Conflict Reloaded

Chapter 17: Swing Away

-Two Months Later-

(Jahlil)

"Good morning Jahlil!" Abby came into my room and sat on my bed. I buttoned up my shirt then put my belt in my pants.

"Hey Abby." I thought things would be awkward between us since we kissed, but it's not. I said that I would always be real with females when it came to a relationship. I couldn't be with Abby knowing that I can't give her my all. Not sure if I could give anybody my all anymore. She fully understood, and she is just fine being my good friend.

"Why are you holding your arm like that? Can you put your arm all the way down?"

I rolled my sleeve up to look at my hideous discolored forearm. Hopefully my color should go back to normal in a few weeks.

"Nah. Just got my cast took off a few days ago."

"I know that. Does it hurt?"

"Kinda. It's stiff as hell."

She giggled when I said 'stiff'.

"Filthy ass mind."

"So! I can't help it. But why don't you get physical therapy to help with that?"

I was about to answer her, but my phone lit up.

"Hello?"

Abby stood up and fixed her clothes. She waved then pointed at the door to let me know she was leaving. Abby goes to a community college.

"Jahlil....How are you baby?" I took the phone from my ear to look at the caller I.D.

"Hey mom, why are you calling me from grandma's cellphone?"

"I rushed out the door so quick this morning that I forgot mine. Could you go by my house and get it for me? Then maybe come out to Emory? Your grandma is sick. Don't panic or anything."

I like how she tried to speed through the last parts.

"A'ight."

Can't be like other folks. I could easily turn my back on my grandma like she did to me. Often in life, though, I find myself being the bigger person in various situations. Not like I got anything in particular to do today. Today was the last day of school, so it was a half day. I'm gon' be a Senior next year. I finished out the school year with a B in every subject somehow. With all the shit that was going on I don't know how. All of my teachers were feeling generous I guess.

"Hey Jahlil! Do you want some br-"

"Nooo! Oh no Kim. I'll just pick something up while I'm out. I have to leave like...ten minutes ago." I chuckled then walked over to kiss her. I walked out the door and to my new car without waiting for her reply.

They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, or some shit like that, but that CANNOT be the case with Brad. I'm surprised no one has told her how her cooking is. I sure can't tell her. My love for her is too strong.

I decided to blast my music on my way to my moms house.

"We had the type of nights where morning comes too soon... and nothing was the same

Watch me, going out of the way

When I should've went home

Only time of the day I get to spend on my own

I was trippin' off how I used to sleep at ya crib,

Should drive by right where you live, and pick you up on the way

We ain't spoke in so long, probably put me in the past

I can still get you wet and I can still make you laugh

You should call into work if that ain't too much to ask I could pour you up a drink and we can burn something

Come thru.. come thru.. come thru...come thru..

Girl you know we got thangs to do

Girl you know we got thangs to do, so get your ass in that car and come thru

Come thru.. come thru.. come thru...come thru..

Girl you know we got thangs to do

Girl you know we got thangs to do, so get your ass in that car and come thru..."

(Come Thru-Drake)

***

I was about to go into my mom's house, but I decided to call Malia first. Like it or not, I did promise to keep a check on her to make sure she's alright.

My heart is confused and my brain don't know what to do either. A part of me feels like I'm doing the wrong thing. That part of me feels like I should be with her. The other part is begging me not to put myself through that again. Her cheating ways are the reason I got into a car wreak. If I hadn't swerved real quick I would have got a casket instead of a cast.

Bottom line, I don't know what I'm suppose to do. It isn't clear to me.

"Jahlil? Are you there?"

"Oh. My bad. Hey Malia. How are you today?"

"Actually I'm not feeling too well. Got sick real early this morning."

"Do you need anything?"

"No Jahlil. I'm okay."

"A'ight well get some rest and give me a call if you need anything at all."

"Okay Jahlil. I love you Jay."

I let out a big sigh then shook my head. "Mali...I love you too. Take care."

I slowly moved my phone from my ear then got out my car. I used the key above the door to get into the house.

"OH! THAT'S IT! RIGHT THERE RIGHT THERE! UGH!"

"No this muthafucka-"

I took off upstairs, following the moaning noises. When I saw my aunt Lisa on top of Jamarcus, my blood began to boil.

"YOU DIRTY MUTHAFUCKA!!!!"

Before I knew it I was on Jamarcus feedin' his ass punches.

"No, Jahlil! Stop it!" Aunt Lisa hit me on my back. I turned and pushed her on the ground. Pain keeps shooting all through my arm, but that pain doesn't compare to the pain in my heart.

"I hate both of you muthafuckas."

I looked at Jamarcus' punk ass as he cried and spit out blood. "What happened to, 'I'll never hurt your mother Lil J'? You dirty bastard. I should fucking kill you and that bitch over there. You got less than an hour to reach out to my mom before I do. Thanks alot Brandon. Oops, I meant Jamarcus."

(Janelle)

"Mrs.McClain, what happened to you?"

Why am I even here? This woman is too evil. She went behind her husbands back to sleep with a rapist. She KNEW what the man had did. Mrs.McClain was like a mother to me when my real mother died. I told her everything.

I would never cheat on Jamarcus. My loyalty and love won't allow me to. And he wouldn't do that to me either.

The other part that makes her evil is the fact that she would treat my son so coldly. She had the problem with me, not him. He didn't murder anyone.

"I won't go into details, but I will say that you and your sisters better get tested for Aids. Reggie got around and got down. I was having an affair for way longer than any of you knew."

I stood up from my chair and covered my mouth.

Jahlil came in the door with tears on his face.

"What's wrong baby boy?"

He came over to me and dropped down to his knees while wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Wha-"

"I'm sorry Ma. I'm so sorry. I never wanted this to happen."

I didn't have time to say anything, because Jamarcus came running through the door.