Enough Of The Drama (4 page)

   “Cassidy come on let’s go.” China wanted nothing more than to cuss Marcus and Ciara out but she knew it would upset Cassidy even more. Besides she knew it wouldn’t be of any use because it was clear they both had made up in their minds that they wanted to be together at all costs.

   “No! Marcus please don’t make me leave,” she begged making one last attempt to save her marriage. “Please don’t make me leave.”

   Marcus wouldn’t even look at her. He continued to rest his head in Ciara’s lap. The show of affection cut Cassidy deep. She couldn’t remember the last time she and Marcus touched each other affectionately.

   Cassidy simply nodded her head in final understanding. China grabbed her arm and began guiding her to the door. She’d finally come to the harsh reality that she couldn’t make Marcus love her. Without looking back she turned and walked out of her home.

Chapter 4

   Cassidy continued to stare out the window crying uncontrollably. Her chest heaved rapidly up and down as she allowed her anguish to be released through her tears. Her heart hurt and the pain was unbearable. She let out a gut wrenching howl and pounded the dash board. China pulled over and grabbed her sister hugging her tightly, gently rocking her back and forth.

   “How could he do this to me China?” Cassidy cried as she held onto her sister for dear life.

   “I don’t know Cas. I don’t know,” China answered unable to keep her own tears tucked away behind her eye lids. “It’s going to be okay Cas, I promise. You will get through this; you’re going to be okay.”

   “I can’t make it without him,” Cassidy sniffled.

   “Don’t talk like that. You don’t need him Cas, remember that. He needed you. If it wasn’t for you he wouldn’t be where he is today. And the way he treated you today clearly shows that he doesn’t appreciate or deserve you.”

   “I just want it to go away. It hurts China. It hurts.”

   “I know Cas, but remember weeping endureth for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Remember that? And remember that song mom always likes to sing.”

   “Yeah I remember.” Cassidy whispered.

   “She told us to sing it whenever we were feeling down just think of that song.”

   “Yeah,” Cassidy sniffled.

   “Come on Cas sing it with me. It’s one of your favorites,” before Cassidy could object, China begin to sing. “Even though your winds blow, I want you to know. You caused me no alarm because I’m safe in his arms. Even though your rains fall I can still make this call. Let there be peace, now I can say goooo away. I command you to move today. Because of faith I have a brand new day. The sun will shine and I will be okay. That’s what I told the storm.”

   Cassidy smiled because her sister hasn’t sang in years. Her powerful and angelic voice along with the message behind the words temporarily put her mind and soul at ease. She listened until she cried herself to sleep. China wiped away her tears and kissed her sister softly on the forehead, she could identify with her pain of losing someone. But in Cassidy’s case she deserved so much better. She’s truly a sweet and genuine person with a big heart. Marcus should rot in hell for what he did to her today.

   “It will be okay Cas, I promise,” she whispered as she put her truck in drive.

   China pulled up to her parent’s house and took a deep breath. Cassidy was still asleep. She looked so peaceful and she didn’t want to disturb her, but as soon as she opened the door Cassidy jumped.

   “Aarrgh,” she moaned grabbing her head. She had a pounding headache.

   “Well, since you’re awake, are you ready?” China asked.

   Cassidy looked towards her parent’s house. She sighed not ready to deal with her mother. “Not really but I might as well get it done and over with.”

   “Hey babies!” Pearl beamed greeting her daughters at the door. Pearl was a short petite red bone, with a feisty attitude. She was still attractive at the age of fifty-five and she knew it too.

   “Hey Ma,” China said giving her mother a hug.

   “China you just skin and bones,” Pearl said squeezing China’s arm. “You ain’t on that bag is you?”

   “
Mommy
!” China said a little embarrassed.

   “I’m just checking. I’m still your mother. And what’s wrong with you?” she asked taking note of Cassidy’s red and swollen eyes.

   “It’s a long story Ma,” China said.

   “Well, I ain’t got no place to be,” Pearl said stepping aside allowing the girls to enter.

   Cassidy shook her head because nothing has changed since they were kids. Pictures of them as kids still lined the walls and decorated the end tables. Their mother still had that same worn out leather sofa. They couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t let that couch go. It looked terrible, it was fading in spots and it still had pen marks from where they use to write on it as children. So when they had company over their mother would throw a nice silk sheet over it, thinking it would make it look nice.

   “So are you girls going to tell me what’s going on or what?”

   “Mom when are you going to get rid of this couch?” Cassidy asked.

   “Don’t try to change the subject. And this couch is just fine, mind you.”

   “Marcus left Cassidy for Ciara,” China blurted out. Cassidy shot China an evil look, China shrugged her shoulders.

   “Ci- who?” Pearl asked.

   “Ciara,” China replied.

   “Ciara who?”

   “Ciara Adams, your middle child. And on top of that he made Cassidy move out and he wants custody of Junior.”

   “What! Wait a minute you can’t be serious. Hold on, its about to get
Poppin
like Chris Brown said. Humph and I ain’t tagged nothing in a minute. Cas you alright baby?” she asked taking off her earrings. “China run upstairs and gets my Vaseline.” Pearl didn’t play when it came to her kids. She never cared too much for Marcus anyway. You could call it mother’s intuition.

   “Mom I’m fine, and please don’t go over there. I don’t want to make things worse than they already are.”

   Pearl gave her oldest daughter a sideways glance. “Well China did you at least handle that nigga?”

   “I sure did,” China said nodding her head. “And there’s more.”

   “What else could there possibly be?” Pearl asked out loud.

   “She’s pregnant.”

   “Who is? Cassidy?”

   “No Ciara.”

   “Oh, Lawd! I need my blood pressure medicine. This is some Jerry Springer shit right here.”

   “Can we please drop it,” Cassidy said biting her bottom lip with tears in her eyes. Just hearing China relay the story to her mother made her want to break down and cry all over again.

   “What’s up Ma,” Junior said strolling into the living room. “Are you here to pick me up?” he asked taking note of his mother’s swollen eyes.

   Cassidy turned her head. She couldn’t stand the sight of him; he was the spitting image of his father. It was sickening. She couldn’t look at him and not see Marcus. She felt her heart hardening against her own child.

   “No,” she said still refusing to look at him. “Your father will be here to pick you up later.”

   “Excuse me,” China said rolling her neck. “Are you seriously going to roll over and let him take your child without a fight, after you endured twenty-one hours of labor?” She understands her sister is going through right now, but to just give little Marcus away so easily didn’t sit too well with her. She could at least talk to the poor boy about it and see how he feels.

   “China not in front of the baby,” Pearl interjected.

  
Baby, I ain’t no baby
, Junior thought to himself.

   “Baby, go on upstairs. We’ll call you when your dad gets here.”

   Junior could sense something was wrong from the look on all their faces, but he knew better than to question his grandmother. “A’ight mom-mom,” he replied reluctantly going upstairs.

   Pearl peeked upstairs to make sure her grandson was out of ear shot. “Cassidy is you crazy? Are you really going to let Marcus take that boy?”

   “Mom your acting like Marcus lives out of state or something. Junior is only thirty minutes away. I can see him anytime I want.”

   “I mean do you think it’s healthy for him to live in that type of environment?” China asked.

   “He will be okay,” Cassidy mumbled. She was over this shit, she was ready to go upstairs and put on some Mary J. Blige.

   China shook her head in disgust. “I can’t believe you Cas. You just going to sit there and let that boy suffer while you wallop in your own misery. What about his feelings? You’re not the only one that has to suffer consequences because of Marcus’ decisions. Get it together Cassidy, and stop being so damn selfish.”

   “Whatever,” Cassidy mumbled as she walked upstairs. She would crash in her old room for the night and face her reality once again in the morning.

   “I’m done with this,” China said throwing her hands up in the air. “I’m gone go ahead and go. I need a fi-,” she stopped and looked at her mother.

   “You need what?” Pearl asked raising an eyebrow.

   “Nothin’ Ma. Love you,” she said bending over and kissing her mother on the cheek.

   “Love you too baby. China!” Pearl said grabbing her hand.

   “Yes, Ma,” China said getting a little impatient and agitated.

   “You’re going to have to make a decision too. I’ve been meaning to kick your ass, but you have always been the type of child that had to learn things the hard way. I just hope you do before it’s too late.”

   “Ma, wh-,”

   Pearl held up her hand. “China I ain’t dumb nor am I blind. Believe it or not I got ears in these streets.”

   “Okay Mom,” China sighed.

   “The Pastor wanted me to ask if you will sing this Sunday for the youth service.”

   China rolled her eyes. “Mom you know I don’t sing anymore.”

   Pearl figured her daughter was going to say that, but she thought she’d try anyway. China had a beautiful voice and used to sing at the church often, but since Dre’s death she hasn’t stepped foot in a church.

   “I know but it didn’t hurt to ask,” she missed hearing her daughter sing.

   “Okay Ma I will call you later,” she said over her shoulder as she headed out the door.

   Pearl watched her youngest daughter saunter out the door. She looked up at the ceiling, as she thought about her girls, each born five years apart. They’re grown now and she understands certain things are out of her control. She looked up at the ceiling, “
Lord what am I going to do with these girls?”

Chapter 5

    “Girl, where you at?” Nene screeched into the phone. “I’m standing outside of your house. You better hurry up before I start without you.”

   “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” China said before ending her call and throwing her phone in the passenger seat of her truck. With the way she was feeling she made it to her house within fifteen minutes.

   “It’s about time,” Nene frowned.

   “Sorry girl,
drama
!” China said, fidgeting with her house keys.

   “What happened?”

   “I’ll tell you later,” China lied. Nene was her girl but she’s known for running her mouth. “Just hurry up my nerves are on edge.”

   “So now you wanna rush a bitch?” Nene said sucking her teeth. None the less she pulled out her magic stick and added the needed ingredients to do its trick.

   Both China and Nene quickly made it to the living room and sat down on the living room floor. China rubbed her hands together in anticipation. She greedily sucked on the glass pipe until her jaws were sore. She leaned up against the wall and her muscles begin to relax as she allowed the drug to release the tension from the day’s events.

   “Gimme that,” Nene said snatching the pipe out of China’s hands. “It’s my turn,” she said rolling her eyes.

   “Are you starting at the club tonight?” Nene asked, before wrapping her lips around the pipe.

   “I don’t know Nene, I don’t think I can do it,” China whined getting a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach as she thought about the idea of actually dancing for money. She remembered she would always trip about Ciara taking her clothes for dollar bills and she was two seconds away from doing the same thing.

   China lost her job as a Medical Assistant because of her out of control drug habit began taking over her life. She began to show up at work late, her work ethics began to decline and she failed her drug test. After losing that job she somehow managed to find work as a teller at the local bank. All went well until temptation got the best of her and she started pocketing the customer’s money. She’d stolen close to ten thousand dollars before she got caught. No one in her family knew about the incident and the bank promised not to press charges as long as she agreed to pay all the money she’d stolen back. It was getting hard to pay her debts, bills and feed her current drug habit.

   Which bought her back to the conversation at hand; she’d been looking for a job for the past couple of months with no success. Even the manager at Mcdonald’s smirked at her resume. Her cash flow was low and her habit was getting worse. Nene offered her a position down at Club Dynasty where she worked as an exotic dancer, but she wasn’t too thrilled about the idea. She’d heard some wild stories about that place and didn’t want her name to be affiliated with it.

   “So what you plan on doing then? Run home to mommy like a little bitch.” China gave Nene a warning look. Nene got the message and quickly laughed off her smart remark. “You know I’m just playing with you. But on some real shit though, what are you going to do? It’s been damn near three months since you had a job. I told you Whitey been asking about you anyway.”

   “Whitey,” China said turning her nose in disgust. He was big, sloppy, and black as all eternity. There was nothing cute about him at all except his head full of white curly hair. He tried to get with her a couple of times while she and Nene were out and about but his lack of good looks, and terrible case of halitosis was a turn off.

   Nene shrugged her shoulders. “Soot yourself. Don’t come boo hooin’ to me when your black ass is broke.”

   “Shut the fuck up damn,” China belted mad because Nene ruined her high.

   “Don’t get mad at me,” Nene said sucking her teeth. “I’m just trying to help you handle your bizness.”

   Nene put on a good front of being a good friend but it was far from the truth. As kids she always envied China. In her eyes China had everything she always wanted, the stability of living in a two parent home, lived in a better neighborhood, and China always rocked the latest labels and hairstyles. She even came out on top when she found the better man, Dre. Nene couldn’t even begin to deny the feelings she held for Dre. In her eyes he was perfect. She always longed for Dre to look at her the way he looked at China. She wanted to feel the love he held in his heart for China, but no matter how hard she tried he never wavered. He was loyal to China until the day he died.

   “Whateva Nene,” China snapped folding her arms across her chest, contemplating her next move.

*    *    *

  
“I’m a dirty dance for ya’, gonna shake my ass for ya’
,” China nervously sang along with the lyrics of the ole school jam as she watched Nene do her thing on stage. She was nervous; the perspiration that smothered her armpits was a dead giveaway. She downed the rest of her Gin, slightly wincing from the burn as it glided down her throat.

  
I don’t think I can do this
, she thought to herself.

   “It’s not that bad,” a female voice seductively whispered in her ear.

   China jumped and immediately turned around; mad because she felt she’d just been violated.  It was Spice a regular who has worked for Whitey since the club opened. “I mean can you back the fuck up off me? You invadin’ my personal space.”

   Spice smiled and licked her full lips and ran her fingers through her bleach blonde hair. China was feisty and she liked that. “Can’t help it if I like what I see,” she said boldly eyeing China’s vicious curves in the black fishnet dress she wore.

   “Look I’m just going to tell you one more time and if you don’t get the message by then, I’m just going to let my fist do the talking.” She was disgusted by Spice’s bold manner. She wasn’t cute at all in the face and looked like Wesley Snipes did in drag. The only thing Spice had going for her was her measurements of 36-24-42 with a small waist line other than that if you stuck a fork in her she would be well past done.

   “Oooo, a nasty mouth for such a pretty girl.”

   “Bitch don’t let the pretty face fool you,” China snapped, she was reaching her boiling point. Spice still hadn’t bothered to put any space between them, China balled up her fist ready to make good on her threat.

   “You heard what she said. Back the fuck up,” Whitey spat. “Take your ghetto ass in the back and get ready to go up on stage.” Spice rolled her eyes and smacked her lips as she eyed China up and down, China kindly returned the gesture. “Bitch, smack ‘em again and see what happens,” Whitey threatened. He turned his attention back to the enticing creature before him. He eyed China hungrily praying for a chance to rest in between her thighs.

   “Thanks,” China muttered as she directed her attention back to the stage. Nene just finished her routine and was scooping up her earnings.

   “What’s up chick?” Nene asked fanning herself with her hand. “Get ready because after Spice you’re up next.” China raised any eyebrow and Nene smirked.

   “I don’t know Nene, this shit ain’t me,” China stated seriously having second thoughts. She was no angel by any means and had done some wild shit back in her day, but she never thought she have to shake her ass for dollar bills.
I’m twenty-five years old. I’m too old to be doing some shit like this
, she thought.

   “Stop acting all stuck up and shit. Half these bitches in here never thought they would be shaking they ass, but when push comes to shove a bitch gotta do what a bitch gotta do. You got bills to pay don’t you?”

   China began to nervously scratch her arms and wiped away the snot that kept dribbling down her nose. She needed something to ease her nerves. Whitey picked up on the signs easily. He dug in his back pocket and spread a line across his finger.

   “I got you ma,” Whitey said giving her his pointer finger decorated in white.

   China licked her lips in anticipation and without a moment of hesitation she inhaled the powdery substance. Within seconds she could feel the drug racing through her system putting her mind and body at ease.

   “Thanks Whitey,” she smiled.

   “The pleasure is all mine,” he said licking his lips, while eyeing her seductively. He was use to sampling his meat and China would be no exception. If she wanted to stay then she had to play.
The things I’m gone do to you
, he thought to himself. “You up next. So get ready.”

   China simply nodded her head. She began to wind her hips to a beat only she could hear. She was as high as Bobbi Brown on a good day.

   “Okay gentleman, we have a new houseguest in the building tonight. Please make her feel welcomed and show her some love. Honey, come on out here and show ‘em what you working wit baby,” DJ Mike blasted over the microphone.

   As soon as China heard her name she bounced on the stage without a second thought. The only thing on her mind was Dre and the way she used to perform for him. She walked up to the pole center stage and made it her personal bitch. All eyes were glued to her as she climbed the pole with expertise, before flipping over and landing into a split.

   Nene watched seething on the inside with envy as every eye in the building appeared to be glued center stage, as China continued to do her thing. China was definitely making it rain, which pissed Nene off even more. “She has to win at everything,” Nene mumbled before angrily turning on her heels to change clothes, she couldn’t stand to watch anymore.

   “Your love’s like honey,” China sang along with the lyrics as she continued to dance for Dre. By the time the song was over China was completely naked. She continued to stare at her imaginary Dre, but as his image began to fade she could see the frown on his face as he shook his head in disappointment. “Dre, where are you going?” she yelled as his image faded completely and just like that she was bought back to her reality.

   Guilt and shame made circles around her heart as she looked out into the crowd of lustful eyes. She felt like Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit and became aware of their nakedness. China did her best to cover up her nude body, while scooping up her earnings. She quickly exited the stage and bumped into Whitey. She rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth, disgusted by the goofy grin plastered on his face.

   “Yo’ you did your thing ma. You was really into that shit,” he nodded his head while stroking his chin. “You coming back tomorrow?”

   “Yes,” China lied. They would never catch her step foot inside of that club ever again. She would just have to figure out another way to pay off her debts.

   “That’s what’s up,” he said rubbing his hands together, eyeing her breasts.

   China simply rolled her eyes and did her best to cover herself up. She already felt violated and the fact that Whitey was staring at her like a hot bucket of chicken made her stomach feel queasy.

   “You ready?” Nene asked with a slight attitude. She wasn’t feeling all the attention China was getting.

   “Yes,” China replied.

   “Good let’s go.”

   “Gladly.”

*   *   *

   China stood outside of the
playroom
heated with her arms folded across her chest. She checked her watch, hotter than a bull seeing red. She was ready to go, but Nene had an unexpected visitor who she was now servicing in the playroom. China was approached by many of the customers as well promising to make it worth her while, but she flat out declined. She refused to sell her goodies at any cost; she felt she’d already done enough.

   “Man I wish she’d bring her tired ass on,” China mumbled under her breath. She was about two seconds from barging in the room and asking Nene for the keys. Her feet were begging for a break from the four-inch stilettos she wore. “Damn I should have gotten those keys before she carried her hot ass in there.”

   “You still here?” Whitey asked sneaking up behind her, his big crusty lips scraping her ear.

   China didn’t even begin to hide her annoyance. He’d been eyeing her all night and she’d reached her boiling point. She was ready to put an end to the daydream he had circulating in his head.

   “Damn, what the hell is wrong wit you. Don’t be sneaking up on me like that Whitey,” China said snaking her neck giving off as much attitude as possible. She was already pissed and looking for a reason snap.

   Whitey shook his head turned off by a bitch with a lot of mouth. “Niggas got shot for saying less than shit like that to me. You have a slick tongue lil’ mama, but we can fix that,” he said caressing her cheek with rough hands.

   China quickly jerked her head back and rudely smacked his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” China said giving him her
Don’t fuck with me look
.

   Whitey instantly became irritated and looked at his hand as if it were infected. He was disgusted by her lack of respect for him. His name rang bells in the streets and he wasn’t about to put up with the blatant disrespect especially not from a female. He hated when a woman denied a man of his stature the pussy. When women refused to give him what he wanted he would simply take it.

   “I guess Nene forgot to tell you that every bitch that works for me is obligated to let me sample the pussy. Right now I’m being nice. For that petty shit you just pulled you should be dead right now. It’s up to you ma we can do this shit the easy way or the hard way.”