BFF

Relax

Dave – Point of View

I woke up in a mood. Not the worst one, but not great either. Today was the day I had to leave my baby, and that wasn't sitting right with me.

Tia had woken up three times last night crying. She's dramatic, but I get it. We've never been apart for a whole week before. I pulled her closer to me, needing to feel her against me—not just beside me but on me.

"Come here, wake up," I said softly.

"I'm up," she murmured, voice raspy from sleep.

I pulled her on top of me, her body melting into mine. "Stop pouting, mama."

"Well, don't leave me then," she whispered.

"I gotta go, baby."

"You the boss," she said.

"I wish it worked like that," I told her, "but I gotta take care of this."

She buried her face into my chest, tears soaking in. I swear I love this girl more than life itself.

"You'll be fine. Ki's coming by twice this week, and Brandy's got you for the rest. You won't be alone," I reassured her.

"What if I need some dick?" she asked through a pout.

I laughed. "You'll get that when I touch back down."

Then I got serious. "You'll be staying at my place, so keep an eye on Corey. His curfew is midnight. Not 12:01. You hear me?"

"Yes, baby. I hear you."

We got up, showered, made love, got dressed, and packed. Well—I packed. Tia tried to help.

"You need this?" she asked, holding up one of my shirts.

"Yeah, throw it in there."

Then she reached for my shoes. "Don't put my shoes in there like that," I warned. "They got their own suitcase."

She laughed. "Dang, ain't nobody about to mess up your shoes, boy."

"Yeah, alright," I muttered, side-eyeing her.

Once we were done, we made our way to my private jet. Tia was even more emotional by the time we pulled up. My bags were being loaded, and she held on to me like it was the end of the world.

"Relax, you gon' be just fine," I whispered in her ear. "Call me whenever."

"I love you," she said. "Be safe, you hear me?"

"That's always, boo."

We kissed, long and deep. She got back in the car but didn't drive off. She waited until my jet took off.

By the time I woke up again, I was landing in New York.

I hadn't told Tia, but I was here to find my father. Word around was he'd been using my name and Social Security number to open accounts and sign contracts. Making me look hot out here. Like, why would you do that? You didn't even raise me. Bum ass.

I picked up my rental and headed straight to my grandma's house in Harlem. Soon as I pulled up, it felt like I never left.

One of the guys on the block spotted me.

"Oh shit, that's East!"

"You heard," I said, smirking. "What's good?"

We dapped up and I kept it pushing. When I opened the door to Grandma's, it smelled like heaven. She was cooking, no doubt.

"Maaa!" I called.

Her tiny frame came hustling out the kitchen, arms open wide. "Ooo my baby!"

She wrapped me up in a hug, holding tight. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, ma. I'm here 'cause your son's out here using my name for stuff. Got me looking hot."

She sighed. "That nigga... I haven't seen Dee around here in months."

"Exactly. He a bum. I swear I'm putting hands on him."

"David..." she warned. "I don't need you in trouble. Just talk to him. When it's just you and Tia gone, you got no brakes."

"I know, but he needs this ass whooping."

She changed the subject. "Speaking of Tia..."

I laughed. "Here you go."

"Y'all together yet?"

"Yes, we're together. She's the love of my life."

"I already knew that," she said with a smile. "I love that girl. We just talked yesterday. Where's Corey?"

"I left him with Tia while I handle this."

"You stayin' here or you got a room?"

"I got a room, ma. But I'm eating here."

"I made lamb chops, baked mac, and yams," she said proudly.

"Yessir!"

We ate, talked, caught up, then I dipped out to my hotel. Once I got in the shower, I let the hot water pour over me. It was one of those showers that felt like therapy. My phone started ringing, but I let it. The water felt too damn good to leave.

After an hour, I finally got out, wrapped a towel around my waist, and checked my phone. Tia had called me three times. I FaceTimed her back.

She answered in a towel, irritation all over her face. "So you tell me to call anytime and then don't answer?"

"Relax, mama," I said calmly. "I just got out the shower."

"Don't test me."

"Ain't nobody testing you."

"You never even told me where you were going," she said, narrowing her eyes.

"That was intentional," I admitted.

"Wow. Why?"

Before I could answer, there was a knock at her door.

"Hold on," she said, pulling her robe on. Corey stood at the door.

"I'm going to the store real quick," he said.

"Okay, be back before 12," she warned.

"Heard ju."

I let her handle it. I wasn't there, so she had to stand in.

"How's it going with him?" I asked when she returned.

"Fine. He's a good kid. Went to work when I had class, so no problems."

"Good. He knows I'll kill his ass."

She laughed. "He knows you don't play. But you're off-topic. Where are you?"

"Sleep with your clothes on," I said, trying to redirect.

"I don't like sleeping with clothes on."

"I know, but you gotta."

"Stop changing the subject."

"I can't tell you. Alright?"

"Show me your room then."

I laughed. "Nah."

See, she'd recognize the room immediately—we always stayed at this hotel in Harlem. And I didn't want her worrying, thinking I was into something dangerous.

"'Cause you know I'd be on it," she said.

"Most definitely."

We talked for hours. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep—and not long after, I did too.

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Edited 6.14.25