Page 3 of Welcome to the Heart Of A Maniac
While he was out serving the streets, I used every opportunity I could to place my head in a book. I’d be riding shotgun with him, he’d be making transactions, and I’d be lost in another world. One thing Uncle Trayvon made certain was that I was street smart and book smart. He always said that being book smart would only take me so far. The doors the books open for me, I’m gon’ need those street smarts as well. Though I didn’t like the way I grew up, I’m appreciative of it.
Screaming pulled me from my thoughts. I looked through the glass to the waiting area and Aria was boxing two women at the same time. One of the other ones filmed and another hid behind Idris. Aria punched the phone right into the girl’s eyejust as security grabbed her from behind and carried her in my direction.
“And I’m gon’ fuck y’all up every time I see you bitches!” Aria screamed as they carried her out the door.
The guard planted her on her feet on the sidewalk. “We have to call the police for this incident,” he spoke.
“Please?” I clamped my hands together at my mouth. “Just let her go with a warning. I promise that we’ll leave and not come back.” I’m trying my best to reason with him. The last thing we needed right now is for him to call the police on her and she ends up in jail. I’d have to get the money together to get her out because her mama isn’t going to.
Aria and her mama wasn’t really on the best of terms. As someone who didn’t have a mama at all, I hated that for them. Aria and her mama fell out because her mama was one of those women who changed men like she changed her draws, and most of the men she was attracted to was no good. The last man she brought around came onto Aria and when she said something to her mama about it, she took the nigga’s side. I thought that was wild of her.
Aria gave her a chance to confront the man and apologize to her for calling her a liar, but she never did. It broke Aria’s heart, but she learned that she had to love her mama from a distance.
“Fine, get out of here,” the guard finally answered, breaking me from my thoughts.
“Fuck you!” Aria spat as I grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her across the parking lot, away from the hospital before they changed their mind.
When we made it across the street where I was parked, I released Aria’s hand. She stood there, chest heaving and eyes in slits. The words didn’t have to escape her lips. She wanted to go back in there and finish fucking them up. It wasn’t really worth it.
“That was fucked up and you know it. Soon as his ass gets out of here, I’m gon’ fuck him up too. He better hope he dies on that table.”
I gasped. “That’s not a nice thing to say, Aria.”
“Girl, fuck him. That nigga cheated on you and have been probably ever since y’all been together. That’s just karma whooping his ass as she should.”
Removing her keys from her pocket, she hit the fob on her white Kia K5 that wasn’t parked too far from my truck.
“Cry, get all that shit off ya chest tonight. Don’t let his bum ass have you down for long. You deserve better.”
“I know.” My head lowered and I blinked back tears. I gave Cassius the benefit of the doubt. The thought of him cheating on me never crossed my mind, and I guess that’s the problem. People are capable of anything, and I had to remember that.
Unlocking my truck, I went to the driver’s door and opened it. Leaning down, I turned the key in the ignition, and it clicked like it did before I got here.
“It’s tripping again?” Aria asked from the front bumper of the truck. My Chevy acting up was nothing new for either of us.
“Yeah. I’ll get Tyree to take a look at it tomorrow and see what’s wrong with it.”
Aria smacked her lips. “What I told you ’bout letting that shady tree ass nigga do stuff to yo’ truck? He’s probably the reason why it’s not running in the first place.”
“You know I don’t trust too many people with her.”
“At this rate, you’re going to have to take her to a shop. I’ll help you look around for one if you want me to ’cause Tyree ain’t it.”
Climbing into the butter seat, I gently pressed the gas and turned the key over again. This time it started straight up. “See, she just needs a lil love.”
“Love?” She chuckled. “Yeah, whatever. Just let me know when you make it to the house.”
“Okay.” I shut the door and sat there ’til she made it to her car and was safely inside. Pulling out my space, I headed toward Wares Ferry Road to go home. I’d had a long night and all I wanted to do at this point is go home and take a hot shower, put something on my stomach, and climb into bed.
As I pulled off, my phone vibrated. I fumbled, grabbing it from my lap to see who it was.
Unknown: We need to meet.
Kairo “Maniac” Saint-Mercier
The bottom of my red bottom loafers touched the asphalt as I stepped out of my navy-blue Maserati and shut the door behind me. Flipping my wrist, I checked the time on my black Movado watch. I’m a bit behind schedule, but I wasn’t worried about it.
The summer heat had finally loosened its grip, leaving the air warm but gentle. It’s almost about that time for me to pull my trenches out.
