Page 31 of A Boy is a Gun: Part I
Ethan stares down at me hard like he’s trying not to be intimidated, but I can smell fear, and he’s full of it. Going after me is one thing; dealing with the dynasty known as Eric Page is a different ballgame.
“I don’t mean to interrupt this love affair,” Tesh’s voice breaks the ice. She has Ayesha with her. “But I’m here to pick up my grandbaby and take her to the park. Good morning, Ethan.” She reaches in and grabs Mia from me. I kiss my daughter goodbye.
“Good morning, Tesh.” Ethan breaks his gaze and focuses on her. Good pet. “I hope you’re having a good morning.”
“I am once I get my grandbaby,” Tesh straps her in the stroller, “now if you two excuse us, we’re about to get our order and leave. Try not to burn down the coffee shop while you’re at it.” They walk away with Mia.
Ethan shakes his head. “You’re always protected.” He watches the ladies order. “No matter where you go, you always have someone watching over you.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I ask him. “Aren’t you?”
“I don’t run an illegal syndicate,” Ethan turns back to me and hardens his gaze, “you do.”
“You make many accusations, and you can’t prove not one of them, Officer.” I shrug. Tesh and Ayesha take the orders and talk to other community people. “Just like I can easily say you were hiding the man that assaulted Patrice, and you were involved with the East Atlanta Cartel. I can even say the dead bitch Jackie might have been your informant, and she told you everything I was doing. But to go after me, that would mean you would have to explain to your superiors how you knew so much, and well, that’s a little complicated, isn’t it?”
Ethan shifts his stance, but it’s not a stance one feels when they’re uncomfortable. It’s a stance when someone is trying hard not to kick someone’s ass. “You don’t know shit, Page.”
“Au contraire. I know a lot.” I step outside, and of course, Ethan follows me. I lean against the brick exterior and cross my ankles in a spectacular ‘I don’t give a fuck’ stance. “Like how the real reason you don’t like me is that Jackie stopped fucking you and started fucking my father before she moved on me? Is that it?”
Ethan scoffs. “You think I care about a dead bitch?”
“If she was supplying you info to take the heat off her? Yes. Yes, I do.” I grin. “Isn’t that why you started to go after me and not the other gang? You don’t care if Tyrone and Tamika get hooked on drugs as long as it’s not Becky and Todd, just like every other law enforcement agency. It’s only a war on drugs when people who look like us are addicts.”
“How can you sleep at night?” Ethan leans against the wall and mimics my stance. He’s avoiding answering what I’m saying either because he thinks it’s preposterous or there’s some truth to what I’m saying. Only time will tell, which is the truth. “Knowing there’s a target on your back at any given time? Knowing you’re ruining so many people’s lives because you want to get rich. You have everything at your fingertips, yet it wasn’t enough for you.”
“I usually shower, but sometimes a hot bath with lavender oil does the trick. I listen to John Coltrane and read The Art of War. I might have a light snack prepared by my chef, Ayesha. And then, if she’s up for it, I’ll fuck Taylor until she can’t walk.” I grin as Ethan restrains himself again. “And that, Officer, is how I sleep at night.”
Ethan shakes his head and watches Tesh and Ayesha get into an SUV with Mia in tow. They strap her in the car seat and slowly pull out of the crowded parking lot. “Your days are numbered, Page. I need one more thing, and you’re done.”
“I hope it’s the best thing you can come up with because that’ll be why you’ll lose everything.” I caution him. I wave the ladies goodbye and smile. “You keep thinking I’m playing with you, and you haven’t seen anything yet.”
“I’ll be willing to do all that and more,” Ethan promises, “you think your rich Daddy is going to save you?”
“No, but IknowI’ll ruin you,” I’m beyond irritated, and I’m doing everything I can to not shoot this smug motherfucker in broad daylight, “you don’t want it with me, bitch.”
“We’ll see about that,” Ethan promises.
Just as I was about to go inside and say goodbye to Taylor, I heard screeching tires and gunshots. My heart drops to the pit of my stomach, and I already know what happened before confirmation. I see it when I rush out to the middle of the street.
Ayesha’s SUV is shot up.
Seven
Taylor
“So, the same layout will be like it’s at Fresh Espresso,” one of the contractors says, “except we’ll have a nice stage here for open mic and live music.”
“That’s great!” I feel my eyes become watery, but I’m trying to keep everything at bay. My Daddy would be so proud. He loved hosting an open mic at Fresh Espresso, and the community also enjoyed it.
Many younger acts and spoken word poets passed through there, and some even became huge artists. They always gave a shoutout to Daddy and Fresh Espresso in their music, and I hope to continue the tradition.
I step away from the conversation and walk around the area. It’s like Restoration Hardware had a baby with one of the Blackest interior designers; it’s my new restaurant. My heart is so full, and I’m a little overwhelmed.
I’m a small business owner and a young mother, all at 22. Aside from who my child’s father and his family, I’m living the American Dream. I’m doing everything my father wanted me to do. I feel his presence more than ever.
Jamie finishes meeting with the construction team, and we all make friendly conversation. The construction team leaves, and Jamie turns to me with an excited smile, and she’s bouncing. “It’s happening, Tay! We’re going to open in six months!”
“Six months?” My eyes widen. I knew it would be soon, but I didn’t realize it would be that soon. Jamie wants to make sure the restaurant is perfect with no issues. And because this is Jamie, she will go Super Black for this restaurant. All Black employees, all Black everything. She is the Karen Jay-Z.
