Never Satisfied: A New Orleans Tale

Dat Bounce Beat Tho!

"I don't know why you tripping off that fucking shit anyways. It was just a damn dream!" Kyrielle's voice blared through the phone receiver.

When I didn't respond she moved on and proceeded to tell me the latest gossip. "Anyways, bitch why Shaquinelle told me about the drive by that went down in the seventh ward the other night. She said damn near all them niggas that be posted up in that club off of North Tonti and AP Tureaud got shot up. Mo's funeral is supposed to be Wednesday."

It took a few minutes to overcome my speechlessness. The nightmare was still fresh on my mind.

"Jay, you there?" She wondered aloud.

"Um... Yeah. Yeah Kyrielle, I'm here." I finally responded.

"Damn, that shit really got you shook up, huh? I mean did you know any of them dudes?"

"No girl, I'm not worrying about them fools. That shoot out was probably in retaliation to somebody that they killed."

"Well bitch don't tell me you still bugging out off that fucking dream!"

"Yes! I even talked to one of the counselors at school about it."

"A counselor? And what did they had to say?"

"She just had me talking, mostly about my childhood and shit."

"Are you serious? I would've been like, 'Bitch that's none of your damn business'."

"No I wasn't tripping, it kind of felt good to talking about it. Like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. You know, other than you, I don't think I ever told anyone everything like that, not even Sky."

"You good girl, 'cause I don't like talking about old shit. I let the past stay where it's at."

"I feel where you're coming from, but it was just so liberating to me. I even set up a schedule with her."

"Schedule?"

"Yeah, Tuesdays at eleven."

"I guess," Kyrielle scoffed.

"Now what's the problem?"

"Jasmine, how long have we been knowing each other?"

"Like six years, why?"

She sucked her teeth, letting me know that I was getting on her last nerve. "Okay, through all those years who's been there for you?"

"You, Ri." I rolled my eyes like she could see me.

"And not once did I ever let anyone fuck with you!" I continued to listen to her rant. "I ain't let shit happen to you then and I sure as fuck won't let it happen now. So just forget about that crazy ass dream and fuck talking to a counselor."

"Why can't I see a counselor? Sometimes I just want to be able to talk to someone without them having a biased opinion."

"I mean why talk to a stranger when you got me?"

"Oh okay, so you saying you got my back?"

"Duh, you know you my number one HFL!"

"Wait", I said smiling. "What's a HFL"?

She suppressed her laughter and replied, "My Ho-For-Life!"

Simultaneously we both bust out laughing.

"Where do you come up with this shit?" I wanted to know.

"Don't worry about all that, it got your ass to smile though, huh? That's what your ol' scary ass needed, tripping off some shit that ain't even real."