A Lesson Learned

Chapter 19- On My Own

"Naw fuck that, I got something for his ass. Anyway what's good with daddy Darius?" Navarre finally switched subjects.

"I dunno he's off with his wife on some beach in Florida." Ahmad cringed even thinking about what the married couple must be doing.

"So you mean he hasn't called?" Navarre asked knowing his friend must be going through all the emotions.

"I mean he called the first night he got there, and I get the daily 'I miss you' texts and the one 'you better be acting right' threat text.' But I'm not beat let him go play hubby and father to be. I'm getting real tired of his ass anyway." Ahmad answered.

"Yeah ok, you not really tired or you woulda been gone by now. Something must be keeping you back to remain with a married man." Navarre implied.

"Navarre I love him, I just can't stay here and get played though. I just don't have a place or a person to turn to." Ahmad said.

"Nigga you have us, me, Shelly, Mack. We got you brother," Navarre elucidated.

"But I do not want to impose on anyone. Charles lives with his brother, you have a roommate and regular fuck buddy, and Shelly is with Quincy." Ahmad explained.

"That don't mean shit me and Rob don't care if you move on the couch. Charles brother is like never there, I don't know about Shelly but you are her family. And then you can always go home you know?" Navarre suggested.

Ahmad heart sank at the mention of going home, "No I can't, my parents don't want shit to do with me."

"They're your parents Ahmad, they love you no matter what bullshit you put them through." Navarre surmised.

"No they gave up on me man, that's what I'm trying to tell you. I fucked up," Ahmad felt himself tearing up.

"I'm sure ya'll going get through whatever it is ya'll going through. You just gotta go over there man and see your folks." Navarre advised him.

"I guess that wouldn't hurt, I am their only son." Ahmad said thinking the idea over. He surmised going to see her face to face was a better idea than blowing up her phone. He hoped she would forgive him and they could talk things out and hoping get his life back on track.

"I'll drive you if you want, we can go over there tomorrow." Navarre offered. He was more than willing to do whatever it took to get his friend far away from crazy ass Darius and back to the suburbs.

"That's alright, I'll take the train and bus. Thanks though," Ahmad declined.

"Man this has been a crazy ass summer and fall seems that much crazier!" Navarre exclaimed.

"Nigga who you telling? I can't believe all the shit has happened since last semester! I don't know what I'm gonna do if it gets any crazier." Ahmad said half seriously.

"Live that shit up, we only live once Ahmad, don't go through life being afraid of what the future holds. Be like me, bold, boisterous, and blatant." Navarre proclaimed.

"You forgot a B, cheerleader," Ahmad joked.

"Don't make me hurt you through this phone," Navarre warned.

"What I was going to say brilliant," Ahmad chuckled.

"Hoe whatever, so you going to Charley's performance this weekend?" Navarre asked now remembering their friend's gig in the Meat Packing district.

"Damn I almost forgot, yeah I'll be there. I haven't heard that whore sing in a good minute, gotta show our boy some support right?" Ahmad said.

"Yeah and plus we haven't been out in a good while," Navarre agreed. "I'm tryna get twisted my g."