Dirty Work: Part 1

“I’m good, Nana. I already ate. I only came to see you and take care of your bill for the month.”

“You’re not leaving so soon. You know I’m an old woman that adores her son’s company. Besides, it gets lonely here sometimes.”

Kip took a seat in her cushy chair. “How you been feeling, Nana?”

Nana sighed heavily, “Oh, on and off. Lately, my old bones been aching me. I think it might be arthritis. You know this old lady isn’t getting any younger.” She took a seat at the foot of her bed and looked like she had just walked a mile.

“Oh hush, Nana. You’re still young as ever. You look good for your age.”

Nana smiled. She moved around her apartment like she was crippled and hurting when, in reality, she was in perfect health. It was all a show for Kip. If he felt sorry for a sick and hurting old woman, then the more he would give to help out, the more he would be there for her. Nana’s biggest fear was being alone and not being taken care of. One out of two wasn’t bad odds. She thanked God for Kip.

“When is your next doctor’s appointment?”

“Next week Thursday.”

“I’ll take you there.”

“Oh, I can manage. I kno

w you’re a busy man, and it’s a long trip here.”

“You sure, Nana? Because it’s no thang for me to drive up and chauffeur you where you need to go. I got you.”

Nana smiled at his generous offer. “We have transportation already for doctor’s appointments and other things, Kip. It’s where the money goes—some of it anyway. They do a good job here taking me back and forth to my doctor’s appointments.”

Kip was glad to hear it.

Nana looked happily at Kip and asked, “So, no new girlfriend?”

“Nah, Nana, I’m a single man.”

“I would love to have some grandchildren someday.”

“Grandchildren?” Kip chuckled.

“Yes, grandchildren. I’m sixty-five, Kip. My time is winding down, and it would be great to hold a newborn child in my arms and love him the same as I did you and your brother.”

Kip didn’t want to speak about family. He didn’t see any children in his future—not even a girlfriend. He was a playboy and a gangster first. His lifestyle didn’t permit him to settle down and become a family man. The bitches in his life weren’t the perfect candidates to become his baby mama. Kip gave his Nana whatever she wanted, but this was the one request he couldn’t provide her.

He simply said, “I’ll think about it, but no promises, Nana.”

“That’s all an old lady like me can ask for.”

An hour went by as the two talked, and though Kip said he wasn’t hungry, Nana still made him a small meal. That was her, cooking and enjoying her life with her adopted son when he visited. He was her only family, so she did whatever to make him happy, or to keep him happy.

By seven p.m., Kip had had a full belly and a delightful conversation. It was getting late, and he needed to head back home. It was a two-and-a-half-hour drive back to the city. He lifted himself from the table and readied himself to go. Nana was right behind him, wishing he could stay longer, but knowing his time was valuable.

“Next time, Nana.”

“Drive safe, baby.”

Before he left, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills—mostly hundreds and fifties. He peeled off a few thousand from his giant stack and handed it to Nana.

At first, she was reluctant to take it, saying, “Kip, you already did enough.”

“I can’t ever do enough, Nana. Take it. Treat yourself to something nice.”

Nana was just being pretentious. She had never been known to walk away from cash. She’d always loved material things. She took the money and placed it into her housecoat. She was really grateful. It was more than she needed, and if he would’ve given more, she would have taken more. Tomorrow, she planned on getting a manicure and pedicure, and there was this outfit she’d seen in the store the other day. It was pricey, but that never stopped her. Kip was her goldmine, and he was spoiling her rotten.