Their parents worked hard enough without ever getting a break.
“What’s up y’all?” I asked.
“We want some candy!” they shouted.
I shook my head—they always had their hands out. Crossing my arms over my chest, I leaned back against the seat of my bike.
“Y’all been staying out of trouble? Let me stop you before you lie. I will go in and ask Sammy. Y’all know he will know, so tell me now before I go in there.”
They all looked at each other with questions in their eyes, then back in my direction, as if I had the answers. But I didn’t. I was just fucking with them. I planned to grab that candy even if I heard they had been up to no good. I just intended to tack on a lecture with it.
“We been cool, man.” Vinny spoke up and walked around his two friends with his chest poked out.
I chuckled and nodded, then threw my leg over the side of my bike.
“Alright, watch my bike and don’t touch nothing on it.” I told them with a point of my finger.
They murmured their agreement as I turned my back to them and headed inside the corner store. The bell overhead rang, alerting Sammy to my presence.
“What’s up, Duke.” he called out.
“What’s up, Sammy? Everything been cool around here? You need me to send anybody over here to chill outside?” I asked, while heading to the back of the store to grab a bottle of water.
“I’ve told you many times before—I’m good. I can handle myself.” He responded the same way he usually did.
I made my way back towards the front, heading straight for the candy rack. Then grabbed a few bags of skittles and a couple of different things for Vinny and his friends.
“Aye, Sammy, Vinny and his bad ass friends been cool around here?” I asked and nodded towards the door.
Sammy glanced the way I gestured with a shake of his head and a smile.
“Surprisingly, he’s been staying out of trouble. Probably because of one of the guys you sent down here to watch the shop.”
I lifted a brow in mock confusion.
“You know, the ones you send, even though I tell you I’m good.”
I reached into my pocket and handed him a twenty.
“Let me find out you’re getting senile, old man. Keep the change or give it to someone who needs it.”
I left the store before he could complain. I definitely planned to be sending someone down here. Sammy was a staple in this community and I wasn’t going for a knucklehead coming here trying to gain street cred. He was one of the main people who helped me out when I was younger. I had family, but trouble always seemed to find me, even without trying.
The moment I stepped outside, Vinny and his friends quickly tried to remove their hands from my bike. I knew they wouldn’t be able to help it. Shit, I was an adult, and found myself running my fingers across the leather randomly.
“Uh huh, I Caught y’all asses. I should go back inside and tell Sammy I don’t need this shit. Y’all had one job.” I teased, holding up the bag of snacks.
They looked at each other with wide eyes, then back at me.
I ignored their puppy-dog expressions as I strolled over to my bike and swung my leg over. I pulled the few bags of skittles out, then stashed them away before grabbing my water and holding the bag out to Vinny.
“Split this up fairly and keep up the good work. Don’t let me hear you’ve been out here messing around. You know where to find me if you need anything—or talk to one of the guys in Black Thorns jackets.”
I reminded Vinny, like I did every time I saw him. He needed a little reminder that someone gave a damn that he was safe or cared about where he ended up in life. That was all the kids in this area. It was the reason so many fell into spaces where they couldn’t get out of.
Vinny gave me a subtle smile, then ran off with his friends in tow, trying to see what was inside of the bag. I pulled away from the curb and made my way to my grandparent’s home. I always stopped in when I was in the area. They lived on the outskirts of The Parks. Which is how I knew what those kids needed. I was one of them before.
I’d finally made it to the two story family home with the crooked white fence. The paint was now chipped on it, but damn, did it feel like a mansion when we first moved in. My grandparents truck was parked in the driveway with another car parked directly behind it. I glanced down and noticed the crooked California plates. I groaned inwardly at the sight; I knew this car could only belong to one person and I wasn’t in the mood for her shit today.