“I see. I’m sorry fa trippin’ like dat. I’m goin’ thru somethin’ … It ain’t got nuttin’ ta do wit you,” she explained. “I been trip-pin’ since my peoples left … she wuz like a sista ta me. We wuz dogz—”

“Who’s this? Damn, what she do, die?” he asked seriously, detecting a hint of sadness in her voice.

“Naw, nuttin’ like dat,” she replied. “It’s a long story wit a whole lotta drama ….”

“I’m sorry ta hear dat, but what you doin’ now? If you want, I’ll shoot over there and pick you up. Take you out ta eat or sumthin’? Get ya mind right … How dat sound? Is on and poppin’ or what?” he said.

“Fa sheezie. Get here wit da quickness, aiight?”

“Gimme like twenty minutes. I gotta handle sumthin’ right quick. Then I’ll come by and scoop you,” he stated.

“Sounds like a plan ta me.”

She went to the bathroom to freshen up. The whole time she prayed that he would indeed show up. She knew how quickly men can get sidetracked, especially guys that run the streets. She needed an escape from the house, Kat and the bad karma that was around. She mused to herself, boy, things are going from sugar to shit.

Bonk! Bonk! The car horn alerted Tender to Q’s arrival. The knight in shining armor was here. Kat must have heard the noise at the same time. She came out of her room to investigate.

“Dat’s fa you?” she questioned. “Who’s dat? … Where you goin’?”

“Out!” Tender replied flatly.

“Who dat? Dat’s Q?”

“Yeah, dat’s him,” she replied with an attitude. “Why?”

“Oh, nuttin’ … I mean niggas ain’t been pullin’ up in fronta here lookin’ fa you … I thought maybe … Maybe it wuz fa me. Dat’s all.” Kat lied, trying to hide her intentions.

“Naw, he hollerin’ at me,” Tender remarked smartly. “Don’t wait up.”

“Have fun. And don’t do nuttin’ I wouldn’t do.” Though her voice was cheerful, if Tender would have turned back around at that very moment, she would have seen the hate in Kat’s face. What Kat would trade to be in Tender’s shoes right now.