Careful of the Company You Keep

by Angie Daniels

  “Daddy, you okay?”

  He gave me a strange look. “Feel better than I have in years.”

  I gave him another hug. “I love you.” I haven’t told him that in a while.

  “I love you, too, pumpkin.”

  I finally released my daddy and headed toward the kitchen of the home I had grown up in. Mama was pulling a pan of homemade cornbread out of the oven.

  “Hey, sunshine. Glad you could come and join us. Is your friend coming for dinner, too?”

  Hell to the no. That was the last thing I needed. He was wearing my nerves and I definitely was looking for one evening without him trying to smell my pussy. “No, he had to work,” I lied.

  I heard movement upstairs and gave my mother a strange look. “Mama, who’s upstairs?”

  She looked away, so I knew what she was going to say before she said it. “I let Portia move in with us.”

  “What?” I can’t believe Alvin came over here and conned Mama into taking his problem off his hands.

  “Alvin came by and we talked.”

  “But he was supposed to keep her, not put that burden on you.”

  “I was the one that said I wanted her staying with me. His wife ain’t the nicest woman in the world, and my granddaughter shouldn’t be somewhere she isn’t wanted.” She wiped her hands and gave me a warm smile. “This way I can help her when the baby is born. She only has four more weeks to go.”

  I wasn’t going to admit it, but the baby being there in the house with Mama meant I would get a chance to see my grandbaby anytime I wanted.

  Mama removed her apron. “Let me show you something.”

  “Mama, I don’t feel like talking to Portia.”

  “Quit being stubborn and come up and see.”

  I released a heavy sigh and followed her up the stairs. We moved down the hall, where there were four bedrooms. My room now belonged to Portia. The door was shut but you could hear her music. My mom opened the door to my older sister’s old room and stepped aside so I could enter first. I gasped.

  The room had been painted yellow. Clouds had been stenciled on the ceiling. Gold carpet was on the floor, and teddy bears was the décor. My eyes filled with tears. “Who did this?”

  “Your uncle Charles did it for me. He took your old baby furniture and refinished it for me as well.”

  I walked over and fingered a little brown bear that was inside the crib.

  “That used to be your bed.”

  I knew it was nothing like the cheap shit they sell in the stores today. There was a solid wood matching dresser, changing table, and a rocking chair.

  “I’ve been planning to ask Portia to live here ever since we found out she was pregnant. Taking care of a baby will give me something to live for.”

  “Mama, quit talking stupid. You’re not about to die.” I hated when she talked like that.

  She shrugged. “Not yet. But one day. In the meantime, I got to help my granddaughter.”

  I heard a door open down the hall, and seconds later, Portia peeked her head in the door. She gave me a shy wave.

  “Hi, Mama.”

  “Hello,” I said and almost choked. I looked at my little girl with her big swollen stomach and felt my heart melting. “What do you think of the baby’s room?”

  Portia smiled. “It’s really nice. Uncle Charles and Grandma did a good job.”

  “Yes, they did.”

  There was a long silence as we each waited for the other to make the next move. Mama decided to step in.

  “Why don’t we all go down and have dinner like a family?” She was smiling, pleased to know that we were at least speaking.

  I nodded and followed Portia down the stairs. Together we set the table. The doorbell rang. Before Daddy could get off the couch, I went to answer it.

  On the other side of the door stood a short honey-colored woman with a ghetto fabulous hairdo. A tall boy was standing behind her with his head hung low.

  “Does Portia live here?”

  I gave her a suspicious look. “I’m her mother, and yes, she does.”

  She turned and grabbed the boy by his arm and pulled him up to the door. “This here is Demetrius and supposedly he’s her baby’s daddy.”

  He looked like this was the last place he wanted to be. What Portia wrote in her diary was true. He wasn’t much to look at. He had an extra-wide nose, thick lips, and was light skinned with a severe case of teenage acne. Hopefully my granddaughter will take after our side of the family.

  “Why don’t you both come in?”

  She nodded and practically shoved her son through the door. “Forgive my manners. I’m Toni Carlson, and this here is my son Demetrius.”

  I took her proffered hand, then turned to her son. “Hello, Demetrius. I hope you’re ready to be a father.”

  He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  His mother glared at him, then propped a hand at her slim waist. “He better be. He had no business out there in the first place making no babies, but since he did he’s gonna get a job and help take care of his responsibilities. Won’t be no deadbeat daddies living in my house.” She popped him upside his head.

  “Ow! Mama, I said I was going to take care of her.”

  “Damn skippy.”

  I smiled. I’d just met Toni and I already liked her style. “I think we’re going to get along just fine.”

  She nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. Now where’s your daughter? I want to meet her. If she’s anywhere as pretty as her mama, I’m gonna have me a beautiful little grandbaby.”

  We can only hope so. “We’re just getting ready to sit down and have some collard greens and fried chicken. The two of you are more than welcome to join us.”

  She licked her thick lips the way a dog does when he sees a chicken bone. “I don’t want to put you out of your way, but I do love me some collard greens!”

  I signaled for them to follow me into the kitchen. As soon as Portia saw Demetrius her eyes grew round.

  “Mama, Daddy, this is Demetrius and his mother, Toni Carlson. He’s the baby’s daddy.”

  She and my dad rose and shook hands.

  “So nice to meet you. Young man, you know you got a baby to take care of, right?”

  He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good. Well, welcome to the family.” Mama embraced him. As soon as she released him, he moved around to where Portia was standing.

  “Why you been avoiding my calls?” he asked.

  Portia shrugged and avoided eye contact. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, she won’t be avoiding him no more because we got diapers to buy!” I said with a rude snort.

  “I know that’s right!” Toni said and gave me a high five.

  Mama reached for two more plates. “Y’all have a seat. There’s plenty for everyone.”

  We all took a place at the table, and by the end of the meal Demetrius and Portia were talking and he was rubbing her belly. I couldn’t help but smile. Even though my daughter and I had yet to talk, I had a good feeling that everything was going to be all right.

  41

  Renee

  After Alicia caught her dad at my house, Kenny slowed our relationship down and didn’t come by as much as before. I was hurt because that told me he was afraid of losing Reese, and she meant more to him than he had admitted. I was still so pissed at Quinton for the whole thing that we barely spoke. I’m sure he couldn’t wait to leave for college in the fall, and if I had this kinda shit to look forward to, then neither could I.

  I was at work one morning calculating the expenses for the month, hoping that Kenny would drop by and bring breakfast. He hadn’t done that all week, and it worried me that maybe I was losing him. I’m not going to lie and fake the funk. That shit hurt because I put myself out there emotionally and that is just something that I don’t do.

  My cell phone rang and I grabbed it, hoping it was Kenny calling to at least say good morning.

  “Mama!” Tamara shrieked. “I was sleeping
so good, and guess who knocked on the door at eight o’clock this morning?” I forgot my kids didn’t have school today.

  “Who?”

  “That lady.”

  “The bag lady?” Dammit, here we go again. I thought she had gotten the hint by now. “What did she want?”

  Of course Tamara went into animated details. “I opened the door and she was standing there and she said ‘Forgive me. I know I’ve worn out my welcome.’”

  “What did she want?” I asked impatiently. If I waited on Tamara it would be another thirty minutes before she finally got to the point.

  “She asked for sanitary napkins.”

  “Sanitary napkins?” Hell nah! I tried not to laugh but couldn’t help myself. “Did you give her some?”

  “No. Mama, I was so mad I told her no and slammed the door shut.”

  I couldn’t blame Tamara, but at the same time I felt sorry for the woman. “Tamara, you should have given them to her.”

  “Mama, I didn’t mean to be mean, but she made me so mad! If I gave them to her she would be back.”

  “Yeah, but if she’s asking for sanitary napkins then she must really need them.” I hate to think of that woman having to use a dish rag.

  She groaned. “I know, Mom, but she woke me up.”

  “Well, if she comes back, go ahead and give her a box.”

  I could hear the frustration in her voice. “Okay.”

  I hung up, disturbed by the situation and surprised at Tamara. She is usually such a softy that she doesn’t know how to say no. I finished up the last figures, then with nothing else to do, I pulled out my disk and started working on my manuscript. I was so engrossed with the erotic tale that the afternoon passed by quickly, which was a good thing because it took my mind off Kenny.

  By the time I had locked up my office and was heading out to my car, Tamara called back.

  “Mama, my conscience was bothering me. I got up and walked around the block and gave her a box. She said ‘bless you, child.’ ”

  “I hope you didn’t give her the pads with the wings.” Hell, I paid five dollars a box for those.

  “No, I gave her those generic ones at the back of the closet.”

  “Good.” I think I deserve at least one blessing for that.

  I climbed into my car and headed to Office Depot. I noticed I had a missed call and retrieved it. It was Calvin. He sounded pitiful as shit.

  I moved into the store and headed over to the copy paper while I called him back.

  “University Police, may I help you?”

  “Sergeant Cambridge, please.”

  “Who’s calling?” the woman asked like she was screening his calls.

  I decided to be funny. “His boo, that’s who.”

  She mumbled something under her breath, then put the call on hold. A few seconds later, he picked up.

  “Hello?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. Calvin sounded anxious as hell. His secretary must have told him his boo was on the phone.

  “Calvin, it’s me, Renee.” I couldn’t help it. I started laughing.

  I heard him sigh. I didn’t even have to see his face to know he was pissed off.

  “You need to quit playing. That’s what got me in this mess in the first place.”

  “I’m sorry!” I said with a rush of laughter, then quickly shut up and got serious. “I’m really sorry. Whassup?” I grabbed a box of paper and headed to the register.

  “I was wondering if you have spoken to Danielle yet. I had flowers delivered to her job the other day, but she didn’t even bother to call and thank me.”

  He was so desperate he was starting to sound pathetic. No wonder Danielle didn’t want him back.

  “I talked to her but she’s seeing someone else.”

  There was a long pause and I’m sure my comment played a major role. “Do you think it’s serious?”

  As far as Danielle was concerned, yes, but from what I have seen and heard so far, I guarantee she’s setting herself up for disappointment. “No, not at all. I think it’s her way of coping with what happened between y’all.” I hated lying to him, but the truth was something he really didn’t want to hear.

  “I appreciate you at least trying.”

  “I’ll keep doing that. I feel like it’s partially my fault, so I’m going to do whatever I can to get the two of you back together.”

  “Thanks,” he said, although his voice sounded like he was giving up hope.

  We hung up and I put my pride aside and decided to call Kenny. I was disappointed when he didn’t answer. Girl, just forget about him. He’s about to get married anyway. It was easier said than done. Kenny had a piece of my heart that I wasn’t sure I was going to get back anytime soon.

  I made it home and moved to my office. It was time to sit down and start paying some bills. I picked up the stack and thumbed through my bank statements and noticed a letter from my bank.

  “God dammit!” I screamed when I opened it and saw the check from Landon had been returned for insufficient funds. Stupid me had dropped my case at small claims court the same afternoon I had deposited the check. Now I was going to have to start over again. I reached for the phone and called his stupid ass and cussed out his answering machine, then slammed down the phone. I was definitely having a bad day. I moved from my office up to my room and decided to do some kickboxing to ease some of the frustration. Nothing was going right today.

  I slipped on my gym clothes and my Reeboks, then stuck in the video just as my cell phone rang. I rushed to it, hoping it was Kenny. “Hello?”

  “Bitch! Quit calling my man!”

  What the . . . I glanced down at the Caller ID that said blocked. “Who is this?”

  “You heard what I said.” The phone went dead.

  I immediately hit Star 67 even though I knew good and damn well there was no way to trace the call. My mind started racing, trying to come up with possibilities. Hell, I wasn’t messing with anyone but Kenny, so it had to be Reese’s ass.

  I stabbed the keys and dialed his phone again.

  “Yeah?” he asked in a sleepy voice.

  “Uh, your woman just called me,” I said with attitude.

  “What?” He was suddenly wide awake.

  “I saaaaid, your woman just called my phone.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She said, ‘Bitch, quit calling my man.’ ”

  There was a pause. “How do you know it was Reese?”

  “Who the hell else is going to be calling me?”

  “I don’t know. It might be one of your other niggas.”

  Ugh! Men could make me so sick with the bullshit. “Whatever. It was Reese. She had to get my number from your phone.”

  “I don’t know how she would do that. I always hide my phone when I’m at home.”

  “Then she got it from your phone bill. Whatever! Just tell the bitch not to call me again!”

  I hung up because he had pissed me off. How does he know she didn’t call me? I don’t know who else it could be. Kenny’s the only man I’m fucking. Let me catch that bitch on the street. Because it’s on.

  I was mad the rest of the evening. At nine I left to pick Tamara up from work. I pulled up in front of Wal-Mart and thank goodness Tamara had her behind at the curb waiting. I hate when she makes me wait for her to come outside.

  I moved over and got on the passenger’s side.

  “Mom, I don’t feel like driving today. My stomach hurts,” she whined.

  “Girl, too bad. I’m sick of picking you up all the time. You need to learn how to drive whether you feel good or not.”

  She pouted over to the car and climbed in behind the wheel.

  “And straighten your face. You’re too old to be acting like that.” I was in a bitchy mood and knew I was taking it out on her, but I couldn’t get myself out of this funk.

  I put on my seat belt and waited for her to put hers on as well, then she put the car in drive. She put her signal on and waited for a
woman and a little girl to cross before she made a right and pulled out onto the street. After a few minutes I started to relax on the seat. Tamara was doing a really good job.

  “I think you’ll be ready to take your test next week.”

  Her eyes widened. “You really think so?”

  “Yep. You’ll never know unless you try.”

  She looked pleased. As soon as the light turned green she started moving again and brought us safely into traffic.

  “Mama, I was in line and a woman came through buying a bunch of fake flowers. She said she was making a flower arrangement for her friend who was getting married next month in Boonville. I told her my mama’s boyfriend lived in Boonville and was getting married next month, too,” she replied, smiling. “Small world, huh?”

  My eye snapped to her gullible ass. “Girl, don’t be announcing in public that I have a boyfriend. Kenny has a fiancée. For all you know that could have been one of her relatives.”

  She gave me an innocent look. “I didn’t say his name.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t have said anything at all.” Sometimes I think my daughter needs a seat on that short yellow bus. Doesn’t she know what messing around with someone else’s man means? I was quiet the rest of the journey. I got home, checked my messages on the answering machine hoping for a call from Kenny. There were two. One was a telemarketer. The second gave me chills.

  “You stupid bitch! Didn’t I tell you to stay away from my man!” she screamed, then hung up. This shit was really starting to piss me off.

  42

  Renee

  Kee slipped the slim jim in against the window and wiggled. I glanced around nervously, hoping no one came out and saw what we were doing. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes.

  “Do you think he has an alarm?” Danielle was standing near the steps with her hands tucked in her jacket, shivering.

  “Nah, I remember him locking his car and not setting an alarm.”

  “Hurry up, Kee!” she cried. “Damn, it’s cold out here.”

  “Yo, hold the fuck up! Y’all crazy-ass mothafucka got a nigga out here breaking into someone’s vehicle and then got the nerve to try and rush me?”