Page 19 of Gang of Roses: Kash

“We good. I’ll be there.” With that, she hung up and that was all she wrote. She had nothing else to say to us. I was grateful to even get that, so I wasn’t gon’ push for more.

“Sis, I know you pissed with me, but we got to push that shit to the side. Money, freedom, and our lives are on the line with this. We can’t fuck it up,” I spoke sternly to Dice.

“I know what’s at stake Kash. Much like Rebel, I’ll be there. How are you though? I might as well ask since you on the phone.”

“What you think? I’m fucked up in the head Dice, but it is what it is. I’ll see you soon.”

Hanging up, I dropped my cell on the counter and continued to clean up the mess I made. When I turned around, Declan was standing there with his hands in his pockets. I wasn’t sure of what he heard but from the look on his face, it said he’d heard enough. I went to finish cooking, and he said nothing. I wasn’t gon’ speak until he did.

Declan was the kind of man that didn’t hound or hover. He was definitely gon’ say something just not now. If I knew him like I thought I did, he was gon’ wait until Dice and Rebel got in town to see what game plan we could come up with.

“You ready to eat?” I inquired.

He offered a low chuckle before walking away to the living room saying, “Yeah. What’s on the menu?”

“Beef stir fry and eggrolls. That’s cool?”

“Yeah.”

Nodding, I finished whipping it up in the kitchen. I didn’t hide shit from D-Row. He was the one person I could be myself with at all times. The judgment was never given no matter the topic and respect was always in the room. I expected nothing less from him this go ‘round.

His plate was fixed shortly after, and I was joining him on the sofa. Handing over his food, he said grace and we began to dig in. He wasn’t gon’ poke so it was on me to let him in.

“We’re taking it all, D. Ain’t no ifs, ands, or buts. This the only way I get to see and spend time with my sisters. So… spare me, please.”

He took a few bites of his food without acknowledging what I said. I could see the wheels turning in his head, but he’d yet to let me in. Realizing there wasn’t much coming from this, I kept quit and paid attention to my own plate. We ate in silence.

Once he was done, he stood and said, “I’ll have the floor plans ready for you by Thursday. Don’t piss me off and get hurt, Sol. I will tear this city up behind y’all, you especially.”

“Thank you, baby.” I smiled as he walked into the kitchen. He was heaven sent, and he knew it. Having my back the way he did was what caused me to love him. This job was gon’ be easy peasy.

6

SOLIDARITY

D-ROW

Time healed everything… so they said. Finding out ‘bout Rose and her death hit hard. However, I couldn’t breakdown while my baby already was. The other day, while she cooked and I showered, I had my moment then. Them girls were close as fuck making them an extension of my lady. They were my sisters just as much as they were hers.

Knowing that she felt alone, I had to bring her to the crib so she could get some love for real. My folk ain’t never turned her away. From the second they met Sol, she was considered a daughter to my parents and another sibling to mine. They barely let her breathe when she was around. I knew what was coming as soon as we walked inside.

Bringing her hand to my lips, I kissed the back of it and asked, “You good? We can chill somewhere else until you ready to go to the fair.”

Shaking her head, she answered with, “No, no, I’m cool baby. I missed your mother anyway. From all the cars in the driveway, I’m assuming everybody’s here.”

“They canceled their plans when they found out you was coming over. You know how they get when it comes to you.” She couldn’t help but laugh at my response. “It’s good seeing you smile Ma. You haven’t really done it since we been kicking it.”

“I’m sorry, D. I just been in my head a lot. I’ll do better,” she expressed.

My face bunched up momentarily before saying, “I ain’t someone you got to be perfect for. Don’t ever think you have to change how you handle your emotions to please a muthafucka, especially me. I’m locked in with you regardless, so if you ain’t got shit to smile about then don’t. I’m a patient nigga, you know that, so don’t force it.”

Stepping out my whip, I shut the door and rounded the car to help her out. Once she was out and clinging to my arm, we strolled inside. All we heard was old skool jams flowing throughout the crib. We both knew what that meant.

Following the loud talking, laughing, and smell of good food, we ended up in the kitchen where my family and their plus ones were fixing plates. I walked over to my mother causing her to jump when I touched her back. When she turned around and realized it was me, a smile grew on her face. She couldn’t throw her hands around me good before Sol caught her attention.

“Oh, my goodness, baby girl. Come here,” she sang, walking toward Solenne with those same open arms.

“Hi Ma Sasha,” Sol chimed returning the energy my mother was giving her.