Hersband Material

by C. Wash

  “Yeah, I heard all that, but it still don’t sit right. And truth be told, I ain’t got room to be heated since you not officially mine anyway.” Mystro stated sadly.

  “Don’t start this again.”

  “I told you, Church, I wanna be with you and hopping in and out of your bed every now and again ain’t enough for me no more.”

  “And I told you that you have to be able to support me before I could even consider a relationship with you.”

  “What you call this,” Mystro asked grabbing at the money they just made dancing. “I can take care of you, I will take the best care of you too.” She pleaded.

  Church looked up into Mystro’s watering eyes and didn’t respond.

  “I want you to be mine and, I’m willing to do whatever you want to prove it.” Mystro said. “Will you be my lady?”

  Chapter 13

  Mystro, Native and Baby Dom were in DC Tat’s Tattoo Parlor in the northwest section of Washington DC. Mystro and Native were preparing to add more artwork to their bodies. They believed a person could never have enough ink on them, especially if they held meaning.

  “Hey, Fam, we should all get matching tat’s,” Baby Dom yelled over Native’s shoulder, as she was having her own name put on her right wrist.

  “Baby Dom, back your hype ass up,” Native barked. “Ain’t nobody ‘bout to get no gay ass matching ink wit’ you. Fuck outta here.” She laughed.

  “Yeah what you have in mind, Baby Dom, a rainbow and our initials in a pot of gold at the end?” Mystro clowned.

  “Oh ya’ll going…all I’m saying is we crew right? We should have matching tat’s, feel me?” Baby Dom pled.

  “That’s cute, son, real touching. Maybe next time.” Mystro said, handing the artist her credit card to pay for her work.

  “Man, that’s fucked up like shit,” Baby Dom said, walking away from Native and towards where the artist was setting up for Mystro’s tattoo.

  Mystro took her black Polo T-shirt off revealing her black wife beater, and current tattoos on her arms. She pointed to the left side of her chest, where her new ink would be housed.

  Baby Dom stood behind Mystro waiting for the artist to place the sketched tattoo in position on Mystro’s chest. From the position in which she stood, Baby Dom could not see what the sketch looked like. Until Mystro sat in the chair and leaned back.

  “Noooo…,” Baby Dom screamed. “What you doing, Mystro,” She asked, putting her hands on top of her mini locs that were twisted all over her head.

  “Fuck is you yelling ‘bout, BD,” Native asked, while having her new completed tattoo bandaged up. After it was wrapped, Native got up and headed to where Mystro sat in preparation for her work. When she got there, she saw the outlined stencil of Mystro’s tattoo. It was Church’s name with angel wings surrounding it.

  “What the fuck you ‘bout to do, homie?” Native asked.

  “I know, Fam, don’t do it.” Baby Dom continued.

  “Baby Dom, shut the hell up,” Mystro banged. “Get you some pussy first before you start trying to tell grown folks what to do.”

  “Baby Dom, here,” Native said handing her some money. “Run cross the street and get me some Utz Salt & Vinegar chips and a Pepsi. Grab something for yourself too.

  Baby Dom reluctantly took the money and bopped toward the front door. “Stop her, Native,” she yelled. “You gotta stop her. I don’t like that girl, she sneaky.” Baby Dom vanished out the door and into the street.

  “Son, I know you gone over shawty, but I don’t think you should ink her name on you,” Native stated. “I mean that’s permanent shit, Slim.”

  “Man, look, I know you may not be feeling Church, but that’s my girl. We together now and soon she gonna be my wife.” Mystro defended her love.

  “Son, do you hear yourself,” Native asked, “You sound crazy. That girl ain’t serious ‘bout you. I don’t see her down here signed up to get inked with your name.”

  “Native, chill with your overprotective ass. Me and my boo good, relax.” Mystro assured.

  “Look, I ain’t wanna blow shit up, but the other night at the Delta, Baby Dom said she saw Church handing some set of dick and balls some money. Our money, Mystro. Money that was from our tips,” Native informed. “I don’t think your girlfriend knows she’s in a relationship, son.”

  Mystro was floored, she thought about what Native just laid out to her. She knew that Native never really liked Church, but she trusted her best friend, she wouldn’t lie to her. At the same time, it was Baby Dom’s ass that brought her the info and maybe she was confused on what she saw. Mystro loved Church and as her girlfriend, she wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.

  “Son, I’ma see what Church says ‘bout that. If she did give a nigga some money, then she had a reason. But, it won’t change my love for her. And right now, I wanna get my tat.” Mystro told Native. “Let’s do it, Blondie,” she said to the tattoo artist, while lying back in the black leather reclining chair.

  The white female artist rolled her chair passed a disappointed Native and up to Mystro’s side. But as she dipped her needle into the black ink to get started, there was a loud boom, and within seconds they were submerged into complete darkness.

  “What the fuck was that,” Native jumped up and yelled.

  “It ain’t storming,” Mystro said. “So why’d the power go out?"

  Chapter 14

  Mystro and Church were sitting at the dining room table where they just finished their dinner. Church cooked Mystro’s favorite meal of homemade beef meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cheese spinach and cornbread.

  “Damn, baby, you told me you could cook but I thought you was bullshitting,” Mystro said jokingly.

  “Hmmm…I burn in the kitchen and in other places, as you already know,” Church winked, grabbing Mystro’s empty plate to put into the sink.

  “Hey, sexy, I got something to show you.” Mystro said walking up on Church in her small kitchen. “I want you to know I’m in, all the way in.”

  She unbuttoned her shirt and exposed her wife beater and brand new tattoo. Despite Baby Dom’s wild ass attempt to prevent her from getting Church’s name tatted on her by clipping the shop’s power, Mystro went back alone a different day and completed the work.

  “Mystro, wow…it’s…uh…so big…wow,” Church managed to say.

  Mystro’s chest deflated. What…you don’t like it?” Mystro asked perplexed. “I thought you’d be sised.”

  “No, don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered, but what made you do that?” Church inquired confused.

  “What you mean? We together now. This just how I show you I’m trying to really be about you,” Mystro explained.

  “I think it’s sweet, honey, I really do. It’s just a little sudden. I mean we only been official for a few days. I wish you would’ve told me you was gonna do that first.”

  “Yeah, I know, but, I mean it ain’t like we just met. We been sexing for a minute now,” Mystro offered.

  “Look, I like you, you know I do. But I think you need to slow up and not rush this thing between us.”

  “Slow up,” Mystro asked. “Slow up how?”

  “Baby, you coming at me full speed ahead—”

  “So what you playing me,” Mystro yelled, cutting Church off. “Like I’m some sucka ass dyke.”

  Church was startled. Except for the time in the gym parking lot, she had never seen Mystro snap like this. So she chose her words carefully before she replied.

  “Mystro,” she said grabbing her hands. “I’m not playing you, sweetie. I’m trying to keep it real with you. I told you, I am a person who needs financial stability. I mean look around, besides the fact that this house is too small for me, it’s not even mine.” Mystro looked around the cramped space. “I need to be cared for and taken care of, in all ways. Now I don’t doubt you can care for me, but taking care of me financially is something totally different.”

  “But you saw us the other night, we killed it.”r />
  “Yes, but that’s small change, baby, how far you think that will get us? I mean ya’ll dance well and were very seductive, but that ain’t big enough for me. I need serious income.”

  “Man, I don’t know what you want me to do. I’m doing all I can. What do you want from me?” Mystro asked.

  “Everything. I have to feel comfortable knowing you got me, in order for it to work, and right now I just don’t. So until that time, let’s not jump in this with both feet just yet, ok,” Church asked, dropping Mystro’s hands and sliding her arms around Mystro’s waist looking up to her for an answer.

  Mystro wasn’t listening to what Church said. She knew that all she had to do was prove herself and that’s what she planned on doing.

  “Ok, baby, I’m with you. Can I ask you something,” Mystro said bending down to steal a quick kiss. “The other night at the club Baby Dom said she saw you giving some money to a nigga, and it looked a little off. Did you?” She asked kissing on Church’s neck.

  “What,” Church yelled pulling away and snatching her arms off Mystro. “That little trouble maker is lying. I caught her trying to pocket fifty dollars of ya’ll’s money. Did she tell you that shit,” she paused. “Yeah, I bet you she didn’t. Lying ass bitch.”

  “Come on, ma, Baby Dom has her shit wit’ her, but she not gonna straight bank us.” Mystro explained.

  “Oh really, because I seem to recall how she did just that the night I met you.”

  Church had a point. Baby Dom had light fingers, but over the past couple weeks she had shown major change.

  “I know people like her,” Church continued. “She mad cuz she got caught and now she trying to turn the heat on me. I do not trust her, and you shouldn’t either. But I guess it’s going to boil down to who you really believe.”

  Mystro was torn. She needed answers and the truth.

  Chapter 15

  Mystro had a lot on her mind and heart. She needed to go check on her father, and see about his wellbeing, it had been a while since she last saw him. Her father, Mack Mason, was being cared for in a hospice in Northern Virginia. Mystro hated hospitals and anything else that resembled them. Besides, every time she was in her pops company, he found a way to bring her down. So she dreaded their visits.

  “What’s up, Mack,” Mystro said, coming into the room and greeting her father. She walked up to his bed, and planted a kiss on his baldhead, before pulling up a chair next to his bed to sit down. The room smelled of death. A scent most institutions like this favored, and Mystro felt nauseous.

  Mack removed the oxygen mask from his face slowly to speak to his daughter. “Mystro,” Mack said before coughing harshly, “I been waiting on you.” His cough grew louder, and sounded as if it hurt his chest.

  Although she did not have the best relationship with her daddy, she hated to watch him suffer.

  “Mack, don’t say too much. I just wanted to come check on you, but I don’t want you to overdue it by trying to rap me out,” Mystro laughed. It was her attempt to lighten the mood. “Take it easy.”

  Mack shook his head. “It’s not gonna be,” Mack paused before taking in more oxygen, “That easy too…keep me quiet. I know you don’t fuck with me,” He paused again. “But I’m the only father you got…and I ain’t got much time left.”

  This is the shit she was talking about, she didn’t come up there to be berated, but it was the same old stuff with Mack Mason every time. It was no wonder why she stayed gone.

  “Come on, Mack, whatchu talking ‘bout? You will be on your feet in no time.” Mystro lied.

  “Bullshit, you know the only way I leave…here…is bagged up.” He pulled from his air supply.

  Mack suffered from a rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma. He acquired the disease from working many years in construction, which exposed him to asbestos on a consistent basis, and things weren’t getting any better.

  “Aight, well that’s not why I came through today,” Mystro advised changing the subject. “I wanted to check and see how they treating you and let you know I’m doing fine. I got a job paying me decent wages and I’m in love with a beautiful woman. “She’s the one, Mack, I’m telling you.”

  “Again,” Mack sarcastically stated.

  “What’s that ‘sposed to mean?” Mystro said angrily snatching her cap off her head.

  “Mystro, you fall in love more times than they change my sheets around here,” Mack said laughing before recovering his face with his mask.

  Mystro was on fire. Her father had a way of pushing all of her buttons. She didn’t understand why he couldn’t just be happy for her.

  “Mack, why do you do this,” Mystro asked, placing her black Baltimore Ravens hat on her head backwards. “Do you want me to hate you, too?”

  “What…you mean… like you hate your mother?”

  Mystro had an alienated relationship with her father, but had no relationship with her mother, Melissa. She never knew her mother, and as she got older and older, she tried not to care.

  “Mack, you know I don’t like to talk about her,” Mystro said.

  “Look…you are going…to have…to face your issues about your…mother not being there…for you…sooner or later,” Mack managed to say in between coughs and oxygen breaks.

  Melissa White was a selfish type of bitch who only gave a fuck about two things, herself and singing in her band. She got pregnant by Mack after a one-night stand in Atlantic City. Mack was there gambling with his uncle when the most beautiful voice he ever heard took his attention from Blackjack. He smiled, waived, and waited for Melissa to finish her set to introduce himself. And before the sun rose over the Atlantic City beach, they were in his hotel suite fucking, raw. After their sex session, they went on with their lives and never spoke to each other again. In Mack’s mind, it would be the last time he saw her.

  By the time Melissa realized she was pregnant, she was already six months, and too far along for an abortion. She knew she had to have the baby, and never told a sole she was pregnant. Eight months in, while prepping in her hotel room to hit the road in a few days, she had an idea. She wanted to self induce her labor so that she could have her baby, and be ready to roll with the band when it was time. She did strenuous exercises, and took two tablespoons of caster oil. Her home remedies worked, and by the next morning, Melissa’s water broke. Her only child was ready to be born.

  “Mack, the only issues I have is the fact that for what seemed like everyday of my life, you made it known that you had to give up everything to become a father to me,” Mystro yelled while leaping from her chair. “I ain’t ask to be born you know.”

  “What kind…of…man would I have been…if I abandoned you too?”

  Mystro walked over to the window and stared out, temporarily ignoring her father. She hated confronting her past, it was too much to handle. She had to grow up watching kids around her interact with their mothers, knowing that eight hours after giving birth to her, Melissa abandoned her in the hospital just to make her singing gig on time.

  The only motherly act Melissa ever did was naming her daughter. And that was only because Melissa grew tired of the nurse barging into her hospital room with the birth certificate papers, disturbing her from making up her face. So on the last time, Melissa looked up at her TV and noticed a (Maestro) conducting an orchestra, and to shut the simple nurse bitch down, she told her to name the baby Mystro Mason. She flipped the spelling of her first name up and gave her Mack’s last name.

  “Mack, I know you stepped up and I appreciate it, but you fucked Melissa, not me. You could have left me in the hospital too,” Mystro blurted out over her shoulder from the window.

  “You don’t think I wanted too,” Mack asked. “I was twenty-two years old with no responsibilities and not a care in the world when they called me about you.” He continued with a newfound burst of breath and stamina. “Had Melissa not put my name on that birth certificate as the father, they would not have ever known who I was. But instead of running…I saw
it as a sign. I needed to slow down and take care of my responsibilities as a man…so I did.”

  “Right,” Mystro said turning completely around to face her father. “You decided to step up but it seems like in return for it, you tried to make me feel like I owed you. That shit ain’t fair, Mack.”

  “Look…I…wasn’t the best…father in the world, but I wasn’t the worst either. I thought I did a decent job…of raising…you…to be…respectful and honest. I tried…not to bring a lot…of chicks…around you…because I saw how…you got too…attached to ‘em.” Mack sucked in more air before continuing. “And yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have been…so hard on you… or blamed you, but I ain’t know…no better.” Mack paused to look into Mystro’s eyes.

  Mystro wiped the single tear that streamed down her face and looked down at her father.

  “I’m dying…and I don’t have…much time,” Mack stressed again, pausing for more oxygen. “I…need…you…to hear me, Mystro,” he coughed. “I’m…proud of you…and I love you, but you…need to…stop forcing these relationships…on these…random…chicks you meet out there. They are not your mother…and never will be. I’m afraid…that one day…and soon…you gonna snap…if it don’t play out…in your favor. What will you do…then,” Mack finished. “The judge won’t be so lenient with you this time.” Mystro thought about what her pop said. She knew he was right. He was the only family she had, he did teach her respect and cared for her the best way he knew how. But she just didn’t get why he couldn’t understand that this situation with Church was different and not like the several other relationships she had in the past. She knew there was only one way to convince him. She had to prove it.

  “Look, Mack, my new shawty is different. She’s career oriented, she’s fly and she loves me,” Mystro said, excitedly standing next to her father’s bedside. “I’ma bring her up here next time I come, and you’ll see for yourself when you meet her. You gonna change your mind.”