CHAPTER SIX || VI || DINA

(Dime)

VI.

***

I merged onto Achamoth Memorial highway, "So, is that where y'all were when Mike got shot?" I quizzed her firmly. I knew Mike since high school, back when they called him The Gentle Giant. Learning that he was dead snapped a heartstring. Farah broke eye contact and a tear fell from her cheek, all she did was nod.

"Oh and 'you were fine'?" Kamar mocked and he slapped the dashboard, "You stay away from that fucking club Farah. I mean it."

Analina stayed silent. I cleared my throat, "So, Analina, what exactly happened?" I turned off the highway.

"Well, like I said they were shooting." She looked to the front of the car and past my gaze. "It started outside but it stretched to inside the club." She paused, pulling a cigarette from her cargo pants, then continued, "People were saying that this van showed up and these guys were shooting people. It was fucking chaos in Blue Ocean, literally, people were getting trampled, and people were screaming." Her voice shook, "When I got outside I just saw people running. I ran to the police station, to report it, but it was even worse over there. Big Pink was my only option, my apartment is right in the middle of the bullshit." She stuck the cigarette between her teeth and pulled a lighter from her pocket then flicked it twice.

Kamar chuckled, "And you still managed to find a lighter," He leaned back. "Impressive."

Analina snorted, "Yeah, heh." She puffed on her cigarette and then blew smoke out of the window.

The traffic was insane. It seemed like the entire city was going in the same direction. We stopped at a red light, and I looked out the window, "Wait, what's that?"

Farah blinked, "What's what?"

"That." I pointed to a figure standing off to the side, away from the intersection.

Analina looked out of the windshield window, "That's weird, ain't no way someone walked all the way up here."

“Don’t be so paranoid, Dime.” Kamar shifted in his seat, “Just get us there already." The light turned green and I accelerated ahead. I squinted, trying to make out the figure in the rearview mirror.

I merged into the left side lane, "Where are we going, Farah?" I waited, expecting an answer. Nothing. KT was tapping on the dashboard impatiently and the tension grew thick in the air. I looked into the rearview mirror and cleared my throat, repeating myself.

"For fucks sake Farah! Where are we going!" Kamar punched the glove compartment.

I jumped. "Relax, Kamar," I hissed and flicked the signal light on. I pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. I turned around and looked at her, "Farah listen. I'm not gonna yell at you but I'm not gonna bullshit you either. Being at Blue Ocean is asking for trouble. Yeah, I'll give it to you, it's not always getting shot up," I glanced at Kamar and then continued, "but more than just that type of shit happens down there."

Farah's eyes were bloodshot and they hung sadly. Tears stained her cheeks. Analina curled into her corner of the car and rubbed at her knuckles nervously. Farah side-eyed her, "I just wanna go and see if Aaron and Keegan are okay…at the Urgent Care." She swiped her cheek with her sleeve.

"Alright, we'll go," I concluded. I looked at Analina, "do you mind sticking around for a little bit?"

"No, not at all." Analina muttered, "It's more about how she feels, I guess." She took her turn side-eyeing Farah. Farah didn't say anything but I didn't give her the chance to either. I pushed the gear back into drive and merged back into traffic. Eventually, we made it to the hospital. I pulled into the lot and searched for the closest parking. Half of Venice City was here, hell, it sure seemed like it. I parked the car and then hopped out. I leaned over and looked in through the driver's side window.

"Stay here, KT. You could use a breather right now," Farah climbed out of the back seat. I looked in the back seat, "You can stay too if you don't mind." I considered. She wiggled her cigarette at me with a half-smile.

I linked arms with Farah as we entered the emergency room.

She gripped my arm tightly as we walked through the waiting room, “Oh God…" she whispered. We reached the front desk where multiple receptionists were typing into their computers. "Hello, um, I'm here to see an Aaron Timothy?" Farah muttered and she swiped at her eyes, assumingly fixing her smudged mascara. The receptionist typed quickly into the desktop and then picked up her pen, "Room 237." She wrote the word 'GUEST' on each sticker. "Go in through this door," she pointed to her right, "keep going straight to the elevator and go to the 2nd floor, you'll find it." We thanked her and waltzed towards the elevator. Nurses stood at each corner aiding in bullet wounds and stabbings. Doctors rushed back and forth with urgency in their eyes. I clicked the button and the elevator doors opened. We both stepped onto the elevator.

I sighed quietly and mushed the '2' button with my thumb, "This is crazy," I leaned back against the wall of the elevator and closed my eyes.

"I don't even know what to say…" Farah's voice trailed off then she continued, "I hope Aaron isn't —" Her voice cracked, "I just hope he's alright…" We exited the elevator and then walked down the long hallway. Each room had a plaque with a number next to it, some had the curtains pinned back to reveal elder patients and even new patients, but some were draped over their frames for privacy. Farah stifled another voice crack, "Oh fuck…" She approached room 237 quietly and pulled the curtain back slowly. Aaron was asleep in the hospital bed with IVs stuck into his arm, the heart monitor showed a pulse. Keegan was in a chair at the far corner of the room, eyes red and puffy, and in a daze. Farah shuffled to him slowly and placed her hand on his forearm then bent down to whisper into his ear. Keegan's eyes slipped shut and I turned around then folded my arms, letting Farah have her moment with him. I wasn't gonna act like she was a child anymore. Keegan sniffled and stood from the chair, he scooped Farah into his embrace.

"I think he'll be okay," He muttered. His hands dropped to her waist and she laid her head on his shoulder. Keegan sobbed quietly while Farah ran her fingers through his hair, tears running down her own face.

I raised a brow. Am I seeing what I’m seeing? Kamar's gonna have a bitch fit. I turned my head to give them their moment. I heard a small kiss, confirming my thoughts. Kamar is gonna lose his shit. I cleared my throat, "how long is he gonna have to stay here?" I turned back around.

"He isn't getting out tonight, that's for sure." Keegan looked at me, "Thank you for bringing her. Seriously." He rested his hand on my shoulder.

"It ain't nothin' but a thang." I patted his hand, "are you staying here?"

"Yeah, I am." Keegan glanced at Farah, "Are you staying?"

"Of course." Farah turned to me and wiped her cheek slowly. "Can you tell Kamar for me?"

I hesitated, "I don't know how he's gonna take it but sure." I gave her a quick hug and made my way back to the elevator and down to the car.

"So, she's just making decisions now?" Kamar fumed and got out of the car, "I'm going in there."

"Maybe you should just let her stay with her friends, KT…" Analina said.

"Seriously, Kamar. She deserves some closure after tonight." I agreed and sat in the driver's seat.

"She's my little cousin, Dina." He glared at me, "You know exactly how I feel about her being by herself." He shut the passenger door, "I promised my dad I'd keep her safe, and here isn't safe." I couldn't play dumb, I did know. He was pissed when his aunt started letting her go out after she turned eighteen. It was like a punch to the gut to him especially after his father's death, it destroyed their entire relationship.

"She's in a hospital!" I exhaled, "And she's with Keegan too." I got out of the car again and leaned against the driver's side door, "Don't go back in there and make a scene Kamar, seriously."

He grumbled under his breath for a minute then turned to me, "What the fuck does that matter?" He snapped, "Keegan was with her when Mike and Aaron both got SHOT! He ain't fuckin' protectin' her." He stomped away from the car and up to the doors of the hospital. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed loudly.

"Where are you going?" Analina squeaked, "KT! Come back!" She hung out of the window then she unlocked the door, eagerly ready to stop him from going inside.

"There ain't no point, Analina. He's gonna go in there regardless of what we say." I sighed and got back in the driver's seat, "We're just gonna have to wait."

***

"Have you talked to your aunt yet?" I asked, sitting on the couch.

"Nope," Kamar said, seemingly careless of the entire blowup, "want something to drink?"

"Are you okay?" I leaned my head on the sofa and looked up at him. Kamar's dread locs were tousled and he had heavy bags under his eyes.

He shook his head, "I said I'm fine, Dime." He sat down next to me, "What are you so worried about?"

"You seem so off… just… off," I shook my head, "I do care about you, yaknow? I really really do, KT." He put his thumb under my chin and kissed me softly. He kissed me again and then a third time. I pulled away, "What's that for?"

He grinned and ran his thumb along my knuckles, "Something I've thought about doing again for a while…" He looked at my hands and analyzed them for a moment before he continued, "I didn't think you'd want it to happen again."

"Well, I do find you attractive, if that's what you're asking." I giggled then sighed, "I do like you, I just don't know how Farah would feel about it."

"What does she need to know? She's not my caretaker." Kamar chuckled, "I doubt she'd mind."

"I think she might." I debated. We had plenty of conversations about Kamar in the past. "She definitely mentioned you being off-limits before."

"Oh, please." He snorted and moved his head down to my lips again. He kissed me again, "I'm a grown man. And you're a grown woman."

"There's no way you'd be this understanding if it was her." I twirled his beard gently around my finger.

"If she really feels that way and the nigga feels the same, sure." He shrugged and moved his head down to my neck, kissing softly, I shivered.

"Calm down now, boy," I swatted at his shoulder playfully and he chuckled, "Keep that same energy when she comes out with a boyfriend in a year or two."

“It’s a deal, Dime.” He grinned wide.

***

You’re so full of shit. I looked back at Analina. "I'm going in, y'comin?"

She nodded and we both went back into the urgent care. We could hear the yelling even before the elevator door opened. Why are you embarrassing her like this?

"Get your hands off me Kamar!" Farah shrieked as the elevator doors slid open. He had her sleeve in his grip, he tugged roughly at her arm. Keegan was balling his fists up and following behind them. Analina tried to step into Kamar's field of vision but he barked to "get the fuck out of the way," and shoved her to the side.

I shouted at him, "Kamar, stop!" He stopped and looked at me, his face was tight with anger. Farah pushed him, and he stumbled backward, letting Farah's shirt go. Keegan swept in and grabbed her. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I lowered my scream, looking around to see tons of patients and doctors giving us looks.

"She needs to come home, Dina. Stop fucking trying to stop me because regardless of what you do, she's coming HOME." He turned around, "Farah, you have 5 fuckin' minutes. Don't make me call Auntie, for real." Keegan snorted and Kamar's head snapped in his direction, "Is something funny, bitch?" Kamar stepped closer and Keegan's chest puffed up, the men sized each other up.

Analina stepped in front of Kamar, her tone ice cold, "Being an abusive prick isn't making you look good, you know that right?" Farah's eyes gleamed with respect and she stared at Analina as she continued, "I get your motive, I do. But you're going about it all fucked up."

He hesitated for a moment but walked around Analina and whispered firmly into Farah's ear and walked through the door to the staircase. Keegan shook his head and gave Farah a kiss on the forehead before telling her to go.

"No! I WANT TO STAY!" She cried and hugged him tightly again, sobbing hard into his shoulder. "What if Aaron…?" She sobbed incoherently, rambling on about why she should stay. He stopped her with a kiss on the lips.

"Just go, baby." He whispered and placed his forehead on hers.

I shook my head and approached her, rubbing her shoulder, "I'm sorry, Keegan. He's been really protective of Farah ever since his dad… y'know, he doesn't mean no harm." I looked at him apologetically.

"It's alright, Dime. It ain't your fault." He rubbed Farah's back and kissed the top of her head. He turned around and walked back into Aaron's room then shut the curtain behind him.

"Okay, let’s go," I said and ushered Farah outside. She followed me to the car, and Analina trailed behind us quietly. I got behind the wheel and turned on the engine, "We ready to go?" Everybody seemed drained, "Look," I watched them in the mirror, "We made it out of there. You know this is gonna pass and everything will be okay." I looked to Kamar who was focused on looking out the window and muttered something about getting to the house.

Analina smiled, "We’ll be fine," She nodded at me and we left the hospital parking lot.

The drive home was the longest drive any of us had ever taken. The skyscrapers passed us at a steady pace, the moon was high and beautiful, and the stars twinkled like no other night. And then the wind came and everything began to shift around us. The trees with their leaves dancing gently, the streetlamps that lit our path and the calmness that served as a lullaby made me smile. This place was our home and every time I thought about leaving I was filled with an unknown longing in my heart. As we made our way back to South Beach, I glanced at Farah and Kamar, who were still silent, my eyes full of compassion. I reached my arm out and squeezed Farah’s hand, the sentiment of family in the cold darkness of night couldn't be overlooked.

Kamar cleared his throat, breaking the silence, "It doesn't matter how dark it gets, we're always gonna be here for each other.”

"Yeah," Farah whispered, her eyes heavy with emotion. “Always."