by Mz. Toni
“I just want the chance to start over.”
“If we start over then we are really starting over. No sex, no nothing. We will be friends until I feel like you're ready.”
“Why do you get to decide when I'm ready?”
“Because I refuse to have my heart broken again!” I snapped. While we were talking it was just my luck that Raymond walked into my room.
“What are you doing here, Ray?”
“I came to check on you,” he said while mean mugging Terrence.
“I’ma head out, but I’ll call you,” Terrence said getting off my bed and kissing my cheek.
“Alright, I’ll talk to you later,” I said. While Terrence was walking out he gave Ray a cocky smirk that sent him over the edge.
“Who the fuck is that?” Ray sneered.
“That’s my friend,” I said nonchalantly.
“Are you fucking him?”
“No, I'm lying in bed talking to you,” I said smartly.
“Don't fucking play with me, Shana! Have you fucked him?”
“That ain't none of your business and lower ya voice like my kids aren't here.”
“I can't believe you would do some shit like that!”
“You are fucking crazy! We’ve been divorced for over a year, did you think I would never fuck another man? Boy, bye!” I said laughing.
“I been trying to work things out with you, and now I know why you been acting this way.”
“My dating him has nothing to do with you. I’ve moved on. You fucked my sister and got her pregnant not once, but twice, and you're mad at me.”
“I haven't seen your sister, you have been my main focus!”
“I should've been your main focus when it mattered, and right now nothing you're saying matters,” I shot back.
“Have you had that nigga around my kids?”
“Didn't you just have a girlfriend not too long ago around my kids every time they went to visit you?” I asked, shutting his ass up.
“I want to make things right with us, but you want to hurt me.”
“You can leave now!” I said while giving him a blank stare.
“I'm tired of you kicking me out of a fucking house we bought together!”
“So what are you saying?”
“I ain't fucking leaving, I'm going to get Jas and we gonna make this shit work!” he screamed.
I couldn't help but laugh. Reaching for my phone on the nightstand, I had every intention on calling the police, but before I could grab it he snatched it out of my hand. When he walked out of the bedroom he closed my door. Jumping up as fast as I could with a broken leg, I tried to open the door only to find out that I couldn't. I wasn't sure what he did to keep me in the room, but nothing was working. I laid back in the bed waiting for one of the kids to come up stairs. After waiting over an hour, I finally realized he must have taken them with him. When they came back, he unlocked the door and walked over to me with Destiny following behind him.
“Auntie Shana, I missed you so much. I thought you hated me, but daddy said you just been sick!” she said excitedly while hugging me.
As I hugged her back I couldn't help the tears that fell from my eyes. I felt like shit for neglecting my relationship with her knowing how much she loved me.
“Hey, baby. Yeah I been busy, but I missed you so much.”
“What happened, why do you have boo-boos?” she asked.
“Auntie was being clumsy and crashed my car,” I said with a smile.
“Aww, I’ma kiss it,” she said kissing my leg.
“Tell your cousin, I mean brother, R.J. to come here,” I whispered in her ear.
“They at grandma house. It’s just me and Daddy, we gonna take care of you,” she said innocently.
“Don't be sneaky, Shana,” Ray said shaking his head.
“Do you really think you can keep me here and no one will come looking?”
“I thought about taking you somewhere else, but this is our house and ain't nobody gonna run us out. I’ll figure shit out when it comes.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I know you need time to fall back in love with me. I'm not holding you hostage, I would never do that, but we need this time with each other.”
“Okay, well I want to leave. If you're not holding me hostage then let me go.”
“Why the fuck you gotta be so fucking difficult!” he screamed before punching a hole in the wall literally above my head.
“Daddy, you're being angry again, remember you said you would be nice,” Destiny said with a scared face.
“You're right, sweetie. I'm sorry, keep auntie company while I go fix dinner,” he said before kissing my cheek and walking out.
“Does he always get so angry, Destiny?”
“Sometimes he’ll scream and break stuff.”
“Has he hurt you?”
“He made me fall down all the steps, but he didn't mean to,” she said.
How could he have gotten this fucking crazy and I not notice? I mean, he was weird, but he’s always been a little weird and I never knew him to hurt a fly. When he came back upstairs he had made me a sandwich and soup which I ate quickly and washed down with a glass of apple juice. I hadn't eaten since breakfast so I was starving. After eating, I took my pills and before I knew it sleep took over my body.
Chapter Fourteen (Shante)
“Bitch, I know you told Kasan about my doctor’s appointment the other day!”
“He deserves to be there, that’s his baby too.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled.
“So are you gonna tell me what’s going on with you?”
“I’m just trying to cope with the loss of my child.”
“I understand.”
“I want that bitch Kiesha dead!”
“You already know I got ya back, boo.”
“I know, but you have a wedding to plan.”
“Shit, I can do both,” she said laughing.
“I don't know, I just feel like she’s what’s keeping me from moving on.”
“I get it, so have you thought about your baby shower?”
“I don't want one.”
“You have to have one.”
“No I don't!”
“A’ight Shante, I'm not gonna argue with you.”
“Have you talked to Shana?” I asked.
“Not since she got out the hospital.”
“She isn't answering my calls and I'm worried.”
“I’ll check on her, you relax and take care of my godson.”
“Thank you,” I said.
We talked for a little more before hanging up. Getting comfortable in my bed, I grabbed the remote and tried to find something to watch, but was interrupted by my phone ringing. I looked down at the caller ID and saw it was Kasan so I ignored it. Finally finding something to watch, my face was glued to How To Get Away With Murder. I was just about to see who shot Annalise when someone started banging on my door. Worried that it might be about Shana, I jumped up and rushed to the door, only to open it and see Kasan’s ass.
“Why you banging on my door like you the fucking police?” I snapped.
“I tried to call you, why didn't you answer?”
“Shit, I just saw ya ass at the doctor’s,” I said with one hand on my wide hips and the other on the door.
“Can I come in? I got some stuff for the baby,” he said. I moved to the side so he could come in. After several trips to his car, he had my living room filled with baby shit.
“Kasan, where the hell I'm supposed to put all this stuff?”
“I don't know. Shit, this is a one-bedroom, you shouldn't be here anyway.”
“I’ma move soon,” I said.
“Camille told me you didn't want a baby shower, so I figured I would get everything you would need. The lady at the store said this is everything a baby needs.”
“I bet. Well, thanks for the stuff,” I said while holding the door open.
“Damn, you ain't gonna o
ffer a nigga nothing to drink after bringing all this shit in here?”
“Nope, the corner store got a huge selection of beverages,” I said rolling my eyes.
“You so fucking mean!” he said laughing. He leaned over and kissed my cheek, causing a flood in my panties. I slammed the door and laid back down, mad as hell. He knew what the fuck he was doing kissing on me and shit. I can’t stand his ass.
I put on my shoes and headed over to see Mama Betty. Her son had me so heated right now with his popping up ass. First he wanted to throw my junk food away and replace it with bullshit, and then he popped up at my doctor’s appointment, now he doing this shit. Pulling up to her house, I hopped out the car and the smell of soul food hit my nose instantly. I walked in and went straight to the kitchen, only to find Cherish sitting at her kitchen table.
“Hey, Mama. I didn't know you had company.”
“Girl sit down, we just talking ‘bout these dumb ass men y'all love,” Mama Betty said.
I sat down and listened as Cherish told her story from the beginning and when she finished I was in shock.
“You’ve been through so much,” I said, finally understanding why Camille wanted us to talk.
“Yeah, but it made me the woman I am today,” she said with a smile.
“Now tell me what my son did,” Mama Betty said laughing.
“He keep on popping up tryna run shit and it’s making me so mad,” I said heated.
“He missed your whole pregnancy damn near, so don't be mad baby.”
“It’s his fault he missed it,” I said stubbornly.
“Ya ass shouldn't have disappeared,” she chastised.
“I know I was wrong for leaving, but I had my reasons,” I said.
“You coming to Sunday dinner?” Mama Betty asked.
“I wouldn't miss your cooking for the world,” I said laughing.
“Me either. I been going to Camille’s house for Sunday dinner,” Cherish said laughing.
“Oh shit, you the real MVP!” I said cracking up.
“She tries so hard to cook, I just don't want to be the one to tell her it’s nasty.”
“She knows it’s nasty, trust me she does. If she cooks I’ll make a small plate and nibble on it, but I ain't going to no damn Sunday dinner,” I said shaking my head.
“I done told her ass to give it a break,” Mama Betty said causing us to laugh.
“Oh my God, she was so mad on Thanksgiving,” Cherish said laughing. Mama Betty and Cherish started reminiscing and I felt so left out. Times like this is when I know I shouldn't have left.
“Well, I’ma head out, I’ll see y'all tomorrow,” I said with a smile.
After giving hugs, I headed back home and took my ass to sleep.
****
I woke up bright and early the next morning to meet Camille at the venue where her wedding was taking place. She was getting married tomorrow and I had a big surprise for her. I wanted to do something really nice since I wasn't there from the start of her wedding planning.
All the women knew about the trip and we were supposed to be leaving in a few hours, but I couldn't get in contact with Shana and it had been a little over a week.
I hopped in the shower and let the warm water take over my body as I lathered my sponge up and washed my body. My nipples were hurting so bad, but other than that I loved my pregnancy. Hopping out the shower, I decided to be cute and comfortable so I threw on a pink and black Nike sweat suit with my pink and black huaraches. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and added some lip-gloss and was ready to go.
When I pulled up to the venue, the first thing I asked Camille was if she’d spoken to Shana yet.
“I knocked on the door, but no one answered,” she said.
“That’s weird. I spoke to R.J. and he told me she was home and they were at their Nana’s house,” I said shaking my head.
“But isn't she limited with her leg being broken? I think she needs somebody there,” Camille said while we sat in the spot where the reception would be held.
“Yeah, but maybe she just wants to be alone. She was really hurt by what Terrence said.”
“Yeah she was, I guess we should just give her time,” Camille said.
“This is beautiful, but the outside where the wedding will be is even more gorgeous. All the flowers in the garden make it so nice,” I said changing the subject.
“Yeah I love it, and I was glad I found a place to have both the wedding and the reception. I didn't want to have it in two different places.”
“So, I have a surprise for you!”
“Oh gosh, what’s up?” she asked.
“Just come on, you’ll see,” I said with a smile.
We both got into our cars and she followed me to my apartment. When we pulled up Cherish, Meeka and Queesha were waiting for us.
“What are y'all doing here?” she asked hugging them.
“What’s a wedding without a bridal shower!” I said before placing a bride sash on her.
After everyone loaded in my truck, we took the 2 ½ hour trip to New York City. We spent the whole trip laughing and joking while the rest of the girls got drunk as hell. There wasn't much I could do in my condition, but I would make sure Camille had the time of her life.
When we got to New York it was only 6:00 p.m., so we went to dinner first. We stopped by our hotel, hopped in the shower and changed our clothes. I had gone shopping for Camille a few days ago and bought her the perfect freak’um dress for tonight. When we met downstairs all eyes were on us as we stood in the lobby of the hotel.
“You know me so well, this dress is everything!” Camille said hugging me.
“I knew you would want the shortest dress with ya hoe ass!” I said laughing.
When we got to the restaurant we were immediately seated. As much as I wanted to have fun for Camille, I couldn't help but wonder if Shana was okay. If she wasn't at Camille’s wedding I was going to have a fit. After dinner we headed back to the hotel to get the party started. In my room I had every bottle you could possibly think of from Ciroc to Champagne.
If I wasn't pregnant I would have gone to the club to turn up, but that was out of the question. With music streaming from Pandora, the girls drank while we danced and laughed. While turning up someone knocked on the door.
“It’s probably room service with our snacks,” I said before going to open the door. I came back into the living room with the sexy stranger I had just let in and turned the music down.
“I heard someone is getting married tonight, where’s the lucky lady!” the sexy man in construction worker clothes said.
“I am!” Camille’s hot ass said walking up to the man. Grabbing a chair, he placed it in the middle of the floor and gave me the okay to turn the music back on.
He sat Camille in the chair and danced his ass off. Lifting her up, he flipped her over as if she weighed nothing. I covered my eyes when I saw her pussy land smack dab on his face. He was eating that cookie without really eating that cookie.
“Oh my God!” Cherish screamed with her mouth hung low.
I always thought strippers wore socks to make their dicks look bigger, but this nigga pulled his little cloth shit off and had that big dick swinging in Camille’s face. As we continued to throw dollars at his ass, he bent her over the chair and slapped her on the ass before shoving his face all up in her goodies.
“Oh hell no!” Camille said trying to move, but he wasn't having that. He bent her back over the chair and lifted her dress. She quickly pulled it down only to have him pop her in her hand and pull it back up. Grabbing a can of whipped cream, he put some on the crack of her ass and slurped that shit up, causing Camille to scream out in embarrassment. By the time he finished with Camille she had sweated her hair out and had the biggest smile on her face. I thought she would be mad at me, but she wasn't.
“I can't believe you got a damn stripper!” she squealed as we watched him lift Queesha up and walk her all around the room as if he was fucking the shi
t out of her.
“You're getting married, I had to!” I said laughing.
“Thank you,” she said hugging me.
After the stripper was finished he collected all his money and my payment before leaving. When he left they drank some more before we decided it was time to head back. Camille had to get up early and it was already two in the morning.
Chapter Fifteen (Camille)
Today is supposed to be the happiest day in my life, but I don't feel happy. I love Mark with all my heart, but as I stand in this all-white room with my closest friends surrounding me, I can’t help wishing my mother was here. She is supposed to be helping me put my dress on and telling me how beautiful I look, but instead she's nowhere to be found because she doesn't approve of my marriage. I will never forget the way she reacted when I told her. I just knew she would be happy for me, but I was wrong.
The night Mark proposed to me on my birthday was one of the happiest days of my life, with Shante singing and our friends watching. The next day I went to my mother’s house excited to tell her my good news.
"Hey mama," I said hugging her.
"Hey baby, how was your party?"
"It was nice, I was surprised," I said with a smile.
"So what that man of yours get you?" she asked.
"Well, he got me a lot, but the best gift was him a asking for my hand in marriage!" I screamed, waving my wedding ring in the air so she could see it.
"Please tell me you didn't?"
"Of course I did...."
"You got to be the fucking dumbest, you can’t be my daughter!" she screamed, surprising the hell out of me.
"I thought you had finally accepted him, but I guess I was wrong," I said hurt.
"You damn right you was wrong. I would never accept that nigga ‘cause he ain't no good, Camille! Everybody sees it but you!"
"Everybody, who the hell is everybody?"
"Don't you fucking curse at me like I ain't ya damn mother. You think ‘cause you pushed out a baby you know it all!"
"Ma, I never claimed to know it all, but I know that man loves me, he loves Mylee and he ain't going nowhere!"
"I been meaning to tell you, I think you need to get a DNA test on him and that little girl. She is beautiful and I love her like my own, but ain't no nigga gonna take in no child unless he helped make her....," she said before sitting on the couch and giving me the same look she's always given me. She thought I was the dumbest bitch in the world for being with Mark and that disappointed her.
