Book Two: Adaptation

•4•

•Abel•

•a couple days later•

Just stepping out of the shower, I take my towel to wrap it around my waist before I step over to the sink. Using a hand towel, I wipe off the mirror then grab my toothbrush to brush my teeth. While I'm doing this, I hear my phone go off in the bedroom, so I go to see who's calling me.

Picking my phone up off the night stand I see its Hawk.

"Hello" I answer.

"What's good, bro? I hear congratulations are in order"

I head back to the bathroom to brush my teeth after I find some boxer briefs to put on. "Yeah, thanks"

"No problem. I can't believe you're getting married; never thought I'd see the day"

"Me neither honestly. Now I know what Sal was talking about when him and Rima first got together."

"Now they got a baby on the way" he laughs. "You think him and Lamar planned that shit? Can't be a  coincidence they both about to have babies"

Spitting in the skin I rinse my mouth out, "Nah I don't think so. Lamar just wasn't being careful is all that is. Still I think he's really feeling this one"

"Yeah, you probably right. So when's the wedding?"

Wiping off my mouth I take out my lotion, "Some time next summer. Don't have a specific date yet"

"Next summer? Y'all are going to be engaged for a whole year?"

"And? Some couples get engaged and wait years to get married. It's not that big a deal"

I can wait a year to marry her. Though if Nava had asked me to wait any longer I would have said something, I'm not that patient. For real, if it were up to me we'd get married next month.

"I guess"

"Is there a specific reason for this call?"

"Oh, right. There's a few re-ups that need your approval"

Rolling my eyes I suppress a sigh, "Where are they going?"

"One shipment is to a Jiménez, another to a Wu, and the last one to a Beckford"

Recognizing those names I ask, "How much of what?"

"Wu is buying three pounds of cocaine, Jiménez is buying one pound of weed, and Beckford is buying two ounces of Molly"

"Alright. Send out the orders"

"You got it boss. They'll be sent out ASAP"

"Good. Oh, hey, where are you right now?"

"Los Angeles."

"Joliene is there"

"Want me to find her?"

"And tell her I want to see her"

The last time I talked to Nina, I got a really bad feeling. I just need to make sure she's not up to anything and that she's going to leave me and Nava alone.

"When will you be back in the city?"

"Later today so I want to see her tonight"

"This is very short notice. I don't even know where to start looking"

"Don't act like you don't know how to get in contact with her. I expect an address in the next hour"

"Alright. I got you"