by Nique Luarks
Amina turned and popped her gum loudly. “So we just not talking no more? I know you ain’t still mad about that comment I made towards you and Kory.”
Jeanette sighed. “I’m not worried about you Amina.” She started putting her coat on. Jeanette had to remind herself that Amina really didn’t know anything about her. They were simply co-workers. Nothing more, nothing less.
Amina looked up at her. “Well, I was wanting to tell you I have an idea, on how to get Tone to be with me.” She paused for Jeanette’s response.
Jeanette just looked at her.
Amina grinned, “I’ma get pregnant by him.” she cheesed.
Jeanette frowned. “What? Why? He’s not going to get you pregnant Amina.”
Amina smirked. “Oh he’s gonna get me pregnant.” she said defiantly. “He may not try to, but he will.” she said as a matter of fact.
Jeanette shook her head at Amina. “You sound stupid. So how exactly do you think this is going to go down?”
Amina gave her a smug look. “Watch me work.”
Jeanette made her way to her car, when the honk of a horn frightened her. The car stopped, but the driver didn’t say anything. She couldn’t make out who was in the car because the tint was dark. Fear sat in as she rushed to her car.
“Ms. Marshall!”
Jeanette stopped in her tracks. The driver’s side window came down. “Do I know you?” Still she slowly made her way to her vehicle.
Whoever it was put the car in park and opened the car door. Dr. Hendrix got out, “Ms. Marshall. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just came back to get some paperwork.” He gave her a sorry look.
Jeanette breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, Dr. Hendrix. It’s just all these murders have been occurring and I wasn’t trying to be another victim.” She was happy it was him, because now she felt safe.
“I know, I do apologize again. Did you park close?”
She pointed. “Yea, I’m just down at the other end.”
“You want a lift there?” he asked.
“No thank you, I’m ok.”
“You sure? It’s dark out here.” he offered again.
“I’m sure, thanks again Dr.” She headed to her car, with her heart racing. Thank God for Dr. Hendrix.
When Jeanette got home and was settled, she called Skyy. Since the day Skyy called her with news about Amina jumping Erin, Skyy hadn’t really been fooling with her. She waited for Skyy to answer as she went to little Kory’s room to find him something to wear for the next day.
Skyy answered. “Sup Nette.”
“Sup Skyy. Where you been? Mrs. MIA.”
Skyy chuckled. “Girl working, trying to stay my ass out of drama. You?”
Jeanette picked out a shirt. “Same here. What you doing for Thanksgiving, you cooking?”
Skyy sucked her teeth. “Hell no. My mom is though. I’ma bring Deidra over there to meet everybody.”
Jeanette was shocked. “Whaaaat? What brought this on? Last time I checked you weren’t ready for her to meet everybody.”
Skyy laughed. “Yea, I know. But Deidra said that if I’m serious about this relationship then I need to act like it.” Skyy laughed at how gone Deidra had her.
Jeanette took the clothes she picked out and headed back to her room. “So she’s making you? That’s not cool.” Jeanette frowned.
“She’s not making me, I want to. I want to be with her and if this is what it takes, then I’ll do it.” Skyy didn’t like Jeanette’s tone.
“Yea ok. So all of a sudden, you wanna be all in love?” Jeanette didn’t believe her. Not too long ago Skyy swore up and down she was not a lesbian.
“Jeanette what’s up with you? Acting all funny and shit? First it was with Erin, letting that bitch Amina disrespect her, now I feel like you coming for me? What’s the real issue?”
Jeanette sat on her bed, “I don’t have an issue. I just find it funny that you talked all that shit about Erin and Sasha to me and Kory, now you all up under their asses. Make up your mind.”
Skyy became indignant. “Jeanette you know me and Erin argue all the time. If we make up, then we make up. If we don’t, then we don’t, but USUALLY we do. Just because your man decides who you can and cannot befriend don’t mean you gotta take it out on me. Take that up with him.”
“Whatever Skyy, you want to continue to kiss Erin’s ass, more power to you.” Jeanette was over the conversation.
“Bye, Jeanette, before I curse you the fuck...” Skyy hung up in her face.
Jeanette looked down at her phone, “No she didn’t.”
Erin paced back and forth in her bedroom waiting for Sasha, and with multiple failed attempts to reach her she was getting tired. She called her again, and this time she was sent to voicemail. “Shit!” She waited for the answering machine to beep so she could leave a message. “Hey Sash, this is my fourth time calling you. What’s up, is everything good? I got something to tell you about Shawn. Call me back girl, aight, later.”
Skyy pulled Skylar’s shirt over her head. “Stay still Skylar damn.”
“Mommy, ouch, hurt.” Skylar tried to wiggle away from her.
“Quit it!” Skylar started crying. “I’m sorry baby, but you have to listen to mommy. Don’t you want to see grandma today?” Skylar nodded. “Ok, then you have to put your clothes on.”
Skyy didn’t mean to take her frustration out on Skylar, but she was a nervous wreck. It was Thanksgiving and today was the day. The day her whole life was about to change. It wasn’t like she was bringing another boyfriend to meet her family, she now had a girlfriend. She took a deep breath as she finished getting Skylar dressed. “Go put your shoes on.”
Deidra stood in the doorway, looking high as a kite. “Why are you in here yelling at my baby?” She and Skylar had become very close, and she loved her like she was her own.
Skyy walked past Deidra. “You finish getting her ready then.”
Deidra shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know what you mad at. If you don’t want to do this, then say it. I’m not putting a gun to your head. You’re a grown woman.”
Skyy ignored her as she pulled her phone out her hoodie to call Erin. When Tone answered the phone she laughed.
“Wassup.”
“Hey Tone, is E by you?” Skyy just shook her head.
“Yea, hold on. Baby!” Tone yelled. “Here she come.”
Erin picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Damn bitch, he answering the phone and everything. The dick must be good.” Skyy joked.
Erin laughed. “Whatever, what’s up? Y’all at your mom’s yet?”
Skyy pouted. “No. E I’m so scared. I don’t know how this is going to play out.” Skyy rubbed her forehead. “The whole family is going to be there. What I’ma do?”
Erin laughed again. “Bitch you gone be alright. I’m proud of you, finally coming out the closet and shit.”
Skyy laughed. “Whatever. I’ma do it and get it over with. I’m meeting her family for a quick second too. Are you done cooking yet?”
“Basically, I got Erica ass icing the cake. You heard from Sasha? I called her like a day and a half ago, she told me should would be on her way and then just started ignoring my calls.” Erin was starting to worry.
“No, I’ll try to call her later on. But let me go, so I can get this over with.”
“Ok, good luck. Later.”
Chapter Eleven: Intuition
Skyy fixed her shirt as she, Deidra and Skylar made their way inside her mother’s house. It was time and she was ready. When she opened the door she was instantly greeted by her Aunt Halle.
“Niece! Just who I’ve been looking for.” She picked up Skylar. “Hey auntie’s baby.” Aunt Halle looked from Skyy to Deidra. “Who’s this?” She extended her hand for a handshake.
“This is my friend Deidra.”
Aunt Halle gave Deidra the once over as she shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, they already started eating. Y’all go ahead and fix a plate. Your mom
is in the kitchen.”
Skyy headed to the kitchen introducing everybody to Deidra as she made her way through the house. When she got in the kitchen her mom was standing in front of the stove talking to one of her little cousins. She took a deep breath and made her way over to her.
“Hey mama.” she hugged her. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Her mother turned around. “Hey Skyy, where’s Skylar?”
“In the living room with Aunt Halle.” She grabbed Deidra’s arm. “Mama this is Deidra.”
Her mother smiled at Deidra. “We’ve met before. The night of the thunderstorm, you don’t remember me? How are you?”
Deidra smiled at her. “Yes, I remember you Ms. Stephanie.”
Skyy pulled Deidra closer. “No mama. Deidra is more than just my friend.” She watched her mother’s face. “Mama, Deidra is my girlfriend. We’re in a relationship.” she paused.
Her mother squinted her eyes. “Your girlfriend? As in …”
“Mama, me and Deidra are a couple. I’m a lesbian.” Skyy held her breath. To her surprise her mother grabbed her and hugged her. Skyy looked at Deidra shrugging her shoulders.
Ms. Stephanie sighed. “Skyy, I’ve known since the night of the thunderstorm. Your secret lover who you would not let me meet? I was starting to think you couldn’t come to me and talk. You know mama loves you.” She gave Deidra a hug too. “Welcome to the family.”
Sasha felt like shit. Since she kissed Michael, she felt guilty as ever. Here she was jumping down Shawn’s throat and she was the one tonguing her boss down. Instead of meeting up with Erin she went home and stayed there. She had enough time to figure out her next move, knowing she had to let the job go. The kiss she shared with Michael was like no other, and because of that she knew Erin was right when she said it would turn out ugly.
So now here she was on Thanksgiving, alone. She was too embarrassed to tell her girls, and felt way too guilty to even be around Shawn and his family. She simply told Shawn she wasn’t feeling well and was going to stay home to get some rest. The longer she sat there she knew she had to gain control over the situation and get it together. She picked up her phone to call Shawn.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hey baby, how’s the family?” She stood up heading to the closet.
“They’re great. Everybody has been asking about you. How are you feeling? You get some sleep?”
Sasha pulled a pair of jeans off of a hanger. “Yea, I feel a whole lot better.”
“Good, well I’ll be home after I leave here. Mom and Pop about to start this slide show.” he laughed.
Sasha laughed. “They do it every year.”
Shawn agreed. “Yea, they do. I wish you were here. I hate spending holidays without you.”
Sasha smiled. “Aww baby, I hate spending holidays without you too.”
“Ok, well let me go, I’ll see you in a couple hours. I love you.”
“Ok, I love you too.” Sasha hung up the phone cheesing. Maybe she and Shawn could work through their problems. Every relationship had their ups and downs. She wasn’t ready to call it quits, Shawn wasn’t perfect, but he was a good man. He would never intentionally hurt her. He’d made a mistake, and she did too. She was willing to give it her all.
Sasha threw on a t-shirt, jeans, and her Adidas. She was ready to put everything in the past and move forward. There was no way she was going to let an infatuation ruin everything they’d built. She was even ready to accept Shawn’s little girl, and treat her as her own, if that would better their relationship. Sasha locked the front door and made her way to Shawn’s parent’s house.
Sasha pulled up in front of the crowded house and parked. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Shawn’s face when he saw her. They’d spent every holiday together since they’d met and this one was not going to be any different. She made her way up the walkway when Shawn’s older sister came out the house with her son.
The look on his sister’s face confused Sasha. “Sash what are you doing here? Shawn said you were sick and were staying at home.” She looked back at the house.
Sasha walked up the porch stairs. “Hi Kiera. Girl I feel much better, I just needed some sleep. Happy Thanksgiving.” She snuck a kiss on little man’s cheek.
Kiera pulled her phone out texting, and then looked back at the house again. “Did Shawn know you were coming?”
“Girl no, I’m about to surprise his ass now.” Sasha opened the screen door. Shawn came rushing towards her in full speed.
“Baby I thought you were sick.” He rubbed her arm and kissed her.
Sasha smiled. “I feel so much better now, and I couldn’t be without you on Thanksgiving. Where’s everybody at?” She tried to pass him. When he stopped her, she frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Shawn shook his head. “Baby, let me take you home.” A female walked up to them and stood next to Shawn holding a baby.
“Baby, your mom is funny.” She smiled at Sasha as she bounced the baby up and down.
Sasha looked from Shawn to her. “Shawn who the fuck is this?” Then it hit her. Sasha became infuriated. “NO THE FUCK YOU DIDN’T!” She smacked Shawn damn near knocking his head off his shoulders. “You bitch ass nigga!” She began punching and clawing at his face. “You brought this bitch to your mama’s house!?”
Kiera called for help. “Daddy! Get up here!” She put her son down trying to calm Sasha down. “Sash, it’s not even worth it.”
Shawn grabbed her by her wrist. “Not here Sasha, don’t disrespect my parents.” Shawn tried to hold her still.
Milan disappeared as Shawn’s father came running to them. “Sasha!” He pulled Shawn away from her and gently pulled her outside. “Sasha, I’m so sorry you don-“
Sasha cut him off crying hysterically. “You’re not sorry!” She snatched away from him as tears poured out her eyes. “I can’t believe this shit!”
Shawn’s mother came out the house. “Sasha! Not here! Not today! This is my house, so at least respect me enough to take that ghetto mess somewhere else.” She turned her nose up and went back in the house.
Sasha shook her head in disbelief. “Fuck y’all!” She rushed back to her car with his father on her heels.
“Sasha I’m truly sorry you found out this way. My son is-“
“A lying, cheating, dog ass nigga! That’s what your son is!” she yelled in his face, almost immediately regretting disrespecting him.
Kiera and Shawn came out of the house. “Don’t talk to my daddy like that Sasha!” Kiera screamed at her. “Your issue is with Shawn, not my daddy.”
Sasha rolled her eyes. “Fuck you Kiera!” His father rapidly grabbed Kiera and forced her back into the house.
“No, fuck you! I’m glad my brother is finally done with your broke, ungrateful ass!”
Sasha cried as she made her way back to her car. Her blurred vision caused her to stumble a bit.
“Sasha, baby let me explain.” Shawn pleaded.
She ignored him hopping into her car and speeding off.
Erin finished cleaning up the last of the mess from dinner. She was happy she’d spent her first Thanksgiving with Tone. Her mother loved him and her family liked him. Tone was so open with her family, telling them how much he adored Erin, and how he respected her. Turning the lights off Erin made her way to her room.
Tone was laid out across the bed watching television when she entered the room. She jumped on the bed with him, kissing his face and neck.
Tone pulled her close. “What’s up love?” He kissed her nose.
“Thank you for helping me clean up.” she said sarcastically.
Tone laughed. “You’re welcome.”
Erin punched him playfully then sat up. She turned the television off, and looked down at him. “We need to talk.”
Tone rubbed his goatee. “What’s up?”
“Tone, I know we don’t live together, but since you here all the time-“
He cut her off. “What you want me to cash out on some
bills?” He was perplexed because Erin refused to take any money from him.
Erin shook her head. “No. I don’t need your help. I want to know what you do for a living.” She gave him a hard look. “You’re always on the go, and lately you just been so busy. I’m not stupid, but I want to hear it from you, I need to hear it from you.”
Tone sat up too. “I’ma hustler.” he simply stated.
“A hustler? Ok so-“
“So, that’s all you need to know. What I do don’t concern you, because you will never cross paths with it. The less you know, the better, and that’s for the both of us.”
“How is that better when you won’t even talk to me about what’s going on in your life? I’m not a weak bitch Santonio; I just prefer to know what I’m dealing with. Shit, WHO I’m dealing with.”
Tone gave her a blank look. “It’s better because you’re safer that way. As long as I’m spending time with you, and we enjoying each other company, all that other shit shouldn’t even matter. Take my word. I would never let anything happen to you, no matter what I do. But I’m not the type of nigga to just tell all my business. The things that I tell you are beneficial to this relationship.”
Erin rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I just want to know more about the man that I’m sleeping with, that’s all.” she pouted.
Tone rubbed her back. “Look love, you see me every day. You see the cars I drive, where I live, and you’ve seen the house my mom’s stay in. You know I’m not pressed for shit, and you know since you my love, you ain’t either. Point blank period, I’ma hustler. It don’t matter how I get it, I get it, and as long as I got it, you do too. It doesn’t matter if I’m slanging rock, or working at McDonalds. You know everything about me you need to know.”
Erin sighed. “I guess.”
Tone laughed at her. “You a trip man.” He got out the bed grabbing his overnight bag. He sat on the edge of the bed and opened it. Pulling out two books, he tossed them on the bed. He sighed then looked back at Erin.
She reached for them skimming through them, “What are these. I know you read, but this is boring.” She continued flipping through the pages.