In Love with a Thug by Reginald L. Hall

Have It,” and sped off. My heart melted instantly. I stood there for a moment reminiscing about how Darnell used to give me that same feeling. I thought, he didn’t even tell me his name. Does he even know mine? I’m not even gonna call him. I don’t want any DVDs really . I reached down into my back pocket and pull the paper out. Sure it was written B-R-Y-A-N-T. I smiled, thinking of the fact that I had the option of calling him even though I didn’t think I would.
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    Tiredness overwhelmed my mind and my body. Today had been a very successful day at Ché Mystic. I had grossed about a thousand dollars alone so I was straight. Not to mention that I still had about $175,000 put aside in the bank for a rainy day.
    I relaxed in the recliner that sat in the plush family room of my apartment. I leaned back on the headrest and let my mind run and exhale all the stress that had been brought upon me. My heart felt heavy once again as I continued to lie there and think about the man whom I once loved and who once loved me. I turned to look out the window at the night sky and watched every star twinkle in the distance. I closed my eyes to thank God for His many blessings and to ask Him again why did He have to take Darnell away from me.
    My eyes began to water as I let a lonely tear run down my face. I could feel how sad I had become the day he’d left this earth. I felt depressed and not to the point where I needed to kill myself but to where I needed to live in this world alone. Through all my shame and guilt that I carried around with me for letting him die there in that bank alone, I needed something or someone to help me relax and stimulate my mind; not physically but mentally as well. Someone to stimulate me to the point of no return. Maybe I do need to start watching TV more often.
    Then I remembered Bryant’s phone number was still in my pants pocket. As I continued to sit I thought about how he’d left such an impression on me today. I got the number from my pocket and called him. I let the phone ring at least three times before he picked up.
    â€œYerp,” he greeted in a deep sexy voice.
    â€œHello, can I speak with Bryant, please?” I asked in a shaken voice. The nervousness sat so deep down in my soul that my underarms were starting to sweat.
    â€œWho dis?”
    â€œAh, this is Juan. You came into my salon today. You were talkin’ to me about some DVDs that you were selling.”
    â€œOh yeah, the lil’ pretty dude. Wassup?” he asked as I almost swallowed my spit from what he’d said. He labeled me as the “pretty dude.” A smile immediately came across my face.
    â€œYeah, my name is Juan,” I said.
    â€œOh, excuse me, Mr. Juan. My bad if I offended you.”
    â€œOh, no, not at all. You didn’t offend me. I was just caught off guard,” I rebutted.
    â€œCaught off guard, huh? Why? ’Cuz I said you was pretty?”
    I was speechless.
    â€œNaw. I didn’t think you looked at me that way, that’s all,” I said with my hands shaking.
    â€œOh okay, well, I call ’em as I see ’em, that’s all.” Once again he brought a smile to my face. “Listen, what are you doing now?”
    â€œWell, right now, I’m not doing anything. Are you coming to my crib to show me the DVDs?”
    â€œYeah, I can do that. But first I have to get me sumthin’ to eat. I’m hungrier than a muthafucka.”
    There was dead silence on the phone. I didn’t know what to say so I said the first thing that came to mind. “Well, I can make sumthin’ to eat and have it ready by the time you get here.” What am I saying? He gonna think that I’m some type of fag or sumthin’.
    â€œYeah, that’s cool. What are you cooking?”
    â€œI can whip up a pot of spaghetti, if that’s cool with you,” I said, still shaking nervously with the phone in my hand.
    â€œAiight,