Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“And you ain’t got to work here if you think everyone you lay eyes on is a suspect. I know how y’all like to do in here. I heard about how y’all been in here profiling some of my friends. Black folks. Y’all actually harass just about anybody, because apparently you don’t have enough to do. Go find a hobby.”
“Nobody is bein’ profiled, sir.”
“I’m on a tight schedule, and you’re wasting my time. I’m also reporting this shit to corporate. Now move.”
The security guard’s jaw tightened.
“I will go where I wish in this store, sir. You can go down another aisle, or check out if you’re finished shopping.”
I ain’t found a can of whoop ass yet though. Soon as I do, you’ll know it…
Legend sucked his teeth and put his hand on his hip. He was tempted to flash his gun, but that could lead to a shitload of trouble. The last thing he needed was to end up in a jail cell for something as stupid as this.
“I knew I should have went to the other Kroger a little bit aways… y’all always on some bullshit. Move the hell out of my way before I move you. I gotta get some things for my mother-in-law, and you’re holdin’ me up. Go down to the toy aisle with the cereal, because I’m not who you want to play wit’.”
The security guard stepped out of the way, then grabbed his radio off his shoulder.
“What are you reportin’, man? That I bagged up two apples? What? Did I rough ’em up too much in the process and accidentally made apple sauce? You a fuckin’ clown.”
“Yes, he’s still here. By the Red Delicious and Honeycrisp apples.”
“Tell ’em I’m by yo’ mama, too. You got the brazen salty nuts, the absolute unwaverin’ bravado, to report me on your little Melissa and Doug radio. That’s cool though.”
Legend started to walk away, but could hear the little bitch complaining about an irate customer for quite some time. He rolled his eyes, and made his way over to pick up the loaf of bread, cornbread mix, and the rest of the items on the list. He got in line, checked out, and noticed he was being watched now by two sloppily dressed guards. It took all he had in him to not run back up to the store and beat the piss out of both of them just for the pure pleasure of it. He took a deep breath, loaded his truck, and drove straight to Tina’s house.
As soon as he arrived at the small white dwelling with the Black Lives Matter sticker on a window, the door swung open before he had a chance to even knock. There the woman stood, sporting a long-sleeved grey shirt, jeans, and thick green socks. A pink satin bonnet sat on her head, and she held a cigarette in her hand.
“Come on in, handsome! That sho’ was fast, baby.”
“Yes, ma’am. It didn’t take too long at all. I got everything you asked for.”
He brought the three bags into her house and headed to her kitchen while she closed and locked the front door. The television was on, and her little black cat lounged in the corner, fast asleep. The house smelled like perfume, coffee, and cigarettes.
She joined him while he put the groceries away, her cellphone now in hand, too.
He heard his cellphone ping, and started to slide it out of his pocket.
“You ain’t gotta look. It’s just me sendin’ you the money to ya Cash App.”
“Mrs. Washington, I told you, you didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes I did. I ain’t no freeloader. Ain’t no such thang as a free lunch!” She laughed hard at her own joke as he grinned, and put her milk in the refrigerator. “And stop callin’ me Ms. Washington and Ma’am. You actin’ too polite. We both been locked up before, so cut the charade.” At that, he cracked up.
“Okay, then. What do you want me to call you?” He crossed his arms and smiled at her.
“Tina or Mama will do.”
“Okay. I’ll try to remember that. Well, I hate to drop off the food and dash, but I—”
“Can you spare five minutes, honey?” She rested her hand against her small kitchen chair and looked up at him. “I promise, just five minutes, and not a second more. You can set yo’ watch to me.”
“Yes ma’am, I mean, yes Tina.”
“Good. Let’s chat for a bit. Sit on down here, honey.”
They sat down across from one another as the television played a commercial about purchasing a new Kia car.
“I want to tell you somethin’, ’cause you and I ain’t really had a lot of time to talk privately.”
“Okay. Everything all right?”
“Yes it is. As far as it’s going to be, anyway,” She tapped cigarette ashes into a blue ashtray. “I know it ain’t none of my business, and it’s not like me to stick my nose where it don’t belong, but I’m ’bout to bring up something real delicate. Desiree told me not to say nothin’, but I am anyway. I understand somethin’ happened to your brother when you were a little boy. A bad accident?”