Score: The Catch

Chapter Thirteen

"Happy thanksgiving, y'all!" That was my grandma who said that after we said grace. My brothers, mama, aunts and uncle and dad came down here and Erica's aunts, grandma, cousins and dad came, too. It was safe to say that we had a full house. But, we didn't care. It's been a long time since we've all been together.

"So Brandon, how are y'all doing?" Erica's aunt asked. She was always one of her favorite aunt, mine, too.

"We good. We having a baby soon." When I told her that, her eyes got wide, real wide. She just looked at us for a second and said, "ooo, y'all nasty. Y'all ready?"

"Ready as we can be. I'm ready to have it," Erica said and I nodded.

"You ready to provide for her and the baby? You got a job yet?" I shook my head yes even though I didn't have a job. I still had a lot of money from when I dealt with Carlos and drugs. My bank was straight, I just knew I had to get some more though.

My phone lit up indicating that I had an incoming call from Chris. I answered, "yeah? Where you been?"

"Damn, calm down, bitch. I'm coming up there in like a two hours or three. I just gotta get this rental car when I touch down. Save me a plate or three. Oh yeah, I got something to tell you. Shit crazy, no bullshit."

"Aight, I got you." I disconnected the call and put it on the table. Erica grabbed it and looked at the call log. She shook her head when she saw who I was talking to.  Chris and me still kept in touch by text. Well, we called each other once or twice, but that was it.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Come here." She leaned a little closer towards me and I gave her a kiss.

We talked to people at the table for a little while longer. The game was coming on, so me and some other people went into the living room to watch it. "So, wassup with you and E?" Simone, my older cousin asked me. I told her we were doing alright and everything.  The two of us talked for most of their visit. 

"Bae, i'm going to see my mama in a little bit," Erica informed me as she  leaned on my shoulder  behind the couch.  I asked if she wanted me to go with her and she shook her head yes before standing upright again to walk out of the room. 

A couple hours later, all of our guests left since it was getting kind of late. Erica and I drove to see her mother.  I parked the car and cut the engine off.  I decided it was best to stay in the car until Erica came back, to give her some time. When she came back to the get on the passenger's side, I stepped out and walked toward the grave.

I don't know how to do this. I miss seeing you. I mean, we didn't know each other for all that long, but I liked being around you. It was just this feeling you put in the atmosphere that I now miss a lot. You were always honest. You created one of the most beautiful girls I have ever known and I will forever be thankful for that and you, I promise. You were a great person. Let light shine on your name for all eternity. Rest easy, you beautiful soul.

I drove back home and there was a comfortable silence in the car. "Babygirl, wake up. We're home," I tapped E's shoulder to try to wake her up. When she didn't, I picked her up and carried her up to our bedroom. Pulling the cover over her and kissing her, I cut the lights out and shut the door behind me.

I walked to the couch in the living room and took a seat. Nothing was on TV as usual, so I flick through channels. When I couldn't find anything to watch, so I decided to go to sleep for a minute.

My phone lighting up and vibrating woke me up thirty minutes later. "Hey ma, what's going on? You up late."

"Turn on the news real quick," she instructed and I did.

"Chris King, an up and coming music producer and singer was shot multiple times at a stoplight in his vehicle tonight. He had just landed from New York, reports show. The condition of Mr. King can't be told at this time."  After she said that, I jumped up from the couch, grabbed my keys, and ran out of the door to my car. When I got there, they wouldn't let me in, so I went home to get no sleep.

"Room 300, sir," the receptionist informed on what room he was after I lied and said we were family. I barged into his room and his mother embraced me in a hug.
"How is he? Who was it? Where he get shot?" I threw questions at her.

"He's doing a little better. No one knows.  He was...shot-shot in his shoulder twice, one in his chest and the other one was in his neck." She broke down and cried in my arms. I put my head on top of hers and looked over at Chris. He was hooked up to all sorts of machines. I walked over to him and just stared. "We gone get whoever did this shit, yo," I promised. Mrs. King heard me and told me not to relatiate. But honestly, nobody could change my mind.

The doctor walked in and asked us to leave. We walked to the parking lot and talked. "He was doing something with his life, I swear.  My poor baby. I wonder who could do this?" His mother asked as she sniffled.

"Me too, me too. Where's the truck?" I inquired. I wanted to see it to see if I could find clues. You know, to see if he was fussing with him or some fuckboy mad at him.

"You know, you mighty calm about this. Why? Did you do it?! Huh?! Maybe it was you! Maybe you just jealous! He doesn't drive the truck anymore. He has a new car. I can't believe this! He has a baby on the way and you want him dead!"

"Because he gone be alright. He tough. Why imma be jealous? I have my own money, car, and house. We like brothers, don't you ever excuse me of me of some shit like that. I got mad love for that nigga in there," I snapped. She slapped me and I walked off to get I. My car before I could do anything else