CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
2007 – Good Behavior
When I got my release date, I’d called my mother and asked if I could stay with her and my father for a few months. It seemed like the most logical thing to do. Of course, she said yes. Nothing would make her happier. I had the feeling she wanted to make sure prison hadn’t broken me. It hadn’t, but I understood why she had that fear.
Staying close to home would also give me time to repair my relationship with my father. On the surface, we were cool. He’d had five years to resign himself to the fact that I’d fucked up, and at a crucial point in my life. And I think he respected the fact that I busted my ass to get a master’s during that time.
Neither of my parents knew that my degree was completely funded by Mundo’s father. It was bad enough he’d picked up what I knew had to be a huge legal fee, no questions asked.
I knew they did the math and figured out that Mundo was in some way, shape or form involved in the events that led to my arrest, but they kept their mouths shut. They were both of that era where nothing had to be said to make everything known.
Hopeton and I arrived in Bed Stuy at around 2pm.
“You ready?” he asked me.
“Fuck it, yeah,” I replied. “Let’s go.”
“You don’t want to be with them alone?”
“Hopeton, please,” I said. “Just come with me to the door, then I promise you can leave.”
I rang the bell and my father answered the door. He hugged me, shook Hopeton’s hand and asked Hopeton to come in. My mom rushed out from the kitchen and, pushing my father out of the way, grabbed me up in her arms. After we broke it off, she gave Hopeton a quick hug and invited him to dinner.
“We’ll be sitting down at seven,” she said. “I’m making all of Pierre’s favorites!”
Hopeton glanced at me and I widened my eyes and quickly ducked my chin.
He thanked my mom for the invitation and said he’d see us in a few hours.
It felt so strange to be in my parents’ home. To know I’d be living there for at least three months. The three of us sat around the kitchen table for a few minutes, not saying much. Just easing into the moment. I told my mom I was going to take a long, hot shower. She told me she understood, stood up and said she’d be right back. “I’m going to get you a big, fluffy towel!”
My father looked at me and smiled. He was waiting for me to say something.
“Papá,” I began. I wasn’t sure what angle I should be approaching this from, so I figured I’d wing it. “I wanted to talk to you about some business stuff, when you have time.”
He shook his head. “Pierre, we have plenty of time to talk about business,” replied. “For now, let’s just rest for a moment. If you’re worried about your LLC, I’ve kept it active for you. It’s there as soon as you’re ready.”
I smiled at him, leaned over and squeezed his shoulder.
My mom came back with a big pink bath sheet and matching washcloth.
“I ran the shower in the upstairs bathroom for you,” she said.
“Mesi anpil, Manaman.”
It was the hottest, longest, most satisfying shower of my life.
