Her So Called Husband

by Chenell Parker

  “I told you not to touch that money unless it’s an emergency. If you need something, tell me.” This was the shit I hated. I was the youngest of three brothers and two sisters and everybody treated me like a damn baby. Dre was the worst of them all. I didn’t have an independent bone in my body because everybody did everything for me. I couldn’t even cook a decent meal if I wanted to. He would take me out to dinner before he let that happen.

  “Well I guess I need money then,” I said with much attitude. I got up from the bed to get my clothes out for the day. I was still naked and I could feel Dre’s eyes on me the whole time. I hurried to the shower before he tried to pull me back in the bed.

  Once I showered and got dressed, I called Jada to let her know I was ready. Dre was on the phone with his dad, but he walked over and handed me a stack of money. His dad was due to come home the following weekend and he and Keanna were excited. Dre’s dad and Keanna’s dad were brothers. Keanna’s dad died when she was six so her uncle, Eric Sr. or EJ, as they called him, took care of her. They were both going crazy buying him clothes, shoes and preparing for the barbecue they were giving him. Dre wanted to do it at the park so I could be there to meet his dad. Of course, I wouldn’t be going since it was at his house. He asked me to, but I declined. He always used Keanna as a cover up whenever he invited me places because we were friends, but his house was off limits.

  I got a text from Jada saying she was outside, so I grabbed my purse, kissed Dre, and walked out the door. As soon as I got in the car, I called Malik to let him know we were en route to the mall. I was excited to see him again, but I was nervous about Dre finding out. Even though he was married, he was adamant about me not being with anybody else. Dre never hit me and I didn’t want it to ever come down to that.

  Jada and I parked near the food court of Lakeside Mall. We waited for about ten minutes until Malik pulled up. Malik spoke to Jada and gave me a big hug. Malik knew about my relationship with Dre, but he didn’t really care. He said that since Dre was married, I was fair game. The three of us walked into the mall discussing which stores to hit up first.

  After about three hours and two trips to the car, we were finally done. We decided to get something to eat at the mall’s food court. We all ordered Chinese and found a table to relax. Malik ate with one hand because he kept his other arm around me the entire time.

  “Hey Lex,” somebody said from behind me. I almost died when I turned around and saw Keanna standing there with a smirk on her face. What’s worse is who she had with her.

  “Yes Indeed.” Cherika’s hood rat ass laughed. I’m sure she was excited to see her husband’s mistress with another man. I already knew I was busted. There was no doubt in my mind that she was going to rub this in Dre’s face. It was all good though. I would never let that bitch see me sweat.

  “Hey y’all,” I happily spoke back. “What you doing in here Keanna?”

  “I’m still shopping for Uncle EJ.”

  “Oh yeah, he’ll be home next week huh?” I said that to get under Cherika’s skin. She was standing there looking at me with a sour expression on her face. Malik still had his arm around me and I didn’t try to move it.

  “Girl yes and I can’t wait.” Keanna said while looking at Malik. “Don’t I know you?” she asked him. “Malik right?”

  “Yeah. You remember Malik. We used to talk in high school.” I answered for him. Since I knew Cherika was going to tell it all, I at least wanted the bitch to get it right.

  “Hey Jada,” Keanna spoke to my bestie.

  “Hey,” Jada said dryly. Jada didn’t care for Keanna too much. She thought she was dirty for hooking me up with Dre and still being friends with his wife.

  “You ready to go friend?” Jada asked. Her timing was perfect. I was more than ready to bounce. “Well girl, I’m about to go. Let me know if you need help with your uncle’s party.” I know she didn’t need help, but I loved to put the wheel in Cherika’s back.

  “She’s good. I’m helping with my father-in-law’s party,” Cherika responded putting emphasis on her statement. That shit was funny, so I laughed as I walked away. I know that bitch was watching so I grabbed Malik’s hand and switched my fat ass extra hard. All I had to do now was sit back and wait for “Hurricane Dre” to make landfall.

  Chapter 6: D’ANDRE

  I didn’t know what was up with Alexus, but I would find out eventually. She was on some sneaky type shit lately. I know something was up with her I just didn’t know what it was. When she was in the shower earlier, I noticed she had a lock code on her phone. Something she has never done in the two years we were together. I went back to sleep for a while after she left, wondering what she was up to.

  I decided to go see my mom and sisters when I woke up. I got there and noticed that my kids were already there. That wasn’t anything new. Cherika always dropped them off over here while she ran the streets. They ran over to me, almost knocking me down when they saw me. They were excited and I felt bad because I never really spent any time with them. My sisters D’Anna and Erica were sitting on the sofa when I walked into the living room. They went off As soon as they saw me, talking about Alexus.

  “How you gon’ let that lil bitch disrespect your wife like that D-Mack!”

  “You wrong for that shit!” “And you letting the hoe drive your car now too?” Since they were both talking the same time, I addressed them at the same time.

  “First of all, her name is Alexus, not bitch or hoe. And don’t worry about who drive my car or what I buy. I don’t ask y’all for shit. I take care of me!” They had me all the way fucked up.

  “Wow!” my sister Erica said. “You gon’ lose your wife behind some bullshit.”

  “So. Like I just said, don’t worry about me!” I yelled, pissed off. My mama came downstairs wondering what everybody was hollering about. My sister Deanna told her and she started too.

  “Dee you know you wrong for doing Cherika like that. That girl loves you to death and you treat her like a dog.” “That lil girl is not worth losing your family. You don’t know what she out here doing.” For some reason, everybody wanted to be in my business. I was mad even though I know my wife put them in it. Mutherfuckers don’t know shit unless you tell them.

  “Man, it doesn’t matter. Y’all are worrying about the wrong thing. I’m a grown ass man. I’m not forcing Cherika to stay with me!” I came over here to see my family, but it was time for me to go.

  “Alright. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You can’t play with people’s hearts like that, Dee. That girl gon’ end up hurting you.”

  I love my mama, but damn. She was forever preaching to a nigga. I let her have that one. I couldn’t win an argument with her anyway. She didn’t approve of me being with Alexus, but she was never ugly with her like my sisters. She always called her that little girl, unlike my sisters, who referred to her as a bitch or a hoe. They never said anything disrespectful to her face, but they went off when she wasn’t around. I hadn’t talked to Alexus since she left to go to the mall with Jada. I wanted to call her, but I sent her a text saying “I Love U” instead. I just prayed she wasn’t playing games with me while I’m sitting here defending her to my family.

  I decided to take my kids and chill with them for a while. That was something I had to do more of. Cherika and I were so preoccupied with our lives and we never made time for them. They told me they wanted ice cream so that was where we went. We got our ice cream and went to the park to eat it.

  I needed this time with my kids. My daughters, Denim and Dream, were entertaining me by singing and dancing. D’Andre Jr. was playing on the slide, but Drew stayed under me the whole time we were at the park. Even thought I had my doubts about him, I would never treat him any different from my other kids. I was the only father he knew and I still didn’t have proof that I wasn’t.

  My pops had been gone for five years so he had never met my sons. Cherika was pregnant with Lil Dre when he got locked up and of course, Drew wasn’t born yet.
I was so excited that my pops was coming home. This would be the first time in a while that we would be home at the same time. We both stayed locked up so much. I couldn’t wait for him to meet my baby girl. I knew he was going to love her. We made sure he had everything he needed when he came home.

  It was getting dark so after about two hours, I rounded up my crew and headed home. I sent Cherika a text letting her know that they would be home with me. I just hoped she didn’t get too happy and rush home. I wasn’t in the mood for her nagging ass. After I helped them take a bath, they sat in the TV room and watched movies while I ordered a pizza. Looking after four kids was not a joke. I said I didn’t want anymore, but I wasn’t so sure after meeting Lex. I could definitely see my baby girl carrying my seed one day. She wasn’t feeling having kids yet so she took her birth control faithfully. My plan was to hang around here until they went to sleep. After that, I was going to get my baby and head to our spot. I know I would have to hear Cherika’s mouth because I haven’t slept home in two days.

  Alexus and I had been inside for the past few days sexing each other like crazy. My wife and I haven’t slept together in a few months. She would give me head most of the time to keep me from leaving the house, but that shit never worked. It was crazy how I felt like I was cheating on Alexus every time I was with my wife. My baby girl definitely had me open. There was no denying that.

  I was lying on the sofa surrounded by my kids when I heard Cherika come in. She had a few shopping bags in her hands, which was no surprise.

  “Hey Baby,” she said. I don’t know what was up, but she was happy and smiling.

  “Hey,” I spoke back dryly. I guess she went to put her bags away because she came back empty handed. She sat next to me and started talking.

  “Me and Keanna were in the mall and guess who we ran into?” She said it like a question, but she answered it herself.

  “Alexus and her boo.” My heart dropped. She was happy as hell to share that info with me.

  “Who?” I asked. I just know she didn’t say Alexus.

  “Yes, your boo Alexus was in the mall with her boo. Kissing and all hugged up and shit,” she rubbed it in.

  “Yeah?” was all I said. I would never let her know that she was getting to me. For all I know she could’ve been lying. She must have read my mind because she kept talking.

  “You think I’m lying? Call Keanna, she’ll tell you. I think she know him too.” Now she really had my attention even if I don’t show it. I needed to know what she was talking about. I was ready to go after that. I had some people I needed to holler at. I wanted to talk to Keanna and I especially wanted to talk to Alexus sneaky ass. I hopped up and told her that I would be right back after I made a quick run. That was a lie. I had no intentions on coming back tonight.

  I calledKeanna as I drove on the Mississippi River Bridge in route to Jada’s house. She pretty much told the same story that Cherika had told. The only difference was she gave me a name. According to her, Alexus was in the mall with her ex, Malik. Last time I heard that nigga was in Virginia going to school. Now I was really pissed. I was wondering how long this shit had been going on. Alexus lied to me. Now I knew how my wife felt when I did her wrong. I swear it felt like I couldn’t breathe. This feeling was new to me and I didn’t like it at all. I told her not to play games with me, but I guess she wasn’t listening.

  I drove in front of Jada’s house to see if anything looked unfamiliar to me. That’s when I spotted a black Maxima with Virginia license plates. I knew it had to be that nigga car. I kept driving and made the block. I parked my car a few houses down so I wouldn’t be noticed. I called Alexus and put her on the speakerphone. I wanted to hear what she had to say, even though I know it was going to be a lie.

  “Hello,” she answered on the second ring.

  “Where you at?” I asked even though I already knew.

  “I’m at Jada’s house.”

  “Well what time you coming home? You want me to pick you up?”

  “No, Jada is bringing me home,” she replied quickly. I had no intentions on picking her up. I only said that to scare her. My plan was for her to rush ole boy out of the house so I could follow him. I wanted to see what he had to say too. I decided to ask her some questions while I had her on the phone. That way I could compare their stories to see if she was lying.

  “Let me ask you something and please don’t lie to me,” I said in a calm tone.

  “OK,” she said sounding nervous.

  “What nigga were you in the mall with today?”

  “I was in the mall with Jada, but we ran into Malik when we were in there.” I know she was lying, but I let her keep digging her own grave.

  “I knew your messy ass wife was going to try to start some shit!”

  “So you wasn’t hugging and kissing on that nigga?” I asked.

  “What! No! I wasn’t hugging and kissing nobody. I know you don’t believe her of all people.” I expected her to say that. Any other time I would have fell for it, but my cousin co-signed Cherika’s story. “So that’s the story you sticking to? I’m giving you a chance to tell me the truth. If I find out something different, we’re gon’ have a problem.” I gave her a chance to get it right.

  “It’s not a story. That’s the truth.” That was the story she was sticking to and I had to accept that. “Alright. I’ll see you later. Don’t be over there too long,” I said as I hung up.

  I sat in my car and patiently waited. I knew Alexus too well. She was scared. She didn’t want me to pop up on her so she was about to rush ole boy out the door. And just like I thought; the porch light came on and somebody opened the screened door. Alexus stepped on the porch followed by a tall, light-skinned dude. They said a few words to each other and he stooped down and gave her a long hug. That nigga was too familiar. He was rubbing on her ass and everything. I was heated. It took everything in me not to get out the car and fuck both of them up.

  Just as she turned to go back inside, he pulled her back, bent down, and kissed her. Not a peck on the lip kiss either. This nigga had his tongue in her mouth. And the fucked part was she was kissing the nigga right back. I saw all I needed to see. There was no way in hell she could make me believe that she just ran into that nigga today. Alexus finally pulled away and went back inside the house. Ole boy got in his car and pulled off with me right behind him. I didn’t know or care where he was going.

  We ended up on the Westbank Expressway, going towards Harvey and Marrero. I followed him for another fifteen minutes and I had a feeling that this fool was going to Pee-Wee’s. That was my brother and my little cousin’s stomping grounds. Just as I thought, his dumb ass pulled into Pee-Wee’s parking lot. I sat in my car for a while, giving him time to get settled in. I called my brother while I waited. He and some of my cousins were already inside.

  I finally got out of my car, checking to make sure I was strapped in case something popped off. I found my family taking up two tables at the back of the bar. I made my way over to them, while scanning the club for Malik. I spotted him and two other dudes sitting at the table drinking Heinekens. I sat down next to my brother and started telling him and my cousins why I was there. My little cousins were rowdy. They wanted to go over there and get it popping. I didn’t have a problem with that; I just wanted to talk to him first.

  I waited for a few minutes before I got up and made my way over to his table. I pulled up a chair and took a seat right next to my target.

  “What’s up? Malik right?” I asked. He looked at me strange, but he nodded his head letting me know that I was right.

  “I’m Dre. I’m sure you heard about me before, right?”

  “Yeah, I heard of you,” he said trying to play cool in front of his boys. I could smell the fear all over his scary ass.

  “Look, let me holler at you in private for a minute.” I guess he didn’t want to go nowhere with me because he asked his boys to leave. That was cool with me.

  “I’m not trying to beat around th
e bush with you; I’m trying to see what’s going on with you and my girl.” I wasn’t into playing games. I needed to know what the deal was.

  “Nothing going on with us,” was his nervous reply. I wasn’t buying it so I kept pressing him.

  “So you just happened to run into her in the mall today?”

  “Naw, I ran into her and Jada a few days ago at the daiquiri shop.” “We just been kicking it and talking on the phone ever since. I met them at the mall earlier.”

  This nigga was singing like a bird. Alexus was doing the damn thing for real.

  “So she didn’t tell you she had somebody?” I had to know if she lied about that too.

  “Yeah, but she said you got a wife. I just figured she was free to do her since you were married.” Wrong answer. I almost gave the nigga a pass. He just signed up to get his ass whooped.

  “I hear you my dude, but I need you to hear me too. I know you and Alexus had y’all lil thing a while back and all, but that’s over. I’m coming to you myself so you don’t have to hear it from nobody else. Lose Alexus’s number and forget you even know her. I promise you this is not what you want. You look smart so you know what I’m saying.” He didn’t respond, but I hope he got the point.

  “Sorry for breaking up your lil party, homie. The next round is on me,” I said as I walked away. Alexus was going to be the death of me. I was on my way to our spot because she had a lot of explaining to do. I walked back over to my little cousins just as Malik’s friends made their way back to the table.

  “He’s all yours,” I told them as I left the bar. They jumped up like the building was on fire and dashed over to Malik and his friends. The last thing I saw before leaving was a chair going across Malik’s head, courtesy of my cousin Quan.

  Chapter 7: ALEXUS

  I finally made it back to the condo and I was exhausted. I was expecting to see Dre there since he rushed me from Jada’s house. I was so scared that he was going to show up while Malik was there. I hurried Malik along to make sure that didn’t happen. I gathered my things and prepared to take a shower. I was ready to crawl in my bed. As I showered, I thought about the conversation Dre and I had earlier. He made it seem like he knew more than he said he did. It was hard for me to lie to him. It seemed like he always knew when I wasn’t telling the truth. I hope like hell that I did a better job of it this time around. Cherika was so stupid. She should have been happy that I had somebody else besides her husband. I guess she figured he would leave me alone if he knew about Malik. I got out of the shower and oiled my body before putting on some boy shorts and a sleeveless tee. Dre hated when I slept in pajamas.