Page 42 of Love & Streetball

That text from Jalen caused me to jump down from the stage. There wasn’t a response from Slim yet, which made me worried. She always texted back instantly.

My feet began to move toward the exit. My shoulders bumped into others, but I kept going. I heard Kayla call my name several times, but she was the last of my worries. Kayla told me she’d got us a room at the most expensive hotel in Heart Heights. Jokes was on her, because after this shit, I was going home. That was the plan, but now I felt like I needed to get to Slim.

Me: What?! Where? Do you know if Slim was with him? She’s not answering my text, and I know she’s not sleep at this time.

I was texting just as fast as my feet were moving to my car. Three bubbles appeared.

Jalen: She was with him bro. They just told me Vani didn’t make it. Fuck. He just fucked up the city with this one man.

I called Slim. No answer. I called again. This time it stopped ringing.

“Slim,” I croaked.

“Hey, Kane. This is Scottie’s mama. She’s…She’s not able to talk right now, baby. I can tell by your tone that you know what’s going on.”

“Yea…Yes ma’am. Can I…” I cleared my throat. “Can I come see her. I know she has you, but…but…I need to see her. Please.”

“She’s not talking to anyone. Not the police. Not me, Kane. She’s traumatized. I don’t know if now is a good time,” she said.

“Please,” I tried again. “She might talk to me. Even if she doesn’t, I want to be there for her when she does.”

The line grew quiet. I made it to my car, unlocked it, and started it as soon as I sat down inside.

“Okay, Kane…but…” She sighed. “If she wants you to leave, please just leave.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed.

She ended the call. I wasn’t even worried about this car being in the hood. I just knew I had to go be a friend. I had to get to Slim.

My location was turned off before I left the parking lot of the Heart Height Exposition Center. My feet were now carrying me up the three steps to Slim’s house. The hood was packed outside with the news of Vani’s death.

I knocked on the door, my hands inside my pockets. The bowtie was long gone, left inside the care on the passenger seat. I could feel folks’ eyes on me…on my expensive car… I didn’t even care about that right now.

The door unlocked and opened. Slim’s mom’s eyes were slightly lowered. Heavy.

“Come on in, Kane. She’s back in her room. She’s like a zombie right now, so, don’t get offended if she doesn’t respond. She was there when…she could have been…” She covered her mouth to muffle her sobs. Locking the door, she headed in the direction of her bedroom.

My legs felt like heavy logs as I traveled the short distance to Slim’s room. I knocked lightly, but as expected she didn’t answer. I turned the lock and pushed the door gently to open it.

Sitting up against the wall where a headboard should be, Slim had her knees to her chest, her head resting on her knees. I closed the door behind me and set my keys on her small dresser. I removed my shoes and cautiously sat down on the edge of her still made bed.

“Slim…” I whispered. “You can talk to me.”

“He’s gone, Kane. My best friend is gone,” Slim whimpered. “Why they have to do him like that. All those bullets. He didn’t deserve that. Vani didn’t deserve that. No matter what he did.”

I let her get it out. Tears fell. My heart shattered. I wanted to reach out to her but didn’t want to suffocate her either. My heart was conflicted.

“I’m sorry, Slim,” was all I could muster out.

“You didn’t even like him,” she replied, her tone ice cold.

“I never said that. I just wanted to make sure you were never near when something like this happened. I didn’t want him to die, Slim. Wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

She covered her face with her hands as she rocked and cried. I stood and walked to the top of the bed where she was and sat down with my back to the wall, shoulder to shoulder with Slim.

“I hate you seen it,” I told her.

“He pushed me. Told me to run. Why didn’t he run with me, Kane? I don’t understand.”