Page 70 of No Remedy for Love

“The first of many, I hope.” Tracy held her glass out and tapped Remi’s.

Blaze was about to reply until his phone rang, displaying his cousin, Zita’s, phone number. His heartbeat quicken, automatically assuming that something was wrong. Zita never called him when she sat with their grandmother. He was the one who usually called her multiple times to check up on her.

“What’s good, Zita? Is Nana okay?” Blaze asked when he answered the phone.

“Blaze, Nana said she needs you now!”

Zita sounded panicked, but that’s not what had Blaze so alarmed. All the noise in the background had him both horrified and confused. When he and Remi left earlier that day, Zita was already dressed down in her pajamas, ready to relax and read. Blaze had cooked enough food for her and their grandmother to eat and he had lots of snacks on deck too.

“Where is she? What’s wrong, Zita? Did you call an ambulance? Please tell me that you called them before calling me.” He didn’t want to believe that his cousin was that slow but he wasn’t so sure anymore.

Blaze didn’t have to tell Remi and the others what was up. When they saw him stand up, they hurriedly did the same.

“No, it’s nothing like that. We’re at the casino and—”

“The casino! The fuck are y’all doing there!” Blaze cut her off before she could even finish her sentence.

As pissed as he was, Blaze was actually a little relieved. He was in the vicinity and could get there in about five minutes or less on foot. His car was actually parked in the casino’s garage since everywhere they went was in the area and within walking distance.

“Just please listen for a minute Blaze and I can explain everything.”

“What part of the casino are y’all in Zita? I’m not that far away.”

“We’re at guest services but listen. Nana—”

“Tell Nana that I’m on my way!” Blaze threw some money on the table and grabbed Remi’s hand before rushing out of the building.

“What’s wrong, baby?” Remi asked as she tried her best to keep up with him. He was damn near dragging her, but she did a slow jog alongside of him.

“I don’t know but this stupid muthafucka got my Nana at the casino!”

Although he took her a few times before, Blaze took the necessary precautions. He made sure that his grandmother had her motorized chair, a mask and her inhaler. Knowing Zita, she probably had her in there walking knowing that she could barely breathe on her own.

“Is there anything that we can do, Blaze?” Tracy asked as she and Vinnie followed behind them. Their car was parked in the casino too, so they had to go the same way.

“No, I’m good. I’m sorry for being rude, y’all. My head ain’t even on straight right now.” Blaze forgot all about Tracy and Vinnie being with them. His first and only thought was to get to his Nana as fast as he could.

“No apologies needed, fam. Just let us know if we can do anything to help,” Vinnie replied.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Blaze and Vinnie bumped fists, as Remi hugged Tracy.

Once they made it to the casino, they parted ways. Blaze and Remi headed inside while Vinnie and Tracy went to the parking garage.

“Where did Zita say they were?” Remi questioned as she looked around the massive casino.

“She said they’re at guest services.”

The both of them looked around until they saw the sign that they were looking for. Blaze’s heart dropped when he saw all the people in the area and he automatically assumed the worst. He was looking for emergency personnel in the crowd but he didn’t see any. That both angered and worried him at the same time. Maybe his grandmother was beyond the point of being helped. That thought alone had him slowing his stride to prolong the possibility of receiving bad news.

“Blaze!” Zita was jumping up and waving him over to her.

“Excuse us. We’re so sorry. Excuse us please.” Remi was trying to be polite because Blaze just bombarded his way through the crowd and over to his cousin. He visibly relaxed when he saw his Nana sitting in a chair talking to a man who appeared to be an employee of the casino.

“There he is! That’s my baby! Blaze, I did it!! I told you that I was gonna do it!” Ms. Bertha was so excited that her breathing was short and labored. It was always bad, but it seemed to be worse since she was so worked up.

“Relax, Nana. Here, calm down and stop trying to talk.” Blaze kneeled down in front of her and grabbed her inhaler from the fanny pack that she always carried. He coached his grandmother on her breathing techniques after she took a few hits. Once she had calmed down, the man who was standing there talking to her spoke up.

“Are you her grandson and caretaker, Blaze?” he asked while looking to Blaze for an answer.

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