Page 26 of Rayzor: Tell Me It’s Mine II

“Trying to, but I wanna do something else.”

“Something else like what?” I asked, gazing out the window. Our city was beautiful at night. I could see why people wanted to come to Atlanta to pursue their dreams; the landscape and city lights alone will sell you dreams.

“Boxing,” he responded, and my head snapped toward Rayzor so fast.

He never took his eyes off the road, but I did see the tension in his jaw as it flexed.

I felt like I’d asked the wrong thing.

“He don’t know what the fuck he wanna do,” Rayzor said as we pulled up to a flat, level home with an Acura SUV in the driveway where a basketball goal set at the edge. The grass was healthy with flowers. Trees were sprouting. The lights shone through sheer curtains of the living room.

“I wanna box, I already told you,” Maleek said, getting out of the car just as the screen door flew open and Mrs. Kirkland walked out. Her hair bounced when she walked like always, even at night.

“Here we go with this shit,” Rayzor murmured, getting out of the car.

Maleek was halted in his tracks when Mrs. Kirkland faced him. Rayzor walked up, and I knew this wasn’t going to be a good exchange. It’s so strange how she treats him. I never saw her act like this in the office.

Rayzor and his momma’s relationship was rocky, and I always wondered why she acted like that towards her flesh and blood. I could never turn my back on Levi or Erin no matter what.

You could hear the muffled yelling. Rayzor’s hands went in the air. His momma’s voice grew louder. I got out of the car to check things out. I wasn’t trying to be nosy. I wanted to make sure it ain’t get ugly because Rayzor’s told me things about their relationship, and I wasn’t about to let her fuck with him.

“… he wasn’t supposed to be with you.” I heard her say.

“Is everything alright, baby?” I asked, looping my arm into Rayzor’s. “How are you doing, Mrs. Kirkland?”

She didn’t even look my way. It felt like she was ignoring me, which had me taken aback because this was the opposite of what I knew her to be. Mrs. Kirkland was always pleasant. Not overly nice, but cordial enough for our entire office to think she was a great mother from the care she gave Maleek.

“Oh, and you’re bringing strangers to my house,” she stated, blindsiding me.

“With all due respect, Mrs. Kirkland, I’m not a stranger. You know I’m Maleek’s hygienist.”

“Exactly. That’s business. I don’t know you from a can of paint despite years of service.”

“Don’t be talking to her like that, Ma. That’s rude as hell,” Maleek argued.

“You’re still a damn child who don’t know how to wipe your ass good, and you wanna keep taking up for people who don’t even take care of you. Maleek Yaris Kirkland, get the hell out of my sight before I say some hurtful things to you.”

“He’s right, though, Ma. That shit was wrong,” Rayzor added.

“This is my property. You’re already violating my verbal agreement; then you bring someone with you. I can say whatever the hell I want to.”

“Aye, I’m gone.” He grabbed my hand to leave.

“Don’t lose yourself loving him,” Mrs. Kirkland called out.

“Is a woman loving your son the worst thing though, Ma?”

Rayzor words did all but tremble. My heart broke for him. How could a mother say that to her child?

“It costs everything and then some. That’s why I’m trying to keep Maleek grounded.”

Rayzor turned around.

“You’re worrying about me being the worst thing that’s happened to Leek when you don’t even know the first fucking thing about him.”

“I know everything about my son.”

“Oh yeah? Did you know his ass was about to get into a truck today and Devin had to stop the shit? Where were you then?” he revealed.