Page 30 of Still Yours

“Thanks, man. I’m so glad to be out of that place. I can’t wait for a real meal when I get to this airport. PF Chang’s is calling my name.” Dexz rubbed his stomach as he thought about sitting on the plane snacking. He was tired of eating noodles, honey buns, and candy. He needed something hearty.

Milo reached into his messenger bag and pulled out a brand-new iPhone, still in the box.

“Pretti told me to get this for you. She said Lunden should already be at the airport when you get there, but just in case, the phone is on, and their numbers are stored.”

“Damn, thanks. I miss my best friend, man. I hope she’s still the same.” He smiled to himself, remembering her being the sweetest girl before he left.

“She is, trust me. I’ve seen her a few times over the years. She's doing really well and is definitely the same pleasant girl.” Milo smiled.

“Well, let’s get the fuck out of here. I’m ready to board this flight so I can see my favorite girl!” Dexz beamed with excitement to his lawyer.

They hopped in Milo’s Benz and headed straight to the airport. Dexz was to fly straight from the jail to New York to report to his parole officer before doing anything else. He was cool with that because he was ready to get back on his old stomping grounds in Harlem. He also couldn’t wait to get home to Pretti. He missed her so much, and he wanted her to be the first person he saw.

Milo dropped him in front of the Delta Airlines terminal, and they said their last goodbyes.

“Well, this is the end. I’m so glad I got you to where you want to be. Business was good when it came to your case. You take care out there, young man, and stay out of the clank. You have a bright future ahead of you. You know I look at you as more than a client. We’ve built a relationship ever since you came into my office when your mother died. Go live a good life.”

Dexz nodded. “Thanks, man, I needed that talk. Well, let me get out of here. I’ll be in touch just in case I ever have to fly you out for something.”

“That would be grand. Hopefully, you don’t, though. Stay out of trouble.”

After they shook hands, Dexz rushed inside the terminal with his plane ticket, two grand, his license, and his new phone. That was all he had to his name, but he was looking forward to starting over. He had done a lot of thinking in prison and had his game plan all mapped out. He was ready to get back on his feet better than he was when he got locked up.

He was older, wiser, and he had learned a lot while down. All he did was read, eat junk food, and hit the weights while talking and listening to the old heads he was locked up with.

Dexz boarded the plane and got comfortable. He ate the food he got at the airport before boarding, then hooked up his new phone. When he turned it on, he had a text from Pretti and Lunden. He smiled brightly at their text and responded to both of them.

After playing games and downloading music on his phone, he dozed off, but before he knew it, his flight had landed. He stepped off and made his way through the terminal. Outside, he spotted Lunden standing next to a Maybach truck, on the phone. Dexz walked over to him, grinning. He thought Pretti was picking him up, but seeing his boy first was cool since he hadn’t seen him since he was fifteen.

“My nigga! What’s the deal, son? I ain’t seen this nigga in years. Welcome home, my guy!” Lunden said, embracing his best friend. He was excited to see him after all these years.

“What’s good, B? I would have seen you sooner if a nigga didn’t get locked up,” Dexz replied as he gave Lunden a pound.

“Well, we movin’ forward, B. Ain’t no more jail time. We run the streets of New York, so ain’t no police fucking with us. I got that on lock. You here, now it’s time to get this money.”

“Word, word. Where Pretti at, though? I thought she was coming too?” Dexz asked, curious because she was who he really wanted to see. He had plans for them, and he was ready to put them in motion.

“Nah, nah. She told me to come alone, and she will see you later. She got caught up running around with Storm. We’re throwing you a welcome home party.”

“Oh, word? A party? That’s what’s up. Well, let’s get the fuck out of this airport. I’m ready to get to the city.”

“Say less, bro. That’s why I came alone. We’re going to hit the hood after I take you to your probation officer. Your aunt wants you to come over before you see anybody. Then, I’ma take ya’ bum ass shopping and get you out them white joints.” Lunden chuckled.

“I hear you, let’s go.”

Chapter 15

WELCOME HOME, BESTIE: LATER THAT EVENING...

Pretti stepped out of the back of a black Maybach with Lunden, dressed to impress. She felt good, knowing she was all dressed up to see the real love of her life. Although she and Lunden had been together for the last three years, she was ready to get her friendship back on track with Dexz. She missed him so much. With her busy life, she didn't have time to write him as much as she wanted, but she was ready to make up for all of that.

Lunden put together a huge, classy party to welcome him home. Pretti was so glad that she had enough money to get him to the East Coast. They wanted him to spend his parole period in California, and Pretti wasn’t letting it happen, so she gave Milo a nice salary to make it happen, and he did.

“You ready to see ya’ boy?” he asked with a sly smile.

Lunden already knew how excited she was to see Dexz, and it annoyed him. She had spent all day getting everything ready for his arrival, and she had been talking about him all week, but he knew Pretti was his girl, and Dexz was nobody to her but a friend. Over the years, Lunden had Pretti dedicate her life to him, so he was confident the little crush she had for him when she was young was gone.

“Yes, I’m so glad we were able to get him here,” she beamed.