Gumbo

by Tiana Laveen

  But that wasn’t all. Tony had even admitted to selling wine every now and again for Fred. She vehemently objected to this and they’d gotten into an argument about it, but she appreciated his honesty nevertheless.

  “Dante, do they know why you’re sick?” she asked, coming out of her thoughts.

  The guy kept his eyes on the television and shook his head. “No, not yet. Ran more blood tests… not really sure.”

  Tony’s brows bunched as he stretched out his long legs and placed his arm around the back of his head. He looked laid back and perturbed at the same damn time. Soon, they gathered at the dining room table, which offered far more room than the cramped, cluttered kitchen, each of them eating bowls of chili with Saltine crackers. A large bottle of hot sauce was being passed around while Tracy Chapman crooned ‘Fast Car’ on the radio.

  “I put the bigger chunks of tomato in it this time. You can change it up.”

  Tony was smacking so loudly, it was driving her crazy. He seemed to be in his own little world as he helped himself to seconds.

  “Ain’t no right or wrong way to do it,” Grandmama explained to her when she inquired about the extra juicy bits and chunks, the flavor more rich than usual and the chili heartier. Cassidy had always paid attention to the fine details of her grandmother’s cooking and though they often cooked together, it seemed that Grandmama had magic fingers, something special that made her food taste better, even when Cassidy followed the recipe to a ‘T’.

  After dinner, they all sat around playing cards, laughing and joking while Grandmama told humorous stories from her childhood. Dante laughed so hard, at one point he had to down two glasses of grape Kool-Aid to keep from choking. When it started getting late, Cassidy stood from her seat and cleared the table. She returned from the kitchen to find Dante on his feet, putting his jacket back on.

  “It was nice seeing you again, Ms. Betty. Thanks for dinner.”

  “You’re welcome.” Grandmama leaned back in her chair and clasped her hands, smiling. “Come over anytime.”

  Dante nodded and headed towards the door.

  “You gotta work tonight?” Tony called out as he stood up too, his napkin balled up tight in his fist. Dante turned around and looked him in the eye, remaining quiet for a moment or two.

  “Yeah… covering for Tim.” And then he headed out the door.

  Something heavy, ugly, and thick hung in the air. The way the two brothers looked at one another, their body language throughout the entire evening had been off. She wasn’t certain what to make of it.

  “Cass, you ready to go to the party?” he asked, throwing her out of her deliberations.

  “Uh, yeah… Is that okay, Grandmama?”

  “You practically grown now, baby.” The woman chuckled, but sadness filled her tone.

  “But will you be okay? You’re not feeling your best. If you want me to stay here tonight, I will.”

  “Naw, baby!” She shook her head and waved her off. “You go on and have fun wit’ your friends. You’re only young once.”

  Cassidy bent down and kissed Grandmama on the cheek.

  “Try and get some rest, Grandmama,” she said, then headed towards the living room to retrieved her black windbreaker. ‘Piano in the Dark’ by Brenda Russell started to play on the radio.

  “I will, baby. Tony, keep ’er safe, ya hear?”

  “I will.”

  “Boy, please!” Cassidy rolled her eyes. “Grandmama, the one that needs to be babysat is Tony. There’s going to be a lot of girls I know at this party, and quite a few of them have been after him.”

  “I don’t want them though,” he immediately piped up, trying to clear his name.

  “I think he likes the attention.” Cassidy looked him up and down, suspicion in her soul. “He’s the big man on campus now. Went from being ‘Tony who?’ to, ‘Ohhh! Tony Romano, that’s my boy! He so cute!’” She sucked her teeth.

  Tony smiled sheepishly.

  Grandmama chuckled and shook her head. “He is cute, nuttin’ you can do about that, baby. He’s a good lookin’ young man, bound to turn heads. As far as you though, listen here. I trust Cass, Tony, but I don’t trust these otha fools out here.” Grandmama got to her feet and took another sip of her Kool-Aid.

  “Oh, Grandmama, I’ll be okay. I love you, I won’t be out too long.” Cassidy grabbed her purse and slung it over her shoulder.

  “Love you too. Y’all have fun.” Grandmama stood tall, looking proud, a smile in her eyes. “Enjoy ya self. That’s what’s life is all about…”

  E.T.’s party was off the chain! Tony figured out how to execute the Cabbage Patch with precision and decided to do it on every song he loved that night. ‘Mercedes Boy’ by Pebbles was playing then though; that wasn’t a good jam to dance to so he couldn’t show off his moves just yet. He and Maize and the rest of his homeboys held onto plastic red cups full of watered-down wine and beer, laughing and carrying on while the girls whispered amongst themselves, some of them smoking a bit of bud.

  Their faces fully made up, they sported some of the tightest dresses he’d ever seen… but he made certain to not allow Cassidy to catch him stealing sneak peeks every now and again. That was an argument he was truly not trying to have. The ladies had their hair sprayed to death with spritz and smelled like roses. Everyone moved about in the small, cramped apartment, laughing, dancing, talking shit. The first beats of ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’ by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince came on, sending the room into a frenzy. Cassidy began to sway back and forth with her friends, doing a dance called ‘The Wop.’

  This is my chance!

  He began to dance, moving his arms back and forth as if he were churning butter, rocking back and forth to the beat. The cheers around him only urged him on. He heard Cassidy laughing, but refused to make eye contact with her or he feared he may start laughing, too.

  Maize, being the center of attention he often was, grabbed an old, ratty hairbrush and started to rap into it like it was a microphone, giving one of his impromptu concerts. His lip syncing fell right into play as he pretended to be the star attraction. Everyone laughed and clapped, urging him on like he was the real deal. When he was finished, he lit up a couple of joints and passed them around. Soon enough, Tony felt the warmth of Cassidy’s chin resting on his shoulder. She enveloped him in a hug from behind and squeezed.

  “Mmmm.” He grasped one of her hands and rubbed it, then tilted the cup to his lips to swallow the last sip of wine cooler. “I like that… you feel nice.”

  “It’s getting late, baby.” He could feel her heart beating against his back.

  “Really? What time is it? I accidentally left my watch at home.”

  Cassidy let him go and looked down at hers. “Almost one in the morning.”

  ‘I Want Her’ by Keith Sweat now played in full volume.

  “Oh, all right, let me say goodbye to everyone and we can get going.”

  As he made his rounds, ‘Paradise’ by Sade came on. Cassidy danced slowly to the music, snapping her fingers.

  Just then, Monica and two of her friends walked in…

  She looked at him and winked.

  Shit.

  I knew I was having too much… Here comes the drama.

  Cassidy’s gaze settled on the trio of bitches. Monica was dressed in a short black skirt and a skimpy tank top that allowed her big breasts to spill out. A gold choker hugged her stumpy neck, and her lips were painted red. She was laughing, her attitude obnoxious as hell.

  “HEEEEY, MAAAAIZE!” she said with a cackle as she made her late entrance.

  Her two friends broke apart from her, going to a table laden with drinks and a big bowl of chips. Cassidy crossed her arms over her chest and grimaced as she observed the serpent in a skirt work the room. It took her no time to spot Tony and in swift fashion, she began what appeared to be a cheery conversation laced with ample flirting.

  Danica raced over, her big silver earrings clanking. She barely held onto a cu
p filled with what only the Lord knew.

  “Bitch! Get cho ass away from my girl’s man!” Danica hollered, but not many seemed to have heard her.

  “Danica, it’s cool. We’re getting ready to go. She just wants attention so ignore her.” Cassidy reached into her purse and pulled out a stick of gum then popped it into her mouth.

  “You damn straight she wants attention, and she ’bout tuh get it when I put dis foot up ’er ass! I swear, that bimbo got… Awww, shit! LOOK!” Danica pointed straight ahead and Cassidy almost screamed when she saw Monica’s arms wrapped around Tony’s neck, her lips puckered out. Tony was backing up, an awkward expression on his face as he attempted to gently unhinge her from his body.

  “Oh, hell no!” Danica, Cassidy, and several others broke through the crowd like a football team leaving a huddle, making a beeline towards Tony and the human medallion wrapped around his neck.

  “Get yo’ damn hands off him!” Danica yelled as she pulled at Monica and made her hit the floor, right on her ass.

  Suddenly, a fight broke out when her friends jumped in. Cassidy yelled as she was bumped around in the fury, bodies knocking left and right and curse words flying in the air like flares.

  “What the fuck is wrong wit’ you?!” someone screamed at someone else.

  “Monica! I’mma fuck you up!” someone else yelled.

  “You fuckin’ up my mama’s crib!” E.T. screamed when something crashed and broke.

  The music kept playing, the yelling continued, and by the time Cassidy got out of the middle of it, one of her earrings was gone, her gum was knocked out of her mouth, her shoe was half off her foot and her anger had reached a brand new level she’d never dreamed possible. Danica appeared fairly unscathed and she’d been the one throwing the most punches.

  “And fuck you!” Monica yelled at someone.

  “You need tuh chill, for real,” Maize said lazily. “Everything was cool, then you came up in here bein’ disrespectful’ ’nd shit.”

  “Cass, let’s go,” Tony hollered as he made his way towards her.

  “Disrespectful? That mothafucka ain’t married! Show me them papers, Tony!” Monica barked, standing there all out of breath with her hair all over her head and lipstick smeared across her face.

  Tony rolled his eyes and zipped up his jacket.

  “Monica, you’re buggin’. Leave Cassidy alone!” he snapped. “Shit! Why can’t you get it? I don’t want you, I want her. Stop this shit. I tried to be nice about it but you keep pushing it.”

  Buggin’? When Did Tony start using the word ‘buggin’’? In any other situation, Cassidy might have found that funny, but definitely not here… not now.

  “You full of shit! I be seein’ how you look at me when I walk past in science class. You don’t have to pretend in front of that square ass girl!” Monica yelled. “She ain’t no fun, wit’ her snooty, stuck up ass! She got Danica’s ol’ Incredible Hulk built behind out here fightin’ her battles. She ain’t got no backbone. Bitch, you tired!”

  “And I’ll do it again, no neck ho!” Danica yelled, while one of their mutual friends held her back. “I wonder how you have on a necklace? Must be clasped behind your shoulders.”

  A burst of laughter erupted from the core of the crowd.

  “Come on, Cass.” Tony pulled on her arm, but she wouldn’t budge. She stood there staring at Monica… months and months of anger within her about to explode.

  “Yo, Cass! Come and try me on your own, bitch, without your little army! Bet you ain’t got the guts!” Monica spouted, venom in her eyes. She hooked her finger and beckoned for Cassidy to come forward, go toe to toe.

  “Cass, don’t!” Maize called out, but it was too late.

  Shaking loose from Tony, she burst back into the crowd. Tony grabbed her and pulled and tugged, but she was determined to get back across that room!

  “Cassidy, shit! STOP IT!” Tony struggled to keep her in his grip, for she was fighting with all she had.

  “Tony! Fuh real! Let ’er go. They gotta get this shit over wit’, man. Let Cass do what she gotta do!” T.J. yelled.

  “Put me down, Tony. NOW.”

  Tony hesitated, then placed her back on her feet. She navigated across the room and stood face-to-face with Monica.

  “This between dem two! Don’t nobody jump in!” someone hollered.

  Monica stood stern-faced for a while, their noses practically touching. Then she burst out laughing.

  “You thank you betta than me, wit’ those hazel eyes? You still ain’t got no titties, little girl. I still look better than you. I blow yo’ ass out the water.”

  “Shut up. You so fuckin’ stupid! Maybe if you came to class more often you wouldn’t have time to be chasin’ other people’s boyfriends.” Cassidy spat, her chest feeling like it was going to burst.

  “That’s all you got on me, right? Grades. I beat you in every other allegory!”

  “The word is category, tramp!” someone yelled out, causing laughter.

  “You lame, Cassidy! Where ya mammy at, huh? Down there sellin’ ’er pussy to get some of that crack still?” she taunted, egging her on.

  “At least she figured out how to get paid for it. You give it away for free.”

  “OHHHH!” the crowd riled up.

  “Oh, now you wanna open yo’ mouth, huh? You wanna talk slick, bitch!”

  Monica shoved her with both hands, almost making her fall back. Cassidy stumbled but she caught her balance.

  “Come on, Tony. I’m ready to go.” Her heart thumped hard in her chest, making her dizzy. She didn’t want to fight, she didn’t want to give the bitch what she wanted… Instead she tried to stick by the principles she believed in.

  “That’s what I thought, punk ass nerd! You can’t compete wit’ me, baby! I’m Monica Frasier and don’t you fuckin’ fuhget it!”

  Tony jammed his middle finger in the air in her direction before they made their way towards the front door.

  “Oh you wanna give me the bird, Godfather?” Monica cackled. “I bet you wish you could fuck me again, White boy!” Cassidy paused and looked at her. “That’s right! Me and Tony fucked last week! We did the nasty!”

  The crowd begun to ohhh and ahhh; the gossip mill was officially churning.

  “You are a fuckin’ liar, Monica! I never touched you!” Tony hollered so loud, his voice nearly vibrated in her soul.

  “Yes, you did, but I know you tryna keep yo’ girl protected! It was good, too, wasn’t it, baby?” Her laugher pierced Cassidy’s eardrums. “That White mothafucka know how to work that dong! Hey, hey, Cassidy! Next time you suck his dick just know that you tastin’ my pussy!”

  Cassidy’s soul leapt out of her body. It seemed the world was moving in slow motion as she grabbed Monica by the hair and slammed her to the ground. Her fists moved, her legs kicked, her teeth bit. The room was hot, dark, the music blaring, spitting out the rhythm to ‘Buddy’ from De La Soul.

  “Oh shit!” someone screamed then giggled. “Cass fuckin’ ’er up!”

  She kept on hitting, even as arms pulled and grabbed, trying to remove her from the bitch. She felt like an octopus, her tentacles wrapped around the girl, needing to stay right where she was until she’d gotten her fill.

  “CASS! CASS!” Tony screamed. “BABY, STOP!” He and Maize managed to pull her away, but she was still kicking… scratching… punching… As she was hauled away in Tony’s arms, Danica stood there, looking like some proud mama bear.

  “That’s what you get, bitch! The nerd fucked yo’ ass up, and that was one for the mothafuckin’ books! Hurry, hurry, read all about it, but you probably can’t, ol’ illiterate ass!”

  The next few minutes were a blur…

  She was in the car, able to hear Tony’s voice, but had trouble concentrating and understanding a word he said. She shook with anger and then, she looked down at her shirt… It was ripped. She closed her eyes for a spell, then leaned forward and began to smack the dashboard.

  “Cass
, stop…” he said calmly before flicking on the radio. ‘Joy’ by Teddy Pendergrass started to play, but she felt no joy at all. “You know she lied, right?” He shot her a look out the corner of his eye. “I never fucked her. I never kissed her, nothing.”

  “I know you didn’t.” She took a deep breath and leaned back in the seat. They were quiet for most of the car ride back, and oddly enough, the streets seemed quieter than usual, too. “Tony, is your mother home?”

  “I don’t think so. This is her night to work third shift.”

  “What about Dante?”

  “He’s asleep. He sleeps like the dead. Why? You wanna come by and clean up first before you go home, in case Grandmama sees you and realizes you’ve been in a fight?”

  “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course I don’t mind. That’s no problem. You can put on one of my mom’s old T-shirts after you wash up.”

  As he pulled into his driveway, the pebbles and rocks crunched under the tires. Minutes later, they were inside and he handed her a cloth and one of his mother’s white T-shirts. Before she knew it, he pulled her in for a kiss.

  “Can I confess something to you?” he said with a smile.

  “Yeah.” She smiled back, ignoring the slight sting on her neck from a scratch she’d gotten during the fight. “What is it?”

  “It was kinda sexy seeing you fight like that tonight. Ouch!” He chuckled when she smacked him with the washcloth he’d just given her. “I’ll be in my bedroom. Let me know when you’re ready for me to walk you home.”

  She nodded and headed to his bathroom. She pulled her torn shirt over her head, fighting back tears of anger as she replayed the horrible night. Checking out her neck in the mirror, she could see the reddened mark, a dig from the bitch’s fingernail. She turned on the faucet, adjusting the water flow to warm, then removed her bra and cast it on the side of the sink.