by Anjela Day
“What up mama,” he said as he ran two fingers down my face. I pulled back and rolled my eyes.
“Um, I was wondering if you had Deuce’s address?”
“What's in it for me?” he asked, and undressed me with his eyes.
“Nothing is in it for you. I have his stuff that I need to give back. I’ll tell him that you were thinking about touching me and you know he gon’ body you!” Returning his cocky grin, I crossed my arms over my chest, and sucked my teeth.
“Bitch, nobody wants yo’ ugly high yellow ass!” he said and snatched my pen from my hand. “You got paper?”
“Yeah, we’re at school!”
I went into my book bag and handed him my notebook. He frowned at the first sight of the doodles I had drawn all over: Ven Loves Deuce.
He wrote Deuce’s address down, gave me one last glance and stormed off like a girl.
I hopped on the bus and headed towards the burbs. I kept looking at the address knowing that this was a mistake to be taking this ride. Of course, the bus stopped a mile outside of his neighborhood, so I had to walk the rest of the way. The houses were huge and seemed endless. Finally, I made my way to his house.
I was sweaty and was ready to turn away, but I had come too far. I put a little lip-gloss on and brushed my hair back with my hand before ringing the bell. I could hear voices inside before the door flung open.
“What?” Deuce frowned. His leg was in a blue sling and his arm was bandaged up. “How you get up here? No guards were at the gates?”
I looked behind me, and shook my head no. It was clear to see that he didn’t want to be bothered, so I turned to leave, but he pulled me back.
“Man come in. You’re letting the air out!” he ordered. He grabbed his crutches and walked back into the house.
I stepped inside, but was clueless what my next move should be. I just stood by the door watching as he walked over to a huge sectional sofa in an even bigger sitting area. He plopped down and put his leg up on the ottoman and turned the TV back up.
“Man, come sit down!” he groaned. I walked over and sat beside him. With his good hand, he draped it around my neck.
“You hurt much?” I asked trying to make small talk.
“Naw, I just like limping,” he said and down bent down to grab his soda from the table. He handed it to me.
DEUCE
Damn, I was not supposed to be feeling this way. Soon as I saw that girl at the door, I got geeked as fuck. I shook it off. I couldn’t have a chick seeing me at a weak point. Nevertheless, her sitting up under me with my face buried in her hair, felt good as fuck.
“Come here mama,” I said as I turned to face her. I slipped my tongue in her mouth. I hated kissing girls, but Venice tasted like strawberry bubblegum. I stood up and grabbed my crutches and then walked towards the kitchen. “Come here.”
I handed her some chips and pop out the pantry before I started hopping up the stairs.
“Man, why I got to keep telling you to come on?” I shouted once I made it upstairs to my room. I fell onto my bed just as she came in behind me and closed the door. I sat up in bed and pulled her to me. She sat beside me and kept staring at my leg.“I’m good.”
I removed the brace and stripped down to my basketball shorts.
“Man, these meds got me feeling heavy as hell! Why don't you take a nap with me?” I asked with this sneaky thought in my head.
She looked at her watch and took off her shoes and jeans. My dick was thumping as I looked at her in her panties and t-shirt.
“Where are your parents?” She asked, looking nervous as hell.
“My moms and sister out of town and my pops locked up. I’m on my own till Sunday.” I told her and slipped my finger into her panties. She sighed like she was stressed.
As bad as I wanted to fuck, I could tell that she didn't, so I just ran my hand over her pussy for a second. I then rested my hand on her stomach and laid my face in her hair.
“Yo’, you can’t tell yo mom you are staying with yo’ homegirl for the weekend and just chill with me?” I asked her. I was ready to gain her trust! Ready to pop her cherry! Ready to collect from Jay!
She looked away like she had to think on it.
“Yeah, I can tell her my home girl, but …” she paused and pulled away.
“Man, I’m not gone rape yo’ ass! I just want somebody to chill with while I’m on house arrest.” I pointed to my ankle and smirked.
“Yeah, I can do that,” she said as she turned to face me.“Can I use your phone?”
I handed her my phone and looked away as she dialed the number.
“Hey, mom, I’m staying with Em so I can go to cheer practice. Yes, her mom is here she is the one who insisted I called,” Venice whined into the phone before she ended the call. When she was all done, she laid and went straight to sleep.
Chapter 2
ITALY
I hung up the phone with my sister. We always called each other when we would stay out late. That way it made people think someone cared about us. I won’t lie and say I didn't feel guilty for lying, but I would have felt more shame if he knew my mother was a crack head that rarely came home herself.
I closed my eyes and just took in his scent. It was something about being in his arms that made it easy for me to fall in a deep sleep.
Hours later, I woke up in his bed alone. Deuce was sitting in his chair playing his video game.
“Damn, Ma’, you were sleepy as fuck I see! My nigga came by and dropped off some food. You hungry?”
I was starving, but I really didn't want to eat in front of him. I got up and went in the bathroom.
“Tooth brush?” I yelled out.
“Cabinet! My mom always put like 3 in there.”
I laughed and looked inside. I grabbed the white tooth-brush and couldn’t help but to go through his little things. I looked at his deodorants, colognes, and other stuff before brushing my teeth.
I freshened up and came out the bathroom. Deuce was lying in the bed. I sucked it up and tried to pretend like he wasn’t fazing me. I snatched the bag of hot chips from his hand and lay next to him. He turned on Netflix. I still kind of felt shy around him, but I was starting to open up.
“Nice looking out with the gun,” he said. He pulled a blunt and lighter from the nightstand. He tossed the lighter back on the table and took three hard pulls. He motioned for me to come to him, and he kissed me with the smoke in his mouth. I could feel myself getting lightheaded, but he didn't pull away so nor did I.
“Um, ma’ you like that?”
I giggled and laid back on Deuce. Taking the blunt,I took a pull and blew the smoke out like it was a cigarette.
“Naw, Ma’, hold that shit in.”
He took the blunt, took another hit, and kissed me again. I was tingling all over and so ready to strip to let Deuce have his way with me. I ran my hands down his stomach and stopped at the band of his shorts. He put the el out and ran his hands over the seat of my panties.
Deuce stopped me and got up to pee. While he was away, I slipped out of my panties and lay under the cover. I wasn’t sure I was ready for sex; I just knew it felt so good with him. I felt safe, and it wasn’t like he hadn’t been hinting that he wanted it.
He came back into the room and took his wife beater off. He went to cut the light off, and then lay beside me underneath the covers. His cold body was directly against mines.
“Move Deuce, you’re cold!” I whined, loving the way his body felt next to mine.
“So what!”
I felt so good as we lay together while watching movies and eating junk food. Just as I dozed off again, he slipped his hands on my pussy and just rubbed it. I could feel my breath leave my body, and I didn't want to stop him. This was it, he was about to make me a woman; I thought to myself as he started to slide his finger in me.
“Ouch ou ou, Deuce no,” I cried out. He only had one finger inside of me.
“Alright, stop yelling!” he kissed my face and mov
ed his hand away from off me. We lay down for another twenty minutes before he attempted again. I sighed, and Deuce stopped. He turned the TV up, and we didn't talk.
As soon as I fell asleep, I could feel him move. He tossed his pillow on the floor and lay down on the hard wood.
“What you doing?”
He put his leg up on the bed and looked up at me.
“I’m propping my leg up. Shit hurts!” he said and laid back onto the floor.
“Deuce, what's yo’ real name?” I asked softly. I didn’t know if I feared asking or that he wouldn’t tell me.
“Why?” he laughed. My feelings were hurt; I became embarrassed. I quickly turned over and pulled the blanket over my head.
“Sacario Lama Alton Jr.; hence the name Deuce. I’m the second. No one calls me that; not even my parents. I just always have been Deuce. My mom would call me Sacario if she were pissed. After my dad got locked up, I think saying the name would make her sad, so we just say DEUCE. Now tell me something personal about you,” he said, and smiled the perfect smile at me.
I looked at him and wanted to confess it all. I mean he had just shared so much with me. I cleared my throat and laughed.
“Well, I put my panties back on and I really want you to lie back in the bed with me!”
“That shit not personal. Any way my leg in pain”
“What happened when you got in that car accident?”
He laughed and lifted his body. He removed his shorts and underneath he had another pair just a little shorter.
“I didn't get hit. I got shot!”
He showed me the hole in his leg and my body shook.
“Oh, my God!”
He pulled himself up and laid behind me.
“Well, my mom said she named me Venice because when she was in her 20’s she was supposed to marry this man—”
“I would hope she would marry a man,” he interrupted.
“Any way Deuce, he was gon’ take her to Italy and they were gon’ ride in those big boats.”
“So, your mom named you after a place yo dad didn't take her? That’s dumb.”
“Not my dad Tasha and Justin’s dad. He got killed when they were babies and it’s not dumb Deuce; its romantic.” I pulled away, but he didn’t let me go and only pulled me closer.
“Deuce?” A voice said from the stairs, and then there was a tap on the door.
“Fuckkkkkk!” He said as he climbed out of bed. He cracked the door open and stuck his head out.
“What up Unk?”
“Yo mom called me and asked me to keep an eye on you! I know you got some chick in here, so I’m gon’ bounce, but if she ask let her know I was here!” Avery’s deep voice said.
“She asked you Unk?” Deuce said.
“Yeah, I guess she was desperate!”
They both laughed.
“Alight, unk nice looking out.”
Deuce went to close the door when his uncle stopped him. “You got cash?”
“Yeah no doubt,” Deuce replied.
“Have you been to see yo’ pops?” the man asked.
“Naw, Ma’ said fuck that nigga!” Deuce said with a stern look on his face
The man roared, “Yeah, he told me they got a divorce. That’s still yo’ fuckin’ father! Anyway, I’m working on getting that thing off yo’ leg since you didn't have a fuckin gun, but I’m gon’ need you to stop acting dumb! You need help, call me. What the fuck can yo’ mom do, but pay bail?”
“I know Unk, but I don't want to see my mom’s in pain,” Deuce said.
“Man yo’ mom is grown as fuck! She keeps doing what she is doing and O gone kill her ass, but anyway that shit got nothing to do with you! I put some ice cream and shit downstairs. Stay off that leg as much as possible, and I’ll be back next week to take you to see yo’ pops. Man yo’ mom being dumb. Me, your uncle O, and yo’ dad couldn’t even go see our pops, and she won’t even let you see yours,” the man said.
“Unk its cool”
“Well, I’m working on some shit, but you stay smart and stay out of trouble. Fuck that nigga shot you for?” his uncle asked, and Deuce looked away.
“ Unk, can we talk later?” Deuce asked as he looked from me to his uncle.
“Naw we talking now. You want me to come in and chill wit’ you and ya’ girl?” the man said. He looked at me and smiled. Deuce sucked his teeth and shook his head no.
“I was selling,” Deuce said with his stare to the ground.
“What?” His uncle pushed his way into the door and lifted him off the ground. “For who?” Deuce looked away, almost ashamed to answer.“For Money!”
His uncle dropped him to the ground and towered over him. He appeared to be very upset with what Deuce had just said. He didn't even look at me. He just lifted Deuce’s shirt off him.
“You see yo’ chest?” the man pointed to what looked like a scar.
“Yeah,” Deuce said. He stood up and took a few steps back from his uncle.
“Money, shot yo ass! And that’s who you work with?”
“Unk, y’all don't know it was him.”
“Nigga, you 15 and have been shot more than I have!”
Deuce looked over at me and back at his uncle.
“Look, you wanna work?” He stepped in Deuce’s face and grabbed his shirt. “You’re working the block, then you’ll keep it in the family! I’ll send Desmond over with a start kit and I’ll holla at Money!” his uncle said.
“Naw, Unk, I’m grown. I can holla at him,” Deuce said proudly.
His uncle laughed. “You a man? Then step to me, or O, not that bitch nigga! Yo’ pops gon’ fuckin’ flip,” his uncle roared.
“So, don't fuckin’ tell him,” Deuce stated with authority
“Nigga, watch yo’ tone!” his uncle urged and gave him a stern look.
“Unk, stop bringing that nigga up to me. He dogged my mom’s far as I’m concerned…”
“Watch what you say Sacario Jr.” His uncle called him by his given name. They were in a heated fight and I was frightened.
“Man unk I’m…” his uncle cut him off before he could finish.
“Naw, you not! I’m bout to be out yo’ hair; you need to talk to yo’ pops.”
He kissed his forehead and finally glanced over at me. He stepped out of the room and closed the door. Deuce looked at me and hopped back over to the bed. He slid down on the floor and just started doing sit ups. I didn't know if I should say anything to him. He looked pissed.
“Hey, you want me to get you something to drink or something?” I asked watching as he worked out.
“Naw, I can get my own shit!” he yelled at me.
“I was just asking.”
“Well don't!”
He was truly pissed off. I grabbed my jeans off the floor and slipped them on. I didn't have to stay and let him yell at me. I slipped my shoes on and walked towards the door.
“Man, Venice, where are you going?” he asked the obvious.
“Home!”
He hopped up and grabbed his crutch as I ran down the stairs. I gathered my book bag, and purse, and prepared to leave.
“Man, Ven, you gone make me fuckin’ fall! You know I can’t run! Stop acting like a baby!”
“No Sacario!”
“Oh, fuck! Now she calls me this shit. Don't call me that!” He yelled and pushed me to the couch.
DEUCE
I looked at Venice and put my leg on her lap. She rolled her eyes, and then started to rub my leg.
“You mad at me?” I asked her.
“No I’m…” she paused and tossed her head back.
“What man?”
“I think…” she paused again, and sat my leg on the floor.
“I’m sleepy,” she said, and held her hands out to help me up. I sucked my teeth, sat up, and then allowed her to pull me half way to my feet.
“Pull hard,” I joked with her. I laughed as she grunted to pull me up and with one light yank I pulled her on my lap.
“G
ive me kiss and tell me you not mad,” I told her as I ran my fingers through her hair. She pouted for a minute and then told me she wasn’t mad. She stood up, walked in the kitchen, and came out with two spoons and the ice cream my uncle had just bought. We walked upstairs and got back in bed where we just chilled and ate ice-cream.
The whole weekend, we chilled talked and vegged out. I was unsure that this was what love was, but at the same time I wasn’t ‘bout to fall for the trap. I made it clear to myself that she was just pussy. Once I hit and got my cash from Jay, I would never look at Ven again.
My unk kept his word and put me in the game. I ended business with Money and that made him very unhappy, but I ain’t care, I was stacking more paper than ever. The weekend had come and gone and I had just paid Jay off.
I was becoming in too deep with that girl. She had me sneaking her in to spend the night from time to time and staying up late on the phone with her. That shit wasn’t me. I looked at the phone cause I could hear her dozing off.
“Venice, you sleep bae? I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You taking me to school?” she asked that dumb question like I hadn’t been taking her
every day.
“Yeah, but why the fuck can’t I pick you up from yo’ spot? Why always at the bus stop?” She sighed, and I could sense that she was biting her bottom lip.
“Cuz my mom overprotective.”
“Man, whatever go to sleep! I’ll holla at you in the AM.”
I picked Venice up at the bus stop early as hell the next morning. So early, we had time for pancakes at IHOP. I sat across the table watching as she picked over her food. I loved the fact that she couldn’t stop smiling at me.
I knew this was bad; Venice was catching feelings. I didn’t want to hurt her; I just didn’t want that right now. I wasn’t the lovey dubby type nigga. After seeing shit my parents went through, I wasn’t sure I ever would be. As I was dropping Venice off, this chick name, Raven, walked over to my ride.
“What up Deuce? This yo car?” she asked, referring to the supped up Camaro I was driving.
“Naw, it’s my uncle’s why?” I licked my lips as I looked at Raven’s thick frame and pouty lips.