His Sis

Shenanigans

"Are you following along so far?" Jamal asked me.

"Yes" I lied

"Repeat to me what I just said"

"Um...You said something along the lines of Rollerworld money, garden gnomes, and I stopped listening."

"D'aja, this is an important crucial knowledge that will change our life. 200k is buried in this neighborhood and I won't stop until-"

"Well let me stop you then." I laughed.

Jamal groaned

"Hey bro, I'm busy I got work today. I'll talk to you later. You and your kiddies can even come over tonight."

"Please have an array of snacks waiting"

"Yes sir"

"Bye," he said before hanging up.

I laughed and stood up from my place on the couch. I had to start getting ready. I love my job but Jesus, the weekend could not come fast enough. I walked to my bathroom and started my shower. I did my usual routine. The hair brushing, and excessive amounts of hair products, mounds of body gel, and a dramatic monologue from a D'aja original movie. Now that I think about it, this is probably one of the reasons why my water bill is so high.

I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. Looking at the phone I realized I had 30 minutes before I had to be in. Shit. What a way to end the week. I hurriedly dried my body, which I had failed at considering my body was still 80% wet. I had absolutely no time though. I sprayed myself with perfume and slipped on my purple scrubs on top of my bra and panties. I searched through my closet for my light blue Nike's. Halfway done. I just needed my keys and my purse filled with God knows what.

I silently prayed that my keys were on the table because I always seem to misplace them when I most needed them. To my greatest luck, they were there. I grabbed my keys and my purse and headed out the door. I meet the moon and shivered, wishing that I had brought my jacket but it was too late. I just wanted to get this night over with. Unlocking my car, I hopped in and started it up; popping a piece of gum in my mouth. I connected my phone to the Bluetooth a started the car.

I was about 15 minutes into driving and listening to music when I got a call. I knew that number by heart. The number that gave me chills. Oscar's. More specifically the jail that he was calling from. I never missed a call from him, partly because I couldn't even imagine how it must feel to be locked in a cell for four years and because I love him and can't wait till he gets out on Saturday. I answered it and bit my lip. It was out of habit, every time I answered.

"Hey," I said, excitement laced in my voice

"What's good ma"

"Nothing much, I'm on my way to work"

"Oh shit, you want me to let you go"

"No!" I said all too eagerly

He chuckled

"So how is work?"

"It's stressful you know, but I love it"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. So are you excited for tomorrow?" I was practically yelling just thinking about him being here tomorrow. My heart was racing with the thought of me being able to hug him.

"Of course, let's just hope I don't end up back here"

"You better not Oscar. I'm being serious. It's already hard enough as it is now. I can't imagine going through it twice"

"I know baby girl. Are you coming tomorrow?"

I had just arrived at the hospital and turned off the car and got out, putting the phone up to my ear.

"Yeah, the kids are gonna stay at my place so that I can get Cesar ready and shit before we leave."

I walked up to the entrance digging into my purse for my keycard so that I can unlock the door.

"No Puedo esperar"

"Same"

I waved to the receptionist as I walked through, picking up the clipboard that was on her desk that had everything I had to do today. I heard background talking before I heard Oscar sigh.

"Baby I gotta go"

"See you tomorrow"

"Te Amo"

"Te Amo"

And with that, the line clicked. I sighed and smiled. I walked into the nurse's section part of the hospital and sat down at my desk. While looking over my clipboard, I powered on my computer. I attached my radio to the hem of my pants. As I was just starting to do my first assignment; which was to put a patient's medical data into a spreadsheet, one of my co-workers, who also happens to be my best friend walked up to me. 

"Hey mamas"

"Hey Karmin" 

She leaned down and pecked me on my check and leaned on my desk.

"Oscar's getting out tomorrow, you excited?"

"Oh God you kept track?"

"No but you did" she said while pointing at my  marked calendar that was besides me. 

I started to laugh

"I'm just so excited. I guess its been four years, you know?"

"I feel you. Four years is long as hell. How old were you guys when he got arrested?"

"I was 17 and he was 19" 

"Damn" 

"I know right"

"I gotta go work" 

"Alright boo" 

Karmin hugged me one last time before returning to her own desk. I went back to working, wanting to finish early so that I can get the house ready for the kids.