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She laughed.
“So, look, I forgot to ask you if you wanted something to eat. I was going to guess, but I mentioned your name and the owner gave me an elaborate order replete with a cold pack for the coleslaw and instructions to put it in the fridge because you’re not going to eat it right away.”
“Mr. Mitchell, he knows me well. How much do I owe you?” she asked while reaching into her purse.
“Nothing, it’s on me. Is there a break room where the girls can eat?”
“Thank you. Yes, they can sit at that table in the corner,” Cam motioned toward the small table in the corner of the room.
The girls followed me over the table. I gave them their food and was about to sit down to eat mine when my phone vibrated. The number was unavailable, but since this was my work number, I answered it.
“This is Morris Owens.”
“Moe…” I recognized Bee’s voice immediately.
“What the fuc…” I caught myself before I finished the word.
“Daddy!” Fee scolded.
I muted the phone.
“I know, baby girl, I’m sorry. I’m going to take this call outside…” I looked at Cam for permission to leave the girls again.
“Go ahead. I am going to sit with the girls and enjoy my free lunch,” she smiled.
“Behave! I will be right outside,” I said to the girls as I stepped out of the salon again.
“Bee?” I said after unmuting the phone.
“Moe, they got me locked up down here in the city over some shit that ain’t got nothing to do with me! They said it’s going to cost fifteen hundred to get me out. Do you think you could lend that to me until I can get to my money? My cousin Fats will come and pick it up.”
“You got some fucking nerve calling me after the girls haven’t heard from you in over a month. Then you are asking me for something without first checking on your daughters! Where the fuck have you been for the last thirty-plus days?”
“Tony had to lay low because some shit popped off. I broke my phone and couldn’t get your number out! Fats called the firm, and they gave her your number,” Bee answered.
“Lose it again.”
I disconnected the call and paced the sidewalk, trying to calm myself down.
The phone rang again. I connected the call but didn’t speak.
“Moe, I knew they would be okay with you and out of harm’s way,” Bee said.
“Why are you locked up and don’t lie because I can look it up myself!”
“Me and Tony was in the car, and the police pulled us over for nothing, Moe. I swear we wasn’t doing anything wrong. Anyway, they searched the car and found some stuff that I swear is not mine. Moe, I can’t stay here. I have already exhausted all my other resources, and you know I wouldn’t ask unless it was completely necessary,” Bee pleaded.
“Bee, are you on drugs? You gotta be motherfuckin’ high to call me and ask me for money when I give you money every month for kids that I have the majority of the time now!”
“Moe…Moe…look, I promise on my life that I will give your money back with interest if necessary. I just gotta get out of here. I’m not built for jail, you know that,” Bee rambled.
I sat quietly for a minute, contemplating leaving her in jail. I didn’t owe her shit. Not a gotdamn thing. I didn’t need her to help with the girls because I’d already put them in the aftercare program, which was phenomenal. Keeva’s staff picked them up from school. Once they arrived at aftercare, they had a choice of activities they could participate in like dance, art, and sports. I didn’t have to pick them up until eight o’clock, but I usually picked them up by six-thirty. Now I had Cam to take care of their hair for me. We were good. Then I thought about how my girls would feel if they knew that I had the power to get their mother out of jail, but instead, I let her stay. That thought lingered longer than my first thoughts.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“I’m at the city lockup,” Bee quickly responded.
“Alright. Fats can meet me at the firm in the morning.”
