Torn

by Tanya Cole

  I grab the cell phone, read the message, and shake my head. I’ve told my brother about evidence and women a long time ago. As usual, he didn’t listen.

  ‘Hey, Kareshia. I’m going to see you later Moet. I got to go and make ends meet.”

  I walk up the stairs and the stench of the kitchen overwhelms me. Free is going to be pissed. We just cleaned up this bullshit. Oh, well. I walk straight to our overnight bag that I keep there and pull out my uniform.

  Mark walks in with MJ. I just laugh.

  “Sis?”

  “You don’t listen. So why should I say a word?”

  “Tell me what to do.”

  “For what? You’re not going to listen until you fall. Then maybe you will listen. But until then hiding in the house will not solve the problem. You’re being a coward.”

  “That’s what you think, Tia.”

  “That’s what you are showing me. I’m going to work. We will talk about it later. And if Moet kicks your ass – there’s nothing I can do about it.”

  “Aight, see you later.

  Free walks in the door and I somehow know how this is going to end. I kiss him and rush out the door. Time to go make this money.

  Chapter 3

  Mark

  After Kareshia snitched on me, Moet and I been in a real rut. I finally convinced Tia and Free to move in with us by using her love for her nephew. Of course, she agreed to pay the light bill. It took most of her savings for her crib, but hey I need her to help me now and worry about the shit she got going on later. The only thing I have to do is get a job and pay the bills until she moves. MLGW just turned the lights back on and we are all cleaning up. Everyone except Moet. She is on her phone posting and firing indirect shots at me. My notification setting on my phone is constantly beeping. Then, my phone starts to ring. I turn off the vacuum cleaner and check my phone. Before I could check my Facebook page, my momma calls.

  “Yes, ma’am?” I say before she could say anything else.

  “So, MJ might not be yours? Huh?”

  “What ya mean?” I ask.

  “It’s some nigga named Jaden on Facebook that tagged all of your family and friends saying that Moet is a big hoe that don’t know who her baby daddy is. He went to the daycare and swabbed MJ. The results said he ain’t the damn daddy. It’s five more guys under the post commenting saying that they had sex with her too. I’m deleting my account. This shit is so embarrassing. You need to get a blood test for that baby. And I heard your sister Tia moved in. You better not let her stay there for free.” She says.

  “But momma she let me stay at her house rent-free for eight months.”

  “Oh well. She better not lay up in your house and leech on you. I don’t care what she did for you. That doesn’t mean you have to do it for her.”

  “Aight mama. I got to go.”

  “Aye, don’t be mad at me. That’s your daddy’s child, not mine. And get a blood test. If that baby ain’t yours – kick that bitch to the curb! She just embarrassed you on the World Wide Web!”

  “Aight mama. I got to go!” I say before hanging up the phone.

  My momma is always tripping. She always mad when me, Trinity, and Tia together. Our dad is in love with and married to Tia’s and Trinity’s mom. He cheated on her and had me. She asked for a divorce. She has never blamed me and she don’t mistreat me. It’s my mom that is salty. They stayed together for two more years after I was born. Then, one day he just told her that he couldn’t do it anymore. He also told her that he realized that his wife is the only woman that he will ever love. My mom has been bitter ever since.

  “Mark, I need to talk to you. “ Moet says.

  “Aight, let’s go in the back room.”

  We walk into the room, but before we can say a word- Free knocks on the door.

  “What Free?”

  “Aye, I need you to come to the door,” Free says.

  “Not now.”

  “Yes right now!” he yells. “It’s important.”

  I walk to the door and it’s Nate and all the niggas that Free kick it in our apartments.

  “Hey, ya’ll wassup?” I ask.

  Now, I kick it with them in the hood, but never at my crib. So, the million dollar question is why are they coming to my apartment? Whatever it is, what does it have to do with me?”

  Moet

  I wasn’t sure who MJ dads was, so I told all of them that he was their seed. Champ is our partner and I know he wouldn’t say shit. Mark is gullible and he will take care of us without a sheet of paper. No questions asked. I was living from house to house until whoever I was staying with got tired of me. So, when Kareshia left him I saw the perfect opportunity to move in. We were already creeping anyway. She left for work every day at six in the morning. I would creep out of my best friend Shan’s apartment. We would fuck until she got off from work. By the time we were through, Shan was going to work. Then, her boyfriend would be ready too. Shan was ready for me to go too, but he would always make her let me stay. All the freaky things that she wouldn’t do – I would. Even his first threesome. The fucked up part is that I did it with our other friend Jamie. They fell out about her being dressed in little, tight clothes around her man. When she wouldn’t comply – she kicked her ass out. She’s been waiting on the opportunity to get her back. I just did it because she has always thought she was better than me. What she don’t know was that her man likes BBW’s too. I love sitting in her face smiling and shit knowing that I’m fucking her man. I even open up my legs in front of him showing him my pussy while she is sitting there in the living room with us. Dumb bitch. She eventually found out and put me out. Thank God it was the same day that Kareshia left. The lights were off, but hey I wasn’t homeless. Plus, Mark doesn’t know it, but he’s going to give me the money to get my own place.

  My phone has been beeping since this morning. Jaden’s wife found out about us and she threatened to expose me. She found a recent video of me sucking his dick on his phone. Then, his dumb ass told her everything. He used to visit MJ at the daycare all the time. Just in case he was his son. He used one of his visits to swab MJ and of course, you know the rest. He was so pissed that he acted like a fool on Facebook.

  Even though he got the results, his wife still uploaded the video. I’ve been doing damage control all day by blocking it from Mark’s account. I have all of his passwords and every time somebody sent it to him- I’ll delete it. When he found out about it, we went to the back to talk. Free came in and saved the day. I follow him to the living room and every nigga in the Asap apartments that I’ve fucked (including Shan’s boyfriend) is standing there.

  What the fuck do I suppose to do now?

  Tia

  After listening to the whole neighborhood say that they’ve had sex with Moet, I’m shocked and hurt. My little brother knows how to pick them. Moet just sat there with this surprised look on her face. She actually thought that he wouldn’t find out. They fought. They argued. She threw things. He ducked. Then, he apologized. Free called her bitches and hoes. Mark tried to beat him up. They made up. Free and Mark agreed to disagree with his decision to stay with Hoet. Blood or not, he decides that MJ is his kid. Nothing about this situation is cool. When I asked Mark about it, he said that it’s his life. Now, I’m at work thinking about my life at home. I was okay with living in an extended stay hotel. It was drama free. I didn’t have to worry about Moet and her issues. Not only is she lazy and full of drama; she has a serious problem with me. Every time I come around her, I get this negative ass vibe. The only place I feel safe is when I’m at work or at Trinity’s house.

  “So, you don’t hear me?” Kaylah says.

  “No, what’s up?” I ask.

  “I said Jason likes you. He was asking about you.”

  “What about me?”

  “Do you have a boyfriend? How long ya’ll been together? If you’re happy with him or not? Can he take you away?”

  “Damn, he is nosy,” I say laughing. “He’s a fine, young
man. I’m with Free though.”

  “And? He ain’t making you happy. You’re very cool Tia. You light up the room when you walk in. But when no one is looking, you’re in the bathroom crying.” She says.

  “I know. We started out good, but I see now it was just a front. I feel like he’s my son instead of my man. Then, we just moved in with my brother and his girlfriend.”

  “Oh. That chick that don’t like you?” she asks.

  “Yeah, her.”

  “Watch her for real.”

  “I am,” I say brushing her off.

  “Nawl, listen to me. A woman that don’t like you will do anything to you to hurt you. That includes sleeping with your man.” she says rolling her eyes.

  “Now, Free won’t do that. He’s too much of a pretty boy. You ready to go? I want to get my nails done before I go to the crib.”

  “Yeah, let me go check out.” She says walking off.

  After cleaning our section, we hop in the truck on our way to the nail shop. There’s only one problem- the truck won’t start. I jump out of the driver’s seat, pop the hood, and look under the hood.

  “What’s going on Tia?” Jason asks.

  “Shit! Next time announce yourself. You almost got popped!” I say.

  “Aight, my bad. I said your name three times before ya’ll jumped in the truck.You just kept on walking. It’s aight though. You will notice me.”

  “I am?” I ask.

  “Yeah. Just wait and see. I was trying to tell you that you left this.” he says handing me my journal.

  “Oh, thank you.”

  “No problem. Let’s see what’s wrong with your pimping.” He says looking under the hood. “Your battery is dead.”

  “Shit! Can you take me to charge it up?” I ask.

  “I just signed up for a double. I’m still on the clock. I’ve given them to Kaylah before. I guess I can trust you.” He says as he gives me the keys.

  He places the battery in his backseat and gives Kaylah a dap.

  “You got some ends?” Jason asks.

  “Nah, I just spent $623 on my brother’s light bill. Plus, today was a slow day.”

  “How much you make?” he asks.

  “About ninety-two dollars.”

  “Okay, now you got two hundred dollars.” He says handing me a hundred and eight dollars.

  “Shit, thank you.”

  “Always baby girl. Don’t I always have your back?”

  “Come to think of it, you do.” I say laughing.

  “Yeah, we all have to wait to get our tables busted or clean them ourselves. Because Jason stays in your section.” Kaylah says.

  “Maybe I like what I see,” Jason says staring at me.

  “They’re calling you on the walkie-talkie,” Kaylah says.

  “Yeah, I got to go. Tia, handle up. My shift ends at 11. I’ll fix your battery then.”

  “Okay,” I say adjusting his seat.

  He walks off. Just like he said, I notice him. He turns around to see if I’m looking and yes I am.

  “So, you’re ready to go or are you just going to sit here and stare at Jason?” Kaylah says laughing.

  Now, I’m looking at him in a different way. Thanks to him, we went out to eat and I had enough time to go to the nail shop.

  Free

  So, I’m sitting here in the fucking Twilight zone. This shit is unbelievable. The same fuckboys that just told Mark that they been fucking Moet, is sitting here right now in the living room with him playing the game. Shit, I wouldn’t want to be nowhere around her or them. Mark is too sensitive. Last month, we ran into Tia’s first-grade boyfriend and I had a fit. I acted like a straight beast. I embarrassed that ass. I’ve always been the center of attention so the whole scene just fed my ego. Little dude ran out of the store from her ghetto, thugged out boyfriend. Shit, I should’ve been an actor because I’ve been fronting like I’m from the hood my whole life. My cousin is from the ghetto. Once I saw his life, I knew it had to be done. So, I took crash dummy chances just to prove my loyalty to the streets. It also left me with about fifteen felonies and I’m in jail more than I’ve been out. It also showed me that a nigga will do anything to get a sure lick. When these niggas told Mark about this stanky bitch , he kissed her. Then, he started talking about that’s her past. I’m sorry to be the one to announce this, but her past is sitting here in his living room on his couch right now. I’m sitting here watching them set him up for the kill. Just when I was going to say something, he said some crazy shit.

  “Aye, Free, what’s up with you?” Mark asks.

  “Tia, she was supposed to be home an hour ago. I called her, but she didn’t answer.”

  “Maybe she found a real nigga with a real job.” He says laughing.

  “Nawl. Maybe she went to get a DNA test for you and your supposed–to-be slash maybe, possible seed.”

  “Damn. A nigga just clowning you. What’s up with you?” Mark says.

  “Nothing. It’s all good. Veno, come and walk to the store with me. And buy me a beer bruh.”

  “Aight, but I’m gone when I finish it. You are the real definition of the ignant oil. You get too amped up.” Veno says. “But you good dawg.”

  Shit, I do. Tonight, I’m amping up on Tia’s ass too.

  Chapter 4

  Moet

  Mark just left about an hour ago to go to a job interview. Our childhood friend named Champ just pulled up. I’m standing in the door with my blue lingerie on. I wore it for Mark this morning, but I took it off so it wouldn’t get dirty. He parks his white Nissan Maxima in front of our section in the apartments. He steps out of the car and checks out his swag. Of course, it is on point. Champ is and always will be my first love. No matter who I fuck with, he will always get the kitty kat.

  “Hey baby, I miss you,” I say as he walks up the stairs.

  “I miss you too. Now, give me a tour of the crib. This nigga finally got you a place to live.” Champ says as he enters the door.

  We hug, he grabs my ass, and pull me in closer to him. My panties immediately get wet. And of course, his dick is hard.

  “Oh, baby. Did you miss me? I can take care of that for you.” I say licking my lips.

  “What about this nigga? How long is he gonna be gone? My strap is at the crib. I don’t have time for any fucks ups Mo. That shit over Damo’s house almost got me caught up.”

  “He just left. And how long are you going to bring up Damo. I keep apologizing. Damn, you ain’t seen me in months.”

  “Well, come on and give me a quickie,” Champ says as he pushes me on the couch.

  He pushes my panties to the side and inserts his fingers deep in me. I release all of my juices on him. He licks his fingers.

  “Mane, this tastes so sweet baby. Like pineapples.”

  “Come and get this baby.”

  “I got you.”

  We make love for an hour and three minutes. Just when I’m about to doze off, Mark calls.

  “Ugh, what’s up Mark?”

  “Da fuck you mean wassup? Free said he’s been at the door knocking for an hour and you refuse to let him in.”

  “You or Tia ain’t here. So, why would I let him in? I don’t feel comfortable being here alone with him.”

  “I told him to meet me there. I’m on my way home. I got the job. I don’t know what da fuck she thinking about? Mark says to his partner Jose.

  While he talking that shit, Jose was two seconds from getting this ass when he fell asleep two nights ago.

  “Dats your bitch bruh. Always doing some extra shit.” Jose says.

  And he just missed out on this ass. With his put my two cents in on grown folks business, talking ass.

  He hangs up the phone.

  “You got to go! Mark is on his way home! Get up Champ!”

  He jumps up off the couch.

  “Da fuck? I thought you said he was going to be gone for a minute?”

  “This nigga Free came home early looking for Tia’s ass. As always she di
sappeared on him.”

  “So, I don’t give a fuck,” Champ says as he walks to the bathroom.

  As I quickly begin to clean up, Champ turns on the water in the bathroom. He can’t be serious. That’s his clue to let me know that he will dead this nigga. So, he has his gun here with him. I finish cleaning and put on my Aeropostale jogging suit. Champ walks out of the bathroom and hugs me from behind.

  “Now, when you gonna get your own spot and give my son a better life? My son should be at home with his mother without all this extra shit.”

  “I got five hundred Champ. I was waiting on Mark to give me the rest, but they fired him.”

  “Da fuck? Dis nigga ain’t got a job?”

  “Nah, he just got hired at one. And don’t start shit either.” I say as I button up his Polo shirt.

  “Aight. You got three months Moet.”

  “Okay, I love you Champ,” I say as I kiss him.

  “I love you too Mo. Bleed this nigga for his funds. No more, no less. I’m finna leave so you can let this chump ass nigga in. I’ll be back with some food in about an hour.”

  “Go out back so that Free won’t see you.”

  “Fuck that nigga.” He says as he walks pass Free sitting on the porch.

  “Sup? Who are you?” Free asks.

  “Minding my own business,” Champ says as he walks pass Free to his car. Free walks in pass me and starts walking around the apartment.

  “Tia ain’t here?” he asks.

  “Do you see her?” I ask sucking my teeth.

  “So, you got a nigga up in here while Mark out looking for a job?”

  “Nah, he just stopped by to see Mark.”

  “Bitch, I’ve been out here for an hour. The fuck you think you playing with! What are you going to give me so that I won’t tell Mark? You dirty bitch.”

  “What you want Free?”

  “Your food stamp card maggot ass bitch! And a bottle of Amsterdam.” He says walking up to me.

  “Okay. Aight, but how I know that you won’t tell Mark?”

  “Cause he won’t believe me anyway.”

  “I walk to the room that me and Mark share, grab my lucky sock, and take ten dollars from my stash.”