Lawd, Mo' Drama

by McKinney, Tina Brooks

  “Hello,” she said, and I could hear my little grandbaby crying in the background. The sound bought tears to my eyes, and my mouth was suddenly so dry I could not even swallow, let alone talk.

  “Hello,” she said again, this time with attitude.

  “Uh, Ashley, good evening,” I said, clearing my throat. I thought about grabbing a drink, but I did not want her to hear the ice cubes rattling in the glass. I was rooted to the sofa.

  “Yes,” she said, with growing impatience. Nicole was getting louder by the second.

  “Uh, this is Tyson’s, um, this is Sammie.”

  I heard a muffled conversation in the background, and the baby immediately stopped crying. Tyson picked up the phone.

  “Hello?” he said.

  “Tyson, it’s Sammie. I got your postcard, and I can’t tell you how happy I am for you and Ashley. Was that Nicole crying?” I asked, waving my hands in front of my face to dry up the perspiration that appeared on my forehead.

  “Yeah, she’s loud, isn’t she? She was hungry, and her momma was taking too long,” he said, and I could hear Ashley getting ready to fuss her damn self.

  “I can’t wait to see pictures. Will you send me some?” I asked with my fingers crossed. I hoped he was not playing a sick joke on me.

  “You’re just getting the postcard?” he asked.

  “Yes, just now,” I replied.

  “I mailed it two weeks ago.”

  I grabbed the card and saw that he’d sent it to my old address and it had been forwarded.

  “Oh, I see. I’ve moved, and I guess it took the post office a minute to find me,” I said, suddenly happy that he had not waited an entire month to tell me about the birth of my grandchild.

  “Sending it was Ashley’s idea. When you didn’t call, I thought…”

  “Ouch,” I said. “I deserved that and then some. I can’t change the past. I was young, dumb and stupid. Your grandmother wouldn’t allow me to raise you and when I got the opportunity, I didn’t know how. But if you give me a chance, I’ll change the things to come.”

  He didn’t answer me right away, and I was afraid he had hung up on me. After a few more minutes of silence, he said, “What’s your new address?”

  I gave it to him and we talked. It was not the heartfelt reunion I had hoped for, but it was a start. I went to the kitchen and fixed a much-needed drink. I wanted to ask Tyson if I could come see the baby, but I felt it was too soon. Not to mention the fact that I was new on the job and had not earned any vacation time yet.

  I made my way back to the sofa and noticed the money Jessie had left balled up on the floor. I decided to take a hundred dollars of the money to open up a bank account for Nicole. I would use my social security number to open the account, but I would get it transferred as soon as I could. It would be my first order of business in the morning before something else came up preventing me from doing it, and once I got Tyson’s address, I would mail the passbook to him. I was so happy I felt like I would split into a million pieces if I did not talk to someone.

  Feeling great, I called Leah to tell her my good news, but she did not answer the phone. I finished my drink and went to bed.

  LEAH

  The message light on my answering machine was blinking furiously when I got home. After getting my nails done, a perm, and my eyebrows arched, I left the salon feeling like a million bucks. I had dipped into my nest egg, but with the way things were going, I felt like we were going to be okay.

  “Now it’s you who looks like something the dog drug home,” I said when Momma answered the door earlier.

  “That child of yours wore me out today. I lucked up when she cried herself to sleep,” my unsmiling mother said.

  “I’m sorry. She has days like this, and I can’t explain it to people when they ask me.”

  “It’s not your fault. You’re working on finding out what’s wrong with her. That’s the first step.”

  “Exactly, and I think I’m on the way to doing just that. Momma, you should see this day care center. It’s beautiful, and I have such a positive vibe about the place. I feel like they can actually help Mya!”

  “How do they plan on doing that?”

  “They have an entire medical wing, with doctors on staff. I’m taking the kids over there tomorrow to get them used to the place,” I said excitedly.

  “Sounds good, baby,” she said, finally looking at my hair. “Oh, look at you. Now you’re looking like my baby again,” she said, kissing me on the cheek. I grabbed her in a full-bodied hug. Kayla came tearing down the hall screaming my name. I had kept my voice down to have some quiet time with Momma, but apparently the cat was out of the bag.

  “Oh, Mommy’s pretty,” Kayla said, playing in my long brown hair that reached halfway down my shoulders. She told me I looked beautiful, and I actually felt like I was.

  “Momma, I gotta run. Get your things, Kayla,” I instructed as I packed up her brother and sister. Kissing my mother on the cheek, I left and drove home still basking in the glow of a pleasant day.

  Once I got the kids settled, I planned on calling Sammie to see if she had any luck with the tools. Momma had had a rough day with Mya, and it showed in her eyes. Mya’s face was distant and remote. Mya beat her head twice on the floor and spent the next three hours crying after I left.

  In a few days I would know if my application was accepted for the house, and I would start work on Monday. I had three hundred fifty dollars left from the money I had received from the church, some food stamps I could sell if things got tight, and the potential for more money from the tools James was holding for me.

  It was well after nine that night before I got my alone time. I pressed “play” on my answering machine as I sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Where the fuck are my tools?” Kentee’s angry voice shouted at me from my answering machine. His voice was so loud it felt like the machine was vibrating. Startled at hearing his voice for the first time in months, I struggled to breathe. “You better not have fucked with them. I’m coming over there tomorrow and they better be there!” There was a loud click.

  Coming over here? I thought. That explained why I had felt so uneasy the other day. The bastard had been in the house! How? I had the locks changed! The second message started to play.

  “Leah, don’t fuck with me!” The phone went dead. I grabbed the phone to call James to get the tools back before Kentee came back around. The third message began to play, and I stopped the machine. I didn’t need to hear one more threat from Kentee. Fuck the tools. With the money I’d be making, I didn’t need his stinking tools. I’d file for child support and alimony and hit his ass where it hurt; his wallet.

  “May I speak to James, please,” I said when his Sumo Wrestler wannabe girlfriend answered the phone.

  “Telephone!” she yelled.

  “Yeah?” James said.

  “James, I need to get the tools back into the garage tonight.”

  James did not utter a sound.

  “James?” I said with a sinking feeling in my gut.

  “Uh, I thought you came and got them. When I checked the truck this morning it was empty.”

  “How the hell could I have gotten them when they were in your truck in your locked garage?” I yelled at him.

  “I didn’t take them. I swear!”

  “I didn’t say you took them, but where else could they be? I’m not stupid, and I don’t appreciate anyone trying to play me for a fucking dummy! You had possession of the tools, and unless you want me to call all my cousins and their friends to come kick your ass, you better return them. No, I have a better idea. I’ll tell Kentee you stole them, and we’ll see what happens then.” I stomped my feet in irritation. I was bluffing big time, but he did not know me well enough to realize it. I wished I had that kind of backup because I would have had Kentee’s ass kicked.

  “Uh, Leah, wait.”

  “Wait hell! I’m not taking an ass-whipping unless I get something out the deal. You better
ask your dyke girlfriend, or whoever else has access to your garage, where the fucking tools are, or the next visit you receive will be from Kentee!” I slammed down the phone.

  Stunned by this new twist of events, I did not know what to do first. I picked up the phone to make sure Sammie was not involved in the removal of the tools, and paced the floor as her phone rang.

  “Hello,” Sammie’s seductive voice serenaded me. “Sorry I can’t come to the phone, but if you leave your name and number, I’ll make it worth your while!”

  “Damn,” I said, slamming down the phone without leaving a message. She had caller ID, and if she was anywhere near the phone she would call me back soon. In the meantime my wheels were still turning. Grabbing the phone again, I banged out Kentee’s voice mail number. After a brief message, I began to rant.

  “Oh, so the dead finally rises. How dare you fucking call my house cussing me when you broke in here in the first place? I filed a police report for the television, DVD player, and the stereo. And I know you took the fucking tools, too, so don’t try to play like you’ve been the victim!” I was lying my ass off, but he did not need to know it. “Well, you had better fence that shit fast, you lowlife, deadbeat fucker, before the cops find you!” I hung up the phone, pissed enough to blow smoke out of my nose.

  I was lying my ass off but I knew that Kentee would not want the cops involved in his life, so I sat by the phone waiting to hear back from him. Even though it was still his house and he did not technically break in, he would do what he had to do to keep the peace.

  It did not take long for the phone to ring, and for Kentee’s name to appear on the caller ID. I did not answer it because I was still too angry with him. I waited until I saw the blinking light on my answering machine before I mashed the button to listen to his message.

  “Hey, baby, I know I have some explaining to do, but I couldn’t face you. I still love you and the kids, but I wasn’t cut out for family life. I felt like I was being tortured every night when I came home. I was wrong for bolting without talking to you first. Don’t do nothing stupid like calling the cops before I’ve had a chance to talk to you, okay? I’ll call you back in fifteen minutes. Please answer the phone,” he said.

  Well, ain’t that a bitch. He wants to be my baby now! He said he ain’t cut out for family life, but he’s shacked up with some stank heifer? How stupid does he think I am?

  He used the same charming baritone voice that talked me out of my panties on the night we had met, and I had to harden my heart against falling for that shit again.

  The most surprising thing, though, was the realization that, despite all the stress and pain, I still loved the rat bastard. He was the love of my life, and I had not figured out how I was going to deal with those feelings.

  When the phone rang again, my heart made the decision my brain refused to. All he had to say was, “Baby, I wanna come home,” and it would be on!

  “Hello,” I said in my most seductive voice, not even checking the caller ID.

  “Why didn’t you leave a message?” Sammie smacked her gum loudly in my ear.

  Disappointed, I tried not to let Sammie know she was not who I was expecting.

  “Gurl, please. I knew you’d hit me back as soon as you saw my number pop up.” I laughed to mask the tears I wanted to shed.

  “I just got off work. What’s up?”

  “Gurl, issues! Either James stole those tools, or Kentee broke into his garage and took them!”

  “The slimy bastard!”

  “I know that’s right. You didn’t tell anyone about them, did you?”

  “Naw, Jessie was tripping when I didn’t see him, so I didn’t even mention it. To be honest, I forgot all about them until now.”

  “Shit, part of me was hoping you did get someone to get them. I could use the money. So either James is trying to fuck me, or Kentee has them. I called James and threatened to have his ass kicked, and I told Kentee I’d called the cops on him for breaking in. I accused Kentee of stealing my television and DVD player. I accused him of stealing my stuff because the police are more than likely to believe a woman over a man; just in case Kentee insists on filing a countersuit for theft. And, if that happens, I’ll need to stash the goods at your house.”

  Her silence told me that I could not count on Sammie for help. She had her own dealings with the “popo” and I could not get mad at her for not wanting to be involved in my drama. Was it a vague threat? Did I have any merit? Hell no, but the implied threat was enough. Shrugging my shoulders, I mentally devised Plan C.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Nothing right now.”

  “Can you come over? I met this cop the other day. I’m going to call him and ask him to stop by. I really don’t want to be alone with him.”

  “Why?”

  “’Cause my ass is so horny I might jump his bones as soon as he walks through the door!” I replied as Sammie squealed with laughter.

  “Have you already invited him? I’d hate to drive all the way out there for nothing.”

  “Oh, so I’m nothing now?” I said jokingly.

  “Naw, gurl. You know what I meant.”

  “I was just kidding. Hold tight and let me call him. I’ll hit you back.”

  “Okay, but don’t be all damn night. If I don’t come out there, I’m sure I can find something else to do with my evening. I can’t wait until you get a babysitter so we can hang out. Tonight’s Chippendale night at the Mirage, and I’m going.”

  “Chippendale night?”

  “Gurl, you’ve been shut in far too long! Male strippers and I’m here to tell you they are fine!”

  “Wow, I’ve never been before. I need to have my ass somewhere to see niggas slinging dick! But in all honesty, that’s the last thing I need to see. I might grab hold of one or two, and won’t want to give them back,” I said, laughing. “Give me a few, but I’ll call you back either way.”

  “Alright.” Sammie was still laughing as she hung up the phone.

  In spite of the cool air flowing through the vents of my air conditioner, icy sweat broke out on my brow as I located Coy’s numbers. It had been several years since I had phoned a man other than my husband, and I was truly out of practice. Coy gave me two numbers, but he did not tell me which was which. I hoped the first number was his cell because I really wanted him to come over tonight. He answered on the second ring. Please remember me, I silently prayed.

  “Yello?”

  “Um…hello. Um, Coy, this is Leah. We met a few days ago. Do you remember?”

  “Of course, beautiful. How could I forget?”

  Flattered, I paused to mop my moisture-beaded brow before going on.

  “I hate to call begging, but I need your help. I realize I don’t know you, but I have a situation going on. I need to get a jump on it right now before it escalates and gets ugly. Could you come over to my house?”

  “Now?”

  “As soon as you can. It’s important, but not life-threatening.”

  “Should I throw on my uniform? Today was my off day, and I just got home from the gym.”

  “I don’t know. Could you bring it? After I explain, you decide whether it might help the situation. You can change here if necessary.”

  “I thought I’d have to wait a while before I could change clothes in your house” He chuckled. I chuckled also, getting a visual of him naked. I was not giving him a whole lot of information, but he still agreed to come.

  “Let me jump in the shower. I should be there in forty-five minutes.”

  “Thanks, Coy.” I exhaled the breath I had been holding.

  “Hey, don’t thank me yet. I haven’t done anything. See ya in a few.” After he hung up the phone, I dialed Sammie back and asked if she could be there in an hour. This would give me enough time to explain the situation without giving me any time for slippage out of the panties! I was horny as hell and did not trust myself enough to be alone with a foine man. I was thankful I had taken the time to
get my hair and nails done; just in case I slipped and fell.

  For the next thirty minutes I ran around the house hiding things that should have been put away. It was not the best camouflage job, but it would have to do.

  With less than fifteen minutes to spare, I raced into my bedroom to change clothes. I selected a form-fitting pair of black jeans and a square cut T-shirt that implied cleavage without shining a spotlight on my breasts. My nipples showed clearly through the thin cotton fabric. I tried thinking about taxes to make those suckers go down, but it did not work. I was touching up my makeup and applying perfume when the doorbell rang.

  I flew to the door, hoping to catch him before he rang it again. The children were asleep and I wanted to keep it that way. After inquiring who it was, I snatched open the door. Coy looked better in blue jeans than he did in uniform. The long sleeves of his uniform had hid his bulging biceps, which were now clearly displayed by his muscle shirt. The tight fit of his jeans accented his meaty thighs.

  Sweet Jesus, I thought, as I stepped back to allow him to come in. A rich, musky sent floated under my nostrils, and I had to stop myself from following it. I was so glad Sammie was on her way because I was having difficulty understanding the need to keep my hands to myself. This guy was fucking gorgeous.

  “Hey, sunshine!” he said as I closed the door firmly behind him. I rested against it as I checked out his “phat” behind.

  “Hi, yourself,” I managed to get out of my suddenly dry lips. “I was about to get a Coke. Can I get you anything?”

  “A Coke will be fine for now. Do you have any beer?”

  “Sure, if you like Bud.”

  “Let’s deal with the situation first; then I’ll take a beer.”