What About Us: A Crazy Love Story
Page 9
“What’s up, Lela?”
“I just wanted to see what you had planned for tonight. Maybe you can come over and chill. My mom has the kids.”
“I’ve got a whole lot of running around to do today, so maybe another time. Besides, I need to talk to you about some things.”
“Some things like what, Jabari?”
“It’s about me keeping the kids for the summer. It will give you a chance to get a break, and for me to finally introduce them to Jazzlene.”
“I don’t want that bitch around my fucking kids, Jabari!”
“Eventually, I’m gonna have to tell her about the kids. I know that she will be pissed, but she will get over it.”
“She won’t have to get over it Jabari, because I don’t want her around my kids! What part of the game do you think this is nigga?”
“You are so fucking childish, Lela! But if you want to play these games, then it is cool. I’ll holla at you later.”
He hangs up the phone, before I even get to say another word. I am now fuming on the inside. I decide to go to the state store on Euclid in East Cleveland.
It is surprisingly empty inside of the liquor store, especially for a Friday night. I immediately get my bottle of Sapphire Bombay. I was even able to get my Simply Lemonade there as well.
Once I make it home, I rush to the bathroom. As soon as I am finished, I rush out to answer my cell phone, which I left in my purse.
“Hello!” I answer the phone without looking at the screen, so I don’t know that it is my mother.
“I just wanted to call and apologize for talking to you the way that I did, when you were here earlier, Baby. I know that you are hurting over how Jabari is handling this situation. I just want you to use this as a reason to continue to live your life and stop waiting on him.
He is living his life, Baby. You deserve so much better than this, Lela. Your babies deserve so much better than this too. I love you, Lela. I’m just tired of seeing you hurt over someone who could care less.”
I listen to my mother’s apology and the tears begin to roll from my eyes. I know that what she is saying is true. But tell that to my broken heart.
“I accept your apology, Mama. I know that you just want what’s best for me. I will let it go, I promise, Mama. But this pain that I’m feeling, I don’t think that it will ever go away.”
I continue to cry, as I pour the Bombay into one of my favorite Mikasa crystal glasses.
“The pain will go away, Lela. It may not go away today, tomorrow, or even next week. But it will go away. I just want you to start loving yourself and these beautiful grandbabies, more than you love him.”
“I promise; I will focus more on me and my babies, Mama.”
“I decided to go ahead and keep the babies over, until tomorrow morning. So please get yourself together. I’ll drop them off around eleven am.”
“Thanks so much, Mama. I need this time alone. I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby girl. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After ending the call and finishing my first drink, I refill my glass again to the rim. I might as well get good and turnt, since I have the night to myself.
I have spent so much time being down for Jabari, until I have loss myself. That ain’t cool at all. I plop down on the couch and then I log into my Facebook account. I haven’t updated my status in a while, so I decide to do that.
Loving him has been my downfall, but it has also set me up for my comeback. #NOTGONECRY #LEAVINGTHEPASTINTHEPAST #NEWBEGINNINGS
After updating my status, I pick up a photo album that I keep on my coffee table. It has so many memories inside; everything from Easter pictures with Jabari when we were kids, to me and Jabari balling out at the most fly clubs in Cleveland.
The memories make it so much harder for me to just walk completely away from him. But if he can walk away from me and all of our memories; then they must not mean as much to him, as they do to me.
I finish yet another glass and then I head into the kitchen to get a refill.
I put a couple of cubes in my glass, using the automatic ice machine on the front door of my LG refrigerator. Then I refill my drink.
Bottoms up!
***
I don’t remember falling asleep at all. But here I am waking up to pounding on my front door and my cell ringing.
“Hell—hello?”
“Open the door, Lela. I’ve been out here banging for thirty minutes. I told you that I have something to do today!”
I walked to the door sluggishly.
“Ma, I’m so sorry. I must’ve really been sleepy.”
“Or drunk. Lela, you smell just like alcohol. You need to go get cleaned up. Jabari Jr. is knocked out for a while. I’ll go and put on Dr. McStuffins for Laniyah.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
“No need for thanks, Lela. Just get your shit together. I can’t stay long, so hurry on up out of the bathroom.”
She kisses me and then she gets Laniyah situated, while I get myself together.
After showering, I come out to find Laniyah still engrossed in Dr. McStuffins and Jr. is still sleep.
“Did you have fun with Grandma yesterday?”
“I had fun. Daddy came over and brought us food.”
I am heated that Jabari can make time to drop by my mother’s house, yet he can’t come and see me to talk.
“Did granny feed you?
“Yeah, we had panny cakes and sausage. It was good too, Mommy.”
I look at the clock and it is noon. I have almost an hour to get to the church, where Jabari and Jazzlene are getting married.
I refuse to let Ms. Jazzlene get her happily ever after, if I can’t have mine.
Come on, baby. We are going to go and see Daddy. You wanna go see Daddy?”
“Yay, Daddy!”
I grab the car seat and Laniyah’s hand.
It is a beautiful day. It’s too bad that Jabari and Jazzlene’s day won’t go as planned. I only hope that I make it in time. The church is all the way across town. I only hope that I can get through all the Saturday traffic in time.
I fasten Laniyah inside of her seat belt, and then I hand her a sippy cup from the side of the diaper bag. Once I get my baby boy strapped in, then we are off.
Traffic is hectic, but I make it there with two minutes to spare. My phone is now alerting me. I have text messages. I see that it’s Ms. Pam, so I read it.
Me: Don’t go through with the plan!
Lela: What! We planned this all damn night!
Me: I just don’t want to be a part of ruining my son’s day
Lela: Fuck your son! He doesn’t give a fuck about me or my kids! He only cares about her.
Me: He does love his kids! Please don’t do it Lela . . . I’m begging you!
I contemplate for a moment.
Should I really walk in there and bust Jabari’s bubble and let Jazzlene know the man she is marrying, ain’t who she thinks that he is?
Taking a deep breath, I remove the kids from the car. Then I walk up the stairs to the church.
I crack the door and I wait for my moment of truth. When I hear the pastor ask the infamous line; that’s when I bust into the church. All eyes are on me and for a split second, I can’t speak.
“I object! Jabari, how in the hell did you think that you were gonna get married without me finding out?”
“Who in the hell is this, Jabari? What is going on here?” Jazzlene yells in Jabari’s face.
“Let me explain, Jazzlene.”
“I don’t understand what is going on! Who is this woman, with those two children?” She is in his face yelling, when out of nowhere she faints!
Everyone runs to her side as I just stand here, watching the scene unfold.
“Somebody call 911! My baby has fainted!” A woman screams out to the guest. I assume that she is Jazzlene’s mother.
“I’m calling right now, Auntie Julie,” another cute girl calls out.
She is standing nex
t to another girl, who is identical to her.
“Who is that bitch, Jabari? You’ve got bitches rolling up in here, stopping weddings and shit. I warned my sister that you weren’t about shit! Who knew, just how right I was! Hasaan beat his ass!”
She is walking towards me, with a big pregnant belly. The twins are following closely behind her. I am about to haul ass outta there, when Ms. Pam comes and takes my baby from my arms.
“Didn’t I tell you not to do it? Look at all of the trouble that you have caused, child. Get outta here!”
“Naw, this bitch ain’t going no damn where! Who are you and what are you to Jabari?” Jazzlene’s sister says, putting her hands on her pregnant hips.
She is tapping her foot and waiting for me to answer, but I am at a loss for words.
“Dajah, I think this bitch forgot how to speak!” One twin says.
“Naw, she can speak! She just busted up in here causing all of this damn mess. I guess she just doesn’t know, that she about to get her ass whooped!” The other twin adds.
“Now girls, calm down. Please don’t fight her in here,” Ms. Pam begs them.
“Bitch, I should whoop your ass too. You think that I didn’t hear what you just said to her?! You two are in on this together. That apology you gave my sister was a bunch of bullshit! Now who are you, bitch?”
“My name is Lela and these two kids belong to me and Jabari! I just thought that his wife-to-be should know about us, before she says I do!”
“You bitch!” Jabari yells, walking towards me with a face full of rage.
I want to run, but my feet are set in stone.
“You knew what it was, Lela! I told you that the only woman that I love is Jazzlene! Why would you come here and cause all of this drama? Do you really think that I will come running to you?”
“She deserves to know about us, Jabari! I don’t even want you anymore.”
“I’m about to kill you, bitch! You’ve ruined every fucking thing! You knew that I didn’t want these babies or your ass!”
He slaps me so hard to the floor, that it feels like my damn neck is broken. Then he gets on top of me and he begins squeezing my neck. I am trying to get his hands off of me, but I can’t pry them away.
“Jabari, get off of her! She is going to die!” I hear Ms. Pam yell.
“Fuck her. This bitch ruined my life! She knows how important that Jazzy is to me!”
I am now starting to lose consciousness. I hear people yelling at Jabari to stop. I also hear Jazzlene’s sister and cousin still asking him who I am.
I should’ve listened to Ms. Pam…
To Be Continued…
What About Us 2
Coming Soon
Enjoy a sneak peek into Part Two of What About Us.
Chapter 1
Jazzlene
All I can remember is some chick walking in on my wedding. She had a smirk on her face and two babies with her, one on her hip the other one by the hand. I still don’t know who she is but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure the shit out. She is Jabari’s side bitch. Well now his only bitch because I’m done with his ass and that is for sure.
I’m lying in this hospital bed playing sleep listening to my sister, cousins, and mother go off about what just happened.
“Can you believe the nerve of that bitch walking in on my baby’s wedding?” My mother kept repeating over and over again. I know my mom really loved Jabari. So I can imagine how she is feeling right now.
“Ma, that nigga is dead you hear me? Cheating on my baby sister with a mud duck looking bitch. I swear if I wasn’t pregnant I would’ve beat both their asses my damn self!”
“Nelle, you need to sit your pregnant ass down somewhere.” Dajah my favorite cousin scolded.
“Really, Nelle! We don’t need you going into labor early over this bullshit. But you best believe Jabari will be getting his. I already called my boo, Rico. He will handle his no good ass.” Aja always was quick to call her man Rico to wreak havoc.
“Please call him off,” I said soflty. My voice was croaked out.
“Thank goodness you are alright. You had everyone worried sick,” My mother said, rushing over to my bed. These damn lights are too damn bright. My eyes are adjusting, though.
“I’m fine. Can someone get me some water please?” I watched as Aja pushed the nurse’s button. I tried to sit up but my abdomen was extremely sore.
“How long have I been out?” I asked after taking a drink of water.
“Almost six hours. Jazzy, the doctor will be in to tell you everything.” I could see the pain on my mother’s face. I knew something was terribly wrong.
“I just paged the nurse. She should be here to explain everything soon. Are you in any pain?”
“Hell yeah my stomach is killing me. It feels like I been hit by a Mack truck or something. Can somebody please tell me what happened?”
“Jabari’s has two kids by some chick. That’s what happened. He been fucking that bitch the whole time behind your back. Then the nigga had the nerve to try and kill the hoe at the church. And guess what lil’ sis? His mama knew all about the bitch and the kids. She set up this whole thing to ruin your wedding day. I swear as soon as I drop this load I’m gonna dog walk that old hoe!”
“Sit your ass down, Nelle or I’m gonna call Hassaan up here to come and get you. You need to be calm while you’re carrying my grandbaby. Now sit your ass down over there!” My mother fussed at Nelle pointing to a chair across the room.
“I don’t give a flying fuck about Jabari. I wanna know why I’m in so much damn pain!” Everyone looked to one another. As soon as I was about to sound off again, a nurse and doctor walked through the door.
“How are you feeling, Ms. Sims?” The handsome doctor asked me.
“I’m in a lot of pain. But I would feel better if I knew why. So can you please tell me what’s going on doctor?”
“Certainly, you were brought in today because you fainted. We thought it was because of your severe dehydration but upon further examination we discovered you were pregnant. Unfortunately, you were pregnant in your fallopian tubes. We had to remove the fetus. Nurse Marjorie will be able to give you some meds for your pain.”
“I was pregnant? I don’t understand how this could happen doctor I was on birth control. I have been since I was sixteen years old. That can’t be right.”
“As we all know birth control isn’t 100% effective, especially if you switch up birth control. Unfortunately severe damage was done to your left fallopian tube. During surgery I repaired it as well as I could. This could mean you may never be able to have children. We won’t know for sure until everything is healed. Do you have any more questions?”
I couldn’t speak. I was pregnant and it is possible that I will never be able to have kids again. All this on top of all the drama with Jabari’s dog ass.
“How long will I have to stay here doctor?” I hope not long. I hate hospitals. They give me the creeps for some reason. Maybe the fact that it’s a room full of dead bodies somewhere in here.
“You have a slight fever. I want it to lower and stay stable under a twenty-four hour observation before you’re discharged. The nurse will be back with antibiotics and some meds for your pain as soon as I put an order in for them. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to push the call button and a nurse will be in to help you. Have a nice evening, Ms. Sims. I’ll be back to check on you a little later.” He patted my leg gave me a smile and walked out of the room.
“How are you feeling, baby?” My mom asked, rubbing my hair. I could tell she was worried about me.
“I’m fine, Ma. I just can’t believe I was pregnant. I may never be able to have children. This is all so much to digest right now.” I truthfully admitted. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was strong but to hear that I might not be able to be a mother really bothered me. Although my relationship with Jabari is over I know I’ll meet someone one day and want to start a family.
“Don’
t cry, Jazzy. The doctor said it is a possibility not a fact. Keep your head up, boo. Trust and believe you will be barefoot and pregnant when the time is right.” Aja comforted me.
“Exactly, you will make me an auntie soon enough. Let us just get you healed and back on your feet.”
“Thanks for the support. I hate to be rude but I just want to be alone right now. I have so much to process right now.” I was so over today. This day was supposed to be the best day of my life but it turned out to be the worst day.
“Sure thing, baby. But don’t stress too hard. You will get through this, Jazzlene.” My mom kissed my cheek and headed out of the room.
“Me and the twins will be back to see you tomorrow. Hopefully you will be able to leave. Keep your head up, Jazzy. Just be thankful you found out all this before you said I do. I love you.” After the twins kissed me, I was all alone with my thoughts.
Thoughts of how I could be so blind to Jabari and all his deceitful ways. He had me fooled. But the joke is definitely on his ass. Trust and believe that shit!
To Be Continued in Part Two
Coming Soon From Lock Down Publications
RESTRAINING ORDER
By CA$H & COFFEE
GANGSTA CITY II
By Teddy Duke
A DANGEROUS LOVE VII
By J Peach
BLOOD OF A BOSS III
By Askari
THE KING CARTEL III
By Frank Gresham
NEVER TRUST A RATCHET BITCH
SILVER PLATTER HOE III
By Reds Johnson
THESE NIGGAS AIN’T LOYAL III
By Nikki Tee
BROOKLYN ON LOCK II
By Sonovia Alexander
THE STREETS BLEED MURDER II
By Jerry Jackson
CONFESSIONS OF A DOPEMAN’S DAUGHTER II
By Rasstrina
WHAT ABOUT US II
By Kim Kaye
A GANGSTER’S REVENGE
By Aryanna
Available Now
LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES I II & III
By Coffee