Sitting on the front row of a church pew, Genesis has knots in his stomach. His chest feels heavy, his heart beats slow and harshly, his throat feels tight, and his eyes are watery. With sunglasses over his eyes he tries to conceal his emotions. He thought the pill he took would numb his pain, but nothing could get rid of this feeling...

Knowing his father's in that casket. Losing your parent is a feeling that can't be described, especially when you feel like you had more time. You were created in them. They're one of the people who knows you your entire life.

The one person who worked so hard to save his life was gone. His father worked overtime to save Genesis, and he's the one who couldn't save him before it was too late. The person who said they'd die before they let something happen to Gee. Gone.

Genesis had been doing everything possible to make his father proud. He owed him that after all the stress he caused him. Even with finally retiring his father and buying him the truck he wanted, that didn't feel like it was enough. None of that mattered. Time did. And for too many years Gee spent them defying him. He constantly questioned was anything enough to make his father proud to say Gee's his son after all his countless mistakes. He questions it even more now that his Dad can't answer or tell him.

Gee looks at his hands in his lap. One grips the funeral program with his father's picture on the front as his palms sweat. He looks at the Rolex on his wrist trying to keep his eyes open. Along with the watch on his wrist is a tan rubber band. He wears a pinky ring, but on his index and middle finger are smaller black rubber bands used for hair. He fiddles with his hand before pulling at the one on his index finger to pop himself. It's something he's done since 18 when Magenta taught him the trick for anxiety and stress back in college. He's been doing it so long it's second nature. Everyday he puts on rubber bands like they're the finest iced out jewelry. His friends always assumed they were for stacks of money, but no.

To keep from looking at the casket he concentrates on his hands popping himself with the rubber band on his wrist. Before he knows it his mind drifts off while the pastor preaches his sermon...

2014: September, Fall Semester

It's only been a few weeks into the semester, yet it feels like it's been forever. The layer of freshman excitement has already wiped off for Genesis. To him, it's time to get serious and remain as focused as possible.

It's hard with so many distractions whether that's parties, events, girls, alcohol, and drugs that this campus offers plenty of. He's already seen people miss more classes then they should or drop them completely. College is easy to get lost in considering no one's babying you. That's the only thing his high school teachers were right about. Other than that, it's pretty chill.

Entering the Fouts Field facilities he walks down the hallway with his Nike backpack on his back. His coach asked to speak to him, so that's where he's headed.

Knocking on the Linebacker coaches office door he waits for a response then enters. "Have a seat," his coach says while maneuvering around his office to get something off his printer. Gee removes his backpack and sits wondering what this is about.

Playing NCAA division 1 football was always the goal and he did it. After countless college visits, conversations with coaches, and putting his best foot forward in all his high school games, Gee was recruited. He had a couple options for colleges, but he felt this was the best fit and opportunity for him to excel.

So far they've only played one game of the season, but he thinks he's on the right path. He feels like he can balance collegiate athletics with his academics based on how it's going already. He's still getting adjusted to balancing practice and studying, but he'll get the hang of it. It would be a lie to say it's no different then what he's been doing his whole life. Now he's in a new state alone. There's no one to remind him to do his homework, turn something in, make sure he eats, make sure he's on time, or drop him off. He's an adult now.

"I need to talk to you before the second game," his coach groans while flopping into his desk chair. "I've been weighing options and thinking... I feel it would be best if you redshirt your freshman year, Genesis."

He knows what redshirting means, but all he wants to know is 'Why?'

He doesn't have an injury that requires recovery. It's not for academic reasons. He met all the strict admissions requirements from the NCAA. He had a great GPA that beyond exceeded the required 2.3 to get in. He didn't need to take extra credit hours to meet the academic standards either. Gee is very smart, always has been.

"It would be a voluntary redshirt. The team has too many players on your particular position," he begins explaining. "I have to let the upperclassmen showcase their skills first, especially the ones who want to enter the draft. In this case, that will lead you to being stuck on the backburner and spending a season on the bench. Instead of wasting a year of your eligibility, we think you should redshirt. It's your choice..."

"Uh," Gee's honestly at a loss for words. "If I say no?"

His coach moves his head side to side then sits forward. "If you redshirt you can spend this year working towards increasing size, strength, and stamina. Also to learn the team playbook. Obviously, we run more complex formations and executions in comparison to high school. It gives you time to physically and mentally mature." The coach can see Gee's facial expression isn't one of happiness. "Don't worry, Wilson. We plan on using you as a starter... later in your career. Next year. Redshirting means you can play for the full four years instead of three."

Gee scratches his head. Who said he's staying for all four years, let alone five? If he plans on graduating in four years, he loses a season if he redshirts for a year. He won't get to maximize all four years of eligibility.

"Think on it and get back to me. If yes, you can play three more games then after that the bench. I know this isn't what you want, but it's for the best. There's always next year."

Gee nods his head, but inside he's frustrated. He put in all that work over the summer for nothing. As soon as he walks out of the coaches office he's taking his phone out of his pocket dialing his father's number. He needs to vent everything he couldn't say to the coach.

"Daddy," he spills out to grab his father's attention.

"Yes, son." He can hear the loud machines in the background meaning he's at work. His father's a forklift driver at a factory. Despite hearing his father's at work he has to tell him what's going on. If he answered that means he's not too busy.

Genesis had been called Big Gee due to his size and playing football most of his life, but his father was the real Big Gee. Genaro could make you respect him with one conversation. It wasn't because of his past reputation or intimidation either. It's how he carried himself and his mindset. A real standup guy that Genesis took pride in looking up to.

Football is one thing he's always had in common with his father. That was the one thing on a long list Gee could talk to him about. His father's a tell you like it is type of person, while his mother is the one who will be more understanding. His father is his voice of reason and his mother's his ear to listen. It's a good balance to have them both.

While walking Gee says, "I was talking to the coach and they want me to redshirt."

"Sounds about right," is not what he expected his father to say.

"Huh?"

"I was looking at the roster. They have upperclassmen that need the playing time in hopes of getting drafted at a high number and round. They need the looks before going pro, while you still have time."

"Time? If I redshirt, it takes away a year on the field and potentially adds a year to me being in school." Gee was hoping his father would be on the same page then he'd call the coach to talk him out of it. Then he realizes he's no longer a kid who can have his 'big, scary' father cuss out the coach for him.

"I know. You're a Kinesiology major. I was looking into it and your college has a 5-year plan where you can do a Bachelor's in 3 and another 2 for your Master's. Boom! Four years of playing and two degrees." Gee narrows his eyes starting to feel like the coach already talked to his Dad before he told him. "You're going to be a lot better in your fifth year than you are your first."

"Da–" he starts wanting to argue. He knows his father really wants him to get a degree because he wasn't able to. He wants something different for his son. The thing is Gee doesn't feel the same way... "Man, I wanna come home," he says instead. "I didn't sign up for this," he's two seconds from saying shit, but stops himself.

His father actually wouldn't mind him cussing. It's understandable when you're mad. But Gee always thinks of him saying, "Never speak with a serpent tongue out of anger for those very words could come back to bite you. When your tongue slips, you can't recover your words."

"You listen to me, you do what you gotta do. If that means sitting on that bench, do it. Be the best bench warmer your ass can be," his father tries to advice him.

"I can transfer to another school. Go to one of my other offers."

"And by the time you find another school and get settled in the program, half the season will probably be gone. There's no guarantee with that. This isn't a sign for you to run, Genesis. Show that coach there's a reason he recruited you in the first place," his father insists.

Gee sighs. He exits the building being submerged into the bright sunlight that makes him squint. "For all I know they could be running game on me. Wasting my time with broken promises. How am I supposed to do any of that not being on the field?"

"You think the field is the only way to show your skills? That's small minded, think bigger picture. Off the field you still have to be present. Show your commitment to the program. You're still in a position to learn, listen, and lead. I taught you your three L's. Do that. Remember, this is what's paying for you to be there."

"Yes, sir," Gee responds with a bleak tone.

"I'll call you when I get off work. We can make a list of priorities for the next four to five years. You need to make goals and figure out what areas you can improve on, on and off the field. Freshman year is the most important academically. People think it's the time to slack because they have time to pull up that GPA, but it's not. Focus on your classes. Keep your head in the game whether you're playing or not. Love you, boy."

"Love you too," he hangs up. He stands there for a second staring into the parking lot trying to think. He smacks his lips beginning to walk towards the shuttle bus stop. This is bullshit...

Gee takes the bus back to the residence hall, but instead of going to his room, he finds himself in Magenta's. He told her about potentially redshirting and she pretty much said the same thing as his father.

They're supposed to be studying now, but he can't focus. He's still pissed. He sits at Amil's desk since she's not here with his textbook open. He hasn't read one paragraph though. His leg bounces profusely and he continuously taps the end of his pen on the page of the book.

He wants to know why the fuck he left his home, family, and friends to come all the way out here just to not play. That's the only reason he's here. "There's next year," the coaches words replay in his head.

"I really can't believe this professor told us to get this damn textbook and now she says she doesn't like it, so we won't use it," Magenta rants while re-writing notes from class to help remember her studies. He's listening, but at the same time he's not. "I already took the wrapping off and can't return it. I've spent $400 on textbooks alone. I'm finna stand outside these textbook stores and try to sell it like food stamps. Got my fucked up."

Magenta's expecting him to say something in response, so she glances over her shoulder at him. From her peripheral she can see his leg's still bouncing. It's distracting her along with the sound of his pen constantly hitting his book. "You're stressing me out and I'm not even you," she finally comments. She's a person that gets easily irritated by small things like that.

"My fault," he puts his pen down staring straight ahead. His foot still taps though.

"Here," she grabs something from her desk turning to hand it to him. He looks at her extended arm seeing a rubber band in her hand.

"What's this for?" He takes it and stretches it in her direction as if he's going to snap it towards her.

"Rubber band therapy or snap therapy."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

She puts one on her own wrist popping herself. "People do it when they feel overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, depression, OCD, restlessness, panic. It helps calm my nerves when I'm stressin'. It refocuses me." From an early age Magenta had to find ways to cope and comfort herself with everything going on around her. She had a hectic upbringing.

One of the main reasons Gee is always hanging with her is because she's so laidback. Don't get him wrong, he fucks with the teammates he's grown close relationships with. At the same time they're still teenage boys who are away from home for the first time. They do a lot of dumb and childish shit. Plus, they're always full of high, wild energy and Gee tends to be on the more calm side. They're good for partying, playing video games, and being more rowdy.

Also, Gee's an incredibly loyal person to people he cares about. He puts loyalty above anything, so he needs to be able to really trust someone before he gets close to them. He hasn't got there yet with his teammates. He's not there with Magenta either, but he can see it getting there. It's the forethought that keeps him coming around her. There's something about her...

"Chill and be still," she touches the knee of his leg that's still bouncing. He looks down finally stopping right as she moves her hand. "I know you want to play. You're excited, rightfully so, it's your freshman year... But it's also your freshman year. You have time to prove yourself. What's the rush?"

At that question his mind is flooded with a million thoughts. There's a lot of reasons for him to rush. He's not in college to fuck around and have fun. Shit, he's barely in college for college. If he wasn't good at football or got a scholarship he would not be here right now. But his mind's on a goal and that's the NFL. If he can get there and get his family in a better position that's when he won't be in such a rush. Until then his life has a sense of urgency that sitting on a bench won't solve.

"I don't know," is the only answer he can give to the question. It would be too much to get into everything he left back at home.

Magenta figures out what that 'I don't know' is hiding though. She's always been an intuitive person. She has a tendency to know what people mean or want before they can even articulate it. It's weird. "You must not want to stay all four years and go to the NFL," she concludes.

"Maybe. It's better to be paid to play. My family needs me to make it. My family needs the money."

"You just got here and you're already thinking about leaving?" She finally turns towards him giving her full attention.

"To be honest, I could care less about this degree. I honestly chose a major at random. I don't even plan on using it if I do get it," Gee admits with a shrug.

"I get it. It wasn't even an option or thought, especially with how expensive it is." He nods. "I mean, regardless you have to be here three years," she refers to the NCAA rule that you can't be eligible for the league until you've been out of high school three years. "Three years out of four. You might as well get the degree."

"Well, my Daddy's talkin' bout five. Bachelor's and Master's," he huffs. Clearly, Gee and his father have two different plans. Gee doesn't want to disappoint his father though.

"I think you should stay in the now. Enjoy college for what it is and what it isn't. You only get to experience it once," she shrugs offering the piece of advice. "It's not as bad as you think. I know dudes from my high school who already came back home and have to transfer to community colleges. At least you're still on the team and have your scholarship. Division one at that."

Often times people forget what comes with being an athlete, especially a student-athlete. It's not guaranteed all four years once you commit to a school. Schools change coaches, players don't get along with said coaches, get kicked off the team, lose their scholarship, get injured, can't balance the workload, or simply don't want to play anymore. Honestly, these teams throw away players as if kids didn't put all their eggs into the athletics basket.

Gee knows she's right. She gives him a reassuring smile before turning back around in her desk chair to continue doing her work. Gee stares at the back of her for a few seconds.

He feels like he still doesn't really know her on a personal end. At the same time he's the type of person who doesn't hide anything. There's no reason to. He lays it all out there. He takes time to show his feelings to people, but when he can see them being in his life for a long time he opens up faster. That's the case with Magenta.

Magenta's the opposite. Even if you're her friend it still feels like you don't know everything about her. She's always found it hard to trust people.

He stands up deciding to stretch before getting back to his work. He walks over to a cork board where Gen has pictures of herself with friends and family stuck to it. He looks at the one picture she has with her boyfriend. It was at her high school graduation so she has on a cap and gown. He's dark skin and looks to be 6'0" compared to her 5'7".

Unlike other girls on campus who have boyfriends at another college, Gen rarely talks about hers. She's not one of those chicks who only talks about her relationship, which can get annoying. They'll 'my boyfriend', 'I gotta boyfriend' you to death. She doesn't do that.

His eyes glance at each picture noticing most of them are with this chocolate, slim chick. He recalls her always mentioning her best friend, but he can't remember her name.

He laughs to himself seeing a picture where Magenta's friend is bent over with her butt towards the camera holding up a middle finger, while Gen holds up some hand signs in the background posted up on the wall. It reminds him of the hood chicks on Facebook.

In the picture she looks about 14. Magenta wears a navy blue polo and Dickie khaki pants making it clear it's a school uniform. She has an extendo ponytail with a swoop bang where it feels you can smell the Spritz spray through the picture. Her door knockers have her nickname, Twinkle, on them with a matching name plate necklace. On her feet she wears navy Adidas Samoa sneakers that had the DFW area in a chokehold during that time. She looks like she was bad as hell.

"Where you from again?" he asks as if she actually told him.

"South Dallas. Why?" She answers while using a pink pen and highlighter to color code her notes.

"I don't know. I assumed you were from the suburbs, but–" he stops himself not even knowing what he was going to say.

"If you're asking if I'm from the hood, yes. I just went to a good school in the burbs for my last three years of high school. A Catholic school. Better education and to keep me out of trouble," she explains.

Gee can relate to that. His father sent him to the school with the best football team in the district to higher his chances for visibility on the field. Once again, something his father wanted, not him. Who wants to go to school across town and be away from your friends? It worked out. He got a scholarship, but he hated his high school years.

"Hmph." Gee meant to think it but it slipped out.

"What does that mean?" Magenta pauses from writing still not looking up from the page.

"Nothing. Who's this?" He points at another picture with the same girl. This time they look to be at a teen club posing in front of one of those classic airbrush backdrops. Their hair and nails are done. Their bellies are exposed in crop tops with dangling belly button rings. Looking too grown.

From the pictures he can see Magenta's always had this shape. It's kind of impressive. He can't lie, on move in day he helped her because she's fine as hell. Anybody can see that from a mile away. Gee's the type to feel out a situation first. He doesn't go straight into flirting and asking for numbers. He's glad he didn't. After the day they decided to be friends, he was fine with that. He appreciated how easily they clicked. It wasn't forced, it was natural. Magenta only had to mention her boyfriend once for him to look at her strictly as a homie. He's not looking for a relationship anyway. This is his first year of college and he wants to have fun.

"My best friend, Pandora. Her Dad and my Dad ran together, so we've basically been best friends since babies."

We're getting somewhere, he thinks at her revealing the small detail. "This your Dad?" He points at a picture of a man clearly in prison by the backdrop and his blue jumpsuit. His father has some throwbacks just like this... Magenta's father throws up the same hand signs she has in her picture with her best friend. Her smile makes it look more innocent compared to his.

Magenta nods as he still stares at the photo. She can feel his mind wandering without saying a word or even looking at him.

"Ask what you wanna ask," she says knowing it's coming. She realized very quickly Gee asks a lot of questions. When someone asks too many questions she puts her guard up. On the contrary, she appreciates his attempt to get to know her. Most people would've gave up by now. He has a genuine curiosity that makes you think he cares. She thought he was clingy at first, but how else do you build a friendship? You kinda have to be.

"I just wanna know more about you..."

"Why?" The question flies out with attitude.

Gee's very well aware she has a boyfriend, so she doesn't think it's because he wants her. He hasn't tried her yet by flirting or doing anything inappropriate. She actually believes he genuinely wants to only be her friend unlike others who ride the friend zone until the opportunity presents itself.

"Because I tell you stuff about myself. I'm tryna get to know you."

"I didn't ask you to do that," her face frowns up.

"Come on, Gen," his infectious laugh eases out and her tense shoulders soften up for some reason. He's so open it's hard to even be uptight with him.

Gen hates having to be that blocked off person. She learned early always being the girl with an attitude and chip on your shoulder isn't cute. It's tiring for everyone including herself. She said she'd have a new outlook in college, so this is a good start.

She pushes the clicker of her pen into her notebook a couple times making the ballpoint tip go in and out. She sighs giving in to his enticing smile. "What do you wanna know?" She spins towards him in her chair to give him her full attention once again.

Gee eagerly sits back down across from her ready to listen. She laughs because he actually seems excited. "Where you from? What's your family like? How'd you end up here? Why do you know what snap therapy is and why'd you start doing it? What makes you, you?"

"Okay..." she tries to take in each question. Her eyes widen a little taken aback. She doesn't know where to start. "Uhh, my Daddy's in prison for selling bricks. He was a street nigga. I'm sure you gathered that," she refers to the picture. "Grew up in South Dallas my whole life. I have two older brothers and an older sister. I'm the youngest. You met Choice and Felicity. My oldest brother, his name is Cortlen. That's it, I guess," she shrugs. Gee's mind wanders to move in day wondering where her other brother was at. "Now I'm here. Trying to break the cycle," she sums it up as concise as she can.

Gee obviously knows that's not all that makes a person a person. She's more than that. He's also not going to be pushy. He feels that was a good step in the right direction.

"Thanks for telling me," he nods.

Magenta narrows her eyes. She's never had anyone thankful for someone telling their business. He really means he's thankful that she trusted him with that information. "Why you so nosey?" She asks tilting her head to the side with perplexity.

Genesis didn't see it as being nosey. His mother always told him he was curious. Usually, he's quiet and will observe until he gets the information he's searching for. But if he's drawn to you, he's just that. He's going to want to know every detail in an effort to be closer to you.

"Just picking your brain. Learning more. We have a lot in common," he leans back in the office chair stretching his back.

"Like what?" She grabs a pillow hugging onto it before putting one leg on her ottoman clearly getting just as comfortable.

"You know everything about me. It's only a matter of if you were listening..."

"I was listening. And there's no way I know everything after a couple weeks."

Before Gee and Gen knew it they were exchanging stories for hours. They had never opened up to someone so easily. It was weird, but satisfying. Mostly because neither judged the other. Like he said, they have a lot in common. It didn't matter if they were from two different places.

Halfway through a story Gen stops talking mid-sentence. She felt herself reliving an emotional memory. "Damn, we've been talking a long time," she tries to deter the subject. "You wanna go get something to eat?" She looks at the time on her phone.

Gee can tell what she's doing. Instead of pushing for her to continue the story he says, "The reason I tell you stuff or talk to you is because I feel like you can understand. Even if you don't say you understand, I can tell."

Gee naturally gravitated to Gen for several reasons. One of them was because she reminded him of back home. He knows no one will know him like the friends he grew up with, but he's willing to be open to new people for the next however many years he's here. It's makes this transition not so hard.

He snaps his wrist with the rubber band she gave him indicating he's going to take her advice. "Let's get Chic-Fil-A," he stands up.

Genesis must've went into a trance of continuously snapping himself because it got to the point it caught his brother's attention. Sitting next to Gee, he glances down then puts his hand on the one that's pulling the rubber band. Gee closes his eyes for a second then stops. His brother's hand then goes to his shoulder to give it a quick grip of comfort. Today's going to be a long day...

After the funeral, instead of going to the repast with friends and family, Gee dipped out. He couldn't be surrounded by all those people. By then everyone expects you to be smiling and laughing while enjoying refreshments. He can't fake that.

On top of that he heard something about one of his aunt's arguing with his brother and mother. Something about she has a complaint when it comes to the headstone. As if she paid... Gee and his siblings paid for the funeral, like they should, with him footing most of the bill. Yet people still managed to complain when they didn't offer a dollar. They only offered their unwarranted and unwanted opinions.

They've been arguing all week about stupid shit. Black people can never have a funeral without drama. Is that a form of grieving? Because it's getting on Gee's nerves. If he hears one more negative comment he's going to cuss someone out. His Daddy's dead in the ground. He doesn't want to hear their crap.

Leaned against his car, Gee smokes a Black and Mild. If he wasn't still on probation he'd be smoking a fat ass blunt. They've stressed him out that much. He's parked outside of the building the repasts being held at, but he hasn't gone inside. He went back to the house to change clothes to stall and avoid it as long as he could. He wants a to-go plate, but doesn't want to be bothered with all the people inside.

Seeing one of his little cousins running passed he yells, "Ay, come here!" The boy halts his movement pointing at himself. Gee can tell he's going to attempt to ignore him so he can keep playing. "Yeah, you," he motions him over.

His cousin huffs, but knows to bring his ass on. Walking across the parking lot he approaches Gee who's already reaching into his pocket. He takes out a wad of cash filing through a couple bills. "Can you go inside and get me a to-go plate? A soda and dessert too."

The boy's eyes light up at the money. "Whatchu want on it?" He asks eagerly.

"Whatever looks good. No greens though. I don't need the juice getting all over the place. And I heard cousin Netta made the Mac. Don't get me that shit. I'm not trying to have a messed up stomach. Get an orange soda. I know they ain't got nothin' but off-brand. I heard Auntie Lucille made white cake too. Get that," he hands the money over.

"I think you can give one more twenty with all those requests," the ten-year-old stares at the money.

"Boy, go on! Hurry up too!" He watches him run off leaning against the car again.

"You hiding out here?" Gee hears making him look over his shoulder to see his mother, Misty. She rubs his back and he sighs as she stands next to him. "If that lady keeps bothering me, I'ma tell her ass off," she mentions his aunt. "Your Daddy barely even liked her for her to be doin' all this. Had the nerve to say, If you really loved my brother, you would've sent him out right. She gotta nerve."

Gee laughs under his breath because his Aunt can be irritating. What else does she want? Apparently she wanted doves and a horse carriage. All the stuff she wanted, his Daddy already said don't have that 'corny shit' or he'll personally come back to haunt them.

"Don't laugh. You know I'm telling the truth. If that wasn't his sister," his mother shakes her head. "Who am I to talk? Ya Daddy barely liked my ass too." He blows out smoke. Gee can only stay silent.

His parents had a complicated relationship, but he always knew they loved each other through it all. They didn't always show it in the correct ways, especially when they were younger. They argued, cheated, broke up, then made up. Stuff couples go through when they don't know what real love is or know any better. Through all that they never went and got divorce papers though. They could live apart for years and still never end it lawfully because they knew they'd bounce back eventually. Like Jody and Evette. A hot mess.

As he got older he realized the only people that can have a say in a relationship are the two people in it. Only those two people know their connection. Only those two people know how they truly feel. Only they know why they keep coming back. Who is he to judge? The faster you learn that the better off you are. Even when it's your parents...

The difference with Gee's parents from others is they never hid their problems. They didn't try to portray themselves as perfect. They also made it clear this is dysfunction and not how a relationship should go. He didn't understand and for awhile he held anger to both of them for different reasons. He felt like he saw and knew too much, too early. Most parents shield their kids, while his laid it on the table. Whatever they had going on him and his siblings knew.

Now, Gee's grateful they were so transparent. He has low toleration for a lot of stuff in relationships. If it even resembles his parents, he's out the door. Maybe that's why he hasn't been able to get in a serious, long-term relationship. Some people may even say he gives up too easily.

He glances at his mother seeing the regret in her eyes. On paper she's still his wife, but they hadn't lived as a union in awhile. Even in the program it mentioned her although some hating family members had something to say about it. Don't let them find out Genaro left her money. Genaro was still her best friend regardless. Their relationship is weird to outsiders. He knows she probably wishes their marriage was different. They both had blame in different things. There was a lot of pettiness, hurt, and wasted time. To Misty it's too late now. That cuts her deeper than anything.

"What are you thinking about?" Misty asks looking at her son. Gee's arms are crossed over his chest as he holds onto the cigarillo.

He licks his lips answering, "There's some people that I wish were still in my life. I really wish that things would've went different. Honestly, if I could I would want them back in my life, but at this point it's probably way too late." His soft voice floats in the air with the smoke making his mother think.

"It's never too late as long as they're still on this Earth. Don't miss your chance. Don't live with regrets. That's what I always tell you, son." She touches Gee's arm giving a smile that makes him smile every time. His mother always had a level of empathy he admired. "Let me get back in here." She takes a long huff of dread. She points at the Black and Mild saying, "You should stop smoking those. What am I saying? I would be too. I know someone has some weed in this mutha fucka. CBD, something!" She gripes leaving her son alone again.

Once Gee's cousin comes back with the Styrofoam to-go boxes of food and a drink, he pats his pockets for his keys deciding he's done for the day. He wants to eat in peace then take a long ass nap. He's exhausted from being around his family all week. He honestly can't wait until he can get back to Houston. Home will always be home, but home always ain't home...

Getting in his car, Gee only makes it a block before his phone's ringing. Seeing an incoming call from his business partner, he rubs over his face. Even though he's experiencing a loss he still has a business to run. He gave himself this week then it's back like nothing happened.

He takes a second to gather himself by clearing his throat then accepting the call. "What's up?"

"What's good? You okay?" Is the first thing his business partner, Kross, asks.

"Yeah, I'm straight." Anyone would know that's a lie, but he says it anyway. To everyone around he was unusually unemotional. It's partly because he knew he had to get through the week to at least plan the funeral. Now that he's the breadwinner of the family he doesn't have time to cry.

If someone would've told Gee he'd run a successful business a few years ago he might laugh. It was also believable because Gee didn't have many options left for legal money. His best choice was to go into business for himself and be self-sufficient. A background check and working for someone who views you as nothing were always going to be his worst enemy.

If one thing in his life went differently he wouldn't be where he is right now...

"I know you have a lot going on. My condolences about your father," Kross' voice brings him back. With one hand on the wheel and the other on his chin in thought he heads towards his mother's house.

"But?" He can feel it coming.

"But one of our artists needs to shoot a music video a.s.a.p.. The song he threw out just 'cause ended up going viral. I don't know if you saw. It's been going up. It's getting millions of streams and all'at. We need to ride this wave before it dies. You know someone to come up with the treatment and get everything together? Clothes, video girls, location..."

The first person who pops into Gee's mind is Magenta. At a stop sign he looks over at the passenger seat. For a second he imagines Magenta dancing in the seat like the time when she came home with him. He quickly snaps out of it pulling off. Maybe he shouldn't have popped that pill earlier.

"Gee, you there?"

"I got someone I can use," he answers Kross. "I'll hit them up and let you know."

"Also, I have some potentially good news for us. Caprice got dropped from his management company. Something about some controversies behind the scenes. They're keeping it under wraps, but I remember you saying you want to manage him. This is your chance," Kross mentions a rapper who's steadily gaining buzz. Gee has a feeling he's going to be a star.

"What's the scandal though? It's gotta be big if he got dropped. He wasn't signed to just any ol' body's management company," Gee wonders.

"I really don't know. I tried to get information, but no one at his old management would tell me. Something about it's being handled in courts, but it's sealed and confidential. Couldn't find anything online in public records either except his old gun cases. I don't know what it is."

Gee taps his chin thinking of several scenarios. "Maybe he's suing someone in his management. They probably don't want it to make the company look bad. I heard Habib was stealing from some of his artists. I'm not gonna assume though." He takes a breath adding, "Okay. I wanna talk to him before someone else gets to him."

"I'll reach out to him."

As soon as they hang up he pulls into a gas station. While pumping gas into the car, Gee gets on Instagram searching Magenta's name. Clicking on her page he stares at it for a few seconds before copying her email address that's in her bio.

It seems like now the only way Gee can get the time of day from Magenta is if it's business. Other than that, if he reaches out on some regular shit it goes nowhere. They both work in the music industry, but somehow they don't cross paths. It feels like she avoids him.

Don't even think about texting the new number she gave him years ago through DM because she changed it. DM'ing her? You may or may not get a response. If Gee's just responding to her story casually it'll be dry. She's good for not replying with actual words and only an emoji. It took him a couple times to understand she doesn't want to talk to him.

But if you email about her services as a creative director, you'll get a response in a timely manner. Damn near right away. The most Gee's talked to her is via email, but even then it's probably an assistant responding.

In the past year she's been apart of the creative team for about 5 of the artists signed to his management company. She's somehow avoided talking to him or being in the same room for every single one. She does her job, gets paid through invoice, then goes on about her business.

Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. It's nice she's professional and about her money. He also doesn't mind giving her a boost in clientele since she's a Black business. At the same time, it's like she only views him as a connection she gained while in college. As if they weren't once really close... It's like he was an acquaintance. Nothing important.

Gee knows that it's his fault. He removed himself from her life, so she's keeping that same energy. Keeping herself removed.

A lot of things have been put into perspective for him since his father's passing. Life is too short. He can't keep letting fear, pride, and ego rule his life. He at least wants to talk to her one time even if they never ever talk again.

While typing up the email he tries to think of any reason he can come up with that would put them in the same room.

This might be selfish anyway. Reaching out because he wants something. He just really needs her right now...

_________

Thoughts on Gee? Should he reach out to Magenta?

Starting next chapter, the first portion of this story will be their college days then it'll go into present day. Just a heads up. Comment / Vote💫