Three Is A Crowd

by Chenell Parker

  “I said that I was sorry,” Jersi replied.

  “I’m just fucking with you,” Memphis smirked.

  “Hold up bro. I need you to sign off on payroll before you go,” JJ said as he pulled out some papers that Memphis quickly signed before walking out of the office. When they got into the hall, Jersi had a few questions.

  “Why do you have to sign off on payroll for his business?” Jersi questioned.

  “He’s the manager, but I’m the owner. My youngest brother manages the other one,” Memphis winked.

  “Seriously?” Jersi quizzed.

  “Yeah seriously. My Car Wash. It’s actually my initials,” Memphis revealed while reciting the name of his business.

  “Wow,” Jersi said as a light bulb went off in her head. She would have never guessed that My Car Wash actually stood for something. The My was for Memphis Young. That was catchy and well thought out.

  “I know you thought a nigga was broke. That’s why you always wanted to pay for everything,” Memphis laughed.

  “I didn’t think you were broke,” Jersi lied.

  She did think that his only job was at the gym and she was sure that he didn’t make very much money working there. She was very giving and she didn’t mind if she had to pay when they went out. Jersi had seen the car washes a million times but she had never been there.

  “Yeah okay,” Memphis smirked. “I appreciate that though. You’re probably the first female that ever even offered.”

  As soon as they walked outside, a man who was standing out front rushed over to them. Memphis frowned when he approached them because he wasn’t in the mood.

  “Let me rap with you for a minute Memphis,” the man said as he stood right next to him.

  “I’m busy,” Memphis countered without even looking his way.

  “Let me hold a few dollars. I need to get my medicine. I haven’t had it in a few weeks and I need it,” the man begged.

  “The fuck that got to do with me?” Memphis asked.

  “I just need about fifty dollars,” the man said desperately.

  He got excited when he saw Jersi reaching into her purse but that feeling didn’t last too long. Memphis grabbed her hand to stop her as he shook his head. Jersi didn’t know why he didn’t want her to help the man but she didn’t question it. The man didn’t look homeless but he obviously needed help. She was always taught to give to those in need and she didn’t mind helping.

  “I ain’t got nothing for you,” Memphis fumed.

  “Didn’t I tell you to get the fuck from around here? Don’t make me get your ass arrested for trespassing,” JJ fussed when he walked out of the building.

  “It’s all good. Everything that goes up must come down,” the man said as he walked away angrily.

  “Nobody knows that better than you,” JJ yelled after him.

  “That nigga must be slow or something,” Memphis said while shaking his head.

  “Fuck him,” JJ spat as he walked away.

  “Are you okay?” Jersi asked once they were inside of the truck.

  Memphis seemed to be in a bad mood for some reason. His attitude switched up quick and she didn’t know why.

  “Yeah, I’m good. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” He asked while looking over at her.

  “No, why? What’s up?” Jersi asked.

  “My auntie is having a little gathering at her house for the Saints game. I want you to come but it’s cool if you’re not feeling it,” he replied.

  “Just tell me the time and place,” Jersi smiled.

  “Make sure you wear your Saints gear or you’re getting turned around at the door,” he joked right before pulling off.

  “F uck!” Jersi spat as she dropped her arms to her side.

  She had put a lot into getting ready to attend the gathering with Memphis but her hair just wouldn’t cooperate. She had gotten a Saints scarf the day before and she was trying to wrap it around her head. She did a wash and go on her hair and she wanted her wild curls to flow around the scarf. She’d done the style a million times but never by herself. She needed someone to hold her hair up while she tied the scarf the way she wanted it.

  Jersi was on point with her fitted Saints shirt and black and gold leggings. She had on black combat boots with huge gold fleur de lis earrings dangling from her ears. She even had a Saints backpack to go along with it all. Sassy would be proud if he saw the way that she filled in her perfectly arched brows. He taught her how to do it and it took a while for her to master. If only her hair would cooperate, she would be good to go. She had at least two hours to get it done but she didn’t have that kind of patience. Still, she had to be on point since she was meeting Memphis’ family for the first time.

  “Fuck it!” Jersi hissed as her arms fell again. It was tiring holding them up so long and she could no longer do it. She knew that Ariel was at work so she called Dray instead.

  “Hey sissy,” Dray said when he answered the phone.

  “Are you at home Dray?” Jersi asked.

  “I sure am,” he replied.

  “I need your help with something. I’m on my way over,” Jersi noted.

  “Can it wait Jersi? I’m expecting company soon,” Dray said.

  “Really Dray? You’re pushing me aside for one of your women or men?” Jersi asked.

  “Bitch, just come on over. You make me sick with the dramatics,” Dray replied before he hung up.

  Jersi checked her backpack to make sure she had everything. Once she was sure, she grabbed her keys and rushed out of the house. Tabby was having a gathering at her house as well and she promised to show her face. Thirty minutes was all that she was giving her and that was too long. When Jersi pulled up to Dray’s house, she was happy to see that no other car was parked out front. His company hadn’t made it there yet and that was perfect. Jersi got out of the car and knocked on the door. She and Dray had keys to each other’s houses but that was only for emergencies.

  “Hey brother,” Jersi smiled when he opened the door.

  “What was so important that you needed to come over here at this exact moment?” Dray questioned as he ushered her inside.

  Dray’s entire living room had been done over. He had brand new furniture and an even bigger tv mounted on the wall. It was beautiful and Jersi knew that it had to be expensive. She couldn’t even tell where the holes in the walls once were because that too had been repaired.

  “I see Donovan came through,” Jersi commented as she looked around.

  “Did you ever doubt that he would? What do you need Jersi? You’re ruining my life right now,” Dray said dramatically.

  “I need help with my hair and then I’ll be out of your way,” Jersi replied.

  Dray led her to his overly large walk in closet where his vanity was located. Jersi sat down while he held her long curly hair up with both hands. She tied the scarf around her head just like she wanted it and her hair fell perfectly once Dray let it go.

  “You look sexy my love. If you weren’t my sister, I’d be trying to hit it,” Dray complimented.

  “Boy bye. I can’t spot your gay from a mile away,” Jersi laughed.

  “Stop lying bitch. I pull hoes faster than I pull niggas,” Dray replied right as someone rang his doorbell.

  “Let me touch up my lipstick and I’m out of here,” Jersi said as she pulled her plum purple lipstick from her purse.

  Once she was done, she snapped a few pictures since Dray’s vanity had the perfect lighting. She was cute, but comfortable and that’s what she was going for. She heard Dray talking to someone, so she knew that his company had arrived. Jersi gathered her things and prepared to leave. When she walked into the living room, she stopped in her tracks when she saw Damien standing there with his arms wrapped around her brother’s waist. He pulled Dray close and smiled as he whispered in his ear. Damien was Talena and Mariah’s ex-boyfriend. Jersi would have never assumed that he was into men as well. She wasn’t judging because her brother liked the best of both worl
ds too. When he looked up and saw Jersi, it was if he had seen a ghost. Damien removed his arms from around Dray and stuffed them into his front pockets like he was embarrassed.

  “What’s up Jersi?” Damien spoke as he smiled nervously.

  “How do you know my sister?” Dray asked.

  “It’s a long boring story but I’ve known Damien for a while. How have you been?” Jersi asked as she gave him a hug.

  “I’ve been good. What about you?” Damien asked her.

  “I can’t complain,” Jersi replied.

  “Hold up!” Dray said while raising his hand. “If y’all messed around or fucked before, you have to leave. I don’t play those kinds of games.”

  “Really Dray? You know every man that I’ve ever been with and Damien is not one of them,” Jersi acknowledged.

  “Oh okay, I’m just making sure,” Dray said as he walked away.

  Jersi laughed as she made her way to the front door. She didn’t know why, but Damien walked out right behind her.

  “Look, I’m not gay or nothing if that’s what you think. I didn’t know that Dray was your brother, but we’re just cool. I got a girl at home,” Damien said as if Jersi was dumb.

  She clearly saw Damien with his arms around her brother’s waist. Had she walked in a minute later, she probably would have seen more. She didn’t know why he felt the need to lie to her but it wasn’t necessary.

  “I’m not judging you Damien. It doesn’t matter to me one way or another,” Jersi shrugged.

  “Can you just keep this between the two of us? I don’t need everybody in my business,” Damien requested.

  “You got my word,” Jersi assured him.

  “I appreciate that. And I heard about what that bitch Mariah did to you. That hoe did me dirty too. She was supposed to use the money that I left behind to get me a lawyer. Bitch took my money and fixed herself up to meet another nigga to finesse. I stayed in jail for a whole year,” Damien fumed.

  “That’s messed up but nothing that she does surprises me,” Jersi replied.

  “I was about to kill that hoe but she ended up paying me all my money back. Bitch married a doctor and act like she’s royalty now,” he frowned.

  “That nigga ain’t shit. Trust me, no one knows that better than I do. I gotta go, but it was nice seeing you again Damien,” Jersi said as she walked away and went to her car.

  Damien went back into the house right before she pulled off. Talena would die if she knew what her ex was up to now. She had seen Damien a few times but he never tried to get back with her. Jersi now knew why but it wasn’t her place to say anything. It took her about twenty minutes but she pulled up to Tabby’s house and parked out front. She saw her auntie Toni’s car and she was happy that she was there.

  “Hey pretty black,” Tabby said when she opened the door.

  “Hey,” Jersi replied as she followed her into the house.

  She looked a hot mess with a Saint’s halter top on with that big ass beer belly. The leggings that she wore were faded and her shoes were too small for her wide feet. Her wig was even worse and it needed to be washed, combed or burned. She didn’t know what the hell her father ever saw in her. She wasn’t ugly and she probably had a better shape back then. Still, Jersi was so thankful for her parents. She didn’t know where she would be if she had to be raised by Tabby.

  “Hey, my baby,” Toni smiled as she pulled Jersi in for a hug.

  “Hey auntie,” Jersi smiled back as she sat next to her and held her hand.

  Tabby rolled her eyes up to the sky in disgust. She hated that Jersi was closer with her sister but Toni was always around. She used to do things with Jersi and Ariel on the weekends and she was always taking them somewhere. Thanks to Marvin, Jersi barely wanted to come to her house. He never made her feel welcomed or wanted.

  “Talena is on her way,” Tabby announced as if Jersi cared.

  Tabby got pissed whenever Toni tried to purposely exclude her from their conversations. It was bad enough that Dena took her baby from her. She wasn’t letting Toni have her too. She knew that it was childish but Tabby grabbed a chair and inserted herself in between the two women. Jersi didn’t think nothing of it but Toni knew exactly what she was doing. When the doorbell rang, Marvin got up to see who it was. A few more people had arrived and Talena came shortly after. When Mariah walked into the house, Jersi was ready to go. Mariah was frowning at her the entire time but she chose to ignore her. She had a few more minutes to spare before it was time for her to leave and meet Memphis.

  “Where are the girls?” Marvin asked his daughter.

  “At home with my husband,” Mariah said loudly as she looked over at Jersi.

  She knew exactly where he was because he was blowing her phone up at that exact moment. He was begging to see her but Jersi wasn’t in the mood. She wasn’t trying to have sex with him and she’d already used the lie about her cycle being down.

  “How has everything been going?” Marvin asked her.

  “We couldn’t be better. We’re happy and in love,” Mariah smirked.

  “Where is your boo Jersi? Why didn’t you bring him?” Talena instigated as she giggled.

  Since Mariah wanted to be petty, Jersi decided to join her. She usually wouldn’t even entertain bullshit like that but Mariah made it too easy. She didn’t know how to control her emotions and that was never a good thing for the opponent.

  “He’s at home with his kids,” Jersi smiled.

  “I didn’t know that you were dating anyone. When do we get to meet him?” Toni asked, clueless as to what was going on.

  “You’ve already met him,” Jersi winked, confusing her auntie.

  “What’s his name?” Toni asked.

  “I can’t tell you that auntie,” Jersi laughed.

  “I’ve never known you to date a man with kids. How many does he have?” Toni asked.

  “Two girls but he wants a boy. I wasn’t ready for kids yet but he’s been begging for a son,” Jersi smirked.

  She was only fucking with Mariah because having a baby was nowhere in her plans. A baby for Blake was never happening at all. Jersi had never had sex without a condom and she was faithful with her pills.

  “You call yourself being funny bitch?” Mariah fumed as she walked over to her.

  “Excuse you. What the hell is your problem?” Tabby yelled as she stood up.

  “Your hoe ass daughter is my problem,” Mariah yelled angrily as her father tried to hold her back.

  “Don’t come in here being disrespectful,” Tabby ordered.

  “Fuck you!” Mariah spat angrily.

  “No bitch, fuck you!” Talena yelled.

  Marvin was a sad ass excuse for a man. He stood there while his daughter disrespected his wife and didn’t even try to defend her. Talena had her mother’s back if nobody else did.

  “I think it’s time for me to go,” Jersi said as she stood up.

  “That’s a good idea,” Marvin commented.

  “The fuck is that supposed to mean? Your daughter is the one who started the bullshit. You don’t have to go nowhere Jersi,” Tabby yelled angrily.

  “Let’s all just calm down,” Toni said as she tried to diffuse the situation.

  The few guests that were there looked shocked at everything that was taking place. To them, Mariah started acting crazy for nothing. Jersi and Talena knew what was up though.

  “It’s okay auntie. I’m about to get going. I don’t know what’s wrong with her,” Jersi said while looking at Mariah.

  “You’re what’s wrong with me bitch. You must think I’m stupid. I smell the same perfume on you right now,” Mariah screamed and cried.

  “What is she talking about Jersi?” Toni asked.

  “I have no idea,” Jersi shrugged.

  “Let me go! I hate that bitch!” Mariah yelled as she appeared to have a nervous breakdown.

  Toni walked Jersi out to her car and a few other people left behind them. Mariah had dampened the mood and nobody wanted to w
atch the game at Tabby’s house anymore.

  “That girl is a real nut case. And her daddy ain’t no better. He stood right there and let her talk to his wife like a dog,” Toni said while shaking her head.

  “That’s all on them. I have other plans, so I didn’t plan to stay long anyway,” Jersi replied.

  “I think I’m going home too. I can stop and grab my own food. I don’t have time for this,” Toni fussed. As soon as her auntie went back inside, Jersi called Blake back.