𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞, 𝐨𝐦𝐛/𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

thirty two.

MONSE FINNIE POV

I'm heading back to the hospital to visit Latrelle again. I haven't been able to focus at all ever since Jamal dropped that bombshell on me. Latrelle really tried to rob Dwayne at gun point? I mean that's fucked up, but it was only a Halloween prank...

Dwayne was strong enough to forgive Latrelle and his friends, so I really don't think that Jamal has any right to give Latrelle a hard time. He wasn't the victim, but it's like he wants to be or something.

I don't know, Latrelle has some explaining to do. I also want to see how he's faring. I hope his shoulder's healing well.

I also just want to see his face again...

So I walked into his hospital room and he immediately gave me his undivided attention. "Monse, hey! I was hoping that you'd visit me again."

"I promised that I would." I walked forward while nudging my head at him. "Um, how's the shoulder?"

He glanced over at his shoulder. "Well the pain medication that they gave me seems to be helping, so I'd say great."

"That's good. They arrest Shawn yet?"

Latrelle shook his head. "Na, the cops don't know that it was him. Your dad came by again today, trying to get me to snitch. Not happening though."

I questioned him. "Why though? Don't you want Shawn off the streets?"

"I do, but these streets don't like snitches." Latrelle looked at me seriously. "What Shawn did to me will look like nothing compared to what they'd do to me if I snitched."

A sigh escaped my lips, not liking the fact that he's caught up in all this mess. "I feel like you're in too deep, Latrelle."

"Not yet, but I will be."

Those words were so sinister and it scared me. Latrelle noticed my fear and slowly sat up, reassuring me. "Look, don't worry about Shawn. I'mma let karma handle that."

Then he changed the topic. "Bring snickers again?"

"Actually, I didn't. I did bring questions though..."

"Lay it on me. I'm a open book."

So I laid it on him. "Why'd you pretend to rob Dwayne at gunpoint?"

Latrelle's eyes shot open, not expecting that question. "Oh..." He swallowed hard. "Monty finally tell you, huh?"

"Why would my dad tell me?"

"Because he was there to arrest us that night," he informed me.

Wait, my dad was actually at the scene? He never mentioned anything!

"Well no, Jamal told me," I replied. "He was saying that you deserved getting shot and he was mad that I was defending you, so he just blurted it out. Then he pretty much told me to choose between you two."

Latrelle scoffed. "Yup. Sounds like Turner."

I sat beside him again, my tone soft. "So tell me open book, why'd you do it?"

"It was just a Halloween prank, really. No ulterior motive involved. Dwayne was never going to be shot."

"And thank god he wasn't because that could've backfired, Latrelle!"

Latrelle frowned. "I know. And I told you that I regret it. I regret it every single day. I'm not even allowed at the joint anymore." He shook his head angrily. "Can't even eat that good ass food."

I giggled. "That's what you're worried about right now? Food?!"

"Hell yeah! This hospital food ain't doing it for me."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Well I'll buy you something from there the next time I come."

He looks surprised now. "So you're not mad?"

"I'm not mad at you, it's not my place to be mad," I said. "If Dwayne forgave you, then I can too. I just wish Jamal would think that way."

"I do too. So what are you gonna do?" Latrelle asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Jamal gave you a ultimatum. Him or me. So what are you gonna do?"

Damn, I forgot about that. But why do I even need to choose?! Why can't I just be friends with who I want to be friends with?! I don't want to lose either of them!

"Well I'm definitely not cutting you off, that's not an option. You're dealing with a lot of pain right now, physically and mentally. I can't add on to that," I answered.

"What, you're being my savior now?" Latrelle joked.

I smiled weakly. "Yeah I guess so." Then my smile faded at the thought of Jamal. "And I know that Jamal's gonna be mad, but it is what it is. If he can't accept it, then I guess he and I shouldn't be friends."

Latrelle nodded. "I guess you shouldn't."

Yeah I guess we shouldn't.