Don't Judge the Thug

Out

I woke up with hardly any pain. That Percocet was kicking in well. Elle was sitting in the chair next to my bed. My mother was on the edge of the bed holding Tresey. They let her out already.

I sat up and grabbed Tresey. That made her jump. "Daddy, I thought you was asleep." she laughed when I kissed her neck and hugged her tight. I pulled her on me as I laid back.

"I'm up now baby girl," I smiled.

"Daddy why they got you in the bed like grandma?" she asked in her little voice.

"I was feeling sick," I lie.

Tresey sat up and pushed herself up with her hand on my chest. I felt the pressure from my wound but I hid it for Tresey. I sat up along with the machine for the bed. I watched Tresey lean on my chest and put her little arm around my stomach.

"I love you daddy, you feel better?" she asked.

"Yes beautiful," I kissed her forehead.

With that she got quiet and I looked up at my mother. "Alicia left to go back to Cali."

I nod. "Goodmorning baby," I blew a kiss at Elle.

"Morning, how you feeling?" she asked.

"I'm straight, I'm getting out today," I say with a smile.

"Doctor told you that?" Elle asked.

"He don't need to, I'm going home today."

"What are you talking about boy?" My mother asked.

"Don't worry about it ma. I'm feeling better and going home today," I say and wink smoothly.

"Your uncle is on his way to pick me up, you want me to take Tresey?" My mother asked.

I thought about that for a minute. I'm breaking outta this and I got a lot of thinking to do. Ima need to smoke this through.

"Yeah, I'll pick her up tomorrow," I say making Elle look at me a little confused.

"Okay, lemme head downstairs. He should be here in a minute," she said kissing my cheek. "Stay safe baby."

I could tell my mother was bothered but this ain't the first time she had to come to the hospital for me. When I was a teenager it was always brutal fights, but I never stayed the night. Even when I got stabbed. Getting shot no doubt felt different but I still wasn't staying here.

"Get home safe Elle," my mother hugs her.

I zoned her out and lifted up Tresey head. She was crying. "What you crying for?"

"I want you to be okay so I could go home with you," she says.

"I'm okay baby, understand?" I say.

I wipe her face and look at my mirror. She look so much like me it was crazy. That made me smile. She smiled back making me laugh.

"So I see you soon," she kissed my cheek.

"Ofcourse baby, I love you Latrese."

"I love you too daddy." I kissed her cheek and she smiled even harder. "Be careful at work."

I nod and my smile faded when she left with my mother. She really remembered the conversation about my job. Kids remember a lot.

I looked over at Elle who was still sitting in the chair with the same clothes from yesterday. She's been by my side ever since I made us official. And putting up with all the bull shit I do along with accepting I had a daughter. If that ain't love, I don't know what is. It's only been a short amount of time but this girl is a rider. I really do love her.