She had just walked over to greet her son and his girlfriend and ended up sitting there talking to Boston for a while. She’d known him and Indigo for years and she loved Precious like a sister. It still pained her to know that her friend and brother lost their lives the way they did. She made it her business to look after Boss and Indigo and so did her brother, Grant. Thankfully, Precious had her affairs in order and left them something to call their own.
“What’s good Indie? I thought Justice was off today,” Boss spoke up.
“He was but he got called into work,” Indigo replied as she sat down and sipped her drink.
“What do y’all want to drink? I’ll send a few bottles over here,” Dixie said.
“Nah, don’t try to change the subject. I want to know about this mystery nigga that you been creeping off with.” Draco frowned as he looked at his mother.
His little brother had been telling him that their mother had been going on dates and talking on the phone all day and night. Draco’s father had been killed when he was twelve and his little brother was eight. Their mother put all of her time and attention into her boys and her business. To their knowledge, she’d never dealt with anyone else.
“Leave her alone Draco. Everybody deserves to be happy,” Jaci spoke up.
“Girl, you think I give a damn about what he’s saying. I did my job and raised him and his brother by myself. They’re grown and so am I. I’m not gonna apologize for having a life outside of them,” Dixie replied, making her son’s frown deepen. Once they told her what they wanted to drink, Dixie walked away and left them alone.
“We need to hit up the mall before our Miami trip,” Indigo said as she looked over at Jaci.
“Yes girl, I can’t wait. I need a vacation,” Jaci replied.
“I don’t know why I let you talk me into that shit. I’m not with no airplanes and shit.” Boss frowned.
“Stop being so damn scary Boston. You’re making all that money and don’t even enjoy it. All you do is shop, pay bills and eat,” Indigo replied.
“That’s all I need to do,” he replied before sipping his drink.
Boston had only been on a plane once and he hated everything about it. He and Indigo went with Jaci and Draco to Disney World and it was too many hours to drive. He’d always wanted to go to Miami and that was the only reason why he agreed to go. Indigo planned a couple’s getaway and he was pissed that she invited Lacey. They weren’t a couple and he didn’t want her to get any ideas.
“Kissy asked about you. I went over there to bring her the money that you gave me,” Indigo said.
“What’s new? She’s always asking about me,” Boss replied.
“She wants to see you. It’s been over a year Boss,” Indigo noted.
“Don’t start Indie, please. This is not the time or the place. I’m gonna go see her, I promise,” Boss swore.
“Okay,” Indigo sighed in disappointment.
“Stop worrying so much. I’ll call Kissy tomorrow, okay,” Boss said as he grabbed her hand and looked at her.
“Promise?” she countered.
“I promise,” Boss replied.
She knew that it wasn’t the right time to have the conversation, so she left it alone. Dixie kept the drinks coming and the music was nice. Jaci stayed on the dance floor, but Indigo was in chill mode. Usually, she would be out there with her breaking a sweat.
“Jaci is feeling her drinks tonight,” Indigo laughed.
“What’s good Indie? Why you ain’t out there dancing?” Boss asked.
“I don’t feel like it,” Indigo replied while picking up her cup.
“Come on Indie, please,” Boss begged, taking the cup from her hand.
“I’m tired Boston. Just look in your phone. You should have a million videos,” she laughed.
He laughed too because she was right. Besides Precious, he’d never seen anyone dance as well as Indigo. It was like her body had a mind of its own and she didn’t even have to try hard. Although she wasn’t interested in being a dancer, he knew without a doubt that she would make a killing if she did. Since he saw that Indigo wasn’t budging, Boston got up and went to the DJ booth. As soon as he sat back down, the beat dropped on one of Big Freedia’s bounce songs. When Jaci heard it, she ran over to Indigo and pulled her up from her chair.
“Come on friend. You know this is your shit!” Jaci yelled over the music.
“You make me sick,” Indigo said while pointing her middle finger at Boston.
He only smiled and pulled out his phone as she made her way to the dance floor. He was in a trance as Indigo twerked and popped her ass to the beat. She kept her eyes on him as she went down to the floor and back up without breaking a sweat. To Boston, they were the only two in the room and nobody else mattered.
“Boy, you wild as hell. You need to stop playing with all these hoes and handle your business,” Draco said as he looked at his boy and shook his head.
“Mind your business nigga,” Boston replied as he continued to record.
He watched Indigo through three more songs before she finally took her seat again. As soon as she did, she checked her phone and frowned.
“What’s wrong?” Boston asked her.
“Same shit as always. Justice is working until morning. I’m used to it,” Indigo replied with a shrug. She was starting not to even get mad because it was a waste.
“Don’t trip baby. I’ll come keep you some company while you cook.” Boss smirked.
“You better stop and grab you something because I’m not cooking shit. I’m about to bounce,” Indigo said as she downed the rest of her drink and stood up.
The four of them walked out together and went their separate ways. It was almost two in the morning and Taco Bell was the only thing open. Boss stopped and got him and Indigo something to eat before he headed to her house. Indigo was already showered and in her pajamas when he made it. She was doing what she often did and had one of her mother’s diaries cracked open. She’d read them all multiple times but she never got tired. There was a lot that Indigo didn’t know about her mother before she died. Her diaries shed some light and answered a lot of questions.
“Even though he was married with kids, I can’t believe that my daddy begged her to have me,” Indigo said as she read and ate her food.
Every aspect of her mother’s life was written in the books and she poured her heart out on the pages. Apparently, Precious was thinking about terminating her pregnancy with Indigo but her father begged her not to. Once she had her, she was happy that she did. She swore that she never loved someone as much as she loved her one and only child. That warmed Indigo’s heart to know that she was loved and wanted, especially by her father. His wife made it seem like she was a burden but she knew better.
“I know everything that’s in those diaries Indigo. Let me read yours,” Boston requested.
“I told you that I’m not ready for that yet,” Indigo replied.
“Why not? I already know everything about you,” Boston noted.
“No, you know what you see and what I tell you. I’m not ready for you to be in my head like that. Besides, you might not be happy about some of the stuff you read.” Indigo smirked.
“I know. I’m sorry Indie,” Boss said with a lowered head.
“Stop apologizing Boston. We’re good,” Indigo assured him.
“Nah, we’re not good yet but we will be.” Boss nodded.
“Don’t start Boston,” Indigo sighed.
“I fucked up Indie. I shouldn’t have believed what nobody else said about you and I’m sorry. I swear on my uncle’s grave, that shit will never happen again.”
“It’s okay Boston.” Indigo smiled.
“No, it’s not okay. Shit hasn’t been okay in years,” Boss fumed.
“That was almost five years ago Boston. Let it go because I have. We’re good baby, I promise,” Indigo said.
“You’re all that I have left Indie. I can’t lose you too,” Boss mumbled sadly.
/> As hard as he was to everyone else, deep down, he was still a fragile little boy. He didn’t think so, but he really needed to talk to someone professional about his feelings. Boss didn’t handle grief very well. He swept his feelings and everything else under the rug but that was doing more harm than good.
“You’ll never lose me. I’m here to stay. Infinity,” she said while pointing to their matching tattoo that was on her wrist.
Boss nodded and she was satisfied with that. She didn’t want him to think about it too much, so she put on a movie to take his mind off the past. After a while, they both drifted off but she knew that Boss would be gone by the time she woke up. He was an early riser because he had to get the kids to school on time. Indigo usually slept until almost noon most days because she didn’t get to bed until morning most times. Indigo didn’t want to keep pushing but she had to somehow convince him to talk to someone other than her.
“A lright Bear, I’m heading out,” Indigo said once she wiped down the bar area.
“Thank you, baby. I’ll have some extra change for you on payday next week,” Bear replied.
“Nah, you’re good. It didn’t take that long.” Indigo smiled.
“I appreciate you for coming. I know that you don’t work on Sundays. I gotta learn to do all that shit myself,” Bear sighed.
He knew how to run his business with his eyes closed but he got confused when it came to doing inventory. Indigo tried to teach him but it was too many steps for him to learn. Over the years that she’d been working there, that became her permanent job. Bear knew that she wouldn’t be there forever, so he had to get his shit together or find someone else who he trusted to do it for him. His girlfriend worked the bar sometimes too, but she didn’t know how to do it either. Unlike Dixie’s, Bear’s place, The Pit Stop, catered to a mostly older crowd. They closed early because most of their customers didn’t stay up late. Bear’s criminal record didn’t allow him to open the bar in his name, so his girl purchased it for him and had the titles transferred.
“Your nerves are bad just like your son,” Indigo laughed when she saw Bear frowning at the papers she’d handed him in confusion.
“How is he?” Bear asked, referring to his son.
He’d seen Boss a few times over the years but he never really had much to say. Bear never felt the need to explain himself to anyone but he had a lot that he needed to say to his one and only son. Never in a million years did he ever think that Carla would turn out to be the kind of mother that she was. She was great with Boston when he was home but things obviously changed when he went away. He was hurt that no one in his own family stepped in to help his son but he shouldn’t have been. Not once did any of them come to visit or even write him a letter when he was locked up. It was Precious who finally reached out to him once Boston started living with her. She sent him pictures of Boss and he appreciated her more than she knew.
When he found out about her being killed, he was hurt, even though they’d never met. It was because of her that he knew that his son was alive and doing well. When he got released, he reached out to Dixie and her brother, Grant, since he knew that they were close with her. It was through them that he got in contact with Boss and Indigo but his son was full of hurt and anger by then. He basically told Bear that he wasn’t there when he needed him the most and he didn’t need him now.
“He’s fine. We’re about to get on our bikes in a little while,” Indigo answered.
“Tell him that I’m still waiting for him to come have that drink with me,” Bear said.
“Will do,” Indigo replied before she grabbed her purse and walked away.
She sent Boss a text, telling him to meet her at her father’s house before she got into her car and drove away. When Indigo got there, she was happy to see that her father’s car was parked in the driveway. Her bum ass brother was on the porch with a pen and paper, probably writing another whack ass rap.
“What’s up lil sis? Let me hold twenty,” Irvin Jr. said, begging like always. Indigo heard the loud yelling coming from inside the house as she reached inside her purse for her wallet.
“The hell is going on in there?” she questioned.
“Same shit as always. Pops can’t stay faithful. That’s her fault though. She’s always blaming the other woman instead of his ass. That nigga move out every other year and she’s always begging him to come back,” he replied while shaking his head.
Indigo handed him the money right before she walked into the house. The raised voices of her father and stepmother greeted her before she even saw them. Indigo had heard them argue several times before so that was nothing new. As much as she loved her father, she had to admit that he was a dog. Cynthia was a damn fool because he was always leaving her to be with somebody else. He’d just moved back home a little over a year ago after he got an apartment with another woman. It was almost that time of year for him to be moving out again. It seemed like the summer months were always his time to pack up and bounce. And just like always, his wife welcomed him back like it was nothing. He obviously wasn’t happy at home and Indigo wished he would just stay gone. Indigo was cool with the other woman and that was something else that her stepmother hated her for.
“I’m not stupid Irvin. I saw the messages between the two of you. I don’t want to hear that shit about y’all going to high school together. You’re fucking that bitch, the same way you were fucking her friend!” Cynthia yelled angrily.
“Stop looking for shit and maybe you won’t get your feelings hurt,” Irvin replied, right as Indigo walked into the kitchen.
“Hey daddy.” She smiled while kissing his cheek.
“Hey baby. You and Boston coming to get your bikes?” Irvin asked.
“Yep,” Indigo replied.
“Can you give us a minute Indigo? We’re in the middle of a discussion,” Cynthia snapped angrily.
“Do you need me to leave daddy?” Indigo asked, ignoring her stepmother.
“No baby. Come on and let me get the keys for you,” Irvin replied as he walked away.
“Wow,” Cynthia chuckled sarcastically at how he dismissed her and their conversation.
“It’s only because of my father that I haven’t fucked over you yet, but don’t get too comfortable. My patience aren’t what they used to be. Ask Ivy about me,” Indigo warned.
“Excuse me?” Cynthia hissed, taken aback by Indigo’s harsh words. She was a disrespectful lil bitch, so she shouldn’t have been surprised.
“What’s wrong Indie?” Irvin asked when he walked back into the room. He could feel the shift and tension in the room but he didn’t know what was going on.
“Nothing, I’m good,” Indigo replied as she winked at his wife and walked away.
That wasn’t her first time having to get Cynthia together and she was sure that it wouldn’t be the last. She had to lay hands on Ivy a few times before and she didn’t mind doing the same to her mother. As soon as she stepped outside, Boston was pulling up. He looked sad for some reason, but she didn’t know why.
“Hey son. You good?” Irvin asked as he shook Boston’s hand.
“Yeah, I’m good,” Boss replied, but Indigo knew better.
They got their bikes out of the garage without uttering a word. She didn’t even know where they were going but she hopped on her Ninja and followed behind her best friend. Boss drove, deep in thought, but he made sure that Indigo was always behind him. After about twenty minutes, he pulled into Joe Brown park in New Orleans East. They slowed down once they got on the grass and pulled up to one of the shelters. Once they got off the bikes and sat down, Indigo started questioning him.
“What’s up?” she asked as she looked over at him.
“Nothing, I’m good,” Boss replied as he stared out at the water.
“Come on Boston. This is me that you’re talking to. I know you better than you know yourself,” Indigo reminded him.
“I talked to Kissy,” he noted in a low tone.
“Do you wanna talk
about it?” Indigo asked.
“No,” he mumbled sadly.
Indigo nodded her head in understanding before grabbing his hand. He didn’t have to say how he was feeling because she already knew. His past was coming back to haunt him and he didn’t know how to deal with it. As usual, Indigo let him have his moment. They sat there quietly for over an hour until he was ready to go. Being vulnerable wasn’t his thing. Besides Indigo, no one had ever seen that side of him and they never would.
“Where to now?” Indigo asked.
“Let’s go get something to eat,” he suggested.
“Okay. But, we really need to talk Boss,” Indigo said.
“I’m listening,” he replied.
“You need to let me make you an appointment with my therapist.”
“Not now Indie, please,” he said in annoyance.
“Okay, I won’t push,” Indigo replied.
They got on their bikes and headed to one of their favorite seafood restaurants. The Fiery Crab was usually crowded but it shouldn’t have been too bad since it was just the two of them. They parked their bikes on the sidewalk and locked them up before going inside.
“My therapist wants to meet you.” Indigo smirked as they sat up front and waited for a table.
“Why? What did you tell her about me?” Boston asked.
“Nothing. She just knows that you’re my best friend.”
“What else?” he asked.
“Nothing,” Indigo laughed.
“I’m still not going. You’re my therapist,” Boston said.
“Imagine that. Your therapist needs a therapist,” Indigo laughed.
“Oh, my God! Boston! How have you been? It’s been so long. Look at how handsome you are,” someone walked over to them and said.
Indigo’s heart dropped in her chest when she saw Boston’s mother, aunt and grandmother standing there smiling at him. She hadn’t seen Carla in over a year and it had been even longer than that for Boston. Their last encounter was a disaster and Indigo didn’t need a repeat. Carla tried to hug him and it took Indigo, Draco and Jaci to pull him away. He was enraged and it took a while to calm him down. Indigo hurriedly grabbed his hand and prayed that they kept it pushing. When she saw Carla walking over to them, she shook her head, silently warning her to stay away. She was cheesing like it was all good but she must have forgotten about her son’s temper. A look of hurt, followed by disgust, then anger crossed Boston’s face when he looked at her.
To Boston, With Love Page 6
