August's Empathy

Family Matters

AUGUST'S EMPATHY

"Breaking news, a couple found gunned down in their home after being dead for two days. This is right after a woman was found dead in her home from a horrific cut to the throat. Joe?"

"Joe Barber reporting live from Dowtown New Orleans. A couple, Jade Harris and Rakim Scott, were pronounced dead early this morning. The police department released the statement saying that the pair had guns wounds to the head and chest. There are no leads right now but investigators are still working hard to find any suspects. I spoke with a couple neighbors and here's what they had to say about the two..."

Deidre shook her head. "That's the young boy Melvin used to hang around. It's so sad... All these kids are just being killed left to right. God bless their family."

Charice nodded her head. "I'm gon' go call August and let him know."

Play listened intently as Monet spoke with Lyndsey, talking about her plans for her mother's funeral. They switched their subject and began talking about Thanksgiving, which was approaching. He knew he wasn't staying in New Orleans for too longer.

The cops were hot and he was becoming paranoid. He heard there was no lead on the case but he still couldn't risk being in the city any longer, plus he didn't know if the young boys who accompanied him to the murder were trustworthy. He found them on the side of the street while he was walking. He offered each of them a grand to complete the job Monique had requested.

He didn't do hits for anyone. It was the fact that she was positive that Rakim had killed her mother. Scratching his head, he thought about how sincere she sounded. She was in tears about the entire thing while she talked to him. He felt sorry for her but he did it for Monet, who was still mourning the loss of her mom.

His eyes followed her as she began speaking in whispers until fully stepping outside the hotel to speak.

"Are you whispering because you're around him?" Lyndsey inquired, slightly annoyed.

"No- I mean, yes. Now ain't the time. Have you seen Monique anywhere?"

"No, and I don't want to. She did Play, got her ass beat, then got on. Let her be because it's obvious she's no good. And I really don't understand why you chose to take him instead of me. I could've been there to support you more than he is. Y'all aren't even speaking!"

Monet rolled her eyes, sick of the complaints. "OK, that's all I needed to know. Bye." Just as she hung up, another call came through. It was Reynard, who was claiming he missed her so much. She would've answered but she didn't do that anywhere near Play. It could risk him finding out that she was cheating on him. And she couldn't handle that stress.

August walked around the store with Monique and Camry, joking as they looked at the turkeys. Monique looked at him funny once he grabbed more than one sample, trying to pass her one. Camry rolled her eyes. They were being immature right behind her. Thanksgiving was coming up and she was happy to be around family, August's mom and nieces.

"Are you for real? They still sell these?" Monique showcased an old brand of popsicles, showing them to August. He laughed lightly before grabbing his ringing phone from his pocket.

"What's up?"

"Nothing much, over here at your mom's until the girls get home from school. Look, I have bad news."

"Yes?" He sighed heavily. Charice arched her eyebrow before replying, "Rakim and his girl got shot two days ago. Mama wanted me to let you know because maybe you could come and give your condolences. How do you feel about that?"

"I feel like it's fucked up. He helped put my brother on. I probably won't be able to make it to New Orleans in time, but tell Ma that if she get the chance then to go by his mom's. They spoke before. Just speak for the family and all, then I'll see if I can make it up there by the time for the funeral."

They talked a bit more. She was focused on the Melvin thing which he was handling on the side. He had a lot going on at the moment but he had definitely not forgot. Debarge was helping him out as well. Both of them were busy.

He announced to Monique, "Rakim's dead."

She nodded, mumbling, "Oh." Then, she walked off as Camry and August stared at her in confusion.

As Thanksgiving approached, the city started getting busier and busier. Everyone was rushing around. August was busy all the time, Camry was studying for her finals, and Debarge was with Bianca. Tremane wouldn't even leave the hotel room, sleeping all the time. Monet was preparing her mother's wake, stressed. Monique was the of the few who seemed disinterested, staying inside of the bedroom and laying underneath the covers.

August popped in. "Are you going to sleep in for the whole November?"

"I'm trying to." Monique pulled her covers up then looked up at the television. He burst inside of the room and then sat beside her on the bed. She paid no attention at him.

"When I lost my brother, all I wanted to do was stay in and not talk to nobody. I didn't listen to my mama, being a fool and not listening in school. I felt like it was all of my fault. Then, a li'l big head girl came up on my porch step talking 'bout she love me and I was coping with death the wrong way. I never got to thank her as much as I wanted to... It meant everything to me to see that life was still going on. She motivated me to go on. Now, I can return the favor." August pinched her cheek.

Monique smiled. "I feel bad, man. You don't understand. I never told her I love her. I let my ex take me away from her."

"We all make mistakes. I didn't get to tell Mel how I really felt. You feel like you didn't get that closure and like you were wrong. You feel bad, but you can't go on thinking what it could've been. That can stress you out, baby.. Girl," he added quickly, "I made you a promise. You gon' get to say goodbye to her. I don't lie to you."

"I don't know if I can."

"You will as long as I'm involved. I got your hand the whole way. How you feel 'bout 'dat?"

She smiled, wiping a tear, "I feel like I'm getting up and going with my brother."

He forced a weak smile. "Yeah, sis."