Choose Wisely

by Michele V. Mitchell

  “We don’t have to stay. We’ll just tell the waitress we changed our minds. We want to take our food to go,”

  She took a deep breath and let it out.

  “Thank you. This is a lot for me to deal with. So I can only imagine how he feels,”

  I spoke to the waitress and explained our situation. She said as soon as the food was done she would box it up, and bring it to our table.

  “Are you okay? This is a lot to deal with,” I said.

  “I know. But he needs me. This is the man I plan to marry. I’m going to be by his side through better or worse,”

  I admired the love they had for one another. I hoped Tyrone and I would get to that place one day. I still hadn’t told my family he moved in. It was so much going on. I decided that my news could wait.

  I parked my car in the hospital parking lot. I turned to my sister, who looked like she was in deep thought.

  “Do you want me go back inside with you?”

  She placed her hand on the passenger’s side door latch.

  “No I’m fine. I’m going to eat this food in the cafeteria and then head back upstairs. Thank you for coming!”

  I leaned across my console and gave her a big hug.

  “Call me if you need me, I’m going to go home and straighten up before I have to pick up David,”

  “Okay love you!”

  “I love you too,” I said.

  I sat in the parking lot, until she went back inside. I sped off, wanting to make it home before Tyrone did. The apartment was a mess and I didn’t want to hear his mouth. He was such a neat freak.

  Dontae

  “Hey, baby.” Lexi came into my room wearing a tight- fitting dress and, a pair of black high heel boots. Since I wasn’t able to speak I didn’t’ bother trying.

  “I’m glad to see you’re awake. I spoke with your doctor. He told me that you loss some of your memory,” she strolled up to my bed grabbing my hand. “I know you’re not speaking at the moment. But you do understand right?”

  I didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure why she was here. I just wanted her gone before Sandy came back.

  “You do understand right?” She yelled.

  I squeezed her hand. Letting her know I understood. The last thing I needed was her crazy behind making a scene.

  “I know you don’t love me and that’s okay,” she smiled

  “I know you’re in love with Miss Goody-Goody. I don’t have the slightest idea why,” she said while rolling her eyes.

  I closed my eyes wishing I could yell. What did she want? I prayed she’d just spit it out!

  “Do you remember our last time together? If you don’t remember nod your head,”

  I shook my head letting her I didn’t remember.

  “Umm….. That’s all right. I’ll just refresh your memory,” I watched her reached down inside her purse, pulling out her cell phone.

  She hit a button and put the phone to my ear. I heard my voice as well as hers. It sounded like we were having sex.

  She removed the phone from my ear.

  “In case you didn’t know. That’s me and you having sex last week. You sounded like you were really enjoying yourself. I had stopped by your house last week. Do you remember the good news I had for you? It doesn’t matter. I’ll just tell you again. I’m pregnant Donate. And the baby is yours,”

  I tried once again to speak. But I still wasn’t able to form a word. I didn’t remember sleeping with her. Or her telling me she had a baby on the way. I couldn’t let Sandy find out. She would leave me for sure. Lexi bent down whispering in my ear.

  “Calm down baby. I only told your girl about the pregnancy. Her finding out we slept together is up to you. About a month ago you tried to write me off. Telling me that would be the last time I asked you for anything,” she laughed.

  “Well you see now I’m not asking. I’m telling you. You’re going to give me whatever I want. If you don’t Miss Good-Goody to know that you’ve been a bad boy,”

  She walked over to where my personal items were sitting.

  “Is this the keys to club and the safe?”

  I shook my head yes.

  How could I have been so stupid? Lexi was a gold-digger and I just got played.

  “Don’t worry Papi. I don’t plan on breaking your pockets too bad. You see I tried to love you but you didn’t want that. Now it’s time to get mines for me and my kids,” she smiled rubbing her stomach.

  As soon as I heard the door open I knew who it was.

  “What are you doing here?” Sandy hissed.

  “I was trying to have a conversation with my baby daddy,” Lexi boasted.

  Sandy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She slowly walked over to Lexi and stood directly in front of her.

  “You need to go now! And as far as a baby is concerned talk to us once you have a blood test. Until then we’re not claiming nothing!” Lexi took a step back and smiled.

  “Don’ worry I was just leaving. I got what I came for and as far as my baby is concerned. Dontae is the father. Trust me on that!”

  We both watched as she marched out the door. I knew Sandy was pissed. She didn’t say a word. She just took my hand and laid her head on my chest. I rubbed her head praying to God to help me out of this predicament.

  Melissa

  It was several hours before I actually made it home. I had stopped to see my father and grabbed a few items from the grocery store. I had found out that one of Tyrone’s favorite foods was parmesan chicken. I was planning a romantic dinner he would never forget.

  I pulled into my parking lot, and grabbed my bags out the back of my car. I was out of breath by the time I reached the last step leading to my apartment. I know my father wanted my sister and me never to rent a bottom floor apartment. But sometimes I felt like the first floor wouldn’t be so bad.

  I was surprised when I unlocked my door and found Tyrone sitting on the couch.

  “Hey baby what are you doing here?”

  “Is there a problem with me being here?” He frowned.

  “Of course not,” I said nervously.

  I jumped as he took the grocery bags out of my hands. I didn’t know what was wrong with him. But I felt something deep down in my bones that something wasn’t right.

  “Why are you jumping? Did you do something you weren’t supposed to?”

  I had no clue what he was talking about. All I wanted to do was come home and prepare a romantic dinner for him. ‘I ain’t got time for this.’ I thought.

  I turned to walk away. He quickly grabbed my arm and tossed me on the living room floor. I tried to get up. But he pushed me back down. Before I knew it he was top of me with his legs straddled around my waist. I struggled to break free. He was just way to strong and heavy for that to happen. He reached in his back pocket and pulled out a letter.

  “Are you still fooling with this nigga?” He shoved the envelope in my face so hard; I could feel the paper cut forming on my forehead. I begged him to let me up. He ignored my pleas. I felt the tears as they rolled down my face.

  “Answer me! Are you fooling with Darius?” He yelled.

  “No I’m not fooling with him or anybody else,” I cried.

  He sat up still not removing himself off of me.

  “Well let’s see what ya man got to say,”

  I watched him open the letter. He began reading it aloud.

  “Dear, Melissa I’m sorry about our visit. I said a lot of things I didn’t mean. I just want you to know I love you and I’m sorry. I spoke with my lawyer today. He thinks he can get me acquitted. That means I’ll be home before you know it,”

  He threw the letter on the floor.

  “Explain to me why he would be telling you he’s coming home?”

  I guess I didn’t answer fast enough because the next thing I felt was his hand smacking me across the face. He hit me so hard; I could taste the blood in my mouth.

  “Answer me!” He demanded.

  “I don’t know!”


  “Stop lying bitch!”

  I tried once again to push him off me. All it did was make matters worse. He began banging my head against the floor. I tried to cover my face. But he held my one arm and gave me two strong jabs to the face. I finally stopped fighting. I was too weak to move. I just laid on floor and took the beating he felt I deserved.

  Finally after everything was over, he carried me into the bathroom and sat me on the toilet. I could hear the shower water running. He took off my clothes and helped me in the shower.

  “Look at your face. You see what you made me do? When will ya women learn ya place?” He continued you talk.

  I just stood in the shower and wept silently. I prayed to God to help me because if things didn’t change soon. One of us wasn’t going to make it out this relationship alive.

  Lexi

  Are you surprised? What did ya really think I was going to just keep silent, while everyone else got to express their feelings? I know most of you think I’m a bitch. Well maybe I am. But don’t forget it’s always to sides to a story. And maybe just maybe I’m this way for a reason.

  After I left the hospital I headed to the club. I was glad it was closed so I didn’t have to the run into anyone. I walked inside and headed to the basement. I turned on the hallway lights and made my way to Dontae’s office. I opened the door and removed the picture that the safe was hiding behind. I unlocked it and grabbed five stacks. Stuffing the money inside my bag I closed the safe and placed the picture back on the wall.

  I raced out the club and jumped in my ride. I had to hit the turnpike. There was some business that needed to be handled pronto. I turned my cd player to disc six. I bobbed my head as I listened to Notorious B-I-G Get Money. That was my motto f-nigga’s get money. They used me in return I used them.

  I drove for a little over an hour. I pulled into the Red Roof Inn parking lot in Mount Laurel New Jersey. I looked in my backseat and grabbed my honey blonde wig. I adjusted it, while puckering my lips to apply my red lipstick. I threw on my shades and walked around to motels lobby.

  I smiled at the young man who was working behind the front desk. I intentionally leaned over the counter, making sure he got a perfect view of twins. He was so mesmerized by breast. There was no way he could ever be able to point me out in a line up. I handed him one of my many fake ID’s and one hundred dollar bill. He in return handed me two room keys.

  I walked around to my room and opened the door. I looked around to make sure everything was just right for later tonight. I opened my purse and pulled out my cell phone. There were a few key players I needed to call to set my plan in action. This wasn’t just a now average set up. This one was personal.

  It was a little after one o’clock in the morning. Everything was set. All my key players were in place but one. I called Lou’s cell phone leaving him a message where everything was going down.

  “What if the mark shows up before Lou gets here?” Rosa asked.

  I took my little sister’s hand and sat her on the edge of the king size bed.

  “Don’t worry about anything. I have everything under control. Just do everything I told you and will be just fine,”

  Rosa was the youngest of my mother’s children. She was turning eighteen in two weeks and it was time she learned the game. I had been taking care of my mother and siblings for way too long. It was time to pass down the family torch.

  If you don’t know by now I make money by scamming anyone who ain’t on point. It’s what my mother did and it’s all I know. Lou and my mother taught me if I wanted to eat. I had to what was necessary to survive. I’ve been in this game since I was twelve. I’ll tell you more about that later. Right now I’ve got some business to take care.

  I heard a knock at the door. I glanced over at Rosa who looked like she just saw a ghost.

  “Are you all right?” I asked.

  “I’m good. I just feel a little nauseous,” she stated nervously.

  I patted her on the back and instructed her to go to the bathroom and put some cold water on her face. I opened the door and Lou rushed by me without a simple hello.

  “What’s the matter with you?” I questioned.

  “I’m just wondering what took you so long to get to the damn door! It’s cold as shit outside!” He complained.

  “I’m sorry but I have Rosa with me and she’s nervous. She’s in the bathroom now pulling herself together,”

  I opened the bathroom door and whispered to her that there had been a slight change of plans. When I sure she was cool, I closed the bathroom door so she could get ready.

  “Hi Lou!” She yelled peeking out the bathroom door.

  “What’s good baby girl?” He responded with a fake smile.

  He walked over to me and pinned my shoulders to the wall.

  “Where is the mark?” He whispered gritting his teeth.

  “He just text my phone, he should be here in an hour. Calm down!”

  “Are you sure she’s ready for this?”

  I stood my ground, staring him in the eyes.

  “Yes she’s ready. I know what I’m doing!”

  “I’m telling you now if she fucks up that’s your ass!”

  He was pissing me off. I hated the fact that he never had confidence in me. I met Lou when I was twelve. He and my mother use to run scams together. We started dating when I was sixteen. He thought because he was ten years my senior, that he knew everything. What he failed to realize was when my mother got sick and he went to jail, that I was the one holding everything down. He stepped back and I pushed him further away.

  “I’m not stupid Lou. She’s ready I’ll prove it to you. Come out here Rosa,” I yelled.

  I was actually caught off guard when she came strutting out the bathroom, wearing a sexy black lace teddy, with black spandex and removable garters. Her silver stiletto’s made her look even hotter.

  ‘Work it sis.’ I thought to myself. I turned on R-Kelly’s Bump N’ Grind with the small CD player I had brought along with me. I watched her work her magic. She gave him a lap dance and then took his hand and led him towards the door. Her back was against the wall and he was right where I wanted him.

  After all the years of playing by his rules it was my turn to change the game. I watched as my sister bent down and unbuckled his belt, lowering his jeans to the floor. I smirked knowing that he was finally about to get is. He was so caught up in the moment. He never noticed my sister slide his gun across the floor to me.

  I crept over and picked up the gun. Just when he thought he was about to receive the best head ever, I hit him as hard as I could with his gun. He fell to his knees and turned to see me standing over him. I directed my sister to go get dressed.

  “Ya can come out now!” I yelled.

  Rosa entered the bathroom and my two brothers, Roberto and James came out. I had them hiding in the bathroom just in case something went wrong. Roberto was Rosa’s twin, and James was our half-brother on my father’s side.

  I kept the gun pointing at Lou. I watched as my brother’s dragged his body over to one of the chairs in the room. I reached under the bed for the rope I had purchased.

  “Bitch I’m going to kill you! Have you lost your fucking mind?”

  “Shut him up!” I grinned.

  Rosa duct taped his mouth so no one else could hear him. I strolled over and pointed the gun at his forehead. It was finally over. The man who had controlled me half my life was about to be a non-factor. And I was pleased.

  “What did you think Lou? That I was going to stay that little girl you could run for the rest of my life? You took advantage of me! You abused me! I hate you!” I yelled.

  Rosa came over to comfort me. She could see I was losing my composure.

  “It’s okay sis. He will never hurt you again,”

  I removed her hand from my shoulder.

  “I know this is just something I have to do,”

  I had to let him know, that through all the mental and physical abuse I endured by his h
ands. I was still standing. I stood as he squirmed in the chair, trying to break free. I took the gun and hit him once more, this time right below his temple. I took pleasure watching as his head jerked back from my blow.

  I grabbed his chin. So he could look me in my eyes.

  “I use to love you. And you took advantage of my love. You took my innocents away. You made me do things that no man would ever have his woman do. It was always about a dollar with you. Making me pretend you was my brother so you could scam and sleep with other women, putting me in the hospital because you broke my jaw. When I told you I wanted out. What did you say? You said you would kill me!”

  I spun around the room laughing. I know my siblings probably thought I was crazy. They didn’t understand what it meant to finally be free. I kneeled down and gave him one last kiss. I guess you could call it the kiss of death.

  I lifted my head, while gazing into his eyes.

  “You brought this on yourself!”

  I grabbed my things and me and Rosa headed towards the door. I hugged my brothers and softly spoke.

  “Do what you have to do so I never have to lay eyes on him again. Make sure you don’t leave anything behind. I’ll meet ya at Mommy’s house. Love you and good job today!”

  “Love you too!” They both said in unison.

  I jumped in my car, feeling like a heavy weight had finally been lifted off me. It was time to start a new a life. And with my family by my side anything was possible. Watch out Harrisburg because we’re coming.

  To Be Continued…………..