Tasha looked up, with panic flashing across her face. "Please, just one more minute."
"You know rules are rules, Bowers." the CO said flatly. "Say your goodbyes."
I stood up, knowing better than to argue. "It's cool, sis. We'll be back next week."
Tasha pressed her lips to Nova's forehead, inhaling deeply like she was trying to memorize her scent.
"Mommy loves you, baby girl. So, so much. Be good for Uncle Trigg, okay?" She reluctantly handed Nova back to me.
"I gotchu’ sis," I said as I carefully placed Nova back in her carrier. "Whatever you need in here, whatever Nova needs out there. I got y’all."
We were allowed one final hug. I held her tight with one arm, the other supporting Nova's carrier. As they led her back towards the cell blocks, she looked over her shoulder one last time, she blew me a kiss, and I gave her a slight head nod.
Walking out of the building into the bright afternoon sun felt like crossing between worlds. I stood on the sidewalk for a minute, letting the sounds wash over me, honking horns, people talking, music blaring from passing cars.
I had promised Tasha I would take care of Nova; I had also promised her I was gon get her out that jam. And I wasn’t a man big on breaking his promises. Family was everything to me. And for my family, there was nothing I wouldn't do for them.
* * *
The next day felt long as hell. Between checking in with Sosa, handling some business with a few of our workers on 47th, and making sure Nova had everything she needed for the weekend, I was tired as fuck by the time nightfall rolled around.
I pulled up to Kynessa's building off Stony Island around seven, I parked my Charger in a handicap spot since finding a spot in this neighborhood was damn near impossible. The Red Lobster bags steamed up my passenger window, filling the car with that buttery seafood smell. Nova was fussing in her car seat, probably hungry and tired of being strapped in all day.
"Almost there, lil mama," I said, grabbing the food and her diaper bag. "Auntie Nessa waiting for you."
Kynessa's two-bedroom apartment was on the fourth floor. Her building was nothing luxurious, but it was nice enough that they had security in the lobby and an elevator that actually worked. I had helped her get this spot about three months agowhen her old landlord tried jacking up her rent. I put down the security deposit and cosigned since my credit was better than hers. It made sense for her to have the extra bedroom anyway, with how often Nova stayed over.
I shifted my niece to one arm, balancing the food in the other hand as I knocked on her door.
When she opened up, my body reacted before my mind could catch up. Kynessa had that effect, standing there in some gray leggings that hugged every curve and a cropped hoodie that showed just enough skin to make a nigga forget what he came there for.
"Bout time," she said, reaching for Nova immediately. "My pookie butt, l been waiting for you." She pressed her lips to Nova's chubby cheek, making her giggle. "Yes, I have! Teetee Nessa been waiting all day!"
I stepped inside, kicking the door closed behind me. "Traffic was a bitch. And shorty needed her diaper changed right when we was about to leave Shaunie's crib."
Kynessa's place smelled like coconut oil and vanilla, it was her signature scents. The lights were dimmed, and some R&B was playing on low from her speaker.
"That better be what I think it is," she said, nodding at the bags in my hand while bouncing Nova on her hip.
"At yo’ request ma," I confirmed, setting the food down. "I got you the ultimate feast since you been blowing up my phone about seafood all week."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Don't act like I was begging. You offered."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, ma."
I watched as she moved around the kitchen with Nova, grabbing a bottle from the fridge and warming it up. Tasha's best friend since high school, Kynessa had been right by my sister's side through everything. the pregnancy, the arrest, allof it. When Tasha got locked up, Kynessa stepped up for Nova without hesitation.
Our situation, though... that shit was complicated.
"How was the visit yesterday?" she asked, testing the formula temperature on her wrist while Nova grabbed at her long braids.
"Rough," I admitted, unpacking the food. "Tash not doing too good in there. I think seeing Nova fucked her up even more. It made her realize everything she missing."
Kynessa's face softened. "Poor T. She don't deserve none of this shit."
"We got a lawyer meeting with us tomorrow though. Sosa found this dude from New York who specializes in these kinds of cases."
"That's good." She handed Nova to me so she could pour the wine. "Here, feed her while I fix our plates."