Page 18 of Invisible Bars

Chi smirked, glancing at me. “Me? Acting out? Baby, I’m thecalmone tonight.”

Dessign laughed dryly. “Calm? The only time you’re calm is when you’re asleep—and even then, you kick the covers off like you fighting demons.”

Chi barked a laugh, trying to cover his embarrassment. “Now, baby, why you gotta tell all my business like that? I got you on speaker.”

“Because you mine, and I like reminding you in public,” she shot back, proudly. “But I didn’t know you had me on speaker. Chi, you know to always tell people soon as you get on the phoneif you do. That’s your fault. Anyway, where is my brother? I have a few words for him.”

What the hell I do?I wondered.

“I can hear you, sis,” I let her know.

“Imanio, why the hell did Aaliyah just hit me up, crying, saying you embarrassed her tonight like I was supposed to do something about it?”

“Aye, sis, easy on the name. I’m in the public… at night,” I voiced in a low tone. “But yo’ girl approachedme. She had options. She chose disrespect… and got dismissed.”

Dessign groaned. “I swear… you and your women. You always leaving them limping, crying, or callingme. I’m sick of being their emotional receptionist just because I’m your sister.”

“Then close the office, sis. Simple,” I advised with a shrug.

She giggled. “You got jokes, but I like that. Seriously, you need to start passing outdisclaimers,not just dick! ‘Warning: Dick may cause spontaneous tears, misplaced hope, and unexpected ego death.’ Hell, make a damn brochure, or even tell them you’re mute! It will save us both the headache! But I’m watching a show. I’ll talk to y’all later.”

I thought she was about to hang up, but she kept going.

“And Chi, please, whatever you do,don’tgo to jailtonight.I’ve been drinking and if I wheel in there, they might try to lock me up too for a DUI and reckless driving. But if Idoend up having to come get you, I’m showing up with my bonnet on and embarrassing us both! Then I’m running over somebody’s foot before I leave! Fair warning! Love y’all!”

Click.

“Bro, how she gon’ cuss us out, threaten us emotionally, and still hang up with love?” Chi asked, still staring at his phone.

“What can I say? She’s aKors,bro.” I chuckled.

“You think she’d file a lawsuit against me?”

“Nigga, we’re talking about Dess! Hell yeah!She’d sue, win, and then take you to dinner with the settlement money.”

We both shared a laugh that felt good at that moment.

That’s when I felt it—an unwanted presence.

“Hi…” Some chick approached us; her voice was already doing too much. “I was watching you,” she referred to me, “and, well, you just look so... mysterious. But I feel like I know you from somewhere. Like… I see you all the time.”

Before I could reply, Chi slid in with, “Yeah… probably on a billboard that says,‘Now leasing—stay the fuck out of my face.’”

I coughed to hide my laugh.

“On some real shit, he’s single, but he’ll also ruin your life,” Chi forewarned her.

She tried again. “Well, I just thought maybe he’d wanna?—”

I finally faced her. “Look, I don’t want yo’ number, Instagram, or yourtrauma;I’m full.”

Chi nearly fell out of his chair from laughing. “Yo!‘I’m full?!’You really rejected shorty like she was bread at the table!”

The girl reared her head back, clearly offended.

“Wow. You didn’t even give me a chance.”

“You gave me everything I needed in your walk over here. Now go redo it in reverse.”