PPP Box Set

by Charmanie Saquea

  "Hey ma," I said with a smile.

  "Don't ‘hey ma’ me Ashton! Where the hell have you been, boy?" she said, mad.

  "I been around," I said, being vague.

  "Around my ass! You haven't been home in weeks, but let’s talk about that tonight at dinner," she said, changing her attitude.

  "I don't think so mom," I said looking at Tacari. I don't think my mom would like her. She has this whole “I should have married RiRi” thing in her head.

  "Ashton you're coming to dinner and that's final, do you understand? Be here by twelve for lunch," she stated.

  "Alright mom, make extra. I’m bringing someone," I said waiting for her smart ass comment.

  "It better not be one of those little hoodrat hoochie mama bitches," she said, hanging up on me. I laughed and put my phone down and looked at Tacari.

  "Look, get dressed. We’re going shopping for an outfit. Hurry up, because we only got about five hours," I said putting on some basketball shorts and a beater. Tacari put on some jeans and a plain shirt and we left. Once we got to the mall, we headed to a little shop where they sold summer dresses and ladylike shit that I know my mother likes.

  "Try this on baby," I said handing her a red sundress and white flats.

  "Why and where are we going?" she asked with an attitude.

  "Why, because I said so and we’re going to my parents’ house," I said, making her try the clothes on.

  "Ugh! Do I have to go Ash?" she said from inside the dressing room.

  "You're the one that made me answer the phone, so yes," I said as she came out. "Damn, baby, you getting this," I said, spinning her around and looking at her ass.

  "I don't like it," she said.

  "Too bad. Change so we can pay for this," I said smiling. She changed and came out then we headed to the register, and guess who was there. Take a wild guess real quick....Rina.

  "Ring this up," Tacari said, throwing the clothes to her.

  "I ain't ringing shit up, bitch," Riri said rolling her eyes.

  "Don't make me fuck you up again, because I will," Tacari said smiling.

  "Look Rina, just ring my shit up before I fuck up ya little job, bitch," I said, mad. If only we weren't in public, I would have had Tacari beat her stupid ass.

  "Oh look at the time. It’s my lunch break," she said, trying to walk away. I stood in her path as Tacari was looking like she was going to kill her.

  "Look Rina I’m not playing. Ring my shit up before I fuck you up bitch. You know I don't mind slapping ya stupid ass," I said, twisting her wrist.

  "Ouch!" she yelped in pain.

  "Hurry up I’m late," I said, letting her go. She rolled her eyes and picked up Tacari's stuff and rang it up.

  "Two hundred seventeen dollars and thirty-four cents," she said with an attitude.

  "Ash, I think we should go somewhere a little less expensive. That is too much for a dress, baby," Tacari said, looking at the dress again.

  "I got this baby. Ain’t nothing too expensive for you," I said, looking at the little bracelets that were in the display case. "Yo give me that one right there with the heart," I said, just to be fucked up and make Rina jealous.

  The tag said three hundred and fifty but shit, Tacari was worth it.

  "It comes with the necklace and your total is five hundred eighty-nine dollars and seventy-six cents," she said, placing it in a box.

  I gave her the money in cash and the bitch had the nerve to check it. I laughed at her dumb ass. Like I would really carry around some fake ass money.

  "You of all people know my money is right, you gold digging bitch, so hurry up and pass me my shit," I said, upset at her.

  "Bitch ass nigga," she said, handing me the bag.

  "Hating ass bitch," Tacari said smiling.

  "Come on baby," I said, kissing Tacari with tongue and all.

  Then we left to go find me something to wear. It was easy. All I did was pick up a cheap peach dress shirt from Macy's and some Levi's. Then we headed home to eat and take a shower.

  Kyree

  "Yes mom, I will be there," I said to my aunt Val. She wasn't my mother, but she was the closest thing to it. My mother was a basehead and my pops was doing life, so she raised me like her own.

  "Good baby. I haven't seen you in a while and you know I miss my grandbaby. How is she doing?" she asked.

  "She's good, just a little spoiled. You know she got me to buy her a new pool and a playhouse," I said, laughing.

  "Aww, well, she is going to be even more spoiled when she gets here today. I bought her some of those new Barbie toys and some clothes and tell her Nan made strawberry and banana pudding for her," she said laughing.

  "I will mama, but let me get ready and I will see you later," I said.

  "Alright Kyree. See you later baby," she said, hanging up.

  I got up and took a shower then found a purple button up shirt and some slacks. I ironed them then put them on and woke Nicole up.

  "Who is this little sleeping beauty that needs a kiss to wake up?" I said as she opened her eyes.

  "Meeeee!" she smiled and I pecked her lips.

  "Guess where were going today, baby?" I asked her as I carried her to the bathroom.

  "To see Chuck E. and eat pizza, daddy?" she said, smiling. I just laughed at her. We went there every damn week and she still wanted to go.

  "No baby," I said and she frowned her little lips. "We’re going to Nan's, baby and she bought you a toy and she made strawberry pudding," I said and she smiled. I put some toothpaste on her toothbrush and started brushing her teeth. When we were done, I got her dressed in a white dress with purple and green polka dots so we matched.

  "Now here comes the part you hate baby but if you don't cry, you can have any kind of ice cream you want," I said as we sat on the couch.

  "I want the yellow one," she said smiling. I got up and got her two banana pops and sat them on the table. I took the cushions off the couch and put them on the floor then sat her on top. I gave her the ice cream and started combing her hair. I made about four little ponytails and braided them down and put white flower clip thingies on them. I wasn't no pro at this shit but I tried and my baby looked cute. By the time I was done she was sleep again so I laid her on my bed while I watched TV. I had about two hours to spare and nothing was on. I scrolled through my contacts to see what bitches I could call, then I saw the one that said Neek and smiled. I pressed send and waited for her to answer.

  "Who the fuck is this?" she answered.

  "Yo, chill out shorty. Is this Nekea?" I asked.

  "Yeah, now who is this?" she asked.

  "It's Kyree. Ya sister gave me ya number," I said, waiting for her to say something.

  "Why she give you my number?" she said, smacking her lips.

  "Shit, so we can chill or something?" I laughed.

  "How you know Tacari, cause she knows better than to give my number out," she said.

  "She fucks with my cousin Ash," I said.

  "Oh so you should be just as cute as him," she laughed.

  "Nah, baby. I look better than him, get it straight," I said, making her laugh.

  "Whatever nigga. So how old is you?" she asked.

  "Seventeen and you?" I asked.

  "Seventeen. But, um, look if you tryna chill then I gotta bring my daughter. If she can't come, then I ain't fucking with you," she said straight up.

  "Yeah, that's cool she can play with my daughter," I said smiling.

  "I hope you ain't got no crazy ass baby mama, cause I ain't with the drama," she said, making me laugh.

  "Nah, but same goes for you. I don't got time to be fucking no nigga up over some drama," I said seriously.

  "Nah, we good. That nigga don't own me," she said, laughing.

  "Well, I gotta go. I will text the details later," I said about to hang up.

  "Wait, I’ma need a picture... You know, just in case you lying about how you look," she said dead ass serious.

  "I got you," I said, hangin
g up the phone and laughing. I sent her a picture and continued watching TV until about eleven o'clock. Then I headed in the room to get Nicole. I put her in the car and buckled her in, then drove to my aunt’s house.

  Tacari

  We were at home getting ready. I was putting on this white girl dress that was way overpriced and not even that cute. I mean, I could have went to the fucking Compton swap meet and bought this for about twenty dollars from out of the back of a Chinese lady's truck. I looked at myself in the mirror and I wasn't feeling it at all. Then I looked at my ass and laughed. I knew why he wanted it, with his sick ass. My phone started ringing and I checked it then answered.

  "Neek baby, what's up?" I said to my little sister.

  "Bitch, why you give that little sexy nigga with the tattoos my phone number?" she said.

  "I don't even get a ‘hey Tacari boo, I miss you,’ or nothing and I didn't give nobody ya number," I said laughing.

  "Well he said you did. I think his name was Ky or something like that," she said and I laughed.

  "Girl that was a long time ago, and he is sexy huh?" I said on the low.

  "Hell yeah! He look better than yo nigga too," she said, making me laugh so hard my stomach started to hurt.

  "If you think so, but look I gotta go sis, and tell Shadee I miss his ugly ass," I said hanging up on her. I put on some Carmex and perfume then made my way to the living room. I sat down and waited for Ashton. He was so slow to get dressed. I can't think of one time where he was dressed first out of the two whole months we’ve been together.

  "Let's go," he said, coming out of the room twenty minutes later.

  "Took ya punk ass long enough," I said as we walked to the car.

  "Whatever Tacari," he said, starting the car. When we got to his parents’ house it looked like one of those houses you see on TV, not to big not to small, but also not for niggas. "Look, Tacari, you know I love you right baby?" Ashton said before we got out.

  "Yeah," I said looking at him funny.

  "Well if you love me then just let all the bullshit that's about to happen go," he said, kissing me. I nodded my head and we got out. He knocked on the door and we waited for someone to answer.

  "Ashton," his mother said kissing him. I knew it was his mother because they had the same evil ass eyes.

  "Hey mom um... This is my girlfriend, Tacari," he said and she looked me up and down and then smiled. I stuck my hand out and she pulled me in for a hug.

  "I’m Val, but you can call me mom, sweetie, and it's nice to meet you," she said, smiling and holding my hand as she walked me out to the backyard. "This is Asheem, Ashton's father," she said smiling.

  "Tacari?" he said, looking at me puzzled.

  "Hey Mr. Watts," I said, a little embarrassed.

  "What are you doing here?" he asked in a loud manner.

  Chapter 9

  Ashton

  "What are you doing here?" I heard my father raise his voice as I walked into the backyard. Before Tacari could answer, I spoke up.

  "Tacari is my girlfriend, and soon to be mother of my child," I said and Tacari gave me a fucked up look. We had found out a couple of days ago and Tacari didn't want to tell anyone.

  "That's great. Come sit, darling," my mother said, smiling. I was shocked at how she was acting but I was cool with it as long as she didn't start no bullshit.

  "Ashton, my office now!" my dad said, mad. My mom was oblivious to what was going on and it needed to stay that way. I followed my father to his office just waiting for him to go off on me. I knew he was going to trip big time and I was right.

  "Ashton! I raised you better than that and you disrespect me by bringing this whore in my house," he said, pouring himself a glass of whisky so I knew there was more.

  "She's not a whore," I said, trying not to raise my voice.

  "She is a fucking low life, no good, drug selling, gun toting, filthy whore; and to make matters worse, you got the whore pregnant! I taught you better than this, Ashton Nicholas Watts! How could you bring shame to yourself and this family like that, boy? I’m surprised your little dick didn't fall off. Who knows where she has been! That bitch is not giving any child my last name, so you might as well get her an abortion," he said, shaking his head.

  "First off, she only sold drugs to provide for her family, so don't go there. You did the same shit, now you living good so calm that bullshit down, nigga. And if anyone brought shame to the family, it’s Ashley. She is the one fucking every nigga she meets and you don't say shit. The bitch had more abortions then the Lord allows, with her dirty ass. But no, she is your little princess and she is only 15. Next thing, she was a virgin and I’m her first, and if you can't accept the fact that she is having my child, I can leave nigga, cause I really don't need you or ya money or ya bitch ass last name, pussy," I said, mad as hell. My heart was beating hard and my jaw started to clench. I couldn't believe him at all.

  Shit, I loved my mother and all, but her ass was a hoe too and he brought the bitch home and even married her. I don't even think this nigga is my real daddy because we look nothing alike and I’m the only person in my family that's light skinned besides Kyree, and his mama is white. He got up and grabbed me by my throat and squeezed.

  "Ashton, I will fucking kill you little boy, family or not. Don’t you ever disrespect me again. Do you understand me?" he said, squeezing tighter.

  I didn't say anything. I just looked into his eyes with hate and it made it worse.

  "I said, do you understand me?" he said again, and I still didn't say shit.

  I was getting dizzy and my eyes started to water, but I still didn't give him an answer. I was done trying to please them and if they didn't like it then fuck them. He let me go and I felt like I was going to fall to the ground but I stood there and looked him right in his eyes as I caught my breath and said what I wanted to say all my life.

  "We ain't even related, nigga. You ain't my damn daddy, so stop trying to act like it, bitch ass nigga," I said and he put his head down with his feelings hurt.

  "Leave now boy!" he yelled.

  "Bitch ass," I said, walking out of his office. I stopped in the bathroom and fixed myself up then walked out to the backyard with a smile on my face. I saw Ashley, Kyree, Nicole and Tacari sitting with my mother all talking and laughing. I walked over and grabbed Tacari and sat her on my lap and just relaxed.

  Tacari

  I sat there in the backyard with Ash's family as Ashton went to talk to his father. Mr. Watts seemed pretty upset when he found out I was pregnant. He damn near passed out and I almost laughed at his old ass. As we sat there and talked, I waited for Ashton to come back but he never did.

  "They were so cute. My baby Ky would follow Ashton everywhere he went. Ashton hated it. He would hide in the closet and would not come out until Kyree left," his mom said laughing. All her stories were really cute. I wish my family was like this. Shit, my family was fucked up. I killed a nigga at fifteen, Neek got pregnant at fifteen and Shadee was locked up so I was running shit. Ash is lucky his family loves him like they do.

  "That's cute and I can imagine Kyree following him. I mean he still does," I joked

  "You're one to talk Tacari, Ashton don't even let you leave the house by ya self," Ky capped.

  "Maybe it's because she's pregnant," Mrs. Watts smiled at me.

  "She what?" Kyree looked at me and shook his head. Kyree was always hating with his stupid ass. "I mean congratulations Tacari," he said, upset.

  "Congratulations," Ashley said smiling, but I knew she was being fake. I smiled and nodded at her. The more I looked at his family the more they didn't look alike. Ashton was light skinned and tall and his eyes were brown and his hair was brown even though it was cut short, you could tell the color. His father was tall dark and rough looking with dark evil looking eyes his mother was dark and his sister was too. I just smiled and nodded and laughed as I thought about it. I wondered if Ashton knew this. The only one that looked like him was Kyree and he was just a cousin
. I looked up and Ashton was coming over. He put on a fake ass smile and pulled me out of my chair and sat me on his lap. It didn't feel right. His body was all tight and I could feel his heart beating fast. I looked at him and I noticed the red marks on his neck like someone choked him.

  "What happened to your neck, Ash?" I whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek.

  "Tell you later baby," he said and I felt his body relax as he wrapped his arms around my waist and rubbed my stomach.

  "Aww, that’s so cute Ashton, sweetheart. I have to take a picture," his mom said, snapping a Polaroid.

  "Mrs. Watts, do you mind taking another one for me," I asked.

  "It's Val or mom to you Tacari, and sure baby, I will," she smiled.

  Ashton and I posed and she snapped it. I waited a few moments then checked it. It was perfect and daddy was going to love it. I still haven't heard from him, but I’m sure this will get him to write me back.

  Kyree

  I couldn't believe this shit, man. Like for real, she's pregnant. I smiled and acted like I was happy for her, but I really wasn't. See, I liked Tacari a lot but I guess nothing is going to happen now. I have been thinking about her a lot. Ever since that kiss, she has been on my mind. If I can't have her, then I guess the little sister would have to do for now.

  "Ashley and Kyree, come help my set the table for lunch," my aunt said, taking me out of my thoughts.

  I got up and followed her to the kitchen and started to set the table. I looked out the window and just watched Tacari smile and laugh. I was getting really jealous so I looked away.

  "Aww Kyree is jealous," my little cousin Ashley said, laughing.

  "Of what?" I laughed and put the dishes on the table.

  "Face it Ky, I can see it all over you face. You like that dirty bitch," she said, making me mad.

  "She's not a bitch Ashley," I said through clenched teeth.

  "Hoe, whore, slut, skeezer, bitch, it's all the same in my book. The bitch probably just wants his money, they all do. That's probably why she won't give you no play. Your bankroll ain't big enough. Shit, it will never be big enough for her. I mean my daddy pays for your house, your car, and your clothes because you are nothing, Kyree. And you know what? You are never going to amount to shit in life. To make matters worse, you have that little snotty nosed brat with you and she is slowing your life down. If I was you, I would have made that hoodrat Dejanay get an abortion," she said, all while smiling at me.