Authors: Skyy

Choices (7 page)

BOOK: Choices

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Chapter 7

“Hey, stranger,” Denise said as Lena walked into the room.

“Hey. I know it feels like it's been forever, huh?”

Denise threw on a wife-beater. “Yeah, but it's understandable. It's late in the semester and all.”

“Tell me about it.” Lena looked at Denise's tribal tattoo. “You know I was thinking about getting a tattoo. What do you think?”

“For real? I know a person if you want to,” Denise said. “Did you ask Brandon?”

“I don't have to ask Brandon's permission to do anything,” Lena said as she sat on her bed.

“Yeah, okay,” Denise replied sarcastically as she answered the familiar knock at their door.

“What's up, man? Damn! Hey, Lena-licious.” Cooley smiled and stepped past Denise as she attempted to flirt with Lena.

“Hi, Cooley.” Lena smiled back. She was used to Cooley's flirting. It was flattering.

Carmen walked in the room behind Cooley. “Yo, what's up, people? I got an A on my Econ paper, so let's celebrate. So where are we going tonight?”

“Well,” Denise said, picking a shirt out of her closet, “Lena here wants a tattoo.”

“Really?” Cooley grinned. “Yo' man gon' be okay with that?”

“Why do you all keep thinking that I answer to Brandon? I am my own woman.”

“That's right, girl.” Carmen gave her a high-five.

“So what's up then? We going to get inked?” Cooley asked.

“Dat's on Lena.” Denise smiled.

Her dimples caused Lena to blush.

Lena smiled. “Let's do it.”

The tattoo shop was more like a hangout spot; more people were there just to kick it than actually get tattoos. Lena felt herself getting nervous as she looked through the tattoos on the walls.

“So, what do you want to get?” Denise asked.

“I don't know, something small, maybe a heart. How bad did yours hurt?”

“They didn't. I have a high tolerance for pain.”

“I am scared as shit.”

Denise looked into Lena's eyes. “Don't worry, I'll hold your hand.”

Denise and Lena gazed at each other. Denise felt her heart beating fast. She knew she had fallen for Lena on day one.

“Yo', you getting tatted or not?” Cooley said, breaking their moment. “Dee, you gonna get something?”

“I was thinking about getting the Ankh on this arm or maybe a cross,” Denise said, patting her left bicep.

Carmen joined them. “Oh no, don't get a cross, but the Ankh would be hot. I am getting my Cancer zodiac sign on my back.”

“Cancer power!” Lena squealed. “I'm one too. Maybe I will get my zodiac sign too.”

“Well, how about we all get our zodiac signs?” Carmen said.

“I don't want that punk-ass shit on me,” Cooley said.

“Why? What's your zodiac sign?” Lena asked Cooley.

“Me and my bruh are sexy Scorpios. You know what they say about Scorpio and Cancer.”

“No. What do they say?” Lena questioned.

Cooley laughed. “Lena, I don't tell, I show.”

“Maybe I should get Brandon's name. I think he wouâ”

“Hell no. You bet not!” Cooley said. “Don't put no nigga's name on you. Girl, please. That's like the number one rule. Do you think he would get your name on him?”

“I don'tâ”

“Hell no, he won't. Why? Because you aren't his wife or his baby mama. You are still replaceable.”

“OK, on that note I think I am going to get my Ankh and I am going to go first.” Denise sat down in the chair.

Lena watched in amazement while Denise got the large tattoo, which covered up a nice part of her biceps.

Denise didn't flinch. She got her grandmother's name going across the arms of the Ankh.

Denise noticed the look on Lena's face.

“See, I told you it doesn't hurt.”

“Whatever.”

Lena heard Carmen shouting obscenities from the other chair. She was finished in 15 minutes with a small Cancer sign on her lower back.

Cooley decided to get her labret pierced; Lena had to admit that Cooley looked good with it.

Denise's tattoo was finally done; she admired it in the mirror.

“That is hot,” Lena said.

“You like it?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, it's your turn.”

Lena sat down in the chair. The tattoo artist laughed at her trembling body.

“Give me your hand.” Denise smiled.

Lena grabbed Denise's hand and looked in her eyes; suddenly she didn't feel scared anymore.

Lena dropped them off at the dorm and headed to Brandon's room. The athletic dorm was always filled with groupies on weekends. She walked around to one of his teammates' rooms. Lena saw Brandon sitting on the bed next to a girl. The girl moved over when she saw Lena's angry face.

“Hey, baby. I wasn't expecting you.” Brandon jumped up; his teammates turned their attention to the drama.

“Well, that seems obvious.” Lena folded her arms.

“Come on. Let's go to my room.”

“Let's not.” Lena turned around. “Enjoy the rest of your night.” She walked off, leaving Brandon calling her name.

She turned around to see him running up to her.

“Baby, don't do this.”

Brandon, what the fuck were you doing? Is that the kind of bitch you want?”

“No.”

“Then why was she all over you? Do you not respect me at all?”

“Babâ”

“Fuck it! How about I just break up with you now so these scandalous bitches can have you?” Tears rolled down Lena's face.

“Baby, it wasn't like that.”

“And to think I was about to get your name tattooed on me. I guess I am still replaceable, after all.”

“Baby, you notâWait, you were going to get my name tattooed on you?”

“Yes, but I didn't, 'cause of shit like that.” She turned around and showed him the little ankh in the middle of her back.

Brandon wiped the tears from Lena's face. “Baby, I love you. You are the only woman for me. Those bitches don't mean anything. And I am going to prove it to you. Just let me prove it.”

“Do whatever you want, Brandon. I am going home.”

Lena got in her car. She cried the whole way home.

“Lena, what's wrong?” Denise jumped up when Lena came into the room crying.

“It's over. It's over.”

“Lena â¦”

“I go over there to show him my tattoo, and he practically has a bitch sitting in his lap.”

“Lena, come on. Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. I am so glad Cooley talked me out of getting that tattoo.”

“Lena, you know how women are. They are just hoes.”

“Right, Dee, I know that a bitch is going to try anything, but he should have known better. I just want to go to sleep.”

Denise wanted to beat the hell out of Brandon, but she knew it wasn't her place. She turned the TV onto
Will and Grace.
Lena called Denise her “Will.”

Two hours later there was a knock at the door. Denise opened it to see Brandon standing there.

“Is Lena here?”

Denise opened the door.

Lena sat up in the bed. “What are you doing here?”

“Lena, you are the only one for me. There was only one way I could think to show you.” Brandon pulled his shirt off.

“Brandon!” Lena put her hand on the large cross on his biceps. Her name was tatted above it. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

Denise felt sick to her stomach.

Chapter 8

Denise awoke to the sound of the phone ringing at 4:23
A
.M.

“Hello,” she answered, pissed that anyone would be calling so early.

“Baby.”

She could hear her mother's voice on the other end. She instantly got knots in her stomach.

“Tammy, what's wrong?”

“Dee . . .” her mother started sobbing.

Denise knew right away it was Mema.

Denise's whole body went numb; she hung the phone up and instantly started crying.

She picked up the phone and called Cooley. There was no answer. She called Carmen's phone. Also no answer. She started to panic; she needed to get to the hospital and didn't know who else to call. There was only one other person she could try.

“Hello.” Lena sounded groggy.

Denise could hear Brandon cursing in the background. Denise couldn't speak; she just started to cry.

“Lena.” As soon as Denise got her name out, she broke completely down.

“Denise, Denise.” Lena's heart started beating fast. “Denise, please talk to me. What's going on?”

“Mema . . .” That was all Denise could say; nothing else would come out.

“I'm on my way.” Lena quickly got up and put her clothes on.

“Oh hell no! Where the fuck are you going?”

“Baby, she's my friend. Something is wrong with her grandmother; I have to go to her.”

“Where is Cool or that other girl? Why she got to call you?”

Lena had started to notice Brandon's sudden insecurities when it came to Denise.

“Brandon, not now okay. Don't do this. She is my friend, and I am going. I'm sure if she called me there was no other person to call.” She kissed Brandon and walked out the door before he could respond.

Denise and Lena ran into the hospital. She found her mother standing in the hallway, crying.

“Tammy,” Denise called as her mother looked up.

“She's holding on, waiting on you.”

Before Tammy could finish her sentence, Denise ran into the room. Mema was lying in the bed; she smiled when she saw Denise's face.

“Dede,” Mema whispered.

“Don't talk, Mema.” Denise shook her head to tell Mema not to leave her. Tears rolled down her face. She could hear the heart monitor going slower and slower.

“Dede, look in that drawer, and stop all that crying. Remember I'll be watching you.” She moved her head.

Denise held Mema's hand as the nurses removed all the machines.

Mema was gone seven minutes later.

Denise held Mema's hand, crying. She couldn't let go. She didn't want to let go.

She looked up at the drawer Mema told her to look in. Inside she found a letter. She read it.

My Dede,

You are the most important person in my life. When my own children were not there for me you always were. Your mother did the most important thing in the world when she gave you to me. I love you and I want you to stay strong forever. Do not let my leaving the Earth stop you from completing your goals. I want you to finish school and become the first one in our family to graduate college. Continue basketball. I always loved watching you play. You are so good.

And, last, I want you to open your heart up again. Don't let one person stop you from loving again. I don't care if it is a man or a woman; I just want you to love. You have a big heart, and someone deserves to feel all the love that you always showed me. You keep your friends close. Cooley and Carmen are your family, and I always want you to remember that just because they are not blood does not mean they are not your family. I love both of them as though they were my grandchildren as well. Please let them know that. I love you forever, Dede. I'll forever watch over you.

Mema

Denise held the letter close to her heart and took a deep breath. She knew Mema wouldn't want her crying. She dried her eyes and finally let go of her Mema's hand.

Outside the hospital room, Lena looked at Tammy. She could tell she was Denise's mother. They had the same height, but her mother was frail; the drug usage had worn her body.

Tammy looked at Lena. “Hi, I'm Tammy, Denise's mom.”

“Oh, I am Lena. I'm her roommate.” Tammy's eyes widened.

“So you the roommate. You wanna get some coffee with me?”

They headed down to the cafeteria. Lena didn't know what to think of Tammy.

“You know, me and Denise ain't close. I hate it, but it's true. I been messed up awhile with thangs, but I'm getting my life together now.”

“I understand.” Lena just agreed, she really didn't understand. She came from a very wealthy family; her mother and father were still together and very happy. Denise was the first less fortunate person she'd been close to.

“I hate that my baby been through so much 'cause of me. The rest of the family, they fucking assholes, treat her like shit 'cause she special. You know she is the first in our family to go to college?”

Tammy added sugar to her coffee.

“Um, yeah, she told me. Denise is very special.” Lena headed to the vending machine.

“Yes, she is. Damn shame what that girl did to her. Made her so hard now.”

Lena knew something had happened in Denise's past. She always wondered why she never dated anyone.

“Oh, I didn't know about any girlâ”

“Yeah, some girl she fell in love with. She did my baby wrong because she didn't know what she wanted. Denise has never given another girl the time of day, well, until you.”

Lena stopped in her tracks. Did she hear Tammy right?

“I'm sorry. What do you mean, until me. Um, do you think me and Denise are dating?”

“No. I know you're not. You got a boyfriend, right, football player.”

“Basketball.”

“Yeah, see, that's what concerns me. Denise finally likes someone, and it's a girl that she will never have.”

Lena started to feel funny. Could Tammy be telling the truth? Did Denise have a crush on her?

“Um, ma'am, I assure you, I don't think you're right about this. Denise has never expressed anything to me, and we are just friends.”

“If that's what you think. Just as long as you make sure to keep that clear, maybe she won't fall anymore for you.”

“I really don't think it's anything like that. Has Denise said this to you?” Lena had to know if there was any truth to what was being said.

“No, she hasn't, but when your name is brought up, I see the way she looks. I know she likes you, much more than she will ever say.” Tammy grabbed another cup. “Let me get my baby some coffee.”

“Oh no. Denise doesn't drink coffee; I got her an apple juice.”

That statement made Tammy look up. “Well, you sure do know her very well, I see.”

“Well, we are roommates.”

“I guess so.”

They headed back to the elevator.

“So, are you sure that you are completely all about your boyfriend?”

Lena really didn't want to answer the question; the whole conversation was making her very uneasy.

“Yes, ma'am. I'm more than sure that we are getting married.”

“Good. Well, please remember that, because I don't want my baby getting hurt. I think she has been through enough without adding the drama of a curious girl trying to make her into her own little experiment.”

Lena didn't respond, she just looked at Tammy.

They made it down the hall just in time to see the nurses bringing the machines out of Mema's room.

Denise walked out of the room. She looked drained. She laid her head against the wall.

Lena's heart was breaking looking at her roommate in so much pain.

“Denise.” Lena put her hand on Denise's shoulder.

Denise turned around and looked at her.

“I am sorry for keeping you out so early in the morning, but if it's possible, can you take me to my gran's house?”

“Of course, anything.”

They headed to Mema's house in complete silence. Denise stared out the window the whole time. Lena didn't know what to say, so she just drove.

They pulled up into the neighborhood. Mema's street was one of the few well-maintained streets in the neighborhood. The rest were very run-down. The only reason that street looked decent was because nothing but older people who had owned the houses for years lived on the block.

The house was very small; it was smaller than the guest house at Lena's parents' home in the Hamptons.

“Just give me a few minutes,” Denise said as she opened the front door.

The inside was very neat. It hadn't been dusted in a long time, but you could tell the house usually was very neat.

Lena sat down on the plastic-covered couch. She had never actually sat on a couch with plastic on it; she smiled when she thought about the jokes that were made by comedians about plastic on the furniture.

Suddenly Lena heard a loud bang. She ran to the back to find Denise on the ground, picking up boxes that had fallen out of a closet. Lena started to help her.

“No, I got it. I got to do it myself.” Denise was shaking.

Lena felt helpless. “Denise, please just let me help you.” She grabbed Denise's hands and put her arms around her.

“No, I got to be strong, I got to be.” Denise started to cry, and went limp in Lena's arms just like a little child.

“It's okay. You are not weak, you are very strong, and you deserve to cry, so just let it out.”

Denise continued to cry.

Lena helped her up and walked her over to the bed. She pulled the covers back and had Denise lay down. She pulled Denise's shoes off of her; she had done that plenty of times for Brandon when he was too drunk to do it for himself. She covered her up and turned the light off to go into the other room.

“Lena,” Denise called out.

“I'm not going anywhere. Just into the other room to lie on the couch.”

“No. Please, don't leave me alone in here.” Denise pulled the other half of the covers back.

Lena took her shoes off and climbed into the bed.

Denise put her arm around Lena and pulled her close. They cuddled and fell asleep.

Lena couldn't believe it, but she actually felt good in Denise's arms. She was glad to be there to help her through her time of need.

BOOK: Choices

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