Page 26 of Gang of Roses: Dice

Revv was doing his best to hide behind my thick thighs, hoping Pop Pop wouldn’t spot him just yet, so they could play a quick game of hide and seek. My poor baby was terrible at hiding because he giggled the whole time.”

“Where’s Pop Pop’s grandbaby?” Pop Pop sang.

Revv just laughed louder, moving from one leg to the other.

“Where he at? Where he at?” Pop Pop continued to sing, pretending like he couldn’t find Revv.

“If you would put on yo’ glasses, you’d see him from way over there, Larry June,” Coca laughed.

“Here we go,” I muttered.

I shook my head because I already knew what Coca was doing, and it was definitely about to work. We hadn’t even made it to the porch, and those two were already getting started.

“Hol’ up, Hips. Let me put my damn bifocals on ‘cause I thought a confused negro said something.”

Pop Pop pulled his glasses down while Coca sucked his teeth.

“Coreal?"

“Yes, sir?”

“Ah-ha! Exactly!” Pop Pop yelled while slapping the card table like he’d just solved the greatest mystery known to man. “Y’all hear that?” he said while looking around at everyone.

“Hear what?” Coca asked, already feeding the old man more ammunition. He loved getting under this man’s skin for some reason. I believe this was their love language.

“A nigga. A boy. A man. A male. A case of mistaken identity.”

The old man chuckled, and Coca shook his head.

“I love you, grandson, I really do. But I ain’t the only blind muthafucka around this bitch.” He hooked a finger under his glasses and peered over the rims. “You so worried ‘bout my damn eyesight you forgot yo’ own damn gender. Last I checked, every mirror still got you looking like a boy.”

“Whatever, ol’ man. What you got to drink? I need a shot before you work my nerves.”

“I second that,” I agreed.

“Ahh, hell no. Y’all bet not touch my good shit. I think I got some Everclear in there. Go grab that.”

EVERCLEAR? Ain’t nobody want no Everclear.

Before Coca or I could fire back, one of the men I’d never seen before opened his mouth.

“Larry June, I ain’t know you had a faggot for a grandson.”

“Shiiid,” I muttered and dropped my head.

Yup. This fella had to be new.

“Let me tell you som⁠—”

Coca was ready to explode, but Pop Pop silenced him with nothing more than a raise of his hand.

Before anybody could blink, a switchblade was pressed against the man’s throat.

Nobody moved.

This was Larry June’s specialty, and no one budged. No one dared not grab him or the man with a death wish. It was known around town; my grandfather would give you a permanent scar.

I scooped Revv into my arms and took a step back. Coca just stood there with one hand on his hip, and a smirk spread across his face.