Page 24 of On Everything
“I’m with you when you're right. Let’s do it.” I stood up from the chair and stretched because I hadn’t moved in the last hour.
I scooped up one of the boxes from the ground and started to the van while Mindy started taking the signs down. Since the sun was setting, it wasn’t as hot as earlier, but now with the area being so crowded, it was hard to navigate my way to the car with the large boxes. Not only was this shit wearing me out, but these shorts I had on were riding up my ass. Being sexy is just not as comfortable as being covered up.
“Princeton.”
I saw Pernelle’s little brother on his bike in this tight space, not pedaling but walking his feet on the concrete.
He stopped and turned his head towards my voice.
“What up, Ci?”
“Where is your sister?”
“Over there behind that tree smoking weed. You know that hooker a dope feen.”
“Shut up. Thanks.”
I would’ve swung at him about my bestfriend if I didn’t have this box in my hand. He rolled off laughing because everything was a game to him. I wish I felt like that about my life.
I readjusted the box in my hand and then continued walking before I felt someone else grab my elbow from behind. I turned over my shoulder with an attitude, but the paper white smile on Hov’s face took that attitude away quick. He was wearing a black Yankee cap, with a grey and black Amiri shirtand some black Denim Tears jeans. Fuck, this man is absolutely fine.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, mama.”
“Hov, I, I didn’t think I would see you here.”
“Why not? This is what New York is all about. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
He looked over the crowd of people with a look of gratitude. I could tell he really appreciated the scene.
“Yeah, today has been cool. Hot but cool.”
I made a corny reference and laughed by myself.
“So, where are you taking this box to? It looks too heavy for you to be carrying.”
“Just over to my work van on the corner. Unfortunately, I haven’t been here to enjoy the tournament today. I was sitting under that tent asking for donations because I’m on the clock for my job today.”
“You work at the Assessment center on Baretto Street?”
“Yeah, you’re familiar with it?”
“Yeah, I do a little charity sometimes. I’ve dropped some clothes and other shit to them before. Wrote a few checks.”
He took the insulated Yeti cup up to his lips and took a sip. I’m not sure what he was drinking, but the sound of the ice clicking against the metal sounded refreshing as hell. I’ve been sipping on warm water for the past couple of hours.
“That’s good that you do charity. A lot of people only want to take and not give.”
“That’s the world we live in, but let me get someone to help with this box. You shouldn’t be carrying shit. Hold on.” He whistled and signaled, making three men come over to us.
“What's up?”
“Get this box and take it to that van over there. She got some more shit for you to get after that. Is the van unlocked?”
He looked over to me, and then I hit the unlock button on the keypad.
“You really didn’t have to do that, Hov. I mean, I still haven’t even gotten a chance to thank you for what you did to my apartment. I was speechless. I don’t even know how to thank you.” I placed my hand over my chest.
“You don’t have to thank me. I did what any man in my position is supposed to do.”
