As I stood in line trying to decide between the dry-ass baked chicken or asking the fine-ass nurse in front of me for her number, Denny called.
“Yo, what’s up? You a’ight?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m a little shaken up, but I’m holding it together.”
“Where you at right now?”
“I’m at the hospital. I’m probably gonna be here for a minute.”
“You at the hospital for real? Damn, man. I mean, I heard what happened, but I thought the niggas was lying. I damn near put my hands on the dude that told me.”
The nurse turned around, and we made eye contact. I smiled as she gave me a quick look up and down. Her face wasn’t as impressive as her ass in those scrubs, but she was decent.
“This is crazy. You know if I woulda knew that shit was going down, I would have had your back,” Denny said.
“It’s cool. I ain’t even tell nobody. I just came straight here.” I was surprised that Denny seemed so upset about my moms. Then again, we had been friends and partners since middle school.
Denny exhaled. “He whooped your ass that bad?”
“What?” I said, thinking I’d misheard him.
“I mean, when I heard it, I figured you got roughed up a little, but you went straight to the hospital. Yo, how we gonna handle this shit?” Denny asked. “Matter of fact, don’t even worry about it. You rest up. Trust, this nigga Vaughn ain’t getting away with this shit.”
“Vaughn? Denny, what the fuck are you talking about?” I said, hopping out of line and rushing out of the dining room.
“I’m talking about Vaughn putting his hands on you in the bathroom at the club last night.”
“His hands on me? Now, you know that shit ain’t happen.” I almost laughed at the thought of that ever occurring. “That nigga might be big, but there is no way I’d let him put his hands on me. I’d shoot his ass first.”
“But you just said you was at the hospital.”
“Bro, I’m here with my moms. She had a heart attack last night, and now it’s some shit going on with her kidneys.”
Denny was quiet for a minute.
“Denny, what the fuck is going on?” I asked.
“Yo, man, this shit is crazy. Word on the street is Vaughn rolled up on your ass last night and fucked you up.”
“I wasn’t even in New York last night. I was in Miami with Kandace. That’s probably why he’s coming out of his mouth sideways like that, but he’s about to regret it.”
“Word,” Denny said. “Let’s take care of this nigga.”
“Where the fuck you at?”
“I’m on my way to my baby mom’s right now. What you thinking?”
“I’m gonna go spend a little time with my moms and then catch a catnap. I’ll call you in a few hours. I got an idea that’s gonna put Vaughn in his place and get my moms the money she needs for her hospital bills.”
Nevada
16
I was lying across my bed, half asleep, when a chime came from my iPad. I sat up and read the notification from Instagram, letting me know that someone named KBeauty was attempting to send me a message. I had no clue who KBeauty was. It wasn’t anyone I followed, so I wasn’t going to accept the message without doing a little investigating. I clicked on the profile and smiled when I realized it was Kia, then immediately accepted the request.
KBeauty: I need your help!!!!
NevadaD23: You okay? What’s up?
KBeauty: I’m going to fail this GED exam if I don’t get some help.
NevadaD23: No you’re not. I got you. What seems to be the problem?
KBeauty: Everything. I just don’t get any of this math. Think we could meet up so you can help me?
NevadaD23: Meet up? Like in person?
As soon as I typed the message, I regretted it. I no doubt sounded like a lame, and Kia would think I was corny after reading it. But I was pleasantly surprised by her response.
KBeauty: Yes, in person. Not only can I get help with my math, but I also get to see your cute face.
NevadaD23: I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m kinda on lock down.
KBeauty: I mean, I kinda figured something happened when you left all of a sudden the other day without saying goodbye.
NevadaD23: Yeah, my mom kinda spazzed out and made me leave, but I’ll make this happen. Gimme five minutes.
KBeauty: Okay.
I hopped up and walked into the living room, but no one was there. I went into the bedroom on the other side of the hotel suite that my mother slept in. She was going through some papers in her briefcase.
“Mom?” I walked in.
“Yes. What is it, Nevada”?” She sighed, putting the papers in a folder, then into the leather bag.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“No, I have a business meeting with someone here in the suite,” she told me.
That was good news to me. She might be happy to have me out of the way so she could have privacy for her meeting. I took a chance and asked, “Well, can I go to the library?”
“Library? Why? School hasn’t even started, Nevada.” She wasn’t as eager as I had hoped.
“Mom, you know I’m in AP classes and had summer assignments.”
“So, you haven’t completed them? The summer is over.” She shook her head and folded her arms.
“I have completed them, but there’s some last-minute research I want to do, that’s all. Besides, I’m about to go crazy in this suite. It’s just the library. Please,” I begged.
“Fine, Nevada. You can go for the afternoon, and that is it.”
“Thank you, Mom.” I ran over and gave her a kiss.
“I will have the driver drop you off,” she stated.
I turned to walk away with a slight smile on my face, which she quickly erased for me.
“And I’ll have him wait for you until you are finished. Two hours. That’s it.”
“But Mom, why can’t I just have my phone
