The Neighborhood (Urban)

The Talk

"Damn, what you doing here, Jo?" Jonell asks me.

"What? I can't see my favorite bro?" I smile sweetly.

"Yeah, okay." He steps to the side and I walk in. "What'd that nigga Dace do now?"

I roll my eyes and sit on his couch. His older brother Kevon gives me a head nod. He wasn't much of a talker.

"You need to get your friend. He gets me so fucking tight! Treating me like I'm five or sum shit!" I suck my teeth and pout.

"What'd your lil ass do?" Jonell asks and sits next to me.

Whenever I needed to talk about Dace or anything, Jonell was the one I went to besides my girls. Sometimes you just need a guy to talk to and Jonell always listened to me. After every talk, he'd make me my favorite sandwich and I'd always leave his house feeling better.

"I went out on a date and he wanna go crazy. Talmbout the boy phony and shit when his dumbass is phony himself."

"You? On a date? Wow, I was starting to think you were a lesbian or something. I haven't seen you involved with a nigga in a while." He jokes.

"Jonell, that's besides the fucking point. Why your friend gotta act like that? He pulled up to the place and embarrassed the fuck outta me and himself!"

"You already know how your brother is, so I don't know why you acting brand new." He shrugs.

"You're supposed to be on my side!" I whine.

"iight, he did wild out for no reason but he's your older bro, Jo. He's always gonna think no nigga is good enough for you."

"I understand that, but he ain't had to react the way he did. What can I never have a boyfriend then?" I say annoyed.

"You can, just not to niggas from here. Everyone here issa bum."

"Then where the fuck am I supposed to find a man? I live here! You know what, it don't even matter. Ima keep seeing that boy." I shrug. "I'm grown."

Jonell pours himself some Henny and looks at me funny. Even Kevon gives me a quick stank look.

"What?" I say.

"You know that ain't gonna work out. Why don't you just talk to Dace and see what his problem is. Shit's gotta be deeper than this." Kevon suggests. I was surprised he was even listening.

"I guess." I grumble. "But I haven't said a word to him in three days. I'm petty as fuck so it'll stay that way."

"Shut yo ass up, you know you lowkey hurt he hasn't tried to talk to you." Jonell laughs and downs his Henny.

"Shut up,  nigga." I grumble. "Fine, I guess i'll talk to him once I leave here."

"You want your sandwich pookie?" Jonell coos in a joking manner.

"Yes," I playfully pout.

I go with him into the kitchen and give him all the fixings for the sandwich. It was swiss cheese, pastrami, grilled green peppers and onions on a roll. Frank down at the corner store made it good too, but Jonell's was better.