by T. N. Baker
She no longer cared about him telling K.C. about Chasity. Besides, Chasity had a man now. But she knew that Smitty would dig up some more dirt to hold against her, because he was that kind of nigga. She wanted all debts settled.
“Oh, word. So if that stripper bitch ain’t get knocked, you still would’ve been ass out, huh?” Smitty asked.
“Yeah, I guess, but at least I would’ve had the dough she made for the week. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there. Do we got a deal or not?” Shana questioned.
“Yo, I ain’t hear no deal. What I’m giving you five G’s for, and why you ain’t ask my man K.C.?”
“’Cause he’s the reason I ain’t got it! Remember y’all little investment? Don’t worry. As soon as I get my cut from him, I give you my word, I’ll give it back to you.
“You feeling my homegirl Epiphany, right? I could hook that up for you—you know, wash my back and I’ll wash yours.”
“Get the fuck out of here.” He laughed. “You want me to pay you for that? Yo, she already tried that. And I’ma tell you like I told her: The kid don’t pay for no pussy. A’ight, yo!”
“I’m not asking you to pay for nothing. Are you listening? I said loan! C’mon, Smitty, one good deed deserves another. You been hitting my pockets hard. There’s gotta be a reason why you wanted me to hook you and Epiphany up, so what is it? You already hit it, so why don’t you just step to her again?”
“Yo, shit went sour between us, that’s all.”
“So she don’t remember shit about you,” Shana said.
“For real, that shit’s really true about her losing her memory?”
“Yeah.”
“No bullshitting?”
“Nah, no bullshit, so that means whatever happened between y’all don’t even matter. You got a clean slate, homie,” Shana assured him.
“So shit, I could holla at her myself then,” Smitty responded.
“Yeah, you could, but she kind of leery about fucking with around-the-way niggas now. I’ll let her know shit is cool and you’se my nigga, so she might rock with you.”
“It’s like that, with just your word. K.C. told me y’all ain’t rock like that no more.”
“He don’t know what the fuck he be talking about. First off, the nigga stay too busy fucking other bitches to know who I’m cool with. Epiphany is my girl. We been cool for over ten years. You trying to holla at her or what?”
“Well, I don’t know what you talking about as far as my man with other girls, but yeah, I’m trying to swing with that.” Smitty tried his best to cover up for K.C.
“A’ight, cool.” Shana ignored his bald-faced lie. “So, when you gon’ give me the money?” she continued.
“When you hook that up!”
“Come on, Smitty. Don’t fucking try to play me.”
“Yo, I’m not. I’m trying to get at her,” Smitty said.
“Then when you give me the money, I’ll call her, so you could do that.”
“What, you don’t trust me?”
Shana didn’t answer. She just gave him a look. that said, Nigga, that’s an understatement.
“A’ight, a’ight.” He got the message. “I’ll have it for you later on today. When I call, you be ready to meet up, a’ight?” Smitty got up from the table and left, leaving her stuck with the bill.
Shana just shook her head. What a desperate, thirsty muthafucka.
CHAPTER 44
It took everything Mrs. Wright had in her to convince Keisha not to go back over to Tucker’s house and confront Lea. She told Keisha that she needed to cool out for a couple of days, then take the police over there to get her son. Keisha agreed, but the thought of her son being around another women ate away at her. Blocking her number, she called the house.
The phone rang three times before Lea answered.
“Hello.”
Keisha fumed with anger when she heard that bitch answer the phone, but she tried hard to keep her composure, because she didn’t want to get hung up on.
“Can I please speak to Tucker?” she asked, grinding her teeth and breathing heavy.
Lea wasn’t going to hang up, because she wanted the opportunity to rub her shit in Keisha’s face.
“Do you mean my Tucker, or your little rugrat?”
“What did you just say, bitch?” Keisha yelled.
“You heard what I said, Keisha. Are you calling for my man, or that fucking little brat of yours?” Lea taunted.
“I know Tucker must not be there, because if he heard you talking about our son like that—that’s right, I repeat, our son—your ass would be out of there so fast, bitch.”
“Oh, you think so? You know what, Keisha? You’re such a stupid-ass little ho. You fell right into my trap, dummy. I set the whole thing up. You ever wonder why you got tipsy so fast, huh? I spiked your drink and you got laid. The Damager’s a male prostitute, a gigolo. It only cost me three hundred dollars to destroy your perfect little relationship.”
“You fucking bitch! Why would you do that to me? What did I ever do to you besides trust you as my friend?” Keisha couldn’t control the sadness in her voice.
“Honestly, Keisha, it had nothing to do with you. I met Tucker way before I even knew who you were. I liked him, but he told me that he had a girl that he loved, so he couldn’t get down like that. At first I was pissed off. I felt rejected and I let it go. Then fate would have it, I ended up going to the same college and becoming friends with you.
“Funny thing is, I didn’t even realize who you were when you started yapping your gums about how good Tucker was and the lavish wedding you were planning. That is, until you showed me his picture.
“I wanted to tell you I knew him, but then you started complaining about all the problems you were having with him. That was the break I needed. And you know what, Keisha? You were right. The sex is incredible.”
Keisha was appalled, enraged, and speechless. She sat lifeless, listening to Lea humiliate her.
Tucker walked in, and Lea switched it up, quick fast. “Oh, honey, you’re just in time. Keisha’s on the phone. Here, let me take li’l man so you two can talk, okay, baby? No, honey, talk to her for li’l man’s sake. You have to.”
Tucker must have refused to talk to her, ’cause all she heard next was the dial tone. From that point on, Keisha realized she was up against a real live one, and she needed to get her son ASAP.
She cried on Mrs. Wright’s shoulder for half the night. She needed all the motherly love and moral support she could get, since she was holding a grudge and refused to speak to her own mother after she had allowed Tucker to take her son.
After Keisha explained the whole scenario to Epiphany’s mom, Mrs. Wright suggested Keisha get a police escort to help her retrieve her son. The next morning, she did just that, but Tucker had a surprise for her. He handed the officer court papers. He had already filed for temporary custody of their son, citing abandonment on Keisha’s part.
“Well, ma’am, there’s nothing I can do,” the officer said.
Tucker had already shut the door in their faces. Keisha wondered how she had ever loved him. With the police standing right there, she couldn’t black out. That would definitely land her back behind bars.
Having no other choice, she went home and cried her heart out to Tiara.
“The Lord would never put more on you than you could bear.” Mrs. Wright sat on the bed next to Keisha with a box of Kleenex and her Bible. “Maybe He was just a little unhappy with your behavior, and this is just His way of getting your attention.”
God, why are you doing this to me? I have nothing, no one. Keisha would rather be dead than to live without her son.
CHAPTER 45
Smitty kept his word. Two hours after he left her at breakfast, they met up and he had the 5 G’s for Shana.
Surprised that he really came through, Shana was even more shocked that he was going so hard at the chance to fuck with Epiphany again. If she knew that was what it took to get Raina out of jail and
keep his ass off her back, she would’ve hooked him up a long time ago.
It was time to keep her end of the bargain. She dialed Epiphany, but after a few rings, her voice mail picked up. Shana ended the call and dialed her back again, still ending up with her voicemail.
Smitty was starting to get a little uptight, thinking that Shana was trying to pull a fast one on him.
“Yo, Sha, this is some bullshit. Just forget it, a’ight. Gimme my shit back, yo!”
“Yo, nigga, pump your brakes. Damn, I already told her you feeling her, so just take her number and holla at her later!”
“Nah, fuck that. That wasn’t the plan. You supposed to hook that shit up in front of me.”
“Well, I can’t do shit if she don’t answer, right?”
“Yo, that’s why I’m saying fuck it. Just gimme my loot back.”
“Wait, I’m a keep trying until I get her then.”
“Nah, yo, I ain’t got all fucking day!”
“Smitty, here, just leave a message. I promise she’ll call you back,” Shana said, passing him her cell phone, while it was ringing Epiphany’s phone.
“Huh, what up, ma? This Smitty. Holla back, a’ight love.” He left his phone number on the message too.
“Now, was that hard?” Shana asked.
“Nah, but shorty better holla back or else me and you gon’ have a serious beef, word up!” Smitty threatened.
“Trust me, she’ll call. Damn, what the fuck she did that got you so strung the fuck out, nigga?” Shana was curious because Smitty was acting a little too desperate and nervous.
“Yo, she ain’t do shit,” Smitty answered hostilely.
“Whatever, nigga, just hold on tight to your phone, so you don’t miss her call. Oh, and here’s her cell number just in case.”
“A’ight, stop talking shit and hurry up and get Raina out ’fore she bust that ass.” Smitty laughed, taking the piece of paper from Shana.
Shana ignored his snide remark, but that’s exactly what she was on her way to do—post Raina’s bail and be out. As she started up her car and pulled off, she tried dialing Epiphany again just to see if she’d answer, and this time she did.
“Hello?”
“Oh, now you answer,” Shana said sarcastically.
“Girl, I’m sorry, I was on the phone with my boo, and the shit he was talking was sounding too good to be put on hold. But anyway, what’s good?” Epiphany said.
“Well, damn, I’m glad my life didn’t depend on you answering your phone, and what’s good is the same shit we already talked about, unless your boo got you having a change of heart.”
“You know what, Shana? I’m in a good mood right now, so I’m not even gonna entertain your smart ass, a’ight?”
“Yeah, okay. Just check your message and hit that nigga back!” Shana demanded and abruptly ended the call.
Ooooh, I can’t stand that bitch. Epiphany retrieved Smitty’s message and phoned him.
“Yo, who this?” Smitty wasn’t familiar with the number.
“Who you been expecting?” Epiphany said in a sensual tone.
“Yo, don’t play games. Who this?” Smitty asked again. Even though he assumed it was Epiphany, he ain’t want to seem like he was beasting.
“Damn, my feelings is hurt. I thought you was waiting on my call.”
“C’mon, ma, you know I been waiting to talk to you. What up, though?”
“I don’t know. My girl Shana told me that you was checking for me.”
“Yeah, you don’t remember me?” Smitty questioned.
“From where?”
“I don’t know, around I guess. But yo, that’s neither here nor there. I’m trying to see you, ma.”
“Not a problem.”
“Cool. I’ma call you later at this number when I’m ready to scoop you, a’ight.”
“No doubt. See you then!”
CHAPTER 46
All Shana did was post Raina’s bail. She didn’t care how the girl got home, or if she even had money to get home. As far as she was concerned, her part was done.
Shana was actually relieved now that she felt she and Smitty had resolved their issues, and once she paid him back, she would no longer be in debt to him. The Chasity drama was dead, and with Raina bailed out, all the skeletons in her closet were gone.
“Yo, Sha, this bullshit gotta stop between us,” K.C. said as soon as she walked in the apartment.
“Stop what, K.C.? Your lying or your cheating?”
“Come on, baby, how long you trying to be mad at a nigga?”
“K.C., you know what? Right now you better be glad all I’m doing is giving you the silent treatment, ’cause I could go out and get me a nigga that knows how to treat a bitch. Instead, I stay stuck like glue to your muthafucking ass, and what do you do? Nothing but talk shit, lie, and bring fucking diseases home.”
“Disease? Yo, what you mean, disease? Ain’t nothing wrong with my dick.” Since K.C. had no symptoms, he had no idea what she was talking about.
“Oh, nigga, you ain’t go get your dick checked yet? That’s right, disease, muthafucka. You know, the shit you get when you out in the streets fucking nasty hoes with no condom,” Shana sarcastically yelled.
“Yo, I don’t know what you talking about. I supposedly gave you something? What I give you, huh?” K.C. didn’t have a clue.
“Nigga, you gave me Chlamydia from being out there with other bitches. Play stupid if you want to, but you better hope my other tests come back negative.”
“Yo, I ain’t never heard of that, but if I did, I’m sorry. I ain’t fucked around on you in a minute, though. Sometimes I think something’s wrong with me, like maybe I got the same shit that Halle Berry’s man got. I don’t know why I be fucking other bitches—I just do. I’ma go get my shit checked out, so can you stop being mad at me, please.”
K.C. always had a way with words, and as much as Shana didn’t want to fall victim to his bullshit, she couldn’t help it. She suffered from a sickness called love. She just loved him. She didn’t know why, but she did. He was always able to break her down, and love was stronger than pride. Shana forgave him, but only on one condition: Her tests had to come back negative.
CHAPTER 47
On his way to meet up with Epiphany, Smitty couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about fucking with her again, especially after the way he dogged her the first time. It was like she had some kind of hex on him, because even after getting stomped out in public by C-God and Mike over her, he still sort of obsessed over her. Honestly, he regretted forcing himself on her and wanted another chance with her.
Epiphany wasn’t comfortable with Smitty picking her up from her parents’ home, so she arranged for him to meet her at this cozy little Cuban restaurant on Queens Boulevard. She waited for him to arrive, so they could go in and be seated together.
The dimly lit restaurant was small but always packed. The tables were so close together that it almost felt like people were sitting on top of each other, but for some reason, no one seemed to mind.
There was a long period of silence between the two. Epiphany stared at Smitty often. Her intent looks made him a little apprehensive, but she couldn’t help it, because something about him seemed all too familiar.
“I’m sorry I keep looking at you so hard, but there’s something about you—I just don’t know what it is,” Epiphany said, breaking the silence first.
“Stop trying to figure it out and let’s just have a good time. We could start by ordering some drinks.” Rudely, he flagged down the waiter. Epiphany ordered an apple martini, and since Smitty was feeling the guilt eat away at him, he ordered a Grey Goose mixed with Hennessy and a splash of cranberry juice to help mellow him out.
The alcohol did ease the tension a bit, as the two began to converse a little more. Smitty complimented everything from Epiphany’s hairstyle to her shoes and also ran a few dry jokes by her. Epiphany chilled on the hard looks and pretended to find his jokes funny.
Aft
er dinner, Smitty wasn’t ready to call it a night just yet, so he suggested that she follow him to this little bar on Linden called Deja Vu. All Epiphany could think about was getting home in time for her midnight call from Wild. She tried to refuse but ended up giving in to his pleas and agreed to go and have one drink.
When they walked inside the bar, they both stopped to check out the pictures posted up on the wall from the previous parties held there. From the looks of it, everybody seemed to be having a great time.
As they took a seat at the bar, Epiphany glanced around to check out the spot. She could tell it had a nice vibe to it, and since the crowd looked to be a mature one, there wasn’t a lot of rowdiness. The bartender was very friendly as she took their drink orders, and Smitty went on to boast to Epiphany about a popular book the bartender wrote entitled Sheisty. Epiphany didn’t find that to be all that impressive, but she did like the way the girl made her apple martini strong.
One drink ended up turning into three as they both started to unwind around each another. Epiphany had to admit that his jokes got better, and so did her liking for him (after the alcohol kicked in, of course). Smitty was doing his best to keep her entertained, hoping that his jokes mixed with the strong-ass drinks would land him up in the pussy again, only this time not by force. Unfortunately for him, that thought was more of a pipe dream, ’cause yeah, he might have been given a second crack at her, but the game was still the same as far as Epiphany was concerned. Her goodies stayed in the jar until a nice amount of money had been spent. It was gonna cost him a little more than a meal and some drinks to taste her cookie.
As soon as 11:30 hit, Epiphany decided to call it a night. Leaning over, she planted a soft kiss on his lips.
“Good night.”
Damn, he thought, caught a little off guard as the softness of her lips and the whiff of her scent made his dick rise.
“You leaving me already?” Smitty questioned with disappointment.
“Yeah, I have to go. I finally recognize where I know you from though,” Epiphany said.
“What?” Smitty responded tensely as his heart began to pound.
