Shorts

LM | 3

"Kaleb! Can you run and get some ice for me, baby?" Momma Melissa asked as she stepped into the living room. He removed his eyes from the tv and nodded his head. She was hosting one of her many summer cookouts at her house. It was due to start in the next hour or so, and she wanted everything ready before everybody started arriving.

"Yes ma'am. How many bags do I need to get?" He asked as he stood up from the couch. He grabbed his shirt and tossed it over his shoulder whilst pulling up his shorts.

"Get enough for the coolers and at least three blocks so I can make snoballs for the kids."

Kaleb nodded his head as he patted his pockets for his wallet and keys. Kaleb slid his feet into his Gucci slides before walking out of the door. It's been a week since the whole fiasco of Nyala popping up at his house and since then he's been hiding out at his momma's. He knew for a fact she wouldn't show up here. It was sad that he had to hide instead of being in athe comfort of his own home.

"Uncle Kal! I wanna go with you!" Jakalan, his niece who belongs to Jarvis yelled as she crawled down the steps as fast as she could. He laughed and shook his head while turning around—holding his arms out. She leaped into them giggling.

"Wassup, pretty girl?" Kaleb asked kissing her cheek making her giggle again.

"Nothing." She shook her head before laying it on his shoulder.

Kaleb hit keyfob and pulled the door open before climbing into the driver's seat. He adjusted his seat and sent Jarvis a quick text message letting him know that he had Kalan. He made sure Kalan was secure in his lap before pushing the start button and backing out of the big yard. It didn't take the duo long to get to the store being that it was two blocks away.

"Uncle, can I have some candy?" Jakalan asked as she looked up at him innocently making him shake his head knowing he was gonna give in.

"You can get whatever you want, mama." He picked her up because it was alot of bodies in the store and he didn't need nobody bumping into her especially with all the anger and frustration he had pent up. Kaleb was literally a walking ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

They walked down the aisles and he picked up the things his niece said she wanted. After grabbing a few things for himself, they made their way to the counter. Kaleb placed all the items on top and hiked Kalan up on his hip. "Can you add nine bags of ice? Six regulars and three blocks."

"Thirty-two eighty-nine."

Kaleb nodded his head and pulled his wallet from his pocket—opening it and pulling out a fifty dollar bill. He retrieve his change and grabbed the bag before walking out of the store. He unlocked his doors and sat the bags on floor before sitting Kalan on the seat. He made sure the air was on before giving  her the candy she asked for to keep her occupied. "Uncle gonna be back okay, baby?"

He laughed once she nodded her head rapidly not even paying attention to him. Kaleb popped the trunk before walking over to the ice chest and grabbed the ice once the gas station attendant unlocked the doors.

"Aye, shorty! I know you hear me talking to you!"

Kaleb shook his head as he watched the lowlife gas station solicitors harass a woman. He prayed they didn't disrespect or assault her because he wouldn't just sit back watch. He wasn't raised that way. Melissa just might stick her foot up his narrow ass if he didn't intervene.

"You ugly anyway. Fat ass bitch!"

Kaleb sighed and closed his eyes whilst throwing his head back. He glanced at his niece before sprinting to the pumps. "Yo, nigga is you cool? Keep yo hands to yourself and apologize for talking to her like that."

The man smacked his lips. "Nigga, who the fuck are you? Fuck you and that fat bitch. Don't nobody want her ass no way."

Kaleb nodded his head, licked his lips looking off to the side before two piecing the guy. He grabbed his arm and twisted it—pinning it to his back making him scream out in agony. Everybody in the parking lot winced at the sound of his arm cracking.

"Didn't I say apologize to her? Say it like you mean it or I'm breaking yo fucking jaw!" Kaleb barked not even bothering to acknowledge the stares and whispers. He applied more force to inflict more pain.

"Aight man! Aight! I'm sorry for disrespecting you and calling you out of your name." The man hissed out as he gritted his teeth.

"You lucky that's all I did." Kaleb let his arm go and threw him into the ground.

"Get in your car, love. I got your gas." Kaleb had finally looked at the woman and it was like the wind was knocked out of his chest. He was stunned and mesmerized by her beauty. He was staring for about a minute until he was knocked out of the trance by his name being yelled.

"Uncle Kal!"

He tore his eyes away and saw his niece running at him full speed. He definitely made a mental note to put the child lock on. "Shit! I'm sorry Tootie, c'mere."

Kaleb bent down and scooped her up. He pulled his wallet from his pocket and pulled out his gas credit card. He inserted it and entered the necessary information before pushing the nozzle into the tank.

"How can I repay you?"

"You don't have to do that. Your safety is payment enough."

She shook her head, not agreeing with his statement as she rubbed her hand up and down her arm—rubbing the bruise. "I don't agree. You didn't have to do what you did and what you're doing now, but you did. I can tell you were obviously raised right. That was such a selfless act. Can I at least take you on a date? Something."

Kaleb shook his head with a small smile on his face. Once the pump beeped. He removed the nozzle and closed her tank. "I appreciate your gratitude, love, I swear I do, but it's okay. The date wouldn't be a good idea at the moment being that I just recently got out of a three year relationship. Maybe we'll meet again and hopefully it'll be under better circumstances. You be safe, beautiful."

"Uncle, she pwetty."

Kaleb threw his head back in laughter as they climbed into the driver's seat. "She is, isn't?"

not beating ass at the gas station while niecey was in the car!

y'all ready for kaleb to start dating again? or is it too soon?

if I said this was the last part to "lost me" how would y'all feel?