“Hello,” Kai asked, trying to sound like someone professional on the phone.

“Yo sorry to call you so early.” Beanie’s voice said through the receiver. Kai relaxed a bit. Baylor, or Beanie, was his “big bro” from the neighborhood. He was everyone’s really. Fun, funny, and having seen more than most men his age, Beanie didn’t change who he was for gangsters, Specials, or bodega owners. He was always just Beanie, bald head covered in a fresh knit hat every week. 

“Oh nah, it's no big deal,” Kai said, grabbing his nose and blowing into it, trying to clear up his sinuses. “Is everything good?” 

“Nah, it's fine with us, I’m just here with Bigs right-”

“-Told you,” Hailey said behind him. Kai flattened his gaze but she just puffed out her lips, giving him a smug expression. He turned away from her, walking into the kitchen for privacy. Kai walked into the center of the kitchen and leaned up against the sink.  It was the designated phone call spot for the apartment since the sound was packed into a single space. 

“Yo, my fault, continue what you were saying,” Kai said, cupping the bottom of his cell so he could hear his boss’s words. Beanie laughed. 

“Yo, that ya sista? She's funny man,” Beanie said with a chuckle. “Nah man, you say that now. Wait three years, that mouth of hers is going to get her in trouble,” he warned. 

“Well, she got a big bro like you to watch her right?” Beanie replied. “You're getting jacked, no ones gonna mess with ya at this rate.” 

“Yeah, I’m a real Righteous Captain. Didn’t I tell you I threw a car last week?” 

“Yo, don’t joke about that shit. That dude dead chucked my Mercury about four summers back. Now my ass got a Camry, looking like I work in a bank, my guy.” 

“But Beanie...you do work in a bank.” 

“Not openly, shit, anyway, Bigs here got something to tell you about work today.” 

“I ain’t making normal rounds?” Kai asked. 

“Nah, it's something special today. Ya feel me? Hold on, let me put him on,“ Beanie said. There was a sudden shuffle on the line before Big's boisterous voice came on. 

“Yo how you doin Kai,” he said. Kai was able to feel all three hundred pounds of him when he spoke. Big was a big man. Even though he was from the same area as Beanie, they didn’t start hanging out until they both spent time in prison together nearly a decade ago. Beanie liked to socialize, Big's role was to stand in the back and deliver a booming laugh. Bigs was famously known for his size which intimidated even Specials, folks with superpowers. It also helped that he could fight. People were scared of Bigs. Kai wasn’t. 

“I’m chillin’ man,” Kai greeted Bigs. “Beanie said we ain’t doing the usual routine today?” 

“Yeah, the big man just gave us new marching orders,” Bigs said his heavy voice unintentionally boisterous 

“Which big man? We got like three Bigs, you for example.”

“The only man bigger than me. Beanie said it was special. Right?” Kai’s stomach dropped. He knew what he was talking about. 

“Oh… it’s like a direct order?” Kai nervously responded. 

“He’s calling everyone in town to help get this done.” 

“Oh shit...what's the job?” 

“I'll text you where to go and what the mark looks like, You still got Lucille?” 

“I..uh, yeah,” Kai said looking over at his backpack he had sitting against the wall across the entrance to the kitchen. 

“Good, bring her,” Bigs said. 

“Yo man, uhh you sure about this? Can’t we say no to dealing with that dude?” Kai asked. There was silence on the other end. Bigs spoke calmly. 

“Man it is what it is. Plus didn’t you say your sister needs asthma medication? My girl is working at the pharmacy. She could get you the deal, but that shit still cost money.” 

“I thought she was Be-oh nah, ok nah cool.”

“What was that?”

“Hmm? Nothing, I was just agreeing with you that..uh that-it is what it is. I mean my sister and nephew want to go to Freezeland anyway,” Kai said, trying to keep his tone neutral. Bigs didn’t seem to notice.

“Uhh-well, anyway lil homie.  With the money we making this week just for participating, you can take them kids there once a week for the next year bro.” 

“Word?” Kai said.

“Keep your phone on you.  You’ll get what you need soon.” Bigs said in an almost jolly tone. 

“Yeah man….see you then,” Kai replied. With that Bigs hung up the phone. Kai let out a long steady breath. His mind was filled with thoughts of what the next few hours would hold. 

He quickly walked over to his bag. He unzipped the top and reached towards the bottom. It didn’t take long to find Lucille. Nickel-plated with a comfortable fitting safety grip. It was one of Big’s uncles’, rarely used, even now. He remembered when he got it. Bigs informed him that whoever was struck with one of those .45s wasn’t getting back up. If Bigs was asking for Lucille, the next day was going to be something crazy. 

“Everything ok Kai?” Hailey asked from the other side of the room. Kai turned to his left to see her head poking out from under the pillow. He nodded with a tiny chuckle.

“Yeah, it’s all good. I’m just gonna be out later than normal. I get paid more this time though.” 

“Oh that’s good. So now, can you finally take me to Freezeland?” 

“Have I ever let you down?” 

“Not yet, but the last time we went was over a year ago,” she said, letting out a long dramatic sigh. “But I guess you can’t get ice cream and laser tag every single day.” A tiny smirk appeared on Kai’s face.

“Well I don’t know about that, but it’s costly,” he said walking back over to the bed to get the last few hours of rest before his big day.