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“Whatever, there’s always someone bigger and stronger than you.” I shrug, and she changes the topic. “Did you get me my cigarettes?”
“No,” I snort. “When do I ever? That shit is bad for you.”
She rolls her eyes. “So is fighting, and you don’t see me stopping you.”
Once she’s done cooking, we settle on the sofa with our bowls of mac and cheese. We change the channel to put a soap on and eat silently.
By the time we’re finished, I clean up as she snuggles on the sofa. I use the occasion to clean her entire kitchen area and wipe the counter. I wash the dishes she’s been leaving in her sink for god knows how long, dry them, and put them away. I sweep her floor, mop, and then move to the TV area. I dust her shelves and clean the table. Then I grab all the dirty clothes and wash them for her before putting them all to dry. By the time I’m done, the trailer is squeaky clean, and she’s falling asleep. My shoulders hurt; I’m exhausted, but at least she’s got a comfortable place to spend the rest of the week.
I sit down next to her and put a hand on her cheek. Her eyes open right away. “I’m leaving you the bedroom,” she says in a groggy voice. “I’ll take the sofa.”
She always does that when I sleep over. Unfortunately, tonight I’m not. “Sorry, Mom. I’m not sleeping here.”
“Why?” The sadness in her voice breaks my heart, but I can’t let it get to me.
“I have classes early tomorrow, and I can walk to college from Dad’s.”
She nods. “How is he? How’s Aisha?”
“Good. They keep inviting you over. You should really come sometime.”
“I’m okay here,” she nods to herself.
My mom and dad didn’t divorce on bad terms. Their love faded over the years because of her illness. It was too hard for Dad, and she loved him, so she let him go. She’s not angry and has even met his new wife, Aisha. She’s Lik and Xi’s mom. She’s happy for them. As happy as Mom can get.
I give her a kiss on her forehead and point to the tea I just finished making for her. “Drink that. It’s chamomile and will help you sleep.”
“Goodnight, angel,” she says as I get up. “Say hi to Emma for me.”
“Of course, Mom. Will do.”
I leave and get back to my car. As soon as I’m in, I call Xi.
“Hey,” I say as I drive away. “What’s up?”
“I know you’re going to be super mad at me, but I have a huge favor to ask you.”
“Go on,” I say warily.
“One of my guys got jumped by some Kings. They took all his cash. He wants to get rid of the food he has left so he can take a break. He’s on edge right now and doesn’t want anything on him. Can you pick it up from him?”
And byfood, he meansdrugs.
“Why don’t you go?” I huff.
“I’m with Emma dealing with some other shit. Come on, Bil’s. It’ll be quick.”
“Is there a lot?”
“He’s a distributor, so, yeah. Enough to distribute.”
“Xi, you know I can’t do that shit anymore. If I get caught, I can kiss goodbye to professional MMA—”
The phone scratches, and Emma’s voice is next on the line.“I know this is shit, Bil’s, but he lives really close to Mom’s. The guy is traumatized right now, he wants out for a bit and we need to keep selling.”
“What kind of gang dealer gets traumatized for getting jumped? Happens to literally everyone.”
“Please,” she insists.
