A Bittersweet Hood Dilemma: A Naptown Love Story

by Natavia

  “So, we are buying the houses and fixing them up, and then we are going to sell them?” No Hands asked me.

  “Yeah nigga, real estate is making money. Jessup and I have a few other motherfuckers that can fix them up, raising the value up. By the end of next year, we should be sitting on a nice nest egg,” I said blowing smoke out of my mouth. I was just getting off from work. I couldn’t think straight because of that shit with Tokyo. I couldn’t believe she let that nigga into her crib after he put his hands on her. I got something for that bitch ass nigga, Darrion. Last night he told me he was going to murk me. I was knocking him out when I see him.

  “Oh, word? I might hop on that too with y’all,” Tudos said checking his phone.

  “That’s what’s up nigga. Maybe you can stop hustling and chill out. Niggas out here is getting knocked off,” I told Tudos then he grilled me.

  “What the fuck you grilling me for? Nigga, I’m being honest. There are other hustles out here,” I told Tudos. He waved me off.

  “Yoooo, Tassana’s ass was tripping on me last night. That bitch called my mama and told her I put my hands on her. Patra came over there to fuck a nigga up. After Patra left, Tassana tried sucking a nigga off. I fell asleep with my dick in her mouth. That bitch can’t get me hard for nothing,” I told them. Tudos choked on his blunt.

  “That’s that kush ain’t it?” I asked Tudos.

  “Fuck you nigga,” Tudos said to me.

  “Damn nigga, what’s up with you? You been tripping lately. You not getting high on your own supply are you?” No Hands asked him.

  “This nigga stay disrespecting his shorty. That shit is foul,” Tudos said.

  “What the fuck is it to you? That bitch is not even my shorty. She got a nigga out here somewhere. I tell her leave every day and her shit is still there. I wish the nigga she fucking with would hurry up and come get her ass. He must be a lame ass nigga though. Tassana is always begging for the dick,” I said chuckling.

  “Check her phone like you be checking Tokyo’s phone,” No Hands said.

  “Nigga, what the fuck do I look like checking Tassana’s phone? I don’t care about that,” I said.

  “You still love Tassana don’t you?” Tudos asked.

  “What type of bitch ass question is that? Do I still love her? I’m going to always have some love for her, but I don’t want her. Shit, I’m at the point where I’m ready to put her ass on Craigslist so someone can take her,” I said laughing.

  “You a petty ass nigga,” Tudos said.

  “What the fuck are you in your feelings for? Damn, you want her or something?” I asked grilling him. This nigga be on some sucka shit every time we talked about Tassana.

  “Whatever nigga. You didn’t want her anyway until I said I wanted to holla at her,” Tudos said.

  “That was how many years ago? You tried talking to her and she didn’t want you,” I said to him.

  “That’s because her father didn’t want his daughters fucking with niggas like me. But you already knew I wanted her,” Tudos spat.

  “Look nigga, we were like fourteen. That shit is old. I can’t even remember half of the shit back then. All I know now is that I don’t want her ass. If you still want her, take her so she can stop trying to burn a hole in my pockets. I don’t even want her to know about the house I’m fixing up to move in,” I said.

  “Damn, you ain’t tell me about that,” No Hands said.

  “I didn’t tell nobody yet. I bought it a few months ago; four bedrooms, a garage, basement and all of that. It’s an old house, but I’m going to hook that shit up,” I replied.

  “Tassana moving in?” Tudos asked me. This nigga was infatuated with Tassana for some reason.

  “Hell no, I’m surprising Tokyo with it. When I bought it, I just wanted to fix it up then sell it, but she needs it more than anybody else. I’m moving in though,” I smirked.

  “So, you just moving in, huh?” No Hands asked.

  “You damn right I am. I’m slapping the fuck out of her ass though, when I see her,” I said laughing.

  “Speak of the devil,” Tudos said. I turned around and Tokyo was getting out of a cab. I licked my lips at her thick, smooth legs. Her shorts hugged her hips. She had on a long, tan shirt with the slits on the sides that came all the way up by her hips. Her hair was blow-dried out reaching past her shoulders. She didn’t have colorful lipstick on her lips. She was natural. I hadn’t seen her look like this in a long time, maybe even years. I would’ve thought it was Tassana, but Tassana wasn’t catching a cab to the hood, especially when she has a car.

  “DAMMNNNNNNN, Tokyo, where are you going? Is that your hair? Let me run my nubs through it,” No Hands said.

  “Shut the fuck up nigga. Where is Kyree at? She is supposed to be doing my hair,” Tokyo said popping her gum.

  “Heyyyyy, Kauzie baby. You mad at me?” she asked laughing. I pushed her then she fell on the steps.

  “OWWW nigga,” she said getting up brushing herself off.

  “That’s what you get. You lucky I don’t choke your ass. Why the fuck was that nigga answering your phone?” I asked jacking her up. She pulled my dreads then bit me.

  “You biting me, Tokyo?” I smacked her on the ass as hard as I could after I let her go. She dropped her purse and some other things. She tried to swing on me, but I caught her wrist twisting it.

  “Damn it, Kauzie, stop,” she yelled. I let her go then chuckled.

  “Now, give me a kiss so I can forgive you,” I said feeling on her plump ass. She pushed me then started laughing.

  “With your crazy ass,” she said.

  I held my arms out. “Where my hug at, shorty?” I asked Tokyo. She walked into my embrace, as I lifted her up by the ass then kissed her neck. She looked me in the eyes then licked her lips. I squeezed her ass harder. “You know you want to kiss a nigga. Where is it at?” I asked her. She pecked my lips. Kyree walked outside.

  “Get that bitch away from my house, Kauzie. I told your ass Tassana is not welcome over here,” Kyree snapped with her hands on her hips.

  “Bitch, don’t play with me,” Tokyo said.

  “Oh, that’s my bitch Tokyo. About time y’all started fucking,” Kyree said loudly.

  “Who said we are fucking?” Tokyo asked her.

  “Bitch, I’m not stupid. I can tell by the way he was holding you that y’all moved out of the friend zone. Ole, light bright ass Kauzie said he getting his swerve on. I see you boo. Kyree ain’t mad at you,” she said moving her hips. Kyree took ratchet to a new level.

  “Tudos, what’s up with you? I didn’t know your bourgeois ass was out here,” Kyree said to him. Tudos waved her off. That nigga was always in a pissed off mood.

  “I wish you shut the fuck up. The whole hood can hear you,” No Hands said to Kyree. She smacked him on the back of his head.

  “I wish you stop fucking all of these bitches. Every time I turn around it’s a new bitch. I’m sick of that shit No Hands,” Kyree said.

  “Hate me today, you will love me tomorrow,” No Hands said to her.

  “How you want your hair Tokyo? I’m not braiding it. That takes too long. I’m trying to go to the go-go party tonight,” Kyree said.

  “Cool, I’m going with you. Just give me some long cornrows that come down past my ass. I want the big ones that start off real skinny then get bigger as you braid it down,” Tokyo answered.

  “That sounds cute. Okay, let’s hurry up. I need to go to the mall to find something to wear,” Kyree said walking in her house.

  “I didn’t say you could go out,” I said to Tokyo as she walked up the steps. She turned around with her hands on her hips.

  “Listen nigga, I might look like Tassana or whatever, but I’m not Tassana. Therefore, you don’t tell me what to do, nigga,” she spat causing No Hands and Tudos to laugh at me.

  “I don’t give a fuck about that. You are the one that’s getting the pipe though,” I said licking my lips. She licked her lips back at me.

/>   “You want the dick now don’t you shorty?” I asked her.

  “Fuck you, Kauzie. You are not all of that,” Tokyo said walking in the house.

  “How can you deal with her ratchet ass? Did you just hear how she wanted her hair? I bet that shit is going to be yellow. You just watch,” Tudos said.

  “Why are you always worried about her? Keep that shit to yourself nigga. You been dealing with the same bitch for years and we still don’t know who she is. You fuck with someone’s wife don’t you? Ole side-nigga ass nigga,” I said laughing.

  “Yeah, Tudos, where the broad at you been fucking with? Why she don’t ever come around? She ain’t a he is it?” No Hands asked him. Tokyo stormed out of the house with a blunt hanging from her lips. She stood on the step grilling Tudos with her hands on her hips.

  “Motherfucker, speak in my face and not behind my back. Don’t worry about me nigga. I’m sick of you popping slick. I fight bitch niggas,” Tokyo said to him. Tudos waved her off.

  “That’s what I thought pussycat. MEOW. MEOW,” Tokyo teased him walking back into the house.

  “And you love that broad?” Tudos asked me then I smirked.

  “She gutta ain’t she?” I laughed.

  I walked into Kyree’s crib moments later. Tokyo was drinking an Arbor Mist as she sat in a chair in the kitchen getting her hair braided. They were passing a blunt back and forth.

  “Y’all smoke more than my pops and that nigga stays high,” I said.

  “That’s because y’all niggas be stressing us out,” Kyree said parting Tokyo’s hair. I went inside of my pocket grabbing a few bills. I handed it to Tokyo and she just looked at it.

  “What’s that for?” Tokyo asked. Kyree yanked Tokyo’s hair.

  “OOWWWW. BITCH,” Tokyo screamed.

  “Are you simple? Did you just ask that nigga what that money is for? Bitch, you better take it. He fucking you too now. Hmm, couldn’t be me. I would’ve snatched that shit so fast he would’ve been looking like No Hands. I would’ve snatched his damn fingers off,” Kyree said. Tokyo burst out into laughter.

  “Don’t fuck with No Hands, Kyree. I’m telling you right now,” Tokyo stated.

  “Fuck him. Bitch keep cheating on me. I was the one putting lotion on them nubs when he couldn’t reach the crevices. I was the one who helped him whip that nigga ass on the basketball court years back. He was fucking No Hands up,” Kyree stated seriously.

  “Cut that shit out, Kyree,” I said. I wanted to laugh but I couldn’t, because she was talking about my right-hand man.

  “I’m not cutting shit out. No Hands was out there swinging with his T-Rex looking arms. I’m not going to lie though. No Hands kicked the hell out of that nigga. He kangaroo kicked his ass. Both of No Hands legs lifted up off of the ground,” Kyree said. Tokyo held her laugh in.

  Tokyo’s purse sat on the counter. I opened up the zipper putting the money in there. It had to be a little over five hundred dollars.

  “I don’t want to hear it,” I stated.

  “I know y’all are going to the go-go tonight. Y’all never miss it,” Kyree said.

  “I might slide through. Tokyo, hit me up when you are done. You want me leave the truck here? I can catch a cab home,” I said to her.

  “No thanks, I’m cool. I don’t need any more drama in my life,” Tokyo said.

  “Call me later,” I said walking out. Tudos and No Hands chilled out in the neighborhood. I got in my truck then peeled off.

  When I walked into the house, Tassana was cooking dinner. I was shocked. Tassana hadn’t cooked dinner in a long time. I would admit it smelled good. This how it was supposed to be at all times when I came home from work.

  “Hey baby, how was work?” she asked me cutting up tomatoes for a salad. I took off my shoes then walked to the fridge. It was stocked when I opened it up. What the hell is going on? I wondered.

  “Everything okay with you?” I asked her. She stood on her tiptoes hugging me then kissed my lips. “Wash your hands. Dinner is almost ready,” she said. I washed my hands eyeing her the whole time. Is this bitch trying to kill me? I asked myself.

  I sat down at the table and my phone went off. I checked my messages and it was a picture from Tokyo. She wanted to know if I liked her hair. I responded back telling her that I loved it.

  Tassana brought me out lamb chops, asparagus, and garlic mashed potatoes with a salad. My stomach growled because it smelled good.

  “So, I’ve been looking for a job. I go on an interview tomorrow. It has nothing to do with my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, but it’s a start. It’s a counselor position at a group home for troubled teens,” she said smiling. I choked on my iced-tea. Tassana wouldn’t last a week.

  “That’s what’s up. I’m happy for you,” I said to her. Her phone rang, but she ignored it. It rang again a few minutes later, but she ignored it again.

  “Answer the fucking phone. I know it’s a nigga, Tassana,” I said.

  “It’s Kai. She is calling because Geechie is stressing her about Tokyo. He is crazy about her. Isn’t that something?” Tassana asked cutting her lamb chop.

  “Tokyo don’t want that nigga,” I said.

  “How is that you always know what Tokyo wants?” Tassana asked me.

  I put my fork down looking into Tassana’s eyes. I was trying to figure out how I could tell her about Tokyo and I. I know the situation was a little fucked up, but I couldn’t control my feelings any longer. The more I held it in the crazier it drove me.

  “I got something to tell you,” I said. Tassana sat back in her chair crossing her arms.

  “What is it?” she asked me.

  “I slept with Tokyo,” I said. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pushed herself from the table. She went into the kitchen to pour herself some wine.

  “So, you finally fucked her. I give you your props. I’m shocked it didn’t happened sooner,” Tassana said. She sat back across from me sipping her wine.

  “Ten years, Kauzie. Ten fucking years. Since I was thirteen, I have been messing with you. You fucked my sister?” she asked hurt.

  “I’m in love with her, Tassana,” I said. She threw her wine glass at me.

  “You son of a bitch,” she said leaping over the table and attacking me.

  “Chill the fuck out,” I said grabbing her arms. She hit me in the mouth.

  I pushed her onto the floor. She hopped up then ran into the kitchen. She came back with a frying pan.

  “Yo, if you hit me with that I’m knocking your ass out,” I warned her. She swung then missed. I snatched it from her, and she pulled my dreads, clocking me upside the head.

  “You dirty dick bitch,” she screamed scratching my face. I slammed her on the floor as she yelled out in pain.

  “Get your dumbass up and have a seat so we can talk. I’m trying to tell you what the fuck is up,” I said to her pulling her up. I shoved her towards the living room and pushed her down on the couch, as I sat across from her.

  “Why would you do this to me?” she cried.

  “You did it to yourself. You are not woman enough for me. You are holding me back. Let’s be honest with each other real quick. I haven’t been happy with you since I was nineteen. Shit, you wasn’t happy with me neither. That’s why you cheated isn’t it? You brought a nigga back a STD. I almost killed you for that shit. I was fucked up behind that shit,” I said to her.

  “I apologized,” she sobbed.

  “It’s more to it than that. You are in love with another nigga. I can see it in your eyes. When you got that abortion a while back, I knew it wasn’t my seed. Just like you left out of here last night to go see him. You keep saying Kai is calling you, but it’s your nigga. Now, all I want to know is if you love him, why can’t you be with him?” I asked her.

  “There is nobody else,” she said to me. I chuckled then shook my head.

  “What would make you love me again?” she asked me.

  “If you were your sister,” I said walking o
ut of the living room. I cleaned off the kitchen table then the kitchen. Tassana walked into the kitchen.

  “I’m not giving up,” she said to me.

  Tokyo

  All I had been thinking about was Kauzie. I couldn’t get him off of my mind. I betrayed my sister, but how could I help these feelings? I knew they were there, but over the years, they had been dormant. I was distracted from it when I started to get serious with Darrion. Now all of a sudden, they were in overdrive and there wasn’t a darn thing I could do about it.

  “Time is up class,” Mrs. Simmons said to us. It was six people in the adult high-school diploma program. I was the youngest. After we turned our Literature exam in, class was over. I walked out of the building then to the bus stop. As I waited on the bench, I checked the website for jobs. Nobody wanted to hire me. I had no education and a criminal charge. Just thinking about myself wasting my life over a man, depressed me.