CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ayana
I'd never been a dumb bitch and I damn sure wasn't about to start now. I knew that nigga didn't just get up and want to leave his family. Especially his daughters; they were his fucking life and he made sure everybody knew that.
I needed to find out more about what college bitch he was fucking around with. I remembered Tiana saying she was going to investigate. A week had passed and I hadn't heard anything from her. I dialed her number and her phone rang until the voicemail came on. I hung up and called back and this time she answered.
“Hey, chick. What's going on?” she answered with a slight attitude.
“Damn, what's wrong with you? Don't tell me that nigga pissing you off already.”
“Nah, I'm just tired. What's going on though?”
“I just wanted to know if you found out anything about Ant and the bitch he fucking with.”
“Nah, I ain't had time to really find out anything. I asked a few of my girlfriends, but they didn't know either.”
“Oh, okay, well, that's all I needed to know. Get some rest. I gotta go.”
I hung up the phone before her ass could respond. I didn't know what was going on with that bitch, but I swear I didn't like her motherfucking attitude.
I have a feeling I'ma have to check that ass soon
.
Real soon.
Niggas always underestimate a bitch but, see, a hurt bitch is a dangerous one. I dialed Tahj's number because I was curious about what he was talking about the other day. Fuck that, I was ready for whatever.
“Hey, love, I thought I would never hear from you again. I was in my feelings for real. I thought you took the dick and threw me to the side.” He chuckled.
“Nah, I just been dealing with some personal shit lately. Ole' boy talking about he moving out and shit.”
“Shit, let that pussy nigga go. You 'ont really need that nigga around. I already told you that.”
“Yeah, I'm done for real. You said the other day that you wanted to holla at me about something?”
“Yeah, yeah. Shit, I need you to let me know where that nigga and his boys keep that work. Me and my niggas wanna run up in there.”
I took a long pause. So that's what this nigga wanted. He wanted me to help him set up my baby daddy.
“Listen, I got ten stacks for you if you help me pull this off.”
The mention of money got me wet instantly. Then I also remembered how cold Ant had been to me lately. I smiled before I spoke. “I know there's a house out in Stone Mountain. It's off Hairston; matter of fact, it's on Redan. I've only been there twice to pick Ant up.”
“Oh, shit, love, that's the one I'm talking 'bout. Shoot me the address.”
“Hold up, nigga. I ain't no fool. Run my money first before I give you that address. Shit, your fuck was good, but not that motherfucking good.”
“Damn, love, you harsh as hell. I like that though; that's the kind of attitude that makes my dick hard.”
“Nah, I ain't harsh. I'm just not no fool. Bring me my money tonight and we can talk. Text me when you're ready and I'll tell you where to meet me.”
“A'ight, I got you, love. See you soon.”
I hung the phone up. I was excited. Shit, I could go shopping tomorrow with that ten stacks, stock up on some new shoes and purses. Ant ass was going to have a rude awakening when he found out his spot got hit.
Oh, well, that's his motherfucking problem. He will soon find out that he done crossed the wrong bitch!
* * *
I decided to drop the kids off at Mama's. I knew lately she'd been fussing about watching them, but I was stuttin' her. Shit, she should've been happy to have my damn babies around her half-drunk ass.
I knocked on her door, waited about five minutes, and no one came. I started banging harder; I knew her ass was in there because her car was parked in her parking space.
“Who the hell knocking my door like that?” she hollered.
“Ma, open the door.” I was past annoyed with her ass.
“Well, hello. You need to call before you pop up over here. I could've had company over here.”
“Ma, cut it out. Don't nobody want your ass except Daddy.”
“Hey, babies, give your nana some love.” She turned her attention to the kids.
I walked in and put their bags down. She turned to me and spoke, “What's all this here? They ain't staying.”
“Come on, Mama, I have a date tonight.”
“A date? It's about time you started looking for another man.”
“Yes, Mama, we all know how much you dislike Ant.”
“Dislike? I don't dislike him. I just always thought he was too good for you. You just like yo' mama: you like a variety of âyou know what.' It takes a special kind of man to deal with you and that fella didn't seem to fit it.”
I wanted to choke her ass for talking like that. I was nothing like her; she was a drunk who liked to fuck for a can of beer. I would never sell my pussy for beer. She had me all the way fucked up.
“When was the last time you seen that child you used to have here with you? What's her name again?”
“Tiana, the daughter you wished you had,” I replied sarcastically.
“Child, hush. You've always been jealous of me and her relationship. I sure hope you've outgrown that foolishness,” she scolded.
I wanted to entertain that bullshit, but I didn't want to upset her, 'cause when she got upset, she started drinking. “A'ight, Ma, I got to go. All their food and stuff is in their bags.”
“A'ight. You better be on time to pick them up. If not I'll be calling the people.”
I kissed my kids and ran out the door. I loved that woman, but sometimes she just didn't know how to keep her mouth shut. She was the same woman who taught me that if you didn't have anything good to say not to say anything at all. I shook my head and walked off to my car.
My mind raced back to when I was growing up. My life was fine up until the point when Tiana moved in with us. My mother treated that bitch better than she did her own flesh and blood. I used to sit back and watch the shenanigans take place. To this day I harbored ill feelings toward that bitch 'cause she came into my life and tried to take it over.
I got home in no time, took a shower, and got dressed. I had no idea what time Tahj was going to hit me so I wanted to be ready.
This nigga better not be playing and he better have my money.
As soon as I got out of the shower, my phone was ringing. It's funny how niggas are always late, but be on time when it involves fucking or something beneficial to them. “Hello. You ain't playing huh?”
“Nah, love. I'm dead serious. Where you wanna meet at?”
“Let's meet at the Red Roof Inn on Panola, right off the exit.”
“Bet.”
“I'll see you in a little while and, Tahj, please have my money.”
“Love, I got you.”
I didn't know if I believed him, so I looked in the drawer and pulled out my little friend. I didn't really trust this nigga 100 percent. I just prayed that he was planning to do nothing stupid. God knows that I had to come home to my kids. How the fuck would that look, me up in the hotel with my baby daddy's rival?
I put on a pair of Aeropostale shorts and a T-shirt. I also put a hat on my head to hide/disguise my looks. I didn't want to risk anyone seeing me with this nigga. I grabbed my keys and sprinted out the door.
I was nervous, but I was determined to get this money. I swallowed my fear and drove into the hotel parking lot. I got a room, then texted him the room number. I lay on the bed patiently waiting. I put my little friend under the pillow that I was lying on. I wished I had something to drink to calm my nerves. My stomach felt kind of queasy. I thought about leaving and going home. That thought was useless now since I heard banging on the door. I jumped up and looked through the peephole. I wanted to make sure he was by himself.
“Hey, love, you look gorgeous as usual.” He smiled at me.
“Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself,” I said as I locked the door behind us. “So, do you have my money? I need to see it and count it before I open my mouth.”
“Damn, love, you aggressive as fuck. That shit turns me the fuck on. We gon' talk business, but first let me tap that ass really quick.”
Lord knows I wasn't tryin'a fuck. I just wanted to get this money and get out of here. “Damn, babe, I thought you was just gon' give me the money and get the info. I ain't in the mood to fuck,” I whined.
“Bitch, I said I wanna tap that ass.” He stood up and pointed a gun at me.
I blinked twice. I couldn't believe that he went from sweet to this cold, detached person. “Damn, babe, chill out. I was just saying that Iâ”
“Bitch, shut up. Now take off your fucking clothes and run that pussy,” he demanded.
I thought about grabbing my little friend from under the pillow, but I wasn't sure I would make it. “Tahj, don't do this,” I cried.
“Bitch, shut up! I know that bitch nigga had something to do with you acting like you want to fuck wit' a nigga. See, I know the motherfucking game, so I came over and gave you the dick. Ha-ha, I would've loved to see that nigga's face if he had walked in when I was laying this dick down.”
I started to cry. I had no idea this nigga was grimy like that. I'd always heard Ant talk shit about him, but on the real I thought he was jealous. Now here I was staring up at a gun. Thoughts of my kids flooded my mind and my heart started to ache. Tears filled my eyes as I realized this nigga was serious as a heart attack.
“Now, bitch, I'ma say this one more time. Take your fuckin' drawers off.”
“I can't. Please don't do this.” I stuttered as I begged him.
Blap! Blap! Blap! He slapped me a few times across my face. My face instantly started burning. I quickly unbuttoned my shorts and pulled my drawers down. I closed my eyes as I felt his hard, dry dick enter me. I wasn't wet, so that made it hurt like hell. He was like a deranged beast as he ripped through my walls.
“Noooooo,” I screamed hoping that someone might hear me and come to my rescue. That wish was useless because that nigga had his way with me until he busted.
“Bitch, you better not open your fucking mouth and tell anyone about this shit. If you do, I'ma kill you, your mama, your baby daddy, and your motherfucking little bastards. You got it?” he warned in a cold, calculated tone.
I didn't say a word. I kept my eyes closed and just kept crying.
“Cut all that crying out. Just the other day you was Miss Big and Mighty. You wanted to get fucked; now you sitting up here hollering like you 'ont love this dick. Bitch, cut it out; and oh, yeah, run that address.”
“Man, you just fucking raped me and now you want me to help you set my baby daddy up?”
“Bitch, I ain't rape you. You got a fucking room and you gave me the pussy. And you can cut out the âpoor little Ayana' act. You was willing to set that nigga up for ten grand; that's why we're here in the first place, remember?”
I continued to cry as I pleaded to God. I just wanted to leave. I wanted to go home to my babies.
“Bitch, run the motherfucking address.” He walked over to me and grabbed my neck. I couldn't breathe as his big, manly hands held me tight. I gasped for air as he tightened his grip. “Now, bitch, you ready to talk?”
I couldn't speak, but I shook my head yes. I realized that this dude wasn't playing any games and I needed to get out of this alive.
Before I could muster up the nerve to tell him, he raised his hand and slapped me so hard that I fell off the bed. “Bitch, I told your ass I ain't playing. Now give me the fucking address before I blow your fucking head off,” he growled.
“It's 1525 Redan Road,” I stuttered, still holding my face.
“This better be the right fucking address. If not, I'll be hollering at your boy and let him know how good yo' pussy is. Now go clean yourself up, ho,” he said and spit directly in my face.
I used my hand to wipe the spit off my face. Tears started flowing. I felt degraded and low. The truth was I wished I hadn't put myself in this situation. I watched as he dialed a number on his phone.
“Yo, the bitch gave me the address. Meet me on Redan in twenty.”
Pop! Pop! Shots rang out! I felt a stinging sensation in my chest followed by pain. I looked down and saw blood spilling out of my chest. I mustered up enough strength to drag myself to my feet. I grabbed my chest as the pain hit me. Everything around me started to go dark. The only things I could think of were my babies. “God, please protect my babies,” I barely mumbled.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Tiana
It was late at night and we were lying in bed relaxing. I kind of loved the idea of my man living with me, even though I was suspicious because he only stayed at the house certain nights. I was ready to check that nigga, but I decided not to because I knew that he was about to give up the streets. I was able to convince him that the streets didn't love anybody and if he wanted to be with me, he was gon' have to get a job. I swore I didn't want to lose my child's father to the streets or to prison.
His phone was on the nightstand and it kept buzzing. He lay there staring at the television as if he couldn't hear the annoying sound.
“Get the phone. Who is that calling you like that?” I said in an annoyed tone.
“Ma, I 'ont know,” he said nonchalantly. The ringing didn't ease up, until he angrily snatched the phone up. “Hello,” he yelled into the phone. “Say what?” He sat up in the bed. “I'm on my way, yo.” He hung the phone up and jumped out of the bed.
“What's wrong, babe?”
“That was my nigga. My baby mama got shot and is at Grady Hospital,” he said and he grabbed his pants, slid into them, and grabbed his shirt, and his keys, and ran out the door.
“Micah,” I screamed, but he was down the stairs and out the door already.
I sat back down on the bed shocked that my fucking friend had gotten shot. The first thought that crossed my mind was the kids. Were they all right? I didn't know who to call to find out what the hell was going on. I continued to pace my bedroom as I dialed Micah's number, but it just rang out. I cut the TV on to see if it was being reported on the news but nothing was on at the moment. I swear, I knew that messing with Micah was wrong, but I damn sure didn't wish death on her.
* * *
Later that night, Micah called me from the hospital. He was furious!
“What's going on, Micah? I tried to call you, but your phone kept ringing out.”
“Ma, this fuck nigga shot my baby mama and now she lying up in the hospital fighting for her life. Word to my mother, he better pray she pulls through, 'cause if she don't I'ma cause havoc on this whole fucking city.”
“Baby, calm down. This ain't the way to handle it. Do you know who did it and why?”
“Ay, ma, no disrespect, but this is the mother of my children. Fuck why he did it. All I know is this bitch nigga done violated her and I have to touch him,” he yelled.
I ain't gon' lie, I was all in my fucking feelings. I knew this wasn't the time to be feeling jealous and shit, but I was. Just a few days ago, he was hollering about how annoying her ass was; now he was acting like he was all in love with the bitch.
Yeah, nigga, I feel fucking disrespected.
I just didn't say it out loud, but I was pissed the fuck off.
“A'ight, I'ma hit you later.” He hung the phone up.
Was I being selfish? I didn't think so. I was hoping she made it out alive and well, but I didn't think my man/ baby's father should have been getting himself all worked up over a piece of pussy he claimed he didn't want anymore.
That night I lay in bed feeling lonely and missing him. I tried calling him, but the phone kept going to voicemail. I was fuming with anger and resentment. How could he leave me and his baby alone and go out in the streets playing Captain Save a Ho? I just hoped this bitch didn't get my man in any kind of shit that could cost him his freedom or possibly his life. “God, please protect my baby out in them streets,” I whispered before I dozed off.
* * *
I was tired of sitting around waiting to hear what happened. I needed to know that she was going to be all right. I knew that it would look crazy if I didn't show my face. The last thing I needed was for people to start suspecting anything. I got dressed and decided to stop by her mother's house. I was pretty sure she still lived in the same house that we used to stay in when I was younger.
I parked and walked to the door. I rang the doorbell and waited.
“Hello? Oh, child, it's you. Long time no see.”
“Yes. I've been meaning to come by and see you.”
“Well, I guess you heard what happen to Ayana. Some coward ass done tried to take my baby from me. My one and only child.” She busted out crying.
I stepped in and hugged her tight. I hated to see her in so much pain. She was a second mother. Shit, fuck second; she was the only person I could really call Mother. Even though she stayed drunk, she kept a roof over our heads. For that alone, I'd forever be grateful to her.
After a few minutes, she managed to get the crying under control.
“So what really happen and how is she doing?” I quizzed her.
“Well, the doctors say she gon' pull through, but she was lucky that the hotel people found her. A few minutes later and she would've been dead,” she said as she trembled while I held her tight.
“What? Hotel? What the hell happened and who would want to hurt her? I just saw her the other day. She didn't mention that she had a problem with anybody. And where were the kids?”
“Luckily, I had the kids so they were not in harm's way.”
“So do they know who did it?”
“Yes, she said some boy's name, but you know I don't know them young people's names. I told my daughter a long time ago to leave that damn thug alone, the baby daddy, that is. If you ask me, I believe he the reason why my daughter is lying up in that hospital fighting for her life. I told the detectives that they need to look into him and his cronies.”
At that moment I let her loose. I was irritated as fuck when she mentioned that police shit.
What the fuck my man has to do with this shit and why would she set the police on him?
See I felt bad and all that she was up in the hospital, but I knew damn well that he didn't have anything to do with it.
“Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to go see her.”
“You know that's yo' sister so I'm sure she'll be more than happy to see you.”
“Well, I will see you then. By the way, where are the kids?”
“The kids are here with me. Their daddy is at the hospital with her so that's why I'm here. They keep asking for their mama, but I can't bring myself to tell them that their mama is in the hospital. It's really sad, you know.”
“Yes, it is. I got to go see her.” I gave her a hug and jetted out the door.
I jumped in my car and pulled off. I swore I hoped Micah didn't get himself into no bullshit. What the hell was she doing at the hotel and who was this dude who shot her? I knew there was only one way that I would get these answers and that was to go to the source itself.