𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋, d. swing

𝐈𝐈

OAKLAND, CALIFORNA
OCTOBER 23RD, 1995

As I drive, I can't stop thinking about my baby, wondering what she's doing. It's always like this whenever we're apart. My phone rings, jolting me out of my thoughts. I pick it up and say, "Hello?"

"Wassup Malik, I just got word that we gotta meet with the boss man," Stephen says.

I suck my teeth. I can never get a damn break. Then I glance down at the floor and notice a duffle bag. A smile creeps onto my face, realizing this gives me an excuse to see that girl again. When I offered her a ride, the sweat on her skin made her look radiant in the setting sun, and her smile was perfect. But I need to remember her name— "Hello? Hello!?" Stephen yells on the phone.

I shake my head, dismissing all the thoughts about her. "We meeting at the usual place?" I nonchalantly say.

"Yeah."

"Alright, I'll see you," I reply, hanging up the phone and tossing it onto the passenger seat. Without signaling, I swerve the car around. Horns blow, but I don't care. My eyes dart down to the floor again. I'll give her the bag later.

I turn into the deserted parking lot and see Stephen. Then I see another car, but it's luxurious. The sun reflects off the shiny car, blinding my eyes if I look too long. It's I assume it's him. Stephen stands outside of his car, waiting for me. I park next to Stephen's car. Buring my hands in my face, I let out a groan. 

I'm honestly tired of doing this shit. It's every day we have to do dumb shit for this man. Looking down at my wrist, I look at my watch. It's 7:45 and I told Vanessa I'd be home by 5. Not only is Vanessa going to be mad at me, but I gotta pay the babysitter extra. Opening the middle console, I grab my cell phone. The numbers I dial make a rhythmic pattern. Once I press the green button, the dial tone starts to ring.

"Hello?" Emma, the babysitter says on the phone.

"Hey, it's me, Malik. Can you give me another hour? I need to handle something."

"Oh of course!" Emma beams, "Vanessa and I were just coloring." Vanessa can be heard in the background. I can notice her high-pitched voice from anywhere. 

A smile grows upon my lips. "Can I talk to her?" I say. The inside of me yearns to hear her voice.

Suddenly, someone knocks on my window, startling me. I roll down my tinted window and it's Stephen. "We can't--" Stephen begins to say, but he stops when I hold up my finger to him. 

"Daddy?!" Vanessa bursts on the phone, "Where are you?"

"Hey baby girl," I say with a broad smile, "I'm sorry baby, but I'm going to be late okay?"

"Okay! Daddy, I made you a giraffe!" Vanessa babbles, "It's purple with a long neck!" I laugh, imagining what it looks like. I look over at Stephen, he's gazing at me with a soft smile.