Caught Slippin'

Chapter 14 Dre

"But love is a bitch and bitches ain't shit
And I'm riding with a girl name Keisha smoking on Keish uh ('Cause I can't) ~Enough Of No Love Keyshia Cole ft Lil Wayne"

University Hospital

I hate seeing Nicole laying on the hospital bed. All things set aside, she's still like a little sister. I would kill for her. I swear I would kill for her. I just don't understand. Who else would be out to kill her? I think it's Keyshia, but it's something greater going on that we don't know. It's cool though 'cause I got something for Keyshia ass. Just can't believe how shady that bitch is. If anything she should set all beef aside because that's her damn sister! From what I heard she got a baby by Michael.

I look at Nicole again. I could almost see my future. Almost. I never chose this path. I was forced by my old man. He was a hustler and supposedly taught me how to be a "real" man. All the niggah did was run the streets. I held the house down when niggahs would bust through the door searching for him. He ain't a real man. A real man would have been there to kick the niggahs asses instead of allowing my mother to get raped. A real man wouldn't have kicked his own son when he was down. A real man would have never walked out. Every day I think of quitting. But I always remind myself of what that bastard did and that I can do better. I just hope no one takes me out before I get the chance.

My phone vibrates. It's Ms. Sharmayne, Keyshia's Godmother. Knowing Nicole is unconscious, I answer the phone.

"How is my baby girl?" I ask just above a whisper.

"She's doing just fine," says Ms. Sharmayne. "She misses her father as much as she misses her mother. When are you coming to get her?" She sound impatient.

"I... I honestly don't know. Things... Things have gotten hectic over here." I stutter.

"You and Keyshia obviously don't want this child. For god's sake, she's three years old, Dre! Taylor sits here every day looking at that door hoping that one of you will walk in and swoop her off her feet and take her with you. It's fine. I'll keep her. Permanently. I know when a child isn't wanted." She says it so coldly it sends chills up my spine.

Ms. Sharmayne hangs up before I could respond. I sigh and look back at Nicole. She lays there so peacefully. I couldn't help but to think that... if she knew the real me... she'd kill me.