LT was a little calmer after Joshua took him to The Administration building. He forced him to take a shower and change clothes. Then he drove him back to the hospital. LT almost wished he could escape the conversation, but the vehicle was moving at a rather high speed.
“You gave me some really good advice when we first met,” Joshua reminded him. “You were pretty pissed then too. If I remember correctly, you beat your father to a pulp. This time it’s your brother. If I didn’t know better, I would think you have family issues.”
“They are not my family,” LT argued.
“You are right. They are not. They never have been and they never will be. Lawrence and his sister Lauren have been conditioned all their lives to hate anyone who is not in their social status. Their feelings really don’t have anything to do with you, personally. They don’t like anyone who does not fit in their circle. So stop trying to make them something that they are not.”
“Correction, I’m not interested in increasing my family other than Sapphire and any children we may have in the future,” LT stated. “However, I have other half-siblings who deserve better.”
“That is their battle.”
“No, it’s my battle too.” LT looked out the window as Joshua drove. “Gia, my oldest sibling, looked out for me. It’s because of her my Granny and I did not want for anything when I was growing up. My Granny…” he hesitated, “is a woman who is wise beyond her years. Her daughter was taken away from her leaving me to be cared for. When she got that money from Gia, she didn’t move us out of the neighborhood or live above our means. She invested that money so that I could go to college. I was fortunate. The others did not have Granny.”
“But they did have parents,” Joshua stated. “They received a hell of a lot more than you and their parents made decisions that molded lives, just like Granny did for you. It is not on you to up their life, their status. If you want to do this be honest with yourself as to why.”
“I am honest with myself,” LT responded.
“I don’t think you are. And neither does Phire. Before now, I thought she was wrong to interfere in the relationship you have with your half siblings. Now I think she is wiser than either of us. Phire sees something that is missing in you and that is a connection to family. Damn, I’m beginning to hate the number of times I have to admit my little sister has grown up.”
“What are you talking about, Joshua? I have all I need in Sapphire.”
“As the woman in your life, you do. However, in listening to you right now it is clear you need a connection to your half-brothers and sisters. That’s why you are so intent on helping them with their…let me say that again, their issues with Lauren and Lawrence.” Joshua parked the vehicle outside the hospital. “You want to help them because that is what family does.”
“They are not my family,” LT said as he got out of the vehicle. He started to walk away, but stopped then turned back to Joshua. “Look, I lost my head back there. Thank you for having my back.”
“It’s what family does.” Joshua flipped the keys to LT then climbed into the car with Luke.
LT stood there watching as the vehicle pulled off. “Damn,” he exhaled. LT hated when people forced him to look at himself. Taking the elevator up to the room they’d moved his grandmother to for the overnight stay, LT had time to think. Joshua was right. He could easily walk away from the situation with the Trents. But they and the others were his family. Looking out for each other is what family is supposed to do. Those damn Lassiters and their family values.
He walked into his grandmother’s room to find Mr. Green sitting next to her bed. Sapphire was standing over by the window looking out. He glanced at Granny. It looked as if she was asleep and apparently so was Mr. Green.
He walked over, putting his arms around Sapphire’s waist. She never looked up, only placed her head on his shoulder.
“Feel better now?” she asked.
“I really do,” LT replied.
They both chuckled. “The physical exertion helps when you are pissed off. Now, maybe you will not judge me and my sisters so harshly the next time we try to give some deserving soul a beat down.”
LT laughed quietly, then glanced over his shoulder to make sure he did not wake up the others. Then he exhaled. “Your brother called me out on my bullshit. He saw right through it, just like you did.”
“Are you talking about Gia and the others?”
LT nodded. “I need them in my life too. We may have to think about the relationship we will have with Lauren and Lawrence, however, the others I have to admit I need their connection.”
“They all came by to check on you and Ms. Natalie,” Phire stated. “Peyton and Ryder were ready to take a ride to back you up.”
“Really?” LT chuckled.
Phire smiled up at him. “Really. So is that a go with our plans for them?”
“It’s a go.”
“Green.” LT turned at his grandmother’s voice. “He’s back. Go home and get some sleep now.”
“All closed eyes aren’t sleep,” Mr. Green replied.
“You were snoring, again.” Ms. Natalie grunted.
“I don’t snore, woman. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that.”
“This conversation is going a little south for me,” LT whispered to Phire.
“Shhh…” Phire responded.
“Listen, Nat. If we are going to die, we are going to die together. You should stop this foolishness and marry me. Let those young children have that house and you move on in with me. We can lie in my bed and grow old together.”
“We’re already old, Green.” Ms. Natalie chuckled.
“Speak for yourself, Nat. I still have ten more years of making love with you.”
“That’s it. I’m done.” LT threw his hand up chuckling.
“What’s wrong, boy? You need me to teach you about longevity? The key is never stop. Once you start making love do it every chance you can. It builds up your stamina.”
LT just stared at the man. “I’m going to be outside.”
Phire laughed as she followed LT out of the room.
Outside there were piles of flowers and balloons lying against the barriers the police had put up. The outpouring of well wishes for the Mayor’s grandmother was overwhelming. Chief Williams ordered crowd control for the area as people waited to see how Ms. Natalie was doing. After hearing she was going to be held overnight then released the next day, the crowd had dispersed, but the flowers, candles and balloons, all remained.
LT stopped to read some of the messages placed amongst the items. He teared up as Phire took his hand.
“They love you, LT. It may have started with just you and Ms. Natalie. Now, you have an entire city that is a part of your family. What you did to Lawrence is going to be understood if it gets out.”
“What do you mean if? I can’t let Mint stay in jail for something I did. As soon as Granny is home, I’m going to turn myself in. Once I do that, running for another term will be a moot point. It’s going to have thousands of views on social media and make front page news the next morning.”
“Mint has already been released. Lawrence’s wounds have been cared for in an undisclosed location. When he regains consciousness, he will not remember what happened to him. Our biggest problem will be keeping Mint’s mouth shut.” She exhaled. “I have a few ideas about that.”
“Sapphire, I’ve done two illegal things in my life. I spray painted a building and I whipped Lawrence’s ass. One day I have to pay the price for them.”
“True, but it is not going to be a week before my wedding,” Phire declared. “You want to have a freedom of guilty conscience after we say I do, so be it. But if you try to ruin or delay my wedding in any way, I will have Adam turn your ass into a smurf then have Luke bury you in one of his tunnels. And if that isn’t enough, I will have Joshua blow you to pieces. Do I make myself clear?”
“Did you just threaten me?”
“No…no…I do not want you to misunderstand what just happened. That was a promise, not a threat.”