Married to a Balla

by Jackie D.

  Married to a BALLA

  By: Jackie D

  Life Changing Books in conjunction with Power Play Media

  Published by Life Changing Books

  P.O. Box 423 Brandywine, MD 20613

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to real people, events, establishments, or locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Other names, characters, and incidents occurring in the work are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, as are those fictionalized events and incidents that involve real persons. Any character that happens to share the name of a person who is an acquaintance of the author, past or present, is purely coincidental and is in no way intended to be an actual account involving that person.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data;

  www.lifechangingbooks.net

  13 Digit: 978-1934230299

  10 Digit: 1-934230294

  Copyright © 2011

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my son Emanuel “Poobie” Chapman. Words can’t express how much I love you. I’m so proud of you and all your accomplishments. Never stop striving for your goals. Thanks for being my backbone. You gave me the will to push forward even at the times when I thought I couldn’t make it.

  Acknowledgments

  To my family, my sister Michelle Davis, my brother Charlie Davis, my half brother in NJ, Todd Sherman, my niece Jasmine Harris@ Elizabeth City State University. My nephews, Carlo Merritt and Montana Davis, my wonderful father Charles “Snoop” Davis and my step mom Michelle Peebles and my step sister Mikiya Peebles. Thanks for all the support; I love you ALL so much.

  To my mother Janelle “DC Reds” Davis and my grandmothers Ruth Martin and Marguerite Davis, RIP, I miss you dearly.

  To Joel Miles, aka Bobby James, and Dezmine Wells, I wish you both much success on your careers. I love you and thank you for having Poob’s back. Real friends are hard to come by and you two have definitely ALWAYS been in his corner.

  Also I would like to say thank you to North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC along with Coach Levelle Moton and the entire coaching staff for giving my son an opportunity, “trust me… you have a “STAR” and won’t be disappointed!!

  To my cousins, David “Mookie” Washington, Marcus Washington, JR. Davis and sons, Marcus Davis and family, Jennifer Wilder Davis and family, Tenika and Patrice Jefferson and family, Fred Lott and family, Dwight and Dana Peebles and family, Arnetta Jones and family and Shalonda Johnson and Family.

  To my Uncles and Aunts, Dennis Davis, Carol Davis, Louis Davis, Wayne Wilson, Loretta Martin, Arthur Washington, Marguerite Peebles, Dwight Peebles, Jennie Jefferson, Hubert Jefferson, Brenda Rand Davis. RIP Jackie Washington, Marlene Short.

  To all my friends that have shown me so much love and support….Thanks and I love you!

  Author Tonya Ridley, where do I begin? First off I would like to thank you for all that you have done for Poob and I over our thirty year friendship. And second I would like to thank you for introducing me to Azarel and Life Changing books. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would go from avid book readers who discussed and got mad at the characters in other peoples books (like the shit was for real) to actually writing our own novels. Thanks for all your help with Love Heist and Married to a Balla. Josh is lucky to have a sister like you in his life. I love you and wish you much success.

  Author Danette Majette, who would’ve thought, that me picking you up from the airport when you had nobody else to call, would produce such a wonderful friendship. You’re such a beautiful person inside and out and I thank you for being there for me and listening to my cries this past year when I was about to lose my MIND! I love you. Thanks for all your help with this book. Whew, it got a little rough at times but you helped me stay focused!

  We hit almost every set in NC promoting our books and I look forward to doing it again with our new books. Shouts out to our new business, The Literary Connection! www.literaryconnection.net

  Marketa “Kee Kee” Salley, it’s time to get back on that court girly. Bryan Majette, your mother loves and misses her son! Shout out to Cousin Shelley Majette Carrington.

  Sharon Kirkley, we’ve been friends for so many years I’ve lost count. I love you and I’m so glad to have you as my friend. Keep searching, its coming boo boo!

  Author Tiphani Montgomery, thanks for listening when I needed to vent and never ever changing up on me. Also thanks for all your help with Love Heist…Rule the World Baby!! LOL

  Carla Williams-Johnson, (Durham, NC) and Chanda Zigler Davis, even though we don’t talk every day, our friendship has always been genuine, and I love y’all for life.

  Joe Guzman and Isaiah “Eben” Fuller, thanks for the support!!

  Chris Currie, let’s go…TS baby!!, Joy Avery, Nikki, Willis, Yvette Jones, Barbara Benjamin, Carla Johnson, Michelle “Mi Mi” Parham, D ‘Juan Laws, Kym Johnson, Pam “Pee Wee” Wells, Jazmine Wilson, Annette James, Frances Pulley, Tanya Pulley, Ciarra Wall, John Wall, Kadedra Jacobs, Ryce Hatchett, Allison “ Moo Moo” Elliott, Nia Hill, Nicole “Nikki Rochelle, Gillie and Keisha, Brooks, To Laniesha and The Entire Merritt family, Lativia “ Libby” Pinkney, Allison Mitchell, Ayana Knight, Sherry Richburg, Karen Hodges, Big Mike, Ramona Myers, Tracey Jones, Chyna Mike, Krista Stallings- Hodges, Talk of the Town Hair Salon, Bell, Brandy, Trina, Steve and Chajuan. Kuniki Tabb-Parks and family, Melvin Tabb, I love you boy! Tyler Griffis, CJ Wilkinson, Big Play Ray Willis and the rest of the NCCU basketball team.

  Big Tex and Shy @ The Star Bar, To Rob “Man” Williams and family, Nadine Allen, Tiny Williams, Sophia Williams and Jason and Nakkia Barnett, to the membership crew at my job NCMS, Shawn, Kristen, Lauren, Richard, and Garry and Jennifer Soboleski thanks for always having my back when I would drag into work tired as hell from staying up all night working on chapters. Deanna Godwin, Yahaira “Ya Ya” Botello, Kelly Wilson and Candice Wright, to the crew at the Wake Co. Prenatal Clinic, to Gwen Crawford and Danya Perry@ CIS, to Author Lamont LP Pettiway and Author Chakara in Raleigh, NC keep doing your thing. To the Entire Tucker family, I got you Pop Tucker, To Big Poobie Chapman, and the entire Chapman family in NJ, Stephon “Fat” Lawrence, Rodney “ Box” McClamb and family, Mike “Dot” Phillips and family, to the Satterfield family, Sylvia Vaughn and all my friends/coworkers @ The Vesta and Buck Jones group homes.

  To all my friends and former classmates at Enloe High School, you have really shown me love and I really appreciate it.

  To my friends on lock down, Face, Black, Beefy, Salom, Rhamel, Little E, and all the other inmates that are reading my books, thank you!

  To any of my family or friends that I might have missed, I love you and please forgive me.

  A special shout out to all the distributors and independent book stores that helped promote my book in any way, Quita @TLJ, Mondell Pope and all the Urban Knowledge locations, DC Book Diva, all The Books a Million stores, Black and Nobel in Philly, Novel Tees, and the rest of the book stores that showed me love. Thank you!

  To Azarel, the best boss lady in the world, thanks again for allowing me to publish another book and to be part of the Life Changing Books family. You’re such an inspiration to me.

  Leslie Allen, aka the night owl. Words can’t even express how much I appreciate you. Thanks for all your help with Love Heist and now Married to a Balla. You’re the bomb, girl!!

  To the test readers, Ashaundria and Virginia, thank you. To Keisha George, and Tamara Lee @ Hush Boutique, some of the hottest clothes around! Also, thanks to Kellie for the hot cover.

  To my fellow author
s of LCB ….. Tonya Ridley, Danette Majette, VegasClarke, CJ Hudson, Tiphani Montgomery, J. Tremble, Miss KP, Carla Pennington, Ericka Williams, Kendall Banks, Capone, Mike Warren, Chantel Jolie, Sasha Raye, C. Stecko, and anyone else on the team that I missed….it has truly been a blessing to work with such a great group of people! LCB for Life, let’s get this money!

  Lastly…to all the people that purchased my first novel, thank you…I received nothing but positive feedback from all of you and I hope you will continue to follow me. Be on the lookout for my next one.

  Check me out at:

  http://www.facebook.com/loveheist

  twitter.com/basketballmom09

  www.theliteraryconnection.net

  Peace and Blessing

  Jackie D.

  Chapter 1

  Skye smiled as she maneuvered through the large crowd of guests attending her husband’s all white affair. Just like all the other parties she threw, Skye made sure the celebration in their breathtaking six bedroom Palm Island estate was first class by hiring one of Miami’s top event planners. From the ritzy décor, and elaborate food to the aggressive security guards enforcing the all white dress code, the gathering would definitely be considered ‘party of the year.’ With Sandino celebrating his thirty-fifth birthday, Skye spared no expenses. Other than the nosey neighbors calling the police due to all the traffic, it was an affair renowned in elegance and glamour. Skye just prayed her husband was impressed and the get-together would help rebuild their relationship.

  She watched as some of the guests lounged on the oversized white couches in the backyard as the other 200 VIP guests which included professional ball players, rappers and A-list actors were treated to a live band. It was a warm September night, perfect for anyone enjoying the ocean breeze or looking up at the blanket of stars.

  Everything seemed to be perfect until Skye spotted Sandino, his boy Black and two Spanish-looking females in short, skimpy dresses chatting by the bar.

  Her mood changed instantly.

  After grabbing a glass of champagne off one of the waiter’s trays, Skye quickly downed it before directing her attention back to the obvious groupies. By this time, the taller woman was dancing up against her husband’s leg. Even though she was pissed, Skye had to admit, Sandino did look extra good for the event, so she could understand the woman’s attraction.

  With a chestnut brown complexion, jet black curly hair and a neatly trimmed beard, Sandino was the true definition of tall dark and handsome. Standing at 6’4 and 295 lbs, his stocky football player build along with a perfect porcelain veneer smile always seemed to turn women on. His sense of style didn’t hurt either. The twelve carat black ice diamond chain he wore gleamed against his white Fedora linen suit that Skye had custom made. It was hard keeping women off of her man, which had worn on Skye after fourteen years of marriage.

  Trying not to ruin the party, Skye decided to keep her cool instead of approaching Sandino. However, she didn’t know how long her calm demeanor would last as she watched the foursome leave the bar then walk into one of the custom white tents.

  “So, you’re just gonna stand there while your husband flirts with other bitches?”

  When Skye turned around, her friend Asia stood there with a disappointed glare. “Please don’t start.”

  Asia threw both her hands in the air. “Skye, don’t act like you don’t see what the hell is going on. Why are you standing here acting like you’re the sideline chick? You’re his damn wife.”

  “I’m aware of that, Asia.”

  “Then go find out what the hell is going on. One of them could have their ass up in the air by now.”

  Skye shook her head. It was hard trying to be a lady or turn the other cheek when Sandino was constantly being disrespectful, but on the other hand she also knew there would be consequences if she caused a scene in front of his friends.

  Her attention was suddenly shifted when she looked up and noticed their nanny Ms. Petra in the window holding four-month old Payton, the newest addition to the Washington family. Ms. Petra was an older, heavy-set woman from Jamaica with long thick dreads that had grown drastically over the years. Not only had Ms. Petra helped Skye raise her two boys, but she was also one hell of a housekeeper. Over the years Ms. Petra and Skye developed a bond and she often consoled her through the difficult times with Sandino.

  With Skye losing her parents in a car accident at an early age, she considered Ms. Petra a mother figure. Over time though, Sandino grew jealous of their relationship and threatened to fire Ms. Petra on several occasions. Luckily his threats were never carried out because along with Skye, her sons Kareem and Jordan, considered her as part of the family. Plus her cooking was out of this world. There was no way anyone could part with her famous jerk chicken and dumplings.

  Suddenly, Kareem and Jordan appeared in the window, too. After waving at them, Skye smiled at her sons. She loved them and tried her best to shield the two teenagers from some of the horrible things going on in their home. Living with their father hadn’t always proven to be the best life due to Sandino’s strict ways. He’d made it clear on several occasions that they were to follow in his footsteps by playing sports. It could be either football or basketball since he was a fan of both, but they had to be athletic. His famous line was, “ain’t no punk-ass sissys being raised up in this house!”

  Sandino even insisted on naming the kids after his favorite basketball players, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and also the late great football star, Walter Payton. Skye had no choice in the matter and was forced to give into his demands as always.

  As Ms. Petra and the kids disappeared, Skye began to think about her life, and how she prayed almost every night that things would go back to her and Sandino’s days at Morgan State University. He’d gone from this sweet, gentle guy who walked her to class everyday to someone she barely knew. Even when Skye found out she was pregnant during her sophomore year, Sandino never left her side. He was always a kind and supportive man who treated Skye with the up-most respect. Someone she fell deeply in love with. Their love for each other still seemed to flourish after their second son was born two years later and Sandino was drafted by the NFL. They even got married during his first year in the league.

  However, their marital bliss seemed to hit a brick wall once Sandino received a severe knee injury four years ago. Once he was placed on the injured reserve list, the stress of not being able to play football began tearing their family apart, especially when Sandino started abusing the pain killer, Oxycontin.

  His addiction soon produced violent mood swings and in time had them all walking around on egg shells not knowing when he would have an outburst. Although intense physical therapy eventually led Sandino back on the field, he’d been traded to three different teams due to his attitude. He’d only played with the Dolphins one year, and they’d already threatened to trade him once again if he didn’t get himself together. Apparently all the fines for late practices and arguing with the defensive coordinator wasn’t working. To make matters worse, he’d already been suspended for an illegal hit during the first preseason game. Only Skye and a few others knew he was a functioning drug addict who knew how to pass drug tests. Skye often wondered if she would ever see the man she once knew and loved surface before it was too late.

  “Excuse me, Mrs. Washington, I’m so sorry,” a waiter said bumping into her.

  Skye came out the daze making sure he hadn’t spilled champagne on her white silk Missoni dress which fit her body like a glove. At a toned weight of a hundred and thirty-five pounds, it was hard to believe she’d birthed three kids.

  “What up ladies?” Skye heard someone say.

  When she turned around, Sandino’s friend, Cruze was turning up a glass of Hennessey and Coke. They’d been good friends since knee-high.

  “Hey Cruze,” Asia spoke in a ghetto tone. She’d been trying to get with him forever, but he never seemed interested.

  Cruze only nodded at Asia before directing his attention bac
k to Skye. “You out did yourself on the party. This shit is banging.”

  “Thanks, your boy just headed over there,” Skye said, pointing in the direction of the tents.

  “Alright, I’ma holla at you a little later.” Cruze gave her a small peck on the cheek before walking away.

  Cruze, who’d just started growing dreads, was an average looking guy, but his rock hard one hundred and eighty pound body and swag were out of this world. It caused the women to flock to him like crazy.

  Out of all Sandino’s friends, Skye liked Cruze the most. Although he’d gotten into some trouble and spent a short time in prison, he’d always seemed to be a positive figure in Sandino’s life. Never one of his “yes” men, Cruze was the only person willing to stand up to Sandino and tell him when he was wrong. He also had admiration for their marriage, and didn’t condone Sandino’s bad-boy ways. Skye could only hope some of Cruze’s good ways rubbed off on her husband.

  “Damn, that nigga must stay in the gym,” Asia said. “Maybe I’ll ask if he needs some company one day.”

  “Let’s go inside,” Skye quickly suggested. She didn’t even wait for Asia’s response before she headed inside their 6,800 square foot home.

  After socializing all evening, Skye desperately needed to sit down and rest her feet. Damn these Giuseppe sandals are killing me. For $700 dollars they should have a damn foot massager built inside, Skye thought.

  As soon as she plopped down at the huge maple leaf granite bar in the kitchen, Asia walked in behind her wearing a tight fitting black Theory jumpsuit showing off her flat stomach and bodacious set of hips. Asia was your classic pretty girl with flawless brown skin, hazel eyes and was always dressed to kill…just like Skye. In fact the two had even met inside the Coral Gables Neiman Marcus store a few years ago. Asia who had just moved to Miami from Texas asked Skye her advice about a Louis Vuitton purse that she was about to buy. Normally, Skye didn’t hold conversations with unknown women, especially stuck-up Neiman Marcus ones, but it was something about Asia that instantly made Skye put her guards down.