Torn

by Tanya Cole

  “You fucked Rita?”

  “Nawl! Crazy ass! It’s Facebook! We just flirting and playing.”

  “Da fuck you playing for! Mark, I’m tired of you disrespecting our relationship. You just going to keep on embarrassing me?” I scream.

  “Baby, I’m just playing! Let me dry off and we can call her. I promise you we didn’t fuck!”

  “Aight! Now, Mark!” I say as I slam the bathroom door.

  I got an hour before MJ gets off the bus and Mark has to be at work at three. Tia’s funky ass supposed to help us out, but this bitch ain’t no help. She is in and out of my house with no responsibilities. She ain’t trying to cook for her nephew. She don’t watch him. She don’t buy him nothing. I just knew she was going to take care of us when she moved in. Shit, she used to take care of Mark. Now, this bitch wanna get a life. Inconsiderate ass.

  I called Rita on messenger. She tells me that he just flirts with her and that they never talk outside of Facebook. Good, he has me so fucked up on all levels. I block her and keep it pushing. I’ll be damned if I have to share his funds. He is my bank teller. I withdraw that money daily.

  Mark walks into the kitchen and starts cleaning up. I walk to the couch and sit down. He got it. I log into my fake Facebook account, change the background of the room, and send Tia a picture of Free’s green Polo drawers lying on the floor. Then, I sent her a message telling her how good his dick was to me today. The daycare bus honks the horn. Mark acts like he doesn’t hear it. It blows again.

  “Mark, I know you hear the fucking daycare bus!”

  “Yeah, I do! But your fat ass hear that muthafucking too! I suggest you wobble your big ass down there and get your son!”

  “My son?”

  “Yeah, Hoet! Your son!”

  “Okay. Bet that up!” I say as I walk out of the door damn near slamming it off the hinges.

  I walk back up the steps with MJ. I sit in his car seat in the middle of the kitchen and walk off. Mark comes into the bedroom and sits him in the middle of the floor.

  “What are you doing Mark? Get him!”

  “Nawl, you don’t work or go to school! The only thing you have to do is watch your child! And you refuse to do that! So, sit on your ass and watch your own damn baby! Matter-of-fact pretend like it’s a dick and then maybe you will get it right!”

  He slams the door. I open the door and Free is standing there laughing.

  “Hell nawl. He told your ass!”

  Mark walks back up.

  “Oh, by the way, I want a muthafucking blood test!”

  “And if he’s yours?”

  “I doubt it! Just be looking for your next baby daddy!”

  He doesn’t say anything else to me. When he leaves out Free walks with him to the bus stop. MJ starts crying and I got to feed him. What the fuck made Mark snap out like that?

  Free

  Since Tia ain’t coming home, I’m going to get some of Moet’s head again. I walk Mark to the bus stop. I can’t take him in the truck because Tia’s trifling ass made sure it wasn’t any gas in the truck. She’s been acting real brand new lately. Like she’s getting some new dick or something. She better not or it’s war. I’ll destroy her funky ass. I watch Mark get on the bus with a cocky attitude. This nigga thinks he’s the shit because he got a funky little job, some aight credit, and a clean background. But he ain’t got my swag, I’m deep throating and fucking his bitch and his wanna-be bougie, broke sister, and living in his house rent-free. So, I just let him think that he is doing king shit. When I walk back to the apartment my little sister Sheba is parked in front of the building. Now, that’s strange. She only comes around when she needs something and I never have anything to give. As a matter of fact, she’s finna give me some beer and cigarette money.

  “Hey little sister, buy me some beer and some loose cigarettes.”

  “Aight. I got something to talk to you about. Where’s Tia?”

  “She’s at the casino with her sister.”

  “Good. Because she’s what I want to talk to you about.”

  “What about her?” I ask.

  My family never steps in my business. They know I cheat on every woman I’m with. Hell, I’ll bring a woman, thot, hoodrat, skeezer, knock off, cut buddy, or whatever to their house. And will bring Tia two hours later. They won’t say two words. It ain’t shit to me. So, what does she have to tell me that is so important?

  “How do you feel about Tia?”

  “Mane, she’s straight. I like her, but she ain’t going. But she takes care of me. So, I guess I’m aight.”

  “Just aight?”

  “Yeah. No biggie. Ain’t like she wifey.”

  “So, okay. I just started these little computer classes at Southwest.”

  “That’s where Tia goes.”

  “Yeah. I saw her there about a week ago for the first time. She was so busy in some nigga's face that she didn’t see me. I jumped up and down. She was still talking to him. So, the next day I followed her. And she got into a car instead of your truck.”

  “Da fuck? I’m going to kill that bitch!”

  “So, the next day, she’s walking to the car with some roses. And I know you don’t swing like that. It has to be Mr. Mystery Man. The next day she strolls up in the same car and Trinity pulls up in your truck. They exchange vehicles of course. I follow Trinity to see who’s car it is. And yeah- it’s the mystery man. He comes out of Trinity’s house. When he pulls off, I follow him.”

  “And where does he go?”

  “To Tia’s job. Of course, again, they are so into each other that they don’t even notice that I’ve been in the section next to hers for two hours.”

  “Fo real.”

  “Yes.”

  I pull out my phone and call Tia’s job. I ask for Rob.

  “Hey Rob, this is Tia’s fiancée. I want to send her some roses. Awl yeah. We just got engaged. Tomorrow at 3. Thank you, Rob. And by the way, how are your wife and kids? Good, good. Thank you.” I say hanging up the phone.

  “Sis, get my bail money ready.”

  Chapter 6

  Tia

  “So, why are the lights out Mark?”

  “Because it’s something wrong with my check. So, they took it back so that they can fix it.”

  “Yeah, right,” I say laughing.

  “Sus, can you pay it?” he begs. “Here goes your mail.”

  “Nah Mark. I can take you somewhere that will help you pay it.”

  “So, why can’t you pay it?” Free asks.

  “I’m broke.”

  “Where is your money going?” Free asks.

  “To my business! In my muthafuckin business lane! On my business street! Y'all asses are going to have to get up on that bill! I’m barely here! And Free, let me holler at you in the back!”

  We walk slowly to our room. I put my letter in my bag without opening it in front of him. I’m moving and he ain’t coming. I grab his jeans and use my free hand to close the door. I unzip his pants and of course, he has on the same Polo drawers from the mystery bitch in Facebook.

  ”I’m out!”

  “Da fuck you mean you out! Out to where Tia?”

  “Over my sister’s house.”

  “I’m going too then!”

  “Nawl. You’re straight here partna!”

  “Partna? Da fuck? When did you start talking to me like that? Know your role, Tia!” Free says grabbing me.

  “I’m out! I got to go to work!”

  “I'm taking your funky ass to work! And get your clothes so I can take you to your raggedly ass sister’s house! I’ll stay outside! And this side nigga shit needs to be dead right now! Don’t test me, Tia! I’ll chunk your ass right down the Cheetos aisle! Then, pick your ass up and sling you right back down that muthafucka!”

  Mark walks into the room without knocking.

  “Aye partna? What the fuck you got going on?” he asks.

  “Shit! I’m not finna touch your fucking sister! Ya’ll will jump me! And
I know she will shoot me! I’m just acting tough, but your sister got me fucked up! She is going to at least act like my woman while she is with me! And I mean that!”

  “Niggah, please! Mark, I’m good!”

  “Let’s go now, Tia. And that nigga better not be there when we pull up. I can’t hit you, but I can hit his ass.”

  I walk out of the room and grab my new uniform that Jason bought me earlier. I can’t text him and tell him that Free is with me because he followed me every step I took. So, I guess I’m just going to have to walk up with him. We ride in silence and he attempts to put his hand on my thigh. I politely move it back to his lap. He just had sex with some other chick last night. And he’s holding me hostage in this fucked up relationship. I’ll show his ass. He pulls up to Trinity’s house. Of course, Jason is outside and he looks pissed. Free parks the truck and jumps out.

  “Excuse me, who are you homeboy?”

  “Why? Do I know you?”

  “Nah, but she knows you! And she is mine!” Free says.

  “That so my nigga?”

  “Free, let’s go,” I say.

  “Yeah take him home,” Jason says laughing.

  “Nawl, I’ll leave. Tia, you got me fucked up. You know that. Right?”

  “She got you figured out!” Jason says laughing.

  “Aight. Bet that up! Tia, you know what’s up with me. You got to come home baby girl.”

  “No, she don’t. She can come home with me right now!”

  The fuck! Jason is tripping. But damn he wants me like that.

  “Aight,” Free says as he gets in the truck.

  He lights a cigarette and gives me that look. The one where he wants to do some damage but can’t look. He pulls off and I’m standing in the driveway shocked. Something about the way Free just looked at me reminded me that I’m his property. This is Memphis. The home of “I’ll kill you before I let somebody else have you.” Trinity comes out of the house and looks at me.

  “Damn, what I miss?”

  “Nothing. Go and get ready for work.” Jason says.

  The next hour was a blur. Free will talk off the wall, but I’ve never heard one ounce of him wanting to hurt me. I’m lying across my nephew bed waiting on Jason to get back. Trin walks in with her pistol.

  “Jason told me what Free said.”

  “I know, but I pray he don’t want no smoke,” I say.

  “I’m telling daddy Tia.”

  “Okay. I’m getting a condo, but I’m not going back over there without daddy.”

  “Aight.”

  “But Jason though?”

  “I know right. I’m like damn we ain’t even smashed yet. But I’ll gladly come and get in your bed.”

  “You will?”

  “Hell yeah. He is smart, funny, sexy, creative, cool, and he gets paper like me. We got crazy chemistry and I want him.”

  “Damn. He likes you though. He was talking about you before I knew who you were. Plus, he’s never at my crib this much. But for your funky ass- he’s over here every single day. It’s cool though. Ya’ll look good together.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah! But ya’ll babies going to have a big head.”

  “Fuck you!”

  “You look cute. Jason bought you that?”

  “Yup.”

  The doorbell rings.

  “And there he goes again,” Trinity says laughing.

  We go to work on time. Free and Durk comes in and requests a table in my section. I give them good service Free tips me $200. Durk leaves fifty cents. He’s just mad that I didn’t talk to his ass. Well, Jason is waiting on me outside. He gives me the keys to a suite and this time- I just might lay him down.

  Free

  When I got back to the house, Mark is rushing out of the door to go to work. I’m hot as hell and Tia got me fucked up. I’m going to play this smooth. I’ll wine and dine her. Then I’ll fuck her ass up. First, I need some cash. I look at Moet. Perfect target.

  “Aye baby. What you know about Tia’s side nigga. She hasn’t mentioned him to Mark?”

  “Side nigga?”

  “Yeah. Some nigga my lil sister caught her with. Then, I take her to Trinity’s house and the nigga right there. He didn’t move or budge. Talking about she can come and stay with him.”

  “Really. Damn, not Mrs. Perfect with tea spilling like that.” Moet says a little too happy.

  But she don’t like Tia. She told me that during pillow talk.

  “I need a few ends baby.”

  “For what?”

  “So, I can go and get some food from Tia’s job, spy on her, and bring you back some more juicy tea too.”

  Dumb ass bitch gonna fall for it.

  “Aight, how much you need?”

  “About $250,” I say.

  “$250?” she asks.

  “Yeah, I got you. Tia gets paid tomorrow. She’s paying the light bill and giving me $275 for studio fee.”

  I give her the side eye. She looks at me. I lick out my tongue at her.

  “And when I get back, I’mma lick dat fat pussy.”

  “For real? You got me? I was wondering when you was going to hit me up.”

  “Yeah. I had to break you in first. I’m going to lick that pussy all night. Just wash it up real good because we ain’t got no hot water.” I say licking my lips.

  She rushes back to their room and grabs me some cash. I notice the fucked up look on her face.

  “What’s wrong baby?”

  “I had $700. Now, I got $250.”

  “Awl ,damn. That’s fucked up. I got you tomorrow though baby.”

  She gives me the money. I meet up with Durk and we post up at Tia’s job. I leave her a tip and I drop by Shayla’s crib. We fight. Then, we fuck. I disappear. She misses me. I stop by. We cool again. That is until it happens again.

  “Hey Free.” She says as she opens the door.”

  ”You got some coke?” I ask.

  “You know I got some of that white girl.”

  “Let’s make up.”

  For the next four hours, we make up. I forget all about Tia. I forget about Moet stanky ass. My P.O. Not having a job. My background. That nigga that’s probably slanging dick to my girl. And the fact that I’m really in love with her despite the fucked up shit I do. I just fuck Shayla and enjoy this high. When I’m done, I check my phone and I got fourteen missed calls from Moet. She sends me a text talking about she’s hungry. I kiss Shayla goodbye and stop by Krystal’s for Moet. Fuck it. She ain’t getting no cheese. She better not say shit to me. I might let her suck my dick. When I get to the crib, she’s in the door with a nightgown on. The apartment is dirty. She grabs the bag, sits on the couch, eats the whole bag, and questions me about Tia.

  I start touching her and she melts. Simple ass. Damn, at least make a nigga want the pussy. Never be too eager. My plans unfold just like I want them too. I got the head. I got my last nut for the night and went to sleep.

  Moet

  It’s been three weeks since the lights been off again. I had the money, but Tia and Mark are the ones working so why should I have to pay the damn bill. She is always gone and Mark is always gone too. He claims that he’s working overtime to get some extra money for us. Payday has come and gone, but no money to show for it. We are still waiting on him to pay the light bill. I’m lying on the couch when I hear a knock on the door. I walk up to the door and it’s my baby’s caseworker.

  “Hi, Moet. I got a referral from Children’s Services for you,” she says. “Let me come in.”

  “I ccaann’ttt.” I say stuttering.

  “You have no choice. You‘re lucky that I showed up at first. Now, step aside.”

  “Okay, but excuse the mess,” I say as I step aside. She walks into the kitchen and notices the piled up dishes, dirty diapers, trash, clutter, and the stench of filth.

  “So, your lights are off? An eviction notice has been filed on this address also. There’s also three people petitioning for custody of MJ. With a
report of neglect from the daycare, neighbors, and your family- anyone besides you can win.” She says writing on her notepad.

  “How?” I ask.

  “You have no job. You’re about to be homeless. There’s a question of the child’s paternity. The alleged father says it’s a hostile environment and that a convicted felon lives here also. Who all lives at this address?”

  “Mark, me, his sister, MJ, and Tia’s fiancé Free. So, it’s an eviction notice. Mark hasn’t said a word. How long do we have?” I ask.

  “I’m not sure. Do you have a backup plan?”

  “No, I’m waiting on Mark to come home now. He gets paid today and he’s supposed to pay the light bill and the rent.”

  “According to our investigation, he was fired two weeks ago. He picked up his last paycheck last Friday. Let me do a walk- through and take some pictures for my case. I’m sorry Moet. I have no choice.”

  “Okay.”

  The only thing I’m thinking about is Mark lying to me. Now, he will do a little lying here and there, but this is ridiculous. Did he file? Does he really want a paternity test? We walk to the bathroom. She takes pictures of it. Of course, it’s nasty too. She opens my bedroom door. It’s the same way. She takes pictures of it too. And I’m embarrassed too. Next, she opens the door to Tia and Free’s room. That’s when the shit hits the fan.

  “Moet, I was wondering when you was going to come and suck on this dick?” Free says.

  “That would be never.” She says. “Get dressed. We got some things to discuss.”

  For the next hour, she explains how dangerous our love affair is. She did agree not to put it in my report. She explains that I have twenty-four hours to leave this apartment or she’ll have to send DCS to come and remove MJ from my custody. Then, she asks if I understand.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  She leaves and I break down crying. Free holds me.

  “It’s aight Moet. Did she tell you who called?”

  “Shit everyone. From the daycare to my family. And Mark ain’t paid the rent. He lost his job too. So, where has he been going?”

  “Mark is a liar. Liars are the worst. They will cheat. Then, they will lie about lying about cheating. So, he has some chick and he is stashed in a hotel somewhere.”