Hoodwinked

  “I thought you said your wife was cooking,” Tucker asked as Diega brought out a third box of Popeyes chicken. “All of those lessons you and Omni take and you still refuse to cook?”

  She smiled, filling everyone’s plate before walking over to him as she pulled out a piece of chicken. One of the last pieces only to drag it across her tongue before slamming it flat on his plate.

  “Eat up,” she smiled, tapping his chin before walking back into the house with a low whistle. Jason looked over at a disgusted Tucker before reaching for his chicken to take as his own.

  “Slaved over this damn stove for hours waiting for Popeyes to open. You better show some damn gratitude nigga,” she came back out, holding multiple bottles of beers before popping Jason’s open while the rest of us were meant to do it ourselves. It was an unwritten rule Jason had whenever people came over to his house to eat with his family. Nobody eats or drinks until his wife sat down, and took her first bite. Didn’t understand it at first, and used to clown him for it, but with everything she does, Jason mentioned she would forget to eat some times so to make sure she ate, we had to wait. Couldn’t be my household. The man, the provider always eats before anybody. No matter what. Especially if I’m the reason you’re eating in the first place. Jason had it backward.

  “Now,” she sighed, reaching for a scoop of red beans and rice. “The girls are sleeping. Kitchen is cleaned, and the food is still hot. What the hell happened last night, and this morning? You fought Pia’s boyfriend? All of you?”

  We all immediately started talking at once with Michael telling the bulk of the story as we chowed down.

  “So! So this nigga here gets quiet when ol’ boy asks him if he and Pia ever messed around after that one time. Mannnnn,” Michael sang. “All hell broke loose. Nigga swung so quick on Homer. I jumped in with Jason and Tucker tryna pull his homeboys off of us. They started swinging on them---.”

  “Why didn’t you just say you never messed with her?” She asked mid chew. Hazel eyes staring me down with piqued interest. “You two never had sex again so why lie?”

  “You see how that nigga looks? Look at me,” standing up. “And look at him. Ain’t shit nobody can say to me when you look like a fucking clown. She can do better than that. I never said I fucked her. He just ain’t give me a chance to say no. He already had it in his mind that we was fucking anyway so what I care? You walking around like she’s some prize, nigga I been had that, and if I wanted, I could have it again. That’s how I’m feeling,” I stated. “Simple as that. I don’t want her, but if I did, I could have her with no problems. Talking about, he’s going to marry her. Nigga what? Marry who? Pia? What that got to do with me?”

  The entire table grew quiet, just staring at me. Michael tried to cough over his laughter before I calmly sat back down, not even realizing I was standing up in the first place.

  “I don’t want her. End of story.”

  “Uh-huh,” Diega let out as Jason got up, trying not to laugh. “And what did Pia have to say about all of this? Fighting her boyfriend after you told him y’all might have had sex or not. I’m sure she has something to say about it.”

  “I haven’t spoken to her,” I muttered, refusing to look at my phone. Diega just stared at me before moving her braids back from her shoulder.

  “Niggas are funny boi I swear,” she laughed. “I believe you when you said you don’t want her, but I also believe you don’t want anybody else to want her, and throw it in your face. As if you can’t have her. That’s how y’all do though. Typical,” nodding as Jason let out a loud laugh.

  “Hey! Y’all get in here and look at this! Hurry up!” He screamed from inside. “Look at this! If that isn’t karma for ya, then I don’t know what is!”

  We all quickly got up from the table to walk back into the house seeing Jason standing in the living room looking up at the TV screen with the remote in his hand. Jason pointed at the screen, looking at his wife with a laugh.

  “Karma for not getting that bullshit of a wedding invitation,” he said with a laugh as he turned the volume up. “Everybody already knows why they’re getting married.”

  “Police say suspects are still on the run after a string of unique robberies hitting the quiet apartment complexes and neighborhoods of Atlanta’s most elite. Victims are said to have everything cleared out of their place in a matter of hours with the victims still inside while the crime was taking place,” the reporter let out as the wind blew at her blonde hair with the mic close to her mouth. They showed clips of skyrise buildings and police surrounding the place as a familiar face got on the camera looking distraught as he spoke with a reporter.

  “One of Atlanta’s most promising famed attorneys, Percy Milton spoke with us this morning as being one of the victims of this unusual robbery. Listen to this.”

  “We just woke up, and noticed everything was taken from our place,” he spoke with a shove of his glasses. Eyes bloodshot red, with sleep lines up and down the sides of his face. “My fiance was the first to wake up, and scream when she noticed her things missing.”

  “And this happened while you were all sleeping? They stole everything even in the room you were in, and you heard nothing?” The reporter asked, confused. “Have you seen the video from security to---?”

  “I don’t know how it happened. I just know I didn’t hear a thing until this morning. Maybe we were drugged because I can barely remember last night let alone hear people in and out of our house. Stealing everything from us with us still inside. We weren’t the only ones hit---.”

  “I understand---.”

  “No, you don’t understand! My things, my personal information, my identity, my fiance’s personal belongings, everything has been taken from us! As if we were specifically targeted. You’re asking open ended questions when all I’m trying to do is get the information out that there are thieves on the loose! When I catch you,” looking directly into the camera as I noticed the dark red bruise on one side of his cheek. “When I catch you! I will personally be the one to put you in jail! Believe that!”

  I moved closer to the screen seeing Nasia’s friend standing off to the side like she’d been crying as Percy called out to her, telling her to go back inside. Just out of the corner of the screen, I could see my cousin Tallulah on the phone trying to talk as she glanced awkwardly at the camera before looking away. I looked at Michael who looked at me. Both of us thinking the same thing and connecting the dots. Jasmine was marrying Pia’s brother this entire time… She had to be there last night with Pia, and Delilah. Where Percy came in at, I don’t know, but somebody got over on them, and bad at the Underground last night.

  “Police have decided to release the security footage of what they’re describing as unusual way of committing a crime. It hasn’t been stated whether this plays a part, but this is around the exact time the victims were seen walking into the lobby.”

  They switched the scene over to a black, and white lobby floor with the desk in the corner, and elevators on the left. Showing a group of women walking in with a wave to security before getting on the elevator before it flicked to show Percy, Tallulah, and Jasmine coming inside. They paused for a second with Percy’s arms protectively around Jasmine while Tallulah let out a dramatic laugh until I noticed the space behind them as they moved forward grew dark. The black and white view of them suddenly grew cloudy like something was passing through, and even the security nodded to no one in particular before the lobby was cleared once more.

  “What the hell?” Tucker muttered in question. Something followed them into that elevator.

  “Police are in search of possibly four men as of now. No face description as of yet, but they are in the process of interviewing other witnesses. This is Channel 2 Action News, reporting live from the scene, back to you Erika.”

  “That’s what he gets!” Jason laughed as the clip went off. “That’s what he gets! They won’t make it down the aisle anyway. Mark my words. Everyone is bragging about getting invited to the
ir stupid fake wedding, they won’t make it to spring. Watch.”

  Jasmine

  “Can you believe we’re parents?” My mother laughed gently as I sat quietly on the couch in my pink matching shirt, and shorts. Small pearl bracelet around my wrist with diamond earrings, and my hair braided down into two french braids down my back. My white sneakers hardly had any smudges or marks on them despite them being my play shoes. I made sure to remain clean at all times. I hated nothing more than to get dirty or look unkempt as my grandmother would say, but just as surely as I looked at myself, I looked at Percy sitting on the floor on his stomach. Wearing a stained white shirt with jean shorts, and Batman socks halfway off his feet. Large round glasses, and crumbs around his mouth as he played his video game. Bag of blue Dorito chips by his side. Tongue sticking out in concentration, he reached into the bag blindly, grabbing a handful of chips before shoving the crumbling pieces into his mouth at once.

  I cringed in disgust and just continued to listen to our mothers talk just outside, facing the backyard with their backs towards us.

  “You lucked out, and got yourself a real man at least,” Piru’s mother muttered. “You see what I got stuck with.”

  “He’s a good man,” my mom laughed. “I found love and was ready to give up everything to be with him. That’s the only reason why I was allowed to marry him. Otherwise, I would have been in the same boat as you, forced to marry someone I had no connection with. I told you love will make you do the craziest things…”

  I smiled, hearing how my mom always spoke about my father. Her long black hair hung in loose waves down her back, wearing a white linen dress while Piru’s mother was casual in her shirt, and shorts. Dark hair cut short in a fluffy bob that bounced with each movement. Both were outside sharing a cigarette neither of them should have been smoking in the first place, but I wasn’t going to tell. My father always knew anyway.

  “Love,” she huffed. “I’m starting to think there’s no such thing...Even Piru’s father. That was just a fling, a brief moment in lapsed judgment.”

  “The good times,” my mother said as they both shared a laugh before passing the cigarette to one another in a dainty manner. “Good girls need to have their fun too. That’s what Joe says all the time. He was such a smooth talker, and I must have been a plum fool from the start to fall for those lines he probably used on half of the girls there at that party.”

  “But I told you before you even knew it, he was the one, and I don’t even believe in love like that,” Percy’s mother laughed, tapping her cigarette before passing it off to my mother who sighed. “Are you going to have more kids?”

  “The two we have are enough...Nicky and Jasmine are a blessing but I want to be done at the same time so we can continue on with our lives. Imagine having to worry about our children getting married to some broke---.”

  “Don’t even get me started. I have three I have to have married off before thirty,” she groaned with a wave. “Pia will be the one I’m most concerned for because of her weight, you know...Nobody is going to want to be with her if she isn’t attractive. Your daughter is like a chocolate Barbie princess…. A dream daughter I could have only hoped for. I think mine got dropped on the head by one of the maids when I wasn’t home. Aside from that, the fire accident will set her back as well.”

  “How is she doing with therapy?” My mother asked. “Is she moving better? Skin recovering?”

  Percy’s mother waved her off with a hand while blowing a thin cloud of smoke out through her lips.

  “Fine. She’s fine. I just wished it was her father in place of her,” she retorted.

  The two giggled as I eyed my outfit again, scanning for any wrinkles or imperfections.

  “Jasmine is like the perfect little angel. I know Joe is probably spoiling her rotten.”

  “Oh you know Joe,” my mother laughed. “Anything Jasmine wants, he’s probably already done it, and just waiting for her to ask. Sometimes I think he loves her more than me...but of course, he accuses me of treating my son the same way. Something about a mother, and her son.”

  “I know, Percy and Piru have my heart...Percy is a mixture of me, and his father. Sharp mind, analytical. Careful with his words, but no pushover...Piru is all my brothers, and I. I can’t even say about his father, but he is all Freeman. Pia is unfortunately exactly like her father, including body.”

  “Stop it, Eliza,” my mother laughed. “You’re always picking on the poor girl.”

  “I can’t help it. I see him when I look at her...I never wanted to marry him, you know that...So looking at her, I’m forced to be reminded of what I laid with, and ugh…He’s my biggest disappointment in life. My biggest regret therefore, she’s my biggest regret. By default, of course, I don’t really mean it, just can’t stand him or his bitch of a mother. Wish she would turn over already.” She gagged as the two laughed. “I wish my mother had better sense to set me up with someone else other than a damn politician who is boring inside, and out. All the politicians I know have charisma and charm. He’s a dud,” she muttered before they both leaned in with small polite giggles. “If I had it my way, I would have been set up with Darian Towner, you know his family has stock in major companies…Money is as long as his you know what...”

  “Mmmm or what about Kevin Binsely? He was cute in high school.”

  “He was, and all the girls wanted him, and had him. His parents already had his life mapped out. Don’t even let me think about bringing a white man to my family. Unheard of. Go through the whole speech of keeping black money within black families.”

  “Same,” my mother laughed. “Although I’ve always wondered.”

  “Not quite as rhythmic, but the passion is there,” Percy’s mother whispered as the two burst into laughter. “Anyway,” she sighed. “Wouldn’t it be something if our kids linked up...Naturally or otherwise. I mean, I know Percy and Jasmine are going to be the best of friends because we are, but wouldn’t it be something if they actually…”

  My head perked up, hearing my name again. Even Percy turned his head, pausing the game for a second only to reach into the bag to grab another handful. Not once looking back at me. He was so disgusting. Even his glasses were stained with fingerprints and crumbs on the lens.

  “Fell in love?” My mother added, skeptically. “You know as much as I do, love is rare to come by with two major families like ours.”

  “I know, I know...but at least it would be a good set up, love will eventually come because who wouldn’t love your daughter? Percy is going through that boy stage where everything is gross, messy, and ugh...but he’s going to grow up to be a handsome smart, wealthy young man. I can see it. Jasmine is already groomed to be the little Queen of her household in her own right. Men are going to be knocking on your door, and mothers are going to try and convince you to set your daughter up with their sons. It's only right that she has the right man from the right background standing behind her. Just a thought anyway…Remember when they were younger, we used to make them hold hands for pictures?”

  “Ohhh I remember that, and their matching sailor outfits for Halloween,” my mother cried in laughter. “They were so cute back then…It would be something to say we share grandchildren…. But it's not me you have to go through when it comes to her. Joe has made it clear he gets the final say in who she ends up with, and she’s a dreamer like me. She’s going to want love...happiness, and a family of her own. What she grew up with.”

  “Percy will be security for her as well...but we’ll see…My son needs to grow up a little before I can say he’s even worthy of a woman.”

  “Are they talking about us again?” Percy asked, pausing the game to reach in the bag. He looked back at me with the bookworm glasses, eyes enlarged as he shoved the chips in his mouth. “Do you want some?”

  “I like the red bag,” I stated as if that was the only bag worth eating.

  “You never even tried the blue kind.”

  “Because the red is the best.” />
  He leaned on his side, Superman underwear showing as he tugged at his white shirt before shoving the bag towards me.

  “Try it.”

  I looked at the bag before getting down from the couch and bending to pick up the greasy bag.

  “Jasmine be mindful of your clothes honey. We still have to go to the Gala tonight, okay?” My mother reminded me as I reached in to grab the tiniest piece that was shaped like a triangle with red, blue, and green specs sprinkled on it.

  Percy got up and grabbed the bag back, shoving his entire arm in it before pulling out a large.

  “Open your mouth,” he demanded. “If it's nasty, you can spit it out, and say red is better, but it's not.”

  “Don’t get my mouth or clothes dirty,” I said softly as I closed my eyes, and opened my mouth. Hearing a snap before a smaller piece was pushed into my mouth.

  “Open your eyes,” he said.

  I fought against the bright light to open my eyes, waking from the strange flashback of a dream as the sunlight pierced right into my face. I turned my face to the side, shielding within the cushion of my couch as I rubbed my face. My clothes were still on. Heels barely hanging on my feet, and underwear so far up me, I almost felt ashamed when I reached down to yank it from my cheeks. With a small painful groan, I tried pulling my weak frame to sit up on the couch. Blinding light still blocking my view as Percy’s familiar snores clogged the quiet room. I looked across from me seeing he was halfway dressed with his body hanging off the couch, glasses crooked on his face in a deep slumber before seeing Tallulah laying on the floor with unnaturally long dark hair sprawled about like a black blanket covering her arms, and shoulders. Makeup smeared on my pillow, she snored lightly with drool coming down the corners of her mouth with her outfit still on along with her shoes.