sales now with no issue. Got PayPal, CashApp, and GooglePay. So, I’m ready to take more orders.”
“Are they art prints?”
“Yeah. I already worked out a deal with the printers and have my UPS account all set up. I’ve got about twenty-five pieces on the website now, limited number prints, and I’ve started advertising on social media. I have to play with the strategy a little, see what works, but so far, so good. The great thing is that orders are already coming in.”
“That’s what’s up, man. You always land on yo’ feet.” They slapped hands. “A, don’t forgot about that gig we’re doing together next week. A nice grand.”
“You already know I’ll be there. I’ve got the show coming up, too. I got a car payment now and this damn apartment. Still at Alpha, but you know that’ll be coming to an end soon. Ricky is stalling. We haven’t been talking much.” He shrugged.
“That situation is fucked up. I can’t believe it imploded like that.”
“Yeah, it is fucked up, but I know my worth. I have my principles, man. I’ve calmed down about it, and I don’t even hate him or anything like that, but if I can’t trust someone then there’s no need for us to do business. I’m working for myself now.”
“You always wanted to anyway.”
“Exactly. I know I can do this and on top of it all, Suri got this staging job last week, right? And they needed some art, so I got to slide right in there and they didn’t just rent the piece, they paid for it. Then, the hotel commissioned me for two more like it. Suri and I have been talking about starting up a side business now, combining forces. Between my art, the modeling, the T-shirt business I’m about to start in a few months, and school, I’m gonna be all right, man. Busy as hell, but just fine. I feel good about this. Confident. Good friends that have my back. Bomb ass woman by my side. All the support I need. I’m good.”
“Nigga, I swear you got nine lives. Only thing to deal with now is Tomas. So, they moved the court date again?”
“Yeah. The courts are busy I guess, but my lawyer has been keeping me in the loop. I took my mother to the store the other day and his ass was there at her house. But we didn’t speak. If he tried to blow the whistle because of that bogus ass restraining order he knows our mother would’ve hit the roof, so he just kept quiet. She keeps telling him to drop the charges, but he won’t. At this point, it is what it is. I’m not bowing down to him, and I’m not apologizing. I have no problem saying sorry when I’m wrong. But I wasn’t. He stole our mother’s shit, sold our father’s car and then said some slick shit to me that night, so that was the final straw.”
“Man, you know I get it. I haven’t talked to my brother in like five months. Family be fucked up sometimes.”
Just then, Suri emerged from the master bedroom, her hair parted down the middle and wrapped in two buns, one on each side. Donning a pair of baggy black jogging pants and white tank top, she looked good enough to eat. Beads of sweat covered her face as she marched in with a cardboard box.
“Found another box of art supplies, baby. Do you want them in the other bedroom, or out here? It’s getting kind of full in there. I know you said you wanted to sort through them again.”
“I’ll set it right here, baby.” He took the box from her grasp, kissed her nose, and smacked her ass, causing her to giggle as she disappeared back down the hall.
“Well, man, I’ll get going now. See you tomorrow.”
King walked Shane to the door.
“Bye, Shane!” Suri called out.
“Bye, woman-that-stole-my-best-friend-and-monopolizes-all-of-his-time-but-he-loves-you-so-I-will-let-this-shit-go!” All of them burst out laughing and King shoved Shane playfully in the back, pushing him out the door.
“Hey, baby. Why don’t you take five?” he called out, not sure where she’d vanished to. “I’m going to jump into the shower and then start up again. The bedroom is almost finished. We need a break. Been doing this all day.”
“All right. Let me jump in with you.”
“Okay. I’ll start the water.”
He entered the hall bathroom, loving it more and more. White and clear tiles covered the walls, and a matching liner hung from a silver bar. There was a