by India
Just as I made my way to the parking lot, located my truck, and put the bags in my Durango, I heard my cell go off. “Hello?” I answered, knowing it was my damn kids.
“Hey ma can you bring us a pizza home, ain’t no food up in here.” Roscoe junior asked.
“Damn R.J., I ain’t got no money and I know it’s something there you can eat! What about that cereal I just bought two days ago.” I yelled into my blackberry’s receiver. I swear, these damn kids worked my nerve. They always needed something, and I’m just flat out tired. I only had five hundred dollars left and I needed that to get my hair and nails done tomorrow.
“Ciara had the last bowl and me and Shana haven’t eaten at all today.” He said with a plead and I rolled my eyes. Gotdammit if it ain’t one thing, it’s definitely another. These little niggas must think money grow on trees or something.
“Call grandma and ask her to get ya’ll a pizza.” I said frustrated.
“Didn’t that lady just bring you some money yesterday? I heard you tell your friend that on the phone last night!” R.J. had the nerve to say. No this little muthafucka didn’t just question me about mines. He was thirteen going on thirty and I couldn’t wait ‘till he and his sisters was old enough to get out. Shit, they were only good for one thing and that’s taxes!
“Boy don’t ever question me like that do you understand me, now call your grandma and…” His little bad ass had hung up on me. I started the car and pulled off leaving smoke behind; I was going to whip ass if it was the last thing I do!
I pulled up to my modest brick house on Mendota and gritted my teeth because my mother was standing on my porch with her arms folded. I knew she was about to go hard on me. “Hey mama.” I said with a smile plastered on my face. I purposely left my bags in the car so she wouldn’t call me out on it.
“Hey mama my ass! LeTonya why haven’t my grand kids eaten today?” She was pissed and I knew she was mad because she had called me by my government name.
“Ma, you know they ate today but I guess they just wanted a pizza and I told them to call you because I don’t have no extras right now.” I said running my sob story.
“Girl bye! I been upstairs in your closet and everything up there is brand new, so I know you’ve been shopping! Haven’t you?” She asked but already knew the answer to that.
“I got a few new things but…” I was cut off when she walked down off the porch and got into my face.
“Girl I know you know better than this, look at you…and then look at your kids! They look poor and you look ghetto-fabulous. You always talking about how you never have money but you keep the note up on that Durango that you’re driving; you keep your hair nice, but the kids are in dirty wrinkled clothes! Come on, this isn’t right and God don’t like ugly. LeTonya these children didn’t ask to be here but now that they are here, their yours, and you’ve got to take care of them. Your behind has the nerve to want more kids and you can’t even take care of the three you got! You’re selfish and I’m sick of it. These kids are coming with me until you get it together, is that understood?” She chastised me like a child and I just stared at her. She just didn’t know it yet, but she was actually doing me a favor. If the kids were out of my hair, I could do me and not have to look in their faces everyday. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love my kids but I only really had them to keep and please Roscoe. Now that he’s gone it wasn’t no need for them to cramp my style, hell I‘m entitled to a vacation. I would get them back before he came home and then everything would go back to normal.
“Mama, please stop trippin’, I ain’t selfish, you just have them spoiled!”
“Girl please, you need Jesus.” She dismissed me with a wave of her hand and then turned back towards the house to retrieve my kids. I sat down on the porch and pulled out a Newport, just as I put it to my mouth the front door opened and out came my mother ranting and raving again!
“Your behind is trifling I can’t even find them nothing clean to wear, so now I have to go buy new stuff, this is horrible.”
“Why don’t you just take the dirty stuff home and wash it?” I asked like she was stupid.
“Because…I saw some roaches in there on the floor so I know they’re all up in the clothes and I’m not taking nothing like that home with me.” She rolled her eyes. I looked at her and rolled my eyes back. She was always making a mountain from a mole hill. I stood and went into the house to get out of her space before I got disrespectful.
I must admit the house did sorta look a mess. Clothes and shoes were everywhere, old dishes on the dining room table, my trash was overflowing and I could smell a small odor. “Little Roscoe bring yo’ nappy headed ass in here now!” I stood with my arms folded. He walked into the living room with a Detroit hat turned backwards and a wife beater with some basketball shorts on.
“What?” he had the nerve to say .Oh no he didn’t just say what to me.
“What you mean what? That’s not how you should ever address your mother. Anyway, boy why was the trash not takin’ out; why do my table have dirty-ass dishes on it? You were supposed to be in charge and make sure this shit was clean before I came home.” I was about two seconds off of him, not just for his mouth but for leaving this mess and embarrassing me in front of my mother who was cleaner than Mr. Clean himself.
“Man I’m tired of cleaning up behind you and your trifling ass friends!” I couldn’t believe that he was talking to me like this. “You and them tired-ass hoes don’t do shit but smoke all day, eat, and then leave this shit for me clean up.” He said while squaring up to me. Without hesitation, I snatched his ass up by the strap on his wife beater.
“Muthafucka I’m your mama and as long as you live you better not ever disrespect me like that.” I was so angry that I almost forgot that my mother was in the room.
“R.J. that’s enough baby. Now go and get your sisters so we can go.” My mother said as she walked over to the commotion. I let him go and he did as he was told, moments later he and his sisters walked right past me towards my mother and nobody even looked back or said bye except for my baby girl Ciara. She was eight and at times I thought she had more sense than the other two. I watched my mom pull off with the kids. Then I closed the door, pulled out my phone, and called a few people to see what we could get into tonight. I was about to party! I was kid-free, care-free and as Lil’ Wayne would say it, “I was single for the night.”
Chapter Fifteen
Mina
I awoke to the sound of bath water running and the smell of breakfast, so I knew this was Tre’s way of apologizing but I wasn’t in the mood. I got up from the queen sized pillow-top and made the bed. Choosing to ignore the hunger pains in my stomach, I went to the closet. I put on my sweats and my Nike’s, grabbed my iPod off the dresser, and walked right out the door of our condo; letting that bitch slam right behind me.
I needed to clear my head, so the plan was to do what I did every time I was in deep thought, which was to run. I always ran from our condo on Chene near Mt. Elliot all the way down to Jefferson, near IHOP and back. I did a few quick stretches on the porch, then put my ear buds inside my ear and pushed play. Irreplaceable by Beyonc′e began to play just as Tre’ made his way outside. I was about to run like I didn’t see him but he grabbed my shoulder so I had no choice but to acknowledge his presence.
“Yeah.” I said removing the ear buds while continuing to jog in place.
“Where you going baby? I made you breakfast and I even ran you a bubble bath.” He said with a Colgate smile.
“I’m not hungry.” I lied. “And I’ll take the bath when I get back, but thanks anyway.” I shut him down as gently as possible. His look turned cold and icy so I knew he was pissed. He grabbed my face and gritted his teeth.
“Bitch get your monkey ass in the house now, before I...”
I cut him off, I was sick of this shit and it was about to end. “Before you what - hit me? Well go ahead, I’m ready!” I turned my jaw towards him. Daring him to take his best sho
t but he didn’t, just like I knew he wouldn’t on a main street in broad daylight. “Tre’ you got me so numb that it don’t even hurt no more.” I said and turned back to face him. He looked at me in confusion and didn’t know what to do so I continued. “Look, if you ain’t gone do shit then get the fuck out of my way!”
He clinched his jaw; then stepped aside. I placed my ear buds back in my ear and ran off into the distance, leaving him and his bullshit standing on the sidewalk.
My husband was a beautiful nightmare and I was ready to wake up and shake him off. The good years for us was over and I knew it, but a small part of me never wanted to let him go. He was handsome and charming. The man of my dreams in the beginning, but after our son died he became someone else and I was tired of it. We’ve been together since forever. We met in eighth grade and it was love at first sight! He was tall, medium build, copper skinned, red hair and had the most gorgeous hazel eyes that I’d ever seen on anybody. My grandmother used to say, “Men with red hair and funny colored eyes have the devil in them.” I remember laughing then, but I wanted to cry now. I’d given up so many things to be with him and it hasn’t been worth it all.
About an hour and a half later I returned home and was glad to see that Tre’s Escalade was not in the parking lot. I walked into the house, removed my sweat shirt and gym shoes, went to the refrigerator and removed a bottle of water. I was about to head upstairs to take a bath but was stopped by a knock at the door. I opened the door and was shocked to see Sam. “Hey what’s up?” I asked while immediately covering my breast because I’d forgotten I only had on a sports bra.
“Hey Mina is Tre’ home?” He asked while trying hard not to stare at my sweat drenched c-cups.
“Nope, I think he stepped out for a while, I just came back from a run.” I pointed down to my attire. He looked me over seductively. I felt the juices begin to flow and it wasn’t perspiration either.
“Aiight cool then, well tell him he’s on and everything he needs is right here.” He handed me a large black duffle bag.
“Okay.” I said reluctantly because I wanted to give it back to him and tell him Tre’ wasn’t ready for this but I knew better than to put myself into their dealings.
“Aiight Mina, you have a good day.” Sam said and then hustled over to his black and green Ninja Bike. I closed the door and placed the bag on the couch. I didn’t care to see what was in it, so I continued with my plan to get clean but I opted for a shower instead of a bath.
As I entered the hot steamy water, I immediately placed my fingers between my legs without hesitation and fantasized about Sam’s fine ass. I imagined him coming into the shower with me, kissing me from my neck to my thighs and of course giving extra attention to my vagina. “Damn Mina, that kat is juicy baby.”
“I know daddy and its all for you.” I whispered.
“Is that right? Well let daddy taste it?” He said as I imagined him getting on his knees and spreading my legs. The scene was extra sexy as the water poured down on top of him, covering all of his tattoos and waving up his hair. I let out a moan just as I was about to cum, but the shower curtain was snatched back so hard that it tore from the rings that were holding it on the curtain rod. “Who the fuck is in there Amina.” Tre’ spat. Looking at him like he was crazy, I didn’t say a thing, partly because he had just scared the piss out of me, literally. I looked down as the yellow fluid mixed in with water and went down the drain. “Why are you in here moaning and shit? He asked, looking like the Incredible Hulk with veins popping out of his head and arms.
“Because the water feels good against my aching muscles.” I lied, thinking quick and trying to conceal my pounding heart because I was sure it was making my chest jump erratically. He looked me over from head to toe.
“Open up, let me smell your coochie!”
“What?” I asked.
“I want to see if you been fuckin’ while I was gone. I smelled cologne when I walked in, so I know another nigga been up in here.” He stood with his arms crossed.
“Tre’ ain’t nobody been fuckin’. You know I always take a shower or bath after my runs and the only reason you could smell cologne is because that young guy stopped by and left you a package. He never made it past the front door though.”
“Oh shit I forgot that nigga Sam was stoppin’ by. Where the package at?” He asked, completely changing his mood.
“Downstairs on the couch.” I said, relieved he had calmed down. I watched as Tre’ walked away without another word. I continued to shower with the shower curtain hanging down to the floor.
Chapter Sixteen
Chloe
I’d just come back from the mall and was trying to hide my purchases before Sam came home. I didn’t see his bike outside so I was relieved. I opened the door and flew into our bedroom, stuffing the bags under the bed. I would come back later and hang them up, remove the tags, and take the bags down to the garbage shoot. Sam and I hadn’t argued in two weeks and I wanted to keep it that way. Just as I stood up from under the bed, I heard the door open.
“Chloe I’m here.” He said as he went into the kitchen.
“Hey baby, how was your day? I said as I laid across the sofa. He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead.
“Any day that I can make money and not end up in handcuffs is a good day.” He said and I nodded my head in agreement to the statement he had just made.
“So what did you do today? Anything exciting?” I asked knowing he wouldn’t tell me much, if anything at all.
“You know, the usual, a little bit of this and a little bit of that.” He took a seat behind me at the dining room table to break down a cigarillo, getting it ready for the weed he was about to place inside of it. “We’re giving this new guy a try so I went downtown to drop off his package. Mario is testing him; hopefully he passes or that’s his ass!”
“Dang, I hope he passes too because Mario don’t play at all. Remember what happened to Scoot?” Scoot was a guy that called himself dropping dime to the narcs about Mario and his operation. Mario had half the department on payroll so he was put on game way before the informant got to the people who really wanted to hear what he had to say. A hit was put on Scoot and needless to say we never saw or heard from him again.
“Yeah I know, but at least Scoot was solo. This guy has a wife and I would hate for her to get caught up because he fucked up.” I nodded, but that’s the risk you take when you get with someone in this game, so I didn’t have anything for this chick. She just better hope that her man handles his business or it will be lights out for both of them.
I had enough of talking and was ready to get a quick sex session in before Sam had to leave and make rounds with Mario again. So I stood up and pulled him towards the bedroom with me. I removed his shirt and got turned on looking at his tattooed body, I pulled his pant’s down and his erect nine inches told me he was just as ready as I was! He removed my dress, then my bra and panties in a hurry and laid me down across the bed. As he bit on my nipples, I felt the tip of his penis touching my clit and it felt awesome. My juices flowed as I spread my legs even further apart. He placed himself in the right position, then glided it inside of me. “Oh baby, it feels so good!” I moaned.
“Damn baby you’re so wet.” He said as he glided in and out of me in a rhythmic motion. He flipped me over, then we made love doggy style. He grabbed my ass so hard, he left hand prints on it. I watched him work it through the mirror on the dresser and got even wetter as the erotic scene played out.
“Daddy you feel so good, oh my god Sammmmmmmmmm.” I screamed and he hit it even harder. “Baby say my name when you come, say my name.” I yelled.
“Girl I’m ‘bout to come, oh shit, oh shit Mina I’m cumin’!” He yelled and I instantly froze.
“What did you just call me?” I turned around to face him. He knew he was busted because the look on his face told it all.
“Chloe baby.” He reached for me as I got up and ran into the bathroom. I couldn’t believe he ha
d just confirmed my suspicions that he was fucking around.
Chapter Seventeen
Nikki
Tonight was the night of the Off the Block Bowling Party, and it was going to be huge. It had been three weeks since Mario asked me to plan the event and I was glad that it was finally here. I rented out Lexmark’s Bowling alley and had been busy planning everything to a tee. I wanted this to be nice because our team really did deserve it. We bought the bar out so all of the drinks were free. We had food catered from one of the most exquisite restaurants in the Renaissance building. A picture booth was in place and of course some local Detroit artists came through for the music and entertainment. We even had Demar, a local Detroit clothing designer who specialized in customizing clothes with Swarovski Crystals, put pieces from his Luxury clothing line inside of the goodie bags that would be handed out at the end of the party along with other goodies like jewelry, iPods, gift cards, etc.
“Baby you ready?” Mario called out to me from downstairs.
“Here I come baby.” I said as I gave myself the once over in the mirror. I was wearing a custom made dress that I ordered straight from Mrs. Knowles. It was a gold mini dress that fit to the tee. I had on the matching Jimmy Choo heels, and my hair was spiral curled and pint up off of my back so that my diamond necklace could be seen. I grabbed my clutch and headed down the stairs to see my fine-ass husband decked out in a tailor made Armani suit that was the perfect compliment to my dress. His hair was crisply braided down his back and he smelled like the fragrance Jean Paul. He reached up to help me down the last five stairs and the shine from his pinky ring reflecting off of the chandelier damn near blinded me. I knew he was feeling good because Mario very seldom wore his jewelry unless it was a special occasion. “Um, um, um!” He said while twirling me around while I blushed.
