Run

Learning more...

Gazing at the television as he set the cup back on the coffee table. He shook his head. "I wouldn't necessarily say that it hurt but more so an irritatin feelin, shit and the noise of the tattoo gun, it just makes you think that it'll hurt.", he said as he kept his eyes on the game that the others were so consumed in.

I then rubbed the tattoo behind his ear. "Peace, love and happiness, that's right?", I queried as I took my hand away.

He took his gaze from the television and gave me his attention. "Yeah, that's right", he said in response.

"You tatted something that you deserve on yourself", I said softly.

He slightly bit his lip before responding. "You think so?", he queried as he gazed at me, in such a way that I sensed admiration.

"Think is an understatement, I know so", I answered.

Usually he wound gradually respond with an appealing smile and or a smirk if he had nothing to say but he only gazed at me. It wasn't like that stare he usually put out, this one held meaning but it's hard to explain.

I grew a bit nervous because of the stare so I thought to change the subject. My eyes set on his styrofoam cup. "What's in the cup?", I queried.

He gazed down at it before grabbing it and taking another drink. "Lean", he stated.

"Can I try some?", I queried not really wanting any. Just asked that to further the new subject.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Fuck no", he said in an indignant tone.

"Why not, you let me drink Hennessy and smoke with you before", I said.

"I wasn't really fuckin with you when I let you drink that shit and as for the kush, man that's herbal, no exceptions on that shit though. You already did that one thing when we were dealin with the opps. As long as you fuckin with me, you don't need any kind drug in ya system. It's all bad for you anyway.", he stated.

I pressed my lips together before speaking. "Well why do you drink and smoke?", I queried.

"Like I said, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had a rough life and sometimes to put my mind at ease, I'd smoke and drink. You know what kinda nigga I am, you know what I go through on a daily now. I'm a problem with problems. So now the indulgences of liquor, weed and lean has become mandatory. When you just know no matter what, ya days are numbered out here. I'm not cool with knowin that out here in New Orleans, a nigga like me won't make it to 25 but I have to deal with it because I know it's comin. So yeah, I'm good with the drugs, ya heard me", he said as if he seriously believed the words that escaped his mouth.

I furrowed my eyebrows."God forbid, please don't say that anymore. I could preach a sermon to you about how ignorant you sound", I said.

"If you were a random broad, that soundin ignorant comment would've gotten you popped", he said as he took another drink of the lean.

I sighed. "I just want you to understand that as long as I pray that you stay out of harm's way, you'll always be alright, despite the fact that you feel other wise", I stated sincerely.

"I hear ya lil baby but let's dead this subject", he stated.

I sighed as I gazed at the cup. "What's that made of anyway?", I questioned out of curiosity.

"You're really that damn intrigued by this shit huh?", he queried before continuing."Promethazine, codeine, sprite remix and some jolly ranchers. Sizzurp to the old heads.", he said as he took another drink

Gross...

"How does it make you feel?", I queried.

"Numb", he said as he set the cup back down.