by Belleza
***
“This shit not making sense,” Asahd said. “How she get that shit past us.”
I simply shrugged my shoulders staring at nothing in particular in the room. I called my brothers to give them a heads up on what was going on. As far as I knew Burge wasn’t our only problem now that Ernestine was getting out. Shit was ten times more complicated because the mother of my kids was involved with her.
“I say instead of waiting for her dike ass to get stupid we come at her and eliminate any future issues. I’m not into putting my hands on bitches but Ernestine, Easy, E-money out here acting like a whole nigga. I’ll put a bullet in her and keep going on about my business.”
“Unc wouldn’t want us getting into that,” Zayne told him. “Whatever beef they have is between them. He will handle that.”
“Hopefully he does because I stand firmly on this shit. If she gotta go, she gotta go. People gonna think we sweet now because we letting them walk around knowing they plan on violating and actually giving them the opportunity.”
“Not necessarily,” Zayne replied handing him the blunt. “They know us and probably waiting for us to strike.”
They went back and forth debating on whether we moved on Burge and his crew or Ernestine’s people. My mind was stuck on the bomb Tabitha dropped on me.
“Bruh, you good?” Zayne snatched me from my thoughts.
“Moreso confused.”
“Shit, I am too. You just don’t go from dick to liking pussy. Shit, it ain’t even about liking pussy because that bitch thinks she a man. Fuck you was doing it wrong?”
Me and Zayne eyed Asahd who smile dropped from his face. It wasn’t a playing matter but in all honesty that was exactly what I was trying to figure out. I don’t know what them females that wanted to be men were into, but I didn’t think they had woman licking a part of them they didn’t want. Hell, who knows what being a gay woman came with.
“All jokes aside bruh, you don’t want to fight for your marriage? You and Tab been together for years. What about my nephews? This shit gotta be a phase.”
“Phase or not, there’s no going back,” I responded lifting the glass of liquor I got for myself.
“It’s a bitch tho. Ain’t like she cheated with a nigga.”
“Man, fuck that,” Zayne added in. “Man or woman Tabitha cheated, and that shit is unforgivable. Let her be with who she wants to be with, and Johan can go be with a woman that doesn’t hide their sexuality for years.”
I knew Zayne would understand more than Asahd did. He was the man that had a few threesomes with females before Camille came into the picture. Having your fun in any way you saw fit was cool but I wasn’t bringing a woman into a bed I shared with my wife. When I said my vows, I meant that shit.
Her being with a woman didn’t lessen the blow because the point of the matter is that she cheated. She lied and actually had me thinking I was fucking up by changing to become better for the family we had.
“I’m about to go lay down. Let yourself out when y’all ready to go,” I said getting up from the chair. I was exhausted mentally trying to figure it this shit even though it was simple. The liquor didn’t make it any better because I wasn’t a drinker. With a little rest, I hoped to actually figure out what I was going to do to make the necessary changes in my life.
TABITHA
The knock at the door jolted me from my sleep. I lifted my head from the pillow and checked to make sure I had every lock on the door secured. Last night Johan just left with no words, and that left me uneasy. His rage was something I didn’t want to experience, but the silence magnified my fear more.
I went to the nearest liquor store and got drunk as I stared at my bloody $25,000 wedding set wondering if this was really it for us until I fell into a drunk slumber.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Easing up off the bed, my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach and I wondered if he changed his mind on letting me live from my betrayal. I didn’t think I could ever fall for someone after Johan. Especially not after him being the only one in my corner when my sister and mother made me feel like a ghost. Just like I loved him flaws and all. Johan did the same as well never asking me to change who I was deep down inside, but maybe that was because he didn’t know the real me and my curiosity.
Once I planted my feet on the floor, I searched the room frantically for something to defend myself with. All the shit loads of guns Johan had around the house my only thought was to leave with cash. I was mentally kicking my ass for that shit. Pulling open the closet door, I grabbed the iron and walked slowly over to door.
I sucked in a deep breath and inched closer to the peephole. I breathe a sigh of relief when I saw Easy standing in the hallway. I unhooked the chain, pulled back the lock and turned both of the locks before I pulled the door open.
I was happy to see her, but my mind wouldn’t allow me to express my glee due to the fact I wasn’t sure where my life was headed now.
“Why did it take you so long to answer the door?” she asked as she swaggered into my room.
She was released yesterday from prison and made her way over here. I shut the door and watched as she made herself comfortable on the bed.
Easy was sexy. The braids she once wore were now locked up and gave her more of a rugged look almost taking her feminine features away. She had the latest Jay’s on her feet, with some jeans and a Nike coat to keep her warm in this crazy winter weather. I watched her as she unzipped it and the gold chains around her neck glistened from the rays of sun that were breaking through the curtains.
“This the love I get after not being with you for all these years?” she asked.
I placed the iron back in the closet and made my way over to her where she was seated on the bed. I stood between her legs and her hands cupped my ass and I leaned over and passionately kissed her lips.
I missed her.
This didn’t compare to the quick pecks we were allowed to give during visitation. My body got warm and tingly as she massaged me all over. Our love making was long overdue, but I had to share a few things with her so I could be sure where we stood.
“Last night, Johan was here…” I murmured and she dropped her hands from my body and a snarl instantly formed on her face. “I didn’t tell him I was here he found me.”
“You fucked him?” she questioned angrily and I frantically shook my head.
“No. I knew I couldn’t keep this a secret any much longer so I told him about us and gave him back the rings.”
“But it’s right there,” she nodded her head over to the ring set on the table.
“He left it after I told him, I was going to be with you.”
We were both quiet and I was waiting for a reaction from Easy, but she gave none.
“Who told you to leave anyway? There’s information that I need and now you fucked it all up.”
“Wasn’t this the plan? For us to be together? I’m confused.” I backed up and placed my hands on my hips giving her a perplexed look from her statement.
“Yes, but you made that decision. I told you to wait it out because I needed to see how I was going to move. Now that leaves me to figure the shit out on my own.”
Easy shot up from the bed and her nasty attitude permeated the air like a foul odor. The love and affection vanished along with the sparkle in her eyes when she first saw me.
“What did you expect me to do?! Someone took pictures of me at the prison and I wasn’t sure what he knew. You also know that Johan never told me anything about the business. What I did know came from eavesdropping and snooping around.”
The Moseley’s were legit. Whatever Ern taught them stuck to them like glue because as close as I was to my husband the street life was separated from our family life.
“Where did he get the pictures?” she asked taking the top of the bottle of Honey Jack and taking it to the head.
I shrugged my shoulders and responded, “I don’t even know. At the time I didn’t bother to ask becau
se he had me gripped up. I must admit, I’m fucking scared. All this can come and bite us in the fucking ass if it takes a turn for the worst Easy.”
“That’s not for you to worry about. I asked you to do one thing and now I have to figure it out on my own.”
“Well how else did you want me to get the information Easy? Should I have fucked one of the brothers and get them to tell me?” I asked sarcastically.
“If it would have worked, then yeah. You say you would go to the moon and back for me, but you’re making these mediocre steps into helping me make sure we are set. If I would’ve asked Karla, she would’ve done it for me.”
My eyebrows snapped together at her mentioning her wife's name. Karla shouldn’t even be a topic of discussion now, she said she was leaving her when I left Johan.
“Don’t compare me to her.”
“I’m just stating facts. If you want the position, you gotta play the role Tab. I’m too old to be schooling a grown ass woman on game. Who are you loyal to Johan or me?”
“Clearly Johan isn’t a part of the equation!” I snapped pointing at the wedding ring. “What about you and Karla? I thought you were done with her.”
“I am.”
“Does she know?”
“I’ve been locked up for five fucking years. She didn’t come and see me, so what the fuck do you think.”
“It ain’t about thinking shit, Easy! I need to know fucking facts because I’m not about to play this fucking love triangle with you! I ain’t put up with this shit with Johan and I’m damn sure not putting up with it with you.”
Easy rushed me and backhanded me so hard I saw stars as I fell onto the ground. I held my aching face and glared at her. She crouched down next to me, and I flinched thinking she was going to attack me again.
“You don’t fucking tell me what you’re going to do. Either you fall in line or get fucking left, and from the looks of things, all you have is me. You really think Johan will take you back after all the years of cheating?”
She roughly gripped my face up and pressed her lips against mine. The liquor she chugged down was already seeping through her pores and on her breath. I was so disgusted and upset with her behavior I wanted to throw up. Easy released my face and left out of the room slamming the door behind her. I sat up and dropped my head in my hands. Was this what I really signed up for? As long as I have known Easy, she was always so calm and affectionate. Now it seems as if I signed a contract with the devil himself.
***
“What happened to your face?”
My hand automatically went to my cheek where Easy struck me.
“Me and Easy got into it because Johan popped up on me yesterday.”
Taleena’s honey-colored skin flushed as she stared at me. “That bitch hit you, and you ain’t hit her the fuck back! I don’t care how much nigga shit she got on she’s still a fucking female Tabitha.”
“I was shocked that it even happen Taleena. Relax.”
“Well, where she’s at? Because I’m shocked, and I’m ready to put my foot in her ass.”
I laughed because my sister had no clue who she thought she was ready to battle with. Female and all Easy was dangerous. Fighting her wasn’t going to be easy. I just wasn’t expecting her to hit me. She never showed a violent side towards me. Maybe I did strike a nerve which caused her to react that way. Since she left, I was calling her nonstop, and she kept sending me to voicemail. It had me sick thinking she was with Karla.
“You have no idea what you are getting yourself into wanting to fight her.”
“I can’t believe it. I didn’t care for Johan, but he never put his hands on you, unless you hid that from me.”
“Johan never raised his hands towards me,” I defended him.
“Hmph… and you left him for the he/she? I’m not a fan of Johan but I rather you deal with him.”
“Please Taleena. Just drop it. What’s done is done,” I told her lifting up the glass of wine needing something more hard to take away the effects of my throbbing head.
“So what did Johan want?”
“I told him everything. I gave him back the ring, and he left it.”
“And he didn’t smack you?”
I cut my eyes at her, and she shrugged. “I’m just saying. You cheated on that man with a woman. A woman that wants to be a man so bad, that’s kinda sorta his aunt. That shit would hurt a man's ego.”
“What did you want me to do? Apologize?”
“Did you?”
“No… yeah… I don’t remember! Way too much is going on at once. I wasn't even expecting him to show up.”
“So what’s your next move? You can’t stay in that hotel forever. Your lover is out of jail and beating on you, what’s next?”
I rolled my eyes and stared out the window of the restaurant. That was a question I couldn’t necessarily answer at the moment. I needed time alone to think things through because since Johan got ahold of those pictures my mind has been racing and it’s still not at ease.
I finished up my lunch with Taleena, and she offered to let me stay at the house which she knew I was going to decline. It was nice of her, but I was good. I had money and Easy, and I were together.
I made my way back to the hotel, and Easy was waiting at my door. She pulled me into her and delivered a kiss that swept me off my feet.
“I’m so sorry baby. I was just upset earlier,” she said once she pulled away staring me in my eyes.
“Don’t say sorry. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again Easy, and I mean it,” I said firmly although part of me was a little afraid of her.
“I got you. Come on and let me spend some time with my woman. I missed you and this,” she cupped my pussy through my jeans. A smirk spread on my face, and I used the keycard to let us into my room. I was willing to let it go if she kept her word.
ASAHD
“You’re beautiful.”
“You’re supposed to think that,” Camille responded.
“It’s nothing I’m unsure of. I know it’s a fact,” I responded, and she finally opened up her eyes, and her small pouty lips turned up into a smile.
I definitely didn’t go around complimenting women. They just knew I was attracted to them because I fucked them. With Camille it was different. She had me mesmerized the first time I saw her. What made her even more solid was that she was with me for me. She was independent and didn’t care about the attention being with a Moseley brought. If anything she hated it and never asked me for anything but time and attention. That was definitely sexy to me.
“Well, thanks.”
I moved over and kissed her lips, and she grimaced. “I have morning breath.”
“Afternoon breath because it’s way past twelve. Probably going on one. And I don’t care about your stinking ass breath. That’s come with the whole shit of waking up to someone.”
She covered her mouth and giggled. “Why do you gotta sound so hard when you say the sweetest things?”
“That was sweet? I was just stating facts.”
“Yes, it kinda was. I should’ve been up. My parents are expecting me.”
“Word? Just tell them you got real busy last night.”
As she eased out of bed, she looked back at me and rolled her damn eyes. I laid back on my back and watched move her naked chocolate body around my room to get her day started. Most of her days were busy studying for this exam, student teaching and taking the electives she really didn’t need. Time spent together were few and far between, so I took advantage of the time I got her in my bed just to simply lay with me.
“What you and your peoples doing?” I asked her.
I heard the shower running, and I decided to get out the bed and join her. I got in behind her and took the washcloth and bar of soap from her hand and began to wash her up.
“Nothing, just spending time with her. I’m kind of worried about them, so I’m more so making sure they’re straight.”
“What’s wrong?”
She s
lowly lifted her shoulders. “I have no clue. They are secretive. I just seen past due bills and my mom been acting weird.”
“You need help with anything?”
“As far as I know, I don’t. I will figure it out though if it comes down to it.”
I stopped washing her and lifted her face. “I’m here to make things easier for you, you do know that, right?”
“Yes, but I rather make that my last resort rather than to run to you for every single thing. I don’t want to become a burden.”
“You’re not, and I don’t mind it. That’s what people do in relationships.”
She lifted her eyebrow. “You sure you never been in a relationship? I find it hard to believe that you haven’t been in one.”
“Google tells you everything,” I cheesed, and she hit me in my chest and stepped further into the water to rinse off.
After a quickie and getting clean again we both got dried off and dressed. I walked her to her car and then made my way down the street to Zayne’s crib.
I sent Za’naa a text letting her know it was uncle and niece day and as expected she was waiting for me with her coat right next to her in the living room. I was cracking the fuck up because she looked like one of those children that were waiting around for their dead beat daddy.
“I’m ready!” she shrieked once she saw me.
Zayne emerged from the kitchen with a bottle of water in his hand. “You know the rules nigga.”
I waved him off. “Your rules don’t stand when uncle Sahdy is around, ain’t that right?” I questioned Za’naa who only blushed instead of having my back. Her eyes darted between her father and me as she giggled.
Zayne was a great ass parent. He monitored her sugar intake, helped her with her homework, knew her size in everything she wore, and did her hair. He was the definition of a great father because my daughter would’ve just been getting shaped up and cut with me.
