Big and Aimee: Beautiful Chaos (10 page)

“What if I wasn’t hungry?” she asked him.

“Then you just wasn’t hungry,” Big spat with his back turned toward her.

“What's wrong with you?”

“Ain't shit wrong with me. Just eat your fuckin’ food.”

Aimee smacked her lips, not liking his demeanor. “Why do you have an attitude with me?”

“You pissed me off the other day, and I didn’t like that shit. I don’t know why you blame me for that bitch’s actions.”

“Do you know how embarrassing it was for me to have to fight at a fuckin’ cemetery that I’d just buried my mother at?”

Big gave her a twisted look. “You don’t think I was embarrassed too. What the fuck?”

Aimee released a sigh and remained quiet for a moment. She knew she was wrong for the way she had snapped at Big, so she decided to apologize. “Look, babe, I’m sorry for snapping at you. I was mad and frustrated. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

Big gave her look then nodded.  “Now you see why I didn’t want that bitch to know about you. She does this shit every time.”

“Big, something has to give because I’m too old to be fighting. She needs to be put in her place.”

Big took a sip of his soda and said, “What do you want me to do, kill her?”

Aimee shook her head. “I would never suggest that. Shit, I don’t know, get creative on her ass. She can be stopped. It’s just a matter of finding out how.”

“I gotta plan. I just need to know if you're going to ride with me. If not, then you need to let me know now,” Big said and looked her square in the eyes.

The look Big was giving her caused her body to shudder. She didn’t know what his perception of ride for him entailed, but she knew she didn’t want to be without him. “I’m with you, baby,” she assured him.

“Cool. Have you been sad today?”

Aimee nodded her head without saying a word. For a moment, Big had taken her mind off of the loss of her mother. Aimee hated that he had brought up the subject, but she knew he was asking out of concern.

“Hurry up and eat so we can lay up. I’ll be in the room,” Big announced and then walked away.

After taking two bites of her sandwich, Aimee wrapped it up and stored in in the fridge. She hadn't had much of an appetite lately although her stomach told a different story. She walked back to her bedroom where she curled up with Big and continued to watch movies.

Chapter Seventeen

Big walked up on the porch and rang the doorbell. He was about to visit Tara’s mother so he could talk to her about her daughter. He figured this would be his final resort before he did some bodily harm to Tara. A few seconds later, Zaria answered the door with a huge smile on her face.

“Is that daddy’s favorite girl?” Big gleamed as he picked up her up.

“Yes!” Zaria giggled.

Big walked inside of the house while raining kisses all over her face. It had been weeks since he last saw Zaria, and Big had truly missed her. He walked into the kitchen where he spotted Tasha standing over the stove.

“What's up, Ms. Tasha?” Big greeted her as he took a seat at the table with Zaria on his lap.

She looked back at him and smiled. “What's going on, Big? You only come to see me when shit is going bad.”

Big rubbed his hand down his fade. “Man, you wouldn’t believe what she did this time.”

“Zaria go in the back with Tavon and let me talk to your daddy,” Tasha said and took a seat at the table.

Zaria hopped off of Big’s lap and ran to the back of the house.

“So what happened?” Tasha asked him.

“Do you know her ass showed up at my girl’s mother’s funeral to fight?”

“She what?” she barked incredulously.

“Yep,” Big nodded. “Her ass came up there and showed out. She ended up getting her ass whooped, though.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“I’m only telling you this because I’m fed up with her shit. Tara is going to make me hurt her for real and you know I'm capable of it,” Big said, giving her a cold stare.

Tasha looked him in the eyes and could tell that he meant every word he’d just said. Not only was Tasha disgusted with Tara, but she was also fearful for her. She knew what type of family Big was attached to, and she didn’t want her daughter caught up on the losing end.

“I’ll talk to her. I promise you won’t hear another thing from her ass,” she assured him.

Big nodded. “So how long do you have Zaria? Can I take her for a little while?”

“I have her for the weekend, so you can take her for as long as you’d like.”

“Okay cool,” Big said and stood from his chair. “Zaria, come on!” he yelled.

Zaria emerged from the back with glee. Big picked her up and walked out of the house. Tasha grabbed her phone and dialed Tara’s number. After three rings, she answered.

“Yeah, Mama?”

“Did you go to someone’s funeral and start a fight? Have you lost your got-damn mind?” Tasha shouted into the phone.

“Ma, it’s none of your business.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me! I ain't got time for this,” she said and hung up on her mom.

Tasha looked at the phone, stunned that Tara had actually disrespected her by hanging up on her. Tasha angrily jumped from her seat, grabbed an extension cord, and then her car keys. She stormed out of the house and got inside of her car. Tasha broke every speed limit known to man as she made her way to Tara’s house. When she finally arrived, Tasha got out of the car without taking the keys out of the ignition. She walked up to the door and repeatedly rang the doorbell.

Meka answered and said, “Hey, Auntie.”

“Hey auntie, my ass. Move out of the fucking way,” Tasha snapped, pushing her way inside.

Tasha went through every room in the house and found Tara in her bedroom Tasha wrapped the cord tightly around her hand and swung at Tara’s face.

“Arrgghhh! Mama, stop!” Tara shrieked, instantly feeling her face swell up.

“I see you’ve forgotten who the parent is, but I'm about to remind your stupid ass,” Tasha yelled and continued to strike Tara with the cord.

Tara could feel her skin burning from the painful whips. Meka looked on in terror as Tasha beat Tara like her life depended on it. She wanted to help, but she didn’t dare step in the middle of that horrifying scene.

“Move your mothafucking hand!” Tasha yelled.

“Mama, stop,” Tara begged, trying to grab the cord from her mother.

Tasha snatched it out of Tara’s grasp and whooped her for another three minutes before stopping. Tasha looked down at Tara who was on the floor, weeping. Tara was so glad that her mother had stopped because she was on the verge of passing out from the excruciating pain her body was feeling.

Tasha pointed to her and said, “Now you listen to me, you little bitch. You are to leave Big and his girlfriend alone. If you don’t, I will go to court and testify on Big’s behalf and tell them how much of a bad mother you are.”

Tara looked at her mother with worry in her eyes. “You wouldn’t,” she challenged her.

“Oh, yes, I will. You wanna play dirty? Well, let me show you how dirty I can get. How would like for Big’s girlfriend to help raise Zaria, huh?” Tasha taunted her.

“Mama, you're so damn evil. Why would you help him when I'm your daughter?”

“Bitch, you ain't no daughter of mine acting like you don’t have any sense. Now mark my words, if you go near Big or his girlfriend, Zaria will be taken. And the next time you hang up on me, I’ma bring more than this fucking extension cord.”

Tasha walked out of the room and left a crying Tara on the floor. Meka ran over to Tara and helped her onto the bed. Meka didn’t know what to say to Tara because deep down inside, she knew that Tara had needed to hear that. Meka decided that she was done being Tara’s partner in crime. After being tased, Meka knew she didn’t want any more problems with Big and his people.

“Are you okay?” Meka asked a sobbing Tara.

Tara stopped sobbing briefly and smacked her lips. “Bitch, does it look like I'm okay? Get out of my room,” she snapped.

Meka rolled her eyes and walked out of the room. She grabbed her purse and left the house.

****

Asia had just gotten out of bed when she heard her doorbell ring. She wondered who it could be since she wasn’t expecting any guests. She looked out the peephole and saw Dinero standing there. She hurried and opened the door where she was met with a bouquet of flowers. It warmed her heart to see that he was there to see her.

“You gon’ let me in?” Dinero asked in his usual rude manner.

Asia moved to the side to let him in. Dinero handed her the flowers and watched as she inhaled the scent,

“Aw, Dinero, this is really sweet of you. I wouldn’t expect this kind of gesture from you. Thank you,” she said as she gave him a sideways hug.

“My mama told me to buy you some flowers, so I did,” he said and went to take a seat on the couch.

Asia smacked her lips. “I knew your mean ass didn’t do this on your own,” she spat as she threw one of the flowers at him.

Dinero laughed as he dodged the flower. “Aye, all that matters is the gesture. You're ungrateful as hell.”

Asia smirked and rolled her eyes. Asia hadn't seen Dinero since her mother’s funeral. Lately, all she had been doing was sleeping thanks to her sleeping pills. Ever since her mother’s death, Asia had been having a hard time falling asleep, so she relied on a sleep aide to keep her from staying up all night. Asia was trying her best to get through this difficult time, but she found it to be easier said than done. Whenever Russell or Aimee would call, she would act like she was fine, but at night, images of Jovelyn’s lifeless body haunted her. She would pray every night to God to help her escape those terrifying thoughts.

“Asia,” Dinero said, grabbing her attention.

“Huh?”

“I asked you how you were feeling. You can’t hear today?” he asked.

“Shut up.” Asia walked over to the sofa and sat next to him. “I’m okay.”

Dinero looked at her intently before shaking his head. “I don’t believe you. I know you're fucked up about your mama dying. You don’t have to front for me.”

Asia looked away quietly. She didn’t want to talk about her current state of mind, so she changed the subject. “So how have you been, rude boy?”

“I've been chillin’.”

Asia gave him a knowing look. “You’ve been with other women?”

Dinero reached for her remote and turned on the TV. He looked at Asia and said, “Yep.”

Asia scrunched her face up. “Ewww! Why?”

“Because I love pussy, Asia,” he said and laughed.

Asia didn’t find anything funny. She pushed him, not liking his blunt words. No, they weren’t a couple, but she didn’t like that he was fucking other women. It frustrated Asia that she was feeling this way because she was usually the one that played games with men. The fact that Asia had caught feelings for Dinero left her upset with herself.

“What the fuck are you getting mad for? You know how I am,” he joked.

“You think everything is a damn joke. Well, it’s not.”

Dinero held in his laugh as he watched her pout. He found it amusing that she was becoming jealous. “Asia, what's your problem? I thought you were cool with being my friend,” he said as he rested his hand on her thigh.

“I don’t know about that now.” She swiped his hand off of her leg.

Dinero nodded and stood to his feet. “I’m about to bounce. Enjoy those flowers,” he said and left.

Asia huffed and crossed her arms across her chest. Seeing Dinero leave caused her to become irritated. Yes, it was her who agreed to become his friend, but she didn’t want Dinero to think it was cool for him to tell her about his sexual escapades. Frustrated with the way their time had been spent, Asia got up and decided to go back to bed so she could sleep off her anger.

Chapter Eighteen

Big had just walked out of the courthouse and was headed for his car. It was the first court date for his custody case. This date was set to determine placement for the child. Since Big wasn’t fighting for full custody, the judge determined that Zaria should remain with Tara. It tickled Big that Tara thought she had won some kind of award when it was ruled that Zaria would stay with her. He knew on their next court date that her disposition would be very different. The judge scheduled their next date for another two months which left Big annoyed. That would mean that his visits with Zaria would be few and far between.

Big was on his way to see his mother. She had finally gotten through the withdrawal stages and was ready for her visits. Big was excited to see his mother sober. Lately, he’d been feeling overwhelmed with everything that had been happening in his life. From not being able to see Zaria to Aimee’s mother dying, Big felt a lot of weight on his shoulders, so he was definitely looking forward to conversing with his mother.

Big used the drive to smoke and get lost in his thoughts. His life was always a fast ride, and he loved it. Recently, Big had been feeling the need to slow down, especially with Toi. Guilt had begun to plague his mind because he knew that Aimee would be hurt if she were to ever find out about Toi. He didn’t want to hurt Aimee, especially since the recent passing of her mother. But, on the other hand, Big felt a certain obligation to Toi since they’d had history together. No, he wasn’t in love with Toi, but he had a lot of love for her. Big honestly looked at their situation as if he were just helping her get her rocks off until her husband returned home. He didn’t have an emotional attachment to Toi like he did with Aimee.

Big arrived at the rehab facility and got out of his truck. He walked inside where he signed in and then was escorted to the visiting room. He took a seat and anxiously waited for Elle to come in. After five minutes, Elle walked in with a bright smile on her face. Big stood and hugged her tight. He stood back and took a good look at her. Her hair was flat ironed and her skin was starting to come back to life. Elle looked refreshed, and Big was glad that he didn’t smell the scent of alcohol on her skin.

“Damn, Mama, you look healthy.”

“I’m started to feel it too,” she said as she took a seat.

Big took a seat across from her, elated to see her trying to get her life in order. “So, Mama, have you been feeling better?”

Elle nodded. “Yes, but the first two weeks were horrible. I was throwing up all day. I had a fever along with chills. I thought I was literally dying, but I’m getting better. I'm not one hundred percent, but slowly, I’ll get there.”

Big smiled at her words. He was happy that she was at least trying. “I’m happy to hear that. The last time we spoke, I could tell that you weren’t feeling well.”

Elle sighed. “No, I wasn’t. But that’s enough about my boring life. How is your girlfriend doing? I know you told me her mother was killed in a car accident.”

“She’s trying to get better, but it’s hard for her because they were real close. It’s funny that I had just met her mother, and then the next week or two she’s dead. It’s crazy.”

Elle shook her head and looked out the window. She knew all too well what a death in the family could do to someone. It was one of the reasons why she was in rehab now.

“You think you can bring her to the next visit? I want to meet her and see why you're so smitten by her,” she teased.

Big smirked at his mother’s remark. Elle had never met Aimee. Big didn’t want Aimee to see how fucked up Elle was, so he had kept her away. In the early stages of their relationship, Aimee had questioned why he didn’t want them to meet. When he was comfortable enough with Aimee, he told her about Elle’s addiction.

“If she's feeling better, I’ll bring her.”

“Okay. Tell me about the custody case.”

Big released a deep sigh and sat back in his seat. “It’s not much to tell right now. I just came from court and the judge granted Tara placement for Zaria. The next court date is when I’ll get my set days with Zaria, but I'm irritated that its two months away.”

“Two months? Boy, you're doing good. Those custody cases can be lengthy, so consider that a blessing.”

“I guess. I'm just trying to get this over with. I don’t even wanna tell you what Tara did.”

Elle waved her hand dismissively. “Please don’t. Nothing she does surprises me anymore. What's wrong with you, though? I can tell there’s something on your mind,” she said as she grabbed his hand.

“Ain't nothing wrong.”

“Come on, Mama’s big man. Something is bothering you.”

Big put his head down on the table. He was contemplating if he wanted to tell his mom about him cheating with Toi. He figured it wouldn’t hurt to hear her advice.

Big lifted his head and looked at her. “I’m kinda in a situation. You know about Aimee, but I have someone else who I've been dealing with.”

“I thought you were in love with Aimee, though.”

“I am. I love her a lot. It’s just that the other girl has been around for years, and she understands me and my lifestyle. The thing with her is that she’s
married
.”

Elle shook her head disapprovingly. “Dakaden, that sounds very messy, and it could turn into something even messier,” she warned him.

“Ma, that’s what I've been thinking about lately. I've been having the urge to get out while I can.”

“So who do you want to be with?”

Big scrunched his face up. “Aimee. I'm not trading her in for nobody.”

“Well, you need to give her all of you. Women don’t like to share just like men don’t. Would you like for Aimee to have someone other than you?”

Big glared at Elle, and she laughed. He didn’t find her question funny at all. If another man were to even touch Aimee, Big would kill her and him for sure.

“Mama, stop playing with me.”

Elle laughed some more before becoming serious. “I’m not playing. You shouldn’t be greedy and play with someone’s emotions.”

Big nodded his head, agreeing with her. He didn’t want to hurt Aimee or Toi, but if he wanted to keep Aimee in his life, he knew he would have to get rid of Toi.

Big and his mother talked for another hour before their visit was up. He promised to come see her the following week and left the center. He then made his way to his bar so he and his staff could prepare for the night.

****

Aimee pulled up to her parents’ home and got out. Her father had called her and demanded that he see her. Aimee had been dodging him for the last two weeks, but knew it was time to face the music. She could tell by the tone in his voice over the phone that he had an attitude. Aimee walked inside and was surprised to see Asia sitting at the dining room table.

“Hey, what are you doing over here?” Aimee asked giving her a hug.

“Daddy called me over here. Beware because his ass is on one,” Asia said, trying to warn her.

Before she could respond to Asia, Russell emerged from the back looking a mess. His usually groomed hair was growing out, and he was in desperate need of a lining. His eyes carried grocery-sized bags, and his clothes were disheveled. Aimee could look in his eyes and tell that he was having a hard time just like she was.

“Oh, your ass finally came, huh? Why the hell do I have to threaten you to get your ass to talk to me?” he spat, giving her a mean stare.

Aimee sighed heavily. “Dad, I wasn’t feeling well,” she said and sat at the table. “I’m not feeling good either. You're not the only one, shit. Now why the hell were you two fighting at the cemetery?”

“I was only helping her,” Asia said as she pointed to Aimee.

Aimee gave Asia an evil eye, not liking that had placed the blame on her. “That girl was Big’s daughter’s mother. She came to start trouble.”

“
His daughter’s mother
? How many kids does he have?” Russell asked.

“Just one,” Aimee said, not liking the way the conversation was going.

“So that’s what you like dealing with? You were really sitting up there fighting right after your mother was buried,” Russell hissed.

Aimee cut her eyes at her father. “Daddy, please don’t start with me. You don’t think I was embarrassed by that. You act like I asked that trick to come up there.”

Russell plastered a furious look on his face. “Don’t tell me not to start some shit with you when I had to apologize for y’all’s fucking actions. And what kind of man is he to allow you to fight over him? He’s a fucking scrub.”

“Daddy, he was trying to break it up,” Asia said.

“Fuck that! It shouldn’t have happened in the first place! You don’t need someone like him that’ll have you fighting in the street over him! Find someone with no baggage!” he barked at Aimee.

Aimee stood and looked down at Russell. “I know that you're my father, but I'm grown! You don’t run my damn life! I can date whoever the hell I want to date! You will never have a say so in my love life!” she shouted.

Russell stood and got in Aimee’s face He immediately knew that her feelings for Big were deep if she was disrespecting him. “Who the hell do you think you're talking to? I’ll slap the fuck out of your little ass up in here!”

Asia hopped up from her seat and got in between the two. She didn’t want to see her father hit her twin. “Y’all need to chill out. Daddy, I know you ain't call us over here to be trying to slap somebody.”

Russell gave Aimee one more stare then stepped back. “I actually called y’all over to tell you that I'm selling the house.”

“What?” Aimee and Asia shrieked in unison.

“I can’t stay here anymore. It’s depressing being here all alone. I smell her scent everywhere. I can’t sleep at night because she’s on my mind. I can’t do it,” Russell said as tears dropped from his eyes.

Asia went over to hug him while Aimee just stood there and looked at him. She didn’t realize how staying in his home was affecting her father. At the same time, Aimee was attached to this house because she had grown up in the home.

“Daddy, you don’t have to sell it. Why don’t you just move out and rent it to someone?” Aimee suggested.

“I don’t want any parts of this house,” he protested.

“But, Daddy, we grew up in this house. It’ll be hard for us to part ways with it,” Asia explained.

“Well then, you pay the damn property taxes.”

Aimee smacked her lips. “Why are you being such a jerk about it?”

“Because y’all don’t get it and I’m not about to sit here and explain why I don’t want to live here,” he shot back before he got up and went to the kitchen.

Aimee shook her head as she watched him leave the room. It seemed like Jovelyn’s death had brought out the worst in Russell. Aimee hated the way her father was acting an opted to leave. She had already had a terrible morning with a crying episode, and she was unwilling to let Russell add to her stress.

****

Dinero stumbled into his house at around two-thirty in the morning. He had been out drinking with Kiyan and was past the legal limit. He clumsily took off his clothes and shoes and staggered to his bed. Dinero fell on his back and looked up at the ceiling. Ever since he had walked out on Asia, she had been on his mind heavily. He didn’t know what it was about her that made her arrest his thoughts all day and night. Maybe it was her alluring sex appeal or her honest demeanor. Whatever the case was, Dinero couldn’t stop himself from wanting her.

When Asia had gotten upset with him that day at her house, Dinero hadn’t known how to react, so he decided the best thing for him was to leave. Once again, her reaction had scared him and Dinero honestly didn’t know how to respond to her. Looking back on things, he felt bad for leaving, especially when she had just suffered the loss of her mom. Dinero hadn’t realized that Asia’s emotions had been in disarray, and he should’ve comforted her instead of run away. His words may have been too honest for her at the time, and he should’ve censored his mouth. Deciding that he wanted to hear her voice, Dinero dialed her number.

“Hello?” she answered in a groggy voice.

“You sleep?”

“Nah, I'm sitting here painting my nails,” she shot sarcastically.

Dinero chuckled. “My bad. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“Well, you did. What did you want anyway?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice,” he slurred as he grabbed a pillow and put it under his head.

“Are you drunk?”

“Nah. I’m just a little tipsy.”

“Nigga, the way you're slurring your words, I can tell,” she said and giggled.

“Girl, shut your fat-cheek ass up,” Dinero kidded.

Asia burst into a fit of laughter. “Why are you always talking about somebody like you're the shit? You have flaws too. I just don’t point them out like you do.”

“Man, I'm flawless. Ain't that what Beyoncé’s overrated ass be saying?”

“I guess, but she is
not
overrated,” Asia countered.

“Whatever. Aye, I feel like shit for walking out on you the other day.”

“You are shit. I just happen to like your shitty ass even when I don’t want to.”