Chi-Town Bosses & the Women That Love Em 2

by Anna Black

  “So, I know y’all have a million and one questions. My first instinct is to say none of ya’ damn business because Boris and I are grown, and we don’t have to explain a damn thang, but given our history, we need to give you girls the truth.”

  “Ummm, yeah,” Gemma added.

  “Watch’cha self, Gem, you ain’t too old to get slapped,” momma said. Gemma just shook her head. “Anyway, last summer, when Gabby moved back, I was distraught and upset about how Mario had done you. I called your daddy because I wanted to put a hit out on his ass,” momma joked, but I knew she was serious. If she could have laid Ro to rest without jail time, she would have. “Anywho, we got to talking and got to catching up, and we started talking about the things that went wrong with us. I learned that your father had a lot of regrets and had been in counseling ever since I left. We talked more and more and more, and that led to coffee, then lunch and then dinner and then drinks, and then here we are.”

  “So, why didn’t either of you tell us?”

  “Because we’re still trying to figure us out. We didn’t want to get you girls all excited or in the mix until we knew we were sure this was what we wanted to do,” my mother said.

  “And now? I mean, mother, we’re not children. We could have handled whatever you two decided. Sneaking around is just,” I paused to try to find the right words without being disrespectful. “Foul, ma. I mean, we tell you and daddy everything.”

  “Yeah, ma, we do,” Grace added.

  “Well, girls, we didn’t mean any harm. We just wanted to wait until the time was right,” my father finally spoke.

  “So, what now?” Gemma asked.

  “We see how things go. I mean, we never stopped loving each other, and we are just enjoying each other and getting to know each other all over again. Your mom and I are just taking it one day at a time.”

  “Well, if that’s the plan, that’s the damn plan,” Gemma said.

  “Watch your mouth, Ms. Gemma, you’ve been warned,” momma said, with a scowl.

  “Calm down baby, you know Gemma is a mini-you,” daddy said.

  “True, but her mouth gon’ get her slapped,” momma returned.

  I stood. “Now that the secret has been revealed, I’m going to head home.”

  “Speaking of home, I heard you are living with Gabriel now. Care to explain that?” My mother quizzed. I eyed Gemma. She and momma were just alike and super close. She was the only one to have told her. When her eyes landed in her cup of tea, I knew she was the snitch.

  “Well, mother, I’ll catch you up at another time. Things have been a bit rocky, but they are smoother now,” I said, rolling my eyes at Gemma.

  “Another time meaning soon, I hope.”

  “Yes, ma, soon,” I said. “Now, I am leaving. And daddy, in the future, don’t come down to shoot someone in your boxers.”

  “Hey, y’all lucky I took a few seconds to put’em on.”

  I frowned. “Ewww, too much information.” I kissed him, gave him a hug, and then kissed my mother. I heard Grace ask if I wanted to go for a cocktail, and I turned back to her. “I’m game.”

  “Good, I want to ask you about Malice,” she said, getting up from the table.

  “Malice, what in the hell is a Malice?” my mother asked.

  “His name is Michael ma. He is one of Gabriel’s brothers,” I answered.

  My mother cooed. “Is that right? Is he as fine as that Gabriel?”

  “Finer,” Grace said with a body shake like she had the damn chills.

  “That is my cue to leave the kitchen,” daddy said and stood. He gave my other sisters a big wet kiss, and then slapped my momma on the ass in front of us. “I’ll see you upstairs.”

  My sisters and I all frowned up our faces. “Awww, don’t even. We ain’t too old, and I’ve told you, mama can teach you girls a thing or two.”

  “You know what, ma, I think we are good,” Gemma said.

  “Yes, ma, I don’t need any more Gloria Jean how to please a man lessons,” I added.

  “Whatever,” she said and turned to Grace. “So, tell me a little bit about your Malice?” she inquired.

  I sighed because I didn’t want to talk about men sober. “Ma, daddy, is waiting, and if we are going to discuss sexy men, I need something more than tea.”

  “Well gone then. I got something nice and hot waiting on me upstairs anyway.”

  “Let’s go,” Gemma said, and my sisters and I hurried out the front door.

  We all agreed to meet up at Passion’s, and when I got in the car, I called Gutta. I purposely let it slip that Grace asked about Malice and when Gutta walked into Passions to meet up with us, he had Malice and Royal in tow. Three sisters and three brothers shared a few drinks and laughter, I secretly hoped that they’d fall just as hard as Gutta and I.

  15

  Three Months Later

  Rel

  Chas and I were closer than any woman that I’d been with. She made me so happy, and for the first time in my thirty-plus years, I was anxious to get back to my lady whenever we were apart. She was so damn special to me, but I felt as if we were not progressing because she wasn’t opening up to me. She had told me the basics about herself, I had met her family, but every time I’d asked about anything during her marriage to the ex-husband she called Chris, she’d freeze, avoid the question or she’d changed the subject. I wanted to get closer to her, get into her soul because I was falling hard and fast for her, but there was a wall of fear up, and I had no idea how to tear it down.

  “Hey, Rel, so good to see you,” Gabby said, and I hugged my future sister-in-law tightly.

  “You, too, and how are you doing? Are you adjusting to your new bricks?”

  “Yes, I love Gutta’s house. It’s so spacious and cozy,” she returned as we sat.

  “Come on, sis, that is y’all place. You are now the lady of that house. No other women have lived there before you.”

  “I know, but it’s weird to claim it as my own. I guess it will take a little more time for it all to really sink in.”

  “Well, with the wedding date finally set and I know Gutta ain’t selling no time soon, so you need to get used to saying your home.”

  She smiled brightly. “You’re right, Rel. To what do I owe this secret meeting? I mean, I was shocked that you asked me to meet you. When I told Gutta, he didn’t think that it was odd, so spill.”

  “Well, it’s nothing on no grimy type shit, and since I’ve talked to my brother, he knows what this is all about.”

  “Well, enlighten me.”

  “It’s about Chas,” I admitted. The server then approached and took our drinks and starter order.

  “Listen, I’m not going to beat around the bush or stall. I’m falling in love with your girl, and I know she is feeling me too, but something is off.”

  “Something like what?”

  “Can I be blunt?”

  She looked around nervously. “I guess. I mean, if you think Chas is cheating, Rel, I can assure you she is not. She has fallen for you too, she told me.”

  “No, nothing like that. I do feel that my baby is true blue. Chas is not a liar that I believe in my heart, but I feel like she’s not telling me everything. I know that some things are personal or none of my damn business, Gab, but it’s more to the story. I mean, if I mention Chris or ask her anything about her past with him, it’s like she shuts completely down. Her entire mood changes, and it’s like his name sucks the smile and happiness out of her. I want to know the root of that, so I can help her heal and move past it. I want the past to just fucking be the past. I have never had my heart broken, nor have I ever had a bad situation or circumstance that was a hit to my heart, so please tell me what this cat did to her and how can I help her work through this shit. I want to help her throw out all of that old ass baggage.”

  “Look, Rel,” she said, and the server appeared with our drinks. “Thank you,” she said, and I gave a nod at the waitress.

  “Your wings will be out m
omentarily. Did you know what you wanted to order for dinner?”

  “The wings are good,” I said. “Unless you want to order something?” I asked Gabby.

  “No, I’m having dinner with Gutta after this, so wings are good,” she said, and the server was off. “As I was saying, I would love to tell you everything, Rel, but it's not my place. That’s something you’d have to wait for Chas to tell you herself.”

  That was the last thing I wanted to hear from Gabby. “Gabby, please don’t say that. I am sitting here prying because I love this woman, and my intentions are good for her. I want to figure out a way to ease this thing that is eating away at her, and you know Chas ass is so fucking stubborn, she isn’t going to tell me.”

  Gabby let out a sigh. “I know, Rel, and I want that for you, just like you want it for her. I won’t tell her business, I can’t do that. Chas has to tell you on her own, but I’ll give you this,” she said and picked up her phone. She texted something, and then I got an alert on my phone. I grabbed it and looked at the text. “That was her business. Something she worked so hard to have, but he took that away. Just go and just look around. The doors may be locked, but I’m sure you can figure it out,” she said.

  “What is this?” I asked.

  “Her salon. She still owns it. Still paying a mortgage on it, but she has no way of reopening it because the damage is too much.”

  “What about insurance? I’m sure there is a way.”

  “Just go by there and then try to talk to Chas again. I will call her and encourage her to open up to you. I can’t tell you her business, Rel. Chas would flip if I told you all that went on with her and Chris. I will talk to her and encourage her to tell you everything, but I just can’t.”

  “Thank you,” I said sincerely. I had no idea what was really going on with Chas. All I knew was I wanted to fix it. I wanted to restore her heart as if it had never been broken, and I needed to know how to do that.

  Gabby and I continued to chat about the wedding, crazy-ass Trina and other nonimportant shit as we ate our wings. As soon as I left the restaurant, I went by the address and parked in the parking lot. I got out, approached the door, and looked up at the sign that read Chasity Rules with a comb, blow dryer, and a pair of shears on the sign. I chuckled a little and figured the name fit my baby perfectly because Chas was a feisty one. I loved her bubbly spirit, neck twisting attitude, and hardworking drive.

  She lived in a tiny-ass apartment before she moved into Gabby’s place and she had so little furniture, it took only a couple of hours to get her moved in. I asked, “Baby, what are you going to do with all of this space?” she replied, “Nothing. I’ll worry about that when I move into my own space. This is just like the last place, temporary. I’m working hard to have my own.” With that, I didn’t press. I just hunched my shoulders and left it alone as I always did.

  I jiggled the handle, and it was locked as I figured. I then went around the back, and again, the door was locked. I made a quick call to my brother Malice, and after a little convincing, he met me there. He was a master at security, lock picking and all of that jazz, so it only took him seconds to get us in. When I walked in, I went for the switch, and as I figured, there were no lights.

  “Rel, bro, who place is this?” Malice asked, and then he turned on his flashlight and shined it in the space.

  We were in the back I figured because there was a table, chairs, a couple of lockers, a sink, and counters, so I assumed it was the break area. It seemed to be intact, and that was a good sign. The smell in the air was of rodents, and I was familiar with that smell because I had done a ton of renovations.

  “Malice, please don’t ask questions. Just walk through with me.”

  “Bro, I trust you and shit, but damn, the sign out front says Chasity Rules. Are you here to leave a surprise for Chas or some shit? I mean, bro, it stinks like hell in here.”

  “I know and please, Malice, damn, just shine the light,” I asked.

  “Hold on, I have more flashlights on my truck,” he said and left me in the dark.

  I quickly pulled out my phone, turned on the flashlight, and proceeded. I walked passed what I figured was the shampoo area and then walked into the main floor. I shined my light to see broken mirrors, ripped styling chairs, turned over workstations, paint splattered all over the walls, and there were boards up instead of front windows. The place was in disarray for sure, but just that quick observation I tallied the damage at less than twenty grand. I moved towards the front and Malice was back with a bright ass flashlight.

  “The fuck happen up in here?”

  “Not sure, bro, but this was Chasity’s spot. For some reason, it’s been closed, and I was just checking it out.”

  “How can you stand that smell?” he asked.

  “Bro, I’ve inhaled worse,” I replied.

  I went to the front desk area where shelves were turned over, and product was dried up on the floors. I figured after a good clean up, we could save the floors and have my baby back in business in twelve weeks tops because I’d have to squeeze her in and do a lot of the work myself.

  “Can we go now?” Malice said.

  I took one last look around the place, trying to survey it all without a pencil and notepad. “Yeah, I’ll come back tomorrow when the sun is up to take another good look.”

  “Fine, now let’s go,” Malice said, hurrying to the door that we came in. We locked up, and then we headed to our vehicles.

  I was going to head home, but Chasity was heavy on my mind, and I had to tell her I knew about her salon. I hoped she’d tell me what in the fuck went down with her and her ex. Even if I had to do the work by my damn self, I was going to dedicate every free moment of my time getting my baby back in business.

  16

  Chas

  I had put my last client under the dryer and went back to my station to do what I normally did when it was close to ending my day. I cleaned my station and my instruments, and before I could head to the back to grab the broom and dustpan, my bestie walked in.

  “Hey boo, what brings you by? And don’t even ask for a shampoo because my feet are killing me. I wore the wrong damn boots, and my baby toe is singing soprano in these bitches,” I joked.

  “Hey bestie, and no, I’m straight. I didn’t come in for service, but I came to talk.”

  She sounded super serious, so I instantly thought of crazy-ass Trina. “Please tell me that ho’ ain’t acting up again.”

  “Girl, no. Trina has been quiet as a church mouse pissing on a cotton ball,” she laughed lightly. “I don’t know what made that crazy ho’ sit down somewhere, but it’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything from her.”

  “Good, so what’s up?” I asked.

  “First, I have some flip flops in my trunk if you want them.”

  That was music to my ears. “Girl, please. I normally would have some in my trunk, but since Rel and I have been seeing each other, he makes sure that he has Royal’s detailing company to clean my car every two weeks. I know I’m not rolling in a new Audi like you, but my Altima is clean as a damn whistle.”

  “Same. Gutta takes my car every two weeks as well, so it’s always super clean. I told him my flops are for my Pedi days, so they stay in my trunk.”

  “Please get them so I can get out of these dreadful boots,” I said, and she went out. I went back for the broom and dustpan. I paused to remove the muthafucka’s that had my baby toes screaming, and then I got back to cleaning.

  “Anyway, I came here to chat with you about you and Rel.”

  “What about Rel and me? We are good.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. Do you know something that I don’t?” I said. I was never a person to beat around the bush. If I wanted you to know what was on my mind, I’d say it, but if I didn’t care to share, I didn’t.

  “Listen, all I know is Rel feels like you are not open enough. He feels that you are hiding things like what went on between you and Chris.”

>   I exhaled with irritation. “I’m not hiding shit, Gabby. Chris is my past, and none of Rel’s got’damn business. I’m not ready to rehash that shit, and he doesn’t need to know how big of a damn fool I was for Chris,” I said, sweeping like a madwoman. Why did Rel think it was cool to go to Gabby? I kept telling him that it was nothing to tell. “And it’s nothing to fucking tell,” I added.

  “Listen, Chas, baby, I know your past with Chris is unpleasant and an awful trip down memory lane, but Rel has fallen for you, and he feels that you are still a little shell-shocked from your past. He wants you to share it and not clam up when he asks what things were like when you were married.”

  I still rebutted. “But it’s none of his business, Gabby, and I don’t want to talk about it or share that with him. Chris had me stuck on stupid, and I was in a bad place when I was with him. I don’t want Rel to see me as that weak, passive, naïve woman that I was with Chris. That shit is behind me, and I don’t want to talk about it, okay? If Rel can’t handle that, his ass can move around. That shit is in the past!” I blasted. I felt my hands shaking as I tried to continue sweeping in the exact same spot that was already clean. Chris was my worst nightmare. He took way more than he gave, and I didn’t want Rel or no other man to ever see me or know me as I was. I wasn’t that helpless, sad, miserable, and desperate woman anymore. I chose what I wanted when I wanted and who I wanted it with. And if Rel didn’t want to deal with that, I wasn’t the right woman for him.

  “Wooooooowwwwwww,” she dragged out. “Chas, I had no idea that you were still holding yourself a prisoner to your past.”

  “What, what the fuck do you mean? I’ve moved on,” I spat.

  “Have you?” she countered, and I said nothing. “All I know is this man has fallen in love with your stubborn, difficult ass. Since the break-up with Chris, you have transformed into this fuck’em and leave’em chick, Chas, and I know that’s not you. You played tough girl, ‘I ain’t never falling for another nigga.’ And then you meet Rel, the best thing for you since dumb ass Chris. This man says he has shared everything with you, but there is a gap in what you share with him. Rel says high school and childhood memories are easy. Post-divorce is a breeze, but you won’t share shit with him about the marriage that obviously broke you. Now I don’t know why any of that shit matters to him. I don’t know if he just wants to know what not to do. But what I do know is he feels whatever went down with you and Chris, you’re not over. He says that he’s doing everything in his power to be great, but you make comments like, ‘until you’re tired of me,’ or ‘until you no longer want me.’ And the crazy thing is you ask him has he ever hit a woman once a week as if he didn’t answer you the week before. Now, I am no relationship expert, but by the things he said, it’s obvious that you still have something going on in your head about Chris. Please take the advice that you gave me. Rel is not Chris. You said Gutta is not Ro. Do you remember that? Talk to him, Chas. Get it all off of your damn chest and let that shit go.”