Don't Hate the Player

by Brandie

  How can he live without her? All he can think about is how to revenge her death and how to make her come back. Is any of that possible? And now his crack-head mother is trying to slither her way back into his life, introducing his precious little sister and finally his father. Should he be grateful or hateful????

  * * *

  Chocolate mourned next to Money with his head resting in his hands, crying, crushed, confused, dead on the inside. More so for the fact that he seen Diamond and could of prevented it. Or realized it was just the fact that Luvly was gone? What about Sap? What about Money? Mannn . . . Money, his best friend—brother—homeboy—brother—dawg—brother. What did I do, Luvly? Oh, shit, what did I do? I seen that nigga at the door, but ignored it for my own selfish reasons.

  That nigga will pay, slowly and painfully, he will pay. Man, we done been through so much together, you was my sister, my conscious, my best friend, and my confidant. Thank you for always being there for me . . . my insides felt like they’ve been ripped out and trashed.

  That day in my basement . . . you were almost my first. Your sexy ass laying on my bed, naked and hot. The air-conditioner was broke and we were trying to stay cool by using ice cubes on each other. We both thought since we were like sister and brother that our attraction would stay calm.

  But I’ve always wanted to be with you, and when you told me that you felt the same, it was on. The way your lips felt, how soft your body was, the way you caressed my skin. Ummm, I wanted you so bad. When the head of my dick entered you, I thought I was in heaven. I lost myself.

  If Money had not meant so much to me, I would have made love to you til the sun came up. And when Money came to the door, we both looked at each and instantly turned our feelings off. You’ve taken that secret to your grave and I’ll take it to mine. And don’t you worry about Sap. I’ll be her second daddy. You know that. Now when she get in her pre-teen years show up or something and tell me how to handle her, especially if she’s anything like you were.

  Luvly, I’m still calling on you for your help—please send Brandie back to me. I love you, Luvly Lady.

  * * *

  Taeko sat next to Chocolate with a blank stare on his face, while Joi and the kids sat on his opposite side crying uncontrollably. That little lady was like the sister he never had. She always got on his nerves, fussed at him continuously, and constantly ate out of his plate because they had the same taste in exotic food. All the boys fell in love with her at the same time, but it was Money who won her heart. Good, Taeko thought, because he could never have been any good to her. Or could he? If he had been Luvly’s lover, Diamond’s throat would have been sliced a long time ago. Taeko would be wearing Diamond’s heart as a charm around his neck. Ahhh, Luvly, baby girl. I’m so sorry. It should have been me, me who took those bullets. All the terrible shit I’ve done, it should have been me! I’m gone miss yo’ ass, girl.

  And you know it was always you that Money loved, he gon’ miss you. I don’t know what’s gonna make it all right for him. And Sap, I’m gone do everything in my power to take care of her and give her everything you would have. Dammmmn! Why didn’t they kill him when Luvly was layed up in the hospital barely alive from that nigga’s hands? But when they find him, ooooh, when they find him, won’t be nothing nice.

  * * *

  Joi wiped her tears constantly, trying to stay strong for her kids. Her and Luvly were just starting to talk and become closer. Both young mothers dealing with trifling men, other women, battered bodies, and broken hearts. They should have been more like sisters than enemies. Their daughters were best friends and so they should have been closer. Joi could remember when she first heard Luvly cuss Taeko out for being a whore and doing her wrong. Thank you so much for taking up for me. I should have done more about you and Salone’s situation. I’ll take care of Sapphire, raise her along with Trinket like she’s my own.

  * * *

  Brandie sat on the opposite side of the family, in the guest section, praying to God to help her to stop crying, to be able to eat and sleep. She had been sick with grief. Girl, you were my road dawg, best friend, the sister I never had. What are we going to do with out you? Lord, have mercy on us all. I will treat Sap as if I birthed her myself. And your beautiful son, I will do the same. But if I fuck up, please, don’t come and visit me. It will scare me to death. Hahahahaha. I’m gone miss you girl.

  And you know Money is going to be lost without you. Your parents are taking this rather well, but I can’t say the same about Moe and Seal. They miss you dearly. Caymin sends her love; she was in a bad accident and had to stay in the hospital. You know her no driving self, ran into the back of a parked truck. I don’t know what to tell you about Chinoe. I just can’t do it anymore, if you would have seen those pic—forget all that. Rest in peace and continue to shine your love down on us.

  Brandie was mourning her loss for Luvly and Chinoe. How could she keep her promise to Luvly about the kids, and stay away from Chinoe, too??????????

  * * *

  Four disguised women sat scattered about the pews. One in particular, wore a smug on her face, a slight smile on her lips. The bright red slutty dress would have caught any man’s attention in the club, but here, at Luvly’s funeral, it was meant to show disrespect.

  * * *

  Salone popped chewing gum loud and carelessly, dangling one leg over the other, while she admired her new, red, pointy toe Jimmy Cho’s. Hot like fire—the devil herself. Her only thought was that Luvly was finally out of the picture for good.

  The only thing that’s bad about this situation is that it took too long. Diamond should have been knocked your slimy ass off. I’ve waited so long for this. I tried my best to kill yo’ ass at the gas station that time, but yo’ stanking ass had to survive and so did that little bitch. As soon as me and Money are married that little heffa is gone. Either with your parents or with Diamond, I’ll make sure of that. I got a trick up my sleeve that is fool proof; it will guarantee my happiness. Me, Money and the baby I’m carrying, hahahahahahaha!!!

  * * *

  Jordan sat in the back of the church with big sunglasses, a blonde wig, red lipstick, and a black lace dress. She went unnoticed as she thanked God that Luvly was gone, out of her and Diamond’s life. She had to come and make sure it was really true. When they make it to the gravesite, she had ajar of spit that she’d been saving for all the years she thought Luvly made her life hell.

  * * *

  Pila stood at the crowded door with tears in her eyes, trouble in her heart. This was the day that she prayed would come. She even went to a witch doctor and lit candles, stole hair from brushes left at Diamond’s house, clothing and articles from the nail shop. She wished for Luvly’s destruction.

  I was so tired of hearing about how much Diamond loved you and how he would kill you if he couldn’t have you. That hurt me night after night, him laying with me, but knowing he was truly loving you. Calling your name while I sucked his dick, while I let him enter my ass and violate my body in so many degrading ways . . . sleeping with Jordan to appease his sick pleasures. My wishing death upon you has left me living like a dead woman.

  Every time he thinks about what he’s done to you, he beats my ass to a pulp. My once-prized smile is now missing three teeth and a permanent dent in the corner of my mouth. I don’t mean shit to Diamond, never have.

  Me, Jordan, nor the other babies’ mamas, or the kids, mean shit to him. All he talks about is stealing his daughter and running away to Cuba with her. I want to run up to Money and tell him so bad so that he will protect himself and her. Your words haunt me everyday, about how Diamond would do me. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry . . .

  Chapter Eighty-Two

  Money

  “Finally, I’m home. It doesn’t feel like home though.” Felt empty. No nail polish left open on the table. No fake nails with art on them strewn across the floor and couch. No Luvly with Sap between her legs, doing her hair, screaming at me about being out and not calling her.

&n
bsp; “It will, as soon as you get back to functioning and moving around.”

  “So how long are you staying this time, Maynea?” I asked, irritated just by the sound of her voice.

  She looked at me with a sad look in her eyes. “Always and forever.”

  “Hahaha, you still telling that same ol’ lame-ass story.”

  She slammed the door and put my bags at the bottom of the steps. Mad that she couldn’t straighten me about the words or action I was using towards her. She understood that she was like garbage to me.

  “Are you going back home or a hotel?”

  She snickered to herself. “Well, Chinoe’s girlfriend invited me and M&M to stay with her.”

  “Brandie? Naw, don’t invade her life like that. She ain’t use to being around nobody like you. She don’t know to lock all her shit up.”

  Maynea slammed her glass down. “Okay, Money, you win dammit! I’m the world’s worst mother. I chose the streets over you. There I said it. I was a ho, a prostitute, strung out on drugs. I’m sorry! Now your best bet is to talk all yo’ shit now because I still have guts and dignity. I’ve graveled much too long to go back. I’ve cleaned up my life and I’m trying. I can’t make up for the last twenty years, but I can start trying for the next.” She flopped down on the couch.

  “I don’t want your time or your sob stories. You left me! I don’t feel sorry for you. You made all the choices that determined your welfare. I feel sorry for M&M. She got you for a mother.”

  “Money, what are you going to do about Sapphire?”

  “What do you mean, do about her? I’ve been there since she came out of her mother’s womb. I cut her strand to life. I’ve help raise that little girl even when I didn’t know if she was mine. She had a father even when she didn’t know what a father was.”

  Maynea put her hands over her head. “You act like I wanted to . . . Money, please understand why I had to let Mama and Poppa raise you.”

  Leaning against the kitchen counter, I gave her a chance to explain. “I got nothing but time.”

  “When I was thirteen turning fourteen, I met a handsome, charming boy. He was a little older than me so I was fooled into thinking everything he said was gold. We slept together and two weeks later he told me that he was seeing someone else. She lived in Columbus or somewhere down there.

  “A month later I found out I was pregnant. I was a young girl with dreams and a whole lot of talent. My mom told me that an abortion was out of the question. This baby was heaven sent and meant to be. We barely had enough money to feed me.

  “But my father took another job to support this child. Your father came back two months before you were born and told me that the girl he was dating was pregnant. And that his cousin called him and told him I was pregnant too. He told my father that he would take full responsibility for what he was responsible for. He sent me a hundred dollars a week and the weeks he couldn’t send that, he sent what he could. He always remembered your birthday and sent you Christmas money and presents.”

  “Sooooooo, he wasn’t here in my face. The only two men that made me who I am, was Grandpa and Moe. Chinoe and I shared a father. Moe was always there at my little league games, my proms, broken bones, when I went to jail, he was there.”

  “When you were four your father said he couldn’t take not seeing you, being in your life. So he moved his family to Atlanta. I couldn’t take seeing him married to another woman with another child. So I destroyed his life, told his wife and my life ended that very day.” She let out a long sigh. “And you’re right, Money. Moe did do the right thing by you. It was me who ran away from my responsibilities.”

  “So you are thanking Moe for being what you couldn’t. Tell ’em personally.”

  “Listen to me, damn you!” she screamed. “Money, you have always had a father.” She paused, like she was scared to keep talking. “Moe . . . Moe is your father, and Chinoe is your brother.

  “What!” I waved her off. “Man, go on back to wherever it is you came from wit’ them lies. “

  She jumped up from the sofa. “I put that on my father’s grave.”

  “You didn’t even show up for the funeral. Get outta my house.”

  She grabbed both my arms. “Look at me.”

  I started to punch her lights out, but something told me to listen to her plea. She now had tears pouring from her eyes. “I know I wasn’t a good mother to you, but trust me on this, Moe is your father and Chinoe is your brother.”

  It was true. And I didn’t know whether to be happy or mad. I had a dad who I always thought of as a dad, but really was my dad. I’m glad that Sap would not have this shit to worry about.

  “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “He thought you would be better raised by Mama and Dad. His wife, Seal, had left him and their life was shaky after I told her.”

  Man, was my life getting better or worse? I couldn’t decipher between the two.

  Ring . . . Ring . . . Ring . . .

  “Hello.”

  “Money, are you okay?”

  “Yes, Ma.” Seal must have known Maynea was going to tell me about Moe—Pops—Daddy.

  “I was just calling to see if you needed anything. The community Luvly lived in wants to know if you plan on selling the house or moving someone in? There are a lot of big bids for it.”

  Damn, she ain’t been gone, but a month and a half. I didn’t want to sell it or have anyone move in, “I don’t know. Ma, you sure you don’t want a bigger house?”

  “I keep telling ya’ll boys to leave me in my comfort zone.”

  “How’s my baby boy?”

  “He’s still breathing through tubes. They don’t know if he can breathe on his own.”

  “I’ll be back up there later.”

  “Money, you just got out of the hospital. Take your time and relax. We have everything under control. Hold on some one wants to talk to you.”

  “What’s up, Cash Money?”

  “What’s up, Dawg?”

  My brother was my dawg. My dawg was my brother. I liked the idea.

  “You being strong? Handling Maynea?”

  “Yeah, I’m cool.” I held back my tears, “Are you coming over later. I need to talk to you about some important decisions.”

  “You got it, bro.” His response made tears form. I lost my lady, best friend, love of my life, but gained a father and brother.

  Chapter Eighty-Three

  Money

  “Is Sap still not talking?”

  “No, not yet. I’m taking her to therapy starting Monday. The doctors say it’s shock and not to worry. She’ll talk when she’s ready.”

  “She’s got you and Luvly in her; she’s strong.”

  “Call me later and I’ll try and talk to her when she wakes.”

  “Okay, Mrs. Mancini. Thanks for everything.” Click.

  My son didn’t make it, but I knew Luvly had him, holding him close to her heart.

  I didn’t think that me and Chocolate could get any closer, but we did as rediscovered each other as brothers.

  “So you haven’t talked to Brandie at all.”

  “Naw she don’t want to see me. I don’t blame her. I almost wrecked shop when I found out about Cartel. Plus Chaise fucked everything up by sending them pictures.”

  “I can’t believe Chaise had a camera, snapping pictures of ya’ll fucking. She was the baddest bitch.”

  “Not my problem anymore. My only girl is Sap. I’m here for her and Ma.”

  “Yeah, my baby girl has been through so much. But she’s going to make it.”

  “Is Maynea enjoying your old house?”

  “As long as she don’t come over here. I don’t care what she enjoys. All I want is to know Malaney. She’s innocent. Her and Sap deserve to know each other.”

  “You heard from Salone yet?”

  “She had the baby in late May or early June.”

  “Is she going to let you see the baby?”

  “Yeah, she’s been by here three
times. She done got huge. I didn’t think her little body could stretch like that. But I won’t let her in the house, so she been trippin’. I told her this is me and Luvly’s house.”

  “Well, how you gone see the baby?”

  “I don’t know. I have two or three months to figure that out.”

  “Have you seen Tae’s new ride?”

  “Yeah, he need that Excursion for all those kids he about to have.”

  “I can’t believe that nigga bout to have twins.”

  “I talked to that doctor from L.A. They’re going to test Sap’s blood again. They got a positive reading for Syphilis. They said that sometimes fever could cause a false reading. I don’t know, but I’ll be hearing from them later on in the week.”

  “I need to call the agency and see when my next shoot is. They left a message on my machine yesterday.”

  “Why you going back to work so soon.”

  “I need to get away, go on an island somewhere.”

  “Just pray Chaise ain’t no where stalking you, hiding behind a bush or something.”

  “Man, I’ll throw her ass in the water.”

  We laughed and talked about the good days, the bad days, and the future.

  Chapter Eighty-Four

  Beginning of the Ending

  Chocolate

  Diamond escaped the law and us. That pussy-nigga relocated while all of us were experiencing the worst time of our lives. It’s been said that he went back to Cuba with his family, but he was still on our hit list. We would not rest until his body did—six-feet under.

  Salone had Money’s son on my birthday. His name was Spencer Money Loane. He’s the next baller in the family, weighing eleven pounds, twelve ounces when he was born. That’s my li’l dawg.

  My dad was a good grandfather. He loved both his grandchildren and both of his sons. He and my mom keep bugging me about when I was going to have mine. And I kept telling them, “When Brandie comes back home.”