“Do you remember what we talked about?” Birdie whispered as she focused on the road. “She will recognize you as your son–––”
“I know she will. I am her first born.”
“Don’t go in there demanding a relationship. Don’t go in being standoffish or cold–––”
“So not be me…”
“Be yourself and represent your sister as well…Just…Let me do the talking,” she blew off. “I will cue you in.”
I glanced at Solomon who had his head back, eyes closed with his arms crossed over his chest, guarded. A man that sits like that always has secrets, but Bellamy kept a watchful eye on him…Bellamy claimed Solomon was speaking privately with Dr. Holmes. I’m sure it was nothing that would go against me but something that benefited him and his people in the long run. I just didn’t know what it could be.
“Nah I’ll be done with work in a few hours,” Seth said with the phone against his ear. His tongue slyly slipped out and draped down the side of his face like a rug rolling out as he glanced out the window in mid shift. “Baby, I’m a grown man…I’m not sending no dick pics through the phone. I’m too old for that. Something this great, you need to see what it can do in person.”
Solomon’s eyes peeked open in disgust towards my brother before looking at me. I shook my head.
“I’m saying though,” Seth continued, voice getting lower. “You want me to do all this talking and I’m trying to show you something baby…stop playing and come see me so I can put your body through it.”
I could hear the girl giggle on the other end as Solomon leaned in towards me.
“She’s probably hit in the face,” he muttered as I grunted with a laugh.
“Yo mama,” Seth tossed back before turning towards the door. “Now what were you saying, baby?”
“My mamawhat?”
“Can get this dick too, fuck you mean?” Seth retorted as Bellamy laughed. I had to reach over the car seat to stop the two from going at it before snarling at my older brother, but it was Birdie who set the car straight.
“If y'all wake my child up, I’m pulling this shit over and leaving y'all on the side of the road to figure it out. I’m not playing,” she threatened. Bellamy turned around to glare at us in the back seat.
“Wake my son up and I’ma wake y'all up,” he threatened. I sucked my teeth, ready to go in on this fake-believe step daddy role he wanted to portray but ultimately decided to chill.
The ride became quiet with the exception of Seth speaking about folding a woman into a pretzel before he too finally got off the phone. Birdie was taking back roads through Middle Georgia and making her way up to Atlanta as the ride seemed to stretch into eternity. I started going through my messages, rereading everything Maggie has ever told me about her mother. I wanted to prepare my declaration to her daughter and prepare for the backlash of possibly losing her, but when Maggie does come back…and I know she will…I wanted her to know I handled it. She will know that I’m the right mate for her. I can protect her as well as the ones closest to her and that I was husband and father material. This would be my statement and gift to her in exchange for her hand and loyalty. I know this isn’t exactly howa human female mind works, but it was the only way I knew how to express myself.
“You think,” Bellamy started as he leaned back in thought. His hand touched the window with his black nail tapping the glass. “You think they know Maggie owns Drew Collins?”
Birdie almost slammed on brakes while I sat up. Seth scratched at his head while Solomon kept his eyes closed but I could see his brows furrow.
“What did you say?” I asked. Birdie kept glancing at him then back at the road only to look back at him once more.
“Maggie is next in line to take Marvin’s place. I signed over my rights to her the moment I met her. I didn’t want this damn school and don’t give a fuck about it. I knew what it was originally for anyway. Just a hunting and breeding ground for them.”
“Does she know?” Seth asked.
“No,” I said. “She would have told me that.”
“You think so?” Bellamy snorted. “She doesn’t even know. Marvin and his siblings split the ownership of Drew Collins estate. Those who own the schools have the most control over the Underground. As we know, this is how the economy works down there. His share was given to me years ago. He just remained the face of it. I gave all my shares to her because I don’t give a damn about the place one way or another. Wilhelmina is gone; the others are dead. Milly, Wesley, all gone…I’m sure they know this which is why they are searching for others in the Underground and searching for my dear sister. Once she’s removed, they believe it's open for the taking. Think of it as taking over the largest bank in the world. It’s the quickest way to power and control.”
Solomon’s eyes open for the first time.
Asha Avery
“Quiet girl, just be quiet!” Jean hissed as he looked around. The small brick home looked newly rebuilt with a maintained backyard and decorated front. Jean Lafayette stood in cream slacks, a white tank top tucked in. His dark sandy brown hair grew lighter from the sun and was combed back from his glossy forehead. He had a cigarette propped in his mouth when he gripped the door knob to jiggle. I turned to look back at Isis.
“Where is that key you had?”
“It only works one time. One door, one time. Can’t we just go through a window on the side?” She asked as she pulled a hood over her head. Souxie, her daddy, and I stared back at the wide-eyed nymph. When she matched our stares, she shrugged. “What? What did I say?”
Jean pinched the cigarette between his fingers before jerking the knob with a hard snap.
