Torn

by Tanya Cole

  “Yes sir. I want to see her shine.” Jason says smiling at Tia.

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” My dad says smiling.

  “Yeah, that’s cool. She deserves it.” I say smiling.

  “Now, that’s relationship goals. Back to you son. Why is your woman online telling all of your sister’s business? Got my family and your momma’s family in an uproar. For what? Some attention? I know that’s your woman, but she ain’t no good for you. If she will go online and tear down your flesh and blood, what do you think she will do to you?”

  “Honey, I thought you said you wouldn’t say anything?” Tia’s mom says.

  Tristan runs in the living room.

  “Now, what I tell you about grown folks business, Tris?” Tia asks.

  “Okay. But grammy. My dad hit my mom and her face is messed up. And Auntie Tia kicked in the door and punched him in the face a whole lotta of times. He was so scared that he ran away. Aunt Tia is my hero grammy.” Tristan says quickly imitating what Tia did.

  “Yeah, that’s wassup Tris. But what I tell you about snitching?” Tia asks.

  “That snitches get stitches, Tete. But you also said that I can tell if somebody can get hurt and daddie and mommy got hurt really bad.” Tristan says with his telling ass.

  “I’ve been here this whole time and not one of ya’ll said anything? Call Trinity’s narrow, troublemaking ass right now and tell her to get here fast! And why did Tia have to whoop the nigga's ass? That’s a shame, your sister got more heart than you. Next time that happens, you will have to get up with me. You hear me son?” he says pissed.

  “Yes sir,” is all I can say.

  “Tia, baby go and fix me a plate,” Dad says.

  Tia runs into the kitchen. She knows how daddie feels about doing all this bullshit in front of the kids. I’m so glad he didn’t mention the fact that she shot at him. We would all probably be getting the belt. Fuck that the strap. Moet walks in the door without Trin. Smart move Trin.

  “Where’s Trin?” Dad asks.

  “She went to the store. She said she will be right back.” Moet says smirking.

  “And your Mark’s baby momma? The Facebook drama queen?”

  “Huh?” Moet says surprised my dad called her out.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ve been waiting to meet you. Lil Mrs. Troublemaker.” He says looking at her with piercing eyes.

  “What trouble?” Moet asks.

  “You’re on social media talking about Tia not paying bills. When your lights were off, who was paying the bill?”

  “Nobody,” Moet says.

  “Are you handicap or can’t work? You sick or something?”

  “Nawl.”

  “So, why couldn’t you and your baby daddy pay it? Did Tia run up that bill?”

  “No sir,” Moet says.

  “But she paid to get your lights that you ran up back on? Did you pay her back?”

  “No sir.”

  “Why not? So, you just took something from her? She’s already struggling and still helps your baby and your grown ass out? And you repay her by talking bad about her on Facebook?” Dad says shaking his head.

  “Honey, please.” Tia’s mom says.

  “No, dear. We don’t play that in this family. Now, let me handle this so that it won’t happen again. Young lady, who’s crib is this?”

  “Trinity’s.”

  “And the one you live in?” he asks.

  “Mark’s.”

  “You are grown woman with a child. Where is your crib?”

  “I don’t have one?” Moet says looking down.

  “And she didn’t either. But instead of taking her money to find her place, she helps you and your baby out? Baby girl, where is your family?”

  “They won’t help me out.”

  “And she ain’t your family? But she did. Now, I understand why you are in the situation you’re in. Don’t nobody owe you shit. And if you keep this up, you’ll be in a world of shit by yourself. Baby girl, how much was that light bill?”

  “$623,” Tia says.

  “That’s rent for a month. Here you go baby,” he says giving her the money. “Did you move out?”

  “Yeah, I got a nice townhouse,” Tia says smiling.

  “I’ll pay the rent up for the next two months. We stopped by to help ya’ll out cause I won some money at the casino. Mark, your girl just canceled out your surprise. The fact that you let her do your sister like that – you won’t get a dime from me. We will take the kids with us and take them shopping. I’ll buy MJ some clothes, pampers and wipes. Boys, come on and go with grandpa and grammy. I’m taking them to Walmart for some household stuff and toys. Baby, you going or you gonna stay?”

  “I’m going. I got to pick me up some Urban Fiction books. I know they got some new ones.” She says laughing.

  “Ya’ll taking MJ?” I ask.

  “Nope, Lil Miss Ungrateful got him. She ain’t finna spit in my face after I help ya’ll out. Nice meeting you son.”

  “You too sir,” Jason says.

  “Tia baby, bring him over to the house for Sunday dinner. He can actually come in the house. Let’s go ya’ll. Mark, I’m going to text you for MJ sizes.”

  “So, he takes all of the kids, but mine? How is that fair?” Moet says as they leave.

  “Moet shut the fuck up! Free is finna leave! Tia left because of you! My dad ain’t gonna help us because of you! Your lazy ass ain’t finna lift a finger to pay a bill. We don’t make enough money to keep our crib with your real smart dumb ass! Yeah, he ain’t watching him because of you! Now, ask one of my family members that you tagged in that stupid ass post to help us pay our bills! As a matter of fact, give me the phone.” I say grabbing her phone.

  I post that we need help paying our rent next month and that anything will do. Then, I tagged my mom’s side. They respond alright. All they did was talk crazy and ask what Moet is going to do. Then, they ask why she can’t get up off her ass and get a job to help out on the bills that she created. After that, they tag her in a job group. They turn on her just like that. That’s why I’m always kicking it with my dad’s side. They don’t roll like that and Moet just figured it out the hard way. Trin walks in the door.

  “Okay, what did I miss?”

  Moet

  I’m sitting here watching this bullshit unfold. For once, I’m not behind the scenes pulling this shit. I walk around Trinity’s house and this bitch is bad. She even has a flat screen T.V. with cable in the kitchen to watch as she cooks. But this ungrateful bitch got a nigga beating her ass. And she’s little too. I mean how though? The skinny bitch eats more than me. I’m going to love destroying this bitch. She told me to call her when her parents leave. I know that they ain’t leaving because her son just snitched. She don’t know it though. I’m finna shake up her spot. I’m done with Tia. If she did that to a man, I can only imagine what she would do to me. Trinity walks in the house scared as hell.

  “You missed your snitching ass son telling on me,” Tia says pissed.

  “Tris?” she asks.

  “Yeah. And they went to Walmart to get some care packages and stuff for the boys.”

  “Daddy hit at the casino?” Trinity asks.

  “Yeah and he’s paying my bills,” Tia says smiling and hugging on Jason.

  I can’t stand that bitch. She got two fine ass niggas fighting over her, a new crib and whip, and her bills about to get paid.

  “You moved already?”

  “Hell yeah! And I’m telling daddy that you tried to pluck me chick and I’m telling him that you put me out for Tojo’s stanky, musty face ass.”

  They start arguing and we hear a knock on the door. Everybody but Tia and Jason freeze up.

  “Who is it?” we ask in unison.

  “AJ,” they say.

  “Shit!” Trinity says opening the door.

  Four niggas barge in, walk through the door, and start walking around.

  “He ain’t here,” Trinity says. “Tia already
kicked him out. What are ya’ll doing?”

  “Finna spend a night. Where is the den?” some fine nigga asks.

  “Let me show you,” Trinity says walking off with him.

  “This is nice. What’s up Mark? Who is this?” he says frowning up at me.

  “My baby momma.”

  “So, I heard. I’m Chrit, this A.K, this is TiJuan, and that’s No Limit. We are their first cousins. And you are?”

  “His problems.” A. K. says laughing.

  Everybody including Mark starts laughing. I didn’t find the shit funny at all.

  “Mane, look, don’t look like that lil Miss Tude, we don’t give a fuck. That’s ya’ll business. Just don’t talk about our family business on Facebook. We don’t roll like that.” No Limit says.

  “Aye, cuz. Is she wifey? Or free game?” TiJuan asks.

  “He’s a pluck,” Tia says. “So, wifey”

  They laugh again. TiJuan smiles at me.

  “Anyway, somebody gonna take us home?” Mark asks.

  “Nawl, we need to stay,” I say smiling at TiJuan.

  “Mane, this nigga put his hands on your sister and you stay right around the corner. And you didn’t beat that nigga to sleep. You gonna learn tonight. Ain’t no leaving.” Chrit says.

  “Yeah. I had to shoot at the nigga and everything.” Tia says laughing.

  “Your sister has more heart than you. Aye, who Infinity is that parked out front? And who is this nigga?” A.K. asks.

  “I’m Jason and I’m Tia’s man. That’s Tia’s whip out there.” Jason says.

  “You helped her cop that?” A.K. asks.

  “Yeah, if you want something I got you. For the cheap too. I’m co-owner of a car lot so I get them cheap.” Jason says.

  “Aye, you don’t know us. We could rob ya.” A. K. says.

  “Nah, I’ll know ya’ll. Big Damon is my big brother.” Jason says.

  “Jas? Mane, wasssup?” they say hugging him.

  “Yeah, I ain’t no baby no mo. I can rough ya’ll up now.” Jason says laughing.

  “Yeah, we got you though. You on Facebook? You got a card or something? We gonna need some help to do a few thangs we got planned.” Chrit says.

  “All legit though,” A.K. says.

  “Say no mo” Jason says hugging Tia.

  She kisses him and I want to throw up in my mouth.

  “So, when are ya’ll leaving?” Trinity asks.

  “When uncle Ty tell us to. He’s finna pull up and you better leave with your face looking like that. We will cover for your ass this time. Then, you can come back when he leaves. Bring back some drank and some Kush. You got your phone?” Chrit asks.

  “Yeah, I got my burner on me,” Trinity says.

  “You ain’t got no phone?” Chrit asks.

  “Shit, money is tight. And I just got laid off.” Trinity says.

  “Mane, here,” TiJuan says.

  They all start giving her money. They give her about $450.00.

  “Now, go get you a phone and hit us up. We’ll call you when Uncle Ty leaves.”

  “Here you go, Tia.” Chrit says giving Tia some money too.

  Trinity leaves and five minutes later, their dad and mom pull back up. He comes in with about six more men. They bring a brand new grill, some liquor, and plenty of groceries.

  “Where’s Trinity?” her mom asks.

  “We don’t know.” Everybody says.

  “Uncle Ty, you can leave. We got this.” AK says.

  “Nawl. You’re crazy if you think I’m going to sit this one out. Ya’ll thought wrong. Let’s get this grill popping and feed these kids. And everybody is spending a night.” Their dad says.

  The uncles start giving Tia money too. Now, I got to sit here and watch this bitch get blessed while me and Mark struggle after she left us up out of the blue. They didn’t give him one red cent. But then again everybody here except Mark’s broke ass got money. Champ starts texting me. He wants to get some of this pussy. So, I asked him what’s up. After seeing this shit, I got to move and come up. Mark is too broke and cheap for me. I’ll get some money from Champ to move.

  “Who is that you’re texting and smiling at?” Tia’s mom asks.

  “My best friend Fatima,” I say brushing her nosy ass off.

  “Nah. The only time a woman smiles like that is when she’s talking to her man,” she says.

  “Emm, okay. If you say so. But anyway, Mark, umm, I’m finna go with Fatima for a lil while.” I say.

  “You taking your baby?” she asks as if it’s any of her business.

  “Nah, his dad can watch him,” I say

  “Why he can’t go with you?” she asks.

  No, this bitch didn’t. She don’t know me. Now, I see where her funky ass daughter gets this shit from.

  “Aye, stand down Mo. Let me holler at you outside for a minute.” Mark says.

  “Yeah, you go and handle her. I don’t like her.” She says giving me a crazy look.

  What she don’t know is that I don’t like her either.

  When we get outside, Mark chastises me like I’m a little kid. He’s going on and on about me knowing my role as his woman. Then, he tells me how I should play it. Well, at least I should around his family. He explains how I should respect his family and not embarrass him every time we go somewhere. All I hear is blah, blah, blah, and fucking blah. He walks off and I text Champ and tell him tomorrow when Mark goes to work. But his cousin TiJuan is getting this tonight when he goes to sleep. I guess he cooled off because he walks back up without an attitude.

  “You understand Mo?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be good,” I say pouting.

  We walk back into the house and sit on the couch as if nothing just happened. Mark’s dad comes inside and gives him some money to go and get us some pajamas and clothes for tomorrow, so we can be comfortable tonight. No money or anything extra just because. He gives Tia some gas money and fills up her tank. She takes us straight there and back. Plus, we had to take MJ. But I’m tripping. When we get back, I go into Trinity’s room and watch Love and Hip Hop Atlanta on demand. I also snoop through her shit, get a bag, and filled that mother fucker up. My phone beeps and it’s Trinity.

  “Are they gone yet?”

  I know I shouldn’t lie, but that bitch don‘t deserve none of this shit. Spoon fed ass.”

  “Yeah, you can come home, sis.”

  When she shows up, I listen to her family talk crazy as hell to her for an hour straight. Then, they made her give up the nigga’s location. Dumb ass bitch didn’t even wanna tell where he was. She got all of this shit, but she loves that no-good ass nigga. She is one dizzy and clueless ass bitch.

  They party until they fall out. The grandparents took all the grandkids except MJ. That’s aight. I gave him some Benadryl. He’s going to sleep good all night tonight. I give Mark about three of them too. I slipped it in his Kool-Aid. He said it tasted funny, but his dumb ass drank it anyway. I met up with TiJuan in the backyard. I gave him some head, but as soon as it was time to fuck- he stops.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “I’m good. I’m tired, but here’s thirteen bucks for ya.” He says smiling and laughing.

  Shit, no dick and the nigga didn’t even give me twenty dollars.

  Free

  After chilling all day with Durk and my other partnas, I decide to go home and lay between Shayla’s legs. Life is finally good and I got about $7500 saved up. And I did it without Tia’s ass. I got to re-up and I gave Shayla my food stamp card to go to the grocery store. So, I know baby cooked some good dinner today. I pull up to the crib, but I don’t see Shayla’s car. The house looks empty. Damn! I hope she didn’t do what I think she did. Mane, I’m actually panicking thinking about her leaving me. I finally just want to be with her. Tia’s doing her own thing, and Shayla is the one that I want. I put the blunt out so quick that some of the flames spark a small fire on the floor. I panic as the fire gets bigger. I use my water bottle to put it out. I use
my key to unlock the door and when I did, my face falls to the floor. Everything is gone. I walk into the bedroom to check for my stash. It was gone too. Now, this bitch has gone too far. I call her. No answer. This dumb ass bitch. She finally gets the crown and now she wants to leave. Now, I’m falling for her and trying to be a real nigga and she won’t fuck with me. Then, she took all of my money. She sends me this long ass story about how I’m always using her and I don’t really want her. Shit, I don’t give a fuck about. Then, she is talking about she found a certified, real nigga that can hold her down. She’s also talking about how I left her for Tia because she had more than her. How when Tia lost everything I ran back to her like she was second choice. That old black woman hear me roar ass shit. If I ever find that bitch that told these hoes that they deserve better –I’m going to choke that hoe out on sight. I ask for my money back so that I can at least have a place to stay. She tells me that it was for lights, rent, gas, water, sex, and food. I ask her about my food stamp card and she says it’s on the fireplace. I check the balance; it is fourteen cents on it. As if things couldn’t get any worse, the lights get turned off. As soon as I’m about to fuck up her security deposit, the landlord walks in. He informs me that I’m trespassing and that he needs the keys immediately. Shayla texts me and tells me she knows that I will destroy the property, so the landlord will be there shortly to remove the keys from my possession. That figures. Old, raggedy, stanky booty ass bitch. I go over to my partna Durk’s house and ask him for the $500 he owes me. Of course, he got some sob, bullshit ass story, but he doesn’t have my money. I ask can I stay with him until I get my money. He can’t do that either. I fronted my partner Petey Mane some work too and he owes me some money for that. He ain’t got that shit either and I can’t stay with him. I try to go over my little white girl that I creep and get high with from time to time named Sammie’s crib. She’s a recovering addict and she’s in a committed relationship. I called both of my sisters and they say hell nawl. I call my big brother and he curses me out for even asking. He also says that the last time we kicked it, I got too high and drunk and tried to sleep with his baby momma. Then, he hangs up the phone on me. I try to call back and apologize because I really don’t remember doing that shit, but he blocked me. I call my momma crying and pleading. She tells me no and tells me to tell Tia to find me a crib. Yeah, that’s a good idea. I can win Tia back. Let me go back to Mark’s crib and hustle up. I pull off and head over to the ASAP. I knock on the door. Of course, I didn’t get an answer. Any other time Moet fat head ass is at home. Now, the one day I need her to be here, she ain’t. Shit! This homeless shit ain’t straight. It’s no joke. I should’ve gotten a real job. I knock on the door again in case she’s in there asleep. Again, no answer. I call Moet. No answer. I call again and she sends me straight to voicemail. I text her. She says something about it not being the right time to talk. So, I call Mark. He tells me that they are at Trinity’s house. He says that they will be at home tomorrow. I ask him if I can come and get the keys. He says it’s not the right time. Nawl, fuck that. I text him that I’m pulling up right now and will knock on that fucking door. When I try to pull up, the whole family is over there. Tia is giving the keys to a black Infinity to that nigga. He grips her ass and pulls her close to him. She smiles and stands on her tiptoes to kiss him. He kisses her back. I want to show out, but her family don’t play that shit. I’ll catch her ass slipping by herself and show her just how much she got me fucked up. I park down the street and tell Mark to meet me with the keys. He brings it and runs off like a little, scared bitch without telling me anything. I wanna follow Tia and this nigga to see where she’s going with him, but I don’t have enough gas or money. And when this bitch get a car? How the fuck did she come up so quick without me? She’s gonna shine without me by her side? Not! I barely make it back to Mark’s crib. When I do, I hate that I did. It’s shit everywhere. The sink is filled with dishes. The garbage can is full. I just start cleaning up shit. I go into me and Tia’s room. It’s now MJ’s room. The queen sized bed that was in here is now a twin sized bed with MJ’s crib on the opposite side. All of the shit Tia had in here is gone. I guess she moved out and got her a spot with the nigga too. Damn, there goes that plan. I’m hungry so I go to the kitchen to get something to eat. It’s two pieces of butts in a lonely ass bread bag. My mom brings me something to eat after I call breaking down crying to her telling her that Tia left me. She puts $20 worth of groceries in the crib and bounces. I just knew she was going to say come back home. She was so busy texting Mr. Albert that she wasn’t concerned about me or my problem. Twenty minutes later, she was gone and I was alone with no beer, cigarettes, coke, or weed. I had a Loratab that Shayla gave me earlier. I popped that, cleaned up the rest of the apartment, and went to sleep. Two days later, I wake up to MJ yelling at the top of his lungs. Moet left a note saying she will be back in an hour. One hour turned into two. Two turned into four. Four turned in to six. Six hours later, Moet still hadn’t shown up. Nine hours later, she walks in like nothing happened. I ask her for some money for babysitting MJ. She screams that I’m here so I’m obligated shit. When Mark gets home, I tell him that I need to stay with him for a while. He agrees, but I got to give him half on the bills. I explain to him that I gave him all of my money and that I just got fired. He gives me a week to find a job and come up with the first payment of rent. I want to slap the shit out of him because I just saved his raggedy ass from getting evicted and having his baby took. I need him so I play it cool. I waited until he left to question Moet about Tia and her nigga. She didn’t have shit to say. She was too busy hating on Trinity. I ask her for some pussy and she says no. I ask her why. She tells me that Tia is gone and that’s the only reason why she was fucking me to get back at her. When she falls asleep, I check her titties and stash spot for some money. Both of them are empty. I should’ve known fucking around expecting something from this broke ass bitch.