by Ambria Davis
“Come on, lil bit. Tracy’s outside waiting and we don’t need her blowing the horn like a fruit man,” I said, grabbing her hand. I was about to leave when Daija called my name. I turned around to see her getting up from the bed.
“What’s up?” I asked her. Instead of answering me, she stood there twiddling her thumbs. She wasn’t even looking at me because her eyes were down to the floor. “Is something wrong, Daija?”
“No, there’s nothing wrong,” she said, finally bringing her eyes up to mine.
“Well what is it, because I have to go?” I told her. I hope she wasn’t trying to ask me for anything, because I was going to hurt her little feelings and remind her of what she told me.
“Look Delaney, I just wanted to tell you that I was sorry about everything I said to you. I know everything you told me was nothing but the truth, but I didn’t want to hear it. The truth is, I try to be like you, but I can’t. I’m not as smart as you are, I’m not as pretty as you are, and I’m not independent either. If it weren’t for you buying me the things that I do have, I wouldn’t have anything. I know I sounded ungrateful and again, I’m sorry for that. Please forgive me,” she said, with tears rolling down her face.
“It’s okay, Daija, I forgive you, sis,” I said, pulling her into a hug. What warmed my heart was when she hugged me tighter, as if she was afraid she was going to lose me. “I have to go, but we’ll talk some more when I get back, okay?”
“You promise?” she asked, like a little child.
“Yes, I promise,” I told her, pulling back. “If you need me call me, okay?”
“Okay,” she said, nodding her head. I looked at her once more, before I left out the door and headed to my room. As soon as I stepped foot in the room, my phone started ringing.
“What’s taking you so long, Delaney?” Tracy asked, once I answered the phone.
“I’m coming. I just had to get the kids straight first,” I told her, as I grabbed my overnight bag.
“Okay, but hurry up. My mother just called, looking for us.”
“All right,” I said, before I ended the call.
Grabbing the bag, I went to the drawer where I kept Dallas’s nightclothes and mine, and placed a few items in our bag. I then went to the bathroom to grab our toothbrushes, before I headed back into the room.
“Come on, Dallas, we have to go.” I said, grabbing her shoes and sweater and helping her put them on. Once I made sure that we had everything that we needed, I closed and lock my room door and headed out the house with Dallas in tow. After getting our stuff into the car, I got in.
“Damn, it’s about time. I was starting to think you weren’t going to come,” Tracy joked once I got in the car.
“Girl whatever,” I said. She looked at me and shook her head, before she pulled off. I couldn’t wait until we made it to her house. I was going to take a bath and head straight to bed. I was burnt out and tomorrow I was definitely going to need all of my energy. I only hoped and prayed that Onijae’s little girlfriend wasn’t going to be on the bullshit, because we were most definitely going to fuck her ass up again.
* * *
Chapter 10
Onijae
Today was the day of my shop’s annual barbeque and I was running around here like a chicken with my head cut off. I’d been up since six o’clock this morning, trying to get everything in order and it was already nine. The event didn’t start until twelve this afternoon, so I still had a little while to go.
As usual, the shop would be closed today, but there was going to be a spot set up out where we will be giving away free haircuts. As well as prizes like bikes, a couple of TV’s, money, etc. I also had to get the spacewalks and slides set up. Then I had to go and set up the tables and chairs, as well as get the games together. I was happy that my mother was cooking the food, or else I would’ve really been losing my mind.
I was on my way to the park to hook everything up, when my phone began ringing. Reaching it out of the cup holder, I noticed that it was Bianca calling. What the fuck does she want now? I thought, as I placed the phone back in its previous spot. I had given her the job of bringing the gifts to the park and this was her fifth time calling me. If I knew her ass would’ve been this damn aggravating, I would’ve gotten my brother to do it for me. Speaking of him, I was about to call his ass up to come and help me set the rest of the stuff up.
“Hello,” he answered on the third ring.
“Damn nigga, let me found out you been out tricking last night,” I joked. He sounded like he was still asleep, which disappointed me, because I really did need him at that moment.
“Nah nigga, I was chilling. What’s up with you, though?”
“Nigga, I need you to meet me at Klyde Warren Park, so you can help me set up and shit.”
“Bruh, I’m still in the bed. Give me some time to get up and brush my teeth and shit,” he huffed.
“Yeah, and don’t be trying to take an hour. You only live ten minutes from the park, so don’t make me come over there and get you.” He did that shit the last time and I had to do everything by my damn self, but his hungry ass came and ate up all of the food.
“You do remember that I am the big brother, right?”
“Nigga, I didn’t say all that. Just meet me in thirty minutes, damn,” I said, hanging up on his ass. He was always trying to talk major shit that I didn’t have time for.
After hanging up the phone with him, I decided to call Bianca’s ass back. It’s been a week since that shit went down between her, my little sister and Delaney, and she was still feeling some type of way. I already told her that I wasn’t trying to have any shit out of her today. I really hope she listened, because I wasn’t about to let her put her hands on my little sister again, girlfriend or not.
“Yeah?” I asked, once she answered the phone.
“Oh so now you decided to call me back?” she said smartly.
“Look, if you called to piss me off, you might as well just hang up the phone. I don’t have time for your shit today,” I told her straight. I really wasn’t trying to hear her shit, nor did I have the time to.
“Look, it really doesn’t have to be all of that right there. I was just calling to tell you that I was still in the salon.”
“The fuck you mean?” I asked, not believing what the fuck I was hearing. All I asked her was to get the shit from out of the spare room and bring it to the park. You think she did what the fuck I asked her to? That’s why we were always going at it. She never did what the fuck I asked her to do, but was always trying to tell me what to do. “Please tell me you’re bullshitting right now.”
“You heard me, Onijae, and no I’m not bullshitting, I’m still in the salon. I haven’t even gotten in the chair yet—” I hung up the phone, before I said something that I would later regret. This bitch really knew how to piss me off. Now I knew for sure that I probably was going to be late.
When I arrived at the park, I was pleased with what I saw. The spacewalks, slides and barbeque grills were already set up. I was thankful, because now all I had left to do was set up the tables and chairs, which gave me enough time to run and get the shit Bianca left at home. I just had gotten out of the truck when I spotted my mother’s and sister’s car pulling up.
“What’s up, boss? You need some help?” Jamar and Devin asked, walking over to me. They were two of the five barbers that worked with me in the shop.
“Y’all niggas did this shit?” I asked, pointing towards the things that were already set up.
“Yeah, we remembered what happened last year. So we decided to come out and help you set everything up, before everything starts,” Jamar said, laughing.
“Good looking out,” I said, dapping them off. “Well, in that case, y’all can start unloading the tables and chairs from the back of the truck too. I’m going see what’s up with my mom and sister.”
“Damn, who is that fine shorty there?” Devin asked me. I turned to see Delaney walking behind my mother and sister, with
an aluminum pan in her hand.
“That’s my little sister’s best friend,” I said, giving them the side eye. Them niggas were staring a bit too hard for my taste.
“Damn, does shorty have a man?” Jamar asked, while licking his lips. I was about to tell them, Yeah me, so keep y’all hands and eyes off, but I thought otherwise. After all, I was still with Bianca, so I really couldn’t do anything with her.
“Hey baby,” my mother said, placing a kiss on my cheek.
“What’s up ladies?” I asked them.
“What’s up is this heavy ass pan in my hand. Could you please do me a favor and grab it, before I drop it?” Tracy said, bouncing from one foot to the next.
“You better watch your mouth, little lady.”
“I’m sorry, Ma, but this pan is really heavy.” She whined like the spoiled brat that she was.
“I got it,” Jamar said, walking over and taking the pan from her.
“It wouldn’t have been heavy if you and Delaney weren’t trying to cook everything in our kitchen,” my mother said, smiling. “Thanks to them, I didn’t have to lift not a finger.”
“So they cooked all of this food?” I asked, pointing to the pans in their hands.
“No, it was really Delaney who did everything, but I helped a little,” Tracy said, smiling. I looked over to Delaney, who was blushing so hard her cheeks were red.
“Hey, I help too,” I heard Delaney’s little sister pipe in. I hadn’t even notice she was standing there.
“Well, thank you, little lady,” I said, grabbing her into a big hug and placing a kiss on her cheek. I then did the same to my mother, little sister and Delaney. “Thanks, I don’t know what I would’ve done if y’all hadn’t come through. I still gotta go back home and get the prizes, because Bianca’s dumb ass is still in the salon.”
“Now you see why I can’t stand your girlfriend,” Tracy said, shaking her head. “Give me the keys to your truck. Delaney and I will do it. We’re just going to have to get dressed early.”
“Nah I’m straight. I don’t need y’all going over there and tearing my shit up,” I said, laughing at her.
“Boy, ain’t nobody trying to tear shit up,” she said, mushing me in the head. “Now give me the keys, before I change my mind.”
“And what am I going to ride in?” I asked her.
“Here,” she said, handing me the keys to her car. “Onijae, I swear if you even so much as bring my baby back with a scratch on it, I want a whole ‘nother car.”
“Girl, go sit your little ass down. Mama and Daddy got your ass too damn spoiled,” I said, yanking the keys out of her hand.
“Don’t try to act like y’all didn’t help create that monster. Now come on and get the rest of these pans out of my car. Dallas and I have to go home and get cute,” Mom said, walking off.
“Oh yeah, and there’s some on my backseat and in the trunk of my car too,” Tracy said as she and Delaney headed to my truck.
“Aye, y’all know y’all wrong for this shit, right?” I told all of them.
“Yeah whatever,” Tracy said, throwing up her middle finger.
“And you better not be speeding in my damn truck neither, Tracy!” I yelled at her, but she ignored me.
“Aye, y’all come help me get the food and shit out of these cars, man,” I said to Jamar and Devin.
Together, we headed over to my mother and sister’s cars. It took us some time, but after about six trips between the three of us, we finally had everything up and ready. Now the only thing to do is wait for the people to come. I’m hoping it turns out as good as it did last year, because we spent a lot of time and money on this event.
* * *
Chapter 11
Delaney
“Come on, Delaney,” Tracy said, walking up behind me. “Girl, Onijae’s going to kill us. We were supposed to be at the park an hour ago.”
“Girl, I’m coming,” I said, as I stood in the mirror giving myself a once over. I had on an all-black crossover neck, two-piece. I was trying to decide if I wanted to wear some shorts or just wear the sheer cover that I’d bought to go with it.
“Oh bitch, you look hot!” Tracy said, walking over to me.
“Thanks, and so do you,” I told her. She had on a bathing suit like mine, except it was gray. “You think I should wear the shorts or the cover?”
“Honestly, I don’t think you should wear anything. You too fine to be covered up all the damn time. If I had an ass like yours, I’d be trying to flash that bitch every chance I got.”
“Girl please,” I said, shaking my head. “I will not be the only one out there half naked. You’re putting on shorts though.”
“That’s only because I have to. Trust me, if my parents and brothers weren’t out there, I’d be wearing my shit as is,” she said, flashing me a smile.
“I know you would be,” I said, laughing. My friend wasn’t a hoe, truth be told, she was still a virgin, but that didn’t stop her from liking all eyes on her, everywhere she went. Even at school, she just had to have all the attention. I don’t know what she gets out of the shit, because I hate it when people look at me too long.
“I’ll just wear the cover up,’” I said, putting it on. Looking at her through the mirror, I noticed the look on her face. “What? It’s see through, so they’ll be about to catch a slight glimpse of what I’m working with.”
“Whatever, just hurry the hell up. I’m about to head down to the car. Make sure you lock the door behind you,” she said, leaving out the room, closing the door behind her.
Once I was pleased with how I looked, I walked back over to the bed to put on my shoes. Tracy tried to get me to put on wedges, but I quickly objected. I was not going out there like that. Instead, I brought a pair of black sandals. I’d just buckled my shoes, when I heard the door to the room opening.
“I’m coming right now girl, damn,” I said, without looking up.
“You don’t have to hurry up. She already left,” I heard a deep voice say. I looked up to see Onijae standing in the door looking at me.
“Where’d she go?” I asked him, confused. “I know her ass didn’t leave me here.”
“Nah, I sent her to the park to drop the stuff off. I told her you could ride with me,” He said, like it wasn’t nothing.
“What you mean? Why she didn’t come up here and get me? I would’ve finished getting dressed in the car,” I told him with a bit of an attitude.
“Because she said you wasn’t finished and I didn’t want you to rush.” He said it as if that was going to make shit better, but it didn’t. “Be cool, lil mama, I’m about to hop in the shower right quick. I won’t be long. So you can finish getting dressed.”
“Yeah whatever,” I said, waving his ass off. I couldn’t wait until I got to Tracy’s ass. I was going to give her a piece of my mind. Oh well, I thought. I might as well make myself comfortable, because it looks like I was going to be here longer than I intended to.
I was picking up my clothes, when I felt someone behind me. Turning around I came face-to-face with Onijae, well, more like face-to-chest. I opened my mouth to ask him what he wanted, but my throat went dry. Closing my mouth, I forced down the lump that had formed in my throat.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I stammered.
“You know I want you right?” he asked, ignoring my question.
“I can’t be with you, Onijae,” I told him straight up.
“Why can’t you?”
“Because you got a woman, and I’m not trying to be no man’s other woman.”
“I know that, but I still want you,” he said, as if he didn’t hear a damn thing I just said.
“I can’t, Onijae,” I said, shaking my head.
“Just try with me, ma. I promise, I won’t treat you any different than I do her,” he told me. Before I could open my mouth to protest or say something, his lips came crashing onto mine. I wasn’t expecting it, but I quickly reacted. I didn’t know much about anything, so when he stuck
his tongue in my mouth, I got a bit afraid. When I tried to pull back, he pulled me closer.
“Don’t run from me, ma,” he said, sticking his tongue back in my mouth. I was surprised when his hand went underneath my bathing suit cover and palmed my breast. I was prepared to stop him, if he tried to take things a bit further, but he stopped before then. “Your lips are so soft ma. Let me go ahead and hop in the shower before things get too heated.”
“Okay,” I said, catching my breath. “I need to go to the bathroom anyways.”
“There’s one down the hall. You can head into the living room when you’re done. I won’t be longer than fifteen minutes,” he said, giving me a quick peck, before he left out the door.
I stood there trying to get myself together. I’d never been that close with a man before. Yeah sure, I kissed a dude in my high school, but this was a grown ass man, with a woman at that. I know I shouldn’t be getting myself involved with him, but I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see just how far this thing was actually going to go with us. Lord, I hope I wasn’t getting myself into something I couldn’t handle.
* * *
“Wake up sleepyhead.” I heard someone say, as I felt my body being shaken. I opened my eyes to see Onijae standing in front of me.
“Huh?” I asked, sitting up in the bed. Once I noticed Onijae standing there, I got confused.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? You’re at my house remember?” He started laughing. I looked around the room and noticed that he was right. Then I remembered earlier and got up. “Damn you fall asleep fast.”
“Shut up,” I said, playfully punching him in the chest. “I wouldn’t have fallen asleep if your ass hadn’t taken too long. Tracy’s going to kill my ass.”
“Nah, she already called. I told her that you were waiting on me. That was after she cursed my ass out for taking too long,” he said, laughing. I shook my head and laughed also, because knowing Tracy, her ass had done just that.
“Well, come on then. I need to go see about my little sister. She’s probably worried to death about me,” I said, turning around to grab my bag and phone.