by Tiece
“I think that’s great, Red.”
“Yeah, I bet you do,” she smiled. “And you too,” she said to Anton. “Smiling like this will last forever. You know better than that.”
“Quit fussing and just chill out. It just makes me smile to see the two of you in the same room, and not fussing. This takes me back to a time when she was clean.”
“Well, enjoy it, because as soon as she wakes up, it’ll be over.” She teased then looked at Nina. “I’m going to see Sheila’s new crib when she gets off of work.” Nina frowned. “So we’ll probably need a drink afterwards.”
“Three or four drinks after you leave her.” Nina commented, causing Scarlett to grin. Anton simply shook his head.
“I don’t even wanna know.” he said then looked at Nina. “Let’s go.”
Scarlett relaxed back in the chair and sighed when she looked over at Gwen.
“Guess it’s just me and you until I leave to go see Sheila.”
It was strange how so much had happened in so little time. One minute she was happy and things were looking up for her. The next minute she was sad and things were starting to go downhill fast. Her phone ringing brought back a different type of drama brewing when she looked at Luke’s name on her caller ID, which sent chills up her spine. She hesitated, unsure if she could handle any more bad news; especially the kind that consisted of him cursing her out for being such a slut back in the day.
“Damn,” she said then answered the phone. “Hello.” She braced for the worst.
“What’s up baby?” he coolly asked. “What are you doing?”
Scarlett paused for a moment. He sure didn’t sound mad about anything. “I’m just chilling, trying to get a little shut eye before I go see Sheila’s new crib.” she partially lied, trying to feel him out.
“I miss you already,” he said causing Scarlett to blush.
Obviously, he hadn’t seen the video yet, she quickly thought. “I miss you too. How long have you been home?” she pondered.
“I’ve actually been in and out. I hadn’t really had the time to chill yet, but I will later. I really need to catch up on some rest because I don’t think we got any sleep the whole weekend.”
“You’re right about that. I believe that’s why I’m so tired too.” she responded.
“Well, I just wanted to hear your voice.” he said, but before she could respond, his mother’s voice could be heard in the background.
“You had some mail on the counter that I left up there for you, including that envelope with the CD in it.”
Scarlett’s heart completely stopped beating. She sat there anxiously listening.
“I didn’t see any mail over there.” Luke stated.
“That’s because your Daddy was around here cleaning up and threw it in the trash. I think the garbage people took it off this morning.”
“Oh well, if it was important for me to see it, then I guess it would’ve never ended up in the garbage.” Scarlett nervously grinned, because this only bought her a little more time, but exactly how much time, she was unsure of.
“I would call April and just ask her what was on the video, but I believe she’s up to no good. The more I think about it.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because she messaged me last week saying that she’d heard some unpleasant things about you, but I didn’t follow her up because as of about three weeks ago, I’d stopped fucking around with her period.”
“Messing around with her?” Scarlett quickly asked.
“Yeah, she was the only broad that I kicked it with from time to time. It was nothing more than sex. I can promise you that,” he said.
Scarlett sat quietly, still thinking. She thought she had Luke gone in the bedroom department, but finding out that he and the ex were still fucking around was shocking.
“Red, that was a part of our open relationship policy,” he reminded her. “We didn’t have to speak on it if it wasn’t asked, and even still, if we didn’t want to.”
“Uh, yeah I remember.” she said, thinking that she’d certainly abused it by sleeping with Greg numerous times since they’d been talking. “I just didn’t think it would be her, since she was an ex.”
“It was only with her because I knew her like that. For the record, it was only sex, and three times to be exact since we’d been kicking it.” Scarlett’s stomach felt sick at just the thought of Luke still fucking around with April. What did the bitch have that she didn’t? Probably a clean past, she thought.
“Listen Red, I told her that I was done with her about two weeks ago. Since then, she’s been hitting me up, talking about she knows something about you from a trustworthy source. I don’t know what she’s up to, and personally, I don’t care because I know April. The girl can be relentless if she can’t have what she wants. She is just one of those people who you have to just stop fucking with all together, in order for her to get the picture. Let’s just say that she must be getting the picture.”
Scarlett shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t feel comfortable with you even talking to somebody that you know is trying to ruin our relationship.”
“I agree. That’s why I’m not fucking with her no more.” he said, looking her straight in her eyes.
“Good,” Scarlett said, even though she knew her time was borrowed because April wasn’t going to give up.
“Well, get you some rest and I’ll call you later.”
“Okay baby,” she said then ended their call.
Chapter 14
A couple of hours had passed, with Scarlett sitting in the lounge chair looking out of the window. Gwen hadn’t opened her eyes or as much as moved while she was there. She was confused about finally getting her life together, and then being on the verge of losing it. And with Luke and his other woman shit, it was like an unbalanced scale.
On top of that, Gwen looked as if she was on her deathbed. Her thoughts were going 1000 miles per hour, and the only thing that distracted them was her phone ringing. She looked at the caller ID and it was Sheila. Damn, I’m not in the mood for this shit. She thought then answered anyway.
“Hey girl,” she spoke.
“Hey bestie,” Sheila responded. “How was your trip? I left you a message but then thought about it. Your ass never listens to them messages. I was trying to give you time to call me, but I thought I’d reach out first, because I know you’re tired.” she said, already wanting to tell Scarlett about Jay’s other woman.
“Yeah, I was gonna call you, but there has been so much going on since I’ve been back.”
“What’s going on? Are you okay?”
Scarlett was shocked to hear the sincerity in Sheila’s voice. What had brought on this new change in her?
“Well, I guess you’re gonna hear it anyway, but Gwen has been hospitalized.”
“Gwen?” Sheila questioned, already knowing that Gwen was indeed a soldier to her heart, so to be hospitalized was unusual. “Is she okay?”
“Well, she’s really sick. She has pneumonia and a couple of broken ribs and a sprained ankle. I think her happy go lucky care free lifestyle is starting to take a turn for the worse.”
“Damn, Scarlett. I’m truly sorry to hear that. How long are they keeping her?”
“For at least a week or better,” she sadly said.
“Well, take tomorrow off. There is no need for you to go in there with Gwen on your mind like that.”
“Are you sure, Sheila? We were already off three days last week. I don’t mind—”
“Nonsense,” she cut in. “You need to be there with your mama. I’ll hold down the fort for you.”
“Wow, I can’t believe you’re being so understanding,” Scarlett blurted out.
“Yeah, well I’m trying my best to turn over a new leaf.”
“Well, how are things with Jay? Have y’all christened the crib yet?”
“Jay and I are no longer a couple.”
“Really,” she said, trying to feel her out.
> “Yes girl, we’ll have to talk about it whenever you come over. I don’t want to burden you with my problems, being that you have your own.”
Scarlett sat with her mouth open. What was going on with Sheila? “I was just talking about coming over there when I leave here. You know I can’t wait to see your place.”
“I know, but if you can’t make it tonight then that’ll be okay. Just take care of your mom.” She paused for a moment, hoping that Scarlett would come anyway.
“Look girl, I said I was going to come and I am.” She really just wanted to get it over it.
“Okay cool,” she hesitated. “My phone is beeping. Let me take this call, but we’ll talk when you get here.”
__________
“Hello,” Sheila answered. There was silence on the line. “Hello,” she said again.
“Hey Sweetie,” the familiar sweet voice finally responded.
“Why are you calling me?” Sheila asked, already knowing that it was the bitch. “How did you even get my number?”
“The same way you got mine.” The bitch toyed with her. “Sweetie, I know more about you than you think I do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You act like I can’t find out who the hell you are.” Sheila stated, feeling very annoyed by this point.
“Listen bitch, you won the first round. I’ll give it to you.” Sheila smugly grinned. “I was going to spare you and leave it as is, but since you wanna play, we can definitely do that. I must be honest though, I never cared for playing on a leveled field, but for you, I’ll do my best to play fair.” Sheila said, thinking about just how devious she could really be. With friends like Sheila, who the hell needed enemies? The bitch just didn’t know, but she was sure to find out.
“Just watch your back, lil girl, and always remember that I stay three steps ahead of even the slickest bitches.” the bitch said, then hung up in Sheila’s face. Sheila smiled. Over the years, she’d learned how to play people without them even knowing they were being played. She’d learned the art of illusion, fooling people like she was the good girl, when in actuality being bad and screwing people over was just in her. It ran through her veins, and constantly played in her dreams.
“Consider yourself lucky to be in my circle, because being an enemy is really going to get you fucked up.” She said as she stood in the living room.
__________
Scarlett looked over at Gwen’s slow movement as she turned to lie on her side. Scarlett leaned forward to peek at her. She was told that Gwen hadn’t moved much since she was admitted, so for her to turn on her side was good. Scarlett smiled a little to herself, but then wondered why it made her feel this way.
She had mixed emotions about Gwen. She didn’t know if Gwen being this sick would change her. Maybe she’d realize that she was wrong for treating her badly and apologize for all the years of pain she caused. However, the Gwen that Scarlett knew would wake up and curse her out for sitting there supporting her. She would think Scarlett had a motive or enjoyed watching her at her lowest point. The truth was that Scarlett didn’t know how to feel about none of it. She picked up her cell phone to call Nina.
“What’s up, Red?” Nina answered.
“Girl, you would not believe what happened,” she spoke in disbelief.
“What?” Nina asked.
“How ʼbout Luke called and pretty much filled me in on April telling him that she knows something damaging about me. He also informed me that they were still fucking around until about two weeks ago.”
Nina gasped for air. “Why would he want to keep fucking with his ex?”
“It’s part of our open relationship policy,” she stated dejectedly.
“Oh, that thing,” Nina commented.
“Yep, the same thing I took full advantage of with Greg is the same thing I hate like hell he did with his ex.”
“I can only imagine,” Nina stated.
“This bitch is determined to fuck with me, and it’s all because of Phaedra. I wish I had something to put in that big mouth of hers, like my foot.”
“What did he say to her when she told him that she knew of some unpleasant things about you?” Nina nosily asked. “Or better yet, where is she supposedly getting her information from?”
“He said that she said her info comes from a trustworthy source.”
“It’s Phaedra’s bitch ass.” Nina cut in. “Just keep it real, bitch!” Hearing her best friend’s name in the streets after she’d worked so hard to clean up her act was pissing her off.
“That bitch, April, better start letting my name taste like shit in her mouth, before I do something that I’ll regret.” Scarlett said in a low but firm tone. “And that’s what I told him to tell her too.”
“And what did he say?”
“He said that he wasn’t fucking with her anymore, but you know it’s only a matter of time before Luke knows everything that Phaedra knows about me.”
“I just hate that this bitch used to roll with us, and now she’s on the outside looking in at us like we’re nobodies. If I had to see her right now in the streets, she’d be one whooped ass!” Nina fussed.
“Damn man, I really like this nigga and he’s really into me. You’re a witness to the men that come and go in my life, but this one treats me like he wants to stay.” She became silent for a moment. “Damn, I hate that Gwen was a rotten ass mother to us. If she was half-way decent, then I wouldn’t have gotten in the half the shit I was subjected to.” she said, peeking over at Gwen to make sure that she was still asleep.
“You got to get over that, Red. It’s your past, and no matter what a bitch says, every saint has a past, and all sinners have futures. So those bitches can kiss ass!”
“You are so right about that. I’m just scared though, because what if he is the one, but I can’t even give this man any kids? He’s still young, and working towards his medical degree. Of course, one day he’s going to want kids of his own, and I can’t give him that. I’ll never be able to know what it feels like to be a mom.” She sadly stated, wanting to cry. “I may as well just break things off with him now anyway, or he’s gonna get me first,” she sighed.
“Just don’t be so hasty with your decisions.” Nina said in an effort to comfort her.
Scarlett wasn’t hearing it. “Giiiiiiiirl, I even told him that Gwen was dead. I’m a bad person for putting her in the ground before her time, but I didn’t know how to introduce her to my boyfriend without thinking she was going to embarrass me. The bad part about it is that now I have to tell him that she ain’t dead.” She shook her head. “Or maybe she will be soon.” She silenced herself with a frown. “Now what kind of shit is that to say?”
Nina wanted to laugh, but she had to keep her composure for Scarlett’s sake.
“Just think on this for a moment. It’s not as bad as it may seem. He’ll understand if you just talk to him about it.”
“You say that now, but my past isn’t pretty. I saw the video that the bitch sent to my house.”
Nina’s eyes widened. “KISS MY ASS BITCH! ARE YOU SERIOUS?”
“Very serious,” she instantly admitted. “Not only is she about to expose me, but the bitch even knows where I live. The video was just sitting on my kitchen table in an envelope with just my name on it and URGENT written in all caps from the sender. What if Ant would’ve opened it and just played it to be nosey?”
“Oh My GOD! Shit just got REAL.” Nina stated with her mouth still partly open. “It couldn’t have been that bad, right?”
“Shittn’ me,” Scarlett commented. “First off, it shows very clear, and it shows me doing some really filthy shit. The only part that was left out was when Phaedra joined in and started eating my pussy like she hadn’t had a good meal in years.” She sighed. “If only Gwen had cared a little more about me, I wouldn’t have resorted to such horrendous shit.”
Nina felt bad for her. “Red, don’t do this to yourself, especially right now. Are you still in the room with her?”
&nb
sp; “Yeah, I am.” She looked over at Gwen, and then forgot all about what they were talking about. “Can you believe that she turned on her side?” She sounded a bit happy about it as if the bad woman she was just talking about never existed.
“That’s good, Red. Hopefully, she’ll wake up soon.”
Scarlett’s smile quickly changed. She thought about Gwen waking up and lashing out at her.
“I don’t know. Maybe if she slept for a few more days she’ll wake up a new person. I’m afraid if she awakes too soon she’ll be the same retarded bitch she was before she came in here.”
They laughed.
“You should never talk about your mama in that way,” Nina teased.
Scarlett grinned. “I’ve never known any other way to talk about her.”
“Red, I want you to know that I’m happy to see you sitting there with Gwen. It takes a big person to look past the pain of the past, and hope for a better tomorrow.”
“I know, and I just wish that Gwen would do the same. It would be nice to actually have a mother who cares for a change.” She smiled. “Anyway, I need to figure some things out on my end, and I’ll call you whenever I’m ready to leave here. I just need to speak to a different doctor and get some other opinions on what’s best for Gwen when she comes home.”
“Alright babe, and don’t hurt yourself thinking too much.”
She laughed. “I won’t.”
Scarlett stood up to walk over and check on Gwen. Gwen’s eyes were slightly open, but the sound of Scarlett coming closer to her side caused her to close them. She had heard Scarlett’s entire conversation, unbeknownst to her daughter.
Scarlett rubbed her gently on the cheek with the back of her hand, and prayed silently over a seemingly sleeping Gwen.
“How I wish that we could get along, but there has been so much damage done over the years that, I’m not sure if we could ever get past it,” she whispered.
Gwen never moved. The warmth of Scarlett’s hand pressed against her face was one of the best feelings she’d ever had. It was something about that moment that felt surreal to her. Everything was what it seemed to be, and not at all diluted. She felt something that was electrifying, but she had to wonder how long would it actually last.