Always

4.

Spencer James

"How've you been holding up?" Lauren inquired as she sat down across from him. Spencer didn't say anything, he kept his gaze straight ahead. "You see someone you know?" Lauren questioned as she turned behind her.

"Nah" Spencer said as he snapped out of his trance. "I'm sorry, what were we meeting for?" he questioned as drew his eyebrows together.

"Spencer...we just talked about it this morning" Lauren stared at him in confusion. "You said you were going to handle the situation with C" she reminded him.

"Oh right" Spencer nodded as he began to remember their earlier conversation. "I'm sorry, my mind's been in a weird fog lately" he said, referring to Chyna's death.

"Have you found any information?" she inquired as she put a few fries in her mouth. Lauren spent the last few hours trying to piece together her own theories.

"Don't ask how...but I have" Spencer said, watching as Lauren's eyes grew wide. "I've got a name and location" he continued.

"Okay? Well what are we still doing here?" Lauren inquired as she reached for her purse. "Let's go talk to this person" she urged as she began to get out of her seat.

"It ain't that easy, Lauren" Spencer said as he grabbed her wrist. "This has to be well thought out and executed" he watched as she sat back down.

"Do you have a plan?" Lauren questioned and Spencer nodded his head.

"I do" Spencer tapped his fingers on the table. "We not gettin' involved" he said and Lauren's face dropped.

"Spencer-"

"We not gettin' involved" Spencer repeated with a stern voice. "I'm just as angry as you are about this shit, Lo. I would handle this shit in a way I know how to, but I can't. I've got kids, you've got your son. We gotta leave it alone" he continued.

"I can't...I can't stop thinking about her Spencer" Lauren felt a lump in her throat. "She just looked so cold and fragile...lifeless. Chyna didn't deserve any of this " she felt her eyes water.

Spencer's chest began to tighten as he thought about the day he learned of Chyna's untimely death.

"You alright?" Lauren inquired as she wiped the corner of her eyes with her napkin. She kept her gaze on Spencer as he briefly clench onto his chest.

"Just slight chest pain" Spencer brushed it off. "But look...just stay out of it, aight?" he continued.

"I will keep my word..." Lauren said and Spencer nodded his head. "But after we go to this son of a bitch's house" she continued and his eyes grew wide.

"Lauren-"

"I have to know" she cut him off, trying not to raise her voice. "Please" her voice cracked and Spencer heaved a big sigh.

"If I take you there, Lo, that's it. I don't want to hear shit else 'bout it" Spencer said and then rubbed his forehead in frustration.

"You have my word" Lauren said and then thanked Spencer.

***

"Spencer, are you sure this is the right address?" Lauren questioned as she glanced at the building in front of them. "You mean to tell me this person lives in a white area?" she inquired.

"That's the black truck right there, ain't it?" Spencer pointed at the truck and Lauren nodded her head. "It shouldn't be a surprise that we out this way, shit happens all the time no matter what neighborhood you from" he said.