I Belong TO Her

Dante POV

Every other week for the last five years I go to Rikers by myself to visit my mom. She is in prison because was a drug mule for an ex-boyfriend. That nigga was abusive and threatened our lives so she didn’t have a choice but to work for him. My sister and I grew up without our mother but luckily we had our father in our lives.

Anyway, I’m leaving the gym and I walk into the parking lot. Some short thick woman is leaning on my car.

“Excuse me, Can you get up?

She moves and I unlock the car. I get in and try to drop my bag in the passenger sit.

“Wtf?

This lady is in my car. She must be a crackhead or crazy.

“Dante, we need to talk about your mother.

“Who are you? How do you know my name?

“I know about you and your mother. Like she doesn’t deserve to be in prison. I can get her out.

“How?

“Meet me later and I will tell you.

She gives me her card and leaves my car.

I just shake my head and look at the card. Liz Monroe: MSW and Consultant.

*Later

I’m sitting in a booth in the back of Sylvia in Harlem waiting for Liz to arrive.

“Did you order already?

She sits down

“Nah. So what’s this all about?

“A blunt guy, I like. I have a proposition for you. I will get your mother out of jail if only you belong to me.

“What? How?

“I have connections.

“So you wanna fuck me?

“Not just that. I want you to be my man, partner and lover.

“Nah, lady you crazy.

I get up and leave.

*Visiting Day

“Son, I have great news.

“What’s up?

“The people from the Innocence project is helping me appeal my case. And it’s all thanks a social worker that works here.

“Is her name Liz?

“Yea. Did you meet her? Isn’t she nice?

“Yea she is something. Have you told her about me?

“Of course. That’s what we do talk about our lives to her.

“Okay, well Mom. I got something to tell you.

I proceed to tell her Liz’s offer.

“Take it, baby boy. Liz is good person and she is helping both of us.

“I don’t wanna ho myself out.

“But ain’t that’s what are you doing on Instagram? Your sister keeps me updated.

“I have a girlfriend, mom.

“So what? Nina says she is ho and using you for shine. Please son, I have never asked you to do anything.

“Okay, I will do it.

*After The Visit

I text her that I’m in and she says that she is going to meet me at my place to sign a contract. A freaking contract! What am I signing myself up for?

She pushes the paper towards me and I sign it.

“Not going to read it?

“Nope. As long as my mom gets out of jail then I’m okay.

“It’s not anything crazy like you giving me a kidney, So your good. I know you have that girl in your life so you can keep her for now. I set up a bunch of appointments for you in the next coming weeks.

“Appointments?

“Yes. You want to be a model and have a brand right?

“Yea.

“Then you’re going to need help. Your shirts are cute but cheap. An iron-on patch on a shirt, like come on. So you will talk to some people to help you. Gotta expand that portfolio. Also no more hosting parties like an IG thot. You’re going to be more respectable, got it?

“But that’s how I get paid.

“You will always have money in your account and pocket when you are around me.

“Did you win the lottery?

“No. I created an app and I have an architecture firm. My hobbies made me rich while my passion for helping people fills my soul.

“You’re interesting.

“I get that a lot. Anyway have a good rest of your day Dante. We will be in touch.

“Okay.

She leaves.

Maybe this won’t be so bad.