Chanel's Story

Chaper 15: To My City

When we finally made it to Simon, I stopped outside of a Walmart. It was now 2 am.

I got out my phone and called my dad's friend Yvette. She handled the technical stuff on my daddy game.

"Ayye Yvette." I said once she answered.

"Hey Chanel. When you gonna come see me?" she asked.

"I'll come today. But I need a plane ticket to Houston or Atlanta asap. What can you do?"

"I'll give you a call back in 20." She said before she hung up.

"Come on," I told Malik.

"Why we here? Just take me home so I can rest."

"You really think they not bout to come lookin for you. We gonna get you some shit and then you hopping on the next flight till shit die down."

We went into the store. We picked up a duffel, shirts, shorts, and slippers. We picked up a tracphone too.

When we got back to the car,  Yvette called me back.

"Next flight to Houston leaves at 4:20. I'm on my way to the airport so meet me there.

"Okay thanks Yvette."

We rode to the airport in silence. Malik hadn't been saying anything since we left Gaberson.

"You alright?" I asked him

"Im straight Chanel."

"Look I know that you might feel some type of way right now but you need to know that you gonna be fine."

"Appreciate it."

"I'm gonna give it bout two weeks. Stay in Houston. Chill out for a couple weeks."

We made it to the airport at 4 and met Yvette at the terminal. 

"Im guessing you going away for a while Malik," she said.

"Yea. Shit got a lil crazy and imma need to lay low."

"Well Im happy youre staying safe. Chanel you getting big on me girl. Slow it down for your tee Yvette a lil bit. You remind me of myself when I was younger. A fine lil thang. Anyway, I gotta pick up some money at sunrise. See yall later." she hugged us and left.

"I'll see you soon. Text me when you land. Check in a hotel and be cool. I put 50k in your duffel. It should be enough for at least a month," I said before turning around to leave.

He grabbed my arm and I jerked it away from him. 

"This don't change shit son. No love lost but I aint forget about what you did."

"Just give me a hug Chanel. I don't know how imma repay you but I will. I should be dead right now but you came through for me."

I looked at him for a second and then gave him one of my "Petty Betty" hugs. 

"Bye Malik."

***

After I came from the airport I went home. I sent Emyriah a text.

Chanel: If Trey ask i was with you last night. no questions imma tell you later.

I dozed off into sleep.

***

When I woke up that morning I had a text from Malik.

Malik: Touched down in Houston. Checked into the Hilton. Imma tell your pops I escaped last night. Im not gonna put your name in it.

I heard a bunch of talking coming from the living room. I looked outside and saw Deniece's car and a bunch of furniture trucks. She must be moving in the new furniture.