Kiki Swinson
I’m Still Wifey Copyright © 2005 by Kiki Swinson.
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.
For information address:
Melodrama Publishing
P. O. Box 522 Bellport, New York 11713-0522
Web address: www.melodramapublishing.com
e-mail: [email protected]
Author’s e-mail address: [email protected]
Library of Congress Control Number: 2005936565
This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblances to actual events, real people, living or dead, organizations, establishments, locales are products of the author’s imagination. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously.
Dedication
From the heart I got to shout out my two bad a#@ kids….Shaquira & Lil J. Once again mommy is on the grind trying to get that paper , because I know y’all aren’t going to have it any other way, which is why I want to thank you two for keeping me focused.
&
To my baby—Mr. Karl Blackstock—aka—Black, in such a short time you have opened my eyes and heart to unlimited possibilities and I want to thank you for that. But most importantly, I want to thank you for your effortless way of keeping a smile on my face with your sense of humor. It feels good to have you on my team. Oh & your joint, “Guilty Pleasures,” will be hitting the bookstores real soon. Believe that!!!!!!!!!
Acknowledgements
To my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, who stands in the gap for me on a daily basis. Boy, am I grateful for that. But, most importantly blessed.
To my publisher, Crystal Lacy Winslow—who happens to be a well accomplished business woman & best selling author of Love, Life & Loneliness, The Criss Cross. Once again you had my back, so I want to thank you for believing in me & my work even though I have a crew of haters throwing salt at me every chance they got…. (They just don’t know that, God don’t like ugly!)
My father, Loyd Drew is the man. I love you very much & want to thank you for all your spiritual & moral support. Oh & I haven’t forgotten about you Onita. You’re in the family now. So, treat my dad right!!!!
To my mom Deborah White, I love you & thanks for creating a literary genius. And to my grandmother—Clara P. Swinson, you know that I could not have done this without your support and your prayers. So, thanks for staying on those knees & know that I will always love you!!!!
To my baby sister Sunshine Swinson, girl I know you would have killed me if I didn’t give you your own paragraph, so here it is: Thanks so much for your constructive criticism & your vision when it came to the development of this book. You are a reading fanatic, that’s why I value your opinions. So, do you still want your car painted girlfriend? (smile) I love you baby sis!!!!
To my brothers, Eugene & Jamon Swinson—I love you both too death. And even though we have our hectic lives to lead, I just wish that there was a way we could spend more time together; besides at the family reunions. (smile)
My cousin Xyamara Hines & her man Pie, I love you both too. Y’all
are my family& I’m going to always have your back!!! So, keep your heads up!
To my big brother Joe Cameron, there’s so much I want to thank you for, but I’ll probably have to type up about five more pages. So, I’m gonna keep it short and say, that you’re a good man, a good provider for your children, a good brother to your sisters & a damn good friend to me. Always coming to my rescue and I love you like you’re blood. So, don’t you ever forget that!
Hey, Ms. Dominique Mitchell. You know you were next on my list of folks to acknowledge. You also know how far our friendship stretches back to the early-eighties. And how the chicks from junior high use to hate on us? Yeah, those were the times. But, look at us now! Ole’ Ladies, sitting back watching our own daughters hanging out with each other trying to pull the same trips on us. But, it ain’t flying over my head! (smile)….Anyway, there’s a permanent place in my heart for you. I love you sis!!!! I love you uncle Leo, aunt Sharon, Tommy, Francisca & Lil L-L!!!!
To my auntie & diva—Mrs. Karen Johnson, once again you gave me the go-ahead with your seal of approval after reading the 1st draft of this book. I trust your judgment 100%, because you are as real as it gets. And most importantly, I love you! So, put your coat on & let’s get out of Virginia Beach for a while…It’s on me! (smile)
To my best friend Letitia Carrington, who I can say has my best interest in heart. You and I have been friends for over fifteen years now & I cherish every one of those days up to this very moment. What can I say other than I love you…..? Also, congrats…to you & Herman on having that beautiful baby boy... (Jaden). He’s so cute! Yeah, he’s going to be terrible just like my son Lil J! (smile)
To my sidekick, Malika Foster, girl it seems like the older your ass gets the better you look! Yeah, you know you got it going on. Niggaz is loving your red ass! But, I love you even more because you are a damn good friend to me. Not only that, I want to thank you for holding me down on all my book touring trips because without you, I would not have had so many men coping my books. They see you & go bananas! (smile) I love you too Aunt Nancy & Hope!
To home girl Pookie-aka-Vandelette Ware, I’m just a little lost for words when I think about how instrumental you’ve been in my life. You are a very beautiful woman & tremendous blessing to everyone who crosses your path. I love you!!!!!
To Tiffany Hoyt, I know you’re constantly traveling across miles of bumpy road, but you’re a strong woman so you’ll get pass it all real soon. Keep your head up!!! To my sisters in crime, Kimberlie Flemmings (in Charlotte, NC) & Iona Christian (Brooklyn, NY), I love you both so much for always having my back & keeping it real. I couldn’t ask for anything better than that. Believe that we will be friends for life.
Joan Chisholm -aka- Joan, you have an unconditional love for me, which is why I treat you like my older sister. I love you, Ma & that ackee & salt fish you be hooking up for me!!!
To my other family & friends like: my aunt Brenda Byrd & her husband Michael Byrd, my cousin Michael Byrd –aka-Gee & his beautiful wife Pam, & to my other cousin Michael Byrd –aka- Ant., my cousin Duke Woodley, my labelmate Amaleka McCall (author of ATwisted Tale of Karma) girl you just don’t know, but you’re on your way.
To my friend & Essence Bestselling author Treasure E. Blue (Harlem Girl Lost), thanks for the many encouraging words you gave me. Who would have thought that you would be right after all? Thanks for everything.
Also to my girl Yoni Wyatt, Tabitha (out of N.Y.), my girl “Flo” (out of N.Y. driving that hot 3-series BMW), Paula ‘Nikki’ Bell, Chekesha ‘Cha-Cha’ Carter, Ina Mcgriff, Sharney –aka- Sunshine, Dee Dee Smalls, Dana & Katrina Brown, Chiquita Coleman, Melissa White –aka- Missy Fro, Shawntae Gatling, Naomi T. Barnes, my neighbor Tommy, his roommate Tim & Danielle Mills, my manicurist Kelly @ (Body & Soul Nail Spa), my favorite supporters Linda, Trish, Ron & Patrick @ (Waldenbooks in Military Circle Mall), all people in P-town, Norfolk, Va. Beach & the rest of the Tidewater area. To my girl Michelle @ Hair Visions (in Berkley), my girl “Twiggy” @ Jazzy Hair & Nails, my hair stylist Lori @ Beautiful Reflections (in Norfolk), my girl “V” @ Exotic Glamour Hair Care (in Norfolk), my ladies @ Mane Image, Jeremiah @ Hair Art, Fred @ Hair Divas & to the rest of the stylist who continue to support me like: my girl Gayette & her sister who can hook up some nails & rest of the crew.
To all my people
on lock: Leshawn Pullie (Petersburg Camp), Kevin Jones–aka-Ron (Petersburg), Lee Spears –aka Reggie (Petersburg Camp), Leonard Marshall–aka-Bolo (Petersburg), Lil Bill (Petersburg Camp), Shedrick Wilson–aka- Pork-n-Bean (Lawrenceville, Va.), John Davis – aka- Smoke (Norfolk City Jail), Lucion Freeman, Tony Harris, Lil Mook, Kesha Stuart –aka- Lil Mama, Montal Smith –aka- Tizzy, my cousin Jerry Atkinson –aka- Kut, Shawn Hooper, Lisa Banks (Dublin FCI), Renea Darby (Coleman FCI), & to Ervin “E” Smith (hurry up & come on home, my nephew needs his father). And not to forget all the ladies who played a part in my life when I had to break my bid up & do time at Danbury FCI, Butner Camp & Alderson Camp. And to all the real men holding it down doing their state & federal bids. Keep your heads up, soldiers!!!
R.I.P to: Alvin Hooper (who was like a father to me), my cousin Cardy Woodley, Faye Gatling, “Big Shah” Mcfarland, Wink & Randy, Butter (from Norfolk), Derrick “Tilley,” Steven Hughes –aka- Lil Steve, Trevor Casper & last but not least my dear friend Ronald G. Luper. I truly miss you all!
It Ain’t Over
Can you believe it? After all the planning I did to leave my husband Ricky to run off with Russ, it backfired on me. It has been two-and-a-half months since the whole thing went down. Now I’m sitting here all alone, in my hair shop, thinking about what I am going to do about this baby I’m carrying.
Rhonda and Nikki both didn’t believe me when I told them that I was pregnant by Russ. But after I pulled out a calendar and counted back the days from the last time we were together, it finally registered through their thick skulls.
“So, what cha’ gon’ do about it?” Rhonda asked me the day I got the results from a pregnancy test about a month ago. The first thing that came out of her mouth was for me to get an abortion since I ain’t gon’ have a baby daddy. God knows where he is. But I told her that was the furthest thing from my mind because whether I had Russ in my life or not, I was gon’ have this baby. And then she said, “Well, what would you do if he found out you’re pregnant and wants to come back with a whole bunch of apologies and shit?”
I told her that shit ain’t gon’ happen because first of all, Russ ain’t gon’ find out I’m pregnant ‘cause ain’t nobody gon’ know I’m pregnant by him. And second, after that stunt he pulled on me to rob me for my dough, I know he ain’t gon’ never show his face around this way ever again. He would be a fool to. I mean, he don’t know if I told Ricky that he robbed me or not. So to play it cool, he’s gon’ do like any other greasy-ass nigga would do after they pull a stick-up move, and that is to disappear. And even though he thinks he got away with it, he hasn’t. ‘Cause whether Russ knows it or not, karma is coming for his ass. And what will give me much pleasure is to be able to see it hit ’em.
Hopefully my day will come very soon.
***
Back at my place, which is a step down from my ol’ two-story house, I decided to pop myself a bag of popcorn and watch my favorite show, America’s Next Top Model. Afterward, I began to straighten things up around my two bedroom, two-bath condo until my telephone started ringing.
“Hello,” I said without looking at the CallerID.
“Whatcha doing?” Rhonda wanted to know.
“I was just dusting the mantel over my fireplace.”
“Girl, sit your butt down. ‘Cause if my memory serves me, I do remember you being on your feet all day today.”
“I’m fine. But what I wanna know is, why you didn’t come back to work today?”
Rhonda sighed heavily and said, “Kira, if I could kill Tony and get away with it, I would do it.”
“What happened now?”
“Girl, I caught this nigga talking to some hoe named Letisha on his cell phone.”
“Where was he at?”
“He was in the bathroom, sitting on the fucking toilet, taking a shit.”
I laughed at Rhonda’s comment and asked her what happened next.
“Well, before I busted in on him and smacked him upside his damn head with my shoe, I stood very quiet in the hallway right outside our bedroom and heard this bastard telling that hoe how much he missed her and that he was going to get his hair cut at the barbershop. And right after I heard him say that, that’s when I went off.”
“So, what did he do?”
“He couldn’t do shit with his pants wrapped around his ankles. So, he just sat there and took all them blows I threw at his ass. And then when he dropped his cell phone, I hurried up and snatched it right off the floor and cussed that bitch out royally.”
“And what did she say?”
“I ain’t let her say shit. ’Cause after I told her who I was and that if I ever caught her in Tony’s face, she was gonna get fucked up, I hung up.”
“So, what was Tony doing while you was going off on that hoe?”
“Trying to hurry up and wipe his ass, so he can get up from the toilet and I guess take his phone back. But as soon as the bastard stood up to flush the stool, I threw his phone right up against the wall as hard as I could and broke that bad boy in about ten little pieces.”
I laughed again and said, “Damn girl! That’s some shit I used to do.”
“Well, jackass didn’t see it coming. So, it made it all the better.”
“Where’s he at now?”
“In the kitchen helping Ryan with his homework.”
“So, did he ever go out and get his hair cut?”
“Hell nah. Shit, he knew better.”
“Well, what kind of lies did he tell you about everything that happened?”
“Girl, that nigga ain’t gon’ volunteer no information. All he had to say was that I was crazy as hell. And then he went on about his damn business.”
“Rhonda,” I said before I sighed, “I know you’re sick and tired of going through all that bullshit! Because I sure was when Ricky was on the streets.”
“Hey wait,” Rhonda interjected, “I forgot to tell you that he called the shop today while you was at lunch.”
“Did you accept the call?”
“Yeah. But we only talked for a few minutes.”
“What did he say?”
“He just wanted to know where you was and when was you coming in. So, I told him that you wasn’t. And that’s when he asked me to call you on three-way. But I told him the three-way call thing wasn’t working.”
“I bet he got real mad, didn’t he?”
“Hell yeah!”
“So, what did he say after that?”
“Nothing but to tell you he called. And for me to tell you to come down to the county jail and see him before the U.S. Marshal picks him up and takes him off to the Federal Holding Facility in Oklahoma, because he has something very important to talk with you about.”
“Well, he should already know that it ain’t gon’ happen. But, I am wondering what he’s got so important to talk to me about.”
“Girl, he’s just probably saying that so he can get you to come down and see him.”
“Yeah. You probably right,” I agreed.
“Well, are you going to ever tell him that you’re pregnant by Russ?” Rhonda blurted out of the blue.
“Nope. It ain’t none of his damn business. All he needs to focus on is signing those divorce papers my lawyer is getting ready to send his ass.”
“So, you’re serious about that, huh?”
“You damn right!” I commented and then I said, “I’m gonna get that nigga outta my life once and for all, so I can move on.”
“Look, I understand all that. But I wouldn’t let his ass get off that easy. Because the next time he calls the shop, I would make it my business to wreck his muthafucking ego and tell him, ‘Yeah nigga, while you was running around behind my back with Sunshine’s stinking ass, I was fucking your boy Russ right in your bed. And I just found out that I’m pregnant by him.’”
“Oh my God! That’ll kill him!”
“That’s the idea,” Rhonda told me.
I said, “Girl, that nigga gon’ try and come through the phone
after I tell him some shit like that.”
“Well, no need to worry ’bout that. ’Cause it ain’t gon’ happen.” Before I could comment, she told me to hold on because somebody was beeping in on her other line. When she clicked over, it got real quiet. But just like that, she was right back on the line and said, “Hey girl, one of Tony’s homeboys is on the other end trying to holler at him. So, let me call you back.”
“A’ight,” I told her. Then we both hung up.
Choice to Make
“Hello, ladies,” is the first thing I said when I walked through the front door of my shop.
“Hey,” everybody replied in unison.
“Anybody called me?” I asked loud enough for Rhonda and my other two stylists, Porsha and April, to hear me.
Porsha answered, “Nah, I don’t think so.” Then she went outside the shop to smoke a cigarette. She’s a cool girl and really pretty, looking like Jada Pinkett-Smith’s twin. But of course, she’s a new jack. She started working here two weeks after I came back. She’s also very young. She says she’s twenty-one, but she acts like she’s about sixteen sometimes, especially when it comes to cleaning up behind herself. Rhonda gets on her all the time about keeping her station area clean. I’m always sitting back, watching. Oh, but I did step in the mix of things a couple of times when booth rent was due. Porsha kept giving Rhonda the runaround, so I stepped up to the plate and that hoe handed over the dough. Recently, it has become clear that the two don’t like each other, so it won’t be long before she’s outta here. Now April, on the other hand, is crazy. I mean, buck wild, but Rhonda and I know where she’s coming from. She’s your average-looking chick with a tabletop ass. Mad cats be trying to holler at her. But once they find out she’s got a house full of kids, they do not stick around long at all. That’s why she’s always hanging out at a nightclub. Her favorite spot is Sugar Ray’s off Military Highway. And like a devoted patron, she’s there every time the doors open. But once that part of her life is put to a halt she’s right back here, whipping up the fly-ass hairstyles. “Oh yeah,” April broke out and said, “Your client Ms. Gladys and her daughter been here.”
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