What's His Is Mine

  This man ran up, out of breath, in a business suit, with a briefcase and computer bag, and said, “They told me to tell you downstairs that I’m here.”

  “Are you Mr. Turner?”

  “Yes, I am,” the man said as he adjusted his travel bag on his shoulder and tried to catch his breath.

  “You just made it, sir. Have a good flight,” she said as she printed and tore his boarding pass. Then the gate agent looked over at me and said, “Miss Lee, I’m not going to be able to get you on this one. I’m sorry. Let me see if we can get you on the next flight.”

  “What time does that leave?” I asked, peering over the counter.

  “In two hours.”

  The last four flights to Philly had been booked and I was getting mad. I knew my ticket was standby, but I didn’t know that meant stand by until all the people who paid for their tickets got on the flight and if there was an extra seat we would let you on. It was not like I really had somewhere to be, but I did want to get out of this crowded airport. The only good thing was that the agent was being really nice about everything. Every time I came up to the counter she was pleasant and didn’t act like I was bothering her.

  I walked back up to her to see how the next flight looked. She looked at the computer screen, shook her head, and said, “I feel sorry for you, sweetie. Let’s see how we can get you out of here. There are no more flights leaving to go to Philadelphia for a couple of hours.” She then sighed and said, “Today these storms in the Midwest have just screwed everything up. How about this? I’m going to see if I at least can get you to the East Coast, and once you get there, it will be much easier to get to Philadelphia. You want to do that?”

  I was becoming restless. I didn’t care how she got me there. I just wanted to get home. “That’s fine,” I said.

  She concentrated, looking at the screen, and then said, “Honey, you are in luck. There are a lot of open seats going to Atlanta. Then you can connect to a flight going to Philly. The flight leaves in thirty minutes. Go down to gate D 10. I already checked you in. You don’t have to wait—you can just board.” She printed my boarding pass and handed it to me.

  I boarded my flight without any problems. There were plenty of seats. I didn’t even have to sit next to anyone. I stretched my legs out, laid my head on the window, and slept the entire flight to Atlanta.

  I arrived in Atlanta five hours later, only to I learn my flight to Philadelphia was delayed two hours. I wasn’t complaining, but traveling by plane so far hadn’t been that great, either. I went to the store and bought a few magazines and a bag of Gummi Bears and sat and waited. I was so bored. I wished I had music to listen to or a movie to watch. I just looked around at all the other angry passengers. I was nodding off until this cute little girl who was playing peekaboo with her mom ran over to me, touched my leg and wobbled, giggled at me, and then ran back over to her mom. She came over to me like three times, so finally I extended my arms out for her. She acted like she was going to come to me, and then she ran back over to her mother’s lap again.

  “She is so cute,” I said to her mother, who was dressed nice. She was real pretty and was splitting her attention between her daughter and her phone.

  “Thank you,” her mother said, barely looking up at me.

  “How old is she?

  “She is eighteen months.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Malaysia. We call her Asia, though.”

  The gate agent made an announcement: “Attention all passengers for flight 3301, nonstop Atlanta to Philadelphia. Your flight has been delayed until ten-thirty. You may go to the customer service counter located at gate A 3 to rebook on another flight. Thank you.”

  “Oh no.... Damn it, you have to be kidding me. I’m tired of sitting in this airport.”

  “Me too, damn it.”

  “Well, I might as well go get her something to eat. Could you watch our stuff?”

  “Sure.”

  “Would you like anything?” the woman asked. I told her no and that I would keep an eye on her bags.

  When she returned with her food she ate, and asked me if she could read my magazines. Her daughter kept playing with me.

  “She likes you.”

  “Yeah, kids always gravitate to me—I don’t know why. I have two nephews.”

  “So do you go to school down here?” she asked.

  “No, I live in Philly, but I’m coming from California. It’s a long story. I just can’t wait to get home. I hope I can get my job back and just enroll in school.”

  “So you don’t have a job.”

  “No, but I think I can get my job back.”

  “Would you ever consider, like, being a live-in nanny?”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “Oh, because I work a lot and need someone to watch my daughter.”

  “Like what hours? I’m trying to save money to go back to California. So yeah, I can watch her sometimes.”

  I thought about her offer, took her number, and told her I would call her. I don’t think I want to be a full-time nanny, though. I would probably get bored. Plus I needed a real job.

  Chapter 30

  Zakiya

  Philly smelled different and it was cold for October. I was spoiled by the warm Cali weather. I took a cab home, because I wanted to surprise Lisa and my nephews. I saw Lisa’s Toyota Camry. A strange vanilla smell greeted me at the door. The house just had a different vibe. I called out to Lisa. She came to the top of the steps.

  “What are you doing here?” Lisa yelled as she came down the stairs and hugged me. I placed my luggage down and said, “Aunt Vicky and Jade were moving again. I couldn’t go with them, and the rent out there is so expensive, so I had to come home.”

  “Damn, I didn’t even get a chance to come out there. I’m happy you are home, but now I don’t know where everyone is going to sleep.”

  “Who is everybody?” I asked, looking around.

  “Saundra from my job and her daughter moved in. She is going through a divorce. I finally left Mikey, so we’re helping each other. They’re staying in your room. But you know, we’ll figure something out. I’ll just tell her she has to find somewhere else to stay.”

  “No, you don’t have to do that. I’ll just sleep on the sofa, and I’m going to walk to my old job and see if I can get my job back. Where are the boys?”

  “Over at Mikey’s mom’s house. Well, I got a date. I’m glad you’re back and we’ll make it work. Don’t worry about it.”

  I peeped into my room. It was filled up with several ten-gallon-sized plastic bags.

  I couldn’t waste any time. I needed to get my job back, so I could get a place and then save money.

  I showered and then walked to my former job. Nothing had changed in the three months since I had left. I saw Lenora and she gave me the one-minute sign because she was giving a cashier change. After she counted the change she came over to me and said, “What’s going on? You visiting?” We walked as we talked and I followed her up the stairs.

  “No, I came back home. I’m moving back. I came here to see if I could get my job back.”

  “Get your job back? Um, actually I just hired five people last week. Zakiya, you should have called me.” She picked up a few boxes of popcorn that had fallen back on the shelf and said, “You still have the same number? I can give you a call if anything changes.”

  “Okay, Lenora, call me.”

  I needed a job. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay with my sister. I love my nephews, but them plus Saundra and her daughter, Yahnee, was unbearable. They all got up at seven a.m. on a Saturday morning, to play games, scream, and yell.

  Several days went by and Lenora still hadn’t called, so I was going to call the woman—Adrienne—from the airport. I didn’t know her, but she didn’t seem crazy.

  “Hi, Adrienne, this is Zakiya.”

  “Hey, Zakiya. I’m on the other line—hold on for a minute.” She put me on hold and didn’t come back to the phone for a
very long time. I felt like hanging up.

  “Sorry about that. So what’s going on?”

  “I wanted to know if you still needed someone to watch your daughter because my sister’s friend has moved in with her and I wasn’t able to get my job back. So I kinda need a live-in nanny job.”

  “Yeah, I do still need you. When can you start?”

  “I’m going to come tomorrow.”

  The next day Adrienne came and picked me up and brought me to her home. She lived in a big three-bedroom town house and it was just her and her daughter. She gave me a tour of her home. Her daughter’s room looked like it was never slept in—it was beautiful. It was lavender, with a rainbow and a white unicorn painted on the wall. There were toys everywhere. Dolls and blocks and things her daughter probably won’t be able to play with for years. Even the guest room, where I was going to be staying, had a huge brass bed, a white dresser, and walk-in closet. And her room and closet were set up like a department store. There were all types of perfume and jewelry and she had so many shoes. And clothes.

  I liked Adrienne. She had so much going on for herself. She was a nurse, had a nice car and home. I couldn’t believe she was the same age as my sister, but she had so much more. She said she worked a lot of hours, but who cares? She had everything.

  Chapter 31

  Tanisha

  I tried to call Kevin several times and he never answered. I tried him again. A woman answered and said, “Kevin is busy. Who should I tell him called?” I wanted to curse the woman out and tell Kevin to get his ass on the telephone, but I didn’t bother. I just hung up on her. I wanted to see my child and I was becoming angry. There was nothing I could do until he decided that he was going to let the hate he felt for me out of his heart. I wasn’t going to bother or harass him, but by law he had to let me see my child. I was Jarell’s mother. I knew eventually he would come around.

  In the meantime I had to enjoy my other children. Alexis didn’t have class on Tuesday and Thursday so she would come and visit with me while Tyrone was at work and Kierra at school. Today was going to be a very interesting visit. Unfortunately, she was about to witness me being put under house arrest. My probation officer, Robert Neal, was on his way over. He was young black guy who talked fast and was kind of funny. So far, he seemed nice, but stern.

  He was at the door, clipboard and box in hand, promptly at noon. He wanted me to direct him to the phone line and he began setting up. He performed random tests on the box accuracy. Red and green lights flashed on and off. I made small talk with Alexis, trying to distract her attention off of the box. She stared at him as he began placing and adjusting the band around my ankle as he was running down all the rules I had to abide by while I wore the black box anklet.

  Mr. Neal snapped the device on and then asked, “Does it hurt?”

  I looked down at my ankle and responded, “No.”

  He got up off the floor and said, “Just so you know, I can pop in on you at any time, and the fastest way to land in jail is to not keep it real with me. If an emergency happens, call me. If I don’t answer, leave a message. You understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, and you need to try to distance yourself from whoever the people were that got you in this predicament.”

  “Okay.”

  “How is she going to take a shower and bathe?” Alexis asked.

  “You can take a shower, but no baths because it can’t be submerged in water. I have many people who think they are smarter than this box. They’re not. My best advice—call me if something comes up. Do not try to deactivate or take this thing off.” He spieled off more rules and then he left.

  After he left, we caught up on Alexis’s life. She had turned into such a remarkable young woman. Before, she barely wanted to get a job. Now she had a job and was going to school.

  “Mom, you need your hair done. I’m going to bring my friend over to do your hair. She is in cosmetology school. She can give you a manicure and pedicure, too.”

  “I would love that. Bring her over,” I said, trying to seem excited and enthused, but really I was becoming sad. I think the thought of three months in this one place was sinking in. I was about to be stuck. I felt myself about to panic, so instead I went into the basement and did a few loads of laundry. For a moment I was reminded of Detroit. I remembered how lonely, depressing, and miserable it was. How when I was there the only thing I wanted was to see my family. I have my family back, so I wasn’t about to let an ankle bracelet upset me. I said a prayer and just tried not to get upset.

  Chapter 32

  Adrienne

  Zakiya had been living with me for two weeks, and I already couldn’t live without her. She made my life so much easier. I got three for one with her. She cleaned my house like a slave, cooked like a gourmet soul food chef, and took good care of my daughter.

  When I came in from work, Asia was already dressed and didn’t want to leave her to come to me. She was a godsend. She was like the little sister I never had. She was like a sponge, and I could school her on life. I told her every piece of advice I could think of. I gave her some of my old stuff and she was so grateful. She is just a real innocent nineteen-year-old girl. From what she told me, she had it very hard growing up without a mom. Her sister didn’t seem like she knew that much herself. I told her to go to college, but still get a man with money. I told her that she wasn’t going to be anyone’s baby mother, and that she had to look pretty at all times. She was already a cute girl, but she just needed a little refining, and when I’m done with her, the world won’t be ready.

  My mom thought I was crazy when I told her I met a nice young lady at the airport and she was living with me and watching Asia. But she was the one who suggested I find a nice teenager to watch Asia. And now that I had my built-in babysitter, which she suggested, she was harassing me with phone calls, saying, “I miss my grandbaby. Bring her over.” No, ma’am. I could get up, get dressed, and walk straight out the door. And then when I came home, Asia was already dressed, fed, and ready for school.

  Chapter 33

  Cherise

  I wasn’t going to hide my relationship with DeCarious from the world any longer. We were going to the pre-show activities at the Atlanta International Car Show. All the Atlanta elite would be in attendance. Every year, I heard the black-tie gala charity car show was one of the most coveted events. It was like DeCarious’s and my unofficial coming-out party. I was so excited and wanted to look totally different tonight. I had my makeup done and hair styled at a salon in Buckhead that Mari recommended. The stylist did an amazing job seaming the long black flowing weave with my own hair. When she handed me the mirror I couldn’t believe how my hair was moving back and forth so naturally.

  From the salon, I went home, showered, and then changed into this crushed-fabric purple and silver cocktail dress. I looked in the mirror and was impressed. I felt beautiful and special.

  The moment DeCarious saw me he stopped and whispered, “You look so beautiful.” I thanked him.

  We entered the car show arm in arm and there were cameras flashing, but I didn’t mind. I was actually proud to say DeCarious was my man. Who wouldn’t be? He was perfect. He looked so handsome in his black suit and silver tie.

  The car show was huge. There were thousands of new and futuristic concept car models on display.

  The entire event was very elegant. Servers were walking around with champagne and hors d’oeuvres as all the attendees mingled. We had a great time, but I couldn’t wait to get home and get out of my dress and on top of my man.

  When we got back to my place, DeCarious didn’t let me get out of my dress. He just pushed me onto the sofa and began giving my warm insides a massage with the tip of his tongue. I brought his face farther in and glided my hips onto him, when the knocking at my front door interrupted everything. DeCarious looked at me like who was at my door at one in the morning? I didn’t know. I threw on my robe and went to the door. He was right behind me. I opened the door
and saw Toni. She barged in, walking right past me, hand and hand with Lou.

  “Toni, is everything okay?” Why was she at my house at one in the morning?

  She spoke to DeCarious and then said, “Yeah, I just wanted to tell you I parked downstairs, so if Dave calls here tell him I’m asleep. He is getting on my nerves. I had to get out of that damn house. Plus I needed my Lou fix,” she said as she gave Lou’s ass a slap.

  I couldn’t believe she was talking about cheating on her husband in front of DeCarious. I didn’t know what else to say, but okay. As soon as they walked out the door, DeCarious started asking questions.

  “What’s up with your sister cheating on her husband?”

  “I don’t know. She said he cheated on her. And she can’t forgive him,” I said, trying to change the subject and get back to where we left off. I disrobed and wrapped my legs around him.

  “Do you agree with that?” he asked, looking at me.

  “No. I’ve tried to talk to her, but she doesn’t listen. I stopped caring.”

  “Wow, that’s really messed up. If her marriage isn’t working, don’t cheat, just leave.”

  “She can’t. She has a house and family. I’m not going to argue about what she does. Just mind your business.”

  “Would you ever cheat or leave?”

  “I wouldn’t cheat. Now leave it alone and stop asking me silly questions.” I didn’t know why DeCarious was so angry about what Toni was doing. I reached over and grabbed his face and kissed him. “Babe, let’s not worry about anyone but us.”

  “Okay. But I don’t like that, Cherise.”

  “I understand, but that’s not me and that’s not us. Okay?” He calmed back down and we returned to our previous activities until another knock at the door interrupted us. Now I was mad. I was going to kick Toni’s ass, but it wasn’t Toni. It was Dave standing outside my door. I hurried and threw my robe on and answered the door.