Married to a Balla

by Jackie D.

  After exchanging numbers, the two hit it off instantly and went on massive shopping sprees during Sandino’s away games, and Skye even managed to sneak out a few times to go with Asia to the hottest clubs. What Skye didn’t know at first was that Asia was a party girl who loved to be on every set. Even though Skye felt like Asia acted like all the rest of Miami’s groupie chicks at times, she was still good people.

  “Skye, you really know how to throw a party, although Sandino’s ungrateful-ass doesn’t deserve it, or you for that matter,” Asia stated.

  “Asia, please, I asked you not to start tonight. My fucking feet hurt and I’m not in the mood. Plus you know I had to beg him to let you come tonight,” Skye responded. Sandino hated Asia’s whorish ways as well.

  Asia rolled her eyes. She hated the way Skye let him control her. She didn’t care how much money he had. In her heart, Skye could do much better. “Fuck Sandino. He may own you, but he don’t own me. When do you plan to leave? I see that mark under your eye that you’re trying to hide.”

  Skye bit her bottom lip. She thought the concealer she’d put on had covered her newest war wound.

  “Is this where the real party is?” a male voice suddenly interrupted.

  Skye and Asia both smiled at the handsome, light-skinned brotha standing in the kitchen doorway wearing what looked like a white Versace suit.

  “Party over hurrr!” Asia yelled raising her hands in the air with her drink. “Damn, he’s a looker,” she whispered. “Who is he?” Every now and then her country Texas slang would come out.

  “That’s Keon, Sandino’s new trainer. He trains all the top ball players in the league. He’s defiantly paid. I saw him pull up in the new Porsche Panamera.”

  “Damn, hook me up Skye,” Asia replied.

  When Keon walked in the kitchen and joined the ladies, Asia licked her full lips. Yeah, I knew that was Versace, she thought getting a closer look at his suit.

  “Keon, this is my good friend Asia, and Asia this is Keon,” Skye greeted.

  “Hello, it’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve seen you around and always wanted to holla, but you always have a man in your face,” Keon said to Asia with a wink.

  Asia forcefully grabbed his hand looking for a wedding band. When she didn’t see one, she pulled him closer to her. “Well, I damn sure have never seen you before. Nice to meet you, too, boo,” she said grinning.

  Skye shook her head then smiled. Asia was certainly over the top, with a huge personality, but she loved her no less.

  The three sat talking as Asia and Keon flirted back and forth with each other. Moments later, Asia excused herself to use the bathroom.

  Keon grabbed Skye’s hand mimicking Asia, “nice to meet you, too, boo. Your friend is something else,” he teased.

  They both laughed. “Yes, she is,” Skye replied.

  “So Skye, how did a nice, beautiful woman like you end up with a man like Sandino Washington?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know what I’m talking about,” Keon answered.

  Skye looked at him funny. “A man like…”

  Skye stopped in mid-sentence with a frightening expression on her face when she saw Sandino staring at her through the window. His eyes were cold as he walked toward the door at a rapid pace.

  Little did Skye know, Sandino had become angry after walking around for the past thirty minutes looking for her. Now, to find her up in another man’s face was a no-no, especially since he hadn’t invited Keon in the first place.

  “Oh my God. Keon, please leave now,” Skye damn near begged. “He’s coming.” It felt as if she was about to pass out.

  Chapter 2

  Sandino burst through the door eyeballing his new trainer. He looked like a pit bull ready to attack. “Nigga, what the fuck you doing all up on my wife?”

  Everyone knew Skye was his prized possession, and that Sandino was extremely jealous. However, Keon obviously hadn’t gotten the memo.

  “Sandino man, it’s not like that,” Keon said moving away.

  Without hesitation, Skye jumped up and ran toward her husband. She grabbed his hand and gently massaged it.

  “Baby, let’s not fight tonight, we were just talking,” she pleaded. “Besides, we have guests.”

  Sandino yanked his hand away and grabbed her by the arm. “Oh, so you must wanna fuck ‘em since you tryna take up for this nigga!”

  Skye frantically shook her head. “No, of course not. Baby, please don’t do this.”

  Seconds later, Cruze came running in the kitchen. “Come on Sandino, let’s take a walk outside.”

  Sandino let go of Skye’s arm, but still hadn’t calmed down. “Naw fuck that Cruze, this nigga tryna play me!” he shouted then staggered back and forth.

  “Look, I’ll handle him later Sandino, you’ve had too much to drink. Let’s chill and enjoy the rest of the night. Your wife went through a lot of trouble to prepare this party for you,” Cruze responded.

  Cruze knew his friend was about to explode at any minute. He was trying his best to calm him down, but he also didn’t know how much longer he could deal with Sandino’s abusive behavior. His friend had gotten way out of control lately.

  Suddenly, Sandino jumped back in Keon’s face. “Muthafucka, I did my research on you. I know your track record; how you got the last player’s wife pregnant. Not to mention I heard you damn near stalk all the NFL wives. Well, that shit ain’t goin’ down ova here!” Sandino was so close to Keon, he was now spitting in his face.

  “Sandino, that’s some bullshit, I would never disrespect you or any other player like that,” Keon replied. “I’ve worked too hard for my reputation to be on the line.”

  “Oh yeah, well fuck you and your reputation,” Sandino shot back.

  Asia quickly ran out the bathroom when she heard the commotion. “Sandino, Keon and I were the ones talking about going on a date. Skye was just keeping him company while I used the restroom,” she said, trying to come to her friend’s defense.

  “Was I talkin’ to your hot-ass, Asia?” Sandino questioned with an attitude. “Keon, you fired. I only agreed to let you train me because you came highly recommended, but nobody fuckin’ disrespects me!” Sandino yelled. He then grabbed Skye by the arm again, pulling her through the house.

  “Sandino, chill the fuck out!” Cruze yelled running behind him.

  Ignoring his friend, it wasn’t long before Sandino started flipping out on all the other guests at the party. Skye was so humiliated as Sandino’s anger increased by the second.

  “All you muthafuckas get the hell out my house now!” Sandino roared. Knowing his boys would get everyone out, he pushed Skye up the stairs toward their bedroom

  “Sandino, you promised you wouldn’t hit me again!” Skye screamed after he closed the door then pushed her onto the bed.

  “Well, bitch I lied,” Sandino replied before applying a massive blow across her face. “I told your monkey-ass about walkin’ around here flirtin’ wit’ every man you see, didn’t I?”

  Her light Alicia Keys type complexion instantly turned red.

  “Sandino please, the boys will hear you,” Skye pleaded with tears in her eyes.

  “So, my son’s are too soft as it is, always under your fuckin’ ass. They need to know the man is in charge!” When Sandino threw a quick jab, Skye quickly turned her head trying to protect her face.

  “You tryin’ to resist bitch?” he asked angrily.

  At that moment, Sandino grabbed a wad of Skye’s hair sending her body to the floor. Seconds later, he jumped on top of her, then landed several more punches to her face before grabbing Skye’s neck. When she noticed the white residue inside Sandino’s nostrils and his dilated pupils, Skye wondered how many pills he’d crushed and sniffed this time. She also wondered if he was abusing more than just pain killers. Although she considered herself a fighter, Skye was no match for Sandino’s huge muscular frame. She’d learned over the years that if she didn’t fight back t
he beatings were less severe.

  He unzipped his pants and leaned over her. “Open your mouth bitch!”

  When Skye refused, he kicked her in the stomach causing her to scream. As soon as her mouth flew open, Sandino pulled out his dick and started urinating in her mouth and all over her face.

  “That’ll teach yo’ ass not to ever disrespect me!”

  Skye began to sob and tried not to gag from the smell of the urine that irritated the open wounds on her face. A few seconds later, Sandino reached between her legs and ripped off her panties. He then pushed her legs back toward her neck and entered her forcefully with his now stiff dick. As he pounded and pounded her pussy it felt like he was purposely trying to puncture her uterus. When Skye screamed out in agonizing pain, he put his hands around her neck again.

  “Shut up! This my pussy, and don’t ever forget that shit. I’ll kill everybody in this fuckin’ house if you keep pissin’ me off!” he yelled with each vicious stroke.

  A sudden knock at the door only escalated his erratic behavior. However, when the knocks continued, Sandino finally decided to release the grip around her neck. “Skye, you better not say one fuckin’ word,” he demanded before pulling out of her.

  Skye instantly started coughing uncontrollably as Sandino jumped up and pulled up his pants.

  “Who the fuck knockin’ on my damn door?” he yelled.

  “Is everything alright Sandino? I just wanted to apologize,” Keon said.

  “Nigga, you got a lot of fuckin’ balls right now. Matter fact why are you still here?” Sandino grabbed his .45 out of the night stand drawer and snatched open the bedroom door.

  Skye listened to what sounded like a scuffle in the hallway between Sandino and Keon which was soon followed by shots and footsteps running down the stairs. Skye laid on the bedroom floor bloody and bruised as Sandino yelled downstairs at the few people still left at the party. She then heard Cruze trying to plead with his friend to give him the gun and calm down.

  “Get the fuck out my house now!” Sandino demanded putting everyone including his boys out once and for all.

  A few minutes later she heard Sandino set the alarm. Within moments, he walked back into their bedroom slamming the door behind him. He jumped back on top of her and finished right where he left off, only this time his bi-polar behavior actually apologized and tried to make excuses for beating her.

  With the amount of alcohol and drugs that Sandino had consumed, Skye knew it was only a matter of time before he passed out. She looked over at his gun sitting on the night stand and thought about grabbing it. She wanted desperately to blow his fucking brains out, but just like all the other times she’d planned to kill him, she would think of the prison time and her kids being left without a mother then change her mind. She knew her only way out was to leave him.

  “And I’m damn sure not leaving empty handed. I’ll make sure of that,” she said to herself.

  ********

  Skye lay motionless listening to Sandino’s breathing to make absolutely sure he was in a deep sleep before she crawled out of bed at exactly two a.m. Her entire body was covered with urine and blood from the injuries she sustained from his latest tirade. With her left eye swollen shut and her ribs feeling as if they were broken, Skye knew this was it. She couldn’t do it anymore. The sympathy she once felt for Sandino being abused as a child, his bouts with depression and having suicidal thoughts were gone. She now wished he’d done her a favor and actually ended his life during the last suicidal overdose attempt.

  When Skye glanced over on the night stand for his gun, it was gone. She wanted to grab it for protection during her escape, but obviously Sandino was two steps ahead of her.

  Damn, he must’ve moved it before he fell asleep, she thought.

  Seconds later, Skye decided it was time to make her move. Her heart raced as she slowly slid out of bed then crawled on all fours until she reached the door. She didn’t have on any clothes and was scared to ramble in the room looking for some, so she grabbed the white dress she wore at the party off the floor. It was bloody and ripped, but she didn’t care. All she wanted to do was get her kids and leave.

  Skye glanced over at Sandino once more to make sure was he still in the same position. After verifying that he hadn’t moved, she stood up, opened the bedroom door and quietly closed it behind her. She slid on the dress and ran down the hall bare footed. She almost jumped out of her skin when she bumped into Ms. Petra who was standing in the hallway with Payton in her arms. Ms. Petra peeped down the hall in the direction of their bedroom before speaking.

  “Oh me dear child, look at you beautiful face. Dat monster does not deserve such a wonderful family. Take de children and run…go! Me have bags packed for all of you; me spirit told me tonight you leave him. Get de boys. Jordan fell asleep in Kareem’s room. I will watch for dat blood clot demon,” she whispered in her deep Jamaican accent. The two of them had discussed Skye’s getaway several times.

  “Thank you Ms. Petra. I don’t know what…”

  “Sssshhh,” Ms. Petra said then looked down the hall once again. “Hush chile before he hears us. Go get da boys. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

  When Skye ran to Kareem’s room, she didn’t waste much time waking both of her son’s up. Luckily, the T.V. and Kareem’s desk lamp was on, so they didn’t have to move around in the dark.

  “Ma, what happened? Did he hit you again?” Jordan asked once he noticed his mother’s face.

  “Shhhh, I’m okay we have to go now,” Skye said. “Put your shoes on.” As soon as Skye realized that Kareem hadn’t bulged, she looked at him with a pleading set of eyes. “Come on Kareem, I know you love your dad, but we can’t stay.” When Kareem still didn’t move, tears started to stream down Skye’s face. “Kareem please, I don’t wanna leave without you. You know if I stay he’s gonna eventually kill me. Look at what happened tonight. Can’t you see…things have gotten out of control?” Skye knew how stubborn her sixteen year old son could be, and hoped he would see her point.

  Seeing his mother cry put an instant soft spot in his heart. Never saying a word, Kareem only nodded his head before grabbing his favorite pair of Jordan tennis shoes then followed his mother out the door.

  Skye motioned for them to ‘hurry up’ as her heart began to beat profusely. They tip-toed down the hall on the expensive marble floors stepping over the debris Sandino left from the recent shooting. They all couldn’t help but notice several bullet holes in the wall as they walked down the spiral staircase and toward the foyer. The fact that the house was so quiet, made Skye extremely nervous.

  When they approached Ms. Petra, she passed Skye her cell phone.

  “Here, I found ya cell on da kitchen floor. If you lose me number call my brotha’s restaurant Island Grill in Kingston Jamaica, he’ll reach me. Be safe and never look back,” Ms. Petra whispered passing her the baby.

  The two embraced with a hug. Ms. Petra then reached over and hugged the boys. She looked at Kareem.

  “Kareem, you da oldest born, protect you mom, she need you!” Ms. Petra pushed him toward Skye. “You go now!”

  For a moment, Skye briefly had second thoughts about leaving the lifestyle she’d become so accustomed to, but knew this was her only chance. After safely reaching the front door, she glanced back at Ms. Petra who signaled for them to go while she kept as eye out for Sandino. Kareem kept looking back wishing they didn’t have to leave, but knew his place was with his mother.

  Skye quickly punched in the code on the alarm system, motioned for Kareem and Jordan to grab the bags then eased the front door open. After running across the expensive landscaping and passing Ms. Petra’s dented up Mazda 626, they all headed toward Skye’s new Jaguar XJ in the driveway.

  Skye’s entire body ached, but her desire to get away and provide a safe environment for herself and her kids was far more important, so she blocked out the discomfort and agonizing pain.

  Feeling paranoid, she surveyed the block making sure none of San
dino’s boys were parked down the street watching the house as they did on occasions. After making sure the coast was clear, she reached under the rock in the front yard that said, “The Washington’s” and grabbed the spare key she’d hidden for emergencies.

  Skye hit the key remote and when it chirped, she quickly opened the car door and put the baby in her car seat and watched as her sons tossed the bags in the car. She was just about to get in when she saw Ms. Petra running full speed out of the house.

  “He’s coming, get in de car and go!”

  Skye’s eyelids widened with fear when she saw Sandino running toward them. Frantically, she jumped in the car, closed and locked the doors and then put the key in the ignition. She prayed that Sandino’s love for his kids would keep him from spraying her car with bullets.

  “Ma, hurry up!” Jordan yelled.

  As soon as Skye put the car in reverse, they heard a loud thump. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized that Sandino had already managed to leap on the hood of the car. Skye understood now why they’d nick named him Sandino, ‘Fast as Lighting’ Washington on the football field.

  “Skye, get your ass out the fuckin’ car now!” he yelled looking at her through the front windshield. “You’re not takin’ my kids away from me!” His eyes were blood shot red as he began to pound on the glass.

  Seeing him on top of the hood in his underwear gave Skye a sense of relief that he didn’t have time to grab his gun.

  “You think you can just leave me? I will hunt your ass down!” Sandino continued to yell. By this point, Payton started to scream as well. “Open the door for your father, Kareem!” Sandino shouted toward the back seat.

  Fear that his father would beat him next, Kareem extended his hand. But by the time his hand reached the door handle, Skye hit the gas and backed out of the driveway causing her husband to fall onto the ground. She slammed her foot on the accelerator skidding down the street with Sandino yelling like a mad man. Skye looked around wondering where the nosey neighbors were now when she really needed them.