In Love with a Thug by Reginald L. Hall

disrespect me that way?”
    â€œC’mon, man, you wouldn’t let me grind. You know I need to make some money to feed my seed. Why did you put us out?” he shot back.
    â€œNo, I put you out after you tried to holla at Kya,” I spat.
    â€œC’mon now, J, you should know me better than that. It was all game. I can’t let muthafuckas think I’m comin’ in here to see a dude. You gon’ have to cease with that jealous shit, man, for real, if you wanna be with me.” The phone was silent for a minute.
    â€œWell, do you have plans on ever calling her?” I asked.
    â€œFuck no. Look, I told you. It was game.”
    â€œAlright, I hear you,” I said, trying not to sound stupid.
    â€œNow, is that all you want? I got work to do.”
    â€œYeah, that’s all I wanted.”
    â€œAiight, one.”
    Â 
    The bell rang to let me off the elevator on the fifth floor of Pennsylvania Memorial Hospital. I checked in with the female security officer at the desk to direct me to Anthony’s room. I wondered if any of his family members had come to see him. Probably not because his mother had abandoned him at a very young age, due to his sexual orientation. It’s sad because it seems that gay people as a whole will always get the shaft. I walked down the hall to room 532.
    â€œHello,” I said, knocking and opening the door at the same time. The TV played on mute and Anthony lay in the bed on his side. “Hey there.” I walked over to him and planted a kiss on his forehead. I put the flowers down on the table that sat close to his bed. “Look what I brought. How are you feeling?”
    He stared at me as he pointed to the tube that hung from his nose. I realized he couldn’t talk but he tried to formulate words with his dry, chapped lips.
    â€œNo, don’t try to talk and try not to move a lot.” I grabbed his hand.
    â€œEverything’s gonna be okay,” I explained with watery eyes. I reached for a tissue to dab his tears.
    â€œNow I didn’t come here for us to cry. I came here to visit and buss it up with you all day.” He looked at me, trying to crack a smile as his eyes lit up. “Yes, that’s right, all day. This morning I gave Rob his own set of keys and made him manager. He will be calling the shots at Ché Mystic and he will be closing.” I rubbed my hand down the sides of his face. “I’m here, so don’t you worry,” I assured him. I pulled up a chair but before I sat down, I went over to the window to open the curtains to let a bit of sunlight in. I then sat down at his bedside.
    â€œNow, what are you watching?” I said, looking up at the TV where an episode of Montell Williams was on. I looked down to see Anthony’s hand across mine. I looked at his eyes and figured he was trying to tell me something.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I asked. He put his hands into a talking position. “Are you in pain?” He shook his head no. “Well what’s wrong then?” I asked again. He put his hands in a talking position again.
    â€œYou wanna talk?” He moved his head up and down. “About what? What happened yesterday?” He shook his head no. “Your family?” No clue. “Me?” Then it hit bingo. “What about me?” He gave me the face as to say, it’s obvious. “Bryant?” He made the facial expression to say I hit the nail on the head.
    I began conversing with him using a notepad with me writing things down for him. The nurse came in once or twice to check on him and his vital signs. In between nursing checks I stepped out the room to give Bryant a call.
    â€œHey, Bry,” I greeted.
    â€œJ.J., wassup?”
    â€œNothing much, missing you.” I smiled. It seemed as if there was a lot of noise in the background. “Where are you?”
    â€œI’m out chillin’ with my shawty, you know, doin’ what I