Married to a Balla

by Jackie D.

  A few minutes later the door flew open and Sora along with the gun toting security guy stood there were stern looks.

  “Get off her and get out!” Sora shouted. “We not serve you anymore. What has happen to you Sandino? Ever since you been popping pills you been nuts. Please leave before I have to shoot you dead!”

  Sandino let go of the girl and moved off the bed.

  “You gone shoot me Sora? I thought we were better than that!”

  “Put your clothes on and get out. I told you not to hurt my girls!” Sora said walking out the room with Ming who was scared shitless.

  After Sora left, Sandino went into a total rage. He started tossing shit around in the room and yelling at the security guard who was standing at the door was with his arms folded and shaking his head.

  “What the fuck your big ass shaking your head for? If you didn’t have that gun I would fuck your ass up!”

  The security guard ignored Sandino.

  “You wish you could be me instead of working security in a massage parlor. Don’t you big man?” Sandino taunted.

  When the guard got tired of hearing Sandino’s mouth, he took the clip out of his gun, laid it on the floor and walked toward him.

  “You been talking shit ever since you walked in that door, and I’m tired of your fucking mouth. Just because you played football you think you can treat people any kind of way. Since you want to beat on women, I’ma beat on your ass,” the security guard said.

  He stood toe to toe with Sandino like they were at a prized fight.

  “Come on muthafucka. We can do this shit.” Sandino raised his fist and got into his boxer stance.

  However, before Sandino could say another word, the guard punched him in the face so hard he was knocked out cold.

  “Punk-ass,” the guard said as he placed Sandino’s clothes on his chest then dragged him to the front door. After dragging him outside butt ass naked, the security guard looked at Sandino one last time. “Maybe next time you’ll learn how to show some respect!”

  Chapter 6

  After driving for hours and crossing over into Georgia, Skye decided against going to see the waitress’s sister. She also decided to head toward Atlanta instead of traveling north toward Savannah. She’d always enjoyed the city when Sandino played against the Falcons, so laying low in that area seemed to be a good idea. They eventually checked into a shabby-ass Super 8 Hotel, on Fulton Industrial Circle, about ten minutes from downtown Atlanta. At the time, Skye had no idea that it was a bad area until she not only realized that a strip club was located on the same block, but all the people hanging around outside looked like they were on drugs. She remembered thinking to herself after pulling into the parking lot that they should find somewhere else to stay, but she was dead tired. Not to mention, Super 8 seemed to be all she could afford.

  She’d been calling Asia from Kareem’s phone non-stop after leaving Jacksonville, but she wasn’t answering. At first Skye thought maybe it was because Asia didn’t recognize the number, but after texting and letting Asia know she’d lost her phone, her friend still hadn’t responded. With only a hundred dollars left to her name, Skye was beyond worried, especially since they only had enough money for one more night in the hotel, and she couldn’t use her credit or check cards for fear of Sandino finding them. Something wasn’t right and Skye prayed that Sandino hadn’t gotten to Asia before she got her cash.

  We’ve gone over the plan a thousand fucking times and now this bitch doesn’t wanna call back, Skye thought. Now, we gotta stay in this dump. Skye thought then looked around. The T.V. only gets six channels, the shower drain was clogged, and the doors aren’t secure.

  “We’re at least supposed to be up in a Hyatt or Westin,” Skye mentioned to herself.

  After laying down for a few hours, Skye decided to get up and walk around outside to gather her thoughts since all the kids were asleep. As rowdy as they’d been since she checked in, Skye hoped they stayed asleep for the rest of the night. She needed time to herself. She had to get a game plan together although she had no idea what step to take first. Pacing back and forth with her mind focused on her children’s well-being, Skye suddenly bumped into a tall, slender girl with a hideous pink wig on. As soon as the girl looked up to say, ‘excuse me’, she immediately noticed the concerned look on Skye’s face.

  “Are you okay?” the fake Nikki Minaj girl asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine.” Skye quickly turned her head.

  “You don’t look fine,” the woman replied. “What are you doing out here all alone? If I were you, I would go back inside. This isn’t the best neighborhood for a woman to be walking alone.”

  Skye appeared even more concerned, but didn’t respond.

  The woman extended her hand. “Hi. My name is Ivy. I’m in the room next to you. I saw you and your kids when you came in. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s a pretty woman like you doing in a place like this?”

  “I’m just passing through,” Skye said, wondering why she was all up in her business.

  “You look like you running from something to me.”

  Skye looked at her wondering how she could tell that she was on the run.

  “Like I said, I’m just passing through,” Skye reiterated

  “Well, if you need anything just holla. I’m usually around all day, but I leave by ten o’clock to go to work. I strip at the club called, Babes down the street,” Ivy pointed.

  Well, that explains that crazy-ass wig, Skye thought. “You don’t look like a stripper,” Skye said, eyeing the girl’s slim frame. She didn’t have tits or an ass.

  “Yeah, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever be doing this, but I do what I have to do to put myself through school. I’m a senior at Spellman, and tuition ain’t cheap. Not to mention, I have a daughter to take care of. My little girl is all I have, so I don’t regret shaking my ass for cash to make sure we survive. A mother will do whatever she has to for her child.”

  “That’s so true,” Skye agreed.

  Ivy eyed Skye’s well-defined figure. “You’re a pretty thing; you could make a lot of money down there working at the club with me.

  Skye shot Ivy a crazed looked. “Oh, no. I don’t think so.”

  “Well, if you’re ever interested I could always hook you up. Two of our girls left last week anyway, so we need some fresh meat. You could make enough in one night to get yourself and your kids away from this place. You don’t belong here baby.”

  “No thanks, I could never dance in front of a bunch of strange men,” Skye replied.

  “Okay, but let me know if you change your mind!” Ivy shouted as Skye turned around and walked away.

  After getting back to the room, Skye continued to pace around as thoughts of her now hundred dollar life savings entered her mind. There was no way four people were going to survive with that little bit of money. Getting angry all over again, Skye wanted to call Asia once again, but decided against it.

  “If her ass wanted to call, she would’ve called by now,” Skye mumbled.

  Grabbing her purse, she peered inside at the five twenty dollar bills again as if more money would suddenly appear. She then took deep breath thinking, how hard could it be to strip? I took pole dancing classes before, and used to give Sandino strip tease shows all the time before he lost his damn mind.

  After staring at the money for several more minutes, Skye walked over and woke Kareem up. “Hey,” she said, shaking his shoulder. Kareem slowly opened his eyes. “Listen, I need to run out for a little while.”

  “Where are you going?” He questioned in a groggy tone.

  “I’m just running out to the store. Please make sure the door is locked when I leave, and I don’t care what the circumstances are. If anyone knocks on this door, don’t answer it. You know to call 911, if anything gets out of hand, right?”

  Kareem shook his head. “Of course.”

  “Okay…I’ll be back in a little while. Try not to sleep too hard just in case Payto
n starts crying.”

  After giving her son a quick kiss on his forehead, Skye walked out the room and then knocked on Ivy’s door.

  “What time are we leaving?” she asked.

  *******

  Three hours later, Skye stood outside the owner of the strip club’s office door. She was so nervous her palms wouldn’t seem to stop sweating. Skye hoped he didn’t think she was some type of prostitute chick or had planned to do this long term. She was only there to make some fast cash and keep it moving...nothing more. She also hoped that she’d put on enough Mac foundation around her eye area, so the guy wouldn’t think she was in trouble.

  Skye fixed the awful, auburn-colored, shoulder length wig that she’d ran out and got from a beauty supply store before leaving the hotel with Ivy. She even bought some fake brown colored contacts to cover her piercing green eyes.

  Realizing she wasn’t dressed that sexy, Skye tried to brush the wrinkles out of her t-shirt with her hands, but it was no use; it definitely looked as if she’d slept in it. She then pushed her perky breasts up high so they were at least budging out from the top. Lastly, Skye reached in her purse, grabbed a mint and popped in her mouth hoping to hide the smell of Hennessey on her breath. She’d stopped by the bar on her way to the office and got a drink to try and calm her nerves, but it wasn’t working.

  “Get yourself together,” she said before knocking on the door.

  “Come in!” a man yelled.

  When Skye walked inside, the owner was standing at the window with his back toward the door staring out the window as if he were deep in thought. He was a large man with a gleaming bald head and handsome features reminding her of Suge Knight. He even wore a red graphic print t-shirt with old-school red and white Air Force One’s.

  Skye cleared her throat. “Hello, I was told by Ivy I could come see you about a job.”

  He turned around looking Skye up and down with a smile on his face. “Yeah she told me, but damn Shawty…you fine as hell. Turn around and let me see what you working with.”

  Skye was totally caught off guard, but turned around in a circle.

  “Oh you got both the b’s, beauty and body, but can your ass dance is the question?” When he reached over and cut on some music, Pop That Coochie by 2 Live Crew blasted in his office. “Get your ass over there and let me see what you can do.”

  It’s for your kids…it’s for your kids, Skye thought as she hesitantly walked over to the stripper pole in the corner of his office.

  She cringed at the thought of what nasty bitch had just touched the eight foot pole, but managed to block it out of her mind. She hoped all the pole dancing classes she took and the tricks she’d learned such as the butterfly and the twister would help her get the job.

  As soon as Skye hit the pole and did her thing; the owner sat on the edge of his chair with excitement the entire time. About ten minutes into her routine, he turned the music off.

  “You’re hired pretty lady. You can go on at midnight. Damn, you dance sexy as shit. What’s your name anyway?”

  Suddenly the nick name Skye’s father used to call her when she was a little girl popped in her head. “Precious!”

  *******

  At exactly 11:35 p.m., Skye sat on the edge of the bench in the dressing room oiling up her body thinking, why do men love this greasy shit?

  She quickly slid on a pair of high-cut red lace thongs along with a matching bra and some platform heels that she’d borrowed from Ivy. Along with the shoes being a size too small, Skye prayed she didn’t catch a disease from wearing the panties. Ivy didn’t seemed like a trifling person, but you could never underestimate anyone’s cleanliness.

  She sprayed some Victoria’s Secret shimmering body mist that she found in a locker all over her then turned and looked in the mirror. She was glad that Ivy had applied even more makeup to cover her bruises.

  As Skye continued to stare into the mirror, tears rolled down her face as thoughts about what she was about to do danced around her head. She’d gone from a lifestyle of popping designer tags on a regular basis and never having to worry about money to stripping to keep a roof over their head and food in their mouths. It hurt knowing what result she’d come to, but what other choice did she have?

  After taking a large sip from a Hennessey bottle inside Ivy’s locker, she headed to the stage. As she peeped her head out and watched Ivy shaking her small ass to the thick crowd, Skye’s nervousness went into overdrive.

  “You can do this Skye, you can do this Skye,” she chanted to herself.

  As soon as Ivy’s song ended and a new one came on, Skye heard the DJ saying, “We got a new booty in the house tonight y’all, so make her feel welcome. Please welcome to the stage, Miss Precious.”

  That was her cue.

  Skye closed her eyes then took a deep breath before running out on stage to all the loud handclaps. She did every move and trick she could think of, while scooping up piles of money at the same time. Skye smiled thinking, this should last us a few more nights.

  Chapter 7

  The sound of Kareem and Jordan yelling woke Skye up the next morning. She hadn’t had much sleep with all the loud noises and heavy traffic coming from the Interstate, so she felt exhausted. She reached over in the bed that felt like she was sleeping on concrete and felt for Payton. Realizing that she was laying right beside her, sound asleep, Skye kissed her forehead and placed a pillow on both sides to make sure she didn’t fall off the bed.

  Once she heard the sound of broken glass and the boys scuffling, she quickly jumped off of the bed, wondering what the hell was going on. “What are you doing Kareem? Get off your brother, you know better than to hit him,” Skye said pulling the two boys apart.

  The rage in Kareem’s face instantly reminded her of Sandino. However, Jordan obviously wasn’t going out like a punk because as soon as Skye released her grip, he dove right for his brother. They started fighting again.

  “Stop that shit right now!” Skye yelled at the top of her lungs. She pulled Jordan away and slung him on the other side of the room then grabbed Kareem by his shirt.

  All the yelling instantly woke up Payton, who was now screaming.

  “Sit down…both of you. I can’t even get a minutes rest without y’all acting like thugs on the damn street,” Skye said, before grabbing the baby. The boys were still sitting with their arms crossed ready for war as she eyed them both. “Okay, who’s going to tell me what all this fighting is about?”

  “Kareem was on the phone. When I asked him who he was talking to, he got mad and started hitting me. He always trying to push me around and when I don’t listen he will start punching on me and I’m tired of it,” Jordan stated.

  Skye looked over at Kareem. “Who were you talking to Kareem? And how long has this been going on? You two are supposed to take care of each other. I don’t like the way you’ve been acting lately.”

  “I wasn’t even on the phone. Jordan always running his mouth, so I had to take care of the situation like dad. He doesn’t listen so he got hit,” Kareem blurted out with a slight smirk.

  Skye passed the baby to Jordan and walked over to her oldest son. “So, you think getting hit is funny?” When Kareem turned his head, her voice escalated. “Do you?”

  “No,” he answered.

  “I didn’t think so. Your father abusing me wasn’t right, that’s why I left him. I just want what’s best for you guys. You might not realize that now, but you will later.”

  “I doubt it, your monkey-ass don’t even know where we’re going to live. This place is awful. I can’t believe you got us up in here,” Kareem mumbled.

  When Skye heard her son call her the cruel name Sandino used sometimes, she walked over and grabbed him by the collar then pushed his body against the wall. “Son, don’t get it twisted. I don’t like to fight, but I will fuck your ass up right now if you ever disrespect me like that again!” Kareem just stared at his mother. It was a side of her that he’d never seen before. “Do you understand?�
��

  “Yes,” Kareem said, lowering his head.

  After letting him go, Skye took a deep breath to try and get herself together. Kareem was definitely pushing it and she didn’t know how much longer she could hold it together.

  “I wanna go home. Can’t you and dad get some type of therapy or something?” Kareem asked. “He was supposed to take me to get my license. Now how am I supposed to get my car?”

  When Skye felt herself getting ready to lose it again, she ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. Almost instantly she started hyperventilating and broke down into a silent sob.

  “How am I going to raise three kids on my own? I know single mothers do it every day, but I don’t think I’m strong enough to do this.” Skye put her head in her lap as she sat on the bathroom floor crying her eyes out. She was an emotional wreck. She sat in a daze for what seemed like forever until she heard a slight tap at the door.

  “Come in,” Skye said.

  Jordan peeked his head inside the door. “Ma, are you alright? You been in here a long time.” A few seconds later, he made his way inside and sat down beside her.

  “Is the baby okay?” Skye asked with concern.

  “Yeah. I fed her a bottle and burped her then she went back to sleep. I took care of things,” Jordan stated proudly.

  Along with his height, Skye realized just how much her son was growing up. Moments later, Skye looked up and saw Kareem peeking his head in the door, too.

  “You can come in,” she stated.

  He came in and stood against the wall looking sad and confused. Skye was concerned about Kareem. After watching his behavior and the look in his eyes earlier, she knew he would probably need some type of therapy. He had a violent streak just like Sandino, and that’s the last thing she wanted.

  “Sorry for calling you out your name, Ma,” Kareem said.

  “I’ll accept your apology, but don’t let it happen again,” Skye advised.