Play Your Cardz Right by Sydia Smith (reading like a writer TXT) 📖

Driving to her Uncle house Destiny thought about her mother. She knew she couldn’t get rid of the pain in her heart that easy. It angers her that she loves her mother. That she would take a bullet for her. It pains her to know that her mother wouldn’t do the same. Knowing she is going to see Denise in like two minutes she couldn’t let it go. The way she let her mother come between them made her angry and she couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t face the fact that when she does have an opinion it could be her mother’s not hers. Pulling into the parking lot she saw her uncle sitting on the porch.

Getting out of the car Destiny walked towards the house. Sitting beside him she wondered what was on his mind. Sitting in silence she didn’t know how to break it. She knew her uncle just don’t express his feelings. She was just like him. She is the female version of him. Putting his hand on her shoulder Destiny leaned in. “Over the past years I have watched you grow. I don’t care what she told you but you haven’t move backwards. You are coping with the changes in your life. I understand it was hard and you didn’t really have anyone to talk to you. I just want you to know that you can talk to me. I know everything. The hit and run, Brianna, everything. I know it is eating at you, and you are better than anyone, because I know for a fact that if someone knew what you know they wouldn’t let that person to come back into their life. Your heart is bigger than everyone’s. I cut her out of my life when I figured it out. I almost cut your father out as well but he didn’t know. He still doesn’t know.” He said. Feeling the tears fall Destiny couldn’t control them anymore.

Five minutes passed and they were still sitting there. “When did you know it was time to leave the clique?” Destiny asked. “Well I didn’t really have a choice. It was stay with the clique or raise a family. I love my family more than I love the clique so I gave it up.” He said worried. “The clique is part of my family.” She said wondering what would life would be if she didn’t join the clique. “Personally I don’t think you should retire. Like you said the clique is your family. It helped you through the rough times in your life. Sure it has caused a lot of pain, but pain is always going to happen with or without the clique. Also the clique needs you. You have a chance to make it better into an enterprise.” He said. Thinking about her decision her uncle gave her the space she needed.

At the safe house Destiny was gearing up. Walking in, she sat on the table. “I don’t like playing mediator but someone has to do it right. When are you going to talk to her?” Desire asked hoping to get the sister dynamic back in sync. “When I have the time to.” Destiny said having no interest of taking the first steps. “Both of you guys are stubborn as hell. Should I even ask when is this going to end?” Desire asked sarcastically. Looking at her sister she tried to give her the answers she was looking for but wasn’t going to lie to her. “Listen, I understand, but we aren’t talking right now because we don’t really have anything to say to make things right. When I find those words I will talk to her okay.” She said putting her hand in the gloves. Agreeing Desire hugs Destiny. “It’s only a dry run.” Destiny said hugging her back.

Driving to the set up location with Tay and Sammie she knew they would have questions. “Before you guys say anything let me clear things up for you. I am not leaving the clique. I don’t know where Denise and I stand but the plan hasn’t change. We are going to kill Brianna.” She said with no hesitation in her voice. Arriving at the first location Sammie got out of the car. Pulling off Tay thought this was the perfect time to put her two cents in it. “I support your choices, but are you sure. You can lose her for good.” Tay said pointing out something that went into Destiny’s mind when she made her decision. “I know but if we are as close as I feel then I don’t think this is going to break us.” Destiny said parking the car. “I hope you are right.” Tay said getting out of the car.

Driving to the next location she thought about her decision. She knew it was the right decision. She loves the clique. It is her family. Looking at what the clique did for her she couldn’t just give it up like that. Parking her car she saw Tyrone waiting for her. Getting out of the car she grab her bag and started to walk towards him. “Where’s the rest of the clique.” She asked seeing no one.  “They are in position lateness.” Looking at her watch she was on time. “I am not late.” She said. “According to my rules you are. Early is on time, on time is late and late is just disrespectful.” He said smiling. Rolling her eyes playfully she made sure everyone was on track. “In position?” she asked speaking into the two way radio. “In position.” They said. “Snipers make them count.” She said giving them the signal. Shooting their targets they gave the signal to attack. Barging in the door Destiny started shooting.

Giving Tyrone the direction they split. Looking to his right he shot one of the test dummies. Looking to his left he took out another one. Taking cover he saw Destiny in action. Smiling he thought she should have joined the army. “Clear.” She said in the radio giving Tyrone the signal. Looking at the time she smiled. Only took about forty minutes. Hearing that the other locations was clear she looked around. Seeing only four people with paint on them she knew how many weren’t coming back in the real war.

Back at the safe house she waited for her clique to get settled. Looking around she was proud of her clique. They have come a long way in just a couple of months. “In forty eight hours we will be tested, physically, emotionally and mentally. I cannot promise you guys a ride home, but every one of you guys have my respect and my loyalty. I understand the sacrifices you are making for me and for that I will make sure you guys’ family are taken care of. For the next two days, spend it with your family. Meeting is adjourned.” Destiny said walking away.

At dinner with Tay and Sammie, Destiny thought about what would happen if something would happen to her. She knew that her family wouldn’t be the same. She knew Denise would take it the hardest as well. She didn’t know what to do with her sister. She want her to understand why she couldn’t just leave the clique. She wanted her to accept her the way she is now. Deep in thought, Destiny didn’t hear her name being called. Throwing paper at her Sammie gave her a look. “My bad, what happened.” She said snapping into reality. “Your phone. Denise keeps calling you.” Tay said. Getting up she went outside. Knowing that she was going to keep calling, she called her back. Getting her voicemail she hung up. “I’m sorry.” Denise said standing beside her. Turning to face her Destiny was caught off guard. Sitting on the bench she didn’t know what to say to her.

Sitting next to her she wondered what was going on in her mind. “I talked to mommy and she told me the real reason she had an affair. Then I connected the dots on the hit and run. When she didn’t deny my accusation I told her that she just lost me. Of course she didn’t want to hear it so she tried to stop me from leaving. That’s when I hit her.” Denise said as the tear fell from her eyes. Hugging her sister she tried to fight her tears. She didn’t want this to happen. Seeing her sister breaking down pains her. “I now understand why you can’t walk away. I promise I won’t ever try to put a wedge between the clique and me again just please talk to me. I can’t live without you.” Denise said. Wiping her tears away Destiny tried to calm her down. “I love you. I am not going to leave you.” She said looking into her eyes.

Back at the Uncle James house Destiny was watching TV in the living room. Seeing her sister break down made her think about her decision. She didn’t want her to think that she was going to die every time she left the house. Looking at the clock she knew she had to leave soon. “If the TV gets any louder, our neighbors will start to complain.” Jenna said sitting on the couch beside her. Smiling she turned the TV off. “Did I wake you or is this like routine for you.” Destiny said. “It’s routine. Tell me something. Where do you see yourself in five years.” thinking about the question she knew where she was going with it. In five years she would have to choose to be the commander of the clique for another five years. “To tell you the truth, the only thing I could actually picture myself doing is playing basketball. The clique gave me a distraction when I knew my record would ruin my chances.” Destiny said. “Do you think that it’s over for you completely?” She asked. “I don’t know I never thought about it.” She said. “Do me a favor and think about it and come back to me when you figure it out.” she said smiling.

“Can I asked you something?” Destiny asked. “Anything.” She responded. “How did you cope knowing there was a possibility that Uncle James wouldn’t come home?” She asked wondering. “Your Uncle would do the craziest things to make me feel better. I remember he put himself in a metal ball and walked around the house to tell me that he would do anything to keep himself safe and out of harm’s way. What made me cope was that he talked about it. He told me if he was scared or was in danger. It scared me but I knew he was going to do everything in his power to be safe and come home in one piece.” She said. “Denise is going to be alright. She has me and Desire to help her.” She added. Hugging her she figured out what she was going to do. “Thanks. I am going to go, Tyler is probably worried.” Destiny said looking at the time.