ANDRE

"Y'all, I can't help tanight. I gotta go check on Kath-"

"Yo Dre! Yo ass don't een know that bitch! You layin up wit ha' like that's ya girl. She married nigga,"Phrey shouted.

I looked at PJ. Him and Marah were cooking in tha kitchen. I guess she could stay hea while I got ta tha hospital.

"Bye 'Phrey. If ya can bring Marah back ta tha hospital lata on,"I mumbled.

I slammed tha door behind me. I heard Phrey shoutin shit. He so damn dramatic. I got in tha car and began to speed down ta the hospital. It was in tha city, and it was traffic hours.

My phone began ta ring. I looked at tha calla ID. It was tha county jail. I already kna what was up. My mama was in jail fa violatin ha probation. Thats not ma problem. When I was 18, she did some shit and ended up in jail. I had all ma college fund, and the money I had saved up fa Marah mama and I ta get a house. I ended up using that ta pay ha bail and get ha a lawyer. Only fa ha ta go ta prison fa three fuckin yea's. Na' I'm stuck with na money, na degree, and na baby mama. All because ma mama wanted ta do somethin stupid.

I kind of shook ma head at the thought. Still couldn't believe I was hea. I turned ma phone off. The song 'Boo'd Up' came on tha radio.

"Na' I'm ti'ed of this bullshit. This tha only song they got ta play or some?"I asked out loud.

The radio be wearin sonhs tha fuck out. That's why I can't listen ta it constantly. I can't pay fa a Bluetooth system, but if I could, I would.

The hospital gates opened up ta' let me in. I grabbed tha balloons I had bought. They better stay inflated fa fucking eva. These shits was $12. That's ta much money fa some balloons. Tha girl did give ha life fa me though.

I went through all the security measures. They had metal detectas, security, and two ID checks. It was a little much, but they don't want nobody coming in hea tryna shoot it up again. I agree with all this, because then we end up with situations like Kathryn.

Ha room door was slightly cracked. I heard tha tv playing softly. I knocked.

"Darnell I swear to God if you come check on me agai-"

"It's not Darnell ma'. It's Andre."

I opened tha door without her permission. She was pickin at tha wires on tha machines. I remember I used ta do that. I hated all them wires on ma body. It felt like I was connected ta way ta many things.

"Who are you?"She asked looking up at me.

"The nurse told me ya don't remember three weeks befa tha incident,"I laughed placing the balloons down.

"I wish somebody would fucking tell me what happened. I've been awake for a good 8 hours and I still don't know shit,"She mumbled.

"You needa watch ya mouth. Ya was always cussing durin the coma,"I laughed.

"Sorry, I'm just frustrated. It's the medicines, and stuff. I promise I don't always act like this,"She apologized.

"Na' ma' ya good. I understand them meds have ya fucked up in tha head,"I said.

I walked ova ta ha board and signed it. That was anotha thing, ya gotta sign in every time ya leave and go.

"So who are you?"She said with a slight smirk.

"Nah, don't look at me like that. Ya got a husband,"I chuckled.

"Boy don't nobody want you. You ugly anyways,"She laughed.

I rolled ma eyes dramatically. Ima let that one slide, fa na.

"So can you tell me what happened o-"

"Yes, this afternoon another active shooter was in hospital right behind me. As of right now we only know that there has been two deaths of the security guards. Officers are working to identify the shooter and the victims. Ill keep updating you all as the crime unfolds. I'm Chanel Davis on Action 6 news,"Tha reporter said.

"What?"She whispered.

"It's been happenin like crazy. People been shooting up e'erthang. It's been school, club, protest, apartments, shootins fa tha past couple of months,"I explained.

"Wow, um...I don't really know what to say,"She whispered again.

I saw tea's fall out ha eyes. Damn, I know how she feel. It's a dangerous world outchea. She a livin example.

"Well, ya made it out one. A lot of people ain't make it outta hea alive," I told her fa reassurance.

"What? Who died? Oh my,"She cried harder.

"Let's not get inta that. Ya don't even remember tha incident. Ya need ta not stress and shit. Worry 'bout ya self Kat,"I said.

I walked ova ta ha and hugged ha slightly. She wiped ha tea's from ha eyes.

"Enough of the sad shit,"She laughed, "Where the hell are you from with that accent?"

"I stayed in Nola fa a couple a yea's with my fatha. I neva lost it eitha."

"My fatha used ta live in Baton fa a couple yea's,"She tried ta mock me.

"Nah ma', ya ain't even do it right,"I busted out laughing.

"I know. I lost my whole southern twang once I went to medical school. You can't talk like that when you work here."

"Trust me, I know ma'."

She looked at me. Like she was studyin ma featu'as. I looked back at ha. She was a lil dark skin gi'l. Ha skin glowed, one of ha friends came ta the hospital ta make up ya face e'erday.

"My friend ain't about to be ugly in the hospital."

I didn't think it was that deep but whateva floats ha boat. She was pretty with and without makeup. Ha curly hair was all in ha face. Ha friend ain't een try ya fix that shit. I guess she noticed I was staring at it cause she grabbed a hair tie.

"So Drake? That's a weird name. I don't lik-"

I laughed, "Ma' name Andre ma'."

"Oh shit. I'm sorry,"She apologized.

"Ain't no need ta'. It's ok. I like tha name Drake, Mrs. Stevens,"I said.

"My name is Kathryn Smith. I am officially divorced,"she announced.

"Ya a lil ta happy ta be single."

"Andre I married a man named Darnell. Of course I'm happy to be a free woman."

"Darnell still makes me die laughing ma'. Who tha hell names they black child Darnell?"I joked.

A loud banging hit the door. I looked at ha as if she knew who it was. She shrugged. I got up and walked to'ards tha door. I looked out the window and saw a nurse.

"It's a nurse, ya want me ta let ha in?"I asked.

"What does she look like?"

"Short white lady. She look like hill'ay Clinton..."

The banging got louder.

"Oh!  Ms. Stevens! I need to talk to you right now!"She shouted.

Kathryn motioned like she was sleep. She a plum fool. I can't belie'e I'm 'bout ta lie ta this old white lady.

I opened tha door. Tha lady tried ta push me out tha way but I stood in front of ha. Ain't no way this Oompa Loompa gon knock ma 6'2 ass down.

"I need ta see Ms. Stevens. Please remove yours-"She looked up at me. "Oh I am so sorry sir. This is um embarrassing..."She trailed off.

"Well Ms. Smith is sleep, so ya gon have ta come back lata mama,"I spoke.

She kinda blushed. I know good and well this lady ain't tryna...

"Well when she wakes up, I'll be in the hallway. If you need anything," She placed ha hand on my chest, "I'll be out there. Just holla'."

I busted out laughing. This old woman ain't try ta get with me. I gently removed ha hand. She gotta be at least 50 some, and I don't want na problems.

"A'ight Ma'am. Have a nice day na'!"I shouted as I shut the door.

"Chloe! Who is that scrumptious black man in there?"I heard ha say.

I shook my head. Kathryn was in tears on tha floor. How she got out of tha bed? I have no clue. I was laughing ta but it wasn't that funny.

"What's funny ma'?"I asked ha.

"Mrs. Hall just tried to get some dick in the hospital!"She cried.

I laughed a little. Ion fuck random females. I did that once and na I got a child. Don't get me wrong I luh Marah with all ma heart. I just can't have another Marah or a male version of ha. I'll end up six feet unda fa real. I like kids, but I didn't plan on having any of ma own until I was, finically able ta take care of three or fou' of em.

"It ain't all that funny girl. Get back in that bed. Ya ain't supposed ta get out of it,"I said.

She rolled ya eyes and started ta climb back in it. I looked ova at ha. She was hooking all ha cords back up ta ha. She had ripped her IV out and er'thing. It wasn't that funny.

"Hey can you hand me that cord right there?"She asked.

I got up and picked tha cord up off the floo'. She took ha time and stuck tha needle back in ha arm. I stood amused. I rememba watching one of my niggas taking heroin one day. He ain't take all that time stickin the needle in. He just stabbed it in himself. That's also tha day he died, so maybe he was doing it wrong.

"Now this the last thing I'm going to ask you for. Can you hit that button right there?"She asked.

I hit the button and the machines started running again.

"Nah, ya cool. Ya saved my life. Ya can ask fa all tha damn favors ya want," I told ha.

"Well if that is so, can you pass me the remote and that cup of ice? I don't know why they gave me this room and the remote is not attached to my bed. It was probably the work of Mrs. Hall,"She complained.

I passed ha tha bucket of ice and tha remote. She stuck ha hands inta the ice and began ta eat it while flipping through tha tv channels.

"Kathryn, ya don't need ta be eatin ice. It's bad fa ya teeth mama,"I said.

"No it's not. Josh said I could eat it. That's why I have it,"She stuffed a few more pieces in ha mouth.

I pointed towards tha board. In big bold black lettas it said-

"NO ICE FOR KATHRYN SMITH."

"Would ya like ta argue what tha docta said?"I asked.

"It's so good though Andre,"She said grabbing a few more pieces.

I snatched the bucket from ha. Now who in they right mind gave ha this ice?

"Who gave ya this? Ima have ta teach them how ta read,"I said.

"Darnell,"She mumbled.

I went ta the bathroom and dumped tha ice out in tha bathtub. I ran some hot wata so it could melt quickly.

"Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"She shouted at tha tv.

"You'ont needa be watching that foolishness ma',"I said as I turned the TV off.

"Ok I'm tired of you coming in here like you run shit. I know I might've saved your life or whatever, but your not my damn daddy,"She gritted.

I looked around tha room.

"Where ya daddy at though? I don't see em. Darnell ain't hea eitha. When I'm hea ya gon do right by m-"

The door swung open.

"DADDY! HUMPHREY IN TROUBLE!"Marah shouted.

"Chil' what I tell ya ass about screaming? Don't come in hea screaming na'. Ya been pushing ta many buttons,"I said.

PJ waltzed in shaking his head. I laughed cause that nigga a clown.

"'Phrey stupid ass brought his gun to the hospital,"PJ announced.

"He got a license though. What's tha problem?"

"He don't wanna walk back ta the car to put it back."

"Nigga what?"

"He said and I quote, 'I'm not walking ma black ass back in tha cold ta put ma gun back. I ain't shooting nobody' and now he is in custody."

"I swea' ya can't take black people na' where. PJ stay hea while I go slap tha shit out of this nigga. I'll be back,"I mumbled.

I walked out tha door and slammed it behind me. Once I get Phrey out of this shit, Ima slap tha fuck outta this nigga, on my fatha.