“Who cares about a view, when you’re miles from civilization? You might as well be living on a deserted Island looking at a cruise ship.”
“I like my privacy.” Her son explained leaving out the part about not wanting the scum he consulted knowing where he rested his head.
“Which you didn’t care about until you got a divorce.”
“Which has been almost three years. Leave it alone, please.” Tommy pleaded to deaf ears.
“And another thing.” Carla began, as she ignored her son face palm his forehead out of frustration.
“You know it’s not a coincidence that the word smother has the word mother in it,” He pointed out.
“She still cares a great deal for you.” Carla mentioned.
“Well of course she still cares about me. The divorce was amicable and we’re still friends.”
“Well amicable or not, she regrets being so quick to sign those divorce papers.”
Tommy did a double-take at his mother. He knew she could be annoyingly intrusive when it came to his life, but did she figure out how to pry in on his dreams too? He gave her un-asked for opinion a brief thought then waved it away like it was mere hearsay dropping his head. “Nah. That train has left the station.”
Carla lifted her son’s chin. “Tommy I only want what’s best for you. Now I’ll admit, sometimes I can be a little pushy. But no matter what I or anybody else says, follow your heart. Even though it’s on your left, it’s always right.” Tommy smiled at his mother’s lived in but never worn-down words of wisdom. She went over and checked on the collard greens and added another dab of hot sauce. “So, did you get my message?”
“Huh? Oh yeah. I’ll try Kings Plaza mall tomorrow but I gotta be honest. We may not find you-know-what until after you-know-when.” Tommy muttered while pointing at his sister on the low. “Oh, and I went by the bar like you asked and invited Pop.”
“So I heard.” Carla’s posture tightened at the mention of her children’s father.
“When did you see daddy Tommy?” Tee-Tee asked suddenly.
“Last night nosy. I went by his club to tell him about your party next week.”
Tee-Tee exploded into laughter. “I spoke to him too! And you know what?”
“No…what?” Tommy asked in a fascinated child-like voice.
“Daddy said he’s coming to my party next Fri-yay, and he’s gonna get me something real nice for my birthday!” she said excitedly.
“Wow!” Tommy said and turned to his mother with a perplexed look.
“Your father called to speak to her this morning.” Carla informed with an eye-roll. Tommy shifted uncomfortably and gave a semi nod of the head. “I’m sorry honey, I know how you hate to be put in the middle of your father’s and my squabbles.”
Tommy walked over to his mother, kissed her forehead and the three of them enjoyed New Year’s collard greens and each other’s company without mentioning Smitty, college, careers, marriage or grandkids for the rest of the afternoon. As the afternoon was coming to an end Carla had placed the remaining collard greens in Tupperware bowls and put them in the fridge along with the left-over baked chicken and macaroni salad she brought from home.
“Now if you’re not going to eat that food put it in the freezer so it doesn’t go bad.”
“Got it.” Tommy said while tickling his sister.
“Tee-Tee get your jacket Honey. It’s time to go.”
Tee-Tee’s smile turned upside down. “Aww, but I wanna stay here,” she whined.
“Young lady we’ve spent the whole day with your brother. I’m sure he’s more than ready to put us out.” Carla said nudging Tommy.
“Don’t say that Ma, you know I love having the two of you over.” Tommy said but quiet as it was kept, he was ready to go back to sleep and hopefully finish his dream.
“Well in any event we still have to go. Nana is supposed to be dropping by so we can watch Golden Girls.” Carla said checking her watch.
“Nana does love her Golden Girls. How’s she doing anyway?”
“Fine. She told me to tell you that you could pick up a phone sometimes.”
“I know, I’m a terrible grandson.” Tommy admitted.
After seeing his mother and sister out Tommy turned off the ringers on both phones and went back to dreamland but unsuccessfully picked up where he left off. Two and a half hours later, his eyes opened and he got up. Both answering machines had messages.
BEEP! ‘Yeah, my name is um…Bob…Glass. Yeah Bob Glass and I need your help. Today’s my baby girl’s eighteenth birthday and my last child support payment. I told her, take this check to yo mama and tell her this is the last check she’s ever getting from me and tell me the ‘spression on your momma’s face. An hour later baby girl walked through the door and I said, ‘Now what yo momma say about that? And she said to tell you that you ain’t my daddy and watch the ‘spression on yo face! So I was wondering if you could kill the bitch or at the very least give her a permanent limp? Either will do.’ Tommy shook his head in disbelief then proceeded to the next message.
BEEP! ‘Hello Havoc. It’s Roxanne Jenkins again. I was wondering if you got my message and if so would you be willing to do it tonight. Like I said I will pay you extra if you do. Call me, bye.’ The female’s voice sounded frantic and pleading. And it was obvious she worried that there may be a repeat performance of last night’s fiasco. Tommy felt bad for her, but he did not really feel like busting heads tonight. He moved to the next machine.
BEEP! ‘Hey, it’s Nicky again. I’m home if you could stop by I’d appreciate it.’
BEEP! ‘Hi Tommy this is Tee-Tee. I’m bored. Mommy and Nana is watching a corny show about old ladies. So, what you getting me for my birthday?
‘Tatiana who are you on the phone with?’
‘Uh-oh Mommy’s coming I gotta go bye. I love you.’
Tommy laughed then went over to the window and pulled back the curtains. With the sun setting over the bright lights of the city, New York could easily fool one into believing it was civilized. But Tommy knew better. He left Mayhem at home sharpening her teeth on some rawhide. And forty-five minutes later he was experiencing déjà vu as his Jeep Cherokee pulled up in front of a familiar looking red bricked house on Quincy Street in Bedford Stuyvesant. There was a parking space directly out front and he bo-guarded his way into it before a sleek black Porsche could. After shutting off the engine he got out and walked towards the house.
“Hey, homeboy what’s your problem? I was about to park there!” the driver of the Porsche angrily shouted in a loud unmistakable-high pitched squeaky voice. As soon as Tommy heard the condescending way he said ‘homeboy’, like he was lowering himself to speak on his level, he already knew the driver was a pompous ass. He turned around with a sneer. “Well?” the driver said.
Tommy didn’t say a word and stared at him with a set of hard dark eyes burrowing through the driver of the Porsche. It was a game he liked to play. Get his point across without having to say one word. When the driver looked away a victorious smile formed at the corner of Tommy’s lips. The driver pushed back his glasses with his index finger and sheepishly mumbled something about ‘Hoodlums’ under his breath before screeching off.
“Punk ass Buppy!” Tommy said shaking his head. As he continued towards the house a bit of nostalgia came over him when he entered the gate and passed the garbage cans he used to drag out to the front every morning. He paused and gritted his teeth at how his old mailbox no longer read Mr. and Mrs. Strong, but now simply said Ms. Nicky Hunter. Annoyed by the changes plus a combination of anxiousness about why he was called over made him mash the doorbell repeatedly.
“Alright already! I’m coming!” A voice close to hoarse, deep and whispery filled with cracks yelled from the opposite side of the door followed by a series of locks and chains being unbolted. “Ring all you want I told you before, you’re still not getting a-!” The door snatched open and an annoyed African Ame
rican chocolate sundae stood in the doorway. “-key! Tommy, it’s you!” Nicky said startled immediately changing her mood from sour to sweet.
Tommy stood there gawking at his ex-wife. She had the kind of beauty that when she opened the door and you first met her you felt like you won the lottery. Her head was covered with long braids that slipped across her face and her flawless skin was the color of milk chocolate. Her nose was a sepia button squeezed in between toasted almond shaped eyes. Curves were plentiful, starting at her smooth cheeks, rolling to her sufficient bosom and extending around to her ample bottom. She was barefoot and he stole a peek at her feet. They were perfect, compact and deliciously brown without a corn in sight. The toes he used to pour honey on and suck clean during their lovemaking were mocha morsels topped with a dollop of bubblegum-pink polish.
“Hey.” he said.
“Hey yourself,” she smiled opening the door further so he could enter. “When I didn’t hear from you I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show.”
“I got in late last night and crashed.” Tommy explained. canvasing the place. The house was set up differently from when he used to live there. His feet sank into the plush wall-to-wall carpeting that matched perfectly with the chocolate brown leather sofa and love seat. The walls were adorned with beautiful African paintings and masks. In the corner was a 30-gallon aquarium with a bed of bright blue gravel and beautiful tropical fish. On a coffee table made of glass and iron sat a jewelry chest with a map of Africa etched on its side. Making the picture complete was an oak entertainment center with a large screened TV and stereo beneath. “The place looks, dope.” he complimented looking around for a lamp, an ashtray something that he remembered from when he used to call this place home.
“Thanks. So, can I get you something? Beer? A soda?”
Tommy wished that she would offer him coffee like in his dream. Then offer herself to him. “Nah I’m straight.” He said and they sat in silence, feeling awkward and uncomfortable.
“My mom stopped by earlier. She told me that you’re considering teaching special ed kids.” Tommy said breaking the loud silence.
“Yes, actually after talking with her I’ve decided to become an E.D. teacher.”
“What’s an E.D. teacher?”
“An emotional disturbances teacher. I have a lot of ideas to make learning more exciting for them and I think it will be a good experience.” Nicky said.
“Well I think you’re the perfect person for the job. You have the patience it takes. I remember how you had my sister reciting her alphabet when none of her teachers could.”
“Thanks, but I do not deserve all the credit. Tee-Tee was a fast learner and I believe that in time she will surprise everyone with her greatness. Speaking of Tee-Tee, I bet she’s excited about her party.”
“Oh yeah. She’s really looking forward to it. Thanks again for letting her have it here.”
“No need for thanks, I love Tee-Tee. All the nights she used to stay here. She’s the kid sister I never had. That’s why when your mom called to ask if I’d mind having her party here I was more than happy to help.”
“My mother, asked you?” Tommy asked.
“Yeah she said that she couldn’t find a decent place to rent out and that it would mean a lot to Tee-Tee if I could have the party here. What’s wrong? You sound like this is all brand new.”
Now Tommy knew what his father meant by ‘Stating the obvious.’ His mother felt that he and Nicky weren’t doing anything to rekindle the magic, so she decided to play Cupid and have the party there. Perhaps after a couple of slow dances and sharing some birthday cake they might remember what they once had and get back together.
“No, no I knew that. I’m just trippin’ because uh, it’s been so long since I’ve been here.” Tommy said which was partly the truth.
“Yeah it has been a while. You look good.” Nicky smiled. It had been almost a year since Nicky and Tommy had last seen each other. She almost had forgotten how disarmingly sexy he was but was quickly reminded as her eyes zeroed in on his broad shoulders, wide chest and buffed arms bulging from beneath his mock neck shirt. Then there were his chiseled good looks that completed the package.
“So, do you.” He smiled returning the compliment. She too looked madd flyy in a fitting pair of Bubble Gum jeans with zippers at the ankles that showed off her soda bottle curves and an Ocean Pacific pin-striped men’s button-down shirt cinched at the waist with a wide designer belt and open enough to tease her lovely cleavage.
“How’s Mayhem?”
“She’s fine.”
“And other things?”
“If you’re referring to Trouble Consulting, it pays the rent.” Tommy hunched his shoulders.
“Speaking of which, I overheard one of my students bragging to the others about how Havoc and Mayhem took care of a slum lord that was terrorizing his Grandmother and the other elderly tenants in her tenement.” Nicky said.
Tommy frowned, grinding his teeth. “That piece of filth knew that roach motel violated tons of safety and health codes. Yet every first of the month he and his fat ass nephew would kick in doors threatening to toss these old people out on the street if they didn’t have his rent. But when I got through with them-!” he said slamming his fist into his palm to demonstrate. “-let’s just say that not only has the building had vast improvements, the tenants pay even less to live there now.”
“The kids speak about you as if you were their favorite comic book superhero come to life. If they only knew, their teacher was once married to their superhero.” she giggled.
Tommy winced up like he had just been insulted. “Nicky just because I can throw a punch it doesn’t make me a superhero.” he said with bitterness.
“What bug crawled up your ass?” Nicky asked.
Tommy blew steam. “Sorry. It’s just that lately I’ve been feeling sorta guilty about taking payment for what I do.”
“Not you. Mister, ‘I’m strictly in dis here for the loot!’” Nicky said taken back by Tommy’s sudden virtuous street-cred ways that drastically contradicted the man who loved being paid in full.
Tommy nodded. “Those old people that hired me were damn near desolate. It’s why they lived in that shithole in the first place. And I still took their money. Now you’re telling me that their grandkids are discussing me like I give them-I dunno. Hope.”
“Sounds like you’re struggling under a rather big conscience.”
“Perhaps.”
“So then why’d you accept the money?”
“If I didn’t then everybody would be looking for me to help them out for free.”
Nicky rolled her eyes unmoved by his words. “Well you know how I feel about this subject anyway.”
“I should, it cost me my marriage.”
“No, it cost me mines!” Nicky said raising her voice. “Look let’s not take a stroll down memory lane. Let’s just discuss why I asked you over.”
“No problem. So what’s up?”
“There’s this guy I’ve been seeing for a few months. And well, I told him about us being divorced and how close I still am with your mother and sister. And he feels a little jealous. I guess I can understand since most people who get divorced usually break up with the families of their spouses too. I explained that I don’t have any family and that you and I are ancient history and he says he understands but I can tell it still bothers him.”
“You didn’t tell him why we split up?” Tommy asked realizing that’s who she was expecting when she answered the door. But it was no longer any of his business. Still he did feel a bit of satisfaction in knowing whoever dude was, he wasn’t getting a key to the crib he used to live in.
“Of course not. That’s none of his business. If I wouldn’t discuss it with your mother, I definitely wouldn’t tell him. Anyway, he is feeling a bit insecure about your entire family coming over and wants to come to Tee-Tee’s party. I don’t really think it’s that big of a d
eal. And I’m more than certain that you’re seeing someone. Right?” Tommy half-shrugged an answer that she assumed meant ‘yes’. “I’m just a little worried about how your mother might react since she’s convinced we’re going to get back together someday. I’m curious, how did she react when you started seeing other women?”
“I’ve never brought anyone home to meet her.”
“Chicken huh?” she giggled.
“Remind me, why did you neglect to tell her about your new Schmoopy again?”
“Touché, but we aren’t at Schmoopy status yet. I was thinking maybe if you two met he would see there’s nothing to worry about and stop feeling so insecure.”
Tommy sucked his teeth leaning forward. “So this is what you wanted? For me to meet your new man? Assure him that we are no longer an item?”
“Well yeah, is there problem?”
Tommy calmed down when he heard his tone rising and sat back playing it cool. “Nah, there’s no problem.”
“So you’ll meet him then?”
“I’ll even bring a date to Tee-Tee’s party.” He mumbled.
Nicky was so pleased she leaned over and hugged Tommy. “Thanks, I really appreciate this. You have no idea how this party has put a strain on our relationship.”
“Oh really?” Tommy growled. He was even more upset that she did not seem the least bit concerned about who he was bringing. “So when do you want me to meet this guy?”
On cue the doorbell rang. “That should be him now.”
As she went to open the door Tommy shook his head. “What if I would’ve said no?”
“I knew you wouldn’t,” Nicky smiled and unlocked the door.
A clean-shaven black man with salt and pepper hair slicked back stormed in visibly upset. “I swear this neighborhood is in desperate need of gentrification! You will not believe what just happened! I just had it out with one of your hoodlum neighbors over a parking space!” From where he sat Tommy’s back faced the front door, but he immediately recognized the steady and resonant voice. “There I was about to back into a perfect space, right outside your door, when this dimwitted cretin comes zooming up and steals my space! He almost rear-ended me. And you know I was not about to risk my beautiful Porsche getting scratched by his drug mobile, so I being the bigger person allowed him to have the space. Man, he got under my skin! And get this Nicolette, when I reprimanded him about his inconsiderate actions he just stared at me then sashayed off like he owns the block. Probably because he’s incapable of complete sentences. I tell you people like that shouldn’t be in jail. They should be underneath it!”
Havoc and Mayhem Page 9
