“Well that’s what you say now,” I shrugged calmly as my phone started to ring. I almost declined it without looking at the screen until I smiled when I saw Jasmine’s name.
“Hello?” I answered, putting her on speaker.
“I didn’t know who else to call,” she whispered excitedly. “Are you alone?”
“Just me, and Indie,” I said, glancing in the back seat at Percy. He wasn’t going to speak. Too upset to say anything. “Just me, and Indie,” I repeated. “You’re on speaker.”
“Where are you guys?” She asked.
“Riding round outchea girl,” I popped. “Tryna get into some shit in Atlanta. What you been up to?”
“I just had a date,” she suddenly burst out laughing as I gasped. “Well, not a date, date. I did something I would have never, ever done in my life. I found this guy on a dating app called Black Mingle, and he was cute. Tall, kind of big… I realize I like bigger men…He’s older too.”
“What chu mean bigger men?” I laughed. “And how old is older?”
“Like you know,” she let out shyly. “Men that are big… Wide, and built… The thick chest, and arms… I like that. I think because my father is that size, and my mother is so small compared to him. His name is Will, and he’s a personal trainer. He’s thirty three years old. Never been with an older man, especially in their thirties, but it was so refreshing to talk to him. We spoke on the app for a few hours before deciding to Facetime. I guess just to make sure we are who we say we are.”
“Mmm hmm, mmm hmmm. Go on, go on,” I encouraged, nudging Indigo with a laugh. “Then what happened?”
“He was so shocked that I looked like the girl in my pictures for one,” she laughed. “He said he couldn’t believe someone as beautiful as me was on a dating app. I said why not? I couldn’t stop smiling Lu, he was so nice, so sweet, and kind. He asked me if I wanted to meet up tonight. Just in a parking lot, somewhere in a public space so I would feel safe, and comfortable.”
“And did you?” I asked, glancing at the rearview mirror at Percy who sat with an unreadable expression on his face, holding the clothes between his legs. He was listening, that’s for sure. Good. This was better than beating Travis, and Nasia’s ass combined.
“I did,” she squealed before Indigo, and I laughed.
“Please tell me you’re going to see him again soon,” I begged.
“Well, he just left,” she whispered in a low voice as I sat up with Indigo throwing her hand in the air in a silent praise.
“HE WHAT?!” I shrieked.
“He just left my place,” she laughed. “I can’t even imagine what Percy will think---.”
“Nah uh!” I started, hating that she even thought for a second about him. Forgot who I was talking to, and where I was when I snapped. “We know about Percy!” Looking at Indigo for confirmation. “We know dat! Fuck him! Do you! Don’t worry bout him! Finish the story, what e’ doing at da’ house?! You done gave dat boi some boonkey innit?”
There was a small pause, hearing slight crackling noise before Jasmine spoke.
“I’m sorry? I couldn’t understand a word of that,” she said as Indigo burst into laughter. I needed to calm down.
“Chile, I done forgot who I was talking to---.”
“Did you two have sex?” Indigo asked, speaking clearly.
“We did, and it was…”
“Ahhhhhh!” I screamed, feet kicking in the seat as Indigo gave a good silent nod of approval.
“It was really good. I told him my situation in little detail about being with someone who didn’t want to be with me.”
“You said what?” I let out, trying not to smile. I could tell Percy was festering back there in his seat, dying to say something. “You told him, yo nigga didn’t want you?”
“It’s the truth! You know Percy doesn’t like me!”
“Because she doesn’t like me,” he muttered in the back seat. “She’s never liked me.”
I smirked with Indigo looking at me with raised brows. Delilah never lies. Lawd she never lies, especially with these two. It was finally beginning to start.
“Anyway,” Jasmine continued. “Long story short, I jumped out there and asked him if he wanted to come over for a few hours to hang out. Watch a movie or I don’t know...I really wanted to be held,” she laughed with embarrassment. “I didn’t tell him that, but I liked talking to him, and I pictured us watching a movie together with a blanket around me. I just wanted comfort...Not sex, but of course when he came over? We might have spoken to each other for a few minutes before he started to you know…”
“Know what?!” I craved, latching to every detail.
“He cornered me, and I didn’t turn away. I was trying to find a blanket for the living room, and when we crossed paths with him coming out of the bathroom, it just happened. The sexual tension was there when we FaceTimed each other so. He picked me up like I was a sack of air, and I wrapped my arms around his, letting him take me to my bed, and he closed the door. It wasn’t quite love making, but it was the most…” She inhaled before exhaling with a content sigh. “My body is still feeling it, even after he left. I still feel like he’s in me.”
“Ohhhh that’s that Godly stroke,” I gasped. “Legs in the air?”
“Legs bent back like he was trying to change a diaper, he held my ankles together in the air----.”
“Lawd!” I cried, falling out in the seat. “That’s that baby making position!”
“Would you get up before I get a ticket?” Indigo fussed, but Jasmine kept on with her details.
“I tried to cover my mouth so I wouldn’t be too loud, but he pulled my hand back and said he wanted to hear what he was doing to me, and I lost it. I tell ya? I lost it,” she said as I laughed. “Especially when he started to moan.”
"Ooo chile," I fanned.
“I still smell him on me, even after my shower,” she laughed. “Never changing these sheets. It’s so many things I want to do now. Now that I finally crossed that line, I’m ready to see what’s on the other side.”
“Like whet?” I playfully popped. “You tryna tell me, you finna be a freak?”
“I just have a few things, suggestions I want to ask of him or any other man I may---.”
“Like?” I pressed, looking at Indigo.
“Like… I… Oh my God this is embarrassing. I want to try a threesome with another man, but like… My dad used to tell my brother stories about how girls would get jumped into these gangs and organizations. If I could have a bunch of fine men coming at me at once, and we all just make one big sandwich with me being the one they worship, I don’t see anything dangerous about that at all---.”
“Girl! I knew yo quiet ass was a freak on the low,” I laughed while looking at Indigo with wild eyes. “This bitch a hoe on the low. That’s that hoe shit,” I mouthed silently before focusing back on the conversation. “When are you going to see him again?”
“Well he went to the store to buy another pack of condoms.”
“Oh my God!” Indie freaked as I clapped for my good sus one time.
“He’ll be back, and I told him he can spend the night. Trying not to come on strong, but it's been so long since I had great sex. I figured since Percy is out with Nasia, he won’t be home until tomorrow after work. Will, and I plan to grab breakfast, and hopefully go on a real date later this week, but I’m content to just keeping it sexual.”
I looked behind me with a devilish grin, ready to soak in all the cheating glory Jasmine was doing to Percy, but my smile fell short when I saw his face. His eyes glossy with hurt, fists tight with a look of pain, staring straight ahead as Jasmine continued to talk about this man. Percy bit at his lower lip, sucking in his cheeks and looked away with a slow nod.
He never thought she would actually do it. All this time, Percy probably never thought she would actually sleep with someone else. That was the one power he had over her, and now the ties have been broken.
“Jasmine let me call you
back when we come to a stop,” I said quickly as Indigo glanced back at Percy.
“Okay.”
I hung up the phone, and sat in silence for a moment. Small part of me wishing I didn’t answer the damn call, and put her on speaker, but he needed to hear that. Also needed to hear this.
“You know there are some in my family that claim to be witches Percy,” I said, looking at my nails, eyeing the blood from Nasia dug deep underneath. I smiled, already knowing what I planned on doing with that small bit. “We are split down the middle with a few straddling between the West Africans, and Natives… Some of us can heal the sick, others can throw roots on you so serious, your life will forever be changed. There are others that run in packs...We stick together, we feel comfortable when we’re together. Like, I remember one time we all stayed bunked up at Granny’s house. All piled on the floor laying on top of one another, tryna get in front of that TV. Member’ that Indie?”
“Mmmm hmmm.”
“Uncle came in there and said it smells like a pack of stray dogs in the house, couldn’t stand it.”
“Dem boys was mussy---.”
“Ain’t it though?” I laughed. “But that was family,” flipping my hair back. “We were the young dog tribe ranging in size, shapes, and colors. Not many girls, mostly boys but we kept close, and protective over one another. Homer was the leader, and I was second in charge… Delilah was an entity of her own, but the rest of us?” Shaking my head. “We got a bark to match our bite.”
“What is the point of this story?” Percy asked in a low voice.
“My point is, Jasmine came to my cousin Delilah a year or so ago...Way back when to get a reading. Delilah is a known witch, and eventually will become one of the most powerful rootworkers in the South, even more powerful than the elders. She’s always been gifted that way. Blessed with two identities. The Natives gave her a feline totem, and the African ancestors supposedly came to her in her sleep one day, and said she would become powerful if she learned their ways. Not many Skye women can say they’re both. Anyway,” I popped. “Delilah told Jasmine to ask for three things, and she will make it happen. She asked for true friendship, great sex, and her soulmate. Unknowingly, Jasmine called out to me and Indigo for friendship, and sisterhood. Nevermind how we came to know that. Something only women like Indie, and I can do. Although Jas doesn’t know it yet, she will be initiated into our pack,” I smiled proudly. “It’s gonna be a big ceremony, and everything. She’s gonna love it.”
“Francesca, her daughter, and Violet too, she’s going to be initiated as well,” Indigo said as I nodded.
“You should come,” I said to Percy without looking at him. “On a full moon, the Moon Run will happen. There will be music, food, dancing, hood shit. Only reason why I’m telling you this is because when she asked for her three things to Delilah. Friendship, great sex, and to be with her true soulmate, she’s already down two,” holding two fingers up as I turned back to look at him.
“What did she supposedly say about her soulmate?” He asked in a low voice. “As if I believe any of this bullshit, but what did she say to Jasmine?”
“You really want to know?” I asked. He bunched the clothes up further between his legs as he shifted anxiously in his seat. Skin sticking like velcro to the leather material, he continued to stare at me before asking,
“Did she say who it was? Who the man was, or when she’ll meet him?”
“Mmmm hmmm,” I nodded. “Said his name, and all of that.”
“Who did she say?” He pressed.
“Now why would I tell you that Percy? After everything?”
He drug his wrist underneath his nostrils for a wet sniff before looking out the window, trying to think on his own. Who could it possibly be? Suddenly I felt a slight bump in the car as I looked around, seeing Indigo was turning into a parking lot.
“I got hungry,” she said to me. I looked back at a sulking Percy Milton, and smiled like everything was suddenly right in this world.
“I’m not going to interfere in y'all relationship unless I have to step in, but I will repeat myself,” clearing my throat as Indie put the car in park. “If you go near Nasia or anyone close to my family or Jasmine’s family again, on any level? I will upload these pictures I took of your unconscious naked ass with that two inch dick waving in the air. Looking like a limp thumb sitting on one ball tryna hitchhike a ride. I will send them to all your business clients, friends, and family----.”
“You can’t do that---!”
“If you put your hands on my good sus Jasmine Imani Skye---.”
“That’s not even her last name!”
“Nigga I don’t give a fuck! Yo dick is lil so you don’t have no position to argue with me right now.”
“I’m a grower! I----.”
“Anyway!” I clucked with my tongue. “Lemme find out you disrespecting my girl again by fucking with people she knows. I don’t care if y'all cheat, that’s something y'all gotta figure out on your own, but you better not answer not nan’ text from Nasia or anybody we know or else,” I threatened, popping the door open. “Put some clothes on. You treating us to some fine dining tonight. We’re basically family at this point.”
I stepped out of the car with a good proud stretch, and stared at the yellow blocks on the sign spelling out WAFFLE HOUSE with a proud smile.
“Tonight was a good night Indie, ain’t it?” I called out over the roof of the car as she stepped out.
“I think so,” she nodded.
“Told you we wouldn’t get arrested,” I teased as Percy slowly stepped out of the car looking angry as hell right now. One arm stretched into the sleeve of the shirt, then the other, he yanked it down over his chest. Attempting to catch the bum ass glasses that fell from his face. “Be glad it wasn’t Homer or his sisters that found out. Oooo they woulda’ put a root on you so bad. I don’t do that on my end. We don’t do things like that. My spirits walk on four legs, we go straight for the kill. Ask questions later or sometimes not at all. If they put that root on you though? Ooooo… Will fuck up yo life in the worst way possible, especially if you don’t know how to throw it back.”
Pia Milton
“How long are you going to punish me for this Pia? For beating up ya lil boyfriend?” Homer asked as I glanced back in the car, seeing my opening to switch into the next crowded lane on 285. Violet’s perfect father Homer Skye was on speaker asking for the impossible. “I do my best to do shit on yo terms but you’re not the one driving four hours going, four hours back to see her! How long are you gon’ keep this up? Huh?”
“I’m not keeping anything up Homer----.”
“So where the fuck are you?! I came down here during the week, the middle of a work day! You’re not the only one that works! We had this set in stone that I would see her tonight---!”
“Why are you yelling?!” I yelled back, trying to cross over to another lane before coming to another annoying stop. “I’m stuck in traffic! I don’t know what you want me to do about it! I haven’t gotten a chance to get to Violet yet! Sorry!” I lied.
I looked back, making sure Violet was sound asleep. Head tilted to the side with her chocolate stuffed cheeks full of crumbs as drool dribbled down her lower lip. Shoes and socks were always off, never stayed on with her as she held onto a bag of cookies in one hand, and an organic apple juice box in the other. I could do all the yelling and screaming I wanted, she wasn’t going to wake up unless she was ready to wake up.
A blessing from God really.
“I’m only here for a few hours Pia, and you sitting here playing fucking mind games with me,” he spat. “I know you’re lying because I called the lil school she go to, they said you been picked her up so again, where the FUCK are you? I’m sitting outside your door---.”
“I’m in traffic Homer. I can’t…” Throwing my hands in the air. “I don’t know what you want me to do! Sorry! You chose to come during the middle of the day---.”
“Because you know what I got going
on this weekend! I told you my family wants to meet her, and----.”
“They can come up here if they like----.”
“HOW WHEN YOU’RE NEVER AVAILABLE?!” He screamed. “Nah! They want to meet their grandchild, their cousin, their baby niece in their state! She’s coming with me this weekend---.”
“She’s not,” I laughed. “I don’t care what family tradition you have going on, but she’s not coming with you, across state lines. Not without me. She’s never been away from me for that long, and I don’t know how she’s going to act---.”
“She’s going to have to suck it up because I plan on moving her here as well----.”
I let out a loud dramatic laugh, almost snorting in the midst of the foolery before clearing my throat.
“I wish you would take, no, steal my daughter away from me. I have the best lawyers----.”
“I don’t give a fuck about no lawyers Pia. Real shit. There’s ways around that. I’m here for her, you’re trying to make it about you. She has a whole other family that wants to see her, and be around her---.”
“And she will, in due time. You just met her---.”
“I don’t care! I don’t! I’m not about to sit here and argue with you about the same shit! Same shit you did! You brought on! I’m tryna move forward and take care of mine, you understand!? Regardless of how you feel about me Pia, I’m a man and I’m tryna be a respectable one at that! Whatever I need to do to get me, and mine over here?! I’ma do it! She’s going to South Carolina with me this weekend, whether you want it or not. If I gotta get the cops involved, lawyers whatever. We can do that, but it's tradition. Only happens every few years, and it's part of her heritage, her culture----.”
“Like I said?” I stated calmly. “She’s not going----.”
“I can’t...You know what?” He laughed. “Same shit, different day. Keep playing with me Pia. That lil clown ass nigga in yo ear?”
“My boyfriend? You mean my boyfriend Dre?” I asked, knowing good, and well Dre, and I were still on rocky terms, but Homer didn’t need to know that. “Show him some respect---.”
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