LEMONADE|| Keith Powers

Chapter 55: Choose

"Fuck up," he said

"Whew" Cortez said. His adrenaline was rushing through his brain; the feeling of payback was a high he couldn't come down from. They pushed their chairs together. "What's your name, sweetie? Ricky asked. "Veronica" she cried. "You look good Veronica" Ricky bit his lip. "Oh GOD" she leaned forward defeated. "Say your last words to each other" Cortez aimed his gun. He spat on the ground looking at him. "Torteno please comply" she whined. "Oh you're dying anyway beloved," Rudy said. "Fuck you, you pigs killed my family," he said. Ricky grabbed the drill press turning it on as he turned around. Veronica began crying hard while Ricky and Dreux laughed. "You play too much" he said. Ricky laughed turning the drill off. 

"Wrong, your family has been fucking with my family for years. We've tried to make peace with y'all several times. So you wanted to take the hard route.. but the difference between your and our family is ... you're not trained to kill" he shot Torteno straight in his skull. Veronica began screaming as the blood splattered all over her face. Cortez walked up to her satisfied. "Whatever happened to girlfriends staying in their lane? Ricky turned around he did not want to watch him kill a woman. "This is what happens when you don't.. sweet dreams princess" he shot her. "They don't call us The Santana's for nothing run up get done up," he said. "For real" Dreux agreed. "Clean this shit up," he told them placing on his jacket. "Waffle House"? Cortez suggested. "Nah, imma head home," Ricky said. "You sure bro? He asked. "Yeah man, I got a busy day tomorrow," he said. "I'll talk to you later bro," Dreux said going along with them. Ricky got in his car pulling off. As soon as he got in his car his phone rung. It was his mother; it must be urgent because she never calls this much. He answered "Hey ma," he said. "Hey baby, did you get my message? She asked. "Yes I was in the middle of something" he answered. "Are you coming by? She asked

"I hadn't planned on it, kind of last minute," he said. He didn't want to talk so he was dodging it as best as he should. He had his issues with his mom but he gives her the utmost respect because she gave birth to him. He sighed "Everything okay? He asked

"Uh... no" she hesitated. "I'll be there in a few," he said. "Okay honey... see you then," she said. "Okay bye," he hung up. His phone ring again and he answered it

"Ricky, how's it been? Greg said. "Oh, hey Greg um just a lot going on," he said. "Just checking in on everything; you said you would update me about the conference. I talked to the mayor and he's interested" Greg said. Ricky became irritated he told the guy he would update him when he had an answer.

"Greg, I told you I would update you man," Ricky said continuing to drive. "I know, a lot of people are contacting me to get a hold of you, asking me about your foundation man? What's going on?

"I have a lot going on, I just lost a family member and I don't know when I'll be able to jump back into that project. That's all I have for you right now" Ricky said irritated. "I'm sorry for your loss, I really didn't know man if you need anything just let me know. Take all the time you need" he said.

"Thanks man, talk to you soon" he arrived at his mother's house. He dreaded going in there. He slammed his door walking to her new townhouse. He rung the doorbell waiting for her to answer. She instantly opened the door. "Hey" she hugged him.

"Wassup mama dukes," he said walking inside. She closed the door behind her. "Wassup" he turned around before sitting on a bar stool. "You got something to drink in here, my head is killing me? He got up. "Of course Ricky," she said looking at him. She knows he was out with her nephews plotting revenge; from the looks of it. She knew it was taking its toll on him. "I wanted to talk to you, whatever you have on your mind just say it. I just want to talk to all my children one by one and then maybe do a few counseling sessions" he said. "I'm good ma, we talked already," he said opening a water bottle. "I just don't want you to be so angry at women all your life, how you feel about me is affecting everything. You have a good woman-