by Coco Amoure
Delaney fanned the air with her hand to clear some of the smoke away. “Hey Jay, ain’t nothing.” She frowned, continuing to swat at the billows of smoke filling the room.
Jason sat up on the bed and extended his hand to Delaney. “You wanna hit this?” he questioned.
She shook her head no and sat down at Natasha’s pretty white vanity table. Everyone knew how Delaney felt about alcohol and drugs, including Jason. Regardless of how many times she declined to partake, he would still ask if she wanted to hit the blunt or sip on whatever he was drinking. Delaney just considered it his way of being hospitable. Jason was two years older than Natasha and Delaney, and somewhat of a bad boy.
Natasha climbed on her bed and snuggled up under Jason. She swore they hadn’t had sex yet, but Delaney was starting to think differently. They’d discussed their curiosity about sex dozens of times, but as far as she knew they were both still virgins. Natasha swore that she would tell Delaney when she decided to make that leap into womanhood.
“Whad up with the sad face, Laney?” Jason inquired, rubbing Natasha’s back with his free hand.
“Oh, just the usual everyday bullshit,” she mumbled.
Jason took a long pull from his blunt, blowing the smoke out of his mouth before responding. Natasha lay on his chest looking content as ever. “Ma Dukes still trippin’?” he asked.
“Yeah, and daddy’s gone again. I can’t wait to graduate high school! I swear I’m getting out of that house as soon as I can,” Delaney responded, becoming emotional.
Jason was like a big brother to Delaney, and she could talk to him about anything. He knew all about her home life, and the way her mother treated her. He also knew how Delaney felt about men too.
Natasha propped her head up on her hand and threw one of her hefty thighs over Jason’s legs. “Don’t even sweat it, Laney. We start high school in a couple of weeks and before you know it, we will be walking across the stage and off to college we go.”
Natasha’s comment caused a big smile to spread across Delaney’s face. In four more years she planned on attending Spelman College. She could hardly wait to experience the college life, but most of all leaving her parents’ house and living on her own.
“Spelman bound all the way, baby!” Delaney cheered. Ever since they’d attended Spelman during a school trip, Delaney dreamed of going to an African American university.
She pulled the diary out of her back pack and began writing in it like she’d done every day since she could remember. Her diary was her escape from the world and all of her problems. Delaney turned around and faced the vanity mirror, smiling at her reflection.
“There you go with that damn diary! What are you writing about anyway?” Natasha said, walking over to Delaney.
“None of your business, nosey ass!” Delaney chuckled. She quickly flipped her diary face down to keep Natasha from reading her private thoughts.
“Whatever, Laney, keep your little secrets then. But you betta not be writing shit in that diary about Chris. I peeped y’all two out front of my house all hugged up and shit! Let me find out you crushing on him,” Natasha joked. After pushing Delaney in the back of her head, she ran and jumped on the bed behind Jason.
“Well, if ya nosey ass saw all of that, what took you so long to answer the door then?” Delaney replied rolling her eyes.
If Delaney wasn’t so dark, she knew her face would have been beet red right about now. She wanted to crawl underneath Natasha’s bed and disappear. No matter how hard she tried to keep her lips from curling up into a smile, she eventually lost the battle at the mention of Chris’ name.
“I was not hugged up with Chris! Uggghhhh, you get on my last damn nerve, Natasha! Everyone isn’t hot in the ass like you!”
This was the first time in her young life that she actually had a crush on the opposite sex. The more she denied her feelings for Chris, the more intense they became. Ever since kindergarten, Chris has been pushing up on her. She recalled the times that Chris had sent her candy grams every Valentine’s Day at school. Even though she tossed them in the garbage, he still continued to send them to her anyway.
Jason rose from the bed, pulling his wife beater over his head. “Laney, all men are not bad. Chris is actually a good dude, you should really think about giving him a chance. Besides, he knows you’re like a little sister to me, and if he does anything to hurt you, I will personally check that nigga,” Jason said, with a serious expression on his face.
Delaney considered what Jason said, but at the same time doubt began to fill her head as she heard her mother’s warning screaming loudly within the confines of her mind. She decided to throw caution to the wind to see what Chris was really all about. High School is going to be a new world with new experiences, so why not venture out into the unknown?
“Whatever. I am not interested in Chris or any other boy, for that matter, so let’s just drop it. Besides, I’m starving so let’s order a pizza or something,” she suggested, changing the subject.
Natasha shrugged her shoulders and hopped off the bed in search of some pizza coupons. Delaney turned around and continued writing in her diary. If Jason and Natasha only knew that her entry for today was all about Chris, they would clown her to no end. She smiled as she recalled everything about his smile, pearly white teeth, and succulent lips as she scribbled away in her diary.
The trio spent the rest of the day pigging out on pizza and chicken wings, and watching their favorite TV shows until it was time for Delaney to head back home. She walked back home with a smile on her face. She would be starting high school in a couple of weeks, which meant she was getting closer to escaping her depressing home life. It was refreshing to escape the drama of home and just be a regular teenager, without the stress of her parent’s constant fighting.
Chapter Six
It had been almost a month since Ava put Cane out of their home. He missed his baby girl, and Ava’s crazy ass too, if the truth be told. He decided that he would go back home and make it up to Ava. Cane loved his wife, but he had an appetite for women that he just couldn’t seem to tame. He knew he was wrong for the dirt he was doing out in the streets, but he wasn’t willing to lose his family over a piece of ass either. He’d just have to be more careful in the future.
Cane smiled as he grabbed the dozen long stemmed roses that he’d purchased just a few minutes ago, before stepping out of his car. He planned on surprising Ava with the flowers and making sweet love to her all night, while promising to be a better husband.
The smile quickly left his face once he spotted his brother Cameron’s hunter green Navigator parked in his driveway. Cane was fed up with his brother’s constant interference in his marriage. He was well aware of Cam’s obvious attraction to his wife. Over the years he’d garnered a strong resentment towards his oldest sibling because of it.
Cane could feel steam coming from his forehead as he hurriedly walked towards his front door. Sounds of laughter could be heard coming from within his house, which further added to his anger. Besides the striking resemblance, the two brothers didn’t have anything else in common. Cane had been a ladies man from as far back as he could remember, while Cameron was more reserved when it came to the females.
Cameron may not have pursued women in the same manner as Cane, but it didn’t stop the women from throwing themselves at him. Cane could never understand how his brother was able to turn down so much pussy.
Cane turned the brass door knob and to his surprise the door was unlocked. He quietly crept inside the front door and eased his way through the foyer. Once he reached the sunken living room, he saw Ava sitting on the sofa close to his brother with her hand resting on his thigh. He couldn’t quite make out what his brother was saying to Ava, but whatever it was caused her to smile brightly. He hadn’t seen his wife smile like that since the earlier days of their marriage.
Ava threw her head back and laughed loudly, as her rose-colored cheeks turned bright red. Cameron raised his hand to brush a piece of her
hair out of her face. For a moment the two of them silently looked into each other’s eyes.
Cane had taken all he could. He felt his blood boiling and without realizing it, both of his hands balled up into fists. They were so caught up in each other that neither of them even noticed that Cane was standing in the living room glaring in their direction.
“What the fuck is going on in here?” Cane questioned, startling his wife and brother.
Ava glanced up and quickly removed her hand away from Cameron’s thigh. Cam didn’t seem bothered by his brother’s sudden presence. He had yet to move even the slightest inch away from Ava. Cane didn’t want it with Cameron, and they both knew it. Cameron may have been the laid back brother, but he was known for putting a nigga on his ass if need be, and his blood was no exception. Cane sat glowering at Cameron, but Cam didn’t seem fazed by it at all. Cam knew that his little brother wasn’t ready to go up against him in a fight, so there was no need for him to get unglued.
“So, neither one you mafucka’s can talk now, huh?” Cane fumed, tossing the bouquet of flowers on the end table.
Ava rolled her eyes and fell back on the sofa with her arms crossed over of her chest. Cane had a lot of nerve showing up unannounced and uninvited. She hadn’t seen nor heard from him in almost a month. He could carry his ass right on back to whatever bitches’ bed he just rolled out of, as far as she was concerned.
“What are you doing here is the better question?” Ava replied. She was fed up with Cane, and at this point he could pack all of his shit and bounce for all she cared. His latest absence and Cam’s constant presence changed Ava over the last month. She’d even cut back on drinking and was able to think with a clear mind, which was something she hadn’t been able to do in a long time. Ava was fed up with Cane, and with Cam’s help she was starting to realize that she deserved better.
“What the fuck you mean? This is my goddamn house, and I will walk up in this bitch whenever I please!” Cane was the bread winner of the family, and no one was going to dictate his comings and goings.
“Look, bruh, I just stopped by to check on Ava and Delaney,” Cam said, trying to diffuse the situation. It was clear that Cane was in his feelings and things were about to get volatile.
“Since when do I need you to come by to check on my wife and kid? Nigga, how about you get yourself a family and check on them, ya dig?” Cane smirked. He was sick of Cam always playing the good guy. Ava belonged to him and he could do as he pleased with his wife. He didn’t need Cam filling her head up with his bullshit.
“Bruh, I’m not trying to go there with you, so drop it. If you gave a damn about your wife and child, then I wouldn’t be here now.” Cam’s eyes were saying more than his words. He was warning his brother to let the shit go, before things got out of hand.
Cane chuckled and rubbed his right hand over his goatee. He refused to be disrespected in his own house and in front of his wife no less. “Nigga, the only thing that is going to be dropped is your ass if you don’t raise the fuck up outta my house!”
Ava had heard enough, she rose from the sofa and walked over to Cane. “What is your problem? Cam is your brother and he stopped by out of concern for your family! A family you haven’t even cared to call in the last month,” she said, mashing her finger in his chest.
She had been damn near sober for the last month since Cane had been gone. Now all of a sudden, she felt like she wanted a drink. Ava fought desperately hard to quiet the cravings coursing through her body, as sadness blanketed her emotions. Disappointment settled in her mind at the fact that Cane had the power to so easily unnerve her. Alcohol had become her stress relief, and whenever her husband came around she automatically felt stressed.
Cane could hear the hurt in her voice with each word she spoke. He didn’t mean to stay away so long, but he got caught up in the streets. He could only imagine what Delaney was feeling, and the thought alone caused his heart to drop. Damn, I have really fucked up now, Cane thought.
“Ava, I’m out. I will holla at you later. Tell Delaney we are still on for our movie date Saturday,” Cam said, looking directly at Ava.
Cane wanted to knock his ass out cold. He was home now. He didn’t need his brother playing surrogate daddy to his seed or surrogate husband to his wife. The shit ends today! He thought hotly.
“Nah, bruh, that won’t be necessary. From this point on, I’m telling you to stay away from my family. I got this here,” Cane said, and wrapped his arm protectively around Ava’s shoulder, puffing out his chest, marking his territory.
Ava cringed when Cane’s hand touched her bare skin. Cane felt the ill vibe she was giving off, but decided to ignore the obvious.
Before Cam could respond, Delaney came bursting through the door.
“Mama, I’m home! You won’t believe what happened today…” Delaney’s words were suddenly caught in her throat when she saw her Daddy standing in the living room alongside her mother and uncle. She hadn’t seen nor heard from him in a month. She felt a mix of emotions as she stood with her mouth open, staring at her father.
Cane smiled brightly at his baby girl. Delaney was his pride and joy, his one and only princess. He removed his arm from Ava’s shoulder and walked over to his baby girl, pulling her into his arms. He hugged her tightly, showering her face with kisses. Having Delaney in his arms reminded him just how much he missed his little girl. He could also feel the resistance in Delaney’s body language. She didn’t return his hug, as she stood frigid in his embrace. This saddened Cane, as he knew the relationship between father and daughter was slowly deteriorating.
“Hey, baby girl, aren’t you happy to see me?” Cane questioned.
The room fell completely silent as all eyes were on Delaney. It was no secret that she was a daddy’s girl, but lately she’d stopped even asking about him. She figured he was gone for good this time. In the past when her mother had put him out, or he left on his own, he would at least call or drop by to see her. But this time, he’d done neither and Delaney was deeply disturbed by his actions.
“Hi, Daddy,” she mumbled, casting her eyes down towards the hardwood floors.
She walked over to her uncle and hugged him tightly around the waist. Cam automatically placed a protective arm around her shoulder and smiled.
Cane was enraged with anger, but he decided to put his anger in check since Delaney was present. He would deal with Cam later. His eyes shot daggers at his brother and he was certain that Cam got the message.
“I’m out. Y’all be easy,” Cam stated, rubbing Delaney on top of her head.
“Why are you leaving, Uncle Cam? I just got home,” Delaney whined. She looked up at her uncle pleading with her eyes for him to stay.
“I have something that I need to go and take care of, baby girl,” he replied.
“Ohhhh okay. Well, are you still taking me to the movies Saturday?” Delaney questioned.
Cam looked into her beautiful eyes and his heart melted. He loved his niece, but he knew that it was time for him to distance himself. They were his brother’s family and lately he’d gotten much too close to both Ava and Delaney.
“I’m going to take a rain check, baby girl, but I will make it up to you.” Disappointment was written on her face and it killed him to be the cause of it.
Delaney could sense the tension in the room between her mother, father, and uncle. She had no idea what was going on, but she knew her father was the cause of it. Delaney was beginning to resent her father. She no longer saw him as her hero. Maybe things would be better if he just left for good. Just maybe her mother would be able to get herself together and stop drinking. Feelings of love, anger, and resentment were too much for her young mind to bear. She shrugged her shoulders, and marched up the stairs with tears in her eyes. For the past few weeks, her mother had barely touched any alcohol, and they’d actually been getting along much better. She knew that with her father back things were going to go back to normal. Which meant her parents would fight and her mother would
go back to drowning her sorrows in a bottle of liquor.
Cam briskly walked past his brother and out of the front door without saying a word. He knew they would square up soon, and he’d be ready for him. He held his tongue out of respect for Ava, but this shit was far from over. If Cane wanted his family, then he better act like it.
Cane glanced over at Ava and wondered if he should have just stayed away. He wanted to be with his family, but he also wanted the streets. His selfishness refused to let Ava go, even though he knew he was no good for her.
Momentarily forgetting about Cam, he pushed his anger to the side, reached down and picked the bouquet of roses up from the end table. Now that his brother was gone, he could smooth things over with his wife. There was no telling what kind of bullshit Cam had been filling her head up with. He would deal with that later. With a smile on his handsome face, he slowly stepped up to Ava and extended the fragrant flowers towards her.
“Baby, can we talk?” Cane asked, softly caressing Ava’s arm with his free hand.
Ava was in no mood for conversation. It was best to get it over with and listen to what he had to say now versus later. She sighed deeply and took the flowers from him. “Sure, Cane, what do you wanna talk about?” she dryly replied, and turned to walk into the kitchen.
She ran some cold water in a clear vase, and stuffed the roses inside. She hadn’t bothered to clip the ends or add the baby’s breath to the water. Cane kicked off his shoes and sat down on the sofa, patting the empty space beside him when she returned.
Ava plopped down beside her husband preparing herself for an ear full of lies, just like all of the other times he’d fucked up. Cane started off by professing his undying love for her and promised that this time he would be a better husband. Although she was more than certain that he would fuck up soon enough, she allowed him to feed her a spoonful of bullshit. After Cane was finished with his usual spill, he was ready to make love to his wife, as if fucking was the solution to all of their problems, instead of the root of their problems.
