I let out a small breath. “You’re giving yourself way too much credit.”
“Am I?”
Silence fell again, heavier this time.
“You not the reason I got shot,” he added. “But you definitely the reason I’m sitting here thinking about some shit I shouldn’t be thinking about.”
That hit, but I didn’t show it.
“So what?” I said. “You want me to stop talking to you?”
His eyes dropped to my lips for a second before coming back up.
“Did I say that?”
“Then what are you saying?”
He leaned in just enough to close some space. “I’m saying you be playing with me.”
“And what if I am?”
His jaw tightened.
“Then you better know when to stop.”
“Or what?”
There was a pause… then he leaned back, breaking it.
“Go to your little park. Clear your head.”
I stared at him for a second, then shook my head. “You coming or not?”
A slow smirk spread across his face. “Nawl… I’ma let you go ahead and have your time. I’ll be right here.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a few.”
He nodded, turning back to the TV. I didn’t say anything else—I just got up and left.
When I pulled up to the park, Drayla was already there, posted up on one of the benches.
When I pulled up to the park, Drayla was already there, posted up on one of the benches.
“Hey, girl,” I said, dropping down across from her.
“Hey, baby… you good?” she asked, studying me.
“No, not really.” I shook my head.
“What’s wrong?”
I really didn’t know where I wanted to start, but the whole point of me calling her here was to vent and get some things off my chest. I knew I needed to, and on top of that, I knew she was the one person I could do it with.
She had told me so many times that if I ever needed somebody to talk to, she was always here.
“Girl, I don’t even know where to start,” I sighed.
“Take your time, boo. There ain’t no rush,” she replied with a smile.
