August's Empathy

Determination

AUGUST'S EMPATHY

Monet opened her door wider. "What's up? Come in."

Monique walked through the door of her home. It was warm and pretty spacious. She was located near downtown Atlanta. The place was decorated nicely in modern furniture and technology. It wouldn't have been Monet if she didn't have any color in it. It was very colorful but not tacky.

Monet looked different. She was built way better and even thicker than three years ago. Her hair was shaved down, only leaving one side slightly long. The extensions were dyed a vibrant color of red. Tattoos decorated her chest, thighs and shoulders. And she had lost her accent partially, leaving her to sound different.

"What, you and ole' dude split up?" Monet taunted as she re-lit her cigar, pulling it to her lips.

Monique replied, "Something like that. Do you have a bathroom?"

"Don't be shy, we grew up together. Just because we haven't spoke doesn't mean anything had changed. You're still my little sister and I still got that tough love. I'm not like Mama and I'm not about to disown or disrespect you as long as you can treat me the same. It's down the hall, first door to your left."

Monique smiled before rushing off. She knew she could talk to her sister but how could she tell her that she had just robbed a white dude for under ten thousand dollars? Sighing, she leaned against the bathroom counter, staring at all of the money inside.

"Bitch, you not tough," Rakim spat with a smirk before Monique lodged a bullet right into his chest.

She knew it didn't kill him at all. He was still spitting obscenities after she left. The thought of being wanted scared her straight. It was the fact that people knew him and the local drug dealers thought he was a God for some reason. They looked up to him for his money, power, and respect. In order to be in his circle, they'd be willing to do any favor for him.

Now, she had bought herself to Monet, who was suspected to have something to do with Melvin's murder. Jorven had already been put under the jail for it. He just never snitched. Rumors went around that she was seeing Jorven before and that they had set Melvin up perfectly, but those rumors died down once she left.

But if Rakim sent some hitters, Monique knew it was her and Monet's ass. They were going to kill anyone she surrounded herself with. Then, she took a deep breath. I'm over thinking all of this, she thought. Rakim wouldn't want her that bad over some crusty money that he could easily get back. She calmed herself down before beginning to count up the money.

$5, 387. 00

It took her longer than expected to count that up. She began to sort it out, wrapping it up with the hair bows from her head and wrist. She dropped it into the duffle bag then exited the bathroom, walking back towards the living room. Monet was noticeably missing.

A man was seated on the couch, a line on the coffee table. He was staring down at the perfect line with a bag folded in front of him. She cleared her throat. He looked up and smiled. "Monique, right?"

"Right," she replied. He was fine. His hair was styled into a low cut, and he had dark brown complected skin which complemented the grill in his mouth. Her eyes met his then she noted he had two teardrops tattooed beneath his eye. He was dressed in a clean white tee and a pair of dark jeans. His feet were covered in a pair of Nike's. She didn't know if he did the drug or if he was dealing it.

"I'm your sister man. You do.. this?"

"No, no thanks. I'm cool. That's not for me." She looked around the living room, nervous. He continued to bag up the cocaine while watching television. It was pretty silent in the room. She didn't want to speak to him much. He thought she was being stuck-up.

"I'm not gon' bite you, hear?" He glanced at her, placing the cocaine into his back pocket.

Monique forced a smile. "Oh, I know. You seem cool."

"Because I am. I'm real laid-back and not with all that. Don't think I'm a bad guy just 'cause I got the white girl on the table," he continued, "I just hustle to feed us. So, tell me what's up. Ain't nobody leaving NOLA for the A."

Monique looked around, nervously. Her eyes drifted to the designer duffle bag. It just looked like she was carrying clothes. Hopefully. And it did. Play was just curious as to why she had the body language of a scary person. He was good when it came to reading people.

"Just a new start. I broke up with a boyfriend. Monet and I haven't seen each other in three years so I'm here until I can get to know the city better. How did you meet my sister?"

Play sighed. He remembered vividly how he met Monet. She saved his life during a shootout at the club. He was spitting up blood and in dire need of help. She was the one to call the ambulance for him and apply pressure to his wounds until they were able to come. "Long story. She just a rider. Are you the same?"

"It depends, what makes a rider for you?" She began to get more comfortable. He smiled at her, arching his brow.

August tried to focus on the ground beneath him. He felt like he was going to fall face first. Stumbling, he leaned up then back before spinning around. The city looked like it was a huge bubble that was blurring his eyesight. He felt his arm being lifted then looked over at Debarge, who was being carried by a tired Bianca.

They were both wasted. August was glad he got up out of that club before he committed a sin. Debarge was just having a good time off of weed and alcohol. They made it to their hotel and crashed immediately. The next day he woke to calls from Camry, who was livid.

"I BET YOU WERE OUT! How could you forget to call me back?"

"Because I got drunk, damn. You acting like I committed a crime by going out. You go out all the time and shit with Jay. Debarge, his girl, and me just went to see what the club was looking like. Stop overreacting to everything."

"Yeah, whatever. Just make sure you catch that plane tomorrow and come home to me, or else you'll have a problem on your hands. Goodbye." She ended the call.

He began to get dressed after popping two Ibuprofen. Debarge and Bianca were still asleep after their long night. August called a cab then went to see his nieces, knowing they were home from school.

As soon as he walked through the door, the three of them ran to him. He bent down, giving each of them a long hug and kiss. "I bought y'all some toys." He passed the dolls over to them.

"Thank you!" they said in unison, before pulling him to the living room. His mother was sitting on the couch, talking to the girl's mom.

"What's up? How you been?"

"OK. I'm glad you came home. I guess you didn't forget where you came from after all. We've all missed you. Can I talk to you?"

Cherice and August entered the washing machine room. She looked around in paranoia before beginning, "I know you said that you would never involve yourself in this again... But I just need a favor. I know that Jorven was arrested for killing him but I've been told and I know there's more to the story. August, if you can just find out for me and the girls what really happened, it would make me happy. Please?"

And that's when he made the decision that he would stop running away from the issue. His brother wasn't served his justice therefore he wouldn't involve the courts in his next move. He was going to find his brother's real killer.