My Love Ain't Meant For a Thug

by A'zayler

  Chapter Nine

  Loyalty is tested when times get rough…It means riding with you in the good times and still holding you down through the bad.

  Arizona sat on the toilet in her bathroom with her head in her hands. Tears dropped on the tile in front of her faster than she could catch them. She tried to wipe her face before Toro could come back in but she couldn’t get a hold of herself enough to even move. The stupid white stick on the turquoise rug in front of her made her angry. The painful words plastered across the screen was giving her the urge to throw up. What was her problem? What kind of woman couldn’t get pregnant? Arizona had just taken her second pregnancy test of the week and both said Not Pregnant. She and Toro had been trying their hardest to get pregnant. Sexing each other every night, every day, sometimes even two and three days a day. They’d been trying all month, she should be pregnant by now.

  “Uggghhh!” Arizona pulled her hair and kicked the plastic pregnancy stick across the floor. It hit the wall and slid under the door. That made her snap out of her frustrated trance quick. She jumped up and snatched the door open. She wanted to get it before Toro came in the room and saw it, but it was too late. She looked from his feet up to his face. Disappointment was etched across it but he tried to mask it before she could see it. Once again, it was too late. She’d already saw it.

  “I’m sorry bae. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Tears clouded her vision as she tried her best to stop the flood. Water cascaded down her face relentlessly. Her body shook from her sobs. Toro threw the stick to the floor and pulled her into his arms.

  “Aint shit wrong with you Z. We’ll have a baby when it’s time, Maybe God isn’t ready for us to have one yet.”

  “But whyyyy Toro?” Arizona’s body went limp but since Toro was holding her she didn’t fall. He held her up and walked over to the toilet to sit down.

  “Arizona, you have to stop bae. You can’t let yourself get back down like this. We gone have a baby soon.” Toro reached behind the shower curtain and turned the shower on. Arizona wasn’t in anything but a gown so he pulled it over her head and sat her in the tub. She sat on the floor and let the water run over her body. He snatched off his shirt and kneeled next to the tub. He washed her body gently. Toro felt bad that she was hurting and hated to see her like this but he couldn’t allow her to sit around sulk herself back into depression. Once she seemed to have calmed down Toro grabbed her face and made her look at him.

  “Stop this shit Z. You hear me? Stop it now.” Toro looked into Arizona’s swollen red eyes. “Don’t do this to yourself. I told you already I don’t give a damn about no baby. As long as I got you then I’m good. I don’t need shit else in this world as long as you’re here Arizona.”

  Arizona reached out and touched the side of his face. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. Now get your ass out this tub, get dressed, and take that girl to get her somewhere to live. I’m ready to have our house back. I like fucking you on the kitchen counter.”

  Arizona’s face turned up with as she smiled weakly. In her heart she knew Toro would make her feel better. He always did. She stood up from the tub and he wrapped her in a towel he pulled her out of the tub and leaned her back against the wall. Toro dried her body and dropped the towel. Shirtless, in a pair of gym shorts, he leaned down and lifted her leg and placed it over his shoulder. He balanced her but in the palms of both of his hands and hoisted her into the air. He threw her other leg over his shoulder and nestled his head between her legs. He took a deep sniff and kissed her lower lips before parting them with his tongue and licking around her wetness. Arizona arched her back off of the wall and grabbed the back of his head. She grinded her hips into his mouth trying to take advantage of the sensation his tongue was giving her.

  “Z, I love you baby. I love you so much.” He spoke breathlessly against her pussy.

  Tears rolled down Arizona’s face. Toro was her saving grace, every time. “I love you too Toro.”

  He licked around her body, biting on her thighs and licking her stomach. Arizona’s body was shaking so bad she could hardly keep her balance in the air.

  “Baby, put me down. I can’t hold myself up…I’ ma fall daddy, put me down.” Arizona was begging to be put down and grinding against his face at the same time. “Toroooooo, listen to me baby, I’m about to fall.” Arizona’s body shook and she fell forward. Her body was too weak to hold herself up anymore.

  Toro’s big strong arms caught her and held her up. Arizona looked at him holding her up in the air feasting on her goodies. She could see the muscles in his back and arms popping out as he used his strength to hold her up.

  “I got you baby. I aint got let you fall.” Toro leaned his head back and looked up at her. She was holding onto his head looking down at him. “You know I got you right?”

  Arizona nodded her head as more tears escaped her eyes. The love she had for him was overwhelming her. She couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into a full fit of tears. Toro noticed her meltdown and pulled her down from his face. He stood her to her feet. He pushed her back against the wall. Unable to stand up on her shaky legs, Arizona fell to a heap on the floor. Toro looked at her and pulled his shorts down and kicked them off. His dick was standing at attention and eye level to Arizona’s face.

  “Get this shit Z.” He leaned down and pulled her up to her knees.

  Arizona sat up and kissed the head of his dick. The taste of his salty pre cum against her lips made her mouth water. She opened her mouth and attacked his dick. She was sucking and licking all over it. This was her man and he did everything in his power to keep her happy. The thought of the way he treated her made her want to go harder. Arizona removed her hands and sucked it with no assistance. Toro stood above her with his hands locked behind his head. Talking about sexy? This nigga should be in a magazine as fine as he was. Toro’s eyes were closed and his face was filled with pleasure. Arizona squeezed the tip of his dick with her jaws, opened her mouth slightly, and inhaled air. The cool sensation made Toro’s toes curl every time. This time was no different. He grabbed the back of her head with one hand and worked his hips.

  “Fuck Z,” He grunted. “Get up. I want some pussy.” He yanked her from the floor and kissed her mouth. They kissed until they bumped into their bed. He fell on top of her and in one quick motion he brought them together.

  Arizona moaned passionately in his ear as he made her love to her body. He was holding her to him while stroking her. He kissed all over her neck telling her how much he loved her. Before long the pain from Arizona’s morning had disappeared and the only thing left was the hunger she had for her man.

  “Harder Toro. Do it harder baby.”

  Toro began to pup his hips harder into her. Arizona always came faster when he gave it to her rougher and so did he. Needless to day after a few more minutes they were cumming all over each other. Toro pulled out and went to the restroom to get a washcloth. He wiped her up and himself before returning it back to the bathroom. When he came back in he was putting on his work pants.

  “You gon’ be all right today?”

  “Yeah bae I’ll be fine. You know shopping always makes me feel better and Honey said I could help her decorate she and Congo’s new spot.”

  Toro pulled his work shirt over his head. “Good. You got money to get you some stuff?”

  “I don’t need nothing.”

  “That’s what you always say until I get to work and you texting my phone talking about you see something you like.”

  Arizona laughed because he was definitely telling the truth. It never failed whenever she went to the store she would pick up something for their house. She loved to decorate, she couldn’t help it. After Toro was finished dressing he handed her a few hundred dollars and kissed her lips before leaving for work. After Toro left Arizona took another shower and got dressed. She wore a purple sundress and combed her wrap down. She accessorized with silver jewelry and grabbed her purse from the floor and went to check
on Honey. When she opened the door Honey was sitting on the bed watching TV. She was fully dressed in a dress as well only hers was pink and had no straps. Her hair was braided down into a French braid and she had on big gold hoops with a small cross pendant necklace. She wore bangles and her regular gold watch.

  “You dun finally let that boy go to work?” Honey gave her a sneak smirk.

  “That was him messing with me,”

  “Un huh. That’s what they all say. Yo nasty butt. Can’t even let that man get to work on time. Bring your little freaky self on.” Honey got off the bed and grabbed her purse and they left. The housing building had been packed to the max. It took her a little over two hours to get everything situated. After they got done there they had gone looking for her somewhere to live. They both decided on a brick house similar to the one Arizona and Toro lived in. It was a good size, not too big, not too small and was in a good neighborhood. Once everything with the landlord was set, they left to go find furniture. Honey was happy everything was falling into place. She’d expressed over and over to Arizona that she wanted to surprise Congo when he came home. Arizona thought it was a cute idea so she and Honey spent all day shopping for furniture. They were in the store looking for a living room set when the salesman walked over to them. They were sitting down on a red sectional testing it out and he stood in front of them.

  “Can I help you beautiful ladies with something?” He was young, probably around their age. 24 or 25. He was medium height with a low haircut and brown skin. Something about him seemed a little rough though, like he should be doing something other than selling furniture. He was easy on the eyes and smelled nice but that was neither her nor there since she and Honey were happily taken.

  “No we’re fine. Just trying to see how soft this sofa is.”

  He sat down across from them. “Who’s it for? Or do y’all live together?”

  Arizona looked him up and down before looking over at Honey. “Both of us, this is my girlfriend. Honey, say hi.”

  “Hey,”

  He chuckled. “Y’all aint even have to do it like that lil mama. I know y’all aint together but I can take a hint. Just let me know if y’all need anything. My name is Ryan.” He got up to leave and they both waved.

  “Bye Ryan,” they said in Unison.

  When he was gone Arizona looked at Honey and burst out laughing. She laughed for a few minutes before growing quiet. She pondered on whether or not she wanted to share her situation with Honey because it was a really sensitive spot for her. The more she thought about it she didn’t really see a reason not to. Honey told her all her business on the regular.

  “What’s wrong Z?” Honey looped her arm through Arizona’s.

  “Why something gotta be wrong with me?”

  “You look sad. You’ve been looking a little bothered all morning. Come on tell mama what’s wrong.” Honey pulled Arizona’s head over and lay it on her shoulder playfully.

  “You stupid, but you right.” She laughed. “Toro and I have been trying to have a baby for almost a year now and it seems like I just can’t get pregnant. I don’t know what’s wrong. I’ve been to the doctor and everything and nothing works.” She felt herself getting teary eyes so she stopped talking for a minute. “We had stopped trying for a while because I get too depressed but we started back trying last month. I took a test this morning and I’m still not pregnant.”

  Honey scooted over next to her and held her hand. “It’ll be okay Z.” He tone was sympathetic. “It’ll all work out soon. What Toro say?”

  “He says as long as he has me he doesn’t need kids but I know he wants some. He loves kids,” Arizona wiped the tears from her eyes. “All these girls out here having babies and they don’t even take care of em’ and I can’t even get one.”

  “Z, you know something. I used to pity myself all the time. Every time something went wrong I blamed it on my mama and uncle being locked up. I did this for a long time. No matter what it was I would look at what other people were doing or what they might have had and make myself feel worse. But you know something,” Honey turned so that she could look at Arizona. “I had to stop doing myself like that and realize people are blessed in different ways. No I may not have my mama and uncle but I have other things. I have my drawing, my health and strength, and lets no forget my beauty.” They both laughed at that. “But for real everybody aint as pretty as we are Z. Just like everybody don’t have a man that loves them the way Toro loves you. You know how many women wish they had a man like Toro? Hell wished they had a relationship like the one you and him have. That kind of love don’t come by easy boo. These hoes may be out here spitting kids out left and right, but the daddy probably aint nowhere to be found. I said all of that to say this Z, I know you want a baby, but you have to be grateful for what you have. Don’t be so quick to assume your life is so much worse than another person’s because it’s not.”

  Arizona had never thought about it like that. All she did was question God about the things she wanted versus being grateful for the things he’d already given her. She grabbed Honey and hugged her as tight as she could.

  “Thank you Honey I needed that.”

  “No problem my love. You listen to me rant all the time.”

  Arizona was laughing when her eye caught something ugly. She leaned over so she could look a little closer.

  “Aint that your ugly ass ex?”

  Honey followed Arizona’s finger and landed her gaze on Samuel and some woman who looked to be about his age. She was plainly dressed in a floral print dress and sandals. He was in a pair of dress pants and a collar shirt. He looked fucking ridiculous. They watched him follow her around the store until they were headed in their direction. Honey and Arizona both sat up but didn’t bother to turn away. They stared them down until Samuel saw them. The look on his face was priceless. Arizona could almost bet this woman was his new girlfriend. The look on his face told it all. Arizona rolled her eyes at him. She already didn’t like him for the way he did Honey, but she really didn’t like him now because he looked sneaky. She couldn’t stand a sneaky nigga. She hated it so much she decided to get up and speak. When he saw her coming over to them it looked like he was about to choke on something.

  “Samuel, how are you?” She asked. The woman looked from her to him.

  “Fine. Thank you. How you been?” He aske trying to play it off.

  “I’ve been good since my sister has come to live with me,” Arizona turned around and waved Honey over. “Honey, come here for a minute. Look who I just ran into.”

  Honey stuck her hand out to shake the woman’s. “Hi, I’m Honey. This is my sister Arizona. You have to excuse her she’s a little rude sometimes.”

  The lady smiled and shook her hand. “Rita. You two are friends of Samuel’s?”

  “You could say that. Who are you?” Arizona asked bluntly.

  “His wife. We’ve been married for almost ten years. He didn’t mention it?”

  Arizona covered her mouth with her hand before playfully slapping Samuel across the shoulder. “No he did not. Samuel how rude.”

  “I guess he feels since I don’t live here he doesn’t have to mention me. It’s a good thing I just moved back.” She looked over her shoulder at him and he forced a very awkward smile. “I’ve been in Jersey for about two years now for work.”

  Honey and Arizona listened intently as Rita told all her and Samuel’s business. By the time she finished they’d heard it all. They told them they would see them later and walked away. Honey shook her head. She couldn’t believe that lying bastard. That explained the horrible treatments from his family. They probably thought she was some kind of homewrecker.

  “See Z, I told you. Count your blessings. That nigga had a whole girlfriend on the side living with him and she has no idea.”

  “You aint never lied. That’s a damn shame. He needs his ass beat.”

  Arizona and Honey found Ryan and had him order her living room, dining room, and bedroom set and sche
dule it for delivery the next day. Honey paid for everything and they left. They stopped by a few more stores to grab pictures, plants, and bathroom décor before heading to Wal-Mart. They grocery shopped, bought cleaning supplies, and air fresheners. Arizona was having so much fun helping Honey she hadn’t even realized how late it had gotten. When she finally did check her watch, she had about ten minutes before he got home. Honey told her it was cool and she would just take Congo’s car to her apartment once they got back to her house. She was relieved because although she’d been having fun with Honey, she liked to make sure Toro had a hot meal when he came on every day. They left and sped to her house. When she got there Toro was getting out as well.

  “I see you enjoyed yourself today. All these damn bags.” He took her bags from her hands.

  “I really did. It was fun. We got everything they need. All we have to do is set everything up tomorrow after they deliver her stuff.”

  Toro looked at Honey. “That’s what’s up Honey. Doing big things for my boy. I see you.”

  “Gotta make sure boo straight when he get home. I’ll see y’all later.”

  “Where you going?” Toro asked her.

  “To my house to put up my grocery and to clean up. I’ll be back over tomorrow to kidnap your woman again.’

  Toro looked like he wanted to object. “I don’t know about you staying over there by yourself Honey. You aint even got nothing to sleep on.”

  “Toro, I am grown boy. I’ll be fine and I got covers from Wal-Mart. I’m good. Just enjoy my sis and I’ll see y’all tomorrow.”

  Arizona blew Honey kisses and told her she’d be ready in the morning before going in the house. Toro went to Arizona’s trunk and put all of her bags in Congo’s car while she went in the house to grab their things. She made three trips to get everything by the time she finished, Toro was done too. She gave him a quick hug and hopped in Congo’s big impala and backed out headed to her house. Her house. That sounded good.

  *****

  The courtroom was packed with people as she made her way inside. It was small and there were people all over the room waiting for court to start. Honey found a seat close to the front so she could see Congo when he came out. Once she got a good enough view of where the inmates would be standing she pulled her phone out and powered it off. She had just raised her head up when the judge came in. The bailiff instructed them all to stand until the judge sat down. When he did, so did they. Honey turned her head to the side so she could try to hear a little better. The lady was reading the dockets but she was talking so low Honey could hardly hear her. This went through all of the traffic tickets, and other smaller stuff first before getting to the people that were already being held in jail. When Honey heard them say Congo Jaquel she sat forward in her chair. Her eyes surveyed the room waiting for somebody to bring him out. When she saw the bailiff go to the little door next to the judge’s bench, her heart sped up. Seconds felt like hours waiting for him to appear. Her chest jumped all over the place when he finally rounded the corner. He looked so handsome even in the black and white jail uniform. He looked around the room quickly and looked right over her. She wanted to yell his name, wave her hands or something so he would know she was there. She was about to go crazy with nerves if he didn’t hurry up and look at her. When the judge started reading off what he’d been charged with, Honey lost hope. She sucked her teeth and looked around the room. When she turned back around her face lit up. He was looking at her. His stare piercing and uncertain. She smiled as big as she could and it made him smile too. His wasn’t as big as her but it worked for her. He kept trying to look at her on the sly. She mouthed the words I love you, before sitting back so she could hear what the judge was saying. It seemed like forever for them to go through everything, including the situation with Neeka. Honey pretty much tuned everything else out after they said he would be released today. Congo winked at her and blew her a kiss as they turned him around to take him back to the back. When he was done she excused herself from the courtroom as well. She saw his lawyer in the hallway and he told her it would take a few hours for Congo to be processed out so she could leave and come back if she wanted. Honey was too anxious to go home so she chose to sit in his car and draw instead. Time seemed to tick by slowly. It felt like forever but it was only two hours. When her cellphone started to ring she answered it in a hurry.