Page 45 of June: When Gangstas Collide

“Did he ever put his hands on you?”

Synai asked.

We had walked down the street to a nearby park. Her girls had gone off to play while she and I talked.

“At first, no. He was trash, though, and I knew it, but I stayed around. The nigga stole my money, had me kidnapped, and when he had no place to turn and was faced with the truth, he did, he hit me.”

She exhaled deeply.

“I don’t regret my babies, but I wish I had never met him. The last time I talked to him, he said he was coming back. I wanted to run and run fast, but Bleek and I had gotten in so deep, I didn’t. “

I reached out for her hand.

“He’s dead.”

The way she looked at me was as if she were trying to see if I was lying. “Dead?”

“Yes. Cortez is dead. You are free and so am I.”

I could see her breath. Cortez got exactly what he deserved. It was a great thing for Synai, but sad for her daughters because they didn’t have a father. I began to think about my boys. Although June was not dead, I was trying to do this alone, which would leave them without a father. I knew what he had gone through with his family, and I didn’t want to keep his boys from him. Hell, he wouldn’t let me if I tried, but if he hadn’t learned anything from us being apart, co-parenting was going to be the option.

“How far along are you?”

she asked me.

“Seven and a half months.”

Synai smiled.

“You’re almost there. I’ve heard about what’s going on between Bishop and Chevy. Bleek told me. I hope they can work it out because if not, I don’t think the Cove would ever see a bright sunny day again.”

I didn’t know what to say because Indigo and I had tried to set examples, and it was apparent they still wanted to rip each other’s heads off. I gave her a tight-lipped smile.

“Well, Chevy is going to have to figure it out on his own. I refuse to be around while he’s terrorizing a city because of his pride. It’s why I’m here. Listen, if Bleek is nothing like Bishop and Chevy, I say work it out. Tania is going to be Tania, but you only find the love of your life once.”

I could tell she took in what I said. Her daughters ran up to her, giggling.

“Are you guys ready?”

she asked them.

They nodded their little heads. Synai got up from the bench and grabbed their hands.

“I will see you around Zaria, and hopefully, when I do, you will be back with the love of your life. Like you said, they only come around once.”

When she walked away, she left me with my thoughts. I pulled my phone and stared at the dark screen. I powered it on; the thought was to call June so we could talk it out one last time.

When my door camera alert popped up, they were only a few hours ago. I checked the first one and it was the guys showing up this morning. I went to the next one, and my stomach dropped. I hit play. I watched as the bitch from Café Lane stood at my front door. I turned the volume up. I watched her motion, her tripping forward, and the way she looked at him.

I didn’t care that he and I weren’t on good terms, that bitch was doing the most. She had her warnings, and they were all fucking exhausted. I was about to pay Ms. Tea Lady Bitch a fucking visit.

“Preach, nigga I feel sick.”

I pushed my glasses up on my face as I turned to an anxious and nervous Zu. He paced the concrete back and forth. Dio walked over to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Zeus, chill out. Nigga you’re making me nervous.”

After leaving Chevy’s, Zu asked me to ride with him. At first, I didn’t know where we were going until we pulled up. I was proud of Zu and that he had chosen me to be here. I knew he wanted to tell Chevy, but we all knew his head was somewhere else, and it would have been selfish to ask him to be here. Moments later, Foe and Diamond pulled up. I looked at Zu, “You invited them?”

“Yeah nigga. I need all the support I can get. I wish Chev were here, but I- man shit.”

This moment was a lot for him, so I could understand. Foe and Diamond came up the steps to meet us. Diamond smiled.

“Zu, nigga I’m proud of you. I wouldn’t miss this for shit.”

“Me either, nigga. Zoo ova everything,”

Foe chimed in.

We all stood there until Harvey’s car pulled up. She hopped out of the car and went around to open the passenger door. When Sasha stepped out and glanced at all of us, she looked scared. Diamond rushed down the steps to the back seat to help Yana and the baby.

Sasha came up the steps, looking at us all like we were crazy.

“What the hell is going on?”

she asked, looking at Zeus.

He walked up to her.

“I missed this opportunity the first time, and I’m not missing it again. They are all here to support me, well, us. I don’t want another love because I have found it. I cannot see myself with anybody else but you, Sasha,”

he paused.

“I want you to marry me. Right here in the courthouse right now.”

Sasha glanced at all of us as she smiled. She looked at Harvey, “Is this why I’m all dressed up?”

Harvey nodded.

“Yes, girl, you can’t get married in jeans. Zeus asked for the favor. I owed him one.”

Yana waved her hand at her, “You look good too bitch. Are you going to say I do or what?”

Tears fell from Sasha’s eyes as she glanced back at Zu.

“But I can’t give you kids.”

“We have other options. I want to marry every part of you, the good and bad.”

A sob left her, “Yes, yes, Zeus, let’s do it.”

Diamond held Love as he cheered, “Someone is finally marrying this big nigga. Damn, Zu, you’re the first gorilla I’m about to see get married.”

Everyone began entering the courthouse when I heard my name being called.

“Prentice!”

I turned to see Navanna. She slowly came up the steps.

“This was supposed to be us. Where did we go wrong?”

I stepped closer to her.

“I had asked myself the same thing. Until I came across you one night. You were on your knees praying to a God you don’t believe in to release me from his shackles. Remember that?”

Her eyes widened. “But I—”

“No, you said you wanted him to release me from being so close to him to give you back what was yours. So he did, your freedom. I love you, Navanna. I want you to be happy, but your happiness is not with me.”

She didn’t cry; she remained neutral.

“Maybe in another lifetime?”

“Maybe.”

I tapped her chin as I backed away and entered the court. Navanna fell in love with only one part of me. She had fallen so deeply in love with that side that she never considered what the other half of me would be like. When she got it, it wasn’t what she wanted, and instead of admitting that, she gave me hell and I gave her freedom.