Lick

Mama's Advice

I ran my mouth too much. It wasn't Gunna's place to know how I get my money, but I don't know who he thought he was fuckin with. Tryin' get me to rob some baby ass convenient store. And why the fuck did he have them niggas pictures in a binder anyways? The fuck has he been plotting on em? Probably just waiting for the right time and right place to finally make that move. But if he's so big in the game like motherfuckers say he is, why didn't they just been off his ass? Shit just don't make sense. Anyways, I'm good gettin' money on my own. I don't know how I'm going explain this to Carlos. He had already given me another chance to prove to him I could get slim dealt with. I need that 30K, too. I'm trying to get out of here. Ain't nothing here for me no more. The only reason I'm still here is cause of my mama. I could've been saved up money and left if I wanted to. I felt like my mama needed the support but now I know it's actually me that needs it. I need to go and get myself together. This temporary thrill ain't cutting it for me no more.

Just like any other time I need to vent, I call my mama first. She gives me the best advice. I was still sitting in my car. I never moved from in front of Gunna's garage. I'm surprised he didn't tell me to move either. I pulled out my phone getting ready to call my mama so I could tell her what happened. When I dialed her number, she picked up after the first ring.

"Mama?" I said.

"Good morning baby how are you?"

"I'm fine... Mama, I need some advice." She huffed and puffed as if she already knew what it was about.

"What happened with your job Brook?" she asked.

"Ok... so Carlos wants me to off this dude Gu-"

"Nope come over right now!" she yelled.

"But Mama I was-"

"No! We're not discussing any of that business over the phone come to my house right now Brooklyn." she demanded. I told her okay and I hung up the phone. My mama says it's best to never discuss my job over the phone. She says there is always someone listening to our phone calls. I pulled off from around Gunna's area and started driving to my mama's house. I honestly wasn't sure of what she was going to say, but hopefully, she agrees with how I feel.

When I finally had pulled up to her house, I was honestly scared to get out of the car. Sometimes my mama gives advice that's so harsh but it's so real. Sometimes I'm just scared to hear what's actually true.

I walked to the door slowly, hesitant to even put the key inside and turn it to open the door, but I had to. When I walked in, I had already seen my mama sitting on the couch waiting for me. She smiled at me and looked in the direction of the empty spot right next to her where she wanted me to sit at. I kissed her forehead before I sat down, then began to tell her what happened.

"Finish telling me what you had to say, Brook." she said.

"Carlos offered $30,000 for me to personally kill this dude he got competition with."

"Brooklyn..."

"I know mama... But I did change his mind and convince him to just let me set him up and then Carlos will just kill him by himself."

"So how are you going to set this one up?" she asked.

"The deal was for me to act like I'm working with him." I said. Once I said that my mother rolled her eyes. "We're supposed to get the money together by hitting licks then the last lick we hit he'll actually be walking into a setup."

"So what's the advice you need Brooklyn? Seems like you already got your mind made up. Bad enough you can get killed for your job now you're about to set yourself up to get locked up as well. You know I don't like your damn job as is! Baby, you had a wonderful career as a pharmacist you should get back into the business!"

"NO! Mama, I want nothing to do with that." I yelled by accident. "The problem is, the dude, he's not like me."

"What the hell do you mean he's not like you Brooklyn?"

"He wants to rob baby shit like gas stations and convenient stores like that's not me!"

"What's wrong with that Brooklyn money is money to you ain't it!?" she asked.

"Mama, I'm a hitman. Not no dumb ass just looking for a quick dollar."

"You are a dumb ass looking for a quick dollar THAT is why you're a hitman!" she yelled. My mama has never called me dumb, and honestly, it hurt my feelings. I got up, getting ready to leave out the door.

"I think it's time for me to go." I tried to walk away but she yanked my arm.

"No sit your ass down now!" she yelled. I sat back down and folded my arms. "Now listen here, I've done nothing but support you through this. All of this! Now I am tired of stressing myself worrying that you won't make it to see the next day with what you do. Worrying every night that you're safe and well kept with the shit that you do! I've been through enough, ok? You're not making this any easier. 30K is a lot and the most money that fat, selfish bitch has EVER offered you. After this little shindig you're DONE with this bullshit, do you understand me? I CAN'T STAND TO BURY MY CHILD!" she yelled. I watched a tear fall from her eyes and her body shake as she expressed her feelings to me. I tried to wipe her tear, but she wouldn't let me. "You do whatever it is you have to do with that boy and you get out of this game and I mean it! You let Carlos know after this that you are done NO EXCEPTIONS! Do you understand me?"

"Yes, ma'am." I replied while my head was still down. She pulled me into her arms and hugged me with all her warmth filling my spirit.

"Please do better... For your father Brook." she whispered in my ear. I got up again getting myself together, ready to leave and go back to Gunna's garage. I walked over towards the door and smiled at my mama. "I love you, mama." I said.

"I love you..." she replied. I walked out of the door ready to try this over again with Gunna. Hopefully, he'll allow me to work with him.