by Baker, T. N.
"Yo Sha, this is some bullshit. Just forget it, a'ight, gimme my shit back yo!"
"Yo nigga, pump your brakes. Damn, I already told her you feeling her so just take her number and holla at her later!"
"Nah fuck that, that wasn't the plan. You suppose to hook that shit up in front of me."
"Well, I can't do shit if she don't answer right!"
"Yo, that's why I'm saying, fuck it. Just gimme my loot back."
"Wait, I'm a keep trying until I get her then." "Nah yo, I ain't got all fucking day!"
"Smitty, here just leave a message. I promise she'll call you back." Shana said passing him her cell phone, while it was ringing Epiphany's phone.
"Huh, what up ma, this Smitty. Holla back 917-555-2322, a'ight love."
"Now, was that hard?" Shana asked.
"Nah, but shorty better holla back else me and you gon' have a serious beef, word up!" Smitty threatened.
"Trust me, she'll call. Damn, what the fuck she did that got you so strung the fuck out nigga?" Shana was curious because Smitty was acting a little to desperate and nervous.
"Yo, she ain't do shit." Smitty answered hostilely.
"Whatever nigga, just hold on tight to your phone, so you don't miss her call. Oh and here's her cell number just in case."
"A'ight, stop talking shit and hurry up and get Raina out for she bust that ass." Smitty laughed taking the piece of paper from Shana. Shana ignored his snide remark, but that's exactly what she was on her way to do--post Raina's bail and be out. As she started up her car and pulled off she tried dialing Epiphany again just to see if she'd answer, and this time she did.
"Hello?"
"Oh, now you answer." Shana said sarcastically.
"Girl, I'm sorry, I was on the phone with my boo and the shit he was talking was sounding too good to be put on hold. But anyway, what's good?" Epiphany said.
"Well damn, I'm glad my life didn't depend on you answering your phone and what's good is the same shit we already talked about. Unless your boo got you having a change of heart."
"You know what, Shana, I'm in a good mood right now, so I'm not even gonna entertain your smart ass, a'ight?"
"Yeah, okay. Just check your message and hit that nigga back!" Shana demanded and abruptly ended the call.
'Ooooh I can't stand that bitch.' Epiphany retrieved Smitty's message and phoned him.
"Yo, who this?" Smitty wasn't familiar with the number.
"Who you been expecting?" Epiphany said in a sensual tone.
"Yo, don't play games, who this?" Smitty asked again. Even though he assumed it was Epiphany, he ain't want to seem like he was beasting.
"Damn, my feelings is hurt. I thought you was waiting on my call."
"C'mon Ma, you know I been waiting to talk to you, what up though?"
"I don't know, my girl, Shana, told me that you was checking for me?"
"Yeah, you don't remember me?" Smitty questioned.
"From where?"
"I don't know, around I guess. But yo, that's neither here nor there. I'm trying to see you, ma."
"Not a problem!"
"Cool, I'ma call you later at this number when I'm ready to scoop you, a'ight."
"No doubt, see you then!"
CHAPTER 46
All Shana did was post Raina's bail. She didn't care how the girl got home, or if she even had money to get home, but as far as she was concerned her part was done. Shana was actually relieved now that she felt her and Smitty had resolved their issues and once she paid him back she was no longer in debt to him. The Chasity drama was dead and with Raina bailed out all the skeletons in her closet where gone.
"Yo Sha, this bullshit gotta stop between us." K.C. said as soon as she walked in the apartment.
"Stop what K.C., your lying or your cheating?"
"Come on, baby, how long you trying to be mad at a nigga?"
"K.C., you know what, right now you better be glad all I'm doing is giving you the silent treatment, cause I could go out and get me a nigga that knows how to treat a bitch. Instead, I stay stuck like glue to your muthafucking ass and what do you do?
Nothing, but talk shit, lie and bring fucking diseases home."
"Disease? Yo, what you mean disease? Ain't nothing wrong with my dick?" Since K.C. had no symptoms, he had no idea what she was talking about.
"Oh nigga, you ain't go get your dick checked, yet? That's right, d-i-s-e-a-s-e muthafucka. You know, the shit you get when you out in the streets fucking nasty hoes with no condom." Shana sarcastically yelled.
"Yo, I don't know what you talking about. I supposedly gave you something, what I give you huh? K.C. didn't have a clue.
"Nigga, you gave me Chlamydia from being out there with other bitches. Play stupid if you want to, but you better hope my other tests come back negative."
"Yo, I ain't never heard of that, but if I did I'm sorry. I ain't fucked around on you in a minute though. Sometimes I think something's wrong with me, like maybe I got the same shit that Halle Berry's man got. I don't know why I be fucking other bitches-I just do. I'm a go get my shit checked out, so can you stop being mad at me please." K.C. always had a way with words and as much as Shana didn't want to fall victim to his bullshit, she couldn't help it. She suffered from a sickness called love, she just loved him. She didn't know why, but she did. He was always able to break her down, and love was stronger than pride. Shana forgave him, but only on one condition--her tests had to come back negative.
CHAPTER 47
On his way to meet up with Epiphany, Smitty couldn't help but feel a little nervous about fucking with her again. Especially after the way he dogged her the first time. It was like she had some kind of hex on him because even after getting stomped out in public by C-God and Mike, over her, he still sort of obsessed over her. Honestly, he regretted forcing himself on her and wanted another chance with her. Epiphany wasn't comfortable with Smitty picking her up from her parents home, so she arranged for him to meet her at this cozy little Cuban restaurant on Queens Boulevard. She waited for him to arrive, so they could go in and be seated together. The dimly lit restaurant was small, but always packed. The tables were so close together, it almost felt like people were sitting on top of each other, but for some reason no one seemed to mind. There was a long period of silence between the two. Epiphany stared at Smitty often, her intent looks made him a little apprehensive, but she couldn't help it because something about him seemed all to familiar.
"I'm sorry I keep looking at you so hard, but there's something about you--I just don't know what it is." Epiphany said breaking the silence first.
"Stop trying to figure it out and let's just have a good time.
We could start by ordering some drinks." Rudely, he flagged down the waiter. Epiphany ordered a apple martini and since Smitty was feeling the guilt eat away at him he ordered a Greygoose mixed with Hennessy and a splash of cranberry juice to help mellow him out. The alcohol did ease the tension a bit, as the two began to converse a little more. Smitty complimented everything from Epiphany's hairstyle to her shoes and also ran a few dry jokes by her. Epiphany chilled on the hard looks and pretended to find his jokes funny. After dinner Smitty wasn't ready to call it a night just yet, so he suggest that she following him to this little bar on Linden called Deja' vu. But, all Epiphany could think about was getting home in time for her midnight call from Wild. She tried to refuse, but ended up giving in to his pleas and agreed to go and have one drink. When they walked inside the bar, they both stopped to check out the pictures posted up on the wall from the previous parties held there and from the looks of it everybody seemed to be having a great time. As the two took a seat at the bar, Epiphany glanced around to check out the spot. She could tell it had a nice vibe to it and since the crowd looked to be a mature one, there wasn't a lot of rowdi-ness. The bartender was very friendly as she took their drink orders and Smitty went on to boast to Epiphany about a popular book the bartender wrote entitled "Sheisty." Nevertheless, Epiphany didn't find that t
o be all that impressive, but she did like the way the girl made her apple martini strong.
One drink ended up turning into three as they both started to unwind around one another. Epiphany had to admit it, his jokes got better and so did her liking for him (after the alcohol kicked in, of course). Smitty was doing his best to keep her entertained, hoping that his jokes mixed with the strong ass drinks would land him up in the pussy again, only this time not by force. Unfortunately for him, that thought was more of a pipedream, 'cause yeah he might have been given a second crack at her but, the game was still the same as far as Epiphany was concerned. Her goodies stayed in the jar until a nice amount of money had been spent. It was gonna cost him a little more than a meal and some drinks to taste her cookie. As soon as 11:30 hit, Epiphany decided to call it a night, leaning over she planted a soft kiss on his lips.
"Goodnight."
'Damn,' he thought, caught a little off guard as the softness of her lips and the whiff of her scent, which made his dick rise.
"You leaving me already?" Smitty questioned with disappointment.
"Yeah I have to go. I finally recognize where I know you from though." Epiphany said.
"What?" Smitty responded tensely as his heart began to pound.
"Yeah, I remember you now, from Club Cream a while back.
You were at the bar with K.C. and some other guy."
"Oh yeah okay, right...right!" Smitty answered as he let out a deep sigh of relief. He didn't know how he was gonna to fuck with Epiphany without the torture of worrying about when, or if she would ever remember how much she really hated him and why. As Epiphany left, Smitty waited for a few moments and then secretly followed her to her home for the hell of it.
CHAPTER 48
A couple weeks passed and things were all good between Shana and K.C., especially since her test results came back negative.
She even escorted him to the clinic to get tested. Since K.C.
knew he was running around fucking everything insight, he took it a step further and agreed to be tested for HIV. Shana still refused to take one because she felt that since his results came back negative then she was negative and HIV was as simple as that.
Shana was also able to relax more without the static from Raina. Maybe Raina wasn't upset about having to stay in jail a couple of days and was just happy to be home, so she decided to let it go. K.C. and Smitty were still handling their business, money would soon be straight for them. Now Smitty was all caught up in Epiphany, therefore K.C. and his friendship turned into more of just a business partnership. Of course, Shana was happy about that, because that meant K.C. ran the streets less and spent more time with her. They were finally starting to connect, they laid up for most of the day watching movies, making love, getting high and even talking about one day having kids. It all seemed to good to be true because in the three years that she's been with him all they ever seem to do was fight, fuss and fuck. Sure he claimed to love her, but this was the first time since his bid that she actually felt his love for her. She felt the time was right to clear her conscience and pull all her skeletons out of the closet. She told him that her and C-God had more then just a business relationship, but it was brief, she then went on to drop what she thought was going to be a bomb-her sexual experience with Chasity. To her surprise K.C. already knew, he said he had got the word on all that when he was locked up.
"How?" Shana questioned, anxious to know the answer and hoping it wasn't Smitty that told.
"Yo, don't worry about it , just know in jail a nigga hear everything!"
"Well, was you mad when you heard?"
"What I'ma be mad for? Baby girl, you was holding a nigga down, so how I'm a knock your hustle. The shit about you fucking with that bitch, man, I knew as soon as daddy came home that shit was gon' be a wrap!" K.C. said.
For the first time in a long time Shana was able to exhale.
She was glad to know that she didn't have to stress over none of her secrets anymore, but she also was mad that Smitty put a twenty-thousand dollar dent in her pocket for nothing. K.C.
caught Shana gazing off into a deep thought.
"Yo, is there something else you gotta to tell me?"
"Nah, that's it." Shana smiled and snapping out of her trance.
"A'ight then, climb up on daddy's dick and give me some of that pussy." K.C. ordered. Shana was more then happy to obey his order. Just as she was about to lay it down there was a hard knock at the door.
"Who the fuck is that knocking like they crazy? Oh boy, I bet it's Smitty's stupid ass," Shana said slightly raising her voice as if her high was just blown. She got up out of bed and threw on something to go see. Swinging open the door, expecting to see Smitty, she was surprised to find four policemen standing there.
Her heart dropped. She knew it would be only a matter of time before she was busted.
"Shana Marie Scott, you're under arrest for the intent to sell and distribute drugs. you have the right to remain silent..." The arresting officer read her rights, handcuffed her and hauled her off to jail.
CHAPTER 49
Keisha was working hard to get her life in order. She was granted weekly unsupervised visits with her son until her court date for custody. After enrolling back in school part-time, she got a job at a real estate office working for commission. Lastly, she left blackplanet.com alone. Everything was starting to come together once she became a believer in Christ. Going to church and reading the bible with Mrs. Wright helped Keisha develop a better understanding about what it meant to believe in God. She's learned to stop blaming the Lord for her bad decisions and mess-ups because "although he is the Almighty," her pastor would say
"sin is your choice."
Changes didn't happen over night, so when thoughts of killing Lea surfaced in her mind every so often she just prayed for strength. Keisha refrained from having any kind of contact with Tucker, at least until the court hearing came. Momma D's house was the location for the baby's drop off and pick up, that way they never had to cross each other's path. When she was lonely and missed him so, she'd press *67 before dialing his cell just to hear him say 'hello'. And oddly enough, she felt he was doing the same because she had gotten quite a few crank calls herself. It was over between them and she was almost ready to move on.
Keisha had made amends with Loretta and started calling her 'ma'. The two of them talked on the phone everyday, sometimes twice a day, establishing a tight-knit relationship, discussing any and every thing on their minds. Loretta's discussions were mainly about her mistakes and Keisha's younger sisters. Keely, only 16, wasn't going to school and hanging out to all times if the night with the local thugs. Kelly was a breath of fresh air, attending Clark University and doing exceedingly well. Keisha would always be her mother's pride and joy, her first-born, her lovechild, and she expressed that love to her every chance she got. Keisha had to admit she loved feeling her mother's love and how blessed she was to have a second mom in Mrs. Wright.
Keisha's improvement made Mrs. T proud. Keisha gave Mrs.
Wright hope that her own daughter, Epiphany, would make a change in her life as well.
CHAPTER 50
Tucker was finally adjusted to Lea being around; she was loving, caring and very helpful with little man and he appreciated that more than anything else. Following his mother's death, every woman his father would bring home despised him and didn't want the responsibility of caring for another women's child, which lead to abuse. His father's need for women was much stronger than his need to be a dad, so he allowed the hate-ful behavior from them to go on without saying a word. Lea was such a good women to him and his son, he decided to take their relationship a step farther--with a 3-caret, emerald cut diamond and a marriage proposal. Yes, he was ready to take it there, but he didn't want a big blow-out wedding like the one he and Keisha were planning. No, this time, he wanted it to be simple without her feeling cheated so he planned to take her to Montego Bay Jamaica to tie the knot.
Sometimes, he wonde
red if maybe he should of just married Keisha. Things might have turned out differently and she would have been his wife. No matter how hard he tried to front, he missed what she was to him and deep down inside the love he had for her was still there. Clearly too much had happen to turn back.
Tucker phoned his boys down South to tell them the latest.
"Hey what's up cuz, you alright, dawg ?" Peewee recognized the New York number.
"Yo, I'm chilling Pee, how you?"
"Man, shit is all gravy thanks to you."
"Where my nigga, Cornell at?"
"Ay, T, man since that nigga done got a little paper in his pocket he stay fucking around with these scandalous ass broads down here man. I'm try'na get this paper dawg!"
"I hear that! But listen, man don't let no bullshit come between ya'll niggas. You know what I'm saying?"
"Nah dawg, never that, that nigga just a little off track. That's all it is, we good. But what up with that faggot ass dude, C-God man, he surface yet?"
"Nah, he still hiding. But yo, I just called to let ya'll niggas know, your boy gon' go head and jump the fucking broom!"
"Ay, T, man, that's what's up! Congrats on that dawg. Make your baby momma your wife, cousin." Tucker hadn't been in touch with Pee and Cornell in weeks.
"Nah, not me and Keish dawg. Her name's Leanne." Tucker said realizing how awkward the conversation just got.
"Ay dawg, I ain't even gon' touch that, but whatever happen musta been fucked up 'cause dawg you was in love with Keisha."
"Yeah man, I had to move on from that. This one's a nice one though."
"Congratulations on that then, cuz! How lil' man doing?"
"He's good, a that's them coming in now. Listen, tell Corn to holla at me and ya'll niggas stay tight. I'm a kick it with you soon, a'ight?" Tucker hung up the phone in a hurry, so he could build up the nerve to pop the question.
Lea returned from the park with lil' man in her arms. As soon as he saw his daddy, the baby started squirming, crying and fighting to get away from her. As soon as she put him down, he ran over and clutched onto Tucker like he was afraid of Lea.
