by Mz. Lady P
“Everything good, Boss?” King asked.
“Get y’all bond money out. Our wives have been arrested for fighting at the club.”
“What the fuck they doing at the club? Gucci told me they were going to Outback for dinner.”
“Lord, please forgive me. I’m about to fuck this bitch Barbie up.”
If it ain’t one thing it’s another with Tahari and the rest of the girls. They all know damn-well right now is not the time to be getting locked up. They better have a good-ass reason why their asses is sitting in lock up.
Chapter 18- Tahari
Let a Bitch Try Me
Gucci, Chanel, Barbie, Dior, Ta-Jay, Keesha, Khia and myself were supposed to all go out to eat at Outback Steakhouse. After eating, Chanel and Barbie wanted to go out to the club for drinks. I should have followed my first mind and never went to the club. I just had to listen to Chanel and Barbie. They persuaded all of us to go. Of course I wasn’t going to be the party pooper out the bunch, so I went against my better judgment.
Once we made it to the club, it was packed as hell. I knew that we had no business in this hole in the wall. I really didn’t care for the atmosphere, it was a rowdy-ass crowd but it was off the chain. We were dancing and having a good ass time. That was, until I went to the bar and a bitch tried me. Standing next to me was some busted-ass bitches. The entire time these bitches were sizing me up. I gave them bitch the screw face and went back to trying to get my drink from the bartender
“Aren’t you the chick that mess with Ka’Jaire?” The fact that this bitch was even addressing me had me fuming. What really had me thirty-eight hot was the bitch saying my husband’s name like shit was cool.
“Don’t fuck with me, lil’ bitch. I’m far from a chick he messes with. I’m his wife and the mother of his children but you already know that. So, what’s your point?” I was getting angrier by the minute because this whack-ass bitch was trying to pull my hoe card. Little did she know there was no hoe in my blood. I will body this bitch and she didn’t even know it.
“Calm down sweetheart. I was just asking. Me and Ka’Jaire go way back.” She and her friends were smiling and laughing but I must have missed the motherfucking joke.
“Let me make something real clear for you, lil bitch. Go find you somebody to play with. You barking up the wrong tree. Trust me, this ain’t what you want. I don’t give a fuck about how far you and my husband go back. Keep his name out of your mouth before I knock your fucking teeth down your throat.”
“Ka-Ja-ire.” As soon as she said it, I grabbed a bottle of Remy off the bar and hit the bitch dead in the mouth. Teeth flew everywhere. All of her friends started swinging on me but I had a death grip on this bitch’s throat. Seconds later, my bitches were there and we was sending that motherfucking up. It was an all-out brawl and in the end, their asses went to the hospital and we went to jail. Thug was going to kick my ass. We had been sitting in lock up for about two hours. I was cold and ready to go my ass home.
“King is going to be so pissed. I told him that we were going out to eat.”
“I don’t even want to think about it. Malik gone slap slob from my ass.”
“If he do put his hands on you, we gone come over there and kick his ass just like we did Quaadir.” We all laughed hard as hell.
“I really don’t see what the fuck is so funny about us being locked up,” Ta’Jay said with an attitude. Lately she had been acting real funny style and I wasn’t feeling it at all.
“Nobody said it was funny. We just tripping out. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Ain’t shit wrong with me, Ta-Baby. I just hate that it’s always some drama with y’all. We never should have went to that fucking club anyway. Y’all know its beef out here. Yet, y’all insist on going out and doing dumb shit.”
“Nobody put a gun to your fucking head and said go to the club. You could have took your scary ass home.”
“I’m far from scary. I’m just aware that I have a lot to lose. I don’t have time to be out here doing stupid shit. I’m a wife and mother.”
“You’re not the only one who has something to lose. I’m so sick of you passing judgment against us, Ta’Jay. What the fuck is your beef with us?” Barbie said.
“Come on, y’all. Calm down. Let’s talk about this when we get out of here.” Gucci was trying her best to diffuse the situation. I was getting ready to respond but the officer came and opened the cell telling us we had made bail. I was surprised that none of our husbands were outside to pick us up. Instead, it was some of their security waiting for us. Their asses were going to have to wait. I needed to know why Ta-Jay was acting like this.
“You never answered Barbie’s question. What’s your beef?” I grabbed her by the arm and turned her around to face me because she was trying her best to rush off to the car.
“I don’t have a beef with y’all. My only issue is that y’all out here doing shit that jeopardizes everybody freedom. I understand that y’all don’t know shit about having a family but I do. Family is everything to us. My brothers mean the world to me. I have an issue with how reckless you bitches are when it comes down to them and their freedom.”
“So, fuck us and our freedom. Everything we’ve been doing is for our husbands. How dare you try to stand there and pass judgment against us? We might not have grown up with a family but we know how to stick together as one unlike your ass.”
“It’s always only been me, my brothers, and my mother. We have always stuck together. We’ve always been a family and always will be.
“So, fuck us, Ta’Jay. Did you forget that me and Keesha are your sisters?” She just stood there looking stupid as hell.
“Fuck her, Ta-Baby. She ain’t never been for us anyway. From the jump she has always been on their side even when they were dead ass wrong. Next time you speak on my family, make sure you know what the fuck you’re talking about.” Barbie walked away with tears in her eyes. In all my years of knowing her she has never said anything about her family. I could tell it was a touchy subject.
“I’m glad to know how you really feel about us. Here I was thinking we were a family. We’ve all been through so much together. It breaks my heart to know the feelings aren’t mutual. I still love you, though.” I walked away and got in the car. The rest of the girls were still standing there talking to her. All I wanted to do was forget about tonight and go home. When I walked inside the house, it was dark, so I went upstairs to our bedroom. Thug was lying back smoking a blunt watching “Sports Center.”
“Before you start going in let me explain what happened.”
“I’m not trying hear shit, Ta-Baby. Pack your bags we’re going to Italy in the morning. If you oversleep, I’m leaving your dumbass.” I wanted to say something back but I knew that would only make him madder. I climbed in bed and he turned his back to me. Yeah. He was real mad he never does that. At least he’s taking me to Italy. I had to get some sleep. His ass won’t be leaving me.
Chapter 19- Barbie
Regrets of the Heart
The words that Ta’Jay spoke to me had me thinking about my family. It had been so long since I spoke to them. I guess that’s because I was the one who cut myself off from them. I had put them in the back of my mind and left them there. My mother Jeanine was strung out on crack. She didn’t have any time for me or my older brother. She made sure we had everything we needed but we were on our own. And my brother would rather I call him my sister. Yes. My brother was gay and as flamboyant as he wanted to be. My mother had a fit when he legally changed his name from Chris to Christina. She put him out and he moved up north to Boys Town, a popular gay community in Chicago. He used to come and check on me until he met some rich white guy and moved to San Francisco. Then, I was left to fend for myself.
At fourteen, I met Darro, he was twenty-one. That nigga had major paper and was known to like young girls. He liked young pussy and I needed money. At first, it was just me giving him head and then we started having sex. One th
ing led to another and I found myself falling in, what I thought, was love. When you’ve never been loved you will accept a little love from anywhere, no matter how wrong you know that it is. Not long after, I was living in his condo on the Gold Coast. My mother didn’t care as long as he kept her pockets laced and fed with Heroin. Shit was good with me and Darro until I realized he had a problem with keeping his hands to himself. He used to beat my ass so bad I could barely walk. He would lock me in the room for days until he was ready to let me out. During that time he would be entertaining other females. I knew to just be quiet and wait for him to calm down. I became pregnant with his child and that’s when the abuse slowed down. The last thing I wanted was a baby. My mother took me to all my prenatal appointments because Darro couldn’t. He was, however, in the delivery room posing as my brother. He said there was no way he was going to miss the birth of his first child.
After ten long hours of labor, I gave birth to healthy baby girl that Darro named Zaria. I basically didn’t have a say so in anything. Darro had taken total control over our daughter. She was his princess. I was nothing more than the bitch that birthed her. I had become so depressed. Being with him was slowly killing me and I needed to get away from him. I remember the day I escaped my hell.
“Why the fuck are you patting her so hard on her back like that?” Darro was walking around the room getting dressed to go out. I was sitting on the bed trying to get Zaria to burp.
“I’m not doing it hard. That’s the only way I can get her to burp. You know she gets really bad gas.” He snatched her from my arms and walked away with her. “Maybe that’s because I’m a fucking baby with a baby. I don’t know shit about being a mother. You should have thought about that before you got my stupid young ass pregnant.” I thought I spoke in a low tone. Obviously, not low enough because the feeling of him punching me in the back of my head knocked me to the floor.
“What the fuck you say?” I was so damn dizzy and my vision was blurred. He just began to slap, punch, and kick me all over my body. I guess I passed out because when I came to he and my daughter were gone.
It was then that I made the hardest decision of my life. I abandoned my baby girl. She would be nine years old now. It’s sad because I haven’t thought about her or Darro. I suppressed them in my memories. Ta’Jay made all that shit come back to the forefront of my mind. How could I tell Malik that I have a daughter already and I abandoned her? I basically lied to Malik when I met him. I told him I ran away from home because my mother was strung out and abusive towards me. From the moment I met him, all he wanted to do was take care of me. I fell in love with Malik instantly. He always made everything okay. It didn’t matter that he was a ladies man. I was his number one and that was enough for me. So, now I’m contemplating telling my husband about the daughter I abandoned so long ago. It hurts my heart just to think about her. I missed all of her milestones. I wonder what she looks like all grown up. I had to see her before I told Malik about everything.
Since coming in the house after being released from jail, I’ve just been laying in bed with Malik. My mind is all over the place.
“Bae I know you’re not tripping over that shit Ta’Jay said.”
“My feelings are hurt Malik.”
“I’m going to holler at her about that shit she said out of her mouth. Don’t trip on that shit. We are family. You, me and our kids. Don’t ever forget that shit or let someone tell you different.” Malik kissed me on the lips and I laid my head on his chest.
Shortly after, I could hear light snores coming from him. I shed some tears because I was afraid that Malik would stop loving me when I told him about Zaria. Plus, he’s been trying to get me pregnant and I’ve been telling him I didn’t want another baby right now. I already know he’s going to feel some type of way about that. I’ve forgiven him for everything he has ever done to me. Let’s not forget I’m raising his son by a woman he cheated on me with. Hopefully, that will work out in my favor. It’s been a long time since I felt weak like this. This shit has me so vulnerable now it ain’t even funny.
****
I can’t believe I’m sitting outside the house I used to call home. Everything looks the same. I mean nothing had changed. It’s still as raggedy as it was the day I moved in with Darro. I started to get nervous and I was about to pull off until I saw a beautiful woman come outside and stand on the porch. I exited my car and approached the person.
“Hi. My name is Barbie and I used to live here. I was wondering if you knew anything about the previous owner.” I was standing on the last step. This crazy-ass chick was looking me up and down like I was crazy.
“You don’t know who I am do you?” I kept staring and finally it hit. My eyes started to well up with tears. It was my brother.
“Oh my God, Chris is that you? You’re so beautiful.” My brother had transformed into a fucking goddess. He was looking better than me and I know I’m a bad bitch walking. He had big ass titties, an ass like Nicki Minaj, long blond hair and his face was beat the fuck up.
“Bitch, I know it’s been years but don’t get fucked up calling me Chris. You know I hate that shit. It’s Christina but I prefer to be called Chrissy Poo.” I laughed at the same time while crying because my brother was still crazy as ever. I ran up the stairs and wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him so tight.
“I missed your crazy ass.”
“I can’t tell, bitch. You just up and left. How could you leave like that? Zaria is so big and cute, looking like that fool Darro.”
“I had to leave. I wasn’t ready for that life or him running my life. I had to get away. I just hate that I left my baby. Life has been good for me, though.”
“I see. Your nigga must have long-ass money for you to be pushing a motherfucking Bentley. The Mr. is lacking. As much as I suck his dick you would think I would get me a damn Bentley, but no, all his ass brought me was a damn Audi. I got some words for his ass when I get home tonight.” All I could do was shake my head at his crazy ass.
“Well, look at what the fuck the cat dragged in. What do we owe this pleasure? I’m telling you right now Zaria is doing good, she don’t need your unfit ass in her life. You better hope Darro don’t get a hold of your ass.” I just looked at my mother with pity. Here she was damn near ten years later and she was still worshipping Darro. I didn’t care that she didn’t even acknowledge me. I’ve let go of having her approval or love a long ass time ago. In the beginning it was hard for me and Momma Peaches to get along. Now that’s my mother and my best friend, so as far as Jeanine goes, fuck her and everything she stands for.
“Lady, go flame up your crack pipe and reminisce on when you were a fit ass parent. Oh, shit! You don’t know nothing about being a good-ass parent. Go take your daily dose of meds. Come on, Barbie. Let me take you to see Zaria. I wish Darro would jump stupid. I’ll kick his ass again for putting his hands on you.”
“I wish that motherfucker would put his hands on me. I’m not weak-ass Barbie anymore. I pack heat for bitches like him. Plus, my husband will have his ass on a platter if he even thinks about looking at me wrong. Darro don’t want no smoke.”
“I know that shit right. Now, tell me all about your family Barbie. I feel like I don’t even know you.”
“I’m married with three kids. I have two with him, a daughter Londyn and a son Malakhi. And I’m raising his son from a previous relationship, Malik Jr. My life has been really great. I can’t complain. How about yours?”
“It’s been great as well. I just came back from San Francisco about two months ago. My partner died of cancer and left all his money to me. So, I came back here and brought me a condo and my hair salon, Chrissy’s Place, just opened for business.”
“That’s what up. I can’t wait to see it. I’m going to have Sunday dinner this week and I want you to come to my house and meet everybody.”
“Does your husband know about Zaria?”
“No.” I held my head down in shame and wiped the tears from my face
.
“Fuck all that crying. We’re going to get through this. I’m never going to lose you again. Now, come on, this is where Darro lives.” I looked up at the house and it was beautiful. I started to get real nervous. The school bus pulled in front of us and two little girls got off. Once the bus pulled away I was able to get a good look. There she was, my beautiful Zaria. She was definitely her father’s child. She was his twin. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. I was literally shaking in my seat. Chrissy grabbed my hand and held it tight.
“Hey my Zaria,” Chrissy said getting out of the car.
“Hey, Auntie Chrissy Poo.” Zaria ran full speed ahead and was hugging him so tight around his waist. I got out of the car and stood in front of her. I wanted to say something but my words were stuck in my throat. She was looking at me like I was crazy.
“Hi. I’m Zaria. Who are you?” she asked, as she held her hand out for me to shake it. I could tell Darro had taught her some manners unlike his ass. Before I could tell her who I was, he took off running.
“Hey Mommy and Daddy.” I turned around and there stood Darro with the meanest scowl on his face. He looked the same as I remembered. He was six feet of pure chocolate. Sexy as ever but still had the eyes of the devil. That made him the ugliest motherfucker in the world. I watched as Zaria hugged the woman so tight and Darro kissed her on her jaw. I don’t know why but my eyes traveled down to their hands and that’s when I noticed their wedding bands. He had gotten married and someone else raised my daughter. I wasn’t mad. I had no reason to be. I abandoned her and now I had to deal with her possibly never knowing me. I was really regretting leaving my baby.
“Y’all go in the house. I’ll be in there in a minute.” I could tell his wife wanted to know who I was by the way she hesitated to go in the house. Darro gave her that look and she hurried and walked up. He was digging in that ass, too. Darro started walking towards us and I walked towards my car to get back in.
