Billy got dropped off at her house, leaving Yoshi and Jah alone in the taxi for the rest of the ride. It seemed like as soon as she got out, a silence fell between the two. The only sound in the taxi was Patti LaBelle singing about good love on a lite-FM station. Every so often Yoshi would catch Jah looking over at her, but he’d quickly turn his head if she turned to face him. It was funny to her how a nigga who was supposed to have no fear couldn’t look her in the eye. Eventually the alcohol and the chronic caught up with Jah and he dropped off to sleep.

Yoshi leaned against the door and studied Jah’s profile by the murky lights of the streetlamps they passed. Even sleeping his face sported a slight scowl, but it was still the most relaxed she had ever seen him. For the first time, Yoshi realized how young Jah looked. His face was smooth as silk, with not even the slightest traces of hair. Gone was the hard façade of the street soldier, and in its place there was a sleeping little boy. She had to admit that Jah was a very handsome young man, but he was always so extra on the streets that a girl would never have a chance to appreciate his natural beauty. With strong features and full lips, Jah was very easy on the eyes.

She was still shocked at how hard he had gone for her. He wrapped Rel up without so much as a second thought as to what could’ve happened to him. He could’ve gotten locked up, or worse, Rel and his peoples could’ve did him dirty. Still, he was there when Yoshi needed him and she was thankful for that.

As a car passed, beeping its horn, Jah began to stir in his sleep. Yoshi started to reach out and touch his soft face, but he moved his hand closer to his gun, stopping her. The last thing she needed was this crazy little nigga having some warped dream and mistaking her for an enemy. For now she would adore him from a distance.

The cab coasted to a stop on 124th and Morningside. The street was empty with the exception of a group of young men loitering on the stoop. They eyed the yellow cab warily for fear that it might be the police in one of their many disguises. Jah must’ve felt the tension because he snapped out of his sleep and looked around.

“Where the hell are we?” he asked.

“This is where I live now,” Yoshi said, fishing around in her purse for her money.

Jah looked at the building, which was a walk-up that had been recently renovated. His gaze fell on the curious young men in front of the building, bringing a scowl to his face. “You want me to walk you in?”