Free The Grind Don't Stop by L. E. Newell Page A

for you, sweetie.” Her eyes were sparkling.
    Beverly leaned back and rolled her neck along the back of the couch. She knew her nana was right. Her boys would always be there for her. The question was, would she always be there for them? Deep in her heart she knew that she would under just about any circumstance. But would her dedication to her job prevent her from doing so if her back was against the wall. After all these years she’d never been confronted with that possibility, for all the things she’d done in the past was kept very secretive. Nobody knew but her and them.
    â€œCome on, girl, snap out of it. You want some tea, soda or something?”
    Beverly sat up and pressed imaginary wrinkles out of her skirt. “Sure, ma, you want some, too? I’ll get it. No need for you to get up.”
    â€œGirl, please, I ain’t crippled yet. Which do you want?” She stood up and headed for the fridge.
    Beverly smiled at her enthusiasm to please. She leaned back considering her options.
    Some thirty minutes later she was kissing her beloved nana onher rosy cheeks as they held each other in a loving embrace. She left and headed for her office downtown.
    She was speeding down Peachtree at Five Points when she saw her childhood buddy Yolanda coming up the stairs from Under-ground Atlanta. Her closest friend was draped in her boosting gear. She shook her head at the outrageous getup and circled the block. When she swung back onto Peachtree, Yolanda was resting on the bench in front of the bus stop. She pulled to the curb and leaned out the window smiling. “Yo, what’s up, girl?”
    Yolanda’s head jerked toward the familiar voice. She bowed her head when she recognized her girl. “What the hell it be, Bevy? Ain’t seen yo ass in ages.”
    Beverly sucked on her teeth, then smacked her lips. “Girl, please, it ain’t been but three weeks. Come on, get in. Where you headed?”
    Yolanda waddled to the passenger side and eased into the car. Before she settled in the seat her head spun around in all directions, eyeing everything. She smiled. “Bitch, you sure you want to be seen with me in this shape?” She started rubbing her stomach.
    â€œWhat the hell? For all anybody knows I could be taking yo ass to jail.”
    Yolanda harummphed. “Uh-huh, in the front seat?”
    Beverly ran her eyes up and down her body and added, “Yeah, in the front seat.”
    Yolanda hunched her shoulders, coughed into her fist. “Okay, bad-ass police chief, you the one that’s got to stay on point. Hell, drive on, sista girl.”
    â€œAgain, where yo sneaky ass headed with all your goodies?”
    Yolanda burst out laughing. “You a mess, girl. Damn shame the fucking police chief giving a fucking thief a ride to her dump. Hmmph, aw, what the hell, to the Montre’s on Lee Street.”
    â€œOkay, strap in, girl; we got to obey the law.”
    â€œSo why yo ass ain’t strapped in then?”
    Beverly batted her eyelashes shyly. “Girl, don’t you see this shiny metal here? I’m the chief of police, that’s why. But buckle yours just the same.”
    â€œOkay, okayeee, damn, still got to always call all the shots, don’tcha?”
    â€œYep, no doubt. And by the way, what’s that nigga of yours been up to lately?”
    â€œHold up there, girl. Are we kicking sista girl shit or are you in cop mode?”
    â€œBitch, when have I ever been in cop mode with you, with y’all? Hell, if that was the case, yo ass would be in handcuffs beating against that glass back there calling me everything but the child of God and you know it.”
    Yolanda stretched her mouth down and scratched the side of her nose before she peeked at her shyly. “Okay, my bad. That black-ass nigga’s still being “B.” Hell, you know how that goes.”
    â€œYeah, I do. I definitely know how that goes. Shit, his old ass need to