He sighed heavily and shook his head like a grieving husband.
“Damn, Slick.”
“Man, stop acting like somebody died.”
“You did,” Jio replied. “Old you gone.”
Slick stared at him. He didn’t expect that to hit him like that.
The truck grew quiet again before Slick cleared his throat.
“I still need money though.”
“You think Ima let you starve?”
“Nah, but,” he hesitated. “I need something else to do.”
Jio nodded slowly. “I got you.”
Slick looked over suspiciously. “Doing what though?”
“Something legal nigga. Give me a second to get it figured out, but you’ll be good regardless, you know that.
“Legal sound too close to broke.” Slick frowned, he didn’t like the way that sounded.
Salim burst out laughing. “Nah, facts son.”
“I’m serious!” Jio pressed.
“You can go back to school.”
“Nigga to do what?” School wasn’t his forte, the only thing he was ever good at was Math.
Jio shrugged. “Learn some shit. What are you interested in?” Jio wanted him to find something that he was passionate about. It was easier to be dedicated to a vision when it was your own.
“Money.”
“Besides money bro.”
Slick thought about it and, weirdly enough, he didn’t have an answer.
“That’s the problem with all of us though. Niggas get in the streets at fourteen and never figure out who they are outside of surviving.”
Slick looked out the window again.
“It’s all good though,” Jio continued. “Us three together are smarter than half the idiots running these companies. Go learn all you can about running a business. Salim, you should get your real estate license. We can tap into Construction and get them government contracts. Shit, Slick, you nice on the grill. Go to culinary school. I don’t know…. Just learn something,” Jio reiterated.
Slick shook his head slowly.
“Jio, I never pictured myself in no classroom.”
“Shit I bet you didn’t see yourself in rehab either.”
His comment shut him up.
Jio leaned back in the seat. “I’ll pay for whatever.”
“You serious, aren’t you?” Salim questioned.
