by La Jill Hunt
“She ain’t mad as she gonna be. I can’t believe her fat tail. Try to disrespect me ’cause she weigh nearly three hundred pounds and can’t fit in the dressing room. I see why Craig leaving her big behind. Let’s get out of here and go get some ice cream.” Kayla grabbed Yvonne’s arm. She looked around to make sure Avis was gone.
“That’s why that dress was too little.” Yvonne laughed and followed her girlfriend out of the store.
The following Monday, Kayla entered the training room and sat at the round table. There were a few people already seated and she smiled as she spoke to them. There were snacks, soda and water in the center of the table and the guy whose name she remembered was Terrell, was sitting across from her. The training class was scheduled to begin at twelve-thirty and it was quarter after. As other people came in, she recognized them from their pictures. The trainer entered and introduced herself and they began. Finally, after about two hours, the trainer called for the first break. Kayla gathered her bag and went into the break room along with some of her classmates. She found a quiet spot outside and sat down. She looked up and saw Terrell looking at her.
“You can come and sit with me, Terrell. I promise I won’t bite.” Kayla smiled.
“I know how you women are. I ain’t trying to get caught up in a harassment charge. You know I’m a prime target, being the only brotha in the class.” She laughed as he sat down, and they talked until he looked at his watch and announced, “We gotta get back.”
The first week of training went by fairly quickly. Kayla and Terrell hung out together during breaks and lunch. He kept her laughing and amused her with his tales of being a mack, or so he said. Every time she talked to one of her girlfriends, she had to tell them what Terrell had said or done. He was intelligent, funny, street-smart and respectable. He knew when to speak up and when to shut up. A lot of guys hadn’t mastered that skill nowadays. And to be as thick as he was, he could dress his tail off. The boy had style and class.
“Okay, is there something going on between you and this Terrell dude that I should know about?” Yvonne asked her one night on the phone.
“No, Von. It’s nothing like that. We are just real cool, that’s all. Come on, now. I’m pregnant. What do I look like trying to holla at another nigga? That’s like adding fuel to the fire. I got enough problems with Geno and Craig.”
“I was just asking. You seem awfully excited when you talking about him. And as sneaky as your ass is, I have to ask or I’m the last to find out.” Yvonne smirked.
“Terrell and I are just friends, Von. He’s like the male version of me. I mean, we think alike, and he always has a story to make me laugh,” Kayla explained. It was like everyone assumed that she had something going on with Terrell. The truth was, he was just what she needed right now: a friend.
12
“What’s up for tonight, Ms. Kayla? You know it’s Friday and the club will just be getting jumping when we get off. You down?” Terrell asked.
“I’m going home and fall out. It has been a long week and I am tired to death,” Kayla said.
“Let’s hit Dominic’s. The deejay that’s gonna be there tonight is off the hook!” He started singing, “Can I get a what, what?”
Kayla could not help joining him and started dancing. “It sounds like fun, but I am too tired.”
“Come on, Kayla. Let’s go. You can sleep all day tomorrow.”
“Okay, for a little while.” Kayla shook her head. “I’ll call my girls and see if they wanna come too.”
“Bet. Hold up, are they fine?” Terrell asked.
“Of course they are.” Kayla grabbed her cell and left a message for Roni, Tia and Yvonne, inviting them to Dominic’s. Everyone agreed to meet at the door at ten-thirty. By the time they got off from work, the adrenaline was flowing and Kayla was just as hyped as Terrell to go out.
“Hey, you! Look at you. You look good!” Roni ran up to Kayla and hugged her.
“You are so silly, Roni. You act like you haven’t seen me in months.” She laughed and hugged her girlfriend.
“It seems like it. The job must be agreeing with you. You are glowing,” she said and they went to join Tia, Theo and Yvonne in the line. Dominic’s was a new club but it was packed. The line was wrapped around the building and seemed to go on forever. They had waited about twenty minutes when Terrell walked up and beckoned for them.
“Where are we going?” Kayla asked.
“Come on, let’s go.” He motioned for her to follow him.
“But what about the line? And I have my friends . . .”
“Come on and follow me. Bring ’em with you,” he said. Kayla shrugged and she and her crew followed Terrell right up to the door. Other people waiting in the line did not seem too thrilled that they passed them. The bouncer saw them coming and immediately opened the door for them.
“What up, Terry,” he said and gave Terrell a pound. “How are you all doing?” He greeted everyone else and let them in.
“How much is the cover charge?” Kayla asked, reaching for her small Coach bag.
“I’m a baller, girl. And you are my guests. Come on.” He grabbed Kayla and ushered her into the huge club. She was taken aback when they made it all the way in. This was the biggest club she had ever been in. There were two floors, the second overlooking the first and the huge dance floor had tank-like columns at each corner, filled with water and lights. The bar spanned the entire wall on one side. The deejay booth was mounted from the back wall and the lighting system was fierce.
“This place is incredible!” Theo said over the loud music.
“Come on, we can get a table up here,” Terrell called out.
“But that’s the VIP section,” Yvonne said.
“I am a VIP.” He smiled, and greeted the security guy who held a red velvet rope. The guy opened the walkway and they made their way to an empty table.
“Okay, you a player.” Kayla laughed and sat down. She was suddenly exhausted. Although she was no longer nauseous, she tired very easily these days. But she was determined to have a good time and not let her friends see any changes in her behavior.
“This is so fly,” Roni said. “Now this is how a sister is supposed to go out.”
The waitress came and took their drink orders and Yvonne and Roni didn’t waste any time hitting the dance floor. A couple of females came to the table to speak to Terrell and he seemed to be in his element. After finishing their drinks, Theo and Tia headed to get their dance on, too.
“You wanna dance, yo?” Terrell asked Kayla.
“No thanks. You go ahead.” Kayla shook her head.
“Well, I was asking to be polite. I didn’t want to show you up on the dance floor anyway. You know a big brother got some moves.” He nudged Kayla.
“Whatever, Terrell. Why don’t you ask one of your adoring fans that have been flocking to you?”
“Do I detect a hint of jealousy?” He grinned.
“Hell, no.”
“Dag, I was just playing. But you know how it is. You never dance with anyone you meet when you first arrive. Then they expect you to be with them for the rest of the night. You understand?”
“Oh, but you can dance with me, huh?” Kayla was beginning to enjoy this quick lesson in club etiquette. She looked around and all of a sudden she spotted Geno. She could not believe it. She stood, but quickly turned when she realized he was not alone. She couldn’t resist turning around to get another look.
“I’ve already introduced you as one of my home girls, so the chicks know that we are just cool. Friend of yours?” He stood to see who Kayla was looking at.
“Huh? Oh, nobody special.” She tried not to seem disappointed, although she knew Terrell could read her face. He looked and saw her watching a guy at the bar, hugged up with an attractive woman, whispering in her ear.
“Come on, yo. Let me make you look good on the floor.” He grabbed her and they made their way in front of the deejay booth, jamming to TLC singing “Scrubs.” Terrell was right about one thin
g: he had some moves. That boy could dance and she fell right into rhythm with him. Before she knew it, there was a circle formed around them and the deejay was pumping them up even more by screaming, “Go Terry!” into the mike. She decided she couldn’t take anymore and signaled for Roni to take over. She eased her way back to the side of the floor and watched. She forced herself not to look for Geno.
“Whew, girl. Y’all were tearing that floor up!” Theo said as he and Tia joined her. “Big boy can go.”
“I know. He told me he could dance, but I didn’t know he was like that,” she responded.
They joined the rest of the crew at the table and Terrell whispered in her ear, “What’s up with your friend? She is fine as hell. You think I can holla?”
“No offense, Terrell, but she is a little out of your league. She’s just as much a pimp as you are,” Kayla whispered and laughed. She looked at Roni, who was focused on the dance floor. She slid next to her friend to see what she was finding so engrossing. “Who are you looking at?”
“Girl, the deejay is the bomb. Did you see him?” Roni leaned further over the balcony, pointing him out to her girlfriend. Kayla saw the sexy, chocolate brother as he was whispering into a scantily clad female’s ear, giving her what Kayla assumed was a business card.
“He is fine, Ron. But he’s been all up in females’ faces all night. You know he’s a ho.” Kayla scanned the small tables on the opposite wall of the bar.
“You’re probably right, Kay. And you know I don’t sweat no nigga. But it’s something about him.” Roni continued to look at the fine brother as he did his thing.
“Kay, I gotta tell you something. While we were coming upstairs I saw . . .” Tia began and put her hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder.
“I already saw them.” Kayla didn’t let her finish. She didn’t even want his name to come out of anyone’s mouth.
“You wanna leave, Kay?” she asked, looking at Theo for assurance.
“It’s still early. We can hit State Street’s or another spot,” he suggested.
“No. I’m cool. Seriously, everyone is having a good time, including me. Come on. Let’s go back to the table.” Kayla turned to go back down the steps when she heard the sound of Teddy Riley coming from the speakers. She turned around and looked into the eyes of Geno. His date was pulling for him to dance with her but he could not move. For a moment, both he and Kayla were frozen, remembering the first time they had made love. From that moment, Blackstreet’s “Stay” had been their song. She looked at him, daring him to break the stare, but he was just as determined as she was.
“Geno, come on. I love this song.” The woman was grabbing his shirt by now. “What is wrong with you?” She turned and saw him looking at Kayla.
Geno did not move.
“Is that her, Geno? Geno?” She grabbed Geno’s face and he pushed her hands away. The woman looked at Kayla with fire in her eyes.
“Let’s go,” he said to the woman and turned to walk away, pulling the woman by the arm.
“I want to know if that’s her. Are you Kayla?” She stepped toward Kayla, snatching away from Geno.
“Yes, I am,” Kayla answered daringly. “And you are?”
“Janice. Geno’s girlfriend.”
“Let’s go, Janice. I need a drink.” He reached for her arm again but she pulled away.
“You can go to the bar, Geno. I’ll be right here when you get back, chatting with your ex.” The girl continued to look Kayla up and down.
“I don’t think we have anything to chat about, Janet. Is that your name?” Kayla asked her sarcastically.
“Janice, bitch. Get it right.”
“Geno, you better check your girl. And do it quick.” Kayla glanced past the crazy woman and straight at Geno. She gave him a look that let him know she meant what she was saying. He took heed and stepped between the women.
“Come on, Janice. You’re making a fool of yourself,” he told her quietly in her ear.
“What? Geno, I will whoop her ass in here. I know you don’t call yourself shutting me up, do you?” The woman was yelling at this point. Without warning, she tried to swing around Geno at Kayla, but he grabbed her arm. Kayla prepared to defend herself. She wasn’t no punk.
“What the hell are you doing?” Roni yelled and jumped in front of Kayla.
“Who the hell are you?” Janice tried to swing at Roni this time. Geno pulled Janice and forced her out, kicking and screaming. By this time, a crowd had formed and everyone came to see what the commotion was.
“You okay, yo?” Terrell asked Kayla.
“I’m fine. She’s the crazy one.” Kayla smiled at him.
“Everything okay over here, Terry?” one of the security guards asked.
“Yeah. It’s cool,” he informed him.
“I’ma get that ho. Messing wit me, she’d better watch out!” they heard Janice scream.
“Yo, Kayla. Why was she tripping?” Roni asked as she and Terrell stood by her.
“I don’t know. She just flipped out.” Kayla began to ascend the steps.
“If your nigga was looking at another female like she was his wife, you’d be pissed too,” Terrell told her and smiled.
13
“Can I get my hair like that?” Kayla asked Roni, pointing to a girl in the nail salon. It was the Friday before Father’s Day and Kayla had to be at work in an hour. She decided to get her nails and feet done because she knew the salon would be packed tomorrow.
“Those are tracks, Kay,” Roni said.
“I know. But you can do tracks, Ron.” Kayla picked out a pretty lavender polish for her hands and feet.
“I know I can do tracks. I’m just surprised you want some. I thought that was the whole point of you cutting your hair.”
“I just feel like something different. Will you do it for me?” Kayla sat down in the princess chair in front of the nail technician.
“You gotta come to the shop tomorrow if you want that done. And you know it’s gonna take a minute to put in. I don’t wanna hear your mouth, Kayla,” Roni warned her.
“I know, Ron. I’ll come and I won’t complain.” Kayla smiled.
“I’ll pick your hair up tonight. Be at the shop by noon. On time.”
“Thanks, Ron. I know you love me.”
“I’ll love you even more if you come with me to Dominic’s,” Roni pleaded.
“Ron, I can’t. I am so worn out that I can barely drive home. I can’t be hanging out at the club in this condition. Besides, I am getting too fat to fit into any of my clothes.”
“You’re barely showing, Kayla. It’s just for a little while. I just want to check out the deejay. Please, Kay.”
Kayla could not believe her girlfriend was sweating the deejay from Dominic’s. This was a total change for Roni. She had the guys looking for her. And what made it worse, Roni still had yet to meet the man. Every time they went to the club, he had a flock of chickenheads lined up at the booth.
“Ron, he is a straight dog. You of all people know the type. I am not going to Dominic’s so you can fantasize about a man who has just as many women as you have men.”
“Fine, Kayla. But you have got to admit that is the sexiest brother you have seen in a while. I think he is my type. I am so attracted to him,” Roni said as she blew her wet nails.
“No, you’re attracted to him because he is a challenge. Unlike every other nigga you meet, he is not all up in your face.”
“Not yet, anyway.” Roni winked at her girlfriend who shook her head.
Kayla made it to the shop at twelve fifteen the next day. She tried her best to be on time, but she had been having these funny feelings in her stomach. She prayed that nothing was wrong as she looked at her tummy getting bigger. She took her time getting dressed and stopped to pick up a doughnut. She craved sweets to no end. The shop was pretty full when she got there.
“Hey there, stranger. Roni didn’t tell me you were coming in here today.” Ms. Ernestine greeted her as she came in the
door.
“Hi, Ms. Ernestine,” Kayla greeted. She put her bag of goodies down on the table in the waiting area and walked over to Ms. Ernestine’s station. “Where’s Roni?”
“Back here. Mama got me washing hair,” Roni called from the shampoo bowl.
“Kayla, is that you?” a voice called from under the dryer. Kayla turned to see who it was. It was Geno’s mom, Ms. Gert.
“Come here, girl, and give me a hug.” Ms. Ernestine reached and gave Kayla a big hug. All of a sudden she stood back and looked at Kayla strangely. “Girl, Roni ain’t tell me you were having a baby! When are you due?”
Kayla felt her heart beating and looked into Ms. Ernestine’s eyes. She looked from Ms. Ernestine to Ms. Gert, but knew there was no point in lying to either one of them.
“Baby? Kayla’s not having a baby,” Ms. Gert said as she lifted the dryer all the way up. “She would have told me.”
“Thanksgiving Day,” Kayla said and took a deep breath. She could not turn around and face Ms. Gert, so she walked back to the waiting area and sat down. It was so quiet in the shop that even the dryers seemed to have stopped humming.
“Kayla, you’re having a baby and didn’t tell me?” Ms. Gert came and took a seat next to her.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Gert. I just didn’t know how. I mean, it’s not Geno’s, and . . .”
“That doesn’t matter to me, Kayla. You do. I love you like you are one of my own children. Does Geno know?”
“Yes.”
“He still cares about you, Kayla. You do know that, right?”
“We were engaged, Ms. Gert. Geno and I will always care about each other.”
“So you still love him?”
“Ms. Gert, I’m pregnant by another man and Geno is living with another woman. I don’t think how we feel about each other is relevant. It’s over. We have both moved on.” Kayla looked at the woman she had grown to love over the years. They were as close as she and her own mother at one point, and like everyone else, she could not understand why Kayla and Geno broke up.
“I understand, Kayla. And if that’s how you feel, I respect that. But you will always be a part of my family and nothing will ever change that.” She reached over and hugged Kayla as a chorus of “awww”was heard in the shop. The women looked up and saw that everyone had stopped and all eyes were on them.
