TRANQUEL
Who the fuck this bitch thinks she is? I mean, I made her who she is. I built her as a person. I brought her everything she owns, no thanks to her fake ass mother. When her dumb ass mother fell into a depression turning her back on Diamond, I was there to wipe her tears and make her strong.
She has this innocent aura about her. And when we were together, I could be myself. She doesn’t love me for who I will be, or what I have. She loves me for ME. I turned off my car ignition, and walked into my father’s house, slamming the door behind me.
At this point, I’m beyond my boiling point. I don’t take rejection well. I blame the way I was raised for that fucked up issue. But I’m forced to live with it now. I really see my father in me, his temper and aggression. I always have to feel in control with a powerful fist.
I stood in the middle of the dining room screaming at the top of my lungs.
“MA!!!!!”
“Boy, stop yelling. I'm in the kitchen.”
“You’re a fucking liar! It didn’t work.” I spat at my mother.
“What do you mean, Tranquel? Started from the beginning. You picked her up, ya’ll go for a walk… then what?”
My mother grabbed my hand. She led me in front of the kitchen stool for me to have a seat. As my mother walked passed me, I gritted my teeth at her.
“I’m listening” she said. She tapped my shoulder, signaling for me to move back on the stool some. She began to relax my nerves by massaging my temples. She pressed deep on my temples, forcing me to take a deep breath.
“Fuck all that word for word shit. I know what it is. She wants to teach me a lesson.” My mother walked around me and stood in front of me.
“Okay, so what’s up with your attitude? What do I have to do with this” she ask, folding her arms across her chest.
Is she fucking kidding me? I thought.
“You have everything to do with this. If, your drunk ass, didn’t fuck up by giving her some words to think about. All because dad blacked your eye. She would still be here. Yeah, I’m blaming everything on you. And I know is, if you don’t fix it. I’ll make sure your life becomes a living hell.” I threatened, shooting her a serious look. She laughed out loud, making my temper come back.
“Why can’t you destroy one of the females who’s already madly in love with you and wants to be with you?” She questioned.
“Yeah, you think it’s a games. I want her. She different from the rest. And you’re going to make it happen. Fix your dumb ass mistake. If you don’t, I’ll make sure not to make you a proud football player’s mother.” I got up from the stool, walking away. I left my mother to stand there. Hopefully she was thinking of a plan.
I went up to my room. I opened my dresser drawer scanning over a couple of my already rolled reggies, trying to pick the fattest one.
“Man, that nigga Fatz sure knows how to roll a tight blunt.” I sat back on my bed, against my headboard, lighting my blunt.
I’m really not use to Diamond having anyone to support her since I met her. I don’t know where this damn aunt of hers came from, but she’s in the way. If Diamond didn’t have somewhere to go, she would have been here. Taking deep pulls on my blunt. I can remember when Diamond and I first met.
Three years ago…
Diamond actually wasn’t my target at hand. I wanted her friend, Teyana, so damn bad. I pretended to be Diamond’s friend to get closer to Teyana. I knew she would drop her panties for me with her being a freshman, and I’m a well-known football player. After hanging with Teyana a couple of times, I realized she’s a whole smut. She’s only been at the school for a couple of month and has slept with over five guys. I knew she had to be something with an ass that fat. I’m wouldn’t be surprise if she slept with the principal.
I cut Teyana off fast, the little whore didn’t even care. To this day she has never asked what happen to us. She never wanted to know why I stopped hitting her up. She could have at least asked why every time I saw her, I would go in the opposite direction.
After football practice one evening, I saw Diamond walking to the bus stop. I kept staring from a distance. She isn’t bad looking at all. I never paid her any mind since she’s so quiet. I never see her in school. Something told me to follow the bus that she got on. I did, and not to long afterwards Diamond got off the bus, with a smile that made me feel happy. She began laughing with some lady that slowed down as she drove past her.
Have you ever watched someone smile and instantly it made you want smile? Yup, she got me with her smile. All I could think about as I watched her is, I have to have her. I kept following her until she walked onto a porch.
“Diamond! This is where you live at?” I ask, showing off my pearly whites.
To my surprise, when she turned around and noticed it was me. Her smile was hidden by her perfectly shaped lips. She ducked down a little to get a good look at me. Her book bag slide off of her shoulder. I quickly got out of the car to help her.
“Tranquel, where’s Teyana?” she asked shocked to see me.
“Teyana? I’m not sure. Why don’t you ask the whole football team?” She started laughing. Although that statement embarrassed me. I joined her in a laugh.
“You were at school late tutoring?”
“No, it’s the first day of cheerleading practice,”
“Word, that’s what’s up. Well, how about I take you out for making the team after our first winning game?” I gave her a nudge on her forearm, and she smiled nodding her head yes.
“Is that your car?” she asked. She was probably wondering how a sixteen-year-old can be driving a black, matte BMW coup.
“Naw, it’s my pops. He’s always gone on business trips, and my mother hardly pays me any attention.”
“Oh, okay. Thank God you aren’t a young hustler.”
The front door opened and some drunken lady, started yelling at Diamond. Although the lady was drunk, she favored the actor Taraji P. Henson from Empire. I took a couple of steps back realizing the lady has to be Diamond’s mother. That both have a couple of the same features.
“YOU THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL NOW, YOU CAN TALK TO THESE LITTLE DIRTY BOYS? GET YOUR FASS ASS IN THIS HOUSE.” She raged.
Diamond’s cheeks became red, and she quickly walked past her mother to get into the house. I felt really bad for her, so I decided to introduce myself her mother. I placed my foot on the first step, reaching my hand out to her mother. She stared at me with stereotyping eyes.
“Hello, I’m Tranquel. Your daughter and I go to the same school. I’m on the football team and she just made the cheerleading team. Hope to see you…” her mother cut me off. Walking into the house and slamming the door in my face. I could hear her yelling at Diamond.
“That’s why you’re late? Because you think you’re about to be a cheerleader? Scratch all that shit out of your head. Fuck you think you about to be all cheery and I’m home miserable.” Her voice faded.
I stood there for a couple of minutes to soak everything up. I can’t believe her mother was beasting like that. When I got home that night, I told my mother all about Diamond, and how her mom was treating her. I knew Diamond was something special back then, that’s why I put my mother on it. I told her to make something happen.
Two weeks went by and I didn’t see Diamond at all. The following week I saw her at practice with a beautiful glow to her. I walked over to her, she didn’t say anything. I knew it would be kind of awkward, because I saw how her mother embarrassed her. I didn’t care about any of that.
“What’s up, where you been at?” I asked.
“Hey, my mother made me stay home once someone told her I’m on the cheerleading squad.” She joked. “But she just got a job at the hospital. I’m not sure who would hire her for a job like that, but hey, I’m happy for her. Long story short, she said I can cheer on the team. I know she’s just saying that because she’s overly happy.” We both laugh.
“Can I take you out after practice? Or at
least take you home? If you won’t get in trouble.” I said.
“Yeah, I will get in trouble, but I’ll take a chance with you. I want to know why out of the blue you’re so into wanting to take me out. I’m not like the females your usually go for.” She turned her head to look in Teyana and Alex’s direction.
I already knew what she was getting at so I bypassed her gesture.
“Alright, I’ll be parked out front waiting for you.”
I walked out of the gym, pulling my phone out to text my mother. I was so excited I used all caps.
Me: THANK YOU SO MUCH MA. YOU TRULY ARE INCREDIBLE. THANKS FOR GETTING THAT DRUNK LADY A JOB AT THE HOSPITAL WITH YOU. NOW I CAN SPEND TIME WITH DIAMOND. I’M GOING TO TELL DAD SOME GREAT THINGS. BUT WAIT… HOW DID YOU KNOW GETTING HER A JOB WOULD LET DIAMOND BE ON THE TEAM.
She responded back with,
Mom: I did my research.
CHAPTER FIVE
A second chance at love.
The last couple of months came and went by really fast. On my 18th birthday I went to the doctor to get the reading of my Harmony Blood Test to find out the sex of my baby. When the doctor told me I would be the mother of a beautiful baby girl I cried so hard. I promised my little baby bump to never become a mother like the mother I have. I didn’t want to deny Tranquel information about his only child. Although my mind and heart still isn’t ready to forgive him just yet, I simply sent Renee a text message
Me: YOU'RE GOING TO BE A GRANDMOTHER TO A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL. Short, simple, and straight to the point.
She responded with the crying and kissy face emoji and congratulation at the end. I’m more than sure she called Tranquel right away telling him the news. Most nights I wanted to see him and even more, have sex with him, but thanks to my hectic schedule I wasn’t able to. I want to show him, his actions aren’t acceptable. His mother may allow the fuckery with his dad, because he’s the bread maker, but I’m my own bread maker.
When we do get back together, I know we will have the best family ever. I have faith Tranquel will be the best father known to mankind. Shit he better be since he wanted this so bad. When I have time to think, I look down at my finger, seeing the promise ring he gave me. It makes me feel like I’m being too hard on him. Maybe within these couple of months he has grown into the sensible man that he should have been from the beginning. Plus, I needed time to get myself together as a mother. I can’t depend on Tranquel and his parents to provide for me and my baby girl.
I was allowed to take summer classes in order to finish school early. So during the summer after completing my junior year, I earned my high school diploma. I was able to finish quickly because I had already starting taking senior courses during my junior year.
I also started real estate courses. Summer school by day, and real estate courses by night was hard, but I was determined to be set when my baby arrived. After passing my state real estate test, I started interning at the biggest real estate company in the state of New York.
What more can I say. I’m blessed. I worked hard and now I was receiving my payoff. I will be a teen mom within a couple of months, and I have accomplished so much, in a short period of time. Life couldn’t be any better until…
One afternoon, after wobbling home from my internship site, I opened the door to my aunt’s apartment. She was sitting on the couch in tears. I think it’s my hormones, without even knowing what happened, I began to shed tears right along with her. I took a seat next to her, she was holding a piece of paper in her hand. I squinted my eyes, trying to see where the letter came from. Anticipation started driving me crazy.
“Auntie, what’s the matter? Please don’t cry. Whatever it is I promise we will get through this.”
My aunt shook her head no. We sat for a couple more minutes, and then she finally spoke.
“I love you, Diamond, but you have to go. I'll speak with Tranquel’s mom to see if you can stay there. They’re the only people who will take you and the baby in and treat you the right way.”
With the hand she held the letter in, she covered her eyes, and sobbed. I didn’t understand where all of this was coming from. Since she automatically mention Tranquel’s house, I knew she had spoken with my mother already. I’m guessing that was a big HELL NO. I didn’t bother asking her if she asked my mother, I didn’t want to face the disappointment.
I took a deep breath, standing up from the couch. Whatever the letter is, it’s causing my aunt a lot of pain. I placed my hand on her shoulder, kissing her bangs since they covered her forehead. I walked up to the room I called mine, and began folding my clothes, placing them in a bin.
My aunt came into the room and stood on the side of me. I knew she felt extremely bad, but I also knew she wouldn’t be asking me to leave if she had another choice. It’s either I leave or she would have to start all over and I know she is already struggling with keeping up with the bills now. Let alone if she had to pay full rent. Her little part time job didn’t help as much as she worked for minimum wage.
“Diamond, someone reported you living with me to Section 8.” She finally told me. So there it was, it’s either I leave or she would have to start all over. I know she is already struggling to keep up with the bills. If she had to pay full rent, she would really be struggling. Her part-time job didn’t help, and she worked for minimum wage.
“They also told that you have an income coming in. I know you only get the $250 a week from your internship, but I should have reported it. The only reason I didn’t is because you’re an adult, and they wouldn’t allow you to stay with me without all these documents.” She explained. “Baby-girl, it isn’t you. It’s some hating ass bitch. I asked your mother first but—” I stopped her in her tracks.
“Auntie, it’s fine. I don’t want to know what she had to say. I’m an adult now, I don’t want to be the cause for anyone being out on the streets. It's time I suck up my pride and take Tranquel back.” I said. I slide both of my bins into the hallway.
My aunt walked into the hallway with open arms giving me a tight hug. I swear I felt like she would squeeze my baby out.
“Auntie, please let me go, I happy to know you love me this much, you would cause me to go into labor.” We both laughed as she let go of her hold.
“Promise me you won’t get mad?” she said, looking like a little kid who has done something wrong.
“Okay, I promise.” I stuck my hand behind my back, crossing my index finger with my middle finger.
“I already spoke with Renee and Tranquel. They’re on the way over here. They both sounded worried and wanted to be here for you.”
I’m was on fire at this point, literary boiling on the inside. Who gave her the right to talk to them? She should have left that to me. With the money I have saved, I was going to call a cab and go to a hotel. Then I would have contacted Tranquel on my own terms.
I wanted to at least show him I have things together. Now I feel like he’s going to think I need him. I’m not like the other females he deals with. This nigga probably thinks he’s captain save a hoe, although I’m far from being a hoe. I could just scream right now. My aunt kept talking, but my thoughts didn’t allow me to listen to what she had to say. I can’t even respond to her scary ass. I’m beginning to think she just wanted me out.
Just last week she asked me how long would it be before I would be into my apartment. I told her soon, but damn I didn’t mean this soon. Shit, the way I’m thinking maybe she’s the one who reported herself. I went into the room to take a seat on the bed. I felt with everything going on I was about to break down into a million tears. Just when my life was coming together. Maybe I’m overreacting, but I don’t want Tranquel to feel like we’re back together because I needed him. I wanted it to be on my own terms.
I heard a familiar horn coming from outside. Bringing me back to the night Tranquel came to my house acting crazy. The only good that came from that night was finding out I was pregnant.
“Diamond, they're here.” My aunt scoo
ped both of my clothes bins in her arms. As if they were lite as a feather. She brought both of the bins downstairs. I saw a hint of happiness in her facial expression.
I stood at the top of the steps, watching Tranquel grab the bins from her arms at the front door. He came back to the door, and I could hear him whisper to my aunt. He asked her where I was. I watch as she replied pointing in my direction. Not knowing I was standing on the steps. He smiled and began to rush up the spiral staircase. He stopped when he saw me standing in front of him.
“Diamond, you look beautiful pregnant.” He grab my hand slowly bringing me closer to him.
“I’m so sorry for everything. Please give me another chance.” He whispered in my ear, while holding me close to him.
At first when I saw him, I told myself I would be giving him the attitude from hell. But after he said those words it’s like my stiff body loosened up. I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my toes. I missed his smell and his strong touch. Yeah, I missed my baby more than he thought. I shed a couple tears on his shoulder as I squeezed him tighter. He had to have felt some moisture on his V neck t-shirt. He pulled me away from him.
A Fistful of Love: A Domestic Violence Anthology Page 35
