Another Man's Treasure (Joey Bada$$ Story)

Part Quindici

Of course I didn’t tell Joey. I didn’t even have time to.

When they returned, this time with the aforementioned friend Niles who indeed did have some weed that kept the boys occupied for the rest of our time at CJ’s house, I couldn’t even look Joey in the eye. Neither could Dyemond. They all asked what happened to his hand and he said that he’d been climbing a fence, just like he told me, and he apologized to CJ for using the shirt to wrap his cut. CJ had no problem with it.

I had a problem with him taking credit for it at first, but then I remembered that if he did tell CJ that I was the one who took care of him, it would set off a switch in Joey’s brain. He would realize that we were alone here together long enough for more flirting to take place, and he would be right. But I could be wrong, and Joey could be the type of guy who was too laid back to make such calculations so quickly. I didn’t know him enough at all to make any assumptions (but no matter how much I didn’t know him, I still told him that I loved him, but that was a completely different conversation).

After we left, I still didn’t bring it up. The first time I told him about this behavior Joey seemed to think that I was overreacting. This time, I didn’t know what he would do. If he acted like I was overreacting again, I would be upset that he was on Darius’ side instead of mine. If he agreed with me and lost control of his temper, I would probably feel like an idiot for coming between two friends. I was stuck with no choice but to keep my mouth closed.

“You tired?” He asked me when we got home. Latara was already asleep in my arms.

“Not really. I’ll just put her down out here so you can rest in the bedroom,” I said, slipping off my shoes and tip-toeing over to the couch.

“No, put her in the room. I’m not tired.” Joey said.

“Why not?”

“‘Cause I’m high.”

I giggled. “Okay then. I’ll take her in the room. Just don’t stay up too late.”

“Jamie, it’s six o’clock. I can stay up for however long I want.”

I rolled my eyes and carried the sleeping beauty to Joey’s dark, quiet bedroom. The bed was still unmade and the blinds were still open. I rested Latara in her little nest and closed the blinds before turning on the two bedside lamps and the television. I’d fall asleep soon if I watched something boring.

I flipped through the channels, keeping the volume so low that I could barely hear, and stopped on the news. Perfect if I was looking for something to fall asleep to. I lay my head on the pillow and let myself drift, opening my eyes and closing them again, until finally…

Edwin.

His face and name showed on the screen for only a few seconds. By the time I turned the volume up to hear and woke myself up enough to see, the entire news program was finished. I checked other channels, but nothing was on about him. All I knew was that he was in the hospital, and I didn’t know why.

I was his ex-fiancee. I had to know why.

“Joey,” I stumbled out of the bedroom. “Joey!”

He was on the living room rug with his legs folded and his eyes closed, doing some kind of strange yoga chant.

“Joey, I’m serious. Look at me!”

He opened his eyes and smiled. “What’s wrong?”

“Let me use your phone.”

“Is Latara okay?” He uncrossed his legs, looking more awake now.

“No. I mean, yes. Just give me your phone.”