Started From the Top Now I'm Here 3

by Midnite Love

  “Girl, you just don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that. Guess what? Darrius and I are getting married. And I would love for you to be a part of our special day. Would you like to be a bridesmaid?”

  “Oh Lexi! I’m so happy for you baby girl! Of course I will be in your wedding! I would be honored!”

  Cheron was thrilled to say the least upon hearing about Lexi and Darrius’ engagement. In spite of all that she had been through, one thing remained certain. Cheron was a true friend. Even in the past, when she had just found out about Sonnet and Kenterris creeping, she was still able to be happy for Lexi when she told her about her and Darrius getting back together.

  “Cool! Maybe we can do lunch this week and go over some of the details. Lord knows I need a break from my ghetto ass family trying to run shit.” True enough, Lexi was as hood as they came, but the last several months had shown her a different side of life that she was ready to embrace. She had transformed from the loud, gun toting bird to a woman who was ready to elevate herself to the next level of maturity.

  Cheron let out a hearty laugh, “Damn I miss your crazy behind! I’m sorry but I can’t meet up now though. I was in a car accident and I’m still recovering.”

  “Damn Cheron! Are you ok? Was it bad?”

  “Yeah it was pretty bad, my car was broadsided at the intersection and completely totaled. It’s a miracle I’m even alive. I had a slight concussion, a broken leg, and a few cracked ribs. I also got bruised up pretty bad, but I’m getting back to myself slowly but surely,” Cheron replied before blowing her nose. Just the thought of what she’s gone through that night made her emotional.

  “Thank God you are ok. Do you need anything?”

  “Nah... I’m good. Thanks for asking though.”

  “Where were you coming from?” Lexi asked.

  “This sorry ass nigga’s house. I don’t even know what the hell I was thinking. I was still hurt over the breakup and I had been wilding out. Going out with all types of men, partying till all hours of the morning, dressing like a damn slut.....” Cheron paused to catch her breath and wipe her eyes. The memory of Quinn almost raping her came flooding back.

  “I went to that asshole’s house and....”

  “And what girl, take your time,” Lexi responded out of concern for her friend. She could hear that she clearly upset.

  “He tried to rape me. It’s my fault. I led him on. He thought we were going to have sex and I changed my mind at the last minute. I should have never even gone over there. You know that’s not me. If I wouldn’t have been running around like a damn thot none of this would have happened.”

  “Stop it!” Lexi demanded. “I don’t want to ever hear you say it’s your fault again. You have a right to change your mind. You can’t beat yourself because you decided to live a little. You are a grown ass woman Cheron. And you did what you felt you needed to do to get you through a rough patch. That didn’t give that jerk any reason to violate you.” At this point Lexi was becoming upset. She had been taken advantage of on more than one occasion by men when she was younger. And she knew all too well the destruction that harboring unwarranted guilt could cause. And she didn’t want to see Cheron go down that path.

  “I know... you’re right... I guess I just felt guilty because I was acting so out of character.”

  “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. Did he hurt you?” Lexi asked, with tears now forming in her eyes.

  “He slapped me a few times. When I tried to get away he choked me till I almost passed out. I was so scared Lexi. I thought he was going to kill me.”

  “What a fucking bitch made nigga! I hope his ass rots in jail!”

  “I didn’t press charges...”

  “What? Are you kidding me? He needs to be brought up on attempted murder charges as well as assault.”

  “I know... but I haven’t told anyone. Just you. I just want to put this whole thing out of my mind,” Cheron replied holding her head. She was starting to feel a dull ache on the right side. And judging by the fact that she was now an emotional wreck she was sorry that she’s even brought it up to Lexi.

  Lexi didn’t press the issue, at least at that moment. She had been where Cheron was. She would however take note to bring it up again at a later date when she wasn’t upset. There was no telling how many other women this guy had pulled this with. And not only did she need to press charges; she needed to go to counseling to talk about what she had gone through.

  “I totally understand. And just know that I’m here for you if you need to talk, day or night.”

  “Thanks so much Lexi.” Cheron had to admit that she did feel better after getting that off of her chest. “Now can we PLEASE change the subject?” She laughed to try and lighten up the mood.

  “Yes we can. Lemme tell you how my baby proposed. He went all out!”

  Lexi went on to give Cheron all the details of the proposal and how good things have been between her and Darrius.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Kenterris was really in my corner looking out for me after my accident.”

  “What? Oh really? Spill the tea girl! Y’all getting back together?”

  “No, nothing like that. I mean he wants to get together but I’m just not ready for all that. He hurt me really bad you know? That shit doesn’t just go away overnight. Its gon take a minute before I can ever trust him again, hell any man for that matter.”

  “I feel you. That was some shady as shit that went down with him and Sonnet. If you do decided to take him back, make that ass work! He needs to recognize what he lost.”

  “Oh he does. We had a moment a few months back when he was over here and he confessed that he’s been miserable without me and that he still loved me. I tried to be hard but I was under that nigga’s spell! Shit I ain’t gon lie, I still love him too. Plus he was looking fine as ever. We realized just how much we had been missing each other...” Cheron’s voice trailed off as she reminisced on the beautiful night they shared.

  “Woo! Say no more! Makeup sex is the best! I remember when me and Darrius first got back together. That shit was so damn good.”

  “I’m not gon lie, it was beautiful It was like it was out first time having sex with each other.”

  “Well I tell you what, you can feel free to invite him to the wedding. I’m low key salty about the way that nigga did you but it seems like he still cares about you. I know y’all ain’t together so if you don’t want to invite him that cool too. It’s gon be plenty of fine ass brothas there, either way.”

  “Hmm, I just may take you up on that offer.”

  “Why not? You would have never thought that Darrius and I would end up at this point but sometimes love is better the second time around.”

  Later that day

  “Of course I’ll go,” Kenterris replied to Cheron’s question. “I can’t believe Lexi and Darrius are making it official.”

  “I know right? Just goes to show, you never know how things are going to work out.”

  “Yeah, I must admit that I misjudged Lexi. Use to be a time she was the most ratchet one in the bunch, but from what you are saying it sounds like she’s really coming into her own. And I gotta give it to Darrius. The brotha did his time and never looked back.”

  “Yep, both of them have come a long way. I’m so happy for them,” Cheron gushed.

  “Yeah, so am I. I’m actually surprised that you asked me to be your date.”

  “You know how it goes, I needed some eye candy on my arm to keep all the wolves at bay,” Cheron joked.

  “Oh so that’s it? You want to use me to keep the brothas from hounding you?” Kenterris laughed.

  “You know I’m just kidding. We haven’t been out in a long time. I actually think it would be good for us.”

  “Yeah, so do I....” he replied.

  This was the first time she and Kenterris were being seen together in public since they had split up. And what better place to reignite an old flame but a wedding. What both of th
em were thinking, but neither was said, was they both secretly hoped that some of the happiness that Lexi and Darrius shared would rub off on them. Only time would tell.

  Chapter 19 - Old Habits Die Hard

  Despite Derrick taking Sonnet in and offering her better life, her old ways slowly started to resurface. Just when she had begun to make progress towards becoming a nurturing and caring individual her narcissistic personality began to creep back out.

  Ironically, the very things that Derrick did to boost her confidence also went to her head. And the sad part was, he had no idea of the monster he was creating, better yet, the one she always was.

  Whenever she and Derrick had an encounter in the past it was always when she came in his shop. Therefore he thought she was a sweet, beautiful girl that he had a crush on. Little did he know she never had any intentions on giving him the time of day, based on the fact that he was a blue collar man.

  Her wicked ways slowly make themselves known she starts over spending and basically defeating every plan Derrick has to make a better life for them. True enough, he had given her his platinum card to use on several occasions, but that was because she was his lady and he didn’t feel like she should have to ask him every time she wanted to make a trip to the salon, or went grocery shopping.

  However, with that added perk also came the responsibility of knowing when to say no. Derrick was business man first and foremost. But he also believed in saving for the future. When Sonnet was given the privilege of using his card she was also informed to stay within a budget. She agreed but that was short lived.

  Her trips to the hair and nail salon started becoming more expensive. And the trips to the mall would become more frequent.

  When Derrick suggested that Sonnet put her degrees to work and find something that interested her besides shopping, it pissed her off. Little did he know that’s all she ever wanted to do. They would eventually have their first big argument after Sonnet remodeled the house and he comes home to all new furniture. In an attempt to get rid of his tacky style, as Sonnet called it, she even moves some of his personal belongings to the garage. Needless to say this doesn’t sit well with him. Not only does he make her return the new furniture; he also confiscates his card.

  In Sonnet’s true fashion she run a guilt trip on him. Telling him that he said that this was her home also, and that he said he wanted her to be comfortable there.

  Her only mission was to regain his trust and have full use of his card once again. To sweeten the pot she eventually agrees to start working at the shop to help him out in the office with her accounting skills. As time passes he forgives her and gives her the card back.

  Working at the shop also caused Sonnet to realize what she had been missing out on. Once she saw the luxury vehicles that made their way in and out on a daily basis she began making her way out of the office and in front of the car owners every chance she got. Derrick had even begun to take notice that Sonnet never seemed to want to stay at her assigned station at certain times a day, when they were at their busiest. The real shocker would come when she was caught sitting in one of the customer’s cars after hours, admiring the interior. When Derrick asked what she was doing. She just chalked it up to the same reason she went on her spending sprees, she had been homeless, and forgot what it felt like to have nice things. Just as she suspected Derrick fell for her little show, hook line and sinker.

  In fact when the invitation came from one of his friends who actually played in the NBA to come to a game, then party with the ballers afterwards he couldn’t wait to tell Sonnet. He felt like this would be a good outing for her. Little did he know this was the icing on the cake.

  Once Sonnet got a taste of the elite crowd it only served to remind her of her past life and all that she had lost. When she met his friend Tree, it was like fate. She knew that she had to have him the moment she laid her eyes on his sexy 6’7 frame. As far as she was concerned she’d lucked out getting with Derrick. In the past she would have never come this close to meeting a REAL baller in person. Now, through his connections she had a front row ticket to the NBA smorgasbord.

  The only thing that put a damper on that evening was the fact that the other groupies and basketball wives turned their nose up at Sonnet because of her basic appearance. She knew the look because she’d given it to many other females in the past that didn’t measure up to her standards. Needless to say this caused her insecurity to skyrocket. But they could best believe when they saw her again she wouldn’t be caught slipping. One thing was now for certain, she couldn’t have Derrick’s baby. Now that she’d met her future boo it was time to set her plan into motion.

  Chapter 20 - Cash Me Out

  “Won’t he do it!” Aintee Maven screamed to the top of her lungs.

  “What is it Aintee?” Aviare asked. He stepped in the room just in time to see her falling to her knees and thanking God. When she finally stood up she had tears in her eyes.

  “Our ship done finally come in!” she announced.

  Aviare still didn’t have a clue as to what was going on, but he figured the letter she was holding in her hand had something to do with it.

  “I didn’t want to say anything till I knew for sure, but they done settled the lawsuit in our favor!”

  The lawsuit Maven was speaking of was a class action suit against the city of South Central by residents who had lost someone due to an ambulance not showing up in a timely fashion. Maven found out about the suit and joined shorty after Granny had passed. However she never spoke a word to anyone because she never thought anything would become of it. Much to her surprise they settled on the amount of $600,000 per person. Aviare was ecstatic when he heard the news, but he was nowhere as excited as Maven. For the first time in a long time she wasn’t going to have to worry about money.

  Once the funds were in her account the first thing she did was moved out of the hood. She also made sure she took care of Joe and Rita. As well as opened a trust fund for Aviare. He wouldn’t be able to touch the money till he was twenty five. She was going to make sure he had everything he needed now, but seeing as he was still young she wanted to make sure that he had something to fall back on once he was an adult.

  Last but not least Maven called up her best friend Viv and invited her on an all-expense paid cruise, as well as hooking her up with some loot as well. She was a generous woman who remembered who was there for her when she needed them the most. And as much as she hated to admit it, if Sonnet were around she most likely would have given her some cash as well. Despite how horrible she’d treated her and Aviare it was just in her nature to care for family.

  Chapter 21 - True Colors

  From the time that Sonnet stepped foot out onto the pavement to survive she thought about her family. Royce mentioned how prideful she was, and how much of a fool she was for not reaching out to them before it had gotten to that point. What she failed to tell him was that she’d burned bridges with practically everyone she knew. And she couldn’t go to the people who didn’t know the type of person she was because she needed to still put on a front for them. Just as she hid her situation from her family, she also had to hide from anyone who remembered her from her past and the lavish life style she once led.

  Now that she was somewhat back on her feet she decided to try and find Aviare. She hadn’t seen anyone in her family since Granny’s funeral. And quite frankly, the way they blamed her passing on her she couldn’t care less if she saw any of them ever again.

  However Aviare was different. She knew that he was just lashing out at her because he was hurt. And most likely was listening to the foolishness that Aintee Maven was spitting in his ear. Regardless of how angry he was the last time he’d seen her she knew that he still loved her. And despite how selfish she could be at times, she loved him also. He was her only sibling and the closest person to her besides Derrick. Now that she no longer had her friends in her corner she figured she should at least try and reconnect with him. Maybe Derrick was right. Maybe they could a
ctually heal old wounds.

  She decided that today would be the day that she would visit him. She knew that Aintee Maven wanted nothing more to do with her so she most likely was going to have him come out to the car instead of going in. Once she finally reach Aintee Maven’s block she slowed down to a cruise. Aside from Derrick she hadn’t seen anyone who knew her in over a year. Needless to say she was nervous. She decided that she wouldn’t tell them about her being homeless. It’s not like it was going to change anything. She gave herself a quick once over in the rearview mirror and fluffed her hair. When she got in front of Aintee Maven’s house she got the shock of her life. The house was boarded up.

  “What the hell?” Sonnet said to herself.

  She parked the car and jumped out. As she walked up the side walk she noticed that the grass was cut and that the property had been maintained. Once she was on the porch she peeked into a crack between the boards on the front window. The house was completely empty. Where the hell was her family? Aintee Maven had been in that house for over thirty years. There’s no way she would give it up unless she was forced out. It dawned on Sonnet that maybe she fell on hard times herself and she lost the house to the bank. It was the only logical explanation. But where the hell would they have moved too?

  “Damn, and here I was thinking I was doing bad. I done fell way off my game and they still doing worse than me,” Sonnet said to herself.

  After looking up and down the block a few times her eyes fixated on the neighbor’s home three doors down. Mrs. Jacobs was one of the elders on the street who didn’t miss anything. If anyone knew where they moved to it would be her.

  “Who is it?” The old woman yelled through the double bolted door. She saw a young woman on her porch when she peeped though the peek hole but she didn’t recognize her.

  “Hello Mrs. Jacobs, its Sonnet, Maven’s niece.”

  The old woman slowly cracked open the door, and spoke to her through the security gate.