better without it.

“Aww, they got Mr. Reid’s picture painted on the court,” Monique gushed as she pulled Remi back to the present.

Harry had sent her a picture of the mural that he had painted on the floor but it looked even better in person. She got a little emotional when she looked at all the huge, framed pictures of her father that were strategically placed all around the building like billboards. Harry was keeping his best friend’s memory alive, and Remi appreciated him for that.

“Bitch! Who the fuck is that tall drink of water over there? He keeps looking this way.” Tracy lowered her shades slightly to get a better look.

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