Page 75 of Mr. Calloway

I got off my bike with my helmet placed between my arms. She handed me a single orange rose. “Follow me.”

My lips tightened as my feet stepped on the grass. With each step I took, it felt like a bit of weight was lifted from my shoulders. It felt like I was close to that finish line. Emotions ran through me like I was a child. Countless names caught my eye, but when she stopped, and I saw her name, I blew out a sharp breath.

Tania turned to me. “June, I want you to meet our mother, Grace King. Mom, your son June is here.”

My head dropped as my eyes slowly closed. Tania’s hand rubbed my back. “I’m going to leave you two alone. All you haveto do is talk to her; she’s listening. I love you, brother,” she whispered.

I said nothing as her footsteps took to the grass and slowly disappeared. I stared at the headstone, unsure of what to say. This wasn’t what I imagined when I thought of meeting my birth mother for the first time. Even with all the things said about her—how evil she was, how she tormented Anthony, how she was out of touch with her kids—it didn’t change the fact that she was a mother.

I kneeled and placed the orange rose onto her grave. “All this time I’ve been thinking of the what ifs. I almost died trying to see you. I’ve gone through hell and back to reclaim a name, and I’ve faced off with my own blood only to realize that God taking me away from you was the best decision He’d made. Grace, I’ve longed to hear you say I love you, son, or feel your warm hugs, but you had that chance with Anthony, and you took it for granted. I don’t hate you because I don’t know you. I know losing me wasn’t your fault, but you had the chance to get it right with Anthony. Sleep well, Grace, and maybe in the afterlife I’ll get the pleasure of meeting a better version of you. Your lost son, June Calloway. Amen,” I finished and stood.

Stepping away from her grave made me feel different. I wasn’t sad or mad; I was content. I knew now that I could close that chapter in my life and focus on what was truly important. I could speak my truth, even if it hurt.

June’s Entry

Place: Our Living Room

Year: 2026

Time:10:30 am

My Love,

You left the house early today and didn’t even kiss me goodbye. There was no “I love you” nor “I’ll see you later.” I’ll give you a pass, considering I’ve been holding some things back from you. Guess what, though? I put that shit on today. I was feeling good when I woke up and thought “why the fuck not?” Today is a special day. You want to know why? I’ll let you guess… Come on, baby. Act like you know your nigga.

Today I bow out gracefully. Today, I hand my crown over to Dionysus. Who is more deserving than a nigga who can speak life into a king?When I made the promise that I was done after Clark, I meant that shit. I’m not sure how much more time I have from now until the orange finish line sign, but until then, I’m going to make shit shake.

I know where your mind has been lately, and what you feel is accurate. The gut-wrenching twist that’s pulling your intuition is right. That very thing you have been worried about, you should be. At first, I was worried, but I knew that, at some point, that worry would turn into protection, and that protection would turn into being a savior, and that savior would turn into peace. That’s where I am. I have made peace with everything.

So today, a nigga will bask in what the world has to offer. I’m feeling good, a nigga looking fly, and the crew will take on their new leader. I can see you smiling. Don’t worry. I’ll take a picture for you, and you know I’m not a cheesing-ass nigga, but for you, it’s whatever. I love you, Zaria.

I love you until the water runs dry. From here to our Calloverse.

Signed,

Mr. Fucking Calloway

PRESS PLAY

It was finally Zoo Day,and somehow, we had been able to keep it all from Chevy. It was possible we were able to pull it off because it was being held down by the beach, and we all knew that nigga didn’t fuck with the water like that. I had been going back and forth with Zeus and the other guys on who was going to get him to come to the beach to see what we had done. However, none of them wanted to do it. Instead, I decided that all the OGs and I should ride out together and lead him to the beach.

Zaria was already there with the kids, the rest of the girls, and the gang. Beans was blowing up my phone while I paced the front yard, trying to decide how I was going to approach Chevy to ride out.

“Chev, let’s ride.” I shook my head. “Nah, that shit sounds corny. Chev, nigga, bring your ass on!” I laughed. “Hell nah. We’ll be fighting all over the yard.”

I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Just be yourself, and he will listen. You've always had it,” Zeus said.

“You’re right, Zeus.” I turned to the other guys. “Y’all ready?”

Foe threw his hands up. “We’ve been ready, nigga. You’re the scared one. Time is muhfuckin’ money.”

Preach leaned forward on his bike.“I agree with Foe, and I never agree with that nigga.”

Diamond laughed. “Preach, if it ain’t Jesus, you don’t agree with shit.”

I waved them niggas off as I headed toward Chev’s. By the time I walked up his long driveway, he was coming out of the house, wearing his biker jacket, some light distressed jeans, a white t-shirt, and his gold.

“Aye, where are you going?” I asked.