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twenty one

troy

"It's..." he started, tossing a hard glare toward his mother's back as she walked away, "not what she makin' it."

"First—start with this art gallery in the Bay Area, when did that happen?"

"Today; a hour or two ago." he revealed as she stand with her crossed arms, "Walter Murphy. He gonna fly me out in a few days—"

"Y'all," Courtney cut in. "He's gonna fly y'all out since apparently you taking her with you. Lemme start with—I am proud of you. That's a great thing having him reach out to you. That can take your murals to another level. But the fact you are taking her with you after—" he cut her off by gently taking her hand and stepping the two over a few steps.

"Can you not say that all loud?" he asked in a hushed tone. "She don't know that I know, Co."

"But I know," she pointed to herself, glancing over at Kim by his car and she was on her phone, "Do you know how it feels for me to know that and not tell at least your Dad? It worries me every time you're fucking with her, Troy. Every kind of scenario comes to my mind thinking she slipped something in your drink or something. I don't trust her. Her intent when it involves you are not pure and I haven't met her but five seconds."

"She my mom, Co, and she's trying more than any other time."

"I'm not going to do what everyone else as coddle you when it comes to her. She's gonna hurt you, again. You keep allowing it. Do you enjoy her doing that so you can have an excuse to relapse?" she asked and Troy scowled, "Like keep it straight? Do you do it for just that reason? You allow her to hurt you so you can get fucking high huh? Is that it?"

Troy released a bitter chuckle. "Fuck you," he lifted his feet to walk off, but she caught his arm.

"No, we not doing that." Courtney spoke firmly, "You're gonna sit here and look me in my eyes.." she took his chin, forcing his eyes to lock with hers. "And tell me that's not true."

Troy's jaw flexed. "It's not true."

Courtney held her gaze steady, attempting to read him, but she couldn't, so she just believed his word because that was all she had until he proved to her otherwise. "I still don't trust her but Ima gonna trust you. Now who's the friend?"

Troy sighed, wishing she forgot all about the friend. "Just somebody I done this mural for a minute ago. My info was passed to em and that's that."

Courtney exhaled, taking his hand into hers. "Okay," she released softly, "I do hope it all goes well, though. Even if you were to invite me; I wouldn't have been able to go. DMG planning my tour. I don't know how many cities, or how long yet."

"That's a'ight. I'm tryna figure out how Ima deal with being away from you for however long."

"Join me on certain dates?"

"I can do that. How the shit go wit Che's manager?"

      "Oh man!" Courtney exhaled, rolling her eyes. "Before y'all pulled up it was bouta turn into a big mess. My dad and uncles rolled up here ready to squabble. Me and Che kinda got into it. It was too much but Shantey talked em down. She want me and Che to talk."

"Yeah y'all need to." Troy agreed, "Don't want what her sneaky manager done to interfere wit y'all especially if she ain't know. You always had good things to say bout Che."

"I know! I like the bitch but when it come my family I don't play that. You can tell I really fuck wit her 'cause if it was anybody else and they was talkin' out the side of they necks to my daddy and uncles, I woulda be on her. So I'm proud of myself."