by Jackie D.
Cruze rolled down the window before pulling off. “Love you!”
“Love you, too!” Skye responded.
Needing to figure out what to do about the whole Sandino situation anyway, it was probably best that Cruze was leaving. Him harboring over her wasn’t what she needed right now.
As soon as she started walking towards her apartment, some young boys in a nearby car began to whistle and holler at her.
“Damn, you look good shawty, can I get with you?” one of them yelled.
Skye ignored them and kept walking. She shook her head thinking, I hate disrespectful ass children. I can’t wait to get inside and pour myself a glass of Moscato so I can relax and block everything out.
As Skye walked closer to her apartment, she was surprised when she saw Lydia and Payton headed in her direction. Payton who had just learned to walk, waddled over with a big smile spread across her small face.
“Ma Ma!” Payton called out.
“Hey, baby girl,” Skye said, picking her daughter up and kissing her fat, juicy cheeks. She then directed her attention to Lydia. “What the world are you doing here? How did you find out where we lived? Where’s Kareem?” Skye questioned her.
She hadn’t seen her old neighbor since they’d moved forty-five minutes away, eight months ago. Ever since the shooting, Skye really didn’t trust anybody around her family and she certainly didn’t want to answer any questions about Sandino.
“Kareem called and asked if I could pick up Payton because he had something to do and you were out of town. Is something wrong?” Lydia asked.
“No, it’s just that Kareem was supposed to be watching her, that’s all.” Skye wondered what Kareem had to do that was so important. She also tried to keep her cool in order not to offend her former babysitter. “I can’t believe you drove all the way out here.”
“Well, when Kareem called, I jumped at the opportunity to see my little princess. It’s been so long,” Lydia said, poking Payton in her stomach. Payton grinned and put her hands over her eyes acting bashful. “You know I never mind babysitting Payton. She’s always been such a good baby. I miss you all so much. It doesn’t feel the same without you being my neighbor anymore.”
“We miss you too, but I had to get away from all that madness, we needed a fresh start.”
“I can understand that, by the way, how is Jordan doing in Spanish 2 this year?” Lydia asked.
“Well, school just started last month, but he’s doing well so far, and I owe that all to you,” Skye proudly stated, giving her a hug.
“No problem. I loved tutoring Jordan, he’s a smart boy and loves to learn.” Lydia looked at her watch. “I was just about to take Payton to Chucky Cheese for a little while if that’s okay with you. I want to spend a little time with her.”
Skye was a little hesitant, but decided that she probably would’ve been overreacting if she told Lydia that wasn’t a good idea. “No, of course I don’t mind, she loves that place,” Skye said, kissing Payton once more before putting her down.
“I won’t have her out too long. We should be back by 8:30,” Lydia replied, grabbing Payton by the hand.
“That’s fine. Bye my sweetie pie,” Skye said, waving.
Payton waved her little hand backwards. “Bye…bye…bye.”
Skye loved her daughter, but the extended break from the one year old little terror was appreciated. Ever since she’d started walking, Payton got into everything and had been wearing everybody out. The only person she had wrapped around her little finger was Cruze. Payton could do no wrong in his eyes.
Lydia suddenly turned around. “Oh yeah, before I forget. There was some man knocking on your old apartment door not too long after you moved. He then started walking around the neighborhood asking questions.”
Skye stood wondering who it could’ve possibly been. Then again there were so many reporters coming up to her door after the incident, it could’ve been anyone.
“See, this is one of the main reasons why I moved. Did he say who he was? Skye asked. “Was he from some news station?”
“I don’t think so, and when I asked him his name he didn’t answer. He just asked if I knew where you moved and I told him no. Even if I had known where you all were moving I would’ve never given him the information.”
Skye shook her head. “I know, and I thank you for that.”
“I tried to call and tell you, but you never answered any of my calls.”
“I’m sorry, Lydia. It’s just that after all that happened, I kinda went into a little funk. I really didn’t want to talk to anybody.”
“Don’t worry. I understand.”
“If you see him again, let me know though.”
“Will do, he was really cute, too,” Lydia joked.
After saying goodbye one last time, Skye finally headed inside wondering who the mystery man was. Another thing to add to my worries, she thought.
She entered her apartment and dropped her keys and purse on the console table in her small foyer. When she heard the T.V. in the living room playing really loud she instantly became irritated. It was a never ending battle with her sons when it came to leaving the T.V. on whenever they weren’t watching it. Skye knew it was a hard habit for them to break since they’d grown up with Ms. Petra always doing everything for them. At that moment, she wondered again what Kareem had to do that was so important.
“It’s not like his lazy ass has a job,” she said to herself.
Deciding to deal with him later, Skye kicked off her shoes and glanced at The Wendy Williams show and caught herself saying, “How you doin’?”
Turning the volume down a bit, she walked to her bedroom to throw on a pair of leggings along with a big t-shirt to get comfortable. She’d been in the same tight jeans for ten long hours. However, when Skye turned the corner her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw Kareem sitting on her bed with his head tilted back and a female down on his knees giving him head. She immediately became enraged.
“What the fuck? Have you lost your damn mind, Kareem?” she yelled.
The woman turned around, wiped her mouth and stood up looking at Skye with a smirk. Kareem quickly pulled his pants up and tried to apologize.
“Oh shit…my bad, Ma. Things got a little hot and heavy and we couldn’t make it to my room.”
“What? Hot and heavy my ass, get the hell out of my damn room. Is this what you had to do that was so important? Who the hell is this woman?” Skye pointed. “You know I don’t want any strangers in my house!”
“Ma, calm down. This is Le Le. She’s not a stranger,” Kareem replied.
“So, this is your mother,” Le Le said with a long stare.
“And you’re the infamous Le Le,” Skye replied while looking the woman up and down.
Le Le’s long, jet black weave was all over the place from Kareem rubbing his hands threw it. She took her fingers and attempted to try and comb it out of her face. After hearing Kareem talk about her for the past few weeks, Skye was shocked to see how old the woman seemed to be. With a name like Le Le, Skye thought she was Kareem’s age. However, she couldn’t hate on the woman’s skin, which was absolutely flawless.
“You should’ve had more class about yourself. Having sex in my bedroom is tacky and a little juvenile don’t you think?” Skye said to her.
“Look, I’m sorry, but your son was the one who invited me over here. How the hell was I supposed to know it was your room? You better fall the fuck back,” she shot back with an attitude.
“Who the fuck are you telling to fall back?” Skye asked walking up on her. “Bitch, you’re in my house!”
Kareem walked over and stood in front of the woman. “Ma, chill out.”
“Kareem, let’s go before this shit gets out of hand!” Le Le stated with authority, then walked towards the door.
“Kareem, you’re not going anywhere. Now, this bossy bitch can get the fuck out, but you’re not leaving!” Skye yelled. She looked at Le Le. “Did you know he was o
nly seventeen?”
Kareem quickly stepped in before things got escalated. “Ma, why you trippin? How you gonna tell me how to live my life or who I should be with when you keep switching up men. You got yet another man living up in here. I like Cruze and all, but you got this nigga up in here acting like he run shit now. You so weak, you can’t even be alone without a man telling you what to do. Now you trying to judge Le Le and you don’t even know her.”
Le Le put her hand on hip and smiled. She was impressed that Kareem was standing up for her.
“I don’t want to know her,” Skye responded.
Le Le frowned. “And I don’t want to know you either!”
“Now you see why I don’t tell you nothing that’s going on in my life cause you so negative,” Kareem continued.
“Don’t try and flip this shit on me,” Skye replied. “I know a conniving bitch when I see one. And she has the nerve to be disrespectful!”
“I’m not gonna be too many more bitches,” Le Le fired back.
All of a sudden, Kareem’s bad temper quickly emerged as he picked up a lamp and threw it across the room.
Skye’s eyes lit up once again. “Kareem, are you crazy? Throw something else and see what the fuck happens. Don’t let me embarrass you in front of this broad. Just because your ass has a little mustache now doesn’t make you grown.”
Le Le who was obviously startled by Kareem’s behavior picked up her purse and headed out of the room. “I’ll be in the car Kareem, so don’t keep me waiting. We can pick up where we left off at my place,” she said, giving Skye an evil look.
“I’m right behind you,” Kareem responded.
Moments later, Le Le made her way toward the front door. As soon as Kareem heard the door close, he directed his attention right back to his mother.
“I can’t believe you just disrespected me in front of that lady. How old is she anyway?” Skye questioned.
“What difference does it make? Why don’t you go pop one of those pills and chill out. I love Le Le and she’s not going anywhere so you might as well learn to like her.”
“Love? How the hell can you love somebody you just fucking met? How long have you known her about three…maybe four weeks? I thought you were seeing some young girl, not some old ass cougar.”
“You need to stop talking about my girl like that. Do you see me around here talking about your third man that way? Where is he anyway? Any other time he’s right up under you,” Kareem shot back.
All Skye could think about was the fact that she was so tired of being disrespected. The more Kareem continued to argue back, the madder she became. “I’m sick of your damn mouth, Kareem!” Rage consumed her and she hauled off and slapped him as hard as she could.
He stepped back absolutely shocked holding his face. As much as it hurt Skye to strike him, a good slap across the face was the only way she could get her point across that she would no longer tolerate his lack of respect.
A few seconds later, Kareem formed a fist. “I advise you not to do that again or…” he tried to threaten.
Skye’s jaws tightened as she walked up in her son’s face ready for a battle. “Or what? I wish you would hit me. You know what, you act just like your damn…” Skye paused. They hadn’t mentioned Sandino’s name since the night he was shot.
“Go ahead, say it, just like my father? I’ll never be like him and I’ll never marry a weak ass woman like you either!” he yelled, slamming the door.
CHAPTER 6
Forty minutes later, Kareem and Le Le entered her five bedroom home in Dunwoody. While she put her purse down and kicked off her shoes to get comfortable, Kareem was in his own little world still mad about the fight with his mother.
“I can’t believe she disrespected you like that,” he said, pacing back and forth.
Deciding not to respond, Le Le went into the kitchen and poured him a shot of peach Ciroc to calm his nerves. When she returned to the living room, he was still pacing the floor talking to himself.
“Here you go baby, maybe this will calm you down.”
Kareem took the glass out of her hand and immediately turned it up taking it to the head. He then slammed the glass down on the table and continued to mumble under his breath.
“She doesn’t want me to start talking about that murder.”
Le Le’s body instantly stiffened, and her eyes narrowed. “What did you just say? A murder?”
Suddenly, Kareem snapped out of it and looked over at her realizing he was talking too much. “What? Why you all up in my mouth? I didn’t say shit about no murder.”
Le Le looked at him funny. She didn’t like his tone and she knew what she’d heard “Yes, the hell you did.”
Kareem tried his best to play it off. “You tripping.”
“Look, I’m too old to be dealing with some dumb shit. If you’re some type of drug dealer or gang banger, then you need to roll. I can take your ass back right now.”
“I didn’t say shit about no murder!” Kareem reiterated. As he continued to pace, Le Le decided to let it go for now and sat down on the couch. “My mother needs to let me live my life. She’s always so hard on me, but treats my damn brother like a king. I guess she thinks he’s gonna be a pro balla or something,” Kareem said, sitting down beside her. He propped his feet up on her leather ottoman and threw his head back.
Le Le knew the argument had him pissed and she’d never seen him so upset before. But she was also glad he’d finally put his controlling mother in her place. She was sick of Skye always calling Kareem every hour on the hour asking where he was like he was a child. So when Skye walked in on them having oral sex in her bedroom, Le Le got a bit of enjoyment out of seeing her upset. Besides, she hated momma’s boys.
Le Le watched as Kareem sat with a somber look on his face looking off into space. She was at lost for words because she’d never seen this side of him and didn’t want to say the wrong thing. In his daze, Kareem wondered what was really going on with his mother. The way she’d flipped out on him just didn’t make sense. He knew her well enough to know something else was bothering her. However, he also knew that she’d never steered him wrong when it came to advice either.
“I wanna apologize for putting you through that. My mother thinks anybody who comes around that she doesn’t know is either shady or wants something from us.”
“Well, after learning who your father is I can’t say that I blame her for that. It’s some crazy people out here,” she replied.
“Yeah, but that obviously doesn’t stop her from getting a new boyfriend. I hate that she always gotta have a nigga up in her bed.”
“Damn, you make it seem like she’s had a thousand of them. How many was it before Cruze,” Le Le continued to pry.
“Just one.”
“Oh really. How long did he last?” she questioned.
Kareem paused for a second. “Man, I don’t wanna talk about my mother anymore.” He looked over at his girl. “What I wanna know is why are you with me, Le Le? I mean you definitely got your shit together. Look at how you dress and the way you live. I can’t buy you shit like this. You could have any man you want. Like a man your own age.” He glanced around the room, secretly wondering how she could afford such a nice house by herself.
“I guess it was just fate, Kareem. When we met that day at Perimeter Mall and we started talking, I felt an instant connection with you. That has never happened to me before. And once we started spending time together, I really started feeling you. To me, age ain’t nothing but a number, baby. All I know is your mother might as well get over it because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yeah, we did hit it off. Talking to you that day was like talking to an old friend instead of a stranger. The conversation was so good I stayed too long on my break and got fired that day,” Kareem said with a smirk.
“You didn’t need that bullshit ass job at Chick-fil-A anyway. Don’t I give you whatever you need? By the way, I didn’t forget that you want those new Jordan’s. We ca
n go to the mall and get them tomorrow if you want,” Le Le said, blowing him a kiss.
“Okay, thanks baby, you do hold me down,” he replied.
“I’m here for you. Feel free to talk to me about anything. I can tell it’s a lot going on inside that head of yours. And you told me you’ve been through a lot. I’ll just be glad when you feel comfortable enough to open up more and share some of it with me.”
Kareem stared at his girl. He had it bad for her. She was a grown woman who knew how to make a man feel good, physically, mentally and financially. He also enjoyed spending time with her, not to mention she was a huge sports fan. She earned major brownie points for that.
“I’ll let you in when you let me in,” Kareem told her. “I still don’t know a lot about you either. Like, what do you do for a living?”
“I don’t want to talk about that now. I wanna do this.”
Suddenly Le Le stood up then slid her Twisted Heart velour sweat pants down revealing her sexy lace underwear. She placed her hands inside her panties and started fingering herself; then removed one of her hands and licked her fingers while continuing to rub on her clit with the other hand. As Kareem’s dick began to throb, Le Le did a little dance while stepping out of her panties reveling a cleanly shaved pussy.
“Let me cheer you up,” she said in a sexy voice.
Kareem watched closely as she made her way over toward him. As Le Le removed her t-shirt and rubbed on her nice big breasts, Kareem’s dick rose instantly. Even at age thirty-three, Le Le was a very attractive woman with high cheek bones, bronze skin and a deep set of dimples. She definitely could’ve passed for the actress Gabrielle Union. Her body was perfectly toned and flawless. She didn’t look at all her age and Kareem wondered how his mother could tell she was that much older than him.
Le Le dropped down to her knees and unbuttoned Kareem’s jeans. Unable to contain the anticipation, Kareem quickly pulled down his pants along with his boxers.
“Now maybe this time we can finish without any interruptions,” she said, putting his dick in her mouth.
Le Le sucked slow and passionate, at first teasing and driving Kareem crazy. When he felt his legs getting weak he quickly tried to think of something else to keep from cumming as she put her skills to work and forcefully started sucking and jerking him off at the same time.
