Love Locked Down

by Candace Mumford

  “ Look at your ass over there all domesticated and shit.”

  “ Well I actually do know how to cook you know. I just never really had a reason too. Now I do.” I said smiling. “ I'll have him call you as soon as he gets up.”

  “ Please do because we have some family business to discuss. I really need him to come over this evening.” Tamera said suddenly serious.

  “ Okay. I'll have him call you as soon as he's gets up. So are you doing any work on your project today? I know it's the weekend and we all need a break, I just feel like I can't take a day off until after this show is done. I'm meeting my two models today. This weekend was the only time they were available for fittings and everything.” Worry creeping into my voice. I was one of the top students in my class, all of my teachers were positive they'd see my designs on the runways soon. I was ecstatic over the reviews my designs had received thus far but I didn't want to take anything for granted. My class was full of talented designers all of whom had a chance to wow potential buyers at the Parsons grand finale fashion show. The graduating class put the show on every year comprised of the outgoing classes designs.

  “ Dana if I'm relaxing this weekend, surely you can. You have this show in the bag. Honestly I think you're over-thinking the designs.” Tamera said exasperated by the entire topic. All Dana talked about was this damn fashion show as if she had anything to worry about. Personally she'd been questioning her decision . Design was highly competitive. Maybe she'd extend another year and get another major under her belt?

  “ Okay Dana I'll talk to you later.”

  “ Bye Tamera.”

  I hung up the phone a little disturbed. Tamera made a point to say she had family business to discuss with Terrence...didn't Tamera realize I was family now too? This heffa acts like she can't even relay the damn message to me. Maybe I'm just over analyzing the whole thing. I spent the next half hour preparing homemade french toast,eggs and bacon for my husband. Once it was all complete,I began plating all of the steaming hot food on plates.

  * * * *

  22. Worth Waking Up Too

  Terrence

  I was awakened by the smell of bacon wafting up the stairs. My wife is in the kitchen cooking and the sex last night was just...damn! It was well worth the wait,I thought smiling as I finished brushing my teeth and washing my face.

  “ Baby come eat! I was trying to surprise you.” Dana said smiling as she set the tray on the bed.

  “ Shit, you know bacon can wake a damn vegetarian up out of their sleep.” I said leaning down to kiss her lips and sitting on the bed.

  “ Thank you baby this looks good.”I said dipping a thick piece of french toast into the thick maple syrup and stuffing my mouth.

  “ It's the least I could do. You've been so good to me Terrence. I owe everything to you right now” Dana said gazing at me. “ Anyway, eat up. I did this for you. I never pay this much attention to my meals when it's just me.”

  “ Damn girl, I hope you ready to change that. I mean I ain't trying to have you in the kitchen all the time but a brotha like me does like a home cooked meal every now and then.”

  “ So do I! You better know how to get in here and cook for me too.”Dana smiled, “ Tamera called not too long ago she said she needs to talk to you about some family business. I told her I'd tell you as soon as you woke up.”

  “ Well what is it?”

  “ I don't know. She said family business.”

  “ You're my wife Dana, you are family. You're my business and I'm yours. When you want to know something baby feel free to ask. I don't have any secrets from you. Are there things we just haven't discussed due to our circumstances? Yes. Secrets no. I'll call her though. I know my sister and I'm sure it's nothing as dramatic as she's making it out to be.” I said reaching for my phone and placing it on speaker.

  “ I'll get dressed while you talk.”

  “ Stay right here.” I said motioning for Dana to sit down.

  “ Hey big brother!” Tamera said excitedly.

  “ Hey what's up? Dana just told me you called. What's up?”

  “ Well I just wanted to know when you were coming by? I wanted to call mom so we can all get together as a family. I also wanted to talk to you about this property I saw online in Manhattan. I figure if you just pay a year upfront with my half of the rent it I should be good...,”

  “ Hold on now, who told you I was paying some rent in Manhattan? I don't even know what you're talking about?”

  “ Well Dana and I planned on moving to Manhattan after graduation so I've been looking for places. You cover the rent for me here so what's the difference with you paying it in Manhattan?” Tamera asked attitude creeping into her voice.

  I ran my hand over my face and cocked my eyebrow as I turned to look at Dana. When the fuck was my wife going to tell me she was moving to Manhattan?

  “ Well my wife and I need to discuss this move. But whether she decides to go through with a move or not, I have no intentions of continuing to support you...or mom. This is actually what I was going to talk to you and mom about in person, but since it's come up, I don't have a problem addressing the situation now. I did as much for you as I could to help you get through school. Next week when you walk across that stage with your diploma, I'm done. It's time for you to stand on your own two feet baby sister.”

  “ What? How am I supposed to take care of myself Terrence?”

  “ The same way everyone else does. Your ass need to get a damn job. Stop all that damn shopping. My lifestyle is changing and I'm not going to be supporting two and three households. I'm going to support one for a change. My own.”

  Even though they were married,Dana couldn't help but feel uncomfortable listening to the exchange going on between Terrence and Tamera.

  “ You would have never said this to me months ago. It seems like every since you did this fake marriage with Dana you've been cutting me off. It was just a suspicion before but I see it's true.”

  “ Tamera, I've been telling you since I got locked up that once I was out, things were going to change...and what's this I hear about you seeing Cordell? The same nigga I got locked up behind you fuckin' with? You gaping your leg open for a nigga that was stalking you? Putting his damn hands on you? Or was that just some shit you lied and told me? Since you obviously ain't scared of the niggas dick.” I yelled.

  “ Oh is that what this is about? Cordell? Why is Dana over there telling my business anyways? She needs to mind her own goddamn business. If it wasn't for me she wouldn't even be graduating next week. Broke ass.”

  As mad as I was at her I couldn't help but laugh.

  “ If it wasn't for me,your ass wouldn't be graduating next week. So who you calling broke? You ain't in no better position that she was. I suspect you still ain't from the bank notices and fees. I've been looking at that shit and paying fees for the last two years every time my lawyer brought my personal mail for me to look at. So I suggest you shut your fuckin' mouth talking about my wife.” I said. I knew my voice was so calm it was scary.

  “ Okay then Terrence. When are you coming over so I can make sure mama is here?” Tamera said suddenly sounding meek. I knew that shit was fake as hell. Tamera is my sister but I know she's as ratchet as they come even though I'd tried to shield her as much as I could.

  “ She don't come home every night?”

  “ No. You know she still hang out with Mr. Curtis and all her other drinking buddies.”

  “ Ummhmm. Make sure she's there. It's a whole lot of shit about to change in that house. If you think it may take you a minute to find work, I have a solution for you so it's not that big of a deal but we'll go over the details when I see you.” I said before hanging up.

  * * * *

  23. These Hoes Ain't Loyal. Even If The Hoe Is Your Sister.

  Tamera

  Goddamn this nigga taste good! I thought to myself as I took Cordell's dick so deep down my throat his long,slim dick was touching my tonsils.

  “
Take this dick bitch.” Cordell said shoving his dick aggressively down my throat. I began to choke a little and grabbed his hips to pull back. Cordell yanked my head back and tears smarted my eyes. What the hell was he doing? Cordell pulled his dick out of my mouth slapped me across the face with his long dick and flipped me over on my stomach. Cordell drew my hips up and shoved his dick inside me. I took it like a champ. Cordell liked it rough sometimes and I didn't want him to think I was complaining. The minute a nigga thought you were complaining he started looking for the next bitch who was willing to give him what he wanted. Besides, I wanted Cordell in a good mood because I had to talk to him about Terrence.

  I walked into my bedroom after taking a shower and Cordell was in the bed smoking a blunt.

  “ Baby we need to talk.”

  “ Oh yeah? About what?” Cordell asked through a thick haze of smoke. I took the blunt from him a took a few tokes of it myself. I needed something to calm my nerves after all the shit Terrence said earlier and now Cordell.

  “ Well I already told you Terrence came home early so you know what that mean....,”

  Cordell sat up straight in the bed.

  “ No, what the fuck does it mean Tamera? Look don't start no shit with me today. I ain't in the mood.” he said cutting his eyes at me.

  I know I don't detect an attitude in this niggas voice?

  “ It means you need to find you somewhere to stay...today. Terrence is going to be coming over here and he can not find you here. That messes shit up for me. Besides it ain't like you live here. Just pack your stuff up and take it back over to your mama's house!” I said crossing my arms.

  “ How the fuck I don't stay here? I give you money....when I got it. I sleep here every fuckin' night. I see you on that same bullshit Tamera. When you gon' stand up to your brother and let him know you fuck with me? When he find out what liar your ass is that's when he's really gonna cut your ass off.” Cordell spat.

  “ Whatever nigga. Just get this little bit of shit you got over here and leave. When you making enough money to keep me in the lifestyle my brother does then we can talk. Until then you ain't talking about nothing around here. Now hurry up because he'll be here soon.” I said walking into my closet to find something to wear for the day. My mind ran to Dana's ass too. That bitch got her nerve running and telling my business!

  Seems to me like she's taking this little marriage thing a little too far. And what I will not have is Dana thinking she can come between my brother and I.

  * * * *

  24. The Terrible Two's

  Dana

  Two Months Later

  I started to panic for a moment then my feelings shifted and I was pissed! Now wait a damn minute...didn't I tell Terrence I would call his ass? He's got me fucked up if he thinks given the argument we just had and him telling me to “stay out of his business” he can just show up here. This is my place. I wrapped my robe around myself tightly,ran my fingers through my hair and marched down the steps towards the door. Janay's eyes were bucked at the state of her roommate.

  “ Lord have mercy this bougie ass girl has lost her damn mind!” They better not bring that bullshit in here,shit I'm trying to sleep,Janay thought heading towards the stairs to her bedroom.

  I marched over to the sleek,black car and banged on the window. The window slowly rolled down until I was looking to the chocolate brown eyes of my husband.

  He grinned at me “ I mean that outfit wasn't really what I was expecting you to wear for our brunch date but do you baby. I'll shut the whole restaurant down for you so you can walk around in your robe and slippers. It ain’t no big ooo-wee to me.”

  I wanted to burst out laughing but contained myself. I was mad as hell with Terrence. The last two months hadn't gone as smoothly as I'd thought between arguing with Tamera and just adjusting to being married period. I was not happy. A week ago I'd just made the decision to move back in with Janay for awhile.

  I wasn't standing outside in my robe for shits and giggles. I needed Terrence to know he wasn't running shit. At least not with me his ass wasn't. Terrence hadn't been out but a month or so but the other side of his personality was showing itself. If I was honest with myself I found it a little exciting but the rational side of my brain knew I needed to be careful.

  “ Look Terrence what are you doing here? I do not appreciate the way you spoke to me last night. You can't just show up here like everything is fine after what you said to me. How the hell did you get my address anyway? I never even gave it to you and when I wrote you letters I used my post office box. So where do you get off just showing up at my home unannounced like you running the damn show? Last night you acted like you didn't even know you were a married man. So what the hell do you want with a wife today?” I asked folding my arms across my chest and cutting my eyes at him.

  Terrence sat a little further back in plush seat of the car so Dana wouldn't see the immediate disdain etched over his handsome face. This marriage shit was taking a little longer to get used to than he had imagined. He wasn't used to being loud talked and questioned by a woman. Let alone a from a woman he called his wife. Especially after he'd gone to so much effort to impress her to the tune of $5,000 in designer roses? Some of these basic bitches out here didn't even know black roses actually existed and Dana had a dozen sitting in her home right now courtesy of him.

  Women in every borough in New York vied for his attention on a daily basis before he got locked up and in the eight weeks since he'd been released, hadn't shit about that changed. The one time he wanted to settle down and do right by a woman, hadn't made her a “ wifey” but an actual wife and she had the nerve to call herself leaving him?

  Terrence opened the door to the car and stepped out. Terrence leaned against the car looking down at her. Dana had come out the house in her robe and slippers and was still fine as hell.

  I had to step back real fast for fear of all my resolve dissolving within seconds in regards to Terrence. He had quickly become an addiction to me. These past few nights sleeping without him had began to take it's toll on me. The warm earthy scent of his cologne was making it's quick ascent to my nostrils and I was a sucker for a nice smelling man. Especially this man. Smooth,brown skin...and to top it off, I'd swear he was smiling at me on purpose just to tempt me into going back home with him but I wasn't. I was staying at my old place with Janay until he made up his mind to do right by me.

  “ Please accept my apology for being presumptuous...”Terrence started in his rich,deep baritone voice. “ ...I found out where you stayed though Tamera,so it wasn't too hard to get the information. As for the roses,I can see you're different but most women do like roses, I simply sent every color just to make sure one of them was to your liking. I was only trying to do something nice for my wife but it's evident to me you don't appreciate shit. So my apologies. I'll leave you to your day.” Terrence said getting back in his car. Seconds later the car took off down the street.

  I stood there looking after the car. Damn! I hadn't necessarily meant to run my husband off. I just wanted him to know he couldn't be doing no drive-bys on me. I walked back in the house to Janay's disapproving stare.

  “ I thought you said you were going to lay down?” I said cutting my eyes at her. The last thing I needed right now was a lecture from her. Janay had quickly become a part of Terrence's fan club. Janay thought he could do no wrong especially since two months ago when he came home,he paid her for my portion of the rent. Janay got a years worth of rent out of him. She was happy because for the next year she didn't even have to worry about replacing me as a roommate. Not that she really worried about that anyway. Janay had inherited the apartment when her grandmother who raised her had passed away.

  “ Now you went and sent your husband away after all of this...,” Janay said opening her arms up in a sweeping gesture of the room filled with fragrant roses “ ….to sit around and mope? Look you the one who made the choice to get married to a man that was locked up. Y'all are just get
ting to know each other. I'm no expert but to me at least the man is trying.”

  I sat down on the couch and sighed.

  “ Janay it's not even about that. I didn't exactly send him away...he left. I did let him know he couldn't just come tracking me down and showing up on my door-step unannounced! He doesn't know me like that. Janay this whole club business has changed him.” I said my voice breaking,tears sliding down my face. As hard as I tried to be optimistic about my situation with Terrence the truth of the matter was it looked bleak. I'd wracked my brain trying to figure out why Terrence had turned. I just thought once he was released he would want to dedicate some time to getting our marriage off the ground but instead it was the exact opposite. Terrence had thrown every ounce of his energy into making his club one of the hottest in the city.

  Hell I hadn't even known he owned a club. Not once in all those months did Terrence tell me he owned Club Taboo one of the hottest clubs in the city. Tamera didn't even know. I'd heard of it though because Tamera had tried to get into it several times and hadn't been able to get in. She had been looking for hook-ups into the place for at least six months. Then come to find out her brother owned the place.

  “ Whatever is going to happen with Terrence and I is going to happen Janay. I'm tired of worrying about it. I love him but at the rate things are going now, I'm just wondering if our paths are going in two separate directions right now. Terrence is throwing himself into his club right now and I need to do the same. The past two months since graduation I've gone totally off track with my own plans. I need to get back to me.” I said walking towards the stairs before she could reply. I walked into my room and shut the door.

  I stood looking in the mirror several moments before walking to my nightstand to grab my cellphone to call Terrence. The phone rang several time before he answered.

  “ This is Terrence.”

  “ Hey Terrence it's me...,look about earlier.”

  “ We don't need to discuss earlier. You ain't feeling me. You don't wanna be married to me anymore I get it. I thought we had something special but I guess I was wrong. You just needed some money, I supplied it for you. It is what it is.”

  My heart sank. Why was he trying to make it seem like that's all I was out for?