by Anna Black
Both Gabby and Grace smiled brightly as we all exchanged hellos and kisses. I laid eyes on Trina and watched that bitch’s smile fade as Gutta stood behind my bestie and wrapped himself around her. We all traded places, so Malice stood with Grace, Gutta next to Gabby, I stood by Rel and Royal stood to Rel’s right.
“Where is mean ole ass, Gemma?” Royal asked before pulling out his phone. I swore his phone was made of platinum because he was always on that bitch.
“She had a night-shift at the hospital,” Gabby answered.
“Word, what does she do? Sweep and mop?” he said, and Rel elbowed him.
“Dude, grow up,” he said.
“No, she is an RN,” Grace answered.
“And if she did sweep and mop, nigga, it’s a damn job,” Malice shot him.
“Y’all good with them regular women. My woman gon’ have to be living that glamorous life,” Royal said, looking up from his phone.
“And that is why you will never have a good woman,” Rel said, and we laughed.
I was eyeing Gutta to see if and when he’d notice Trina, but you’d think Gabby was the only woman in the room because his eyes hadn’t even crossed the room, even though I saw her eyeing him down hard.
“So, are y’all up for wine tasting?”
“Yeah, that works,” Malice said. I could see Grace looking down with a little smile on her face. I just wished she’d talk to him, but she had to do things at her own pace.
“Cards gentlemen,” the server said.
“Cards?” Gutta said.
“No, use our cards. These are our guest and the extra one over here, we’ll pay for,” I said.
“Nah, I’m good. I’m about to get this Uber really quick. I thought mean ass would be here, so if there is no one for me to spar with, I’m out. Y’all can couple up,” Royal said.
“Yo’ ass should have never come,” Malice said.
“I didn’t want to come, but Rel’s whipped ass was like come on get in the damn car, dude. I came thinking I can holla at Gemma’s lil pretty mean ass.”
“Oh, so my baby sis is pretty?” Gabby said.
“She straight. Anyway, my Uber ten minutes away, I’m out,” he said and gave his brothers handshakes. He leaned in and gave us girls a quick hug. “Goodnight fam,” he said and then said. “Wait, ain’t that yo’ girl Trina.” All eyes went in the direction he looked.
“Fuck,” Gutta said.
“That is a double fuck,” Rel added.
“Should I cancel my Uber because of this shit right here?”
“Get the fuck on, Royal,” Gutta spat. He shook his head and then made his exit.
“You knew she was here?” Gutta asked Gabby in a whisper, but I heard him.
“Yes, but I had no idea you were coming.”
“No idea, huh?” he returned.
“No, she didn’t. I texted Rel and invited y’all. I wanted you to see that this bitch stalking Gabby shit needs to cease,” I said.
“Hold on, what’s going on now?” Rel asked.
“Let’s just cash out, skip the tasting and get a table,” Grace added. She had a look on her face. I gathered we were either loud, or she knew the scene would get out of hand.
“Yeah, that sounds good to me,” Malice said. “Let’s go sign for a table,” he said, and after Grace swallowed the last of her wine, they walked off. The four of us moved closer together, and that time, we lowered our voices.
I put one hand on my hip and said, “I’m not okay with this bitch showing up where Gabby is, so I texted Rel because I wanted you to see that this isn’t coincidental Gutta. She is following Gabby.”
Gutta gave me a serious look. “Let me worry about Gabby and me,” he said with a tone that I wasn’t familiar with. He grabbed Gabby’s hand, and they walked off.
“Baby, why didn’t you tell me what this was all about?” Rel asked.
“What do you mean?” I asked him.
“Listen, I know your heart is in the right place, and you are trying to look out for your girl, but their business with Trina is their business, so let them handle their shit the way they choose.”
My mouth opened, but I didn’t know what words to say. I didn’t realize Rel would think that I was out of line. I closed my mouth and took a deep breath. “So, you think what I did was not my place?”
“Exactly. You said you and your girls were doing your thing, then out the blue, you text me. So I’m like they missing us too, so why not go and hang with our ladies. But then it’s to floss in front of trick ass, Trina. Trina is a bottom bitch that my brother cares nothing about. He has nothing to prove, so this wasn’t cool. Gutta has the situation with that crazy bitch under control.”
I looked down because I just got reprimanded by my man. “I was only trying to help my best friend.”
He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head. “I know, baby and your heart was in the right place, but that shit ain’t our business,” he said.
“I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean any harm.”
“I know, now let’s go and eat something. Gutta will be cool. I’ll talk to him.”
“Was he mad for real?”
He chuckled. “Just a little,” he answered.
“Hold on, I have to tip our server and cash us out,” I said.
Rel tossed a fifty on the counter. “Just close out your ticket, and I got the tip.” Grace, Gabby and I were all members, so there was only a balance for the chocolate covered strawberries we had, but it still left the server a nice lil tip. When we joined them at the table, and I mouthed the words sorry to Gutta, he nodded. I knew from then on to mind my own damn business.
25
Chas
It was salon reveal day, and I was so fucking excited. It seemed like it had been forever since I stepped foot in my shop, but it was finally time to see what my lover had done for me. He’d spent countless evenings doing special touches for me, let him tell it, and I could not wait to take the damn blindfold off my face. I knew it was the same salon, same space, but the new look that I didn’t design had me on pins and needles.
“Rel, baby, come on. This is going to make me have a damn heart attack,” I said as he guided me to wherever he wanted me to be standing once the blindfold was removed. I felt like one of those people on Fixer Upper, when Chip and Jo’ asked, “Are You Ready To See Your Fixer-Upper?” I’d always yell at the TV with a hell yeah!
Finally, I felt my man touch the blindfold. He slowly removed it, and I screamed when I saw my place. It was gorgeous. In the first few moments, there was no way I could take it all in. The walls were all red and not that pastel green I had chosen before. The now black painted stations with nickel hardware made the floor look sexy and sleek, and I loved it. I remember some of the styling chairs being mixed-matched, but they were all black with a shiny silver medal, and everything looked so amazing. I knew all of my friends and family were there for the reveal, but no one said a word. They just let me process the new space.
“Oh my God, Rel, baby! I am, I am, I am overwhelmed with so many emotions. This is so beautiful, thank you,” I said and wrapped my arms around his neck.
The tears began to flow, and everyone applauded, finally breaking the silence with congratulations and compliments on how beautiful everything had turned out. Rel and I got separated for a little while as we looked around the rest of the salon. When I saw the overhaul in the room where all the waxing took place, I had to wipe away more tears. He had done a fantastic job. How perfect every detail was showed how good Rel was at what he does.
“Do you really love it?” he asked, interrupting Gabby and me.
I nodded and wiped more tears. “Baby, I love it. It is so much more than I ever imagined it would be,” I expressed.
“Come and let me show you the front,” he said, and I let him take my hand and lead the way.
We went to the front of the salon to the waiting area, and it was just as lovely as the central floor, shampoo station, and waxing room. He gesture
d toward the wall that once had shelves of products in front of it, but now the shelves were in front of the window near the check-in desk, and the wall was clear and free. In the center of the wall, it had a list, that looked like it had been stenciled that said:
Chasity’s Rules
Love yourself, even if no one else does.
There is no such thing as I can’t because you can.
Time heals all things.
Bruised, but not broken.
Used, but not damaged.
Their trash, someone else’s treasure.
Work hard but play harder.
Always have hope in tomorrow.
Broken wings can fly again.
You are beautiful, even if no one ever tells you.
“Awww, babe, this is so awesome. I mean, this is inspiring, and a lot of our clients will need to read this.”
“Like you did when we decided to get serious?” he said.
“You’re right, I did. Not everything on this list is applied to my situation, but most are spot on, and I thank you, Rel. You’ve given me more than any person has given me in my life. You give me love, you take care of me, you keep me safe, and you go so fucking hard for me. I want you to know that I appreciate you, and I love you more than words can express,” I said and walked into his arms.
“I love you too, baby. I am happy that you are happy. It was my pleasure to do this for you, and I want to have you forever,” he said, and then went down on one knee. The roars and the conversations ceased, and I stumbled back because my legs almost gave the fuck out. I covered my face, and then quickly uncovered my face. I didn’t want to miss a moment of this.
He pulled the ring box from his pocket, and as soon as he opened it, I yelled, “Yes, yes, yes!” And then pushed my hand in his face.
“Damn, Chas, can you let the man ask!” Someone yelled out.
It sounded like Gabby, but I blocked all of their asses out. All that mattered was my man and me. I helped him to hurry and put that big ass rock on my damn finger. It was gorgeous, and he could barely get up from the floor because I was hugging him so tight. It was like I was in a whirlwind and I didn’t want to pause, rewind or replay. I just wanted to move full speed ahead with him. When he stood, I kissed him all over his face, neck, chest, and shoulder. I planted a kiss wherever I could land one. I was happier than I’d ever been.
My girls rushed in to give hugs, kisses, congrats and to examine my ring. That evening would be a night to remember, and when the music began to play, the party started. Tables were quickly set up, and out of nowhere, food was coming in from the back of the salon. I had no idea Rel had planned something so grand, and I did not want that night to end. I mingled, ate good, and drank plenty. Before the night was over, I did a walkthrough of my entire salon. The bathroom was gorgeous with new flooring, tiles, vanity, and toilets. It’s like Rel had every inch of my salon improved, and I was overjoyed and deep in love again. I looked at Rel and admired him for being so loving, kind, patient, and gentle.
I’d trust him with everything because I was convinced that he’d never do me like Chris. He’d never hurt me in any way. I could trust him with my being. He made me feel loved, desired, protected, and beautiful. The way he’d look at me at times was so intense, and I knew I was made to love him.
Looking back on it, as horrible as Chris indeed was, he was a great lesson of what a muthafuckin’ man is not supposed to be. I thanked God that he was my past, and Uriel Wilkerson was my future.
26
Gutta
Rel and I were sitting in my now completed office talking about possible grand opening dates. The club was finally complete after several delays, and I was so anxious to get things up and running. Since Passion’s was in its fourth year, I decided to pull Mari over to Desire because she was the only one that I considered qualified to get excellent staff hired and shit in place and assist with getting everything going smoothly. She had a great relationship with our vendors. She was more than qualified to be an opening general manager at Desire because she proved herself night after night as she ran shit like clockwork when I was spending time with my new love. She’d been training another person to step up into her position at Passion’s, and she assured me that the staff was ready to do their thing when she transitioned over to Desire.
Life was good, all was well with my love life and professional life, and I was getting married within a couple of weeks. Since things were so rushed because we moved the date up, Gabby and I agreed on an intimate ceremony at her mother’s church and a small reception at Desire afterward. I was good with that since my baby was pregnant and couldn’t throwback shots to celebrate like rock stars as she would say. Gabby was already missing wine and cocktails and promised that she’d, and I quote, “make up for it after your big-headed ass baby is born.”
There was nothing to bring me down, but one high-yellow, ho’ ass muthafucka named Trina. I hoped she’d take heed to my warning the night I came close to choking her out and sit the fuck down, but as my mother used to say, “a hard head makes a soft behind.” The only thing I could do to keep from killing that bitch with my own two hands was to put her ass out on the streets. See, Trina didn’t have any family other than her mother who was in a facility for mental health because she had done heavy drugs for so many years and now she suffered from dementia, kidney failure, and God only knows what else because she had several health issues last I heard. Trina never knew her father. She was in foster care growing up because of her mother’s drug habits, but she managed to graduate high school and go to college only to flunk out. She got a realtor’s license, and that is how we met.
Now that she was free to love anyone, start over and find her soulmate, she was too busy stalking me and mine. So, I did what any man who wanted to stay out of prison for first-degree murder would do, put her condo and car in Gabby’s name. Yep, her condo was paid in full, but not in her name. Yes, her Mercedes was paid in full, but her name wasn’t on the title. Those were the minor details that bitches like Trina failed to think about when their only intentions were to be a kept bitch. And the next afternoon, Trina would find out the hard way. I didn’t feel sorry or an ounce of remorse. What Gabby did with her new property was on her. All I knew was that shit would be confiscated within the next few days.
When Gabby came to me telling me that Trina showed up at her appointment, she didn’t need to say anything more because I believed that her crazy ass was still up to no good. I called Malice and put someone on her ass just to watch her watch us. She needed to know that I was done dealing with her foolishness. At that point, I figured she’d throw in the towel, but if not, that was her last and final warning. I wasn’t a murderer and never did I ever imagine taking a person’s life, but if Trina did anything else to upset my pregnant fiancée or made waves for me and mine, I’d have to do what needed to be done to make sure she never fucked with us ever again.
27
Trina
I was in a good deep sleep, but someone thought it was okay to bang on my damn door at eight in the got’damn morning. I kicked the damn covers off and then went for my robe. I didn’t understand who in the fuck thought all of that banging was necessary for one. And for two, I didn’t know anyone other than Jas and Lex, and they knew damn well not to do no dumb shit like that. I looked through the peephole, saw an officer in uniform, and I got nervous. Gutta said that he and Gabby wouldn’t press charges for me fucking up her townhouse and since that happened months ago with no static, they had to have the wrong unit, I figured and relaxed a bit.
Instead of snatching the door open with attitude, I calmed myself and took a deep breath. I opened the door with a bright smile. “Good morning, officer. How can I help you?” I sang like a damn choir girl.
“Trina Nichols?” he questioned.
“Yes, that is me,” I said, waiting to hear the words, you are under arrest, but he said something that almost stopped my heart.
“You have five days to vacate the premises. Good
day ma’am,” he said and shoved the notice into my chest.
“There must be some kind of mistake. I own this unit!” I yelled after him, but he must have known otherwise because he kept on moving towards the elevator as if I wasn’t talking. “The fuck!” I blasted and then slammed the door.
I ripped the paper opened and read the letter of eviction. To simply put it, the new owner, Gabrielle M. Jackson, doesn’t have a leased contract with me as a tenant, nor does the previous owner, and I’d have to vacate within five days, or I’d be evicted.
“Gutta, fucking really?” I yelled. I knew he never gave me a deed to my place, but to just snatch it back and then give it to her had me hotter than fucking fish grease on a Friday fucking night. Why was he doing this shit to me? He had already left me. And to make shit worse, he puts the deed to a place he bought for me in that bitches’ name. I was furious, and I was going to pay them both a fucking visit.
I ran to my room and dressed as quickly as I could. I didn’t have no fam to call or no street niggas on standby, but I’d go pleading for something. I couldn’t be homeless. I had money saved, yes. Gutta provided plenty of loot when we were together, and I didn’t spend it all, but I was basically on an extended vacation from work. And although Gutta furnished my entire unit, there was no way I’d be packed and moved within five days.
I raced out to the parking lot, and I hit the remote but didn’t hear a chirp. I moved to my parking stall, and that shit was empty. “Oh, fuck! Not my car too! Are you fucking kidding me!” I yelled. I paced for a moment or two and then pulled out my phone. I dialed the police.
“Chicago police department, how may we assist you?”
“I’d like to report my car. It has been stolen,” I sniffled.
“Okay, ma’am, your name please?” she asked. Then she proceeded to ask me more questions. I gave her the plates and then she came back and said, “Well, ma’am, we show that this car is registered to a Gabrielle M. Jackson. Are you a relative or friend because this vehicle isn’t registered in your name, ma’am. And unless you’re the owner, I can’t proceed with a stolen vehicle claim.”