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CHAPTER SEVEN
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Amoura woke up earlier than usual. She reached over for her phone on her nightstand and checked her phone to see it blown up with messages from Naylee. She wiped her eyes before opening them and her eyes shot open. Naylee asking did she hear about what happen to Dre and how it was all on the news. He was shot about five times.

"What the fuck?" Amoura mumbled still reading them

   Although they did leave off on bad terms she was still shocked and concerned. She wasn't going to be heartless as to not care whether he died or not. She didn't know what to do. She knew he wasn't going to answer his phone and she had no contact of his family. Her mind was racing right now because part of her didn't believe the news she was seeing and the other was thinking of ways she could get in contact with anybody he was close to in order to find out where he was.

Amoura sat up and called Naylee. It was eight in the morning so she was hoping Nay answered. With about five rings Naylee finally answered.

"Amoura you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. What the hell happened?"

"I got a call from one of Dre's friends who told me. He knew you and him was kicking it but didn't know your number."

"I'm literally so in shock right now... like I don't know what to do. I'm scared. I really hope he didn't..."

"I have no update on him so I don't know but I do know what hospital he's at and I can send you the location."

"Yeah send me it. Please." Amoura said, getting out of bed

"Bet."

"I'll text you okay?"

"Alright bye Amoura. Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

They ended the call and Amoura went to take a shower. She got out and took care of her other hygiene routine. Washing her face and brushing her teeth. She stared at herself in the mirror. Looking at her neck there was no hickies from him and she hated that at this moment. She felt like if she lost him what would she really have left of him.

While doing her hair she heard her door open. Looking over she saw Ace rubbing his eyes. He clearly just woke up.

"Acey you up?"

"Yes mommy" he said low

"Did you go pee pee?"

"No"

"Go pee pee you been sleeping all night baby."

He came into the bathroom and used it as Amoura flat ironed over her red inches in a couple times. It went down to the middle of her back and she loved it that way. She had just got lace frontal two days ago. She laid the baby hairs with some moose and her toothbrush that was strictly just for her edges.

"I done mommy"

"Okay now wash your hands. You know the routine."

"That's hot mommy" he pointed to the flat iron, making Amoura unplug it and move it

"Go ahead." She passed him his step stool and moved over a little

Amoura was taking her time only because she didn't have any info on him as far as visitation hours. She didn't even know if he was alive at that. Her mind was flooded with thoughts of Dre. She couldn't stop thinking about all their encounters together. It was that eerie feeling not knowing if he was going to be gone just like that.

She had on a simple grey sweatsuit with her uggs. Naylee had sent her the address to the hospital and she checked to see how far it was.

"Twenty minutes that's close." She mumbled to herself

She figured since he was so badly hurt they would've flew him to a further better hospital. But who was she to know she hadn't stepped foot in a hospital since Ace was sick when he was two.

Amoura left out her room and went to her grandma and papas. The door was already open. She saw papa fixing his tie and grandma spraying perfume on. Today was Sunday, so she knew they were getting ready for church.

"Papa grandma?" She stood in the doorframe

"Yes dear?" My grandma said over papa

"You guys going to church I see and looking sharp as ever." She said making them laugh

"Well you know I don't got to try too hard if I may say so myself." Papa said making Amora laugh

"Oh aren't you just so full of yourself," grandma said

Before they went back and forth Amoura spoke up "I wondering which car y'all were taking because I had to run somewhere really quick."

"Well then that means we gotta get Ace dressed and ready to go with us." Grandma said

"He's up actually." Amora said "I can get him showered and stuff if you want."

"Yeah get fly man ready and I'll pick out his outfit." Papa said "He about to look just as sharp as me."

Amoura laughed, shaking her head "Alright, imma go ahead and do that before he goes back to sleep. Y'all know how quick he is with it"

Amoura took another half hour getting Ace washed up and teeth brushed and smelling good. She had him in his little paw patrol boxers since her papa would put together his church outfit.

"Ace by the time I get back you'll probably be here. Bye pooky"

"Bye mommy"

"No hug? You fake."

He ran into her and she picked him up. She kissed his cheek repeatedly making him laugh. After putting him down she gave him a kiss on the lips and left out. She didn't see how most moms were so ready to get away from their kid, she always missed Ace no matter how much he worked her nerves. Maybe it was because he was the biggest part of her happiness and why she was living. So many times she wondered how her life would be if she didn't have him.

The weather was chilly but not too cold. It was bearable unlike the other couple days ago. After getting in the car she started it up and waited awhile on her phone as it warmed up. She was looking over the address and making sure she knew where she was going. Once the car was done warming up she was on her way.

She parked in the garage and took the key out. Her stomach started to feel weird and she was feeling queasy. This was not the time for this and she wasn't in the mood. Grabbing a water bottle, she took a couple gulps and sat there. The feeling went away for a couple seconds but she felt it building up again.

Not the fuckin time..

"What the hell man..." she whispered

She didn't get out yet because the last thing she wanted was to still be feeling like while in the hospital. She grabbed her phone and texted Naylee.

I should had you bring me girl. I'm not feeling good rn. Idk if it's because ebruthjng with Dre or cause I didn't eat this morning.
10:43 AM

Amoura waited but Naylee wasn't texting back quick enough. She grabbed a empty dollar tree bag that was in the passenger seat. She felt it coming up now and she held the bag over her face before throwing up in it. She kept gagging and more came out. When she was done she tied the bag and opened the door. She didn't even get to get out and felt it coming up again. Leaning her head out the car, she threw up some more onto the pavement.

Once she was finished she looked in the glovecompartment knowing her grandma always kept tissue in there. She wiped her mouth good and took the water and gargled it. Then spit it out. She checked her purse and saw she had a little travel size bottle of mouthwash. She was more than surprised she still had it and was happy.  She took a good amount in her mouth and washed it around for a good three minutes and spit it out. Lastly she grabbed her pack of spearmint and put about four in her mouth.

She didn't want her breath having any scent of what she just got rid of. Finally feeling like herself again she got out and made sure to toss that bag in a trash can that was nearby. She got inside the elevator and was on her way up. She prayed that didn't fuck with her stomach. She didn't even wanna think about it. Don't need anything to trigger it.

It wasn't long before she was at the front desk. She mentally cursed herself when she realized she didn't know Dre's last name.

Bitch hurry and tmb what's dres last name??
11:14 AM

I believe it's Santana. My bad girl I was in the shower.
11:15 AM

"I was here to see Dre Santana. I'm not even sure if he's able to take visits right now,"

She got to typing on her computer and clicking.

"Dre Santana.." she said low, still looking at her computer "could you hold one second?"

"Yeah." Amoura bit her lip, nervous as hell

Her hand hadn't stopped tapping on the ledge since. She watched as the girl put in a number and held the phone to her ear. She was scared that everything she was feeling right now would trigger her to get sick again and she didn't want that. Her nerves had never been this bad before. Her mind was so clouded with thoughts she wasn't listening to anything the girl was saying on the phone.

"Mhm hm. Okay. Okay. Thank you, bye." She placed the phone back

"You have a twenty minute wait. The waiting area is right there. I'll be calling you back so keep an eye out."

"Okay." Amoura said

She walked over to the waiting area where a couple people also were. Kids were on their parents laps and some people on their phones or looking deep in though. Amoura took a seat and crossed her legs. She got back on her phone seeing Nay texts.

Nay❤️
Sick as in what?? How you feeling ?
11:25 AM

I had threw up. I think I'm just so nervous with everything . On top of that it being early and I haven't ate yet. I didn't eat dinner last night either 🤦🏽‍♀️
11:26 AM

Nay❤️
You still feel like that? Or you feeling better now?
11:28 AM

  Amoura looked up and glanced around. She seen a lady by herself with a small little boy. Amoura knew she wasn't tripping because she definitely resembled a Dre. Well Dre resembled her. She was more than sure this was his mom. She went back to her phone and texted Nay back.

I'm feeling better now. Just really nervous.
11:30 AM
I have to wait so idk what's going on.
11:31 AM

Nay❤️
Just breathe. Focus on the positive. And if it's the worst just know he'd be even more appreciative you tried to come see him💕
11:32 AM

Thanks Nay❤️
11:32 AM

Amoura's leg bounced as the time went by. The twenty minutes were up so Amoura stood and went back up to the desk. She watched as the girl pulled out a pass and a visitor sticker.

"Your name?"

"Amoura. A-m-o-u-r-a."

"Here you go. The room number is on here." She pointier before handing it to me

I sighed and took it "Thank you."

Amoura headed off and looked back to see the lady she saw before also walking over towards the front desk. She continue to where she needed to go and ended up getting to the room he was supposed to be in. Amoura didn't want to just go right in. She was hoping there wasn't any other people in there which she assumed there wasn't since she did have to wait.

She gave four knocks before opening the door slowly. Once she got in there she saw him hooked up to the stuff making her heart sank. He still looked the same it was just different with him being in a hospital setting. She hated hospitals. It always made people look like they were on their deathbed to her.

She didn't know what to say and he didn't know either. He looked more shocked to see she had came.

"Dre I heard what happened this morning and I had to come..." she walked to his side

"We left off on shitty ass terms. I'm glad you chose to come see me. Concerned about me."

"Of course. I was so scared." She said "I mean, even though you know we barely know each other like that still we've been around each other... you've been around my son. I wouldn't feel right if I didn't check up and make sure you were okay."

"I'a be straight." He shrugged

"How you feeling right now?"

"Sore as a bitch." He laughed a little "But nothing I can't take. My shoulder still hurt cause that's where I took the most blows but least they missed my head."

"I'm just glad you're okay. I'd rather this than it turning out worst,"

"True. My mans done. They put my mans out. Keem and Keon more hurt than me... and I was the fuckin driver. How that shit happen? I wish I knew."

"I'm sorry about that."

Before he could speak the door opened and the same lady Amoura saw from downstairs came in with that little boy.

"Ma dukes." He said, putting a smile on the lady's face "Man man." The little boy seemed so happy to see Dre. "Ma this Amoura."

Amoura looked at his mom nervously. She knew his mom was probably wondering who the hell she was.

"Hello. I'm Dina." His mom said towards her

"Hi nice to meet you."

"Same to you as well."

"Amoura you already know that's my ma and man man that's my little brother."

She waved to the little boy making him smile and wave back.

"How you feeling Dre?" His mama asked

"I'm feeling fine ma just a little sore. They say this pain should last a little over a week."

She sighed looking at him. You could tell she was disappointed and hated seeing her child like this. She just didn't want to say it.

"Dre stuff like this only gets wor—"

"Ma please not right now. I really don't even want to discuss that right now."

"You never wanna discuss it."

Amoura sat in a chair and looked at her phone. She didn't want to seem like she was in their convo.

"I could've lost you..." she said looking at him intensely "I don't like this stuff."

"Ma, I know you don't. Usually I'm strapped but that day I wasn't."

"Please stop. I'm tired of hearing strapped and shit like this some simple ass shit. Excuse my language. Dre how many times I talk to you about this? You tryna end up like your dad?"

Amoura sighed. His mom was right.

"I'm already deep in this shit it's hard to get out." Dre said

"I moved and you don't want to come with me. Why must you continue to be somewhere you know people want you dead!?" She yelled

"We can talk about this another time cause now not the time."

"You can give me a call when you actually want to have a real talk about changing your life around. I can't keep talking to a brick wall. Malachi come on."

The little boy got up and took hold of her hand. They left out letting the door shut hard.

"She always worried bout the wrong shit. Nigga you supposed to be here to see me. And she worried bout the next nigga that's on my head."

"Your moms right." Amoura got up and stood beside him

"Here you go."

"Why don't you want to hear anybody out? Would you rather people not care about you dying or something?"

"The streets is my home. Half the niggas I'm down with now was there. Not anybody else. What I look like turning my back on them?"

"Why does putting your life on the line have to determine your relationship with them?"

"You don't understand clearly."

"I don't. Make me understand." She folded her arms "Please."

"Ain't no point."

"To you there isn't."

"That's the only people I got to turn to right now."

"What about the three guys you were talking about?"

"Who keem, Keon, and rashaad?"

"I'm guessing that's who." She nodded

"They not the only niggas I consider brothers. But I will buss back on them niggas that did them dirty."

"See? That's what your moms talking about. You tryna put your life back on the line,"

He sighed "Why you worried anyway? We not in no relationship."

"Because I care about you duh. That's just the type of person I am. It doesn't have to have anything to do with feelings or a relationship but because I don't want you to be another black man dead because of gang violence. I have a son I can feel how your mom is feeling. I love my son to death as I know she loves you and raising a black son period they get failed everyday. I don't want that to happen."

"How you gone compare me to your three year old? I'm nineteen years old I been through shit he ain't been through."

"You're missing the point Dre. Age or not I have a son and I know how your mom is feeling about you. My son doesn't have his dad in his life and I get scared everyday he won't have any guidance and end up this way. So I can't imagine the pain your mom is going through having been through it,"

"I hear you, Amoura."

"But do you really? Do better things with your life and actually set a purpose on this earth instead of being the next nigga in Chicago shot to death. You got more potential than that Dre."

He just stared at the wall. Amoura stayed for another hour talking to him before standing up.

"You having anymore company?"

"Yeah my niggas should be coming through inna minute."

"You have my number if you need me again you know this."

"Heard."

"Bye homie."

"See you nigga." He laughed a little

Amoura left out the room and checked her phone. She had a couple texts but didn't feel like returning them. She couldn't wait to get back home to Ace.

•••
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