True to the Game I

by Teri Woods

  “Hey, baby. You all right?” he said as she walked away from him into the kitchen.

  “I’m fine,” her voice kind of cold.

  “What are you going to do today?”

  “I want to go shopping and pay my credit card bill,” she said following behind him.

  Quadir knew that meant money.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Nothing. I got to be somewhere in an hour.” He took off his clothes and left them in the middle of the floor for her to pick up.

  “It’s ten thirty in the morning. Where have you been?” All she needed to complete the picture was a little steam coming out of her ears.

  “I been in the street.”

  “What the fuck is the street? What kind of answer is that? You’re always in the street. You never have any time to spend with me. You’re never here anymore because you’re always in the street,” she stared him down, waiting for an answer.

  “Gena, you know what I’m in the street doing? Hustling. Making money. You know, that green-colored paper you love to spend so much of? Look at it, Gena, ten thousand for a dining room. Where’s the chairs, Gena?”

  “You know they will be delivered next week.”

  “Yeah, for an additional eight thousand. Ten thousand and no chairs, and the bedroom, fifteen thousand dollars, Gena. Not to mention a living room no one can go into because it’s white. That was thirty thousand right there. Our living room is someone’s house. Your fucking wardrobe and jewelry is twenty working motherfuckers’ salaries per year, and you got a problem with me ’cause I’m in the streets. Don’t you think I want to come home? But what the fuck! When I do, I got to hear a bunch of bullshit. I can’t even get my dick sucked because you’re too busy using your mouth to ask me stupid questions like, where have I been all night.” He stopped to catch his breath and she just stood there looking at him. He definitely needs some pussy, she thought to herself. He acted as if she were the one with the problem and not him. Finally, he calmed down and gave in a little.

  “I got a surprise for you. Meet me here at six.” He handed her a piece of paper with an address on it. From there nothing more was said about the hours he was keeping. Gena went downstairs and Quadir went into the kitchen. As usual, Gena had made his breakfast and sat his plate in the microwave. When he was done eating she followed him back upstairs to ask him for some money. She felt bad after hearing his speech about all the money she had spent. If he started hollering again, she was going to tell him to forget it and just walk away.

  As she walked into the room he was on the phone, saying, “You what?” When he looked up and saw her, he just hung up the phone.

  “Who was that?”

  “Nobody,” he said with a stupid looking smile on his face.

  “Quadir, please.”

  “It was Ra.” She knew he was lying. She could tell. His beeper went off, and he picked it up immediately and turned it to the vibrate mode but he didn’t call back the number. It vibrated again, but Gena couldn’t hear it.

  “I need some money.”

  “What’s new?”

  “Quadir, is there someone else?”

  “No, Gena. Why would you ask me a question like that? Do you got someone else?”

  “Of course not. It’s just that you don’t spend any time with me. I come into rooms and you hang up on people. What’s that?”

  “Gena, that is not true. We go to Atlantic City almost every week and we go out to dinner at least four or five times a week. Hell, you’d starve a nigga to death so we got to go.”

  “Sometimes I really think you don’t love me.”

  “Come here.”

  Gena’s fingers busily removed his clothes. Qua kissed her mouth and kissed nipples that reached for his lips in the promise of deep pleasure. He touched her with his wonderful, knowing fingers, becoming more excited with every moan that escaped her lips. She made him hold still while she worked her knees to the floor. She took him into her mouth and sucked, up and down, on the fleshy instrument God had provided him. Clenching his teeth to prevent himself from exploding too soon, Quadir picked her up with great strength and pinned her up against a wall. She was so wet and so hot. He hadn’t seen her this passionate in months, and he was taking every advantage he could of her. He knew she was an undercover freak and would do the mailman if he wasn’t on his job. He turned her around so her back was to him and she faced the wall and in a standing position put his thing down. As she felt herself climaxing, she told him to come with her and he did. Releasing, as she basked in the heady state of shimmering pleasure, he whispered, “I love you.”

  Following her in to the bathroom, he stood above her as she was sitting on the toilet. She looked up, seeing his dick pointed straight at her ear. “I’ve missed you too,” she said, as he lifted her onto the bathroom counter. Wanting every inch of him inside her, she spread her legs open and let him in. He held her thighs so tight as he attempted to push his body and soul into her, all the while whispering in her ear, “It’s all about you, Gena. All about you.” Holding onto the counter’s edge, she felt his body shudder, giving up the demon, releasing what seemed like all of his life force.

  How could she doubt him after a shot like that? He is in the street. He’ll never cheat. He loves me, Gena thought.

  Finally able to move, Qua helped her off the counter, re-entered the bedroom, and turned on the CD player.

  After they showered and dressed, Quadir went downstairs. She knew he was going to the safe. She didn’t know the combination; he wouldn’t tell her. In a few minutes, he returned and placed three stacks of money on the bed.

  “You gonna meet me at six, right?”

  “Yeah. How much is there?”

  She couldn’t take her eyes of the piles of bills in front of her. What bag would she use to carry all that cash?

  “Seven or eight thousand.”

  Quadir was ready to go. “I’m taking the jeep. I’ll see you later.” She was holding out a piece of paper, which he pocketed then kissed her good-bye. He got as far as the jeep before curiosity got him.

  Lying Still

  I’m lying still and I sense you’re there

  Your fingers all over, touching everywhere.

  I feel your strength, I feel you inside

  You’re taking me someplace insanities hide.

  On top of me now, you feel big and strong

  You’re making me open, and you’re taking control

  The deeper you’re able, the deeper you’ll go

  ’cause you have the power, and I can’t say no.

  Giving me all and everything that you’ve got

  I feel you inside me, so warm and so hot.

  I’m lying still now, I’m sweating and wet

  It’s four thirty a.m. And you’re not home yet.

  Where are you, what are you doing, and who are you doing it with?

  Qua turned the key in the ignition and went to work. Happy.

  Gena called Tracey to see if she wanted to go with her to the mall. She and Tracey had become good friends since Sahirah’s passing. The girls talked for a few minutes before Gena left to pick her up.

  They went to the Gallery Mall in Center City, something Gena did every day and never got bored with. The established department stores were connected under the ground. It was many shops in a spacious wonderland. It was like a shopping amusement park, and it felt real good to be able to buy whatever she wanted. She picked out a lounging robe for Gah Git and paid for a belt Tracey was admiring. Quadir now had a dozen more pair of polo boxers, and Gena got a couple bottles of perfume for herself and her cousin Brianna. Her only choice was to buy a fragrance she didn’t already have.

  After leaving the mall, Gena went to Gah Git’s house. She was so happy to see her grandmother and fell right into her arms. Of course, Gah Git was always glad to see Gena.

  “How’s my baby? Come on in here and sit down. Where’s Qua? How’s he doing?” Gah Git was asking questions so fast, Ge
na hardly had a chance to answer.

  “Quadir is fine. He’s at his store.”

  “How are you, Tracey?” Gah Git said, finally acknowledging her.

  “I’m fine. How are you?”

  “Oh, I’m pretty good. My leg hasn’t been bothering me, praise the Lord.”

  “Gah Git!” Gena hollered her name so loud, she scared her grandmother half to death. Gena remembered the packages and headed for the door. “I got you something from the mall. It’s in the car.”

  “What’s the matter with her? Child scared me half to death.” Pausing she waited a few seconds and then asked, “Gena know about the party?”

  “No, she’s worried Quadir has forgotten her birthday,” Tracey said.

  Gena came running back in. “Here you go, Gah Git.”

  Gah Git’s face lit up at the contents in the bag. “Oh, Gena, baby, thank you! It’s so nice. I can’t wait to wear it tonight. You hungry?”

  “No.”

  “What about you, Tracey?”

  “No, thanks.”

  They both turned their heads to the clatter on the porch and the opening screen door.

  Bria and Brianna, Gena’s twin cousins, came bursting into the house. They were drop-dead gorgeous, wore their long hair in wraps just like Gena, and were identical except for a mole on Bria’s right ear lobe, plus she had larger feet. Gena couldn’t stand Bria and Bria couldn’t stand Gena.

  “Brianna, I got you something.”

  Taking the bag Gena handed her, Brianna exclaimed. “I been wanting this for so long. Thanks, Gena. Do you think you can loan me twenty dollars?”

  “What you trying to do?” asked Gena.

  “Nothing. I just need twenty dollars. Come on, please?”

  “Here,” said Gena, handing her a twenty-dollar bill.

  Bria was mumbling something under her breath. She could not stand it when Gena came around. Everybody acted like she was some goddess. With the presence of her archenemy now full faced, Gena decided to leave. She dropped Tracey at home then found Quadir engaged in a craps game on the corner of the Av. After Quadir lost a couple thousand right quick, Gena followed him to his new store. It was a nice corner storefront property. Quadir sat and told her his plan of opening up a beauty salon. Gena worried for a minute but soon realized that her man was all about her. “This is for us. This beauty salon is for you. I want you to decorate it and run things for me. Run the business, our business. So, you down, or what?”

  “You know I am, baby. I love you, Quadir,” she said kissing her man.

  “Come on, let’s go celebrate our new beauty salon. It’s your birthday, right?”

  “Where will we go?” she asked, happy he hadn’t forgot her.

  “I don’t know. Let’s go get dressed and go to dinner.”

  Once they got home, Quadir just stood there looking at Gena. She was as beautiful as the night he met her on 125th Street in Harlem.

  “Something the matter?”

  “I don’t know if I should give you your birthday gift now, or if I should wait until tomorrow.”

  “You know, I was beginning to think you had forgotten.”

  “Me forget and have to hear that shit forever? Besides, I know how nice you perform when I remember holidays, birthdays, the day we met, the day we first did it. You know, all your reasons to get a gift.”

  “Qua, please, you’re exaggerating. Now, where is it?” She looked a little possessed as he stood there picking the dirt from under his fingernails. “Quadir, don’t mess with me.”

  “Just pretend you’re coming through the front door.” She went into the vestibule that connected to the hallway, which spread throughout the rooms of the first floor. On the marble table, placed on the marbled floor near the doorway sat a 5 by 10 professional picture of them, a candy dish, and a crystal vase with red and white roses in it. Quadir would buy her two dozen roses every week, which she placed in the same crystal vase week after week. Gracing the upper corner of the 5 by 10 picture was a twenty-four-karat gold and diamond bracelet designed with carat diamond charms, giving it a total weight of twelve karats.

  Gena delicately removed the charm bracelet from the picture, adoring it like it was the Holy Grail. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I love it. It’s so blue,” she said, trying to get the bracelet on.

  “Here, let me help you,” he said, fastening the clasp for her.

  “So blue,” she said, marvelling at the radiant colors that were bouncing off the chandelier.

  “I got you something else upstairs.”

  “Kiss me.” Letting him go was so hard to do. Pulling from her, he held her hand and walked her upstairs.

  It didn’t take her any time to open the boxes and find a black Versace pantsuit, a pair of gator boots, and a black Chanel bag with thick gold Cs on the side.

  Both of them dressed in black Versace and black gator boots, then arrived at the Malibu Dining Room. Quadir informed the hostess that their reservation was for Richards. She grabbed two menus and escorted them away from the dining room downstairs to the lower level.

  The entire lower floor was quiet. As the hostess opened two large double doors, everyone stood simultaneously and yelled, “Surprise!” They’d only been waiting about forty-five minutes. For the first five minutes, Gena was inundated with people in her face wishing her: “Happy birthday! Happy birthday!” All of her girlfriends were there, as if they would really miss a free meal. All she could do was stand beside her man and take it all in.

  “How much did this cost?” she whispered in his ear.

  “I don’t know. I haven’t gotten the bill yet.”

  She spotted Gah Git, her cousins Bria and Brianna, and Gary all ready to eat, too. All of Qua’s friends were there, which meant all the players were in the house. Everybody was determined to make this a good one. As Gena’s girlfriends began standing around her, Quadir drifted off to find Rik.

  “Come look at the bracelet this bitch got on!” said Andrea, dragging Bridgette over to see it, who after a glimpse, was as astonished as Andrea.

  Looking across the room, Gena spotted Quadir and Forty surrounded by some girls, but didn’t pay it any mind. Rik and his wife Lita walked over to where Gena and her girlfriends were standing.

  “What’s up, Rik?” said Veronica. The hair on Lita’s back stood straight up.

  Lord, thought Gena, they gonna tear this motherfucker up tonight on my birthday!

  “How you doing, Veronica?” he said.

  Lita spoke up. “Why are you talking to her? Do you know her?”

  Lord, here it comes, thought Gena.

  Rik tried damage control. “Lita, all the girl said was hi.”

  “Whatever. Happy birthday, Gena.” She leaned forward, kissed Gena on both her cheeks and said, “I hope you like it.” Then Lita walked away. Gena would have never walked away. Rik looked better than he ever looked in his entire life. Or, maybe it was the diamonds blinding everyone, since Rik wasn’t the most handsome man in the world. Yeah, it must have been the rays of light emanating from his body.

  They all stared unbelieving as Veronica turned her venom on him and whispered in his ear, “What happened? I still want my abortion money, or your bitch is gonna find out how her man spends his spare time.”

  “See, that’s why I got nothing for you. And even if you did tell Lita, she’d just kick your ass and still stay with me.” Rik stood his ground with Veronica, leaving everyone else standing still trying to figure out what the hell she whispered in his ear. Unfazed, he turned to Gena.

  “Happy birthday, G.” He kissed her cheek and handed her a small ribboned box.

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem,” he told her, rolling his eyes at Veronica before returning to Lita’s side.

  Everyone near was eager to see what was in the box, reaching their hands out as she opened it. She glowed as she felt the envy.

  “It’s so nice. A diamond initial pin. G. For Gena.”

  “That is
nice,” said Andrea.

  “It sure is,” added Bridgette.

  “Let me go thank Lita and show Gah Git,” Gena said, playing the perfect hostess. “Excuse me.”

  Gah Git was overwhelmed. “Oh, Gena! Look at you. Look at that!” Her eyes roamed all over her fine granddaughter, taking in the bracelet, the pin, and Gena’s beauty. “That Quadir is a good man. You take care of him, you hear me, girl?”

  “Gah Git, I am taking care of that man. Until the day I die, I’m gonna take care of him.” Hugging her grandmother, she asked, “Where are the twins?”

  Looking about for the girls, Gah Git noticed a bit of commotion across the room. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t see.”

  Across the floor, Rik and Quadir were wrestling with the girl Quadir and Forty had been talking to earlier. Before Gena could get a glimpse of the whole picture, the girl had been ushered out of the dining area by the staff.

  “What’s happening?”

  Gena touched her grandmother’s shoulder and told her, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”

  Approaching Quadir, she asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  Why the hell does he always say nothing, when it’s perfectly clear something is going on. “Q, aren’t you gonna tell me what happened?” Rik jumped in, asking her how she liked the pin.

  “I love it, Rik. Look, Quadir, did you see the pin Rik and Lita got for me?”

  “Let me see.”

  She showed him the pin and let him kiss her, waited a moment longer, then asked, “So, are you gonna tell me who that girl was?”

  “That bitch followed me here and was questioning Quadir about me. Qua told her that I didn’t want to fuck with her like that and she got mad.”

  Quadir broke in, glad that Rik had lied for him. “She’s a stalker.” He added, laughing weakly, “Rik, I don’t know how you do it.”

  Rik finished the lie. “You’re not gonna tell Lita, are you?”

  As the men lied to Gena, others were watching the girl through the window.

  “Look, that girl is staring at Quadir,” said Tina.

  Gina noticed, “Look, Bev. Look out the window.”

  Beverly took a good look. “Damn, she looks like she’s about to cry. Don’t she?”