The Dilemma

"Sorry, I've gotta take this." I pull my phone from my pocket and step out into the hallway for a little privacy. "Butterfly, to what to I owe the pleasure of hearing your beautiful voice?"

"Heh, if I weren't a little overwhelmed right now I'd definitely flirt back but I seriously need to come see you."

Her hushed tone and the worry in her voice makes me start to feel anxious. "Are you still at the house?"

"Please don't be mad at me..."

"Dee, where are you?"

"Keisha and I went shopping but now I'm at some bakery because she wanted a cupcake even though I told her that she doesn't need the extra sugar, no thanks to her new diet and all-"

"Dee, you're babbling. Just send your friend back to the house and stay exactly where you are. I'll be there soon."

"Right. I'll see you later then, bye." She ends the call and I rush back into my office, forgetting that Yoyo was still inside. "Aye, who was that? You was out there for a little minute." I grab my keys from my desk and toss my coat over my shoulder. "I gotta go pick up Dee. I think she may be in trouble." He jumps up from the seat and follows me toward the garage.

"Did she say what happened?"

"No. She said that she wasn't home and that she needed to see me."

"Well I'm coming too!"

"No. I'm bringing her back here so there's no need for you to come with me."

"She got the same brand as me so if I say I'm going with you, then I'm fucking going with you."

I unlock my car and he stands on the opposite side while looking me in the eye. "Same brand eh?" I nod and get inside. "Can you tell me what it is? I don't think she ever told me." I start up the car and head towards the only bakery on this side of town.

"Mhm, the brand itself doesn't mean anything really. It's more about the size of the brand. See, look at mine." He rolls up his sleeve and shows that his takes up his entire forearm. "The bigger the size, the higher in command you are and since hers barely takes up the back of her hand, she's a runner."

"A runner? You mean she sells?"

"Well yeah but not since you hired her. Shame though, she was the most profitable runner I had. But, I'm happy you got her. She's deserves better than that life."

"Yoyo, do you have a thing for her?"

"Fuck no, she's like family. But I see how the two of yall act around each other. All cutesy and shit, it's fuckin' gross."

I pull into the parking lot and turn off the car. "I doubt that. She made it clear that she doesn't know-" I stop myself from explaining myself to him. "You know what, this ain't why we're here." I head inside and spot Dee sitting in a corner with a mug in her hand. She stares off into space while her nails tap against the cup, when she notices me and Yoyo, she sets the cup down and nods towards the two empty chairs across from her.

"Butterfly, nice to see you again."

"Why the hell is he here?" She ignores me and scowls at Yoyo.

"Ah, him. If I didn't take him with me then he would have just followed me."

"Whatever, just sit down."

Yoyo dramatically gasp and holds his chest. "Ugh, well I never!"

"Will you sit down and shut the fuck up?!" He rolls his eyes and take her cup from earlier and drinks whatever's inside while silently watching us.

"Carlos, before you chew me out please listen. It's about one of the women I been keeping tabs on."

"What happened? Did we lose one of them?"

"Not yet. The woman I most suspect to be Ricky's mother is being moved into a psychiatric hospital. That means she can't check out on her own and won't be able to receive visitors."

"Shit. And how far is this place from Long Island?"

"About a four hour drive and it closes soon."

"So we'd have to leave like right now to catch her before she's shipped out tomorrow."

"Damnit, how long have you known this?"

"I called you as soon as I found out."

"Alright then, looks like we're road trippin'." I hold out my hand and she takes it. I lead her towards the car Yoyo complains behind us.

"Y'all holdin' hands n' shit. Makin' me feel like somebody's gotdamn third wheel..."

"Yoyo, shut up." She snaps at him and he scoffs and slides down in the seat. I swear, him and Kaz act just alike. It makes me start to miss her even more.

"Oh, I forgot to mention that my brother might know the whereabouts on Kaz."

"You have a brother?"

"Yup and I found him. He was at some shady fighting arena underground."

I turn around in my seat, "You didn't say that's where he was!"

"You never asked!"

"Oh my god. I swear you're such an idiot. How could you not mention that to me?"

"Dee! Are you just gonna let him talk to me like this?!"

She holds her hands up as if she surrenders. "Hey, he's my boss now and I gotta admit, you are an idiot Yoyo."

"You guys are mean!" He pouts his lips and folds his arms like a small child would.

"Pft, how old are you?!"

Dee laughs at him and he continues to poke out his bottom lip. I laugh at the two of them and start up the engine. "Four hours huh? Let's see if I can get there in two."