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“You must’ve left something, huh, Dime?” He asks with a mouth full, not realizing it’s me. We exchange tense looks once my identity is clear to him.
“Ah fuck,” he mumbles, “You’re not my new pussy.”
“Clearly, nigga. I am a very pissed off big brother though.”
“Don’t start your shit, Dame. Aight? It’s been a good morning.”
He allows me into Dime’s crib. The scent of weed and God knows what else lingers in my nose. His bag is lying on the floor, full of a bunch of shit. I laugh without realizing it.
“I see. Guess you found a new woman to shack up with, huh?”
“It’s not even like that,” he explains, sitting down on the couch.
“Really? You meet a woman overnight and you’re already in her house eating Crunch Berries. Exactly what is it, Rayne?”
“A nigga was hungry. Besides, you didn’t want to help me out. Guess I found somebody who knows what it’s like to be out in the cold.”
“You’re not out in the cold, little bro. Your brain is just frozen.”
“Man, fuck off, Big Bro.”
“I’m joking, Rayne. It’s a joke. Look, I ain’t come here to squabble, man. I’m past that.”
“Yeah? Guess Ma got on your ass this morning too.”
“Maybe. But she’s right. It’s time to stop with this bullshit between us.”
“What’s that mean?”
“It means, going forward, however you plan to go about your life is all on you.”
“All on me?”
“All on you.”
Rayne sighs, putting the bowl down onto a coffee table in front of him.
“See, you don’t get it. You always talk down to me like I don’t have the potential to change shit around. I may not be like you, big bro. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see everything you do. And I see how you show love to everybody else over me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Destiny. Morgan. Your coffee shit. That hot dog selling nigga. Those hoes you always had around. Everybody is a priority to Big Bro. Except little bro. It’s always been that way. And I’ve been thinking lately. Maybe if I had my brother actually around, showing me the same love that shit could be different. What you said before, about me not being able to take care of my people. You were right. Because I don’t have people. I’ve only ever had me. At least until last night.”
“You know what? You’re right. You’re one hundred percent right, Rayne. You haven’t been a priority. I’ve left you out here to die. And I can own up to that. As a man. I appreciate you holding me accountable. But for once, just once, I wish you’d listen to me and try to do better. Try. That’s all I’m asking, fam. You have it in you. And no woman, or even us, can stop you at your most focused. I know my little brother. You just need to find something you want to do. And fuckin’ win.”
“Well, I’ll think about that. But for now, this is me. I’m just living one day at a time.”
“As long as you’re living. I love you, little bro.”
“Same.”
We shake hands, which turns into a hug. The first one we’ve legitimately shared in years. There’s no punches being thrown. No names being called. No threats. No animosity. Just a much-needed embrace between two brothers that’s interrupted by a phone call. I back up to go into my pocket, pulling the phone from it. It’s Destiny.
“I guess it's family reunion time, type shit,” I joke, answering the phone, “What’s up little sis?”
“Is this Damien?”
The voice isn’t my little sister. It’s the voice of a man. A very angry sounding man. Dread reigns over my body instantly.
