by Lucinda John
“You and Jordan are amazing people. You could have easily done me dirty by keeping everything from me, but the fact that you were upfront and honest with everything, proves your loyalty.”
“Loyal since day one,” she smiled as we embraced in a hug.
Just as we were really catching up, there was another knock at the door. I looked over at Shanice who shrugged her shoulders at me. I walked over to the door and looked through the peephole, only to see my brother Ashton and my mother. I wanted to walk away from the door, but I had nothing against my brother, so I opened it.
“Hey sis,” Ashton smiled, giving me a hug.
Since a knee injury ruined Ashton’s football career, he went to school to become an accountant. The day he got his degree, Jordan hired him to work for his company. My mother was doing well for herself; she had three daycares currently opened.
“What’s up bro?” I held onto him tightly.
“You look good, sis. Nice to see you doing better,” he said.
“I feel good too.”
“Aimee, may I have a word with you outside?” my mother said.
I wanted to tell her no, but a part of me getting better is forgiving those who did me wrong. I would be a hypocrite for asking Aimesha for forgiveness, if I wasn’t willing to forgive my own mother.
“Ok,” I replied, following behind her.
“You look great,” she said once we got outside.
“Thank you.”
“Aimee, baby, I am sorry,” she started to cry.
“It’s ok, mama,” I said, hugging her. “I forgive you.”
“I should have done something. Maybe if I would have done something, things wouldn’t have turned out like this,” she sobbed.
“Everything happens for a reason, ma. Don’t beat yourself about it, let’s leave it all in the past.”
“Oh, I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, mama,” I honestly replied, feeling a weight being lifted off my shoulder.
Once me and my mother made up, we went back inside to talk about everything under the sun. It felt good to be home and to have my family by my side.
****
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The loud knocks caused me and Aimee to jump out of our sleep. I grabbed my phone and saw that it was almost midnight. I wasn’t expecting any guest, so I wasn’t sure who was knocking on my door like they lost their damn mind.
“Ma, don’t answer,” Aimesha said with a worried look on her face.
“Is that him?” I asked, pointing at the door.
“I don’t know, but he’s been calling and texting me all night,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he used the ‘where is my iPhone app’ to find me,” she sighed. All this shit was like déjà vu.
“Stay in here,” I said, getting out of the bed.
I went to my kitchen and grabbed the biggest knife I could find. I made my way to the front door and snatched it open.
“Why the fuck are you knocking on my door like you’ve lost your damn mind!” I snapped.
“Is Aimesha here?” he asked.
“No, now get the fuck from in front of my house,” I replied. The fact this monkey looking fool has been putting my daughter through hell had me on ten.
“AIMESHA, BRING YOUR ASS DOWN HERE, NOW! DON’T MAKE ME COME GET YOU,” he screamed, pulling the door open.
“AHHHH SHIT!” he cried as I sliced his arm open with my knife.
“I’m not going to tell you again, get your ass from around here,” I growled, ready to attack his ass again.
By this time, my neighbors started to come out to inspect the disturbance. When he realized we had an audience, he decided to leave. With a trail of blood following him, he hopped in his Bentley and drove off. Waving at my neighbors, I closed my door, locking it behind me.
“What happened?” Aimesha asked, standing next to the door.
“I cut the fool and told him to move from my door.”
“You cut him?” she asked with wide eyes.
“Yup,” I said, holding up the bloody knife.
“Oh my God, mom. You’re going to get in trouble.”
“How? He was an intruder in my home, self-defense,” I replied. “What did you ever see in that beast? He looks like who did it and why. My God, he must have been a sweetheart when y’all met,” I said, causing her to laugh.
“He was there for me, ya know?” she shrugged.
“Yeah, I know. Get some rest, we have a long day in the morning,” I said, walking to the bathroom and washing the blood off my hand and knife. I waited until Aimesha went back to sleep before I rested my head against my pillow, with the knife underneath. I dared that motherfucker to return, I was going to turn his ass into shredded meat.
Chapter 31
John
“Damn, she got you good,” Niake said as she tended to my wound.
“I should go back and shoot that hoe,” I snapped.
“I mean I don’t understand why you’re so mad. You told me you were leaving her ever since we found out I was expecting,” she sassed.
WHAM!
I smacked fire from her ass.
“Watch your mouth when you’re talking to me,” I snapped, snatching my arm away from her.
When Niake found out she was pregnant after one of our slip ups, she was more than willing to get rid of my child if I paid for it. Any typical nigga would have jumped at the thought and personally brought her to the abortion clinic, but not me. This would be my first baby and I didn’t want her to kill it. I actually wanted a baby, which is why I made it my business to fuck Aimesha for hours while she was ovulating.
The only way I was able to talk Niake into keeping the baby was if I promised her that I was going to drop Aimesha and be there for her. She stressed how she was a single parent to Nia, and she wasn’t ready to do it again. I falsely agreed to her terms. Hell, there wasn’t anything in this world that was going to keep me from my MeMe.
I walked outside of Niake’s house and right into the barrel of a gun. I kicked myself for being naked. I always had my nine on me, but when I needed it the most, it was in my car. Bracing myself, I waited for the shooter to make his move.
“I heard you beefing with my nephew young blood,” the voice said.
Because it was dark outside and the shooter had a black hoodie over his head, it was hard for me to see his face.
“Man, who the fuck is your nephew?” I asked.
“Alex. You beef with him, then you have beef with the whole West my nigga,” he spat, shoving the gun underneath my neck.
“I’m good, I ain’t beefing,” I replied. I had no idea Alex had ties with them West Side niggas. If I would have known that, then I would have sent a hitta to handle his ass.
POW!
He shot me in my foot, causing me to scream out like a bitch.
“Next time I come around here, it’s lights out for your ass,” I snapped. “What’s up niece?” he said, acknowledging Niake before taking off by foot.
“Oh my God, baby, are you ok?” she asked, running to my side.
“That nigga shot me!” I yelled, punching her in the mouth. “Hurry the fuck up and take me to the hospital!” I demanded.
Holding her busted lip, Niake hurried and ran inside the house to retrieve her house keys. Locking the door behind her, she helped me to her car, then drove me to the hospital. I looked over at her and could see that her bottom lip had doubled in size.
****
Today, Aimesha finally decided to go to school, and I was posted up next to her car, waiting for her to get out of class. It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen her and I was ready for her ass to come back home. Thanks to Alex’s crazy ass uncle, I was wearing a boot on my foot, until the broken bone in it healed.
I was on the phone with Niake when I saw Johan and Aimesha walk towards the parking lot. I hung up the phone on Niake, turning it off to make it seem as if my phone died. Johan was the first person to notice me, and when she did, sh
e pointed me out to Aimesha. Johan was my baby sister and I loved her, but at times, she could really be on some hoe shit. I was her flesh and blood and she always chose to side with Aimesha over me.
“What do you want?” Aimesha asked, unfazed by my presence.
She was gone from me too long and she started smelling herself. She forgot who the fuck she was talking to and I had no problems reminding her. Grabbing her by the hair, I pushed her into the car, causing her back to hit the side mirror of her car.
“Ahhhh,” She screamed out in pain.
“John, get off of her,” Johan said, smacking me.
WHAM!
I punched her, causing her to stumble to the floor. Sister or not, she was going to learn how to stay the fuck out of my business. Reverting my attention back to Aimesha, I placed my hand firmly against her throat and began squeezing, cutting off her life supply. Just before she could pass out, I let her go, sending a swift slap to her cheeks.
“You a fucking fool if you think you going to live a life without me!” I yelled.
Before I could raise my hand and strike her again, I was being tackled to the ground by the campus security guards. They held me face down into the hot pavement, until the officers arrived to arrest me.
As I sat in the back of the squad car, I watched as Aimesha and Johan explained to the officers what happened. Never in a millions years did I think we would get to this point. No matter how much I slapped her around, she stayed loyal and never snitched, but her bitch ass mama had to get out and corrupt her.
I knew I was going down on a domestic violence charge when I saw the officers snapping pictures of both Johan and Aimesha’s bruises.
When the police officer got in the car and drove me to the station, I already knew the deal. I wasn’t really fazed by this shit because I had a few cops on my payroll that I could pay to make this shit disappear. I sat back with my head against the hard seat and thought of my next move. Aimesha had another thing coming if she thought shit between us was over.
Chapter 32
Aimesha
Once I finished giving my statement and agreed to press charges, I headed to the home I shared with John to pack my things. I had my mother, Johan, Shameeka, my aunt Shanice, and Uncle Jordan meet me there to help out. I wanted to take all of my things with me in one trip. Once I walked out of that door, there was no coming back for me.
“Is that all of it?” my uncle Jordan asked, loading my boxes into the U-Haul truck.
“Yes.”
“Good God you got a lot of stuff,” he chuckled.
The only thing I took were all of my clothes and shoes, personal items, and important documents. Everything else I left behind. I had enough money in the bank saved up to furnish my own place when I got one, so there was no need to take any of the furniture.
“You better not crash my baby,” I said, handing a set of keys to Shameeka and Johan. I loved my cars and there was no way I was leaving them behind.
As I got in my mother’s car and buckled my seatbelt, I gave the house I shared with John one last look, before she drove off. I was happy to be finally getting out of this situation… well at least I was almost out. I was still pregnant with John’s baby and have yet to figure out what I was going to do. I was torn between keeping the baby and having an abortion. My mother advised me to sleep on it and wait until I had a clear mind to make that life changing decision.
Since my uncle Jordan didn’t feel comfortable with my mother and I staying in the house alone, with the possibility of John returning, he made us stay with him until everything blew over. They had a six bedroom, ten bathroom, mini mansion, so there was more than enough space for us all. When we made it to their house, I was exhausted. Instead of unpacking my clothes, I opted for a soak in hot water, french vanilla bubble bath and lavender Epsom salt. After my bath, Shameeka and I sat behind the pool house and shared a blunt.
“You sure you supposed to be smoking this pressure while you pregnant?” she asked, taking a few tokes of the blunt before passing it to me.
“Weed is natural, plus, I’m not even sure if I really want to keep this baby,” I honestly replied.
“So you’re thinking about getting an abortion?” she asked.
“Yeah, I mean why not. John isn’t the perfect guy to have a baby with. Me having a baby would be like tying a rope around us, linking us together for eighteen years. I’m not trying to deal with that. Plus, I got my whole life ahead of me.”
“How’s Mr. Sexy?”
“To be honest, I haven’t been talking to him.”
“Why not? He seemed like he was really into you.”
“I got too much going on in my life at the moment. That boy is about to go pro, he doesn’t need any of my drama in his life,” I said.
Instead of going through drafts, the Panthers fell in love with his drills and numbers and decided to sign him. I was excited for him and happy his dreams were coming true. Now that he was going to be playing pro ball, I didn’t need him to have another altercation with John that would cost him his career. He was already in the spotlight and I didn’t want him get any bad publicity because of me.
“Shameeka, I want to talk to you about something,” I said, passing her the blunt.
“I’m listening.”
“You’re like the little sister I never had and I love you for that. I want to talk to you about boys. I know you probably had this conversation with your mother, but I want to have one with you, sister to sister. Males are a species that like to prey on your vulnerability, you have to always be smart when dealing with them. I know you’re having sex, but you have to try to be more responsible. Even though you’re taking your pills every morning, make them strap up. Birth control pills cannot protect you against STD’s. Last but not least, it is never ok for a guy to put his hands on you. The first time a guy even thinks about laying hands on you, get out. If you listen to their pleas, begging you for forgiveness, then they think it’s ok to hit you, then turn around and say sorry. You have a bright future and your whole life ahead of you, don’t rush growing up kid, enjoy these carefree years,” I spoke some real shit to her before passing her the blunt.
“Man, that was some deep shit,” she replied.
“Remember that shit for real and always remember I’m here for ya. I won’t judge you or look at you differently.”
“Thank sis, I love you.”
“I love you too,” I replied.
****
The following morning, I woke up to ten missed calls from that familiar number. Just looking at his number on my screen, gave me butterflies. I wanted to so badly call him back, but I decided not to. Deleting his number out of my log, I ran to the bathroom to throw up and wash up.
“Mm, something smells good in here,” I said, rubbing my stomach.
“You look well rested,” my mother said, placing a ham and cheese omelet in front of me.
“I slept good,” I replied.
“Good,” she smiled at me.
Having my mother around was like a breath of fresh air. I was happy that we all decided to forgive one another and become this one big happy family. In order for my mother to heal, she needed to forgive her mother, and I had to do the same. I was glad I did because my mother was the bomb dot com. With her around, I became spoiled rotten; she would do any and everything for me, especially since I’ve been super sick due to this pregnancy.
“Aimesha, Alex is on the phone,” Shameeka said, handing me my phone.
I freaked out and looked at her as if she was crazy.
“Why did you answer my phone?” I snapped.
“It was upstairs, ringing like crazy. That shit was driving me nuts.”
“Meeka, watch your mouth,” my auntie Shanice interjected.
Grabbing my phone, I walked towards the family room. With a beating heart, I placed the phone to my ear and said, “Hello?”
“Damn girl, you are avoiding my ass like the plague,” he chuckled.
“I’m sorry.
I’ve just been getting my mind right,” I replied.
“I hear you. I heard about what happened at the school, I wish I was there. I would have put that nigga in his place,” he sourly answered.
“Nah, it’s cool. You have too much on the line to be fighting my battles.”
“I’ll fight my future wife’s battle any day,” he said, causing me to blush.
“Check me out, I’m in town for a few days before I have to fly back up to North Carolina and I just want to kick it with you. I got a room at The Ritz Carlton on South Beach, and I just want us to chill.”
“I don’t know.”
“Listen, I’m not taking no for an answer. Your cousin already gave me the address, so I’ll be there at three, make sure you’re packed and ready to go,” he said, hanging up the phone in my face. I started to call him back and tell him not to bother to show up, but I caught a glimpse of Shameeka walking by with a grin on her face.
“You ain’t right!” I yelled out.
“You need to get away and have some fun. I have a hair appointment with Tumika, you’re more than welcome to come and get them naps touched up. I know you don’t want your future boo to come pick you up looking a mess.
“Shut up and hurry and get ready,” I rolled my eyes.
As I got dressed, those butterflies began to return in the pit of my stomach. Being with Alex alone for a few days had me both excited and nervous. The feeling I felt when I was around Alex was different and that’s what scared me the most.
****
After getting my hair done in a fresh jet black bob with a bang, getting my nails and toes done, waxing my eyebrows, doing my lashes, and buying new clothes for my trip, I was packed and ready to go. I had a long talk with my mother and she agreed that this mini get away would be a great distraction. She also lectured me on being careful and taking things slow.
At two fifty-nine, Alex was pulling in the driveway. My palms started to sweat as my heart began beating loudly in my chest.
“Relax,” my mother said, attempting to calm me down.
When Alex came inside, my mom, aunt, and uncle sat him down for a meet and greet. My mom and aunt drilled him with questions, while my uncle congratulated him on going pro. It was four thirty-six when we finally left the house and headed to our destination.
