Page 73 of Citiali: Teach
“Why was that hard?”
“You’re a President and I have to answer. Deflecting or answering with a question isn’t allowed.”
Hemy laughs. “Tell him why so we’re not here all afternoon.”
Fuckin Pres. Prez laughs.
I shake my head smiling. “Justice needs to run Protectors all over the country. He can’t if his focus is on Phoenix only. He’s like Christian and Dakota for you. Raise him higher so he can do his job effectively. We need guides and he’s one of them.”
“Planning, the dream team? Drop him from that?”
“The LS board does Club planning. Get a reader to give you if it’s a right fit. You don’t need Justice for that. It’s kid shit for the President of Protectors to be doing. You have Undeen, Naaki and even Caelan that could give you those answers.”
“Jesus. Why didn’t he say?”
I hold my laugh but I’m smiling. “You’re Cort, his President, a fuckin’ giant and when you talk, he listens.”
He smiles. It beats the scary eyes. “I need to let up on Falcon and Raid too.”
It’s a question even though it doesn’t sound like it, so I nod. “In time, the Brothers will work to prevent and not just point out future issues. They’re going to get numb to fighting fires and work like robots, which will stop them from working to prevent the fires in the first place.”
Prez and Hemy laugh. “Take the advice, Brother. I used to get warnings that you were moving too fast. I like the fast butliked the warnings more. It’s a lesson I’m learning now.” Prez Knight shows why he’s Prez.
I nod.
“Do you have help for me?”
I turn to Hemy and put my arm out. “Andrew is the Leader we know him to be. Keep supporting Atohi, he’s young and may not always feel appreciated. Yona can help with the why’s.”
He looks concerned but nods. “Why he thinks he’s not good enough?”
“Yona helps, Pres. I’m not there and I was always his shield. He says you find him and jump with the Little Brothers. He looks up to you and you seem to have picked up the shield. There are no other ability Indians as a guide in Virginia. Yona is his constant but you’re Hemy.”
He nods. “I’ll be the shield. Those kids know more than me.”
I laugh. “Lessons never stop, Boss.” I throw his own words at him.
He pushes me, letting my arm go. “Fuck off, it’s true.”
I smile at him.
***
Badass tent city
Behind the tree quickie is a thing now. Dyani says it’s number three. I don’t mention we were shielded and no one can see us. The list said danger of being seen so I gave her that, or more accurately, let her think it. No one is ever seeing her come for me. Cleaned up and walking, I get the whole list again. She’s happy, relaxed and excited to be summoned to the tent city again.
“Do you want a drink before whatever crazy they’re planning happens?” She likes a watermelon drink the ol’ ladies made and the tiki bar is just ahead of us.
“Water. The women are crazy too. They’ll have drinks made or we’ll make them when everyone gets here.” She looks around. “It looks like everyone is still here.”
I laugh. “It’s a celebration of life, sort of.” I turn to the Prospect. “Two waters.”
“I thought it’s for you?”
I take the water and turn her. “Not really. Most don’t know what happened and I’m glad to let it go. Right now, the threat level is down so low everyone feels safe. They gather and recharge with their Brothers before the next threat hits. It’s not every day you get to see and reconnect to your Brothers from away. Prez, the old Pres and every Lead is here. It’s like seeing real life legends all together so they’ll drag it out as long as it lasts.”
She smiles up at me so I bend to kiss that happy. I never expected this. She’s doing classes to understand our words and the social graces she missed while chained to a building. She picks everything up so fast, I’m floored sometimes, like now, she’s an amazing woman and I’ll never forget to show her.
