Scarlett (4 page)

Gwen kept eating. She didn’t even look up at Scarlett.

“Sis, just eat up before your food gets cold.” Scarlett pinched off of her chicken. She was proud of Anton for trying to get the family together, but tonight wasn’t the night. She didn’t feel like sitting across from a woman who cared more for herself than she did for her children. She thought about Gwen choosing drugs over them and sleeping with men to get high. She hated her mom and didn’t think sitting at the table eating chicken would make her feel any differently about her.

She pushed the plate away from her and scooted back in her seat. She sighed heavily with contempt for Gwen just being in her presence. “I’m sorry, Ant. I just can’t do this tonight.” She knew it would hurt Anton’s feelings, but at the moment, she was trying to protect hers.

“It’s a’ight, Sis. If don’t nobody else know how you feel, I do.”

Gwen finally looked up from her plate. Her jaws were packed with food. She had crumbs around her mouth and on her clothes. Her eyes were bulging and her skin was a dingy brown tone, as if she hadn’t washed in a few days.

“What the fuck do y’all want from me?” Gwen yelled. Food flew from her mouth. Anton stopped eating. He knew that the tension between Scarlett and Gwen was about to erupt. “Y’all are some selfish ass children!”

Scarlett grinned. “Selfish? I know good and well your crack head ass didn’t just call us selfish! Your son, who was born with drugs in his system because of YOU, went out of his way to buy us dinner this evening and you got the nerve to call us selfish? You must be fucking kidding me right now.”

Gwen stood up. “I don’t know what the fuck you want from me, Scarred!”

“I want you to stop calling me Scarred! Let’s start with that shit first!”

Scarlett hated being called Scarred by Gwen, because this was her way of demeaning her character. Since Scarlett was old enough to remember, Gwen called her Scarred. The word scarred, to Gwen meant a lasting aftereffect of trouble resulting from her suffering and being traumatized for life since the day Scarlett was conceived.  

“How the hell do you think that not calling you Scarred is going to make you feel better? If I don’t feel better, then you shouldn’t either.”

“Here we go with this shit again,” Anton sighed.

“Damn right! If I got to remind her every day that she scarred me for life, then I will!” Gwen jerked her neck as if she meant business. She was pissed.

“Need I remind you why you were raped and beaten half to death the night you got pregnant with me?”

“I don’t need you to remind me of shit!” Gwen yelled.

“Really, Gwen, whose fault is that?” Scarlett questioned. “If you weren’t out in the ally trying to rob a bitch of his drugs, then that shit wouldn’t have ever happened! Take some responsibility for that shit!”

“I did take responsibility by having your sorry ass and raising you!” Gwen yelled back.

“Gwen let’s face it. You didn’t raise me; the streets did. You didn’t feed me; the streets did. You didn’t make me attend school; I DID! You ain’t did shit for me, but cause me headache and heartache with your selfishness and your guilt ridden past. Get over it, will you!” Scarlett pointed her finger in Gwen’s face. “I always knew you didn’t like me, but I’m the same person who is taking care of your sorry ass now. I could just put your ass out in the streets, pretty much how you’ve done Ant and me all of our lives. If I did, it would serve you right, ya know.”

“You ain’t gotta put me out, because I’ll leave!” Gwen screamed. “I don’t give a fuck about you and your little smart ass mouth! And get the hell outta my face, because you don’t scare me, Scarred.” Anton stood up because he knew he was going to have to break up a fight between them.

Scarlett laughed. “I’m glad I don’t scare you, Gwen, but you scare the hell outta me standing here looking a hot mess. If it wasn’t for Ant being worried about you being out in the streets, you would’ve been gone.” Scarlett turned to walk off then stopped as she looked back. “I don’t have time for this because you’re not gonna change. Do me a favor, will ya. Go take a shower and brush your teeth because both your ass and your breath stank.”

Anton tried to hold in his laughter. It was funny how Scarlett let Gwen have it. He knew Scarlett was speaking the truth, but deep down inside, he still held a soft spot for their mama, regardless of what she did and how she acted. 

Scarlett had been lying across her bed for the last thirty minutes. She was annoyed by the confrontation that she and Gwen had, but was determined not to let it blow her night. An argument like that one was very normal for them, and happened at least once a week. She thought about Jay with Sheila and sighed with disgust. She hated both of them at the time, but knew she’d have to eventually get over that feeling because Sheila was her best friend, and Jay, well Jay, was someone she enjoyed fucking.

The doorbell rang.
Who could that be?
She heard Anton ask who it is. Scarlett then heard Samantha’s voice as she walked inside their home. Samantha was Sheila’s seventeen-year-old sister and she’d been coming by to see Anton for almost a month. Scarlett didn’t know how they managed to hook up with each other, because they were such opposites. Funny thing was that Samantha was really crazy about Anton, and he liked her a lot too. After hearing a distant conversation between them, Samantha knocked on her door.

“Come on in,” Scarlett called out. Samantha entered the room.

“Hi Scarlett, your brother told me you were in here.”

“Hey Sam, what are you up to tonight?”

Samantha sat down on the side of Scarlett’s bed. She liked Scarlett, because Scarlett kept it real and was nice to her, unlike her sister. “I just stopped by to pick up Anton. We’re going to the movies tonight.”

“The movies, huh? What has my brother done to deserve that?”

“He’s a cool guy and I like him. He doesn’t treat me like a baby, but more like a lady, and I respect him for that.” Samantha was very grown for her age, although her mom and dad treated her like she was still a baby. She was spoiled rotten. Scarlett even knew that Sheila was resentful because Samantha got more attention than she did.

“No wonder my brother has been around here all smiles this evening. He even bought us dinner.”

“Yeah, I know, but he told me that he’ll never buy chicken again if it’s gonna cause that much drama the next time.” They laughed.

“What is Sheila doing?” Scarlett asked.

“She went out with this fine dude named Jay. I believe he works at the shop with y’all.”

“Yeah, I know Jay. I thought your sister was just playing about going out with him.” She was trying to see if she could get some information without seeming like she was being nosey.

“For some reason, my sister seemed different before she left. She was all perky and ready for this date. I’ve only seen her giddy like that when she’s with Mike. I don’t know what has gotten in her. It’s like she changed in a matter of minutes.”

Scarlett put on her fake smile.

Anton walked into the room and interrupted them. “Are you ready?” he asked Samantha.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” She stood up and looked around the room. “Scarlett, you should think about cleaning up. Maybe you’ll feel better,” she laughed and walked out following Anton.

Maybe I should, but I just don’t feel like it!

__________

It was eleven at night and Scarlett had just gotten out of the shower. She was exhausted from a long day of drama. She walked back inside her room and decided she would lie down and get some rest. She sat on the side of her bed and popped another Xanax. The feeling the pill gave her was a calm high, and she enjoyed it when she could. She laid her head back on the pillow and pulled the covers up around her neck. She knew that Anton was out with Samantha, so he wasn’t anywhere getting into trouble, and she really didn’t care where Gwen was. All she wanted to do was relax and get some much needed rest. As soon as she closed her eyes, her phone beeped with an incoming text message.

“Damn!” she muttered, sitting up and grabbing her phone.

Can I cum thru and c u? J

Wow, what the hell is he texting me for?
She decided she’d call and ask him herself. The phone rang twice and he answered.

“What’s up Scarlett?”

“I thought you were busy tonight?” she asked.

“I was, but I wanna see you now.”

“What happened? My girl wouldn’t give you any pussy?” she teased.

“I wasn’t gonna try her like that on the first date. Why you trippin’ anyway? You know you want me to come lay in that fat pussy.”

“Sorry boo, not tonight. Maybe you should’ve tried my girl, because you ain’t getting any over here. I’m tired of you treating me like I ain’t good enough for you. My hair may not be long and I may not get my nails and toes done every week, but I’m still a lady and I have feelings.”

“Scarlett quit acting like that. You know I don’t be trying to hurt your feelings. I just don’t want people to know we mess around.”

“And why is that Jay?”
Just be honest
.

“Because…”

“Because what?”

“Scarlett, why are you trying to start with me?”

“I already know what it is, Jay. Since you don’t want to say it, let me help you out.”

She cleared her throat. “I was born on the wrong side of the tracks for one, and because of that you feel I have a terrible past. I don’t look decent enough to be seen with you in public because my clothes aren’t name brand and my hair ain’t relaxed or straight enough for you.” She paused. “Come on out with it, Jay. Just be honest about it.” Jay got quiet, but all she wanted to do was make him say something nasty about her so she’ll have a reason to let him go and be with Sheila.

“Don’t worry about it, boo. I hope you enjoy dating, or whatever you call it, with Sheila. As long as you’re talking to her, I’m not going to see you again. Oh, except for work, that is. Enjoy your night, because I’ma enjoy mine, playing in this hot pussy that you want so bad.” Before Jay could get another word out, she hung up the phone.

Damn, that felt good
.

Chapter Five

The next morning, Scarlett woke up refreshed. The alarm clock went off at 7:00 a.m. and she immediately turned it off and got up.
This is the last day I’ll shower in the other bathroom,
was her thought as she grabbed her robe and her bath towel. She was calling the landlord as soon as she could, to make sure he’d be sending someone over to fix her shower.

The house was quiet as she made her way to the bathroom.
Maybe I’ll get in a nice hot shower before anyone wakes up.
She locked the bathroom door behind her and turned on the hot water, mixed with just a little cold.

Naked, she stood in the mirror. Her hair was always packed down in a little sandy colored ponytail. She would attempt to put on eye shadow and lip color, but that never helped bring her out much. She stood there trying to find the pretty features she had, because everybody had something going for them, it was just a matter of figuring out what it was.

Scarlett turned and looked at her butt in the mirror. She had mad donk with wide hips and the perfect size 38C breasts. Her waist was small and her legs were smooth. She smiled, thinking that maybe her body was her most intriguing asset. She had to work on things that weren’t perfect or pretty about her face, and she was going to start that morning.

She looked at her phone. It was 7:20 a.m. “I wonder if Joan is up this time of morning,” she thought aloud, dialing Joan’s number.

“Hello,” Joan answered.

“Hey Joan, this is Scarlett. I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Sheila’s friend.”

“Yeah, Scarlett, I remember you. What’s up girl?”

“I wanted to know if you would be able to do my hair.”

“When?” Joan asked. She was always booked because it seemed all the people with money went to her.

“Uh, I was thinking like this morning.”

Joan paused. “You know what Scarlett? I had two of my appointments cancel this morning. They were sisters and they had an emergency going on in their family, that’s why I’m still in the bed, but because it’s you, I’ll get on up and see you this morning.”

“Thank you so much, Joan. What time would you like for me to be there?”

“Come around nine. That’ll give me time to get myself up and shower and shit.”

Scarlett laughed. “Sounds good, Joan. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Great, I’ll see you then Scarlett. Oh by the way, are you still wearing the natural look?” Joan frowned because if she remembered nothing about Scarlett she remembered that nappy hair she had.

“Uh, yes. I still haven’t put anything in my hair. I’ve always just worn it natural, and I think it’s time for a change.”

“I couldn’t agree more, and I got just the style for you. I’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks again, Joan.”

“My pleasure,” Joan responded and they ended the call.

Scarlett danced around in the mirror naked. She was tired of looking like a tomboy in a skirt. She was ready to look like a lady and have people talk to her and treat her like a lady. She thought about Sheila and sent her a message.

I’ll be late this morning, friend. I have some business to tend to. Scarlett

Before Scarlett stepped inside the tub, her phone beeped. She reached down to check the message.

Okay, friend. Jay is taking me to work. We had a nice time last night. We’ll talk about it later. Just come in when you’re done, and I’ll tell daddy for you. Superwoman

Scarlett laughed at Sheila’s signature. Sheila could never be a superwoman, because there was nothing really super about her, and she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a cape around her neck.

She stepped inside the shower. The searing water felt like a much needed massage therapy as she stood under the beating drizzle, not wanting to move. She let the water beat her in the face. Her hair was getting a little damp, but she didn’t care, because she was about to get it done by a professional. She grabbed the bath rag and began washing with the Honey Suckle body wash by Bath and Body works. Nina had given it to her days before, and told her that this would surely make her feel good when she washed with it. The smell of the body wash was even more relaxing, and she enjoyed the mental feeling it gave her as the suds ran down her body along with the water.