Page 57 of Rayzor: Tell Me It’s Mine II

You’ve made a mess of your life ever since your dad died. You want everyone to pay for the mistake of the man who created the hell you’re living in, so you what… play God yourself and hurt and kill someone else then call ‘em for help. When I made you leave here, I made a vow that that’ll be the last time.

You’ll have to sit and deal with your consequences. Take care of yourself, Courtland.

I remember the operator coming on the other end of the call after she hung up. My Mama didn’t give me a chance to explain from the time I was booked until this day. The only people who knew the real story were Naya, City, and now Eris. Mama stamped me and never turned back.

“I know you weren’t expecting me to call you of all people, but I need help.”

“With what?” I asked, thinking that she was about to ask for money or some shit like that.

She got quiet.

“I need you to come home.”

“What you mean?” I looked around the backyard. “I’m home.”

“No. Here. The house. Maleek,” she rattled off. “I don’t know what to do.”

I sat up.

“What’s up with Maleek?” I asked, trying to remain composed before I jumped to conclusions.

“He’s in over his head. I’ve tried. Look, I know something is going on between the two of you, and I’m the last person you want to talk to, but I’m trying to save my son before it’s too late.”

It was something about that last line. Saving him. What the fuck was going on?

“I can call him to see what’s going on?”

“No!” she yelled. “I’m sorry, but calling isn’t going to help. He needs male guidance. Your guidance.”

I sat quiet.

“He did something stupid last night after you didn’t show up for his science fair awards ceremony.”

“His what?”

“He won first place… he can tell you about it.” She exhaled. “Courtland, just come here, please. I don’t want to beg you. If it’s too hard for you to come because of me, think of it as something for him.”

Since I was already dressed, I went back inside to Eris and kissed the side of her head.

“I’ll be back,” I told her and exited the room. “Love you.”

“What’s going on?” she asked with worry.

I made a beeline for the whip before the door open. None of this shit was making sense. Then, on top of it, I found out I missed an important night for Maleek. It didn’t sound like he was crashing out, but he was lashing out instead. He’s been doing a lot of that shit lately. Hopefully, I’m not too late to save him.

“I’m on the way.” I ended the call with Ma.

I knew what it was like to be teetering on that edge because slow lashing leads to a full crash out that becomes uncontrollable. Maleek had a bright future ahead of him, and I had to save him before he made it complicated for himself like I did. Once you become an inmate, life was never the same.

On the drive over, I kept racking my brain trying to see where shit went wrong besides the obvious. Our relationship was unconventional, but I tried keeping it as normal as possible. I’ve also told Ma for years that this shit could backfire. Now she wanted to call me when her method was losing fire.

When I pulled up, she was already opening the screen door like she was waiting on me.

“Thank you for coming,” she said softly. Her eyes were swollen like she’d been crying.

I didn’t need to know where he was. I found him locked inside his room with the music on loud as fuck.

“Why the fuck the music so loud?”