by Ashley Cole
Rolling her eyes at the caller ID she threw her head back groaning with frustration. It was her mom. “Do I really want to deal with this right now?” Hesitantly, she answered on the fifth ring, “Hi mom, how--” “What took you so long to answer the phone Scarlett? Do you have a man over there? I sure hope so, because I’m ready for some grandbabies. You need a boyfriend?”, her mom rambled.
Scarlett allowed Diana to continue nit-picking, only pausing to take a breath in-between each series of questions. I don’t know why she calls, she never pauses for a response from me, she just wants to hear herself talk, Scarlett thought. “Hello”, Diana said, realizing Scarlett hadn’t responded. “I’m still here mom, I was about to take a bath. I had a very long day,” she replied with annoyance. “Well if you would take my advice and get a man he could have already run your bath water for you,” her mom snapped back.
Scarlett grew tired of their conversation quickly, “Alright mom, enough of that. How was your day?” Scarlett replied changing the subject. “My day went well but it would have been much better if you’d called. I know you think I’m a pest but I only want the best for you”, she said. “I know mom but I need you to understand that I already am. Just let me do things at my own pace. It kind of is my life ya’ know.” They laughed as Diana said she’d let her get back to her soothing bath. “Love you mom, I’ll talk to you later.”
Taking a deep breath, she put her phone on silent and marched back up the stairs to her bathroom. She stuck her toes into the water to check the temperature. “Eugh!” she yelled, vexed at the situation. All she wanted to do was relax and she couldn’t even do that in peace. She felt Lola staring at her, head tilted sideways, with a confused expression. She was probably thinking ‘what the hell is her problem’. Scarlett ran more hot water until the temperature was perfect, then slowly stepped into her bathtub, allowing her limbs to sink to the bottom. She then closed her eyes, allowing the water to drift all the way up to her nose. Finally, a little peace, she thought.
Chapter 8
Flying out of his house, rushing towards his car, Monty was so flustered. As he backed out of the driveway, he was just about to call Madison’s school and let them know he was running late (again) and to let Madison know he was on his way. Reaching towards the inner console for his phone, he accidentally knocked it over and it flew to the passenger side floorboard. “Damn!”, he yelled.
Looking ahead while driving he leaned over to reach for his cellphone. Looking up just in time he barely missed a Black Nissan, that he noticed trying to weave around him. “Oh shit!”, he yelled. He was sure the driver he’d almost ran into was one of his neighbors. He was so embarrassed but unfortunately there was no time to apologize. He’d have to apologize the next time he saw her.
Feeling like a failure, he pulled over to a stop reaching for his phone. He then pulled back onto the road, turning on his speaker phone, as he called the main office at Madison’s school. “Ascension School, how may I help you”, the assistant asked. “Hi, this is Madison’s…”, “Hi Mr. Campbell, I’ll let Madison know you’re on your way.” Well that was a kick in the gut, he thought, saying thank you. He hit the gas wanting to make it to the school as soon as possible.
Monty parked in front of Madison’s school and was heading towards the entrance when he saw her opening the double doors. She seemed to have been waiting at the door. He noticed she had her head down and was refusing to make eye contact with him, which only made him feel worse. Maddie had long beautiful brown hair, and hazel eyes like her mom Shannon. Sometimes it hurt to look at his daughter. She was the spitting image if his ex-fiancé. She’d cheating on him weeks before their wedding.
Monty was also starting to realize that being a single dad looked a lot easier than it really was. He never liked to see disappointment in his daughter’s eyes, especially if he was the root of disappointment. “Hey baby girl, sorry I’m late. I was working on a few things and lost track of time,” he said grabbing and picking her up. “Dad please put me down,” she said avoiding eye contact. As he put her back down, she continued to give him the silent treatment, as they walked back towards his car. He would rather she yell, well not really, he thought. But at least he would know what she was thinking. It was killing him that she wasn’t responding. “Maddie, I’m really sorry, I know this isn’t the first time, but I had so much to do,” he pled. The look she gave him could have melted the was off a candle.
He wanted to laugh but decided this was not the time to be silly. His daughter was obviously disappointed and he needed to fix it. Madison had just turned seven and was new to her current private school. However, this was the not the first or second time he had been late picking her up. This was the fourth, he knew it was getting old. If she only knew, the reason he worked so hard is so she could have anything she wanted.
“As an apology, I I’ll take a small break from working, we can grab your favorite ice cream if you want”, he said pleading her forgiveness. “You promise?”, Maddie replied, after keeping quiet a little while longer. “I knew my little button was in there somewhere. Maddie look at me. I’m truly sorry, but I’d work my fingers to the bone to make sure you have everything you’ve ever wanted. Do you understand that?”, he said sincerely.
“Yes daddy, I understand, but it’s embarrassing when you forget me at school and everyone else is already gone. It makes me sad.,” she replied looking at the floor. Her last words broke his heart. He clearly needed to do a lot more than buy ice cream. His daughter needed quality time and that was better than ice cream any day. “How about you and I go to the park this weekend and feed the ducks, you love to do that,” he said. “Yay, okay daddy, you promise?”, she said. “I promise”, he smiled kissing her on the cheek. “Now let’s go get that ice cream.”
Chapter 9
Naomi arrived back at work, she and Tiana immediately got back to work. There was no time to waste and they needed to research SC’s shoe collection. She wanted at least ten samples for Dominique to choose from. Looking at the clock hours later, she realized it was already 6pm and they were only able to narrow it down to twelve. Close enough she thought, relieving Tiana. “See you in the morning.”
She texts Ethan, letting him know she was on her way to pick Mason up, before grabbing her things and heading towards the security desk. Larry was checking the security monitors and was the head of security. She informed him that she was leaving then made her way to Ethan’s side of town. Naomi dreaded seeing Ethan.
Since the divorce had been finalized, they’d made it a rule to only contact each other if it concerned Mason. So far things were going well, but she missed them all being together as a family. Going places alone made her feel empty at times. She sometimes felt that her family was broken, but she knew she shouldn’t think that way. Her and Mason were a family now and she knew she would eventually adjust to her new life.
Pulling into Ethan’s driveway, she scurried to his front door and rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, he answered opening his front door. She proceeded to step into the main entrance but Ethan held his hand in front of her preventing her from doing so. Naomi tried disguising her hurt feelings as annoyance. Here we go again, she thought. “Mason grab your backpack, mommy’s here”, he yelled looking behind him. “Okay daddy I’m coming,” Mason yelled.
Naomi heard Mason running towards the entrance but for some reason he stopped. “It was nice to meet you, can I have a hug?”, she heard unfamiliar female voice say. Before Mason could respond Naomi shoved the door open, glaring at Ethan. “Are you fucking serious?” she said knocking Ethan out of her way. Grabbing Mason’s hand, she headed out the front door. She was sure she felt Ethan and some female staring at her, as she slammed the door. She was pissed beyond belief. She could not believe Ethan was already bringing Mason around random women without her consent. Maybe she would understand if he were in a serious relationship, but he was clearly just having fun.
Picking Mason up she began to strap him into his car seat.
“Hi mommy’s big boy, I missed you”, she said, masking her frustration. Closing Mason’s door, she turned to open the driver seat door when she heard Ethan’s footsteps behind her. “Seriously Naomi, I can’t believe you just did that. What the hell is your problem?” “What’s my problem? It’s enough I have to hear that you’re slinging your dick across the Big Apple, but now you’re introducing my son to the women you’re sleeping with. Get your shit together Ethan, this divorce doesn’t only affect you!”, she yelled.
Naomi got into her car and slammed the door in his face. As she put her car in reverse she heard Ethan yelling, “Well if you weren’t always working, he wouldn’t have met her! How about you get your shit together!” She was so tempted yell, “How about you cancel your date and spend quality time with your son asshole!” Instead, she turned up the radio, drowning him out as she pulled out of his driveway.
Thinking of Mason, she immediately felt horrible that he witnessed what transpired. He shouldn’t have been subjected to hearing any of their fights but he had witnessed one too many. She looked in her rearview to see his small frame staring quietly out the window. “Mommy’s sorry you had to see that”, she said as she drove home in silence, letting the tears stream down her face. Mason never responded, he just kept staring into the darkness. My poor baby, she thought. He looked a lot like his father and she prayed he’d be nothing like the person he’d become.
Chapter 10
Pulling up to her parents’ house, she texts Kristina, letting her know she was out front. Kristina headed outside and hopped into the passenger seat, handing Chanel a blunt. “Surprise! For you, no puff puff pass for you after the night you’ve had. This one’s for you,” she said smiling sadly. “Thanks girl, I still can’t believe he had the nerve to do that right in front of the bouncer. But Noah slammed him to the ground and kicked him out, which made me feel a little better. I want to quit so bad, but my mom’s been so happy lately not having to pay all the bills and my tuition on her own. It would kill me if she had to revert to struggling. I’d feel so selfish. Something’s gotta give though. This can’t continue forever”, Chanel replied downheartedly looking in her direction.
“Why don’t you move back home like me? I mean my parents aren’t rich but they make due. I get a job occasionally, so I don’t have to hear their mouths”, Kristina joked. “I don’t know how you can live off your parents guilt free. I wouldn’t feel right. We are adults now Kris, we should be helping them, not them helping us. Don’t get me wrong, I would never judge you but I couldn’t do that to my mom”, Chanel replied giving side eye.
“You need a light, I am not about to have this conversation with you. It is what it is”, Kristina replied rolling her eyes. Grabbing her lighter lit Chanel’s blunt. She inhaled, holding her breath, then exhaled, allowing her head to fall back against the head rest. She then closed her eyes as the time passed and they sat in silence for a few minutes. “I really needed this, thanks girl. You always come through when I need you,” she said through lowered eyelashes.
“Wait, what do you have planned for this weekend besides working? We should go out! Before you say you should work, you always say that. I’m only asking you to take one night off, this Friday. You need to have a little fun sometimes. Take a break,” she asked begging. “I do need a small break, I guess it can’t hurt anything, but can I ask you a personal question?” she asked.
“Is that a trick question, we know everything about each other”, Kristina laughed. “True, do you have dreams about your future? Do you ever envision where you want to be 10 years from now?” “Not really”, she replied with a smirk. “Don’t look at me like that, I’m being serious. I have big dreams about my future, but every time I feel as if I’m getting closer to, I take ten steps backwards. I’m trying not to get discouraged. Guess I’ll get there one day”, Chanel replied pensively.
“Yah I know what you mean, I guess I have dreams too. I’m waiting for Cali to legalize marijuana! I want to open a Mary Jane outlet and sell 50 flavors! I’d sell brownies, cupcakes, even medicinal weed. You naammmee it!” she said mimicking Shirley Caesar. “Girl you are crazy, but a dream is a dream. Anyways, I’m going to head over to my mom’s and see how she’s doing. I’ll make sure to text you when I make it home”, Chanel replied smiling. “Make sure you do. I don’t want you calling because you fell asleep at a stop sign, thinking it was a stop light.” Chanel was tickled at Kristina’s response, “Girl bye, I’ll talk to you later,” she said.
Taking one last hit from her blunt, she made sure to put it out in her ashtray. She waited for Kristina to open her front door before heading to her mom’s. Her mom only lived five exits from Kristina, so seven minutes later she was pulling into her driveway. Using her housekey, she let herself in. “Hey mom I’m home!” “I’m back here,” Cindy replied from the kitchen. Chanel made her way through the living room, to the kitchen. She then kissed her mom on the cheek. “Hey mom, mmm something smells good. What’s for dinner?” “Chicken and beef Pho, your favorite. I was hoping you’d stop by after work so you could get some food to take back with you.”
“It’s a good thing I stopped by, I’m starving. You know I’m still learning how to cook, tonight was going to be Ramen Noodles night”, she laughed knowing she had the munchies. “I told you to pay attention while I was cooking all those years. You were so stubborn, thinking I was trying to raise you to be a house wife, Ms. Independent”, she replied frowning. “Well mom, to be honest, I regret it now, but there’s still time to learn, right? You haven’t given up on me yet?”, Chanel pouted. “Of course, I haven’t silly girl, pull up a chair and eat”, her mom replied smiling.
“So how was work? You’ve been working so much lately I barely ever see you.” “Oh, it was fine, started a new routine tonight. I’ll be staying late so I can get the steps. This routine is pretty detailed”, she lied, trying not to make eye contact. “I may visit Naomi this summer, haven’t decided yet”, she said attempting to change the subject. “You should, it would be good for you to get away. You’ve been working so hard. I’ll be fine here, plus she’s your sisters, you two should meet.” “I know mom, it’s just kind of weird, and apparently, I have a nephew, Mason. I overheard him on one of our calls and he seems to be a handful. I am excited to meet them though, and I’ve never been to New York. It would be a great trip.”, she said smiling at her mother.
Chapter 11
Noah made his way around Taboo making sure no one was killing each other before heading out for the evening. He figured he should checked the VIP section first, since they’d just had an incident. But he ended up noticing the ladies in VIP were having more fun than the fellas, which he found odd. Most ladies would sit there glaring at the dancers with disgust while the men threw ones, tens and hundreds.
He noticed his next-door neighbor had left the VIP section and was probably heading home with one of the ladies. I guess he was bent on making sure he didn’t get any sleep tonight. “Man, this dude is about to be out of control”, he said groaning with annoyance. He continued heading towards the Private dance section, not expecting to see much, except dancers giving a lot more than a private dance. All the curtains were completely drawn for the most part, but he noticed one wasn’t quite closed. Knowing this club had pervs he went to close the curtain so whomever the dancer was, would have privacy. To each his own, he thought.
Reaching for the red curtain, he heard loud moans coming from a man. He never intervened with what the girls decided to do during their private sessions, so as he grabbed the curtain to give them privacy. Gasping, he saw something he never expected to see. It was his neighbor on his knees in front of some young college kid sucking his dick. “What the fuck! Man, get the fuck outta here! Take that shit to your house! Matter fact if that’s what I’ve been hearing through my wall all this time take that shit to his house!”, he yelled.
Grabbing his neighbor by his shirt he yanked him from the floor throwing him into the hallway. “Get your clothes on and get
the fuck out man! Take that shit somewhere else!”, he yelled looking in the student’s direction. The student scrambled, with wide eyes, to pull up his pants while running out of the private section. Before he could say anything else he noticed student beelining for the exit, tripping on his own feet before making it outside.
Noah’s neighbor stood staring in disbelief as if he were in shock. Noah stood folding his arms wondering if he’d have to throw his ass out. He then slowly began walking towards the exit as well. He could have sworn he heard his neighbor yell “Fuck!”, on his way out, but he didn’t care. He just wanted them both to get the hell out.
Noah started gagging as he closed the red curtain hoping not to see anything else. He wasn’t homophobic but he damn sure didn’t expect to catch anyone in the act. As far as people’s sexuality was concerned, he felt that was none of his business if it didn’t affect him. He’d even been hit on by men a few times, but he was confident in who he was, so it never really bothered him. He just made sure they always knew he was strictly interested in women only.
Standing in the back hallway in shock, he took a deep breath gathering himself before making his way towards the employee office to grab his things. “Ay Doug, I’m out man. I just seen some crazy shit and I need to wash out my eyeballs man. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he laughed, fist bumping the owner. Noah made his way towards the back exit reaching for his valet ticket. If he wasn’t ready to go home before he was damn sure ready to take his ass home now. He’d seen too much in one night.
Once he’d made it outside he became nauseated thinking of how many nights he’d heard his neighbor having sex. He couldn’t believe it was a man the whole time. Noah vomited in the grass beside the building. “Hell nah man, I gotta move now. Fuck that”, he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Sir are you okay”, the valet asked seeing him bent over. “Yah man I’m good just bring my car so I can get up outta here”, Noah said handing the valet his ticket.