New Native Land (The Next Step) (Book II)

Chapter 16 (Down South is Where I Stay)

"My mind is playing tricks on me." I heard the last verse on the song at this Houston concert I went to. That song that just got through playing was from the Geto Boys, I've been following them for a while and they are badass. Especially Scarface, man he is so talented. I guess you can color me impressed "We Can't Be Stopped, coming out July 1st you heard!" Bushwick Bill announced. I had to remember to ask one of my friends to cop that album for me so they could send it to me and I could listen to the whole thing in New York. I knew they probably wouldn't be playing any Houston music up there.

"Wow! This concert was cool as hell!" I exclaimed to my best friend Kaykay "Girl, yes! I'm telling you Southern rap is about to take over." I had to agreed with her on that. "Let's go to Big Poppa's and get some grub." She suggested and I nodded.

We got to the restaurant and Big Poppa saw me. "If it ain't Boobie! Whatchu doin down her guh? You supposed to be in that big city livin it up!" He said excitedly while walking up to me and hugging me, smelling like grease and pork, I loved it! "I was here for a family reunion, I'm leaving tomorrow." I told him and he shook his head "I oughta call that daddy of yours and tell him to let you move back home. I'll take care of ya. That Carter G knows not to mess wit me." He laughed and I did too.

"He likes the school I go too; thinks it'll give me better opportunities." I said what my dad and uncle keep saying to me. "Yeah, you too smart to hang round these country bumpkins." He tapped Kaykay on the head with a spatula "Hey, I'm smart." Kaykay defended herself but he laughed "Not like Reagan. Anyways, order whatever you want, it's on me." He told me and I nodded and we went and sat in our regular booth.

"I told you, you were missed. I can't wait til you move back down here. I miss you." She said and I smiled "Miss you too. But I'm starting to like New York just a little." I admitted and she shook her head "They're brainwashing you with the glitz and the glam. You're a southern girl plain and simple. They probably all out there and some more." Kaykay stated facts. "They are and I am. But that doesn't make me hate the place, but I got two more years before I come back for college." I reminded her and she smiled.

"Yes, Prairie View here we come! You're coming to homecoming this year right?" She asked and I shrugged "I have no idea, don't count on it." I said to her sadly. She shook her head and then some idea popped into her head "I'll kidnap you then, don't worry." I laughed and nodded in agreement with her.

~~~~~

I saw my dad and brothers waiting for me in the waiting area. I smiled and walked up to them. "Hey kiddo! How was it?" Trey asked me as he took my luggage. "Fun! I saw the Geto Boys perform!" I said excitedly. Malcolm put his arm over my shoulder "I'm jealous." I beamed proudly. "Their album is coming out next month, I told Kaykay to get one for me and send it to me." Trey nodded "Might haveta let me borrow that." I shook my head "Get your own." He smacked his lips at me.

"How's Pete?" I asked and my dad smiled "He's fine. We took care of him." I frowned "Y'all didn't make him a menace, did you?" And they laughed "That dog when he gets older might just be able to kill a mountain lion and you talking about menace?" Trey said and I sighed "Y'all just don't understand." I said under my breath.

When we got home, Cecil was there waiting "Hey Ce's!" Hugging him "Hey Reagan. How you been?" He asked me curiously "I'm pretty great!" He smiled "How was Houston?' I beamed "Great, a lot has changed!" I exclaimed, he nodded. "Why didn't you come with me?" I asked curiously because when I travel Cecil always goes with me. "I had to see the family." He told me and I nodded. "I'll let you off the hook this time." He laughed "Thank you so much."

I walked inside and I unpacked my bags and went to see Pete, he was walking around the back yard and he ran up to me when he saw me. "Hey baby." I said picking him up and he licked my face some. I put him down and played with him a bit. "You're getting big already." I told him and he went and snuggled next to me.

I brought him upstairs with me and then I put him down in the bed next to my very own and I sighed. I picked up my phone and called Draya as instructed. "Hello?"

"Hey Dray!"

"Yes! You're back! I missed you mamacita!"

I laughed.

"You're still silly I see. What you do this week?"

"Nada, the beginning of summer is supposed to be chill. You're supposed to relax your brain and not worry about a thing."

"I see, so now what are you going to do?"

"I gotta show you the right way to do summer girl!"

"Why does everyone say that? I know how to enjoy summer."

"Not in New York you don't! But no need to worry about that, I got you covered!"

I chuckled at her.

"Alright."

We hung up and I laughed at her. I saw Pete messing with something in his mouth and I said "Pete, spit that out, now!" I picked him up and I took the object out his mouth. He just smiled at me and I shook my head at him and put him down.

I started walking downstairs and Pete followed until we got to the stairs which he was scared to climb down. I tried to get him to come to me but he wouldn't so I picked him up and carried him down the stairs and I put him on the couch next to me. "Take the mutt off the couch." Trey told me and I laughed. "He's going to get older and not like you if you keep treating him this way." I told him and he shrugged "I don't care." I picked up Pete and pointed him towards Trey and said in my baby voice/dog voice "You'll like me on day." Pete barked in agreement and smiled, Trey looked unconvinced. "Pete. You know I hate that damn name." I laughed at him.

"I'm out." He said to me walking away, I nodded "Be careful." I told him and he shouted "Always am." I sighed and I was home by myself and it was late. This is weird, I wonder where my dad and Malcolm went off to.