Love in New York [Under Construction].

XLIV.

The Next Day

Adam's POV

I looked over at Aaliyah, who was knocked out with a Twinkie in her hand. I turned the TV off, listening to the sound of cars outside. Something wasn't right. I checked Aaliyah over again. She was okay. The babies were okay. What was wrong? TING. Beside me, my phone screen lit up:

Rico: Bridge @ 9

I got up, and began getting dressed, making up an excuse in my head to say to Aaliyah if she woke up. I knew she was beginning to get suspicious. This would be the night that I would end it before it got out of hand. I grabbed my keys and headed outside. The drive across town was different than what I was used to. I was used to seeing the deteriorating buildings and trap houses turn into perfect homes with white picket fences. But now, I was an outsider looking in; seeing perfectly cut lawns and nice neighbors turn to condemned homes and crackheads. I had finally made it out of the projects like I always wanted, why did I keep going back?
After a fifteen minute drive, I got out and parked my car on a side street. Under the bridge tended to be very slick and getting my car stuck down there would be a bitch. I cut through a couple alleys until I made it to the underpass where Rico was parked, standing outside smoking a black. I could tell he was paranoid about meeting out here. Police presence was heavy. "Hey homes." He reached into the car, and pulled out the small baggies of crack. "We got a lot of business going down over near you, so just make sure-" "I can't do this anymore, man" I started, "I just can't go behind Aaliyah's back any longer." I had learned from the Choochi incident, that hiding things from Aaliyah was not what I wanted.
I reached into my pocket and handed the money to Rico. "Here's all the money I earned in the last two months." He folded up the bills but handed them back to me. "Keep it. I respect you, Adam... and I understand." As soon as I dapped him up, I heard tires screeching. Out of nowhere, a black car zoomed down the street at us. His eyes widened. "Oh shit! Go!" he yelled, running off, and I didn't need an explanation before I took off running down the alley. Pop! Pop! Pop! As quick as I could blink, Rico fell down and reached to grab his gun. "Go!" he told me again. I didn't have time to stop, I turned around a corner, knocking down some trashcans. I had to make it back to Aaliyah and my kids. I had to...