I nod. They are good. Everything an artist could want.

Almost everything.

“I don’t want you to give up your art,” he says. “I don’t want you to be afraid out in the world.”

You were right, he’s saying. Black men are in prison no matter what we do.

BRICK

I sit at the diner counter, noshing on some pie.

Jennica says, “So, if you know anyone looking for a roommate, tell her to come by, okay?”

“Yeah, I got you,” I say. “And if you ever need help with the rent, you let me know. I’ll spot you.”

She smiles. “The bank of Brick?”

I grin. “Interest free, for good friends like you.”

Jennica glances around the diner. It’s not crowded. She’s not shirking, to be chatting me up. She leans across the counter. “Are you sure?” she says.

“Am I sure?”

She’s close now. Her hands cover mine, then slide up my forearms to the elbow. “Are you sure that ‘friends’ is what you want to be? Just friends?”

Her mouth is inches from mine. My lips part of their own accord. I’ve dreamed of this moment. Literal actual dreams in the night. Where I woke up and thought we were together, and had to remind myself in the mirror, She’s not yours. Not yet.

“Brick?” Jennica says. “You want me, don’t you? You want more?”

We’re both surprised when I lean back. “Um.”

“Oh.” She’s startled. Her eyes go wide.

“I—” I can’t believe I’m about to say this. “Jennica, I think I’m with someone.”

“Oh.” Jennica pulls her hands back. “Never mind. I was just messing around. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

It’s an obvious lie, but let’s go with it. “Sure,” I say. “I know.”

“It’s Melody, right?”

“Yeah, how’d you know that?”

She shrugs. “I know you. And I know her.”

Now I really wish what just happened hadn’t happened, because I really want to talk to her about it. “It’s weird,” I tell her. “I’m not that kinda guy.”

Jennica cocks her head. “What kind is that?”

I laugh. “Loyal. ‘I’m with someone’? Did you ever think you’d hear me say that?”

Jennica pulls a towel from under the counter. “You’ve been loyal to me,” she says. “I’m the one who screwed up.”

“Nah.”

She shakes her head. “I’m never gonna—” Her eyes well up with tears. “Everything is falling apart.”

Oh, no. Shit. I don’t know how to make it better. “Listen, we’re gonna be friends, right? You and me forever.”

“Besties,” Jennica says, with a smile. She blinks hard, wipes her cheeks, and reaches for my empty plate.