“And?”
“And you never bring anyone home, so what’s up? You got a woman now?”
“Something like that.”
“Something like that,” he repeated. “That’s cool though. You need to have somebody. You can’t spend every waking moment working or hanging out with our brothers, shit. You need to live your life too.”
“Trust me, I’ve been living it.”
Elijah snickered.
“We gon’ circle back to that,” he said. “But uh, I talked to Pops.”
“Talked to Pops?” I repeated. “They let mothafuckas do collect call to collect call?”
“Nah, bitch,” he said simply. “But I told him?—”
I cut him off. “I don’t care what you told him or what he told you to be honest.”
“Alright.” Elijah didn’t push the issue. “Well, ay, I called Xy and Joss earlier. Let Morocco know I’ll call him and Drake sometime in the next few days, a’ight?”
“Yeah. I’ll let them know.”
“I’ve got some money coming to you soon too.”
“For real?”
“Yeah. Just a lil something to help out with the bills and shit.”
“How you worried about us when you’re the one locked up?”
“Ain’t shit to do in here but sit around and worry about y’all niggas.”
“Play chess or do a puzzle or something. I got shit taken care of out here. You ain’t got to worry about us. I promise.”
“Man, ain’t none of them four kids yours. It’s not your burden to carry alone.”
“I hear you.”
“I’ll hit you up later though and check the mailbox as soon as you get home from the bar tonight.”
“A’ight.”
“A’ight, man. Love you.”
“Love you.” I hung up and did a double take when I saw I had a message from Selle.
Babygirl:
Shopping?
Me:
Tf does that mean?
Babygirl:
Can you pick me up and take me shopping?