“Yeah, because you doing some killing type shit. People snap out when they find out this kinda shit,” Sonya added. Cameron listened and was glad she left out the part about giving Keith a key to her house. She could hear Toya’s mouth in her head right now just thinking about it.
***
Chapter 8
Malcolm had been holding the phone listening to fussing and begging for the last ten minutes. This current phone call was the complete opposite of his last one. This one turned the big smile he had after listening to that sexy voice from the last call into a big ass frown. He hung up the phone with his mom tired and frustrated. “I can’t ever give her enough money,” he said to himself. He loved his mother dearly and she had protected him in so many ways that he felt like he had to do everything she asked, but he was getting tired.
He had also grown tired of his mom saying that Kingston wasn’t his child so he was trying to decide how he could go about getting a DNA test. He didn’t want to drag her down to the clinic or anything so he was trying to come up with a plan. He knew that Cameron was going to flip out on him because she had asked him if he wanted a blood test when Kingston was born. By her getting pregnant so soon, to the world it seemed like she was already pregnant before they got married. She pretty much insisted that he get a DNA test so that there wouldn’t be any problems in the future. She had noticed the stares from his mom when Kingston was born, and she even heard a couple remarks because he was light skinned with curly hair. Baby we don’t need no kinda test, I know that’s my son. Forget about what everyone else says or thinks. It’s all about us, he had assured her. After that discussion, they both agreed to never bring it up again and they held to it. They pushed it out of their minds. Now here he was about to cause all hell to break loose. “This is going to make her go crazy but I’m tired of hearing my mom’s mouth,” Malcolm said to himself.
He had just took an exit and stopped at a rest stop so he decided to get out of his truck to stretch, use the bathroom, and go grab a snack and a drink. He walked up to a complete stranger at the vending machine and started venting about his dilemma. The stranger was taken aback by his straight forwardness but listened in closely. Malcolm even said Cameron and Kingston’s names a couple of times. The stranger suggested that Malcolm go ahead and get the DNA test if it was what he needed to do to ease his mind.
“Do it for you, not your mom the stranger,” said before walking off. Malcolm felt better after confiding in someone who didn’t know anything about him or his family personally; or so he thought. Malcolm decided he would look up the information and get this taken care of immediately. Better late than never, he said to himself.
***
Chapter 9
Cameron danced around in her room while getting ready for the R. Kelly concert that she was going to later with her girls. Shay had mentioned the concert a while ago and they all agreed to go enjoy themselves. It would be a great distraction from her drama filled life is what Cameron had told herself. Malcolm would be home later that night and he was supposed to pick Kingston up from her parent’s house. He made a smart remark about her going but didn’t put up a big fuss like he normally would have. Cameron wondered what that was about but decided not to even entertain it. She was just ready to enjoy herself.
Keith even had something smart to say about her going out, but he was going somewhere with Phebe so Cameron told him he better chill out. She didn’t bother to tell him where she was going once she found out he was taking Phebe somewhere, and neither did he which was fine by her. Keith was starting to show more and more of the signs that Cameron saw in Malcolm and hated. She saw the signs but ignored them.
She had taken Kingston to McDonald’s to play in the balls earlier then dropped him off with her parents. She was looking forward to this night out. She tried on a couple of outfits then called Toya and asked her what she was wearing. Toya told her she had decided on a black jumpsuit with a red blazer and red Jessica Simpson heels. “I’m still undecided and you know I can’t wear heels,” Cameron whined.
“Umm, if you can balance two men I know damn well you can balance some heels,” Toya laughed and said. They chatted for a few more minutes then hung up so they could both get ready. Cameron decided on a black leather skirt and a cute purple and gold crop top she had picked up from BeBe on one of her trips with Keith. Wedges would have to do because she wasn’t wearing any heels and they were even pushing it. She figured she would be cute and comfy. After she finished getting dressed she fixed her hair and applied her make up. She noticed that her favorite lipstick, Ruby Woo was running low so she decided to use a color that the lady at the Mac counter recommended called Heroin. It was a light purple shade and actually blended well with her top. Cameron admired herself in the mirror and was assured that she was cute. She grabbed her MK clutch, cell phone, car keys, checked herself in the mirror one more time, and headed for the door. She came right back to her full length mirror and snapped a couple of pictures to post on Instagram then left.
The girls decided to leave in time so they would be able stop and eat first. They met up in Louisville at Toya’s aunt’s house and parked their cars. Shay was rocking a blue jumpsuit with some nude Jessica Simpson heels, and Sonya was killing it with her all black dress that showed off her curves. She was rocking some bad black and gold Giuseppe Zanotti heels. Each of the girls were looking hot and was sure to turn plenty of heads. Shay called a stranger over to take a group picture of them, then she took about two hundred selfies.
Cameron drove to Jackson from Louisville. Malcolm called Cameron saying that he would not be able to make it home until tomorrow night. Cameron wondered why and wanted to ask, but she didn’t want to argue with him so she just said OK and called her mom to let her know not to wait up for Malcolm. She didn’t mind keeping Kingston overnight anyway. The hour and a half ride was smooth and laid back with old school jams blasting and them talking shit to each other. Cameron’s wedding seemed to always be the topic they got the best jokes from. She was use to the jokes by now and laughed right along with them while adding her own to the story.
Once they made it to Jackson all of the restaurants were packed so they decided on the least crowded one which was Red Lobster. It wasn’t too far from the coliseum so it turned out to be the perfect spot. They had their endless shrimp special going on so Toya was very pleased with the restaurant choice. They were seated in a booth, looking over the menus when the waiter came to take their drink orders. Everyone ordered a soda, even Toya and Sonya since it was the weekend. “Toya who are you texting while you cheesing from ear to ear?” Sonya asked.
“Honey her secretive ass ain’t gon tell you shit,” Shay said.
“Will y’all hoes shut up and mind ya business,” Toya said while finally putting her phone down. Cameron read a text message then immediately started looking around. “Shit,” she said. “What is it?” Shay asked.
“Keith is somewhere in here with his bitch. He just texted me,” Cameron said.
“Oh lord,” Toya and Sonya said together.
“This is supposed to be a drama free night,” Toya continued.
“I didn’t know they were gonna be in Jackson this weekend. I didn’t even tell him where I was going after he told me they were going out,” Cameron said.
“Does Phebe know what you look like?” Shay asked. Cameron dropped her head and told them that she thought Phebe found a picture of her in Keith’s phone. “I got a couple of phone calls from an unknown number after he told me about it but I never answered. That’s been a few weeks now.” Cameron continued.
“The nigga keeps pictures of you in his phone? Wow!” Toya said more than asked in amazement.
“Where are they? I wanna get a good look at this man that got you so sprung,” Shay said.
“I hope they’re not going to the concert too,” Cameron said. Toya looked at her like she was crazy and said, “Why else do you think they would be in Jackson?” Cameron rolled her eyes at Toya and said, “Shit, I
was planning on having a good time tonight.”
“Shiiddd we still gonna have a good time. Fuck all that,” Shay said.
“She’s staring at you so she knows who you are,” Sonya said.
“She’s picking up her phone so if yours rings don’t answer it Cam. Just act unbothered,” Toya said. “We don’t need tonight to be the night that she puts everything together.” A few moments later Cameron’s phone started ringing and she fought hard to keep her composure. “Keith over there looking more nervous than a hooker standing in front of a prophet at altar call,” Toya said and laughed.
Since Toya and Sonya had the best view of Keith and Phebe, they told the other girls their every move and made mention when they noticed them leaving. Phebe looked pissed the fuck off. The rest of their time at the restaurant was filled with more questions and comments from the girls which Cameron ignored. She was sitting there not knowing how to shake her jealousy. She could hear Toya’s voice in her head saying how you mad and you got a whole damn husband of your own?
They made it to the concert about thirty minutes before it was scheduled to start and found their floor seats. Shay had found them great seats at a great price. They were turning heads left and right as they walked through heading to the front. A DJ was playing music as everyone continued to make their way to their seats. It felt like a big party so they all relaxed and started having a good time.
A comedian opened up the show with a thirty minute set that had everyone in the building laughing their asses off. “Most comedians that do a set before a concert starts are wack but he was pretty good.” Shay said. She saved his name in her phone so she could look him up later. After he finished up, the lights went off and everyone got quiet. A spot light appeared from the back of the room and R. Kelly appeared in the middle and made his way down the center aisle and up on the stage. Every woman was screaming at the top of their lungs because he opened up the show with one of his classics, Bump and Grind. Ladies on the outside row were able to touch him when he walked by. Next he sang Seems like You’re Ready, Sex Me, and then Your Body’s Calling.
Everyone was having a great time. When R. Kelly sang a song about taking selfies and let women come to the stage, Shay broke her neck and made it up there. She discreetly pushed about three women out of the way and made it on stage and got her selfie with the one and only Kellz. She was so damn happy. When he went into Feeling On Yo Booty, Toya noticed Cameron staring up into the balcony. She followed her eyes and spotted just who she thought she would see, Keith and Phebe. “Forget about him and have a good time tonight,” Toya leaned over and whispered to her. Cameron smiled and said you’re right. She shook her mood instantly and waved her hands in the air and got back into the music. Cameron then spotted a guy sitting by himself close by and made her way down the row to dance with him. She whispered in his ear and started grinding on him like he was her man. Toya noticed Keith mean mugging Cameron, and apparently Phebe did too because she pushed Keith so hard he fell back into his seat. Cameron started having the time of her life while putting on her show. She knew exactly what to do to make Keith jealous. Mission accomplished.
***
Chapter 10
The next morning Cameron woke up with a banging headache. She had taken making Keith jealous to the extreme. She ordered more than a few drinks and made the best of her night. She even took a few shots. Toya ended up having to drive home because Cameron was just that damn drunk. Shay was drunk too and Sonya would be sleep before they made it out of the parking lot so Toya got them all home safely. The poor guy Cameron was using to make Keith jealous really thought he stood a chance. He had followed them all the way to the car and Toya had to get ugly with him before he would go on about his business. He didn’t leave without calling Cameron a few bitches, but she was in such a good mood and drunk that she paid him no attention.
Cameron drug herself out of bed the next morning and went into the kitchen to find some Tylenol. She popped three and downed them with some orange juice because she really hated water. As soon as she laid back down the doorbell rang. “Who could this be?” She said. She went and looked out the window and saw a white van with the acronyms DDC (DNA Diagnostics Center) written on it in black and red.
When she opened the door and a white man stood there with the same acronyms that were on the van on his white shirt with a red and black logo. Cameron looked at him confused and asked, “Who are you and what are you doing here?” Before he could answer her mom was pulling into the driveway with Kingston. Cameron glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed it was a little after eleven o’clock. “Damn I was supposed to get him by nine o’clock,” Cameron said to herself. The man fumbled with a clipboard and then finally found his voice and said, “A DNA test was ordered by a Mr. Malc”….he couldn’t finish the words before Cameron exploded. “WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY??”
“Ma’am, I apologize but I’m just doing my job. I have no control over this. I’m here to perform a DNA test on a Kingston Price,” the man said.
Cameron’s mom had walked up without Cameron noticing and was standing there listening in awe. She was fuming on the inside because she really didn’t care for Malcolm, but she knew she had to keep a level head because she knew how irate her daughter could be. One of them had to be civilized. Cameron stormed into the back to get the phone and called Malcolm about five times in a row but he never answered. She decided to leave a voice message on her next try. “YOU COWARD ASS PUSSY ASS MOTHERFUCKER!! HOW DARE YOU PULL SOME BULLSHIT LIKE THIS!! I HATE YOU! SINCE THIS MAN HAS DRIVEN ALL THE WAY HERE I’M GONNA GIVE YOU THIS GOT DAMN TEST BUT DON’T YOU DARE BRING YOUR BLACK ASS TO THIS HOUSE!! YOUR SHIT WILL BE AT YOUR BITCH ASS MAMA’S HOUSE BECAUSE I KNOW SHE’S IN ON THIS SHIT!!”
Cameron was fuming and shaking uncontrollably. A big crowd had formed in the neighbor’s yards and she just wanted to crawl up under a rock and die. “Those nosey bastards have probably already informed the whole county about what’s going on,” she said. Tears would not stop falling from her eyes so her mom hugged her to try her best to comfort her. “I’m about to call your dad honey,” her mom said. “NO, he’s the reason I married this fool. I don’t want to see him right now,” Cameron said.
The man read off all kind of disclosure and privacy rights information that Cameron paid no attention to. Her mom was the one asking all of the questions. The man only answered her mom when Cameron shook her head that it was OK to respond but she still wasn’t really paying attention. Kingston didn’t really understand what was going on but he hated to see his mom so upset so he was crying too. Cameron had to sign some paperwork before the test could be administered and managed to scribble her signature. The man performed the test on both of them and gave Cameron a card. He told her that the results would be sent through the mail or whatever method was requested within seven to ten days. Cameron was numb but she took the card and made a mental note to tuck it away safely.
Cameron was emotionally spent after the morning she had. Her mom packed Kingston a bag and took him back with her without Cameron even asking. Cameron hugged and kissed them both and told her mom thank you. “Don’t do anything that’s going to land you in jail,” her mom said before she left. She knew her daughter very well and knew that she was more like her than she cared to admit. Her mom briefly started thinking about some of the things she had done back in the day, in the name of love. Cameron just half smiled then closed and locked the front door.
The first thing she did was call a lock smith. A man showed up within thirty minutes, he was charging double since it was the weekend. Locksmiths show up quick when double pay is on the line. Malcolm still hadn’t returned any of her calls and she had no plans on calling him anymore. She wanted to make a pile and burn all of his clothes in the yard, but she didn’t want to cause another scene. Her house had been the center of attention enough for that day already.
Cameron went into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine, then grabbed the box of trash bags
and headed back to the master bedroom. She began pulling all of Malcolm’s clothes out of the closet and filling the bags up. She grabbed her cell phone, called Toya, and asked her to come over and help her with something. By the time Toya made it, about twenty minutes later, Malcolm’s side of the closet was empty. Toya stood there in shock, not even wanting to ask what was going on. Cameron didn’t give her time to ask, she just ran down the morning’s events as she drank her third glass of wine. “Is it safe for me to be here?” Toya asked while stepping back and looking down the hall.
“I’ve changed the locks and I doubt his bitch ass shows up anytime soon. He won’t even pick up the phone,” Cameron replied. “I’m about to take all of his shit and throw it in his mama’s yard,” Cameron continued.
“And you want ME to help you? You tryna get me killed too huh? You know Malcolm ass is Looney as hell,” Toya said.
“I only want you to drive because I’m about to finish off this other bottle of wine. I can’t believe this motherfucker would really do some shit like this. I asked that bastard if he wanted a blood test right after Kingston was born and he said no. I hate him. He pulls this bullshit one week before my birthday at that. He was taking off next week and we had plans to go up to the mountains. He can forget about that shit. I’ll get that money back and spend it on myself,” Cameron vented.
“Have you heard from Keith today?” Toya asked.
“Nope and I really haven’t had time to think about him today,” Cameron replied.
“Well, let’s find something to do for your birthday next weekend, and since we’re talking about birthdays, I’m having my dinner in Columbus at Rueben’s this year. Go on and put it on your calendar. You know I expect you to be there,” Toya said. Cameron finished throwing everything in the bag, and asked Toya to help her put everything in the truck. “I thought the only thing I had to do was drive,” Toya rolled her eyes and said while picking up a bag.
We Both Can't Be Bae Page 6