Giving Him Something He Can Feel

by Damenia Uvonda

  “Well, in case if you didn’t know Kandace,” she said with an attitude on a trillion and rolling her eyes. “It’s a very big deal to me that he is on this campus.” That broad tried to give me all types of shade so I was going to deliver it right back to her ass, Next Day Air.

  “That nigga is not paying my tuition. So like I said, ummm,” reading her name tag that time, “Gina McCoy it’s not such a big deal to me.” Gina took a sip of her drink and said, “Look Kandace, maybe we got off on the wrong foot.” She paused taking another sip of whatever was in her cup.

  “Yeah maybe we…” The bitch cut me off by saying, “My whole point in calling you over here is to let you know I’m not trying to be your friend.” She had her index finger up showing off her freshly painted manicure accommodated with a diamond cluster ring to match. “And two,” putting up her middle finger, “Caine is mine. So whether you think it’s a big deal or not, hands off bitch.” I stood there looking crazy for a second trying to grasp what the bitch said. Shit, Gina had heart. But then again, all her little puppets were in the background. They started laughing and I even heard one chick in the back say, “Yeah Gina, tell these hoes who runs this campus.”

  No that bitch didn’t just call me over here and try to embarrass me. Shit, I had no choice but to put that bitch in her place. “Look bitch, I told you I don’t want no got damn Caine or whoever. Unlike you rich bitches some girls have to come to college to succeed in life.” Thankfully, for her, there was some soft volume music playing in the background so I didn’t scream at her like I wanted to. However, I was still letting that bitch have it.

  I hated riches bitches who shopped all day, and didn’t have a care in the world. Everybody had a family tree but money didn’t grow on mine. All of them were staring at me but they weren’t yapping back. Those bitches knew I wasn’t playing games with their asses no more. Pointing my index finger at all those hoes, I told them, “Don’t fuck with me because I’m not the one. I don’t see you saying nothing now girl in the back.” I was pointing her out but she didn’t say a word. “Yeah, y’all some pretty chicks, definitely not bout that life boo boo.”

  Virginia starts the South but I wasn’t showing those bitches any southern hospitality. “Maybe I’ll go find Caine, you know, get to know him better. Just because you so-called warned me not to.” As soon as I said that, it seemed like I hit the detonator because Gina exploded. She stood quickly, inched her way closer to me, and said, “You know what Kandace, that would be your biggest mistake…”

  She had an evil look in her eye but the hoe didn’t jump so I put my claws back in.

  “Is that a threat Gina?”

  She stood there and said nothing. She snapped her fingers, her little entourage stood up instantly, and they all walked away. Gina was the Head-Bitch-in-Charge of her crew and everyone on campus knew it. As I headed back to my dorm room, I wondered if Gina would made good on her little threat. After all, her family was running the university so she could have anything up her sleeve.

  Caine

  I’d been on campus for a couple of weeks and all those females were flocking to me like I was some type of celebrity. They were handing me their numbers, trying to buy me little gifts, lunch, anything; you name it. Of course I would decline all offers but those bitches were worse than Aquafina because they were just plain thirsty. Hell at that point I thought I’d met just about every girl on that campus. I hadn’t seen a cute guy since I’d been there. The ones I did come across were either fat, ugly, or dirty looking niggas.

  One day while I was walking to my campus apartment, I spotted a girl I’d never seen before. We were walking towards each other and she walked past me. My first glance of her caught me off guard because she was beautiful. As I continued to walk, I heard a voice say, “Hey… Excuse me…” I turned around to see her standing there. She started to walk my way and when she approached me, she said, “Hey, my name is Kandi. You must be Caine right?”

  I stood there puzzled for a second by her beauty. I’d never seen such natural beauty before. Most girls wore so much makeup you could bake a cake on their face, but not her. Her skin tone was just as flawless as mine was.

  “That would be me,” I replied. She knew damn well I was Caine just like all the other chicks. “Okay well I just wanted to introduce myself to you because your girlfriend thinks I want you,” she said. I looked back to make sure she was talking to me. “You have the wrong guy. I am Caine but I definitely don’t have a girlfriend.” I could tell she was thinking of her next words. “Are you sure because Gina McCoy sure doesn’t think so,” she said, smiled, and giggled.

  “Just like a crazy bitch to claim something that’s not hers,” I thought to myself. “That’s crazy ass Gina for you,” I told her. We both shared a laugh. We talked for a few more minutes. It was the best conversation I’d had in a long time. I told her a little bit about my family and she told me a little about hers, but nothing too deep.

  “So you mean to tell me your parents sent you here because they want you to find a wife?” Kandi asked looking at me like the lying nigga I was. “Yep,” I told her while nodding my head to finalize my lie. I knew she believed me when her eyes got bigger and she raised her eyebrow.

  “Damn that’s some rich white people shit right there,” she said. I couldn’t believe she just said that. After all, that wasn’t the real reason; but shit, she didn’t need to know that. All she needed to know was I was there on some “Coming to America” type of shit.

  “I’m sorry if I offended you but I had to say it,” Kandi said. “I had to bust my ass every damn day for this scholarship and the shit only pays 75% of my tuition. I don’t have anyone to help me. I’m not well off like that, but one day I will be.”

  I felt the annoyance in her voice. I could only imagine how she felt. I didn’t have a want or need for anything. My parents took care of everything. That’s not how I wanted it to be, but that was how they spoiled me. I had to give it to her though, she was on her shit. Most people I knew had everything at their fingertips and never had to work a day in their lives, but not her.

  “Well I’m proud of you Kandace,” I told her. “By receiving that scholarship it shows that you have what it takes to push yourself.”

  She was all teeth after I said that. Before I lost the little bit of interest I had in her I said, “Well it was nice meeting you Kandi.” She kept smiling as if she automatically knew what was coming next. Usually I didn’t give chicken-heads the time of day. They were way too dramatic. Shit if you cut a chicken’s head off it will still run around. However, Kandace wasn’t just another bird; she was more like a flamingo. Tall, pretty, vivid in color, and only flew when necessary. I could see myself hanging out with her. “Maybe we can go out to grab some dinner. You down?” I asked as I handed her my number. For some odd reason I was really feeling her. She smiled and said sarcastically, “Ok cool as long as your little girlfriend Gina McCoy won’t be there.” A chick that was bold enough to say what was on her mind, and she was funny and attractive. She had masculine ways about her. She seemed to be a female that wasn’t afraid to mess up her manicure and I liked that.

  “No please don’t be worried about Gina.” I laughed at the thought of Gina. “Our families go way back and she’s had a crush on me for years. But trust me; I am most definitely not interested in her.” We talked for a few minutes more then said our goodbyes or more like see-you-later. Shit maybe dad was right. I might just find a nice girl on that campus.

  Kandi

  It had been a couple of days since Caine gave me his phone number. I had yet to call but since I was free from classes, I decided to hit him up. Sitting in the dormitory bored, I picked up the phone and dialed his number. It rang a couple of times and then he picked up. We talked for hours before I agreed to have dinner with him at a local restaurant. Luckily, I had received my refund check from school so I was able to buy myself a little black dress and some cute heels. I went inside the restaurant and walked up to the podium w
here a guy was standing. He asked for the reservation name and I told him Johnson. He looked me up and down and then verified Johnson indeed was on the list. “Yes, yes, right this way madam,” he said as he grabbed some menus and guided me to the table. Once there I saw Caine waiting with six dozen pink roses. He stood up and came around the table to pull my chair out for me to have a seat.

  “I’m glad you made it,” he whispered as I sat down. I was amazed and all smiles. It was the sweetest thing a person had ever done for me. The waitress came to take our orders but Caine had everything planned. He ordered us two bottles of red wine, which were very sweet in taste. For the appetizer, he ordered us jumbo shrimp cocktails. It was fancy as hell. The shrimp came out in a cocktail glass with lemon and fresh herbs. Those fucking shrimp were so big I thought they were on steroids. The main course consisted of filet mignon with a savory sauce, seasoned roasted potatoes, and fresh broccoli. Last but not least, the dessert came out. Caine had the restaurant personalize my strawberry crème cupcake saying Dr. Kandi. My heart skipped a beat. That was like some shit straight out of a love story. I never had a guy that was so romantic before. Hell, I never knew any guy to treat women with so much respect. All I saw was Todd and countless others abuse my mother as if she was trash. Caine wasn’t like that though. He was sensitive and cared about others feelings. It was as if he knew what to do and what to say without me having to ask.

  Everything was going smoothly until I heard a familiar voice say, “Well hello there.” I turned around to see Gina McCoy approaching the table with some fine ass, light-skinned nigga. He was so fine I knew that hoe had paid him to be her date. “Hey G, what’s going on. I haven’t seen you in a while,” Caine said to Gina in a polite manner. It took her a couple of seconds to say anything back. All I knew was she better not come out her mouth right or it was going to be a problem. I was sitting there waiting for her ass to pop off, especially after the little altercation, we had at the meet and greet. “I’m doing just marvelous Caine, thanks for asking. So you two are out on a date?” That bitch was trying my patience because she saw we were doing something, date or not. I sipped my wine and before I could say anything, the guy introduced himself to us. Extending his hand out for a handshake he said, “What’s up y’all? I’m Shawn.” Shawn had just lost all cool points with me. It was one thing to be Tyson Beckford fine, but if you were not smarter than a 5th grader then all that shit went out the window.

  “It’s okay if you guys don’t want to share if this is a date or not,” Gina said in an unfriendly tone. I couldn’t believe that bitch. First, it was hands off and now its quote unquote okay that we’re on a date. I felt like that bitch was up to some sneaky shit. “Be nice G, it’s just dinner with a new friend of mine,” Caine told Gina. I didn’t understand why he was being so damn nice to her ass but he did say their families went way back. She could tell I was agitated by my body movements. “Caine I just came over here to let you know I spoke with your mother,” Gina said with excitement and an evil look on her face all in one. That bitch should have been an actress because she was wearing both of those drama masks. She went on to tell him, “We had a nice conversation so I know exactly why you’re here.”

  Caine looked at her with fire in his eyes and stood up out his chair. He stood up so quickly the chair slid across the floor as if he’d kicked it. I could tell Caine was pissed. Whatever it was Gina found out about him it had that nigga about to slap the bitch. To my surprise he respectably said, “That’s good Gina. Um I think it’s time for you and you’re little date Shawn to be leaving now.” I was glad he said that because I couldn’t wait for that bitch to leave. I didn’t know why the fuck she came over there anyway. Before she left she said, “I’m sorry if I upset you. But don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.” She did a good job of making a dramatic exit. Caine stayed standing there watching Gina and Shawn walk back to their table. “I’m sorry for her coming and interrupting us,” Caine said. “It’s just like her to do something like this. That’s why I don’t like... Never mind, are you ready to go?” Caine looked like his mind was racing a thousand miles a minute. I was all finished with my dessert so I told him I was ready. We left the restaurant and I could see all over Caine’s face that he was still pissed to the max. Caine dropped me off at my dorm room and as soon as I closed the car door, he was off in the wind. I stood there puzzled for a minute then headed up to my room. After taking a shower, I wrapped my weave and lay in bed. I couldn’t fall asleep because all I could think about was what secret Gina had over Caine’s head.

  Caine

  Pedal to the metal I made my way back to the restaurant to see if I could catch up with Gina. That was some bullshit. Why the fuck would my own mother, tell Gina why I was there. Everybody knew I didn’t have to go to college and I never wanted to come. Our parents were close but not that damn close to tell some shit like that. After all my dad sent me there to avoid the truth from coming out, so I knew damn well Mama didn’t spill the beans that easily. I started to press the gas faster. I couldn’t get to the restaurant fast enough. If the white man was out, he’d just have to give me a ticket because I was not slowing down. Then the bitch had the nerve to say your secret is safe with me. Like that wasn’t going to raise eyebrows. The thought alone had me in a rage. No need to speculate anymore so I pulled my phone out of my jacket and started dialing a well-known number.

  “Hello,” the sound of a sweet pleasant voice said in my ear. “Mom I have something to ask you,” I just came out with it, no need to hold back the punches now. Gina disrespected me and I wanted to know the truth. My mom knew I was gay and apparently so did Gina. “Caine do you know what time it is? What on earth could be so important it couldn’t wait till morning,” my mother said still using her you-just-woke-me-up-out-my-sleep tone.

  My mother was the kindest lady you would ever meet. She had a heart of gold and would give you her last dollar. Until you messed with her money, family, or any of her material possessions. To my surprise, my mother disagreed with my dad’s decision to send me away. However, she knew if she didn’t then their goodie-two-shoe reputation would be destroyed. “Did you tell Gina or her parents why you guys sent me here?” I asked. It was silent on the phone for what seemed like eternity. Then she began to speak, “Caine, now why would I disclose some information about you to Gina or her parents?” I was thinking the same thing. “Your father and I haven’t told a soul,” my mother said. I knew my mother wasn’t lying to me because I didn’t see the need to send me to that university if they were going to tell anybody. What a relief, but I still needed to find out what Gina was talking about. Maybe the bitch did know something. “Okay Mom I will talk to you later, go back to sleep, sorry to bother you.” I hung up.

  By that time, I had arrived at the restaurant. I busted through the doors like a mad person, walked past the hostess, and proceeded to walk up to Gina’s table where I only saw Shawn sitting there. I approached the table and said, “Yo, where did Gina go?” He looked at me weird like he wanted to know why I was coming back to the restaurant asking for Gina. All he said was, “She went to the ladies room.” I waited there for about two minutes until I saw Gina’s ugly ass walking back to the table. My first reaction was to slap the piss out her ass but that would end up with me in handcuffs. She looked shocked to see me standing there waiting for her arrival. “Well hello Caine. I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you and that thing of a girl left.” I couldn’t believe she would actually play as if everything was gravy. Getting my thoughts together in my head, I told her, “Look we need to talk in private.” Gina being the stubborn bitch she was looked at me and said, “We don’t need to speak in private.” I was shocked to hear she had an attitude with me. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of Shawn,” Gina said. I wasn’t trying to put my business all out there, so I made her look like the stupid fool she was. “Remember the other night when you sucked my dick. Well the next morning my dick was burning. I went to the doctor and bitch,
come to find out, you have gonorrhea in your mouth. ” She was speechless because she knew I was lying my ass off but I didn’t give a fuck. She had the audacity to ruin my date so fuck her and her feelings. “So my advice to you Shawn is not to end up the same way.” Shawn looked at me like he was glad I said something before it was too late. Then he turned to Gina, shook his head, and said, “Damn I didn’t know you was a trifling ass hoe. But since you are this meal is on you.” He took a gulp of his drink, wiped his mouth with a napkin, then got up and walked away.

  It took about five minutes to walk out of the restaurant so I knew I had enough time to catch up with him after giving Gina a piece of my mind. “So what was that shit you were talking about me being here?” I guess she didn’t expect me to come off that way. I was always being the nice respectable Caine but I was not that day. I wanted to find out what she knew. “Who are you calling a bitch?” Gina said as if that was the only part of the question she heard. Avoiding her question I told her, “I want to know why you ruined my date with the accusation you made. Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.” I wanted to rip that bitch’s head off. I knew my mother said she didn’t spill the beans but I was wondering if Johnny Owens did. “Fuck it,” I said, “since you don’t wanna say shit then fuck it. But don’t go around starting something you can’t finish McCoy.” I left it at that and walked away.

  Leaving Gina at the table looking foolish, I speed walked to catch up to Shawn. “Hey man,” I yelled out so he could stop. He was just about to get in his car. “Hey man I just wanted to let you know that I’m sorry for cock-blocking your date.” He didn’t respond right away, which gave me a chance to check him out. I have to say the nigga was fine but he wasn’t my type. Plus I didn’t think he was on the down low so I’d be wasting my time. “Naw man, I should be thanking you,” Shawn finally spoke. “If it wasn’t for you, I’d be waking up tomorrow in the same predicament as you.” We both shared a laughed. He was laughing because he thought my dick burning, but I was laughing because it wasn’t even true and he had made Gina pay for the meal. From the looks of it, the bitch would be paying over $300 because their table was full of lobster, shrimp, fettuccini, and expensive champagne. “Hey man let me give you my number,” Shawn suggested. He wrote his digits down on a dollar bill and said, “Man I owe you a drink, that’s the least I can do for you looking out.” I was caught off guard and confused. First, he up and gave me his number, then he wrote it on a dollar bill like I was a bitch in need of money. Shit maybe that nigga was on the DL. What nigga you know who goes around doing some shit like that especially after I just fucked up his date. “Okay. Yeah man. You don’t have to do that but since you insist, I’d like that. I’ll hit you up tomorrow night,” I told him. “I know this good spot downtown.” Shawn nodded his head and agreed to the suggestion I made and said ok. He then started his car, put it in reverse, and drove away.