“Hey,” I say.
Her loud friend, Shawna, tells me to sit down with them to watch the show. Neeci shoots her a look, but I walk around and pull a chair up at the table. Neeci looks a lil’ nervous but walks away to get ready for the show.
As soon as she’s gone, it’s all eyes on me.
Her friend Shawna says, “Fuck the bullshit.” Then, she goes straight into, “So what the fuck do you think you’re doing with my friend?”
That shit catches me off guard. “Huh?”
“Y’all over there playing house and shit, but what’re you doing? Ain’t gonna be no bullshit! Not on my watch. That’s family, and if you even think about hurting her, Imma have to fuck you up.”
Damn! She ain’t pulling no punches. Now I see why Neeci was nervous.
I take a minute to adjust my thoughts and then say, “Look, I ain’t no saint. I’ve done a lot of fucked up shit, and I know y’all know about at least some of it, but I ain’t playing games with Neeci. I ain’t just tryna fuck her over. I really care about that girl, for real. This ain’t for play. I'm serious as a motherfucka.”
“So you’re saying what?” says her cousin, Mocha. “You tryna marry her and shit?”
“I mean, not right now. Maybe somewhere down the line. For right now, we’re just building, man, tryna see where it goes. I ain’t tryna waste her time. I know she’s a star, and I'm all about that. This thing we’re doing, it’s just me tryna help her and make sure she gets where she’s supposed to be. I know she special, and at this point, if I fuck it up, Imma kick my own ass.”
They all laugh. Shawna seems satisfied. She sits back, nodding like she gets it. I guess that’s her man sitting next to her. Mocha’s sitting next to her boyfriend, too. I look up to see where Neeci’s at. She’s over by the stage, staring in our direction, clearly still nervous.
I catch her eye, give her a wink and a smile, and she sends one back. She looks like she relaxes a bit, which is good because I want her to have a good show.
Good is an understatement, man. She murders it! No matter how many times I see her, I always get amazed listening to her and watching her shine up on stage. She’s like a superstar already. The people always feel her, and them crazy notes she hits is better than half these bitches out there that call themselves singers. There ain’t no way she shouldn’t be at the Grammys.
She calls out that she’s closing the show, but the crowd asks for more, so she goes into an encore. Half the room’s up on their feet, as she goes into some old Etta James songs and sets the room on fire. This time, when she’s done, she tells everybody she’s gonna be at Morgan State next week, and they should come see her. She can barely make it off the stage with all the love everybody’s giving her.
I go over to try and help her out, but
when I get to her and take her hand, I whisper in her ear, “Yo, you are unbelievable, man. We gotta get you a deal.”
She looks over at me, smiles, and then gives me a kiss before she starts talking to the people crowding around. I try to protect her so she doesn’t get hurt, playing bodyguard and keeping her space clear. Shawna and ‘em come over, and she gives them all big hugs and shit. As we make our way past the crowd, I suggest we go out and celebrate, so we decide to go out to dinner, and we each go out to the cars to make our way to this restaurant I guess they always go to.
* * *
We get over to the restaurant, and it's a decent spot. It's spoken word night, so there’s different people on stage with their poems. We get a lil’ food, some hot wings, fries, cheese sticks, and fried calamari. It's actually good. I'm enjoying the vibe and whispering different shit in Neeci ear. I'm realizing all our dates have been good so far. We always have fun together. Neeci has completely taken my mind off the whole baby situation, and we’ve just been having a good time. That’s another thing I love about her. She always knows how to make a nigga feel betta. That’s exactly what I need.
We’re all snuggled up in the booth, getting all lost in our own shit, when one of her friends goes, “Aw look at them! Look how cute they are.”
I'm barely paying attention because Neeci’s whispering some nasty shit in my ear. Neeci turns her head, so I look too and realize she was talking about us. Neeci just giggles and blushes and puts her head on my shoulder. I smile and look down at her.
We are fucking adorable, man.
* * *
They’re talking about going to somebody else’s place, but we’re ready to get home, so we say our goodbyes. Neeci asks me to drive, so I get her car door for her then walk around and get in on the other side. I tell her to put on some sexy shit, and she puts on some Sade. We ride over to the crib with that shit bumping, and I already know what we’re gonna be doing. As soon as we get upstairs, I head straight for the bathroom to shower. She tells me to leave the water on for her, so I wash up real good and get on out. I just keep my towel on and go lay across the bed to wait.
She left the stereo on with what I guess must be a sex playlist. I don’t need any more inspiration, it's already about to be on. I put on a lil’ smell good and take a look in the mirror. I'm looking pretty good, but I’ve been slacking on the gym. I gotta get back.
I go back to the bed and wait.
* * *
Neeci comes back in, dripping wet, in just a towel, and my already hardening erection goes to full attention. She stands there for a few minutes just looking at me. I lick my lips and stare back. Then, she just lets the towel drop to her feet. Her body looks amazing, glistening in the dim lights. She walks slowly towards me, and then, still standing, pulls my towel to the side so I'm laying naked on top of it. She then climbs on top and straddles me.
I'm feeling hype, but I’m tryna keep my cool. She starts rubbing her hands up and down my abs, then she starts talking low in another language. It takes me a minute to catch it, but then I realize she speaking French.
I didn’t know she could do that.
She never ceases to amaze me.
I know a lil’ bit myself, mostly food, but the way she’s speaking lets me know she probably saying some nasty shit. Just the sound of it is making me even more excited.
* * *
Finally, I can’t take any more, and I flip her ass over to her back to get ready to go in. She puts her hand on my arm to stop me and points to the nightstand. That’s the signal for me to put the jimmy on. I grab a condom and hurry up and get it on, so I can get started.
As soon as it’s in place, I slide in. We had enough foreplay, and it’s time to get to it.
I just start going hard; I'm too horny for that gentle shit tonight. I pull her legs up and start going crazy. She starts scratching, screaming, and talking a bunch of gibberish, so I know I'm hitting it right. I can feel myself losing it, but it's cool because I can tell she's right there with me. It ain't too long before we’re both twitching, howling, and shit, and then I fall forward and lay on top of her, sweating.
I want some more, but a nigga’s tired, so I pull us under the covers and pull her into me. I'm tryna see if she still wants to go, but it seems like she already falling asleep. I slip out of the bed to turn the music off, dump the condom, and then get back in bed and go to sleep, too.
The next day is my day off, but Neeci’s gotta work a shift, so she leaves out. I lay around a lil’ bit, then I get up to call my mama. We talk for a minute, then I tell her I wanna come over tonight. She sounds happy, which is good. I tell her Neeci and I will be over there around 6:30.
She try to ask me about Neeci, but I tell her she'll see her later. Then, I get off the phone, make myself something to eat, then watch a lil’ TV. After a while, I decide to get up and hit the gym. I always jog to the gym on the other side of town. I run over to my spot to get my gym bag, and then go on over.
* * *
I get a good workout in for like two hours, then I jet back to the crib. On the way, I stop at the store to get a few things for my mama’s house, then I look for something to wear. By this time, Neeci’s
home, and I tell her to get ready so we can go to my mama’s.
She has me help her pick out some clothes, and then she gets ready. We pull together a nice lil’ look, not too wholesome cause my mama will see straight through that shit.
Once we’re both ready, we get in the car and go on over. My mama stays in a house in Upton, so I zoom in her direction. It’s not the best neighborhood, but it ain’t the worst either. Everybody knows each other, for the most part, so it’s comfortable. It’s the house we moved to when I was twelve, and it always brings back a lot of memories.
I pull in front of the house, park, and go over to help Neeci get out. I hear my name and turn to see the same dudes that always kicked it on the next-door porch, just sitting out there. I go over to shake up with ‘em and introduce ‘em to Neeci. It’s mostly dudes, and I see them eyeballing her. I can’t really blame ‘em. Of course, some of ‘em have some slick shit to say, but I shut ‘em down and go on over to my mama’s house.
I don’t even get to ring the bell before the door is flying open. Out comes my lil’ sister, Quana, giving me a big ol’ hug like she ain’t seen me in forever. I pick her up off her feet and kiss her cheek before pulling her back at arm’s length. I still can’t believe how big she’s gotten. I know she’s not a lil’ girl anymore, but she's still my baby sister. I just can’t believe her lil’ ass is about to be eighteen. That shit is wild.
I look over at Neeci and say, “Quana, this Neeci. Neeci, this my baby sister, Shaquana.”
Neeci steps forward and puts her hand out.
Quana shakes it. “I ain't no baby no more, Shaq,” she says to me.
I just laugh. Her and my mama the only ones who call me Shaq. Everybody else either calls me Sha or Quan.
We step inside the house, and I go looking for my mama in the place I know I'll find her: the kitchen. I get my cooking skills from her and my grandma. I'm good at what I do, but there ain’t nothing like my mama’s cooking. I smell it already, and it smells like some greens, yams, and fried chicken .
My stomach starts growling, the second I smell it. As soon as I walk in the kitchen, my mama turns away from the stove and comes to gimme a big hug. Mama’s hugs are always the best, man. We stand there in each other arms for a minute, then she pulls back and smacks me on the arm.
“Boy, don't you ever make me have to call looking for you.”
“I know…I'm sorry, Mama.”
I rub my arm. That smack hurt! Those were the smacks that kept my ass in line and brought it back in line when I got outta it. I mighta done some fucked up things to women, but there’s a lot I still don't do cuza them smacks.
My mama looks around me to Neeci and says, “And I suppose, this is the young lady who’s been keeping you away.”
Neeci steps forward looking all shy and says with a small smile, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Long, I didn't mean to.”
My mama goes to her and gives her a hug. “A lota thangs keep Sha’quan away over the years. Hope you’re better than some before.”
“Ma…,” I say.
“Don’t Ma me. You know I ain’t lying.” She turns to Neeci. “Now baby, why don't you come around here and sit down, and we’ll get to know each other. Shaq, you can go.”
“Naw, Mama, I’ll stay.”
“Fine. Then I can talk to you both. Now what’s yo name, sweetie?”
“My name is Shanisha, ma’am,” Neeci says, taking a seat, “but everybody calls me Neeci.”
* * *
Just then, I feel a slap on the back of my head and turn around to see Quana walking by. I push her back, and we start tussling, me in my seat, her standing up.
“Ay, you two,” my mama goes. “Don’t be fighting at my table.”
I stop and say, “She started it.”
“No, I didn’t,” Quana fires back.
“Whatever, just stop!” my mama says. “You see that, baby? I’ve got two grownups on my hands, and they’re still act like children. Are you an only child?”
* * *
“Yes, ma’am. Just me and my mama.”
“Mmhmm…and what do you do for a living?”
“Well, I work over at the Coffee Cat Club with Sha’quan.”
“She a singer, Mama,” I chime in. “She about to blow up. She’ll be performing all over town.”
“Aw yeah? I may have to get out and see that on one of my clubbing nights.”
“That would be nice,” Neeci replies. “I perform two nights a week, at the Coffee Cat.”
“So, you’re really a singer?” Quana asks. “You got a YouTube channel?”
“Yeah. My channel is BMoreNeeciSings.”
My sister goes right into her iPhone and pulls it up. She starts playing one of Neeci’s videos. Neeci looks a bit uncomfortable, but I lean over and look at the phone. My mama tells her to turn it up.
“Damn girl! You got some pipes!” my mama says, once its over.
Neeci blushes. “Thank you.”
“I’m a singer, too,” my sister says.
Neeci looks at her. “Oh yeah?”
“Yep. I been in the choir since I was a kid, first at church, then at school. I'm tryna tell my mama that’s what I wanna do, but she’s making me apply to college.”
“You need to go to school, girl,” my mama pipes in. “Have a backup plan.”
“I went to Morgan State University,” Neeci says. “It took me a lil’ while, but it was worth it.”
“So, you think I should go?” Quana asks.
“I think it can only help you. It’ll give you the time to develop and get to know some people, and it helps to have something to fall back on until you make it.”
Quana nods and my mama says, “Thank you!”
Quana rolls her eyes. “So, Neeci, you only perform at clubs?”
“Actually, I have a performance at Morgan State coming up. I can see if I can get you in.”
Quana perks up. “Really?”
“I’m not promising anything,” Neeci says, putting up her hands, “but I'll see what I can do.”
“Can you help me with my music, too?”
“Absolutely!”
Quana looks at me and says, “Shaq, you finally bought a good one home. Ooh, lemme text Mika.”
Neeci laughs and my mama says, “I know that’s right! A pretty, college-educated, polite woman. I was worried for a lil’ bit about these women he was running round with, but you seem like a nice girl. You know your way around the kitchen?”
“Thank you, and yes, ma’am,” Neeci says.
“Well, come on over here and help me out.”
Neeci gets up to help. I watch, as she and my mama move around the kitchen. It’s nice. I ain't really bought no chicks home since Shaniqua, so it's a nice change. Before long, the food is ready, and the table is set. We say grace and proceed to get our grub on. My mama put her foot in it, like she always does. I get seconds and thirds. Neeci gets more, too. When we’re done, I get up and start clearing the table. Quana pulls Neeci back into her room to talk music and stuff while Mama and I start cleaning up. I wash the dishes, and she dries. After a few minutes, she says, “That’s a real nice woman you got there, Shaq.”
“Thanks, Mama. I really like her.”
“Y’all serious?”
“Yeah, Ma. We’re talking about moving in together.”
“You think she’s the one?”
“I don't know. Maybe. It kinda feels like it.”
“Well, Imma tell ya like this: you got yourself a good woman. You do right by her, and don’t mess it up on no foolishness. Your daddy wasn’t perfect, but he was good, and he never let nothing outside of this house mess up what was in it. It mighta seemed boring to you, but your daddy and I had a love that didn’t need no fireworks or all that other stuff. We knew what we had, and we loved what we had, and that’s all that mattered. I still miss your daddy ‘til this day, and I might date, but I'll never forget what I had with him. You find you something special, you hold on to it. That’s what growing
up is all about, learning the value of things, and when you find something good, you take care of it. Take care of that girl and let her take care of you.”
I lean over and give my mama a kiss on the forehead. As I keep washing, I think about what she said. Neeci is a good woman, and we do have a good thing. The last thing I need to do is fuck it up over some shit I ain’t even gonna want once it’s done. I'm still a man, but that doesn’t mean I gotta be a fuckboy and wreck everything over some worthless shit. I'm just glad my mama likes Neeci. Day by day, we get closer and closer. I think for a second about the paternity test, and I start to worry. What if the baby is mine and Neeci can’t handle it? It'll be so fucked up if my past comes back to haunt me like that. I think about telling my mama what's going on, but it’ll just worry her. Instead, I help her finish cleaning up the kitchen and just enjoy spending time with the most important women in my life
Six
Shanisha
Sha’quan and I have been having such a good time I damn near forgot about the paternity test. It was really nice meeting his mother and sister. His mama is a real sweet woman, but she doesn’t bite her tongue. Sha’quan is actually a lot like her, plus he’s got her eyes. Now his lil’ sister, Quana, is a doll. She got a smart mouth, but she’s sweet, pretty, and she actually has talent. I was a lil’ worried I was gonna have to lie, but she has a real good voice and good control. She could really go far. She just gotta find the right music. I told her I’d write some stuff for her. We were in there like besties. She reminds me of me when I was younger.
The whole night was cool, and I promised Mrs. Long I wouldn't let Sha’quan go long without coming back. Imma really try and get her and Quana into the Morgan State show. I think it’ll be good.
Sha’quan and I ride back to his place to hang out, and then he runs out to the store to get a few things, so I call Shawna. Per usual she answers, “What up, hoe?”
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