Streetlife

48 - Frustrating Times

JULIUS POV

As I walk out onto the fire escape my head is just rattled. I had had a very long night on top of being worried about Frank. I had not seen him since we took him to the hospital a few days ago, nor had I spoken to him. He was really in such a fragile state of mind and I knew he was damn near terrified of Warbucks hurting me again.

I knew Frank had not been in his right mind for some time, especially lately and I was so lost as to what to do for that boy. My heart loved him so damn much, my heart aches for him and like Tess he needed to get out of this game. And for good.

BUT his HOT MESS of a so-called baby sis didn't help matters at all! Because between the drama here at the apartment with her and Lena going at it every damn day, Tess coming back after being bailed out from jail and detoxing kicking her ass and Frank's situation, I am very fried. More fried than I have ever been and I knew I had bags under my eyes. And that just couldn't be! 

My entire apartment needed a good spiritual cleaning and cleansing, and I needed to sanitize every surface because I had no idea were else Miss Thang and Callie fucked. I needed to pray over each room and get the demons out of this place, for this has always been my safe haven ever since I inherited it from my Abuelita. That was the damm truth.

But as my mind goes back to Frankie boo, both he and I know exactly what happened to him, and yes, I had told Lena which was a risky ass thing to do, but who else could I really confide in about this? WHO? NO ONE and it was toooo much for one person to handle alone. It was enough to make someone break inside, and I trusted Lena.

Heading back inside now, the damn heat was getting to me as I set my empty glass on the counter and I see Lena slumped over her tea, looking just as tired and annoyed it seemed. Lately she had been looking so fried despite this being her week off, as I take a seat at the table with her.

"Good morning, señorita! Or should I say, bueñas tardes!"

"Hi, honey." She looks at me and laughs softly as she pats my hand.

"You look terrible!! Girl, why are you awake? Go take a nap!"

"Thank you." She looks right at me and takes a sip of her tea.

"Oh I don't mean it like that. You know me and my mouth. But you okay, doll? I know it's just been a hot mess lately, and you have a lot on that platter you're carrying." I ramble as she shakes her head.

"Yeah, I'm ok. How's Tess? I checked in on her and saw her sleeping. Did she ever wake up this morning?"

"Mm, she did. But she's a hot detoxing mess, baby. Callie and I had to help her a bit ago and gave her a bath and gave her some tea. Can't keep anything down. Miss Thang stood around and did nothing which I didn't think she would give a rat's ass anyway," I roll my eyes as she gives me a look.

"Don't mention her. Please. Just don't and she left, thank god." She says rolling her eyes with me and rubbing her forehead.

"Callie go with her new lover?" I am very much annoyed with her and I don't hide it as Lena runs her fingers over the handle of her mug.

"No. I had a talking with Callie. She showered and went out even though I told her to get some sleep. She wanted to get a few things for Frank."

"I'm surprised. Her and Miss Thang are fuckin' butt buddies. Do YOU know I caught them doing the NASTY on my kitchen counters this morning? No respect I tell ya! I don't know how Frank is related to that girl, but lord have mercy on my soul!" I say as Lena shakes her head at me. "What is going on? Callie was, is such a nice girl and was just...NASTY. I'm telling you BLONDIE thinks she lives here and thinks she RUNS this place and she's corrupting Callie. CORRUPTING. All they do is fuck and smoke weed."

"I know. I know, Julius." She's quiet again as I realize I'm venting too damn much and I gently grab her hand again.

"Oh baby, I'm sorry. My mouth gets going sometimes. I always say it's better to get those feelings out than to let them brew and explode like a cannon."

"It's ok. You always make me laugh."  I pull my chair closer to her and she lights a smoke and I gently play with a strand of her pretty hair.

"Talk to me, baby. Let it out."

"Do you want to come see Frank with me?"

"Oh noooo. It was bad enough taking him there. Julius doesn't do hospitals, baby. Besides will the diva let you in?"

"I'm gonna chance it. He's our friend and we care about him. She has no right to say who can see him and who cant. It's his choice anyway," she looks at me with sad eyes as I nod.

"MM no..but what about Daddy?? He's over there pretending, you know. Pretending and a good actor at that cuz I doubt Frank's sister knows what really happened. You know how it goes. One lie after the next then you're so tangled you feel worse than being wound up in Charlotte's Web!!!!!"

Lena looks at me now and starts laughing as she puffs her smoke, "What?"

"Oh baby, you're not blind! Look at Tessy! She's trash to that man! You'll be next so you better play this game differently, that's all I'm saying," I sit back and hold up my hands as she keeps staring at me.

"I...don't tell anyone, but I think I love him and I hate myself for it," she admits now in a hoarse whisper, and I feel my eyes widen.

"What? Am I deaf or did you just..."

"Yes."

"Well, course you are, baby! He treats you like the Queen of Sheba and I'd love him too if I didn't see right through his pompous ass!"

"Julius, what am I going to do? I lost my aunt because of this man, and is it worth it? He'll never make any of us his partner or wife or whatever. So, what are we even doing? Plus, he's a cruel person."

"I'm saving my money for the runway. You saved for your auntie. But I don't know. We're a family right? I mean you're the Mama Bear and I'm the Papa Bear and we have our little baby bears running around acting like fools!"

She laughs again as she shakes her head and gets up to pour herself a glass of cold water before turning back around.

"Don't mind me. I'm an emotional mess this morning. I'll be okay after some sleep. You know, I'm thankful for you, Julius. I really am, and I don't know if I tell you enough. You're the brother I never had, and you have a way with words, let me tell you."

"Oh I try honey. I really do, but maybe you should help me sage this place! It's full of nasty ass foolishness and we need our home back to where it was before Goldi-locks came barreling through the door!"

She looks at me with amusement as she shakes her head. "Do whatever you need to do, Jules. I'm gonna shower and go visit Frank. My offer still stands by the way," she says the last part as she heads to the bathroom, and I can't stop my stomach from hurting as what I said about hospitals is true. I can't step foot in one.