𝐎𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠 ᥫ᭡

XLI

N'laisah Dior Olsen
Monroe, Louisiana

"Damn you sick as a dog." I rub Amari's back as he slouches over the toilet.

"Drink you sum water Mari." I sit a water bottle next to him.

He been puking all morning.

"Thanks ma." He drinks it.

"You pregnant?" I ask before busting out laughing.

He looks at me crazy before getting up to brush his teeth.

"Well how else you got sick then?"

"Ion know." He mumbles.

"You stay home today, imma getchu sum medicine, okay?" I wrap my arms around his waist.

He shakes his head no while rinsing his mouth out.

"Why not?" I roll my eyes.

"I got shit tuh do." He says.

"You sick. Stay home dammit."

"Nah." He wipes his mouth off.

"I'll lock you up in dis muhafucka like the bitch that stole Repunzel did."

"Just lay down aight. Imma be back in a couple hours." I say softly.

"Aight ion feel good so hurry home." He agrees.

"Where you going?" He asks.

"Mind yours." I hold my hand up.

"Where is you going guhl?" He goes and lays down on the bed.

"Trust me." I plead.

"Be safe." He mumbles.

"I'll be back later. Love you." I lean over the bed and kiss him.

"Love you too."

I grab purse, car keys, and my extended clip before leaving.

I feel bad my baby is sick but I'm glad he ain't up and alert. If he knew what I was doing, he'd flip.

He been tryna get me away from the streets lately.

I check my phone to see the address one more time. I confirm it and drive to Ceramica's grandma's house.

No, I'm not going to hurt some old lady. I'm not that fucking evil.

But the idea of my opps visiting my granny, if she was alive, would piss me all the way off.

"Who is it!?" Miss Aloe yells through the door.

She opens the door and studies me for recognition.

"Who are you?" She asks.

"I'm a friend of your granddaughter Ceramica's." I smile.

"Oh okay, come in." She welcomes me into her home.

I look at the pictures along the wall. One in particular, a picture of a little girl and a little boy.

I'm assuming Ceramica and her brother.

"Aw this is cuteeee." I laugh.

"Yea that's beetle butt and NayNay. They was so cute when they was luh. Used to argue like cats and dogs but they shole did love each other at the end of the day they family." She explains.

"Well it shole is nice to finally meet you Miss Aloe. Ceramica always tells me about you." I lean against the stairwell.

"Do I gotta get my switch out on ha?" She squints her eyes.