Page 71 of No Remedy for Love

“Yes sir, I am. What’s going on?” Blaze was confused but happy to see that his grandmother was okay.

“Come with me please so we can speak in private.”

Blaze didn’t notice it at first but he was happy to see that his grandmother was in a wheelchair. It wasn’t motorized but at least Zita used her head and didn’t make her walk. He pushed his Nana as he, Remi and Zita followed the man all the way to the back hall of the casino to a small room. Three other people were already seated in there, apparently waiting for them to arrive. They were at a huge round table like they were about to have a board meeting.

“Have a seat please,” one of the men instructed as he stood up and gestured to the empty chairs in the room.

Blaze pushed his grandmother up to the table and took a seat next to her. Remi and Zita sat down next to them and waited for someone to start talking.

“What’s is this all about?” Blaze questioned.

“I did it, Blaze. I spent the wheel and won!” Bertha was so excited that she had to take another hit of her inhaler.

“You’ve done that multiple times before, Nana. We didn’t have to come to a private meeting for that.”

“Actually, you did. There are a few forms that has to be filled out for tax purposes and some things that we have to explain.” The man who walked them to the room took over the conversation.

“Tax forms! Since when does she have to do that when she wins money?”

“Well, I’m sure she’s never won this amount before.”

“How much did she win?”

“Three million dollars.”

“What the fuck! Three million dollars!” Blaze jumped up from his chair in shock. He felt like the room was spinning, so he hurriedly sat back down.

“I told you, baby; I had a feeling. I went to sleep and I saw it in my dream. Zita wanted to call and ask you if she could bring me, but I knew you would say no since I haven’t been feeling my best lately. I begged and begged until she finally gave in. One spin and I hit the jackpot! You’re rich and you’ll never have to work another day in your life if you don’t want to.”

Bertha was happier for Blaze than she was for herself. She knew that she would never live long enough to enjoy it but she wanted him to have the carefree life that he deserved. Blaze had sacrificed so much of his life and happiness for her, and she felt that it was only right that he be rewarded for it.

Zita shifted in her seat uncomfortably, but Bertha didn’t miss the angry look that flashed across her face. She didn’t give a damn how she or anybody else felt about it. She appreciated her granddaughter for being there but she had to be honest. If Blaze wasn’t paying her, she wouldn’t have even come over to visit. Before he asked her to start sitting with her, Bertha hadn’t seen her granddaughter in over a year. She was definitely her father’s daughter and everything she did was about a dollar.

“So, wait, let me get this straight,” Blaze held his hands up, “Y’all are telling me that my Nana is about to walk up out of her with three million dollars.” He had his gun in his truck and he was definitely gonna need it if that was the case.

“Not exactly. She did win, so the money is hers. Now, it won’t be a full three million because taxes have to be taken out. Then, there’s the option of her getting it all in one big lump sumor annually until it’s paid out.” The casino’s auditor explained some things to them to help them better understand.

“I’m a sick old woman and I want all of my money now.” Bertha knew that if she died, the payments would stop, and she didn’t want that to happen. She wanted her grandson to enjoy it while he was still young and healthy.

“Understood. We have a few more things to go over with you and we’ll let you be on your way.”

They stayed at the casino for over an hour, as Bertha filled out paperwork and answered a million questions. Blaze barely heard anything else after he was told the amount that his grandmother had won. He was in complete shock and still couldn’t believe that it was real. Shit like that didn’t happen to people that he knew personally or so he thought.

“You can go ahead and peel out, Zita. Thanks for everything, cousin.” Blaze hugged his cousin as they headed out of the casino and to the parking garage.

“And don’t tell nobody about my money and that includes your daddy,” Bertha fussed.

Sadly, she was too late since Zita had already sent him a text. She was sure that he was calling the other siblings if he hadn’t already done so.

“Good night, Nana, love you,” Zita said as she kissed her grandmother on the cheek before getting off the elevator on the floor where her car was parked.

“How old is Zita?” Bertha asked while looking at Blaze.

“I don’t know, Nana. I think she’s in her thirties.”

“In over thirty years, that’s the first time she’s ever told me that she loved me. Sneaky ass heifer ain’t getting none of my baby’s money,” Bertha was fussing under her breath, as Remi and Blaze laughed. He helped her into the car so that he could have a minute alone with Remi.

“I need you to do me a favor, love.” Blaze reached into his wallet and pulled out one of his credit cards. He handed it to Remi, but she didn’t know why.

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