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My mind drifted to the day before Rah died. He called and asked to talk to Ryleigh. He had fussed and thought that she needed her own phone just so he didn’t have to deal with me. I disagreed. Her three-year-old ass did not need a phone. After going back and forth, I gave her the phone and let them do their thing. Her behind would occasionally walk off, and I would be right behind her trying to see what they were talking about.
“Daddy, when you coming to get me?” Ryleigh asked him.
“I’ll come get you this weekend, princess. We gon’ get some ice cream and go build a bear.”
“You pwomise?”
“I promise.”
She handed me the phone with the biggest smile on her face and ran off.
“I swear you would think she doesn’t see you.”
“I kno’.”
There was a pause before he cleared his throat.
“Ray…”
“What?”
“We need to talk.”
I didn’t like the way he sounded.
“What now? Your wife complaining or something?”
“Stop bringin’ my fuckin’ wife up. You’re the least of her concern. Are we understood?”
“Yeah, Rah,” I said, rolling my eyes.
It was always my wife. I got sick of hearing the shit, if I was being honest.
“I need you to find you somethin’ to do.”
“Fuck does that mean?”
“It means that I’m ‘bouta be done carryin’ you. Averie got her own shit…”
“What the fuck is Kyenna doing besides sitting on her ass?” I cut him off.
“I swear you the hardest muthafucka to talk to, dawg. I don’t kno’ what the fuck I was thinkin’ givin’ you some dick.”
“Answer the question. Is your wife on a damn budget?”
“My wife ain’t gotta worry ‘bouta budget ‘cause she’s the reason we’re eating the way we are. You too fuckin’ dumb to see that. The hate in yo’ blood keeps yo’ eyes blind.”
“What you want me to do, Rah?”
“Go to school or get a damn job.”
“Get a job,” I laughed. “You’re rich as fuck, and you want me to work. Please!”
“I didn’t call to argue with you.”
“But that’s what you do every time you fucking call.”
“Yo’ condo, Ryleigh’s tuition, health insurance, food, and yo’ car note be paid out of my account. You always callin’ for extra shit.”
