Her So Called Husband

by Chenell Parker

  Once I was done, I started putting away everything I got from the mall earlier. Dre walked in just as I put up the last of my purchases. He walked in the room, but didn’t speak. That was unusual for him. He was always happy to see me. I was just about to say something, when out of the blue, Dre slapped the shit out of me. The impact was so hard; it sent me flying to the floor. I was shocked. I tried to scoot away, but he bent down and he slapped me two more times.

  My face was stinging as tears clouded my vision. I couldn’t believe it. Dre never hit me before. He threatened me a lot, saying he would, but he never did. Was this over what his wife had told him? If so, I was done with his ass. I didn’t have to wonder for long. Dre leaned over me and forced me to look at him while he spoke.

  “I asked you a million fucking times to tell me the truth!”

  “You’ve been talking to this nigga for a while.” How in the hell did he find that out? Jada was the only other person that knew and she would never tell him anything.

  “You fucked that nigga?” He was in my face screaming.

  “NO!” I yelled. Malik and I kissed a lot, but we never had sex. Dre already knew he was my first. He pulled my hair, forcing me to stand up and look at him.

  “I know you were kissing that nigga. Now lie and say you weren’t!” This was too much. He knew everything. He finally let my hair go and threw me on the bed.

  “Give me that phone,” Dre yelled.

  I jumped up from the bed and got my iPhone from my purse, handing it over to Dre.

  “Take this damn lock code off.”

  I did as I was told. If he read any of the text message between me and Malik, shit was about to get real. I got back in bed and pulled the covers up to my neck. I was scared that he was going to hit me again. Dre took my phone with him when he left out of our room. After crying for what felt like hours, sleep finally came to me.

  When I woke up, it was after ten in the morning and Dre wasn’t in bed with me. I didn’t know if he was even in the house. I was starving, but I was scared to leave out of the room. I got up and went to the master bathroom to do my morning hygiene. When I got back in the room, Dre was sitting on the bed, fully dressed.

  “Get dressed,” he said calmly.

  “Since I can’t trust you to be by yourself, you rolling me with today.” I wanted to tell him that I didn’t need babysitter, but I wasn’t stupid. I got dressed and waited until it was time to go. I still hadn’t eaten anything, but I would starve before I said something. At this moment, I regretted my decision to take the summer off from school. Anything was better than this. I wanted out of this relationship. I just didn’t think Dre would leave without a fight.

  Once we left the house, Dre stopped at the Waffle House and got me some breakfast. He must have known I was starving. We made a million stops after that. He bought food and a million other items for his dad’s party that was coming up. When he pulled up to his mothers’ house, I almost died. This was the last place I wanted to be. Nobody in Dre’s family liked me except his brother Eric. I hated being around them. I was hoping we didn’t have to get out of the car. Dre called his two nephews to the car to come help with the bags. When they saw me, they started smiling. These little bastards made me sick. They were always looking at my ass when they saw me. After they got everything from the car, opened the passenger door for me to get out. I couldn’t keep quiet so I said what was on my mind.

  “What we over here for? I hate coming to your mama’s house,” I said. He grabbed my hand as we walked up to the front door.

  “I need to take care of something. It won’t take long.” When we walked through the front door, all eyes were on me. If Dre hadn’t been holding my hand already, I definitely would have grabbed his. “Good Evening,” I spoke to his sisters who were on the sofa along with his mother. None of them bitches opened their mouths.

  “Damn, y’all can’t speak?” Dre said with an attitude.

  “Hey,” they said like they were being forced. Dre sat on the other sofa and pulled me on his lap. The whole room fell silent. I was so uncomfortable and more than ready to go. He did shit like this on purpose. He knew how his family felt about me, but he still bought me around them. I listened as they talked and made plans for their father’s party.

  The party was supposed to be at Dre’s house, but it appears to have been moved to his mom’s house judging from the conversation they were having. I couldn’t wait until we left so I could ask Dre why it was moved. It seemed like they would have more food and alcohol than anything. After they were done talking, Dre and I prepared to leave.

  “Dre, let me talk to you for a minute,” his mother said. Dre had my hand so I tried to let go so he could talk to his mom. He gripped mine harder and pulled me right along with him. I could tell that she wanted him to come alone because she hesitated to speak. She looked from me to him several times, but didn’t say anything. I know she wanted me to leave, but he had a death grip on my hand.

  “You called me back in here to stare at me?” Dre called her out. He made it clear that I was staying right there.

  “You know your wife and kids are gonna be here Saturday right?” she asked Dre.

  “Yeah, I know. What’s that mean?” I knew what it meant. She was telling him not to bring me, but she didn’t have to worry about that. I didn’t want to be anywhere near her or her daughters.

  “I’m just saying,” she replied before walking off.

  “We out!” Dre yelled.

  As soon as we got in the car, I started asking questions.

  “Why did you move the party over here?” I asked.

  “So you can come and meet my pops.” He said that like it was nothing.

  “Dre, I am not coming to your mama’s house. I can see if it was at the park or something. That’s a public place.” He must be crazy to think I would go there for anything.

  “First of all, that’s my shit. They just live there.” Dre was quick to remind everybody that the house his family lived in was his. I know that was the only reason they never said nothing when he bought me there. The house was still in his name so they knew not to piss him off too much.

  “Dre, I can meet your daddy some other time. It’s not that serious. I’m not trying to be fighting with nobody.”

  “You gon’ meet him Saturday and nobody ain’t gon’ fuck with you! Believe that,” he said. I guess this conversation was over. His mind was made up. Dre came with a lot of unnecessary drama and I needed to get away from him before it was too late. After he put his hands on me the night before, I was more than ready to call it quits.

  Chapter 8: CHERIKA

  Saturday was finally here and I was at my mother-in-law’s house getting everything ready for my father-in-laws homecoming celebration. Dre was picking him up from the bus station at four and it was almost noon. I knew he was going to our house to shower and change clothes so that would buy us some more time. I was still pissed with him. His sisters told me that he came over here with his bitch the day after I told him about her and another nigga. And I noticed that he was in his truck, but his car wasn’t at home. I had a feeling she was driving his Benz, but I wasn’t sure. If so, we were going to have some serious problems.

  For some reason Dre didn’t want his dad’s barbecue at our house. I had a feeling he was on some bullshit. I know he better not disrespect me and bring his bitch around here or it was going to be on and popping. I wanted to make a good impression on Dre’s dad. We met before, but we never got a chance to spend time around one another. I was hoping that maybe he could talk some sense into his son about our marriage. He didn’t listen to the rest of his family, but he and his dad were very close.

  I was going crazy. Dre still stayed out some nights and we rarely spent time together. I was sexually frustrated because we no longer had a sex life. Not unless you count me sucking his dick from time to time. He never protested when I did that. I guess Alexus’ young ass didn’t do it right, if she did it at all.

  Keanna a
nd I were putting table clothes on the tables when Dre and Eric walked in the backyard. I wanted to know where his car was so I asked him.

  “Where’s your car at Dre?”

  “Why?” He said with an attitude.

  “I want to know that’s why!”

  “Don’t worry about nothing you didn’t buy.” His ass was always throwing money in my face. I got money when he was locked up and I can get money now. I chose not to do a lot of shit because I really love my husband. It was sad that he didn’t show me the same love and respect.

  “I know your bitch better not be driving it,” I said while pointing in his face.

  “You better keep your damn hand out my face. And so what if she does drive my car. That’s my shit.” Eric was laughing, but I didn’t find a damn thing funny. This nigga was really going to make me hurt him. There’s only so much a person could take. Sometimes I felt like he was better off in jail. I didn’t have all of these problems when he was locked up.

  Keanna and I went back inside to finish helping with the food. She was starting to piss me off a lot too. She was always talking to Alexus when I was around. She made sure that I knew who it was because she kept saying her name. She was messy as hell and I was just realizing it. As soon as she hung up, she started with her foolishness.

  “Girl, don’t say nothing, but you know Dre trying to get her to come over here to meet Uncle EJ.” I kind of figured that anyway. I know Dre better than anybody. That’s why he didn’t want us to do it at our house. I would have killed that bitch if she would have step foot on my property. I was still going to whip her ass if she came over here too.

  “Don’t worry about it girl. She probably won’t even come. She said she don’t want to come anyway. That’s him with all that.” Keanna said. Dre was pathetic. It wasn’t even that serious behind a bitch.

  Finally everything was done. A lot of people were there and more were expected to come. Dre had already picked up his dad. They were at our house getting dressed. Dre was like a woman when it came to that. He had to make sure he was perfect. I loved that about him. They were due here any minute. I sat outside with my sisters-in-law talking to all of the guests when my daughter ran through the yard telling us that her dad was here. I was a little nervous about meeting Dre’s dad again. I didn’t know what he told him about me or our marriage. They walked in the yard and I was in shock. Dre was a younger version of his daddy. Dre introduced him to our kids and they were so happy to have a Grandpa. My dad died when I was eleven so this would be the only one they had left. I didn’t get up from my seat. I was waiting to see if Dre was going to introduce me to his father. After what seemed like forever, he finally made his way over to me.

  “Pops you remember Cherika right?” Dre asked his dad. I was kind of disappointed at his introduction. I wanted to be introduced as his wife, not Cherika.

  “Yeah I remember my daughter-in-law,” his dad responded with a smile.

  I was smiling so hard after he said that. We hugged and he sat down next to me in a lawn chair. We talked about the kids and my marriage. He didn’t say what I thought he would say. He felt like I let Dre do the things he did to me. That was far from the truth. I didn’t want my husband to cheat, but I couldn’t stop him. Everybody’s solution was for me to leave him. That was never going to happen and I wish they would stop suggesting it.

  After a few hours, the party was in full swing. Everybody was full and the alcohol was being passed around. Keanna, my sisters-in-law, and I were sitting at the table playing cards while the kids ran around the yard. Some of the guest left, but a few were still there. I noticed Dre and his dad disappeared a while ago. I assumed they were inside the house, but I had a feeling that something was up.

  When our game was over, I went inside the house to search for my husband. Dre wasn’t downstairs so I went upstairs to check for him. After coming up empty, I went back downstairs and saw Keanna peeking out of the window. I stood beside her to see what she was looking at. I almost died. My dog ass husband and his dad were outside talking to Alexus.

  And the worst part was Dre’s Benz had suddenly appeared. I knew it. He let that hoe drive his car. I hated to act a fool in front on Dre’s dad, but he left me no choice. I ran outside with Keanna and Dre’s sisters hot on my heels.

  “I know you don’t have this bitch out here knowing I’m right inside the house.” I yelled walking up to Dre.

  “Y’all really got me fucked up!” I walked over to where they were standing. Dre had the nerve to be standing in front of that bitch like he was protecting her or something. Dre’s sister Erica was going off too while his dad tried to hold us back. Keanna just stood there and watched.

  “Move out of the way Dre. You don’t have to stand in front of me,” Alexus said. That was it; I snapped and reached around Dre to grab her. Erica tried to get to her too, but they were holding her back. Alexus reached around Dre and grabbed my hair. Before anybody knew what happened, we went into a full-blown mix. She was getting the best of me, but I still held my own. Erica was trying to break free from her dad to jump in, but he wouldn’t let her go.

  “Erica I wish you would!” Dre yelled at his sister. I was furious. Was he really taking up for this bitch?

  After a few minutes of brawling, Dre and his dad were finally able to pull us apart. My kids were on the porch crying so Keanna and D’Anna took them inside. Dre pulled Alexus to the car trying to make her get in. If I could kill somebody and get away it, she would be my first victim. I hated her for ruining my marriage. Dre’s dad carried me into the house and sat me down on the sofa.

  “You alright?” he asked.

  “No, I’m not alright. Your son is gonna make me kill him!” I said to my father-in-law as I got up and went upstairs. As far as I was concerned, he was in on it too. I just wanted to get my kids and go home. I was so tired of Dre embarrassing me. I had been in so many fights over the years due to his infidelity. He just didn’t care about anybody else’s feeling, but his own. It was only a matter of time before he got tired of Alexus too. I ran up the stairs searching for my kids. It was time for us to go. I found Lil Dre, Denim, and Dream in the room with Deanna.

  “Where’s Drew?” I yelled in frustration.

  “Keanna took him to use the bathroom,” Deanna replied. I started gathering our things when Keanna came in with Drew. I picked him up as my other kids followed me down the stairs and out the door.

  Chapter 9: KEANNA

  I finally did it! I got both of the swabs I needed to have the test done. While Cherika and Alexus were fighting at my uncle EJ’s party, I was able to get a DNA swab on Drew. He was too young to know what was going on. He thought we were playing a game so it was a piece of cake. I opened a P.O. Box at the post office so the mail wouldn’t come to my house. I didn’t want anyone to know what I had done. Troy would kill me if he found out. The results were due back any day now. I went to the post office every day; sometimes twice a day.

  I talked on the phone with Cherika while in route to the post office to check the box yet again. She was happy because Dre had been home for the past three days. That was only because Alexus and her family went to ATL to visit her brother who lived there. As soon as Alexus came back, Dre would be gone again. Cherika was so stupid. Dre disrespected her in the worst way. I think he wanted her to leave him, but that wasn’t happening. She had lots of fights over my cousin, but she had met her match with Alexus. She thought Lex couldn’t fight, but she soon found out that she was dead wrong.

  I pulled up to the post office and went to open my box. I rummaged through some junk mail until I spotted what I had been looking for. Cherika was happy now, but all of that was about to change. Troy was indeed the father of Drew by 99.6 percent. Tears fell from my eyes as I read over the results. I hated them for doing this to me, but I would have the last laugh. I told Cherika I would call her back as I pulled up to the public library.

  Once inside the library I borrowed some white out. I used it to cover up my customer
information at the top of the DNA form. I then made three copies and put them in envelopes. I didn’t know what I was going to do with two of the copies, but one of them was definitely for Dre. I just had to find a way to get it to him without him knowing it was me. I wondered how he was going to handle the situation. He was already looking for a reason to leave her and I was going to help him out. I wanted her to hurt just as bad as she hurt me. Losing Dre to Alexus was going to kill her. She loved him more than she loved herself.

  Funny thing was, he loved Alexus like Cherika loved him, but I don’t think Lex felt the same way. I still didn’t know how to handle the situation with Troy. I love him and hate him at the same time. I was scared of being alone so I know I wasn’t going to leave him. I talked about Cherika, but I was no better. Troy put me through so much with the drugs and beatings, yet I stayed with him.

  After riding around for what seemed like forever, I decided to call Cherika back to see if Dre was still at home. I had to find a way to get a copy of this test to him. Maybe I could leave it on the windshield of his car. That was kind if risky though. Somebody could come outside and catch me.

  “Hello,” Cherika answered on the first ring.

  “Hey girly, what you doing?” I asked her.