by Tanya Cole
Chapter 9
Tia
So, Moet has gotten into Mark’s head and he fell for it. After spending hours of cleaning and organizing that room, he said I had to move out of it and into their room. I asked if they’re going to clean it for me, and that would be a no. They got me so fucked up. I’ll show his ass wassup. So, it’s my first day of training and it was just four hours. I get paid for eight hours though, I call off from my second job at Red Lobster. I call Jason and he pulls up right on time. He takes me to cash my scholarship check and I buy me a whip. I got a good deal on a black 2014 Infinity. He uses his connections to hook me up. Then, my coworker hooks me up with a nice townhouse. We went to my storage, pay my storage bill, and I tell them that I will be closing it out tomorrow. When I return to the apartment, luckily no one is here. Perfect. It’s like heaven just shined down its light on me. I move all of my stuff in my car without anyone knowing. Jason refuses to lay in the bed me and Free shared. I leave it for Mark because Moet tore up their bed when she found out he was cheating with a coworker. So, we head to Ashley Furniture and purchase a new one. After they come and set it up, I put up my curtains and cook some chicken alfredo. He chills with me until he gets ready to go to work. I wait until he leaves and pull out a pregnancy test. I take it and wait five minutes. I’m not satisfied with the results. I take another one. Positive. Shit, I don’t know what I’m going to do. My cell phone rings interrupting my thoughts. It’s Mark.
“Wassup Mark?” I ask already knowing the answer.
“Sis, so, I got home from work right,” he says stalling the conversation.
“And?” I say trying to speed up the conversation.
“And your door was opened with the keys in the lock, but something was wrong?”
“What’s wrong Mark?”
“All of your stuff is missing. They took your flat screen TV, your tablet, your laptop, your radio, your kindle, your I-pad, and all the rest of your stuff. Mane, they only took your stuff.” He says.
“Mark, I got my stuff. I moved out.”
“You moved out? What about all of our plans to help each other out? We was counting on you to help us out until we got straight. We based our budget on the funds you were supposed to give us? You couldn’t even talk about it before you just up and left us”? He says pissed.
“Nah, I got a better deal with a classmate of mine. We’re splitting the bills on an apartment. So, that means I can’t have any guests or visitors or even babysit. I have to respect her privacy.”
“Mane, that’s cold-blooded sis. Especially coming from you Tia. What about that nigga though?”
“He has his own shit. We just kicking it. We’re not about to move in with each other. I’m solo like dolo. But anyway I’m getting ready to go to sleep.”
“What about Free Tia?” he asks.
“I don’t know. What about him? How long has it been since I really kicked it with Free like that? He’s cool and all, but he’s not for me. It’s time that I take care of Tia. You and Trinity will be aight. I’ve always had ya’ll back. Ya’ll stayed with me rent free. I fall down and ya’ll bust my head? Nah, I can pay rent in my own shit for that amount. I make enough money to do that now. I’m not finna work hard all day to just come to ya’ll cribs and pay ya’ll bills. And I don’t have to worry about any drama or neither one of your mates being with the bullshit. And I also get some space because ya’ll don’t know where I live. So, I love ya’ll. Take care of yourself.” I say hanging up the phone.
I roll over in my new bed in my new crib and fall asleep until Jason calls me at midnight. He asks if he can come over. Of course, I say yes. I’ve been waiting on this. I take a quick shower, clean up a little, and warm up the chicken, shrimp, and broccoli alfredo that I cooked earlier. He pulls up and I hear him hit the alarm on his car. I open the door and kiss him. He wraps his arms around me. The aroma from the tacos in the bag he has hit my nose with a vengeance. I run to the bathroom and throw up. Jason follows me.
“You good ma?” he asks.
“Yeah, I guess I ate something that didn’t agree with my stomach,” I say washing my mouth out.
“Come here baby,” he says picking me up.
He places my legs on his shoulder and kisses my pussy gently on it.
“I missed you baby. You’re all mine now. Right?” he says lying me down on the bed.
“Hell yeah, I am.”
We get it on for the rest of the morning nonstop. I got about four hours of sleep. I’m glad I only had four hours of training again. By the time I got home, Matt called and said it was a slow day so stay at home. I’m so glad that I saved up a little money. And that scholarship money came in just in time. I leave work and go to the doctor’s office as a walk-in. Soon as I hit the door Jason calls.
“Hey, baby. You good? It’s a slow night and me and my brothers already moved your stuff in. You got some good taste girl.” He says laughing.
“I try. I mean I did pick you. But I got this one errand that I need to run right quick I’ll call you back when I’m done.”
“What’s up Tia? You got this secret mission or something? You Kim Possible?” he says laughing.
“Nah, just a little minor thang. But I’ll call you when I’m done.”
“Aight, baby. I love you.”
After getting an exam done, I discuss my options with my doctor. I decide I’m not having a baby. The less Jason knows the better. I pull up to the crib and exhale deeply. I walk into the master bedroom and kiss Jason. I start fixing up my room and hanging up my clothes. He’s quiet.
“Hey, baby. You good?”
“Nah.”
“Why? Wats wrong? I’m going to finish the bathroom and then I’m going to the grocery store . You’re still going with me?”
“Have I ever been disloyal to you Tia?” he asks looking at me.
“No, why do you ask that baby?”
“So, you’re pregnant with my baby and you’re going to have an abortion without telling me? Or is it because it might be Free’s baby?” Jason says pissed.
“No, it’s not Free’s baby. We stop sleeping with each other month’s before I started sleeping with you because he was cheating on me. And I wasn’t comfortable talking to you about it. Of course, I want my baby. I was just scared of your reaction.” I say crying.
“Really Tia? Da fuck? You scheduled an appointment and everything.” He says frustrated.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” I say crying.
“Nah, I got the wrong chick pregnant. You walked in here and start cleaning like you didn’t schedule an appointment to commit murder,” he says walking out of the room.
“Jason, let’s talk,” I say following him.
“Nawl, if you hadn’t accidentally butt-dial me; I would not have known anything! To think I actually wanted a life with you! I’m out! And lose my number!” he says grabbing his already packed bag.
He walks out of the door and I check my phone. He heard everything. Except the reason why I didn’t say anything- I wasn’t sure if he wanted the baby too.
I finish my room and Mark is blowing me up. I ignore it. I don’t have any money to spare and he can’t visit. Then, he starts blowing me up on messenger. I answer.
“Tia, we got an emergency!” he says breathing hard.
“What is it, Mark?” I ask pissed.
I’m pissed, horny, and not in the mood for his bullshit.
“Trinity is over her beat up and shit!” he says panicking.
“Aight, I’m on my way,” I say hanging up the phone.
When I get there my sister's face is swollen and her eye is black. I’m too pissed.
“Who did this? Tell me before I find that broke, nasty ass baby daddy of yours and ask! And I won’t be nice about it!”
“Tia, calm down!” Trinity says acting as if nothing has happened.
“Aight, I got your calm down! Let’s go! You too Mark and Hoetta! Where are my nephews Trin?”
“At home with Tojo. Don’t overr
eact Tia!” she says crying.
I’m not listening to any of that bullshit. We jump in my car. Of course, they all got questions. They know when I’m pissed off not to say shit. Not until I calm down. I park my car in the yard and use my spare key to unlock the door. I grab MJ from Moet and take him to the boys’ room and tell them to watch him. I explain to them that they better not tell grammy and grandpa either.
“Auntie Tia, you finna put my dad out? He hit my momma in her face.” My oldest nephew Trell says.
“Oh, I got this,” I say as we shake up.” Don’t you say another muthafucking word Trin!”
“Oh wee, TeTe cussed. “ My nephew Tristan says.
I walk to her bedroom and kick the door in. Before Tojo can get up, I jump on the bed and punch him in the face like he did my sister. He tries to grab me and misses. I flip him over my head and kick him in the face. He’s yelling for me to stop. I just keep punching him in his face. Mark has to pull me up off of him.
“Nah, that bitch ain’t dead! Let me go!” I say yelling at Mark.
He runs out of the room. I grab the pistol and run after him. I fire two shots in the air.
“You come back here and I’ll put a bullet in your ass bitch!” I say as he runs faster down the street.
I turn around and give Trinity back her pistol. Then, I slap the shit out of Mark.
“What did you do that for?” he asks holding his face.
“You let some nigga put his hands on your sister! Next time call me from jail! Trinity, I’m finna check on my nephews!” I say walking to the back.
After checking to make sure that they are alright and letting them know that hitting a woman ain’t cool; I walk to the kitchen to prepare dinner for everyone. I’m cooking dinner and talking to my nephews when Jason pulls up. I already know that Trin called him.
“Boys, go to the back. You call Jas, Trin?” I say as they run off.
“Yeah, you’re on one.” She says laughing. “But thanks for having my back.”
“You’re my sistah. Don’t nobody put their hands on my sibs. Even though you put me out for that no- good goat cheese smelling ass nigga,” I say laughing.
“Trin? What’s the emergency?” Jason says.
“I’ll be back. I’m finna check on the kids.”
I’m so nervous. I really want my man back and I’ll gladly keep our baby. I just got scared of him rejecting and leaving me. I’m in the room talking to the boys when Jason comes in. He asks if they are aight and wrestles with them. Mark, Moet, and Trin walks in the room while they are playing and just stands there being nosy. Jason introduces himself as Trin’s best friend. I walk out of the room. Fuck him and I’m keeping my baby.With or without him. He don’t have to worry about me saying shit else to him ever again. I finish cooking and fix the boys’ plate and hide in the bathroom until Jason makes a quick run to the store.
“Don’t worry. He will be back. Ya’ll must be mad at each other?” Trin says.
“Nawl, we cool. He’s just your best friend.” I say pissed.
“Oh, Lordt. Girl, boo. He changed that tune when he found out what happened.” Trinity says laughing.
“Yeah, it quickly became my girl did what? He’s cool sis. I like him for you.” Mark says playfully punching my chin.
“Mark, mane. He’s been crushing on her for years. He was always talking about this bad lil broad that works with him that he wouldn’t mind being with, but I had no idea it was Tia. It’s crazy because he always pull up when she pulls off. He didn’t even know we are sisters.”
“Yeah, I can tell he loves him some Tia,” Mark says laughing.
“What about Free?” Moet asks.
“Free who? Free that’s been cheating on me with some chick that sends me pictures of his drawers, dick, and shit. Nah, we ain’t been together in a minute. He can go on about his business.”
“Aight. Well, he can move out too then. It will just be us, baby.” Mark says smiling.
Jason pulls back up. He comes in and asks if we can talk in private. I follow him to my old bedroom.
“Yes, Jas?” I ask impatiently.
I don’t need him to say anything else about not being with me because he made that clear before he left my crib earlier.
“I love you. You around here fighting and shit with my baby?”
“Huh?” I say.
“Yeah, Trinity can’t hold water in a cup.” He says laughing.
“Sholl can’t. He put his hands on my sister. I just flipped out. But he didn’t get a chance to touch me though.”
“Aight, Ms. Flipped out. Let’s eat and then I’m taking you home.” He says laughing.
“Jason, I’m six weeks pregnant and I don’t want to lose you. I didn’t tell you because I was scared of how you would react. But even if you don’t want my baby, I’m having it. With or without you.”
“Now, that’s the woman I fell in love with.” He says pulling me closer to him.
Mark
We sitting here at Trinity’s house kicking it and watching a movie. Tia just made two homemade peach cobblers and put them in the oven. She just made a chicken Caesar salad, three meat spaghetti, fried chicken and some sweet Hawaiian rolls. Now, we’re getting some dessert too. She must be really happy because she ain’t cooked in a little minute.
“So, Trin, Mark, and Moet are going to stay over here for a few days. Just in case Tojo wanna feel froggy and jump.” Tia says.
“Yeah, okay. But I don’t have any food like that. Mark’s big ass can eat.” Trin says laughing.
“Aight. Here’s a hundred dollars. Use my car and go to the store while I’m here. I’ll watch the boys. But MJ got to go with ya’ll.”
“Why can’t he stay?” Moet says.
“It’s nothing personal Mo. She don’t like watching babies. When he gets big, she’ll be taking him from you.” Trin says laughing.
“But she’s right here not doing anything,” Moet says.
“That’s aight. I’ll stay here with him.” I say.
“You just don’t want to go because you’re lazy,” Moet says.
“Nawl, I’ll watch MJ and my show is coming on. It aint like we got cable at the crib.”
“And? I want to watch love and hip hop Atlanta on demand.” Moet says pouting.
“Just bring your ass. We can stop and get some ice cream while they wait on us to get back.”
“Shit, say no mo,” Moet says walking out of the door.
“Bruh, she got one more time to come at me about keeping ya’ll baby. I’m going to beat the shit out of her. For old and new.” Tia says.
“Hold on now. You just going to threaten her in my face right in front of me?”
“Yeah, I’m going to tell you first cause she is your broad. My bad female. With her rude ass. She must don’t know I didn’t make ya’ll baby. That’s her job to watch him and take care of him. She didn’t get the memo when she carried him in her body? I got my own seed to look after now.” She says.
“Wayment? What?”
“Yeah. I’m six weeks pregnant and pinky promise you won’t tell anyone. Not even Trin. You’re the first one to know.” Tia says.
“Aye, my niccah,” I say slapping fives with Jason.
I really like him for Tia. She is sitting under him and hugged up and shit. Like he is her protector. That’s a big step up for her. I mean I’ve never seen her kiss Free.
We lock pinkies and my nephew Tristan runs from the back to the front door.
“Aye, what are you doing little boy?” I ask.
“Letting grammy and grandpa in,” Tristan says excited about unlocking the door and running outside.
“Did you call them Ti?”I ask confused.
“Why would I call them? I’m the one that just did all the dirt.” Tia says sitting up. “Just be cool and I’ll get them away before Trin comes back from the store.”
“Hey, it smells like Tia’s been up in here cooking.” Tia’s mom says walking in the den.
“Hey, ya�
��ll. Where’s Trinity?” my dad says getting straight to the point.
“She went to the store with Moet,” I say nervously.
“Call them and tell them to come home now. I get a two for one today. No extra stops. I was on my way to see you. What’s this business on the Facebook thang with your baby momma talking about Tia staying with you?” my dad says. “And who are you son? Over here around my kids and grandbabies?”
“I’ll be your son- in- law soon,” Jason says smiling.
Okay, he’s not scared easily. I like that. My dad gives him a look that I’ve never seen before.
“But I’ll have to get your blessing first sir,” Jason says. “I’m Jason.”
He shakes my dad hand and my dad nods.
“Tia baby, what happened to Free?” Tia’s mom asks.
“He freed himself. Remember the young man I told you paid for my computer classes. This is him. Momma and daddie, this is my baby Jason.” Tia says squirming in her seat.
“Hey, nice to finally meet you.” They say smiling.
“So, you paid for my baby to get an education? I asked her if she wanted me to pay for it, but she refused my help. She insists on making her own way. Unlike her siblings.” My dad says.