by Wahida Clark
CHAPTER THIRTY
Trae was called to New York for several important meetings. He thought he was going to find out good news and enjoy himself, but the trip was far from enjoyable. All of his meetings were negative and he was now wondering could shit get any worse. For starters, he and Kaylin were paid a surprise visit by Don Carlos. Trae was blasted in a very calm and collected way about his blatant disrespect in dealing with Charli Li after the dons had requested he didn’t do so. Kaylin was sure the meeting was all about Trae until the dons mentioned that Papi and his moms could have been handled a little better. Overall, that meeting was not good.
Trae then had to break the news to Kaylin, Bo and Omar that he had had to do Sabeerah because she was getting out of hand. Of course they were not feeling that and it caught them all by surprise. Bo ranted and raved the most before coming with some news of his own. Word on the street was that Magnificent’s people were coming to Cali for Trae. They did see him on BET’s Black Carpet. Bo didn’t think they were smart or bold enough and since the beef was so old and it was just talk. But to be safe he suggested that Trae tell Tasha so that she could be on point or talk about the possibility of them moving.
Now back from New York, and to make matters worse, Trae was sitting in his driveway in his truck. Marva had told him that Tasha had done something with his Maybach. She didn’t know what. Now he was pissed that Tasha wasn’t home and contemplating hitting the streets. He had been blowing up Kyra’s phone but couldn’t reach her either and figured he would call one more time.
“Kyra, it’s me.”
“I know your voice, Trae. What’s up?”
“Damn, girl, where y’all at? I’m looking for Tasha. She’s not answering her phone and she was supposed to pick me up from the airport. I’ve been home since seven and it’s damn near midnight. Was she with you?”
“No, and she hasn’t called me all day. I spoke to her yesterday and that was it,” Kyra told him.
“She didn’t say anything to you? At all?”
“No. Where are the boys?”
“They are with her. My aunt and Concita are here and they haven’t heard from her either.”
“I don’t know, Trae. I don’t know what to tell you. But I’m sure she’ll call you before she calls me.”
“All right then.” Trae hung up. He was trying not to worry. But hell, it was after eleven and neither he nor anybody else had heard from his wife or kids. Tasha wouldn’t even answer her cell phone.
Kyra dialed Tasha’s cell. “Hello,” Tasha answered on the first ring.
“Girl, he is going to tap that ass.”
“Girl, please. Trae is not going to hit me. That is if he wants to keep breathing. Why? What did he say?” She smirked.
“It’s eleven, you’re not home to greet Daddy with his slippers, blunt and sucking his dick where you belong.”
“I know he didn’t say that,” Tasha snapped.
“Of course he didn’t say it, but that’s what he meant. He’s just trying not to panic. You know he is Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected but I could imagine him wiping the sweat beads off his forehead.”
“Oh, well. I want him to see how it feels.”
“Girl, he is seeing it and the night is not even over. I love it.” Kyra squealed in glee.
“I’m doing this for me. Me and the boys got us a suite, we’ve been swimming, watching movies, and they are having a ball.”
“Aisha is going to kick your ass if she finds out about this little trip. You’ve betrayed your niece’s trust.”
“Don’t tell my little helper, Kyra. If I would have brung her, my payback wouldn’t have had the same effect.”
“I know. I’m just teasing you. Let me go. Marvin is calling me. I am so sick of him hanging around the house.”
“All right. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Peace.”
By one that morning, Trae was beginning to lose his mind. By five he had lost it.
Marva was an early riser. She came out on the front porch. “You might as well go on to bed, Trae. That girl and them boys are okay. She’s just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”
That statement hit Trae like a ton of bricks.
Marva saw the expression on his face change. “You know I’m right. Go on and get you some sleep. And be truthful with your wife.” She went back into the house.
Around three that afternoon, Trae called her cell phone and when her voice mail kicked in he said, “Tasha, you made your point so you can stop playing these silly-ass games, put my kids in the car and bring your ass home.”
Kyra was laughing as she listened to the last of the voice mail. “Girl, you are going to get it. I’ve never heard him that mad.”
Tasha clicked the voice mail off. “Please. He got me fucked up.”
“Just make sure you’re here for Aisha’s birthday party,” Kyra reminded her.
“Girl, we already got her gifts.”
“What did you get her?” Kyra asked, as excited as if the gifts were for her.
“None of your business.”
“Come on, Tasha. It’s not my birthday.”
“My point exactly. I’ll see you Sunday.”
“Yo, get your tail from between your legs, dry your tears, and get your ass over here. Your wife and kids just stepped through the door.” Marvin was giving Trae the 411.
Aisha’s party was jumpin’. Both sides of Marvin’s family were there, Crips and Bloods. They had SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer and Ben 10. Kids were swimming, playing and running around. The grown-ups were dancing, getting their drink and smoke on, playing dominoes and cards, and having more of a good time than the children.
Tasha had on a pinstriped black-and-white bikini with a matching sarong. The Prada sandals adorned her manicured toes. Her hair was up in a ponytail, allowing the diamond earrings to blind onlookers.
“Yo, man, I’m telling you. You need to get over here quick, these niggas are drooling all over your wife,” Marvin told him.
“I’m en route right now, what you want me to do, fly? Let me speak to her,” Trae barked. He could hardly contain himself. Here he had to talk to her about her life possibly being in danger and here she was performing fuckin’ disappearing acts and playing mind games.
“Chill out, dawg. Just bring your ass over here. You know how to handle it. Your wife and kids are fine.” Marvin hung up as Tasha spotted him.
“Uh-oh. Here comes my spades partner right now,” Marvin yelled. “Come over here, Tasha.”
“Marvin, I am not being your spades partner anymore. I told you that.”
“Why not?”
“Partners don’t betray one another.”
“What I do?”
“You know what you did.”
“I ain’t do nothing.” He grabbed her and hugged her. Then gave her a big ole kiss on the cheek. “Please. Pretty please.”
“Tasha, be his partner. He’s been talking shit to everybody about how unstoppable he and his partner is,” Loose said. “I thought you was a nigga.”
“I don’t care. I know you called your boy and told him I was here. Didn’t you?” She was daring him to lie.
“Not yet.”
She mushed him in the face. “You liar. You failed my test again.”
Marvin started laughing. “C’mon, sister-in-law. I’ve been waiting on you.” He pulled her by the wrist, leading her to a chair. “Loose and MJ, I’m ready for y’all now,” he bragged.
Loose was a little brown-skinned dude with a baby face and dreads. He had been a bangin’ Crip since the tender age of ten. He had more bodies than some of the O.G.’s. Then one day he had decided that enough was enough and was now responsible for a major truce on the East Coast. MJ reminded you of the game. He was an O.G. and proud of it. Even though he wasn’t bangin’ anymore he still hustled big-time and still had about six hoes. And now Tasha had his tongue wagging. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.
“Well damn, shorty. Allow me to introduce m
yself. I’m MJ and I swear you just made my heart skip a beat. Please tell me your name.”
“This is my partna, fool. And she’s married. This is Trae’s wife,” Marvin blocked.
MJ covered his heart with his hands. “No disrespect to my man Trae but are you happy?”
“Right now, no. I’m not,” she flirted.
“Then today is my lucky day and the first day of your life.”
“Nigga, shut up, sit down and let us get this game poppin’. What? A buck fifty a hand?” Marvin asked, ready to gamble.
“It’s whatever, man.” MJ held the chair out for Tasha to sit down.
“Now sit yo’ ass down, man.” Marvin began shuffling the cards. “Loose, we even gonna let y’all keep score. That’s how confident we are.”
As the card game went on different dudes stopped by the table to watch and to check Tasha out. Her tatas were practically spilling out of the bathing suit top.
“Let me take you out tonight, beautiful,” MJ told her. “Allow me to expand your world.”
She looked at him, tossed the deuce of spades out on the table and said, “I don’t think you can afford me.”
He looked at her expression to see if she was joking but couldn’t tell. “Are you serious?”
“Very much so,” she said, tossing out a joker.
Loose snapped, “Man, stop trying to get your mack on. This is my money we’re losing.”
“You obviously don’t know who I am,” MJ informed her.
“It doesn’t matter, you still can’t afford me.”
“Don’t be too sure about that. Why don’t you try me?”
Tasha smiled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Let me take you out. Expose you to my world. And I promise you won’t come back.”
“Come back to what?” she flirted.
“To your world.”
Trae had finally stepped foot into the festive backyard. He scanned around for his wife and kids. Of course, the twins were in the pool. The guests were in awe of the twins’ swimming skills. That’s why he took them for swimming lessons twice a week. Venus and Serena had tennis on lock, Kareem and Shaheem were going to have swimming. Caliph was being led around by Aisha, and they were all chasing and terrorizing SpongeBob.
He saw Tasha at the card table with Marvin. He had met MJ before and detected a little bit of hatin’ coming from him. MJ was the type of cat who wanted to be the only one making all the money. He saw that MJ was all in Tasha’s face and he was seriously trying to get his mack on.
“Let me nip this shit in the bud,” he gritted. As he headed that way, he grabbed a chair and sat it next to Tasha, who saw him out of the corner of her eye. She was now giving MJ extra attention.
“Trae. What up, son? You already know MJ over here, and Loose,” Marvin greeted him.
Loose stood up and embraced Trae. “What’s good, stranger?”
“What’s good with you, youngin’? What the hell are you doing way out here on what’s now considered my territory?” Trae asked him.
“Oh, I see you got jokes.” Loose smiled. “Man, I’m up here chillin’, believe it or not. You know, tryna see what’s poppin’ and what moves I can make.”
“Yo, deal the cards, Loose,” Marvin snapped. He always took his spades games as if they were life or death. That’s why Trae never played with him.
Trae turned his attention to Tasha as he sat down, totally ignoring MJ as he looked his wife over.
“Daddy, Daddy.” Caliph came running over. He dived into Trae’s lap.
“Lil’ man, slow down and stop beating up SpongeBob. Where y’all been? Daddy missed y’all.”
“With Mommy.”
“I see,” he said as he shot Tasha a smirk.
“Uncle Trae, it’s my birthday.” Aisha ran over to him, wearing her Mickey Mouse shades and big hat that read I’M THE BIRTHDAY GIRL. “Did you bring me a present?”
“Of course I did. Happy birthday, Aisha.”
“Thanks, Uncle Trae, and thanks for the present. C’mon, Caliph. You wanted to see Ben 10, right?” Caliph nodded and they both ran off.
Tasha continued to act as if he weren’t sitting next to her as he kissed her shoulder. “You made your point,” he whispered in her ear.
“Did I?” She continued to play her hand.
“Yeah. But seriously, I got something I need to talk to you about.”
“It’s gonna have to wait until I finish playing this game,” she told him. “And I hope it’s not about the Maybach.”
“No, it’s more important than that. But where is it?”
“I put it away.”
“Why, Tasha?”
“Because I bought it and you ain’t gonna be riding no bitches in it. That’s why.” She slammed a joker down onto the table.
“Yeah! Yeah!” Marvin jumped up all animated. “That’s why you my partner. I told these punk muthafuckas they couldn’t touch you!” Marvin was now gathering up all the money on the table.
Loose and MJ just sat there staring at one another.
“Don’t try and figure it out. Y’all muthafuckas lost.” Marvin continued to talk shit.
Trae grabbed Tasha’s hand. “C’mon, let me talk to you.”
She gently snatched her hand away but stood up and followed him into the house. When the two of them stepped inside the kitchen and were on their way into the living room, they noticed Rick pick Kyra up and give her a nice long kiss. He gently put her down and handed her a motorized car for Aisha and obviously the small box was for Kyra.
Kyra smiled with a warm familiarity.
“Yo, what the fuck is this?” Trae asked Tasha.
“He looks like he’s dropping off some very expensive gifts,” Tasha responded, just as surprised as Trae was at the attention Rick was showing Kyra.
“Bad move, Rick,” Trae mumbled.
Tasha had a look of oh shit on her face. She was stunned.
Kyra saw Rick out the front door. When she turned around and saw Trae and Tasha standing there she simply said, “Rick brought these gifts for Aisha. Well, actually the motor car is for Aisha and the small box is for me.”
“Bitch, anybody could have been standing here, got the wrong impression, and told Marvin. Then what?” Tasha snapped. “You in your home, Kyra. What happened to discretion?”
“You know what, Tasha? I really don’t give a fuck, so fuck discretion. Shit, I don’t see Marvin puttin’ shit around my neck. The King says I deserve this and I can have it,” she joked.
“Kyra, that’s a little too close to home, don’t you think?” Trae asked.
“Trae, I know you are not talking! Bitches coming by and calling your house! C’mon, y’all, it is time for the birthday girl to open the gifts. Let me gather everybody up,” Kyra snapped, nixing the both of them off before leaving them standing there.
“That shit is going to get ugly,” Trae said.
“Just like your shit. So, what’s so important? I want to go see Aisha open up all her gifts.”
“Tasha, you trippin’. But listen. I did some shit after Shaheem got killed. I just found out that dude’s people saw me on BET, now they talkin’ bout coming this way for some payback. I’m thinkin’ that it is just talk but to be on the safe side I think we should move.”
“What?” Tasha shrieked. “You are not serious, are you? So now we gotta be running for the rest of our lives? This is ridiculous.” Tasha was now pacing the floor.
“To be safe, Tasha. I’m not running from shit but it’s all about you and my kids’ safety.”
“You were on BET a while ago. Don’t you think they would have come by now? You know what? Never mind. I’m not moving.” Tasha was so mad she was putting her hands in Trae’s face but no more words were coming out. She finally mushed him in the face and left him standing in the kitchen.
Kyra went to go find Marvin to assist with opening Aisha’s gifts. When she found him, down in the basement, she was in for a surprise. Marvin was sitting in front
of the TV in a heroin nod.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Trae was loving the beautiful California weather as he sat enjoying the warm breeze in his backyard. The twins and Caliph were playing hard in the swimming pool. It was full of toys and even had a kiddie swing set and sliding board.
Tasha then burst through the back door with her fists balled tight.
“Damn, Tasha, you’ve been gone all morning. Where were you?”
“Nigga, please.” She stomped over to him and threw a pill bottle at Trae, striking him in the chest. She then punched on him and began pushing him.
He managed to push her off him. The kids were now getting out of the pool.
“What the fuck is the matter with you?” he barked.
“Take your medicine, you nasty-dick muthafucka.” She started crying. “How could you fuck these bitches raw?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Look at the bottle, Trae. Those are Flagyl pills. Nigga, you gave me trichomoniasis, Trae. I didn’t know you were stupid. That could have easily been syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, or worst, AIDS.” She held her face in her hands. “I can’t do this anymore. I want a divorce. I’m taking my kids and I’m leaving.” She stomped into the house, leaving Trae sitting on the back porch dumbfounded.
He looked at the pill bottle and thought about Sabeerah. “That bitch!” he gritted through clenched teeth. “That nasty little bitch.”
Aunt Marva was now in the backyard. “What you done did now? She’s up there tearing the house down.”
“Can you keep an eye on the boys?”
“Have they taken a nap yet? Of course not.” She answered her own question. “I don’t even know why I asked,” she said to no one in particular, because Trae had already disappeared inside the house.
When he got upstairs Tasha was crying and talking on the phone while in the boys’ room packing their clothes.
“What the fuck are you doing, Tasha?”
“I’ll call you when I’m on my way.” She ended her call. “I told you I want a divorce and I’m leaving you.”