Free Eviction Notice by K'wan Page A

Shai’s white king. “The king must always be protected.”
    “Damn, I didn’t even realize I would leave myself open like that.” Shai studied the board.
    “Because you think more in the here and now than the future and that’s always been your Achilles’ heel. If you don’t remember anything else I’ve told you, remember this: before you do something, always think of every possible scenario so that way your ass is covered, especially when dealing with people. Know what the other guy is thinking and counteract that move even before he makes it. You stick to that kinda thinking and you’ll never get caught with your pants down, you hear me, kid?”
    “Sol, you know whenever you speak I’m all ears. You been around for a long time so I know you ain’t gonna tell me nothing wrong.”
    “Of course not, Shai, and if you stick to the script, as you guys say, you’ll be around for a long time too,” Sol told him.
    “You guys still going at it?” Honey stepped out onto the patio. Her golden locks were pulled back into a ponytail, showing off her beautiful caramel face. She was wearing spandex pants, running sneakers, and one of Shai’s old S.C. sweatshirts. The shirt nearly swallowed her, but you could still see the baby bump in the front. She and Shai were expecting their first child.
    “Nah, he kicked my ass again.” Shai laughed.
    “We’ll, you’re still a winner in my book, baby.” She leaned in and kissed him. “You’re gonna stop coming over here bullying my fiancé,” she teased Sol.
    “Hey, I’m from the school that an ass whipping is the easiest way to teach a kid.” Sol laughed.
    “Where are you off to, dressed like Jackie Joyner?” Shai pinched her thigh.
    “To the gym—you know it takes good to look this good.” Honey struck a pose.
    Shai pulled her down onto his lap. “No the hell you’re not while you’re carrying my li’l man. The doctor said no working out.”
    “She said no strenuous workouts,” Honey corrected him. “I’m gonna do some light work on the bike and some curls, nothing major. When are you gonna stop acting like I’m made of glass?”
    “The day you push my son into the world.”
    “And what make you so sure it’s gonna be a boy, Shai?” she asked.
    “Because he’s a Clark, and we don’t make nothing but warriors,” Shai boasted.
    “So what do you call Hope?” she asked, referring to Shai’s little sister.
    “A fucking headache.” Shai burst out laughing as if it were the funniest joke in the world.
    “You’re such a dick.” She mushed him and got off his lap. “If it will make you feel better, then I’ll only work out for an hour.”
    “Twenty minutes,” he countered.
    “A half hour and that’s as low as I’m going so deal with it.” She flipped her ponytail and walked back through the glass doors just as Swann was coming out. “Move, punk.” She bumped him playfully.
    “You need to watch where you’re going, pudgy,” he teased her.
    “That isn’t funny, Swann. Don’t you know it’s rude to tease a pregnant woman about her weight?”
    “You know we ain’t got no class in the hood.” He threw his hands up in surrender. Honey just shook her head and went to start her workout. “Boss dog, what it is?” He gave Shai dap.
    “I can’t call it, might spoil it.”
    “How’s it going, Swann?” Sol asked from his corner.
    “Mr. Lansky.” Swann nodded. “Ay, Shai, I need to holla at you for a minute.”
    “It must be important if you made a house call instead of hitting me on the jack.” Shai picked up on Swann’s vibe. They had been down so long that they could reach each other’s body languages.
    “Hood politics,” Swann said simply.
    “That’s my cue to leave.” Sol got up from his chair.
    “Sorry, Sol. We’ll go another round next week.” Shai shook his hand and patted him on the back. “Let me walk you out.”
    “Don’t bother Shai, I know the way. You guys go ahead and take care of your hood