Worst Case Scenario

by Chenell Parker

  “I’m done with all that shit baby, I promise,” Remo said as he grabbed her hand.

  “I’ll trust you until you give me a reason not to,” Kalani replied, right as someone blew their horn behind them. Remo was at a red light that had changed multiple times. Every other car went around but some asshole just had to blow.

  “Go the fuck around!” Remo yelled as he tried to get out of the car.

  “Relax baby, he’s going around,” Kalani said as she laughed at the frown on his face. Remo and Nas popped off at the drop of a dime and always have. Remo had terrible road rage and Kalani always had to calm him down.

  “I should shoot his stupid ass,” Remo fumed as he looked at the driver who drove on the side of them.

  “I need to go get my car,” Kalani said once he started driving again.

  “Your car is already at home with your sneaky ass,” Remo said while looking over at her.

  “How did you know where my car was?” Kalani asked. She knew that Remo had a spare key but he couldn’t have known where she parked.

  “The same way I knew where you were. Don’t ever make the mistake of underestimating me. You should know better than that by now,” Remo smirked as he continued to their destination.

  Kalani didn’t even bother asking him any questions. She knew the kind of man that she was dealing with and he wouldn’t answer anyway. Remo was cut from a different cloth. It scared her to know that there was an exact replica of him roaming the streets somewhere.

  “I don’t know what you want me to tell you. I got her enough diapers, wipes, milk and clothes to last for a few months. I’m handling my business and I always have,” Gavin said as he cradled Summer in his arms.

  “Okay, Summer is straight but I have bills too. I missed work two Saturdays in a row and my pockets are feeling it. You and your wife are straight financially but I won’t be if I keep missing on the busiest days. Today will make Saturday number three!” Misty yelled with tears in her eyes.

  She was frustrated and she didn’t know what to do. The babysitter that she had lined up turned out to be a disaster. She was a college student and all she wanted to do was party. Misty came home twice to find Summer crying with a soiled diaper on. She was no better than Milan and she just couldn’t deal. One of the bottle girls at the club got her mother to babysit a few times but that didn’t work out either. Tammy had three kids of her own and her mother was already having a hard enough time with them. Watching Summer was just too much on the older lady.

  “What do you want me to tell you, Misty? It ain’t like I can do the shit myself. I come over here on my off days to spend time with her but I can’t babysit all night for you to shake your ass in the club. I have a wife at home,” Gavin pointed out.

  It was Saturday, but he still made time to go to the store and stock up on everything that his daughter needed. He had been cutting hair since six that morning and he was tired. Hearing Misty bitch about the same thing was not something that he was in the mood for.

  “You had a wife at home when you used to come over here and fuck me too,” Misty spat angrily.

  “I think that’s what the problem is. You must be feeling some type of way because a nigga ain’t fucking you no more. I already told you that shit was a wrap when Toi heard us. All she needed to see was me coming out of your room and I would have been busted,” Gavin said.

  “Are you fucking serious right now? I don’t give a fuck about you not sleeping with me anymore. Dick comes a dime a dozen and I’ve never had a problem getting it. This is about me needing a reliable babysitter so I can work when I need to. You’re always saying how your mother wants grandkids. Why can’t you tell her about Summer?” Misty inquired.

  “Yeah, she does want grandkids, from my wife. In her eyes, Stori’s baby will be my first child and her first grandchild. I know you don’t like it but that’s just the way it is.” Gavin shrugged.

  “Wow. So, you really don’t have any intentions on telling your family that you have a daughter? Stori can push out ten babies but they’ll never be your first,” Misty pointed out.

  “You were the one who was so adamant about having a baby. You were so desperate for Remo to be the daddy and look at how that turned out. Don’t get mad at me for how this shit went down. You played yourself,” Gavin said as he laid Summer down in her playpen.

  Misty wanted to claw his eyes out but she kept her composure. She didn’t regret her daughter but she knew that life would be a whole lot easier if she didn’t have her. It was crazy to her how a fourteen year old could do a better job of taking care of her child than grown ass women. Misty missed the hell out of Toi and she even swallowed her pride and called Stori. Gavin already told her what his wife had said, but she took a chance anyway. Just like she’d told her husband, Stori told her the exact same thing. She didn’t appreciate Toi keeping her baby while she was sexing a nigga right down the hall. Misty wondered how she would feel if she knew that the nigga in question was her husband.

  “Fuck you, Gavin. Get the fuck out of my face with your lame ass. I bet if Nas told you to do something, it would have already been done by now. You be so far up his ass and all him and Remo do is sit back and laugh at you. They don’t even like you going nowhere with them because they know your ass is a fraud. You can’t even dress yourself without asking Naseem where he gets his shit from. You’re too damn grown to still be a follower,” Misty snapped.

  “I guess you saying that is supposed to make me feel some type of way,” Gavin laughed.

  Truthfully, her words did make him feel some type of way. He was well aware that Remo didn’t fuck with him but Nas was his boy. He liked the way Nas dressed so, yeah, he did like to know where he shopped at. Nas was popular and Gavin got clout just for being his friend. Misty was in her feelings and she was trying to hurt his.

  “No, I’m saying it because it’s true. Every crew has that one stupid looking friend who tries to be down but does too much. That one friend who they laugh at for trying to be hard knowing that they’re really a fuck boy. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that friend is you,” Misty said as she laughed hysterically.

  “Laugh at the fact that you still don’t have a babysitter. Stupid ass bitch,” Gavin smirked as he walked out of the room and out the front door.

  Misty hated to admit it, but he was right. Saturday nights at the club were always lit and she never walked away with less than eight hundred dollars. Unfortunately, she would never know because she had no one reliable to watch her baby. After grabbing the baby monitor, Misty walked out of the room and headed to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of wine before taking a seat on the sofa. She aimlessly flipped through the channels on the tv until her phone started to ring. She blew out a breath of frustration when she saw that one of the dancers from the club was calling.

  “What’s up girl?” Misty greeted when she answered the phone.

  “Where have you been stranger? A few of your regulars have been asking for you,” Pinky said.

  “Girl, shit is just all fucked up. I can’t find a reliable babysitter nowhere. Remo and Nas will probably fire my ass if I don’t get it together soon,” Misty replied.

  “You know them crazy ass niggas don’t care. As long as the club is making money, they don’t care about nothing else. But, bitch, you need to make it your business to get over here tomorrow night. A local rapper and his crew are having a record release party and it’s supposed to be lit. Remo and Nas already hired extra security and everything. They’re expecting at least one hundred niggas to arrive with their entourage. I’m going get me some new gear and get ready to make that money!” Pinky yelled.

  “Damn bitch! My pockets been hurting too. I have to find somebody reliable to watch Summer. I’m not missing out on all that money,” Misty replied eagerly.

  “Why can’t your sister watch her? All she do is hang around the club following Nas all day. He handled her ass bad last night and she still didn’t want to leave,” Pinky noted.
/>   “Milan is dumb as fuck. A nigga only have to tell me it’s over one time for me to get it.” Misty frowned.

  “Stop lying hoe. You used to be the same way behind Remo. And speaking of his ass, I heard that he was fucking the new bottle girl,” Pinky said.

  “Which one?” Misty asked.

  “I think her name is Lexus or Lexie. Bitch, I don’t know. She be looking at his ass just like you used to. Remo hit her with that dope dick and she’s in love. Kalani is still that bitch so she’s wasting her time,” Pinky replied.

  “Girl, fuck Kalani. That bitch be in her feelings every time she see me. I never let that hoe fix my drinks. She might spit in my shit,” Misty laughed.

  “Well, I just wanted to call and tell you what was up. I know none of them other hoes would have. You know they hate a little competition but I welcome it,” Pinky said.

  “Thanks for the heads up boo. I’ll be there tomorrow, even I have to dance with Summer on my hip,” Misty laughed before she hung up.

  As soon as she did, she heard yelling coming from the front porch. She jumped up and discreetly peeped out of the window. When she saw Milan standing there going off on an older white man, she opened the door to see what was up.

  “This is against the law! It’s almost nine o’clock on a Saturday night! This shit is bogus!” Milan yelled to the uncaring man.

  He got back into his car without uttering a word before he pulled off. Milan was hysterical as she continued to scream and curse at him.

  “What’s going on?” Misty asked as Milan dialed a number on her phone.

  “That high yellow, dog ass nigga had me served with divorce papers! I’m not signing shit!” Milan yelled as tears cascaded down her rosy cheeks.

  “I know the fuck he didn’t.” Misty frowned in anger.

  “We didn’t have irreconcilable differences. He should have kept it real and said that he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. I’m not signing shit,” Milan fumed as she read over the divorce decree.

  “Nas is wrong for that bullshit. Fuck him, sis. If he wants out of the marriage, let his ass go,” Misty replied.

  “Yeah, I bet you would like to see that,” Milan said while looking at her sideways.

  “What the hell does that mean?” Misty questioned.

  “Don’t act like you weren’t salty about me and Naseem being together. You couldn’t have Remo and you didn’t want me to have Nas. You probably did try to fuck him like he said,” Milan argued.

  She wasn’t dumb. She saw the looks that Misty used to give her husband. It was the same look that all the hoes in the club gave him. Milan and her sister were close and, in her heart, she didn’t believe that Misty really wanted her husband. It was Remo who she was head over heels in love with. Truthfully, Milan had to stop herself from lusting over her brother-in-law a few times too. He was just so much like her husband and she couldn’t help it.

  “I know you don’t believe that dumb bullshit. I might not be a saint but fucking over you is something that I would never do. No man walking this earth can make me cross my only sister. I’m offended that you would even come at me like that,” Misty replied.

  “I’m sorry Misty. I’m in my feelings about this divorce shit but I know you wouldn’t do me like that,” Milan said as she hugged her.

  “It’s okay girl. Let me pour you a glass of wine,” Misty offered.

  “Fuck a glass. Bring me the whole damn bottle. I’m stressed the fuck out,” Milan said.

  “Looks like we’re both having a bad day,” Misty sighed as he sat down on the sofa and handed her sister the half full bottle of wine.

  Misty laughed when Milan turned the bottle up to her mouth and drank until it was empty. She got up and grabbed another bottle and filled her glass up again.

  “What’s going on with you?” Milan asked.

  “Same shit as always. I’m tired of doing everything on my own. Gavin gets to live his life like he wants to while I’m stuck inside with a baby. Pinky told me that the club is gonna be lit tomorrow night but I doubt if I’ll even be able to go. Not unless my baby sister wants to watch her only niece,” Misty said while looking over at Milan.

  Milan was twenty-seven and only a year younger than Misty. She was the worst babysitter ever but Misty was desperate to make some quick cash. She would even compromise with her sister and try to make it back earlier than her usual time. She just needed to keep her bank account right and she couldn’t do that without the club.

  “I’m sorry girl but me and kids just don’t mix,” Milan replied.

  “Why were you trying to have a baby with Nas if you feel that way?” Misty questioned.

  “The same reason you were trying to have one with Remo. I want to keep my man around just like you wanted to keep yours.” Milan shrugged.

  “Sometimes I wish I would have just stayed in Texas. At least we have family there and lots of help. I’m not sure if moving here was the best decision. I should have just visited every year for Mardi Gras and stayed my ass at home,” Misty sighed.

  “That’s all on you, but New Orleans is home for me now. I just have to get my stupid ass husband to get his mind right,” Milan said as she started drinking from the new bottle of wine.

  “Fuck these niggas. They’re even worse here than in Texas. Especially Gavin, with his weak ass. You talking about me but he’s the one who acts like he wants to fuck your husband,” Misty replied.

  “Girl, Nas don’t give a fuck about nobody but Remo. Gavin is a damn fool if he thinks Nas is his friend. Naseem only tolerates him because he gives him a place to stay sometimes. He probably would have been cut him off if it wasn’t for that,” Milan said.

  “I wouldn’t even be having all these problems if he would just tell his family that Summer exist. He’s an only child and I’m sure his parents would be happy to help out since they’re both retired,” Misty noted.

  “You’re better than me, sis. I wouldn’t wait for his ass to do shit. You need to look them up and tell them yourself,” Milan said.

  “I don’t know nothing about them except their last name is Mitchell. They got a bunch of people with that common ass name,” Misty pointed out.

  “Okay, and we’re about to get online and find the right ones. Go get the laptop. I got time today bitch. Nas pissed me off and everybody can get it,” Milan said as Misty laughed.

  She tried to remember any and every thing that Gavin had told her about his parents. It was mostly sex with them but they did talk occasionally. Milan was grilling her but she didn’t have many answers to her questions. All Misty needed was a number or address and she would take it from there. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were about to be introduced to their very first granddaughter.

  “B itch, wait, that nigga was crying real tears?” Stori asked once Kalani finished telling her about her final date with Omar.

  They had just finished bagging up a bunch of candy for Nas and Remo. Stori hadn’t been in business with them long but the money was already lovely. They were now in the basement where Stori tightened up Kalani’s sew-in. Her shop was closed on Sundays but she usually did Kalani, Toi and her grandmother’s hair on that day. Toi and her grandmother got their hair done the night before since they were going to church that morning. Toi stayed by their grandmother for a little while afterwards and Gavin was on his way to pick her up.

  “Girl, real newborn baby tears. I felt so bad about everything. I tried to call him to apologize but he changed his number,” Kalani said.

  “I would have changed my shit and probably moved too. I wonder how the fuck they got in that man’s house though. Them niggas should have been evaluated when they were younger,” Stori laughed.

  “Bitch, they were sitting in there like they pay bills. Nas was fixing sandwiches and everything. I don’t know how they got in there and I don’t know how they knew exactly where my car was parked. Remo keeps telling me not to underestimate him and I never will again,” Kalani replied.

  “That’s some crazy shit righ
t there. If it didn’t happen to you, I probably wouldn’t have believed it,” Stori said.

  “I feel the same way. Remo is on some good nigga shit right now. He moved all his stuff back in the house and he’s been the perfect man. I know it won’t last long but we’ll see. He better not let me find out about nothing that he’s doing wrong. I told that nigga that if I have to share him, he better be prepared to share me too,” Kalani replied.

  “Let it go Kalani. You gon’ fuck around and get somebody killed. You know your nigga ain’t wrapped too tight. Stop involving other people in your bullshit,” Stori fussed.

  “I’m not trying to involve nobody else but Kareem got me fucked up. He can’t do whatever he wants and expect me to take it. He got options and so do I,” Kalani huffed.

  “Gavin is in his feelings about me working with Remo. He claims that he don’t trust him like that,” Stori said while changing the subject.

  “Why not? Remo loves you like a sister. He would never try to do you dirty. Fucking over you is the equivalent of fucking over me. That nigga ain’t stupid. Tell Gavin that you’re working with his best friend too. Does he trust Nas?” Kalani questioned.

  “Truthfully, I think he’s just scared of Remo,” Stori chuckled.

  “Seriously? How can he be afraid of Remo and not Nas? They’re both the same kind of crazy,” Kalani noted.

  “I don’t know. I guess he considers Nas as more of a friend. And let’s just be honest, Remo makes it very clear that he don’t fuck with Gavin on no level,” Stori laughed.

  “Remo don’t fuck with nobody who he thinks is trying to get close to Nas. He’s like a possessive bitch. He barked on a dude at the bar for calling Nas brother,” Kalani said while shaking her head.

  “Front door,” the alarm chimed, letting Stori know that Gavin and Toi were home.

  “We’ll continue this conversation later,” Stori said, right as Toi came bouncing down the steps.