Part 27 (1/2)
Miles glanced at Crutchfield. ”I have to make it right.” He turned back to the sky and jumped.
”Miles!” Crutchfield went as close to the ledge as safety would allow.
GP closed his eyes and prayed that Kitchie was safe.
Night had fallen on the city. Kitchie stared from the barred window at the stars. She was thinking about all the things that she and her family hadn't done, the things that they would never get to do. Red and blue strobe lights all of a sudden began to bounce off the trees in her immediate view. Her pulse quickened. Then, she heard a two-way radio coming from somewhere inside the house. She banged and kicked the door. ”Somebody, help me.” She backed away from the door when the k.n.o.b spun in both directions. She had no idea of what to expect.
”Mrs. Kitchie Patterson.”
She thanked G.o.d in her mind. ”Yes.”
”This is the police. Step away from the door. We're going to break it down. Are you okay in there?”
”Yes, I'm fine.” She noticed an officer outside the window, beaming a flashlight into the room.
The door buckled and the doorframe split from the applied pressure. It opened and there GP was standing behind the police.
One week later, Jewels looked at the information written on the paper, then looked up at the obese man. ”I must have the wrong address. Please forgive me.”
Mr. Reynolds opened the door wider. ”What is it that you're looking for?”
”I was told that there was a coffin and headstone supplier in this area.” She switched a large purse from one shoulder to the other.
”This is the place. Well, actually, my store is next door. Come in.” He stepped aside to let Jewels pa.s.s. ”I don't have any coffins in stock at the moment, but you can take a look at my catalog.” He locked the door of the defunct group home. ”If you see something you like, I can have it delivered to any funeral home in the city within forty-eight hours.”
”That may just work out.” She followed him into the visiting room while putting on a pair of tight leather gloves. ”This is a beautiful place, and it's quiet.” She studied the hand-carved wood tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs that outlined the room.
”Trust me, it wasn't always like this.” He picked up a three-ring binder. ”It's been a long time, but I enjoy being here by myself. Today is the first time I've had this place to myself in over twenty years.”
”What a shame.”
”No, really. I don't want a houseful of people...especially kids.”
”I meant it's a shame you let me catch you slipping. I've been wanting to f.u.c.k you up so bad, I was having nightmares about it.” Jewels rushed toward him.
”Do I have to?”
”Secret, it's either study or go to summer school. It's not too late to sign you up.” GP removed a new set of dishes from a box and began to arrange them in a cabinet above the sink.
She sighed and plopped down in her seat.
”Don't look at me; you heard your father.” Kitchie removed the dishes that GP had placed on the shelves.
”What are you doing, woman?”
”Just because they're new doesn't mean they don't need to be washed first.”
GP stared at Junior, who was in the next room watching The Parkers The Parkers. ”I'm worried about him.”
”He'll come around.” Kitchie touched GP's hand. ”Just do what the doctor advised.”
”How can I? Keep it real. How am I supposed to pretend that everything is normal when it's not?”
Kitchie cast her brown eyes on Secret. ”Get your nose out of grown folk's business and put it in that math book.”
Secret looked at the equation. They act like my ears don't work They act like my ears don't work.
”Papi, he'll talk when he's ready. He's been through a lot.”
”I hope you're right.”
”Me too, Daddy. I miss him getting smart with me.”
”What counts right now,” Kitchie said, ”is that we're all together.”
For now, GP thought. ”I hope Vivian can postpone our next court date for a few more weeks. I'm trying to stretch this out for as long as possible.”
Kitchie put a Wendy's cap on GP's head, then rose up on her toes to kiss him on the mouth. ”I'll take care of the dishes. You better go before you're late for work.”
GP kissed Secret's forehead and pointed at the second problem. ”That's the wrong answer. Slow down and take your time. I'll check it tonight and go over it with you tomorrow.”
”Daddy, when we get the apartment together, can Nise and Samone come spend the night? I miss them.”
”I don't see why not.”
”That will be nice.” Kitchie pushed a box that was marked Pictures Pictures into the corner. into the corner.
GP went into the living room. ”Junior, I'll see you later.” He held out a solid fist. ”Hit that rock.”
Junior banged his fist against GP's, then turned back to the sitcom.
GP held Kitchie's hand and led her into the hall outside of their apartment. ”I get off at midnight.”
”When you get in, just tap me. I'll roll over. I don't know if I'm ready for s.e.x again, though.”
”Marques Houston's 'Naked' might help you to come around.” He smiled. ”If it doesn't, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes.”
”Thank you for being so understanding, Papi.”
”You know, I always figured that the Street Prophet would grow into something bigger than the boundaries of the booth, but closing it down completely didn't have a scene in my dreams.” He looked down at the Wendy's uniform. Mr. Reynolds invaded his thoughts. You're worthless. Your mother doesn't even want you. You will never amount to anything You're worthless. Your mother doesn't even want you. You will never amount to anything.
”Papi, everything doesn't always work out as planned. I fuss at you, but I commend you for having a dream and striving for it in a respectable way. It takes a man to endure what you have in the name of honesty. The average brother would've turned to the streets a long time ago. You stuck it out; whether it worked out or not.” She was quiet for a moment. ”I wish it had worked out, the whole notoriety and wealth you want for our family, but I'm happy with what we have. It's not much, but it's ours and we're together.”
GP leaned against the wall. ”Dan hired me full-time.”
She frowned. ”How are you gonna pull that off? I have-”
”That's why I'm closing the booth down sooner than I had planned. This is the last week. I'll draw at home in my spare time.”
”But...I never wanted you to quit doing what you love.”