Torn

by Tanya Cole

  “Aight. You got to reschedule. And why your family won’t do it? He’s their blood relative too. You’re always coming at my folks. What about yours?” I say sick of Moet’s ranting and raving.

  “You know them folks don’t fuck with me. My sister ain’t said shit to me in two years and my brother.” She says rambling on and on.

  “I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon. It’s six o’clock in the evening. You ain’t got no interview that late in the evening. Ain’t no real jobs hiring after two o’clock. So, I will see you tomorrow when I get off Mo.” I say pissed off because she always coming with some bullshit.

  “Aight, you ain’t gotta talk crazy to me. What’s up with you lately?” she says surprised that I’m flexing my tone like this.

  “You! Now, get off this muthafucking phone before I lose my fucking job!” I say hanging up the phone in her face.

  I bend Jada over and tax her ass with a vengeance. She screams my name over and over again. I get excited and pound her harder. I’m pissed that she won’t be with me. I’m pissed because she belongs to Champ and he don’t deserve her. I’m pissed because she won’t leave him for me. I’m pissed because Moet ain’t shit like Jada. I pound her ass until she splashes her sweet juices down my legs. I bust, she shakes, and cums with me.

  “What’s up with you and Mark?” she says walking to the bathroom to clean up.

  “Nothing,” I say.

  “Nawl, you just took your frustrations out on me. You can at least tell me why.” She says cleaning up.

  “I’m in love with you and my life would be so much better if you were MJ’s mom. If I could wake up, come home, and make love to you daily. Every time I’m with you it reminds me of what I don’t have with Moet. And what I want with you, but can’t have. She’s always starting shit with my folks and she’s never satisfied with anything. I just got MJ plenty if shit. My folks just bought him plenty of shit. She’s still complaining! I got her a house full of furniture and fixed up the crib! She still won’t cook or clean up! She just tore that shit up and now she expects more! All she does is take, take, take, and take again! And worry about what the next muthafucka got!” I say relieved and happy to talk to someone about my situation.

  “It’s okay. I was thinking about leaving Champ’s ass too. He’s not with Moet, but he’s still creeping off. So, I feel the same way too. I wish I could just be with you. At least I know I’ll be fucked good and treated right. Then, I think about all the things we could do for each other and to each other. Plus, I stopped sleeping with Champ because it doesn’t compare to you. And he noticed that I’m changing and more happy and content. He also knows that it has nothing to do with him.” Jada says smiling and laying down on the bed.

  I swear this girl has my heart. She lays on my chest and we just chill. We didn’t say a word. We didn’t have to. We just enjoy this moment of peace from our fucked up lives. Jada takes me out to breakfast and of course, we go back to our daily routines. As soon as I walk up the stairs, I hear MJ hollering and screaming to the top of his lungs. I rush up the stairs because it sounds like something is wrong with him. I’m scrambling to get the keys out of my pocket. I open up the door and MJ is in his playpen screaming. I pick him up, grab a Kleenex, and wash his face. He is soaking wet. I walk into the bedroom and Moet is asleep with the damn headphones on. I kick the box spring on the bed. She jumps up.

  “Da fuck? What you do that for?” she asks wiping and rubbing her eyes.

  “I heard MJ yelling and screaming all the way down the damn street! You got your headphones in and he’s soaking wet! What the fuck is your problem Mo?”

  “You and being at home! All I do is watch MJ and be in the house! What about me?” she says.

  “What about you?” I say laughing. “You got a job?”

  “Nawl.”

  “You pay rent or a light bill?” I ask.

  “Nawl.”

  “What about buying MJ some clothes?”

  “Nawl.”

  “That’s right. You don’t do anything, but you got a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food in the fridge without doing anything. So, I tell you what. Me and MJ finna go on about our business. I’ll come and get our stuff later. Now, you can do whatever it is that you think you may wanna do that we are holding you up from doing.”

  “What about food and stuff? Ain’t no food in here.” Moet says pissed off.

  “What happened to your food stamps?”

  “I sold them.”

  “Didn’t you get your hair done? Your nails and your feet too?” I ask shaking my head.

  Mane, this girl’s priorities are really fucked up.

  “Yes, I did. But only because you won’t give me the money to get my hair and nails done. So, I do what I have to do to make sure I look good.”

  “For what? A job interview? Or to sit up and walk around the house? To look good for MJ? Because it sholl ain’t for me. You barely touch me at all. Or cook for me. I’m out though. Oh, by the way, the light bill is due tomorrow. I’m not here and neither will MJ. Free ain’t here either and we know Tia’s not gonna help. You’re the only one who ran up the bill. So, it’s on you.” I say washing MJ up in the sink.

  I play the game for about an hour until Tia pulls up. She’s quiet and for once she ain’t asking a million and one questions. I get her to drop us off at the bus terminal. I call Jada to ask for some money for us. When she pulls up, I jump in. I’m so busy talking and strapping MJ’s car seat in that I didn’t notice her face at first. As soon as I did, I grab her hands.

  “What the fuck happened to you?” I ask pissed.

  “It’s okay. Champ and I had a little argument that turned into a fight.”

  “A little argument that left a big ass hand print across your face?”

  “He asked me why I won’t sleep with him. Then, he accused me of fucking off. It just got a little heated. Now, let’s go. Where do you need me to go?”

  “Mississippi. I’m getting a room for a few days and you’re coming with me.”

  “Aight. It will give him a few days to calm down.”

  We ride in silence and I’m texting my cousins. I’m telling them I got five hundred dollars for them if they can get some of their homies to beat the shit out of Champ’s ass. After we get checked in, I tell her that I’m going to go and grab a bite to eat. I walk to the parking lot and call Champ. He picks up on the first ring.

  “Sup Champ?” I ask.

  “Mane, slow motion. I’m dealing with the bullshit that comes with having a wife and a side chick. Wassup with you?”

  “Aye, I can’t call it. Where you at though?”

  “The workhouse grinding trying to get it.” He says laughing like he didn’t smack his wife in the face.

  “Fo real? What time you get off?”

  “Ten tonight. Wifey just said that she is going to her mom’s place for a little while. I really fucked up this time. I’m going to leave her alone for a few days. Maybe a week.”

  “Yeah, I feel ya. I left Moet’s ass too.” I say smiling because he just made my day.

  “Awl, yeah? Fo what?”

  “To give her a chance to miss me. She’s complaining entirely too much about nothing. A little time off won’t hurt. Let her miss a niccah and shit.” I say laughing knowing he going right over there to pick her ass up.

  “Mane, that’s cold-blooded. How long you going to stay gone?” he asks.

  “About a week. That should be long enough.”

  “Aight, let me get back to work. Call me when you ready to go home so I can come over and kick your ass in some Madden.”

  “Fo sho, I got you. I’ll get up with you later mane.” I say hanging up the phone.

  Now, I got a whole week with Jada and MJ. Later on that night, I get a text from my cousin, he got his crew to beat Champ’s ass. He even sent a videotape of them whooping his ass. I send it to my other cousin and he uploads it to World Star. I watch as Jada gives MJ a bath. She puts on her pajamas and puts
MJ to sleep. We got a suite with a living room connecting to it. It’s like a one bedroom apartment and I wish we could stay here longer. We leave MJ asleep and make love to the sound of the raindrops hitting the window.

  When we wake up the next morning, Jada already has MJ up feeding him with clean clothes on. I kiss her neck and Moet calls interrupting our peace of mind.

  “Yes, Mo?” I asked pissed.

  “The lights are off again Mark! You really didn’t pay the bill?”

  “Nawl, that’s your job now. I’ll holler back. I got some things to do.”

  “Aight, but you’re going to regret this.” She says hanging up.

  I sit back and enjoy this time with my son and Jada. What I didn’t know is that Moet was making some big plans of her own.

  Moet

  I had to use the money I’ve been saving for my apartment for the light bill. This nigga got me so fucked up. Soon as I tell Champ to pull up, Free walks in the door. Of course, we catch up on all the tea. I even talk to him about Tia whooping and shooting at Tojo’s ass, how the family don’t fuck with Mark, and all about the Jason nigga. I just didn’t tell him how sexy that Jason is and I plan on sliding on him too. As I’m listening to him being salty about Tia and her coming up without him, I’m texting Champ to see what’s up so we can meet up. He texts me back talking about going to the emergency room because he just got jumped. Yeah, right. He probably chasing up behind Jada’s wanna-be perfect ass. I was so glad when he told me that she was cheating on him. Can you say Karma for how he did me?

  ****

  We were rocking tough off and on for years. He never mentioned the fact that him and Jada were serious. Next thing I know, Fatima calling me talking about her brother is on his way to Champ’s wedding. We had just had sex two days ago. Of course, I showed up and he was shaking like a leaf on a broke tree when he saw me. I kept quiet and right after that, I found out that I was pregnant with MJ. Since I didn’t know who the father was, I told all three of them he was theirs. I didn’t know who to name him after, but I said whoever shows up first would get the prize. Mark was the first one to come and see him after he was born. MJ turned out to be his. Now, they’re gone and I’m cooling out. Shit, I wish it could be like this daily. I would love to live the single life. I’m chilling with Free and I notice Trinity’s number.

  Why is she texting him?

  He asks if I want to ride with him to go and get something to eat. Of course, I say yeah. My favorite two things- getting out of the house and getting some free food. I was happy until we pulled up to Tia’s new job. We just sit there for an hour and watch her give orders to the servers. Yes, this bitch got a new crib, a new job, a raise on her old job, a new man, and a car. I don’t know what makes him think that I want to sit here and watch this bullshit ass show, but he got me fucked up. Especially after she just up and left the way she did. She could’ve waited until we got straight before she left. She fucked up all of our plans. After thirty minutes of nothing but silence, I finally ask him what’s up.

  “Emm, you just gonna sit there and stare at her? I mean she’s gone and ain’t shit you can do about it. Plus, look at her body. She’s getting some hips and her ass is getting fatter. That means that she is getting fucked properly and we both know that nigga is taking care of her. So, you need to move on and find you somebody else. It ain’t like you ugly. You got some good dick. God didn’t stop making women when he made her stanky, stuck up ass.”

  “Damn, you still salty? What did she do to you for you to hate her so much?” Free asks.

  “Shit, she thinks she’s too much with her stuck up, sadity, bougie broke ass. She walks around like she’s the Beyonce of the ghetto.” I say as I check my phone.

  “Who is that?”

  “Fatima. She’s finna pull up to the spot. Can you take me to McDonald’s? Then, I need to meet her at the crib. I did have plans until you came with this Inspector Gadget shit.”

  “Aight, I’m finna pull off. You gonna break me off tonight?”

  “What are you going to give me?”

  “I’ll buy your food and give you twenty dollars.”

  ”Shit, I can get more than that from Champ without doing anything. Nah, I got something else to do. Plus, you’re too cheap for me. I got to get that money that I spent on the light bill back.” I say smacking my lips.

  “I’ll pay you a hundred, but only if you add your lil friend. She is thick as hell and I would love to show her wassup.” He says holding on to his hard –on that watching Tia just gave him.

  I think about it for a second. I can get all of the money and just add her for fun. I’m sure after I blackmailed her the last time- she will be down. I text her to let her know what the deal is before we get there. She texts back sure.

  “Okay, she’s down. I need my money and food upfront . She’s going to go first. Then. I’ll join in on the second round. That’s cool?”

  “Yeah, I’ll get that ass real warmed up. You still want McDonald’s?” Free asks anxiously to hurry up and get to the crib.

  “Yeah, let’s go.”

  As we get ready to pull off, Jason pulls up and Tia walks up to him. We both stop in the middle of our conversation to see what’s about to happen. She grabs the bag out of his hand and he tries to hug her. She walks off. He pulls off.

  “I should follow him?”

  “Yeah, you should. But Fatima is waiting on us and that bulge in your pants ain’t going to take care of itself. And Tia sholl ain’t finna give you none.” I say laughing.

  Instead of listening to me, he follows Jason. We follow him right to Tia’s parents’ house. They sit outside, fix on Tia’s car, and her uncle is grilling some meat on the grill. I notice the sad look on his face. That’s what his dumb ass gets. I told him not to follow him. He looks like he’s about to cry.

  “When I was with her, I had to park down the street. I couldn’t even come in the driveway,” was the only thing Free said the entire way.

  He was too into his feelings. I knew he was fucked up when I ordered two Big Mac combos and he just paid for them without bitching. He’s a straight dollar menu ass nigga. If you want cheese on your burger and it costs extra; you can forget about it. We pull up to the crib and Fatima is sitting outside. I unlock the door, watch her walk in, and sit on the couch.

  “This ain’t no lunch break. I got plans bitch. So, you need to be on your knees. Right now.” I say to

  Fatima.

  Shit, I got to get me some money so I can get my own spot away from Mark’s cheap, broke ass.

  “Let me get high first,” Free says shaking his head.

  “You do that. As soon as that blunt is fired up, you need to handle that.” I say.

  I eat my food as I watch Fatima please Free with her skills. He leans back and moans. Damn, it’s like that. He don’t do that shit when he with me. Of course, I get mad and jealous. This nigga is quiet as hell with me. I turn on the TV and turn up the volume. He stops and looks at me. When I finish eating, I try to join in. Free stops me and keeps pleasing Fatima. Now, I’m pissed. He picks her up, carries her to my bedroom, and sits her on the bed that Tia gave us. He opens her legs and starts to kiss on her pussy. This muthafucka! He has never did that shit to me! She leans her head back and her legs start to shake. I take out my phone and snap a few photos of them. I wonder how her fiancé will feel about this picture. I ask if I could join in now, but Free says that he’s straight. So, I text Champ to come and pick me up. As I take a shower, I listen to them enjoy each other’s body. After two hours of listening to that bullshit, Champ finally picks me up. I notice the scrapes, bruises, and his black eye.

  “You good baby?” I ask.

  So, he wasn’t lying about getting his ass beat.

  “Yeah, you wanna ride out with me?” he asks.

  “To the casino. We can get a room and chill out. Jada left her phone at the house. So, I know she ain’t coming back for a few days and Mark says he is going to be gone for about a week.” Champ says
lighting up his blunt.

  “I don’t know what’s up with that nigga. He made me pay the light bill and he left me with no money or food. He was talking that bullshit about me taking care of myself for once!” I say mad that he did me like that.

  “I got you baby and you gonna go home with some ends in your pocket.”

  He calls Mark and asks him a few questions to make sure that he ain’t coming home anytime soon. He tells him again that a week is long enough to make me sweat and miss him and my baby. Shit, no it ain’t . They make small talk and beat around the bush for a few minutes until I give him the clue that it’s time to get off the phone. I unzip his pants and start licking his dick.

  “I gotta go, Mark. I’ll hit you up tomorrow,” is all he can say as I please him.

  By the time we pull up to the casino, I’m done and he is pleased. We chill, gamble, and win about $1,700. We end up spending a night in one of the hotel rooms. Now, this is the shit I’m talking about. At three in the morning, we decide to go and grab a small snack to eat. As we are walking back to the room, I see Free and Trinity going into a room. They are so high and tipsy that they didn’t see me walk past them with Champ. Of course, I take a few pictures of them together. When Champ falls asleep, I use my fake phone App to text them a picture of them going into the room together. I let them know that I will be needing some “ be quiet money.”

  They just don’t know that their little fuck up will be my next come up. I smile as I send another message to Fatima’s boyfriend. My bad, her fiance. They just got engaged. I send him a nice little video of Free eating out her tight, warm pussy. She thought she was going to live happily ever after. Nah, not today. She blows up my phone for two days. After spending three night and two days with Champ at the casino, I came home with $1,100. He drops me off at the crib and I’m smiling from ear to ear. I got fucked, fed, and treated right. That’s some shit that Mark won’t do for me and that’s why Champ is that nigga that he could never be.