HAM (Hard As a Muthaf**ka)

Triage

Triage

                  I stood there, at the entrance of Kennestone Hospital. It was kinda cool, as I was dressed in a black t-shirt type hoodie jacket, a black AC/DC tee, and grey cargo shorts, with some all black AF-1’s. I had my hood on my head, lookin towards the parkin lot, as I saw the burgundy LeSabre pull in…I let out a sigh. My hands were tucked in my jacket pockets.

                  She walked up with that same look on her face that she usually had- she worried about me. She looked at me. “You look a little skinnier than usual…you eatin?”

                  “I didn’t last night,” I said.

                  “I’m sorry about Teja…I know you loved her. I had to calm down your sister…I remember when your father bought her- both of you two were happy to get a pet. I know how much Teja meant to you, Jacoby,” she said.

                  I looked away, to try to keep from cryin…the memories of yesterday started to flow through my mind again- finding Teja, layin in a pool of her own blood. She had been shot 9 times- it had to be Quint, that sick obsessed fuck, that pulled the trigger. I had the notion to shoot his black ass nine times- take it to the face, nigga.

                  “Jacoby…the last time we ‘talked’, I said some things that were hurtful to you. I didn’t mean it, but I was upset,” she said. “I was angry…I know you didn’t mean to put us in the situation that we are possibly facing,”

                  I stood there silent.

                  “I know you were trying to do the best you could to keep us from being hurt because of your actions,” she said. “It seems that you are starting to grow, and think about things other than yourself…I am happy that you care about your sister, and that you want to protect her, no matter what,”

                  “I know…I aint the best son in the world,” I said, my voice quivering. “But at the end of all this drug mess- you and Max are all I got. I been tryin to get away from the street…I been workin at Target, and goin to my classes at the barber school. I know I haven’t been one hunnid with you, Ma, but I’m really tryin,”

                  She wiped the trail of tears off my eye. “You aint the best son in the world, but you are mine…and I know, that you are tryin. Corliss came by…she told me, that you told them that you didn’t want to sell anymore. She told me about how Kantrell pulled a gun you, after sidin with that Jeter boy. I’m just glad that you are safe, after all that went down yesterday with those burglars and Teja…I know you are upset- Teja was the last thing you ever treasured from your father, but eat something,”

                  “I- I will, Mom,” I said, noddin.

                  “You keep that Hamilton girl…she really cares about you, despite your past,” she said. “I can tell, she’s the one who is pushin you to want to do better,”

                  I nodded.

                  She then spread her arms, as I walked into her warm, loving embrace. It felt good, to not have Mom angry with me anymore. I squeezed her tightly. “I’m sorry I ever upset you, Mom. I promise, I’m gonna do better,”

                  She looked into my eye…she must’ve knew something I didn’t say, coz she then said, “Do what you gotta do…and don’t get killed. You promised to protect us,”