Page 8 of Bern and Isley (D-Ville Projects #5)

Bern

It had been a month since I was released from prison.

As expected, the job hunt had been disappointing.

I tried to hold out hope for the position at the food distribution company where I interviewed.

But when one day turned into two, then two days turned into a week, then two weeks, I knew they weren’t offering me the job.

Theo was apologetic, but that shit wasn’t his fault.

I appreciated him for putting in the word.

Deep down I knew checking that box admitting to having a felony would outweigh any personal reference from a friend.

As salty as I was about the situation, I knew it was a result of my own bad choices.

I could only be upset with myself. But being the man that I was, I didn’t sit around feeling sorry for myself.

I knew I had to make some shit shake regardless.

So, if “the man” didn’t want to give me an opportunity, I had to create my own. Legally.

Mr. Bobby Joe, one of the shade tree mechanics in the city, had told me about a business opportunity he thought I’d be interested in.

He had given me the details and the name of the person to contact if I wanted to go through with it.

I did some research and found that it could be a really lucrative business if I put the work into it.

The only thing that made me hesitate was the fifty grand investment.

I had put some money back before I went to prison, so getting the money wasn’t an issue.

But if the shit didn’t work out, then I would be sick about losing that kind of money.

But I’d always heard that scared money didn’t make no money.

“Boy, you don’t hear me talking to you?”

My mom’s voice broke my thoughts. “My bad, Ma… what did you say?”

“I said I’m going on a date tonight. I won’t be back tonight, so don’t wait up.”

“You sure are going on a lot of dates lately, you must really like the man.” I folded my arms as I rested against the kitchen island.

“I don’t know yet. I’m just trying to go with the flow,” she admitted.

My mother had lost her husband Norman two years into their marriage.

She was devastated. Hell, I was too. He was a really good man and treated her like a queen.

Norman wasn’t a rich man, but he went above and beyond for her.

And me. So I was glad that she was finally at the point where she wanted to test the dating pool out.

I just hoped the men in her age range had their shit together.

The last thing I wanted to do was check a nigga about my mama. But I would if I had to.

“Well, I want to meet him once you figure out if you want to keep him around.” I knew what he looked like because she showed me pics on her phone.

I told her that’s the least she could do until she was ready to formally introduce us.

I needed to know what the nigga looked like in case I had to go looking for his ass.

“All you need to do is sign your name on the dotted line and the business is yours,” the slender, Black realtor told me.

I took a deep breath and began signing all of the documents that made me the owner of a self-serve car wash.

It had four bays and four dryers. The location was perfect.

As a matter of fact, I’d used the car wash plenty of times to clean my own whips.

The previous owner was retiring to travel abroad and needed to sell the business.

After realizing that the odds of me securing a nine to five with decent pay were slim to none, I had no choice but to gamble on myself. And this was it.

I couldn’t wait to share my good news with Isley.

I had only seen her once since the little run-in with her little boyfriend.

Every time I invited her over or asked to come by her crib, she always had an excuse.

I figured he was trying to hog all of her time.

Because if he was in her face, she wouldn’t have time to be in mine.

It lowkey pissed me off. But what was I to do?

Isley had a mind of her own. I wasn’t trying to come between her and her man.

Well, maybe I was. But I wasn’t going to force the issue.

I shot her a text letting her know I had good news and something to show her. I figured she would pencil me in whenever she could. In the meantime, I would get everything situated for my new business. It was grind time.