Hoodwinked

  “Violet had another altercation with a boy this time. She was seen pushing him down, and you know we’re still trying to work on sharing with others.”

  “I know, I’m trying as well at home,” Pia said, getting up.

  “The pushing, shoving, and screaming has to come from somewhere Pia. I’m not----.”

  “Yes, I agree because she doesn’t act like this at home because she’s not around it. It’s only when she gets here does it seem to be a sudden problem. If it continues to be a problem, believe me I will have her removed from the school, and pursuing other programs---.”

  “The parents of the young boy want to speak with you. Maybe set up a meeting. We know a lot has...changed in your household with,” glancing at me as my eyes grew wide. “We just want to make sure everything is okay and Violet is adjusting to the new changes in her life.”

  “So what you called me in here for is to gossip about my personal life Sandra,” Pia snapped as Violet, and I watched with identical faces looking at the two women. “How about you, and your busy body staff that love to keep my child’s personal life in their mouths to gossip about like it’s entertainment do your damn job. Get a life, and do your damn job instead of worrying about her father,” pointing at me. “Violet is in good hands regardless. I’m one of the moms keeping your lights on, and money in your account. What goes on at my home is my business, you understand?”

  The woman nodded numbly, looking down at her hands. I glanced at Violet who looked at me.

  “Uh ohhhh,” she cooed softly as I buried my face in her neck to cover up my laughter.

  “I’ll work with her on sharing. That is something I’ve noticed. The fighting? I’m willing to bet she didn’t start it, but she damn sure finished it. Why don’t you do something about your staff that has so much to say about the color of her skin. Do something about that because I’m certain I never taught her to say the dark one,” grabbing her purse before swinging the door open to walk out. Heels clicking against the tile floor, echoing. I looked back at the woman with a shrug, and sheepish grin.

  “What she said. I’m with all that shit she said,” I nodded proudly for the first time before looking at Violet as we walked out. “That’s yo mama.”

  ...

  “Ooooo I can’t stand any of them! I don’t even know why I take her there!” Pia gritted as we sat in traffic. She’d been going on for the last thirty minutes, and I just let her. Something about being behind the wheel with my daughter in the back seat watching something on her tablet with a juicebox close to her chest. Shoes, and socks off without a care in the world while her mama vented her frustration out, did something to me. Felt like I had a responsibility to them. Make sure they were safe, and secure in every aspect. Even drove differently. Carefully. I didn’t even care really what she was talking about. Barely paid it any attention, but I knew to keep quiet for the most part. My mama used to vent to my dad all the time. After a long day of work, he would take the time to listen to her. Let her get it out, understand her needs because he would always say, a happy wife is a happy home which makes for a happy life. Pia wasn’t nowhere near close to being a wife, but to upset her would be to upset Violet. Something I haven’t figured out how to do separately yet.

  “Who was the lady that stopped you at the front? The one with the big bag?”

  “Janice,” she growled, fisting tightening in her lap. “Those girls are part of the Wives Only Gang. Thinking they’re better than everyone else because they're married. Oooo! I swear, one of these days I’m going to shove her down in a freaking sandbox.”

  I looked sideways at Pia, trying not to laugh but my lips were trembling with struggle as I cleared my throat. What’s wrong with her?

  “And her little minions. All they do is eat, and gossip. That’s it. No job. They don’t ever have to work because their husbands are gazillionaires. Then you have the groupies. Those who sought out athletes, got pregnant and can now afford to send their kids to a school like that. It’s...Honestly, it's a whole other world of drama I always keep out of. Of course there’s…”

  I began to tune her out, and just studied her lips moving. Then her thighs again. I remember that night like a nightmare or bad dream. Sex with her had been a different level of connection I hadn't experienced since. Even with Nasia. Maybe that’s why Violet was born out of that. Probably why she took my entire face. Pia took all of me that night, and I left her there with the hopes of never experiencing anything like that ever again, unless it was with someone I loved, but I remembered that night.

  Still, the entire car ride back to her place was her talking...I was glad she decided to let me know the address of where she stays. A skyrise condo. I kept my mouth shut and decided to speak on it later. Especially when I walked inside, and saw the size of it. Wide open kitchen with all the space in the living room for Violet to run around, and play. Large balcony that stretched from one wall to another, and she had two rooms. One for her, one for Violet.

  “It’s a little messy, but I’ll grab some of her favorite things,” Pia said, slipping her heels off as she undid her jeans. Violet ran in after while I sat down, taking in the place. Crayon drawings were on the wall, looked like she tried to scrub it off while her couch set in the shape of an L remained relatively clean, and free of kid messes.

  Violet came running back out, holding out a yellow picture book for me to hold before she jumped on the couch, and sat right on my lap.

  “I read to you,” she stated, turning the page. For a second, I thought she was going to actually read until a jumble of words came out. Finger dragging along the sentence as she described the picture. “The bird fly! See! He flies!” Turning the page. “Bird sees dog! Woof woof!”

  Pia quietly moved about the place, turning all my senses on without realizing it. From the sound of water running, to the smell of a bathtub going with sweet bubbles. Feet padding against the plush carpet while she wore sweats, and a white tank. Shape more apparent than ever. Stove was on with food already in the frying pan trying to cook. I watched her lick her fingers briefly with a suck before her eyes caught mine and I quickly looked away.

  “I’m getting her bath ready, and as soon as she’s done,” cutting the stove off with sharp snapping noise. “She’s yours. I’ll be back no later than one, at the latest. She’s a heavy sleeper so it will be easy to transfer her from one car to another. You call me if anything, I mean anything. No matter how little, call me. I will answer---.”

  “That won’t be necessary---.”

  “I get you think it's easy to watch a child, but she’s a lot of work. Sometimes she runs hot at night with cold sweats...When she does that, just----.”

  “Take her outside,” cutting her off as her eyes grew wide. “I run hot at night, been like that since I was a kid. My daddy used to take me outside to get some air until I fell asleep again. When it was too cold, they would open my window. Our bodies do that when we’re attempting to shift. Happens closer to a full moon,” I explained dryly. Pia just stared at me, mouth twitching like she wanted to speak up.

  “Yes, Delilah mentioned something like that,” she muttered. “You dream as a what? Some animal or other? A wolf? She explained it to me, but half of the things she says are...deep rooted psychological issues.”

  “And the other half?” I questioned.

  “You’re not going to make me believe that my child is an animal in a human body. I put up with a lot of the magic crap from your cousin. I’ll admit, some of it has truth to it, but I’m not going that far with it. Meaning I myself, slept with an animal, and made her which...You are far from. In bed or otherwise,” turning to walk off as I smirked. My ego was stronger than her petty jabs at my sex game. Her mentioning it constantly just let me know she was thinking about it just as much as I.

  “You don’t have to believe me, but I’m telling you that’s what it is about her. You raising me all over again,” I said proudly, looking at my creation. Violet’s dark eyes connected with mine before she
bashfully smiled, showing all her baby teeth like tiny squares perfectly lined in a row before leaning her head against my chest as she turned the page back.

  I looked at Pia as she stood there with a stupid expression on her face before she nodded.

  “I guess Homer,” was all she could say as she walked back, disappearing behind the wall. Only to come back, and grab Violet by the under arms. Lifting her up as she began to cry, and kick.

  “Come here little cub,” she gritted with a groan. “You can fight me all you want, but you’re getting in this bath Violet.” Hearing a door close, I paused for a second before kicking my shoes off and throwing my arms up on either side of the couch with my head resting back. Listening to the sounds of Violet’s cries turning into laughter before I slowly closed my eyes.

  Waiting. Dozing off for a bit, I suddenly felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket.

  “Violet get back here!” Pia hollered, hearing Violet scream as she ran from one end of the hallway to the other with nothing but suds, and a towel dragging on the floor. Pia was right on her heels, scooping her up as she screamed. Face burning red with embarrassment at me, she disappeared behind the wall, and closed the door shut with a lock.

  “Yuh?” I answered, without looking at the screen.

  “Nigga we out chuh’! We in this thang! Where the pregame at?!” My cousin Fowler asked as I smiled.

  “Mike got an Airbnb for the weekend so hit him for the directions. Who all here?” Scratching my head.

  “Nigga we all here. Whole pack. Done said fuck it, and decided to hit Atlanta for the weekend. You still coming right? I know you playing daddy and all, but that don’t mean you ain’t single no more. You still can get out there. You got all weekend to be with ol girl.”

  “She’s not an ol girl,” I snapped quietly. “She’s my daughter---.”

  “Nigga if you finna start acting like this, we can go head and go without you. I wanna go to a strip club any damn way---.”

  “Nah, it's cool,” sitting up with a rub of my nose to scratch. Part of me wanted to really stay with Violet for the night, and just hang with her but my sisters were in my ear, anxious to see their niece for the first official time. Without having Pia around. I had all weekend to be with her, one night wouldn’t hurt. Couldn’t hurt.

  “I’ll call y'all when I drop my daughter off,” I whispered before hanging up as soon as the door opened.

  Welcome to the Underground

  Jasmine

  “Is this the place ma’am?” The uber driver asked as we pulled up alongside a large two story, white house that looked older than the neighborhood itself. I slapped my compact mirror shut, and nervously looked around the shady area. It was pitch black with the exception of a few street lights in the distance. Garbage cans were out from pickup, and a dog in the backyard chained up could be heard barking constantly. I grabbed my purse, flipped my straightened hair back and stepped out into the cool air. Lights were on in the house, and multiple cars were parked with muted music blasting from within.

  “I think this is it. Thank you so much,” I said, closing the door before tugging at my red dress. Small clutch in hand that sparkled against the light. I started to walk in the heels. One step after another like a model. Long sleeve dress that had a sharp V-neck all the way down to my belly button. Silver belt wrapped around, and the red material flared out just at the tip of my thighs like a black Tinkerbell fit. Hair was laid in waves cascading down on both sides and makeup as I felt the bundles bounce against my back with each step. Nerves slowly building until I came up to the large door with a screen in front. Porch stretched from one end to another, I felt my phone vibrate as I quickly pulled it out of my clutch to see when the door suddenly swung open. Letting out the loud jazz music that was blaring through, laughter of women, and smell of perfume, and sweets. I stared directly at the witch, the scamming witch I had my reading with. Seeing her all black lace dress that flared out, and her locs pulled back into a ponytail with gold jewels, and beads decorated on them. One thick scaly gold charm looped around her ponytail, and locs like a thick gold curl until the end of it was a small snake head that rested on her shoulder with red eyes. She was Medusa in her modern form. That’s what it felt like. Her cat like eyes smiled before her lips did as she tilted her head to the side.

  “You’re late,” she said as I pointed an accusatory finger at her. “And we meet again…”

  “It’s you----!”

  “Get inside so we can get ready to go,” opening the screen door before stepping aside. “Ladies?! It’s time to go! Our last girl is here!”

  I looked around the large house seeing the same paintings propped up against the wall before I felt arms suddenly wrap around me.

  “You made it! I was starting to think you wouldn’t come!”

  I pulled back seeing an ecstatic Francesca wearing a black dress with her sparkly wedding ring almost blinding, and a glass in the other.

  “We are going to have so much fun tonight! I’ve never been, but always wanted to go---. Here, take a drink----.”

  “BAAAAABE?!” Delilah yelled towards the top of the stairs. “BAAABE?! Let’s goooo!”

  “Ohhh!” I heard a scream before cackles of laughter let out as I looked deeper into the living room seeing Pia, and another girl with dreads leaning on one another in a drunken fit. The tie dye two piece outfit fit so well on her with flared legs, and cropped top. Barely showing a hint of her stomach because of the high waist bottoms. She, and the girl she called Nevaeh wearing a blue strapless dress with locs hanging past her waist came over, handing me a second drink.

  “You have to drink up before you get in the car. Only way to survive this night,” Pia said. “We’re not drunk, but we’re trying to not remember a thing either.”

  “BABE!?” Delilah screamed again before starting for the door. “Ladies! Let’s go, we have to meet two others at the door.”

  I watched her same boyfriend come walking down the stairs with his single braids swinging with blue rubber bands bunched up at the ends. Jeans, and a simple black shirt on, he grabbed his car keys, and held the door open for all of us. Looking at me in particular with a wide grin.

  “You have no idea what you finna get yourself into, do you?” He asked with a laugh, watching me walk out of the house before he popped the lights off. “No idea. Percy a fool for letting you out!”

  …

  “Tonight!” Delilah let out, raising a shot glass in the air as her boyfriend drove down one way streets in downtown Atlanta. It was naturally alive with things and events, parties, and students crawling everywhere tonight, but we held our shot glasses in the air, having gotten comfortable with everyone after being squished together in the backseat. “Tonight, I want you all to leave the babies at home with their loved ones, get over breakups or find a warm body to keep you company for tonight...Enjoy yourselves because the place we’re going to is very special, and unique to those that are open to it. Tonight will be for the Moon Children. Night is in our favor.”

  “I’ve been to the Underground before,” Pia let out, holding on to the door handle as we hit a large bump in the street. “Everyone in Atlanta has been----.”

  “Not like this,” Delilah said before tossing what I hoped to God was a shot of water back while the rest of us downed the alcoholic drink. Only to laugh when Nevaeh let out a small tiny baby burp.

  “A few things to remember...Do not buy anything that somebody is selling, and do not offer up anything to be sold,” Delilah said as Ben made another turn before coming to a red light. “The pentagram represents many things to different people. Depending on your culture, and belief. Tonight, it will be a symbol of the craft, and each point will be a form of protection for us.”

  “What are you talking about Delilah?” Pia asked as I glanced at Francesca who was texting on her phone. As if this was normal to talk about this, but I could see Five Points train station just up ahead, connecting the dots as she continued to speak.

  “Jasm
ine, and Pia...You two will be preyed on the most so be careful. Nevaeh, you know better but they may still try you, despite your family background. If there is a problem, you find me or go immediately to Ben.”

  “I know…”

  “What do you mean preyed on?” I questioned as we came up on another light. We watched a group of women in heels crossing the street before us walking straight for Five Points station.

  “Great,” Pia muttered. “One time I wanted to go out to a regular club, and do regular things...I get caught up in this crap----.”

  “Stop complaining, and just enjoy the moment Pia. You have a daughter who is unique. Time you immerse yourself in her future world or forever be left in the dark. Right here is fine,” she pointed softly with her hand on his shoulder. “We’ll see you inside.”

  “Baby, be safe,” he said to her, planting a quick kiss on her mouth.

  I looked to Pia with wide eyes wondering what was going on, but couldn’t afford the luxury of asking to stay behind or just do a wait, and see. One minute we were all piled in the car together, next thing I know we were on the sidewalk crossing into the main train station together. Hearing the screeching brakes and steam being released from different trains coming, and going. Lights were dim, few MARTA cops hung around while the rest were bums occupying every corner. Huddled in sheets, and drapes refusing to open their eyes to the world, and urine seemed to be everywhere we go. Staining down the walls, or puddled on the ground. We couldn’t escape it.

  “Red line! Single tracking!” Someone screamed as we kept close. “Gold line off at Lindbergh to get to Doraville Station! I repeat! Red line! Single tracking!”