For the Better

Chapter 6

It was a new day. I was on a mission. Determined not to become a product of my surroundings, I bought a nice suit, and began my job hunt. I went to any establishment I could reach. Factories, retail stores, dine-in restaurants. I didn't go anywhere near fast food joints, though. I never did do fast food jobs. It wasn't my cup of tea.
After walking for what seemed like miles to every store and establishment, I decided to continue my search the next day. The feeling of defeat began to take over at that moment, but the thought of sleeping on Anita's couch for the rest of my days quickly turned that around to motivation for the next day. I also didn't want her worrying about me. As I began to climb the steps to her apartment building, I spotted her strolling in my direction. She looked so damn good. I couldn't help but stare. "What do you keep looking at?" She huffed as she walked past me through the building door.
"I can't look at you?" I said as I followed her up the steps. She said nothing
We got in the elevator, and a silence persisted.
"I just thought you looked very beautiful." I said finally.
She fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"Thank you." she responded dryly.
She seemed distracted, distraught over something.
"Where are you coming from all dressed up?" she asked.
"Handling some business."
"Mmmmh," she retorted. I chuckled.
The elevator arrived at her level, and we stepped out. Two teen girls hurried into the elevator behind us as we made our way to her door.
She stuck the key in the door and then paused suddenly.
"What?" I asked.
"Shh."
Pause. "You hear that?"
A faint moaning suddenly became clear as day through the door. Anita's expression was one of pure confusion. I wasn't confused about anything. There were two options: Derek could be in there watching porn too loud, or the nigga simply had Anita fucked up. She turned the key and practically busted the door down. I couldn't believe my fucking eyes. This man had a bitch bent over Anita's sofa butt naked. "Yo what the fuck? Nigga, I sleep there!" He didn't even bother to stop until he heard Anita say something. "Fuck is you doing?" They looked up at us. The nigga had the nerve to be smirking. This muhfucka
was intent on meeting his maker today. "You move your ex in with you, and I'm supposed to believe you not fucking him? Well, I'm not stupid Anita!" He kept hitting the bitch from the back too. They kept grinning, and I knew all hell was about to break loose any second now.
"Y'all need to get the fuck up out my house." Anita said in a tone I didn't recognize. She sounded like a robot. I looked at her. Her eye twitched, and I knew what that meant.
     Derek let out a hearty laugh and kept fucking the girl.
"Alright...." She muttered as she walked off to her bedroom. I wanted to kill this muhfucka for doing this to her. I shook my head at his ass.
"Get yo shit and get out before I put you out." I threw the pile of clothes at their asses. They kept going at it. That only pissed me off more. Before I could even make another move, Anita returned with a pistol in hand.
"So you not gon' leave?" She fired two warning shots.
"Anita stop!" Derek screamed. Him and the bitch grabbed their clothes and scrambled towards the door, tripping over each other in their nakedness.
"Get yo' shit and get the fuck out my house and don't you ever come back, bitch!" She fired twice again in their direction.
"Baby!" I heard Derek's ass cry out in fear while he was running. They ran out into the hall, and Anita followed in hot pursuit. I followed swiftly behind.
"Yo, Anita chill! Give me the gun." She stood still for a moment, listening to their frantic footsteps rushing down the stairs, then she turned to me and handed me the gun.
"Listen, I know. I know. You gotta chill, yo." I said as I led her back to the apartment. I locked the door behind us.
"You living around all these white folks. They ain't used to this shit. You know they'll pick up the phone and call 12 quick, fast, and in a hurry." She sat on the couch, staring off into space. It seemed like my words were going in one ear and out the other. I sat down next to her.
"Anita?" She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at me.
"The bastard had the nerve to accuse me of cheating on him with you." She stared at me. I sat quietly. I didn't know what to say. She was so upset, and I didn't want to do anything to exacerbate her mood.
"Anita..."
She got up and headed to the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. I knew Anita like the back of my hand. I knew she hated to show emotion. I also knew that lame nigga Derek really pissed her off, but he didn't destroy her. 
"She'll be okay," I told myself as I took a seat on the couch, "she just needs some time." My mind rambled, trying to recall when I had last seen her that angry, if I had ever. My mind drew a blank. She was full of surprises. My mind ran on old Ben and what he planned on doing about Fish, or what he might have already done. I shook my head, not even wanting to dwell on the thought. I closed my eyes and saw Jai. I saw his smile, heard his laugh, and instantly felt that same gut punch.
"Fuck this."
I pulled my phone out my pocket and dialed Ben's number.
"Jo, my man. What's happening?"
"Yeah, man. What's the word on your boy?"
"Who Fish?"
"Yeah."
He let out a hearty chuckle.
"You don't have to worry about that old bastard again."
His answer baffled me.
"What you do?"
He just laughed through the receiver. His nonchalant demeanor always pissed me off.
"Unc, what did you do?" I wasn't going to ask again, and he could tell that by my tone.
"Oh, calm down, boy. Fish out there somewhere pushing up roses." He continued to chuckle. I was in awe.
"You serious?"
"Told you I protect my own, didn't I?"
"I ain't need protection from that fool. He killed my boy. If you didn't kill him, I damn sure was going to."
"It's over, son. Get out the game. You don't need to be growing accustomed to this life. You smart. You'll find your way."
I paused for a second, giving some serious thought to what he was saying.
"It's what Jai would've wanted." He added. I let out a heavy sigh and sat back on the couch. Deep down, I knew he was right. Getting out was all Jai and I talked about.
"You can do it, son." He affirmed before he hung up. I glanced at the phone before shoving it back in my pocket.
I thought back to a simpler time, when Jai was alive and all we did was chase paper together. All that time we spent on the corner seemed like it would never end. I held back a laugh as a faded memory of Jai just being Jai became clearer and clearer. We used to love to go to this Chinese joint located at the center of our neighborhood in this old, dingy-looking plaza. The food didn't match the looks of the building, though. It was a popular spot in the community. It was also Jai's favorite spot to attempt to pick up chicks. That fool used to have the cheesiest pickup lines. Jai used to be shorter than most guys. He was real skinny, too. Most girls would laugh and walk off on his ass, but that didn't deter his ass from trying with another one. After he bulked up and became running-back for the high school football team sophomore year, he had no problem attracting ladies. I remembered going to every one of his football games before they kicked him off the team. He got hit with a random drug test, and they kicked him off the team. By that time, he didn't care anymore. He made it clear to Ben what his interest was: joining the family business and making paper. My throat tightened and I felt a growing sting in my eyes. This ain't good, I thought, I gotta stop this. I jumped to my feet and grabbed my coat. I paused, remembering Anita.
I stepped up to her door and knocked softly. "Anita, are you good?"
"Yes." Her answer was firm.
"Ok."
I wanted to put that nigga Derek's head through a wall for that shit he pulled. I started to tell her I was going out for a bit, but I changed my mind and set my coat back down. I didn't feel right at all just leaving her. She might have wanted to be alone, but I made up my mind to stay with no ulterior motives. She needed her space, but she needed someone to be close. That's just what I'll be, I thought to myself as I got comfortable on the couch.