Memphis Streets 2 (Urban)

Chapter 35- Jaleesa

August ...

"She's in a mental hospital?" Dice asks with his face twisting in pain. From the moment he was pulled off the respirator, he's been asking about Brielle nonstop. When Lucifer and Fat Ace can't distract him or get his mind focused solely on getting better, they turn to me to give him the bad news.

"I'm sorry," I tell him.

"But she sort of checked out. The doctors say that she may snap out of it at any time or she ..."

"Can remain that way for the rest of her life," he finishes my sentence, and then turns his gaze back up to the hospital ceiling.

I get uncomfortable at the sight of tears rolling out of the corners of his eyes, but for the first time, I think I actually get it. After months of telling Brielle that she was crazy for risking her life to be hooking up with this boy, I think I understand what she couldn't explain. And I'm jealous.

"I want to see her," Dice says after a long silence.

"I called her parents, but Mr. Douglas screamed at me for not telling them that I was in a gang, and then he said something about polishing me off if I ever even think about seeing Brielle again. Funny, huh? I'm lying in this hospital because of her sister and yet somehow I get blamed."

He sucks in a deep breath and then swipes at his tears.

"I couldn't do anything. There were just too many of them and ... they made me watch. How? How could she do something like that to her own sister?"

"First you'd have to understand that Le'Shelle isn't exactly human. She'll do anything to stay on top, and you two together threatened that for her. I tried to warn Brielle, but she clearly kept remembering a different sister than the one she has now."

Dice shakes his head as more tears roll.

"At one point, Brielle stopped fighting. The look on her face ... I'll never forget it as long as I live."

Without thinking, I reach over and squeeze his hand. I want to say something, but what? I saw Brielle that night—I saw what those muthafuckas did to her body. I can't begin to imagine having to go through anything like that, let alone live with the knowledge that my own flesh and blood ordered the deed done.

"Right now I wish that I could explain to her foster parents what really happened that night."

"Please don't blame them. They're really hurt right now. I'm sure if they knew that I was a Queen G, they would ban me, too."

Dice tilts his head.

"Hey, maybe you can get me in to see her?"

"Me?"

I blink stupidly at him.

"I don't know about that."

"What? Why not? You're on the guest list—you can get me in."

I throw my hands up and shake my head.

"No, no. I'm already in over my head in this shit. I don't like the fact that two of the meanest bitches on the street even know my fuckin' name, and now you want me to risk getting put on the Douglas's shit list, too?"

Dice levels his puppy-dogs eyes on me and then flashes me his cute dimples.

"Please? I have to see her." I shake my head, but I'm already caving—and he knows it.

Two hours later, I get Dice situated in a hospital wheelchair. Since there is no way I'm going to get him past the two large Cartel Lords posted outside the door, we included them in our scheme to take him over to the mental hospital to see Brielle. Frankly, I didn't think either of them would go for it, but clearly the CL soldiers have developed a weak spot for Dice and actually help me get him past the nurses' station and drive us to the hospital. The entire time, I'm calling myself every name in the book. I know that continuing to be involved in all this is dangerous, but here my dumb ass is, hanging with the Vice Lords more now than with my own set. That shit is not good.