Jungle

Chapter 18

One month later

After her long shift at the post office, Alexis made her way to see Rico. Because of work Alexis hadn't seen him in almost two weeks and she was missing him like crazy. Even though she was exhausted, she wanted to kick it with Rico before it was time for him to go to work. As Alexis parked her car, Rico sat on the front porch smoking.

"I'm mad at you, dawg." Rico blew smoke out his mouth while fanning Alexis away.

"Why?" Alexis sat on the porch next to him.

"Cause I been calling you and you ain't been answering." He smacked his lips.

"I know, I had a group project for class and I couldn't talk. Right after that I went to work, but I brought you some stuff." She held up the bag from the corner store run she just made.

"Thank you. And you straight, I just wanted to hear from you." He opened the bag to find some gars and his favorite snacks.

"I'm so fucking tired." She yawned while opening the blueberry flavored juice she bought for Rico.

"It's some food in there if you want to eat."

"Nah, I'm not hungry. My stomach hurt for real, for real."

Rico put his blunt out and brought Alexis closer. She laid her head on his shoulder while gazing up at the orange-pinkish sky. She continued yawning until she closed her eyes. Long hours at work and school had Alexis worn out, but she was starting to get the hang of things. Earning seventeen dollars per hour and still making money from her side hustles, she was saving quite a bit but didn't have nearly enough for a lawyer yet. In the meantime, she kept money on Anthony and Will's commissary.

As Alexis visualized her brothers coming home, Rico's phone began ringing. She opened her eyes and sat up so he could answer it. Rico looked at the name to see it was his friend Beanie calling.

"What's up, potna?" He answered.

"Son... Pull up to Ken house." Beanie calmly stated.

"Why?" Rico opened his chips.

"Because..."

"What y'all doing? I'm with my girl."

"It's important, man. I won't hold you over the phone." Beanie hung up.

Rico removed the phone from his ear and looked down to see Beanie had hung up on him. Beanie is always joking so for him to sound serious over the phone said a lot to Rico. For a few seconds he sat there looking off into the distance.

"Come to Hollygrove with me real quick." He stood up.

"What's in Hollygrove?" Alexis stood up too.

"It's my cousin." He went into the house to grab his keys.

Rico got inside the car and dialed Ken's number which went straight to voicemail. He called a few more times and was going to continue until his sister called him. Rico kept his eyes on the road as he answered for Rianna.

"Where you at, Ri?" He asked his sister.

"On my way to Ken house. Where you?" She sounded frantic.

"Why?! You supposed to be in B.R." He wanted answers.

"Where you at?" She asked him.

"On my way over there too. Rianna, what's going on?"

"I'll see you." She hung up.