Married to a Balla

by Jackie D.

  Feeling defeated, Justice got up and walked to the front door. After opening it, he turned around when he realized he’d left his car keys on the table. He looked up when he saw Sandino and Cruze entering Skye’s apartment.

  “Daddy’s home bitch! Didn’t I tell you I would hunt you down?” a voice yelled out.

  Skye slowly turned her head when she heard the familiar voice, and saw Sandino standing there.

  Paralyzed with fear, Skye sat there for what seemed like forever until she finally jumped up and ran behind Justice for protection.

  “Look Sandino, don’t come to my home with that bullshit, I’ve moved on with my life now. I have a good man who loves me right here.” Skye nervously grabbed Justice by the arm when she noticed the gun in Cruze’s hand.

  “Oh really? Is this what you call a fuckin’ home?” Sandino looked around her small apartment with disgust. “This is a dump. I can’t believe you put my kids through this bullshit. And let me give you a word of advice since I see you’re still a dumb bitch and yo’ monkey-ass can’t do shit right. You need to be careful who you let into your bed! Ain’t that right Justice?”

  Justice lowered his head and walked over beside Sandino.

  “You see baby, your lil’ boyfriend sold you out. Money can buy anything or should I say anybody!” Sandino said with a loud, vicious laugh.

  Skye looked at Justice with tears in her eyes. “How could you?”

  “I already told you…money sweetheart.” Sandino looked at Justice. “Tell her how you did it.”

  “No, I don’t think that’s…”

  Cruze pointed the gun at Justice, cutting him off. “Tell her! Don’t bitch out now!” he yelled.

  Justice lowered his head again. “I managed to get Dre’s phone when we were at Mercedes’ house this morning, so I called your husband. I told him that I knew where you were.”

  “And what else?” Sandino said with authority.

  “I gave him your address and told him that I would come into the apartment first, get you comfortable then leave the door open.”

  By this time, the tears were falling at a rapid pace. “Why?” Skye yelled.

  “I needed the money,” Justice admitted in a low tone. “I’m about to lose the shelter and my wife if I don’t get this gambling habit under control.”

  “I know this is the nigga who you been fuckin’, but I’ma look past all that shit since he…”

  At that moment, Skye took off running toward her bedroom, but Sandino quickly caught up with her. Just like old times, he immediately slapped her across the face and grabbed her hair.

  “I told you bitch, till death do us part,” he whispered in her ear.

  As Skye began to scream, Kareem suddenly burst into the room pointing Skye’s gun directly at his father.

  “Get your hands off my mother before I shoot your ass!” Kareem yelled.

  Sandino looked at his oldest son; it was like looking in the mirror. He’d grown taller and picked up some weight and even had a bit of facial hair now.

  “Hey Kareem. Damn son, you’ve gotten big.” Sandino released the grip he had on Skye’s hair and walked toward him.

  “Didn’t I tell you not to move? Stay back!” Kareem shouted.

  “Oh, so you think you’re a fuckin’ man now, you wanna challenge me? I heard about you gettin’ locked up. I guess that finally gave you some balls huh, lil’nigga?” Sandino responded.

  “You need to leave!” Kareem yelled.

  “Sandino…please just leave us alone,” Skye begged.

  Both Cruze and Justice watched the drama unfold like a Lifetime movie.

  As Sandino gazed at Kareem’s eyes, he could still see the fear in them. He knew his son wasn’t ready to go up against him, so Sandino jumped and tried to grab the gun from Kareem, causing it to go off.

  A few seconds later Justice fell to the floor.

  Skye screamed, and ran over to Justice’s body only to find a bullet hole right in his chest. When she looked back toward her son, she saw him and Sandino scuffling on the floor for the gun.

  All of a sudden a gun shot went off. Terrified that Kareem might be hurt, Skye immediately made her way over to her son and checked his body.

  “Kareem…Kareem, are you okay? Oh my God!” she screamed.

  “I’m okay, Ma.” he said out of breath.

  Seconds later, Skye looked over and saw Sandino bleeding from the back of his head. She also noticed that her gun had slid to the other side of the room. Puzzled, Skye looked up wondering how Sandino could’ve been shot. That is until she looked over at Cruze who had a gun pointed in Sandino’s direction.

  “I told you, I got you. Sandino had to be stopped!” Cruze finally said.