The Apartment

12

Cutlery hitting against China plates echoed throughout the Vincent home. Dr. Vincent sat across from Jerome, watching him eat.

Two hours before, Dr. Vincent had been complaining about how hungry he was and went to make himself a large meal. However, the doctor was disturbed by his son. Even though he had replaced his locks and changed where he hid the spare key, Jerome had found his way in... again. The doctor could do nothing but watch he son's every move.

Jerome chewed the steak that his father prepared.

"This could be seasoned a little better." Jerome critiqued.

Dr. Vincent just stared at him.

"But of course your mashed potatoes are great." Jerome continued, scooping a spoonful of the starch filled food that was buttered to perfection .

"Why are you here, Jerome?" Jerrold snapped, tired of seeing his son's face.

Jerome heard the shift in his father's tone. He used a cloth napkin to wipe the corners of his mouth as he locked eyes with his father.

"I just wanted to tell you that Aaliyah is very willing to have dinner with us I was hoping that we could do it next week. If that is convenient for you."

Over the past few weeks Jerrold Vincent noticed that his wife was giving him the cold shoulder by not eating. It took a while, but he finally figured out that she was against the dinner. Dr. Vincent wanted to see his wife happy, but he rather see her alive.

Jerome has slipped into his house undetected countless times despite the alarm system and cameras he has set up. If the nurse wasn't paying attention, Jerome could kill his mother and no one would be the wiser. So he pushed the guilt to the back of his head and answered.

"That's perfect."

Kareem

"This is so stupid." Aaliyah complained.

"If you do this, I'll cook and clean the entire house except your room for a month." I bargained.

"From here though?" Aaliyah asked as she looked at the three-point line then the basket.

"Yup."

"But it's so far."

"I make about 5 of these a game. I'm asking you to try and make one."

It was the guy's turn to host the WEEKEND. We just wanted to chill after the incident at the club, so we decided to do low key activities where it was just the four of us involved. This is why we're at the basketball courts at the recreation center. Barely anyone was here since it was a Friday night, so it was just us at one half of a court.

We already played a game where it was couples v. roommates which was really just between Zay and I. Liyah and Qi were just double dribbling and turning the ball over. We even did guys v. girls which ended up being 30 - 7 respectively. So we ended up just shooting around and Liyah started talking shit talking about how she could out shoot me. After those games I definitely know that was a joke, but I did ask her to shoot from the three point line for laughs.

"I'll give you four tries." I told her.

She side eyed me.

"That's not enough." She pouted.

I smiled slightly at the way her lower lip jutted out before shaking my head and making my way to her. I took the ball and stood next to her on the three point line.

"Alright, there is a lot of power that is needed for a three pointer and all that power comes from your lower body."

I pointed to my knees for emphasis, before demonstrating.