Careful of the Company You Keep (4 page)

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Authors: Angie Daniels

BOOK: Careful of the Company You Keep
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“What's all that noise on my goddamn porch?” Nita said as she moved to the door. Sponge rollers in her hair. Dingy-looking housecoat and raggedy house shoes she wore every day, even to the grocery store. As soon as Nita spotted me standing on her porch, she bunched up her squinty eyes. “What yo boney ass want?”
“Nita, I came to talk to Ron.”
“You got a lot of nerve showing up here. He don't wanna talk to you.”
I glared at one and then the other. “I don't have time to be fooling with either of yo ghetto asses. I came to speak to Ron!”
“Bitch, don't be on my porch yelling!” his sister screamed.
I noticed the neighbors next door had come out of their house and were standing on the porch listening to the exchange. At least there would be witnesses if anything was about to go down. “Go get yo brother and I won't have to scream.”
Ursula made a show of pulling off her jewelry. “Mama. You would want and go get the Vaseline.”
I took a step closer and she took a step back. I laughed. Ursula couldn't fight and knew it. Hell, everyone knew it after she got her ass beat down by the woman her baby's daddy was now living with.
Ursula and I started shouting in each other's face. Nita got a big kick out of the whole thing and moved out onto the porch, took a seat, and lit up a joint. By the time I had my fist balled up and was ready to take a swing, Ron came to see what all the commotion was about. His right arm was in a sling and his face looked like meatloaf.
“Can we talk?” I said between breaths.
He didn't answer, just opened the screen door and stepped out on the porch. Tears burned at the backs of my eyes. Damn! My brother Kee had done a number on him.
Only seconds after Portia told him Ron had raped her, Kee tracked Ron down in Church's Chicken parking lot, yanked him out of his car, then beat him down with a crowbar. Rumor had it that Ron had been in a coma for three days.
“Can I please talk to you in private?” I asked. I was trying not to smile but was so glad to see him. I wished what happened to him never happened, but I had every intention of making it up to him as soon as we got home.
Hmmm, maybe I'll grill us some steaks.
Ron moved out toward the curb, then turned and lit a cigarette. “All right, talk.”
I glanced over at the porch where his mother and sister were both watching. I glared at them, then turned back toward him. “Can we go somewhere more private?”
“Nope,” he answered as he took a puff. “You either tell me whassup or I'm out.”
Damn, he wasn't making this easy for me, was he? I turned so my back was facing them. “I know you're not the father of Portia's baby.”
Ron tossed a fist in the air so fast, I jumped back, afraid he was trying to swing at me. “I told you from the get-go
I ain't touched that girl
!”
“I know, I know, and I'm
soooo
sorry I didn't believe you.”
“Are you sorry for yo brother and his boys jumping my ass? That's what I want to know.” He glared at me.
“Yes, I didn't mean for any of that to happen.”
He took another puff. “So . . . if I held you down while my cousin Twin came over and whupped yo ass, we'd be even, right?”
Hell nah! His cousin just got out of jail for attempted murder and was crazy as hell. I glanced over my shoulder at his people and rolled my eyes. “Listen, I'm trying to apologize.”
Ron leaned forward and the muscle at his jaw twitched the way it did anytime he was pissed off. “And what's that supposed to solve? You and I were trying to do the damn thang, but you wanted to believe that trick over me even when I swore to you on my daddy's grave I ain't touched her mothafuckin' ass.” It was quite evident in his face that he couldn't stand Portia.
“She
is
my daughter.”
“And I
was
your man.”
I smiled, then put on my seductive voice. “And as far as I'm concerned you're
still
my man. What can I do to make it up to you, boo?” Even beat up he was fine as hell. I was ready to beg if I had to.
“You betta not forgive her!” Ursula yelled from the porch as she passed the joint back to her mama. I glared at her and wanted so badly to pick up a brick and toss it at her wide forehead. “What you looking at?” she asked.
“You, bitch! Now what?” While I waited for her to respond, I watched a yellow Mustang pull up in front of Nita's place.
Ron leaned over and gave me the look that I loved so much. “I need to know how sorry you really is.”
I returned my attention to him and took a step forward so our thighs brushed. Damn, he smelled good. “Boo-boo, I'm very, very sorry.”
“You are? Well, check this out. You know what I want you to do?” He leaned in closer. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn he was going to kiss me.
“What, boo?” I asked while licking my lips.
Before I saw it coming, Ron cleared his throat and sent a big wad of spit that landed on my cheek. “You can get the fuck out of my face! That's what you can do. You lucky I don't hit women, 'cause I feel like stompin' yo ass.”
“Hell naw!” Ursula shrieked.
It was then that a woman with long blond locks climbed out of the Mustang, chuckling like a hyena. “Baby, you ready?”
“Yeah, I'm ready.” Ron tossed out his cigarette butt, then turned on the heels of his white sneakers and hopped into the car.
Spit slid down my cheek onto the concrete. Ursula and Nita screamed with hysterical laughter. The neighbors joined in. I was so embarrassed I climbed into my Durango without saying a word and headed home to find it empty.
3
Renee
Five months later
We were already pigging out on homemade chips and salsa when my girl Kayla Sparks finally arrived at El Maguey. She headed in our direction and I have to say, she looked fabulous in a wool pantsuit she bought last weekend at Lane Bryant. Her face was glowing with excitement. Shit, I ain't mad. With a man who was not only wonderful, but
fine
as hell, life for her was definitely sweet.
“Hey, sorry I'm late, but my boss waited until four-thirty to tell me he wanted me to get a letter out tonight.” Kayla slid on the bench next to my partner-in-crime Danielle Brooks, then reached for a handful of chips. “What I miss? I know y'all were gossiping about somebody.”
I met her gray eyes from across the table. “Yeah, John's faggot ass. He's been blowing up my phone all day.”
Kayla gave me a weak smile. “Maybe it's important.”
Danielle laughed. “Yeah, and maybe he's no longer screwing that fag and wants to get back together.”
“Won't know unless you talk to him,” Nadine Baker singsonged.
I glanced at all three of them, then stuck up my middle finger. “Fuck y'all. We don't have anything to talk about. Unless of course he's ready to give me a divorce so he and
Shemar
can get married.”
Nadine gave a cross between a laugh and a snort. “You're sick.”
“No, John's the one who's sick. Booty bandit.”
Danielle started laughing and we all joined in. It felt good being able to finally laugh about this shit, because five months ago it wasn't that funny.
I sipped my drink and glanced at my girl Nadine, who was sitting to my right. Sick? How the hell could she talk about anybody? Her big-titty ass just came out of the closet less than three years ago and was now trying to have a baby with her woman. “Nadine. What happened at the clinic last week?” Her face dropped and I almost felt sorry for bringing it up. Remember I said almost.
“Jordan lost the baby.”
Okay, now I really did feel sorry for her. The couple had spent thousands of dollars trying artificial means of inseminating Jordan, who was in her early thirties and wanted desperately to have a baby. Nadine already had a grown son and was knocking on forty. I knew they could afford it, but damn, enough was enough. I already told Nadine what to do. She just doesn't want to listen.
Kayla gave her a sympathetic look. “I'm so sorry. What are you and Jordan going to do now?”
Nadine shrugged. “We're looking at some other options.”
Danielle looked over at me with a raised brow. I reached for another chip, then repeated what I've suggested so many times I was starting to think that maybe Nadine was hard of hearing. “I already told you what to do. Find a sperm donor who's willing to do it the way it's meant to be done. Some plain old-fashioned fucking.”
“Renee!” Kayla's high yellow ass turned three different shades of red.
I gave them all an innocent look. “What's the big deal? It's not like Jordan hasn't ever had dick before. Why keep wasting all that money? Shit, give that money to me and
I'll
find you the perfect man. Then all Jordan has to do is let that mothafucka fuck her long enough to bust a nut, then send his ass on home.”
Kayla shook her head like I was one of her kids. “Girl, do you know how many diseases are out there?”
I gave her a dismissive wave. “So have him go get tested first. It's a helluva lot cheaper. Buy that negro a six-pack and a box of chicken and he'll be happy as hell.”
Danielle choked on her drink and laughed along with me. Unfortunately, we were the only two who thought the shit was funny.
I could see the shock on Kayla's face. “You're stupid.” Leave it to Kayla's holy ass to find something wrong with what I said.
“I think it's a wonderful suggestion.” I turned to Nadine. “You and Jordan really need to give it some thought, seriously. Go rent that Spike Lee joint
She Hate Me
and you'll see what I'm talking about.”
Nadine stared down into her drink as if she was embarrassed to reply. “To be honest, Jordan is so desperate, she's actually thinking about doing what you suggested.”
See, I'm really not crazy.
“Good.”
The waiter arrived and Kayla ordered a virgin drink. As soon as he left, she clapped her hands merrily together. “Well, I've got something for all of you to gossip about.”
Leave it to her to try to change the subject. “What?” I asked.
“Jermaine proposed.”
“What?” We all squealed like teenagers.
Nadine's smile returned. “Oh my goodness! When did this happen?”
“Last night. I've been dying to tell someone but I wanted to tell all three of you at the same time.” Kayla reached inside her purse and removed a platinum three carat diamond ring and slipped it onto her finger. She must have taken it off before walking into the restaurant. That's definitely what I called bling-bling.
I was impressed. “Hell nah! That shit is blinding!”
Kayla was beaming with pride. “This ring is so heavy I'm afraid my finger is going to fall off.” She giggled.
Nadine gave her a scolding look. “Shame on you. I am so happy.”
“So am I. I never thought this day would come.”
“Let me see.” Danielle reached for her hand and took a closer look. “It's beautiful! I knew there was a man out there for you. You just needed to find him.”
Tears started running down Kayla's cheeks. “I know. Jermaine is the best thing to ever happen to me.”
My eyes started to burn and I frowned. “Quit before you make me cry.”
“Shit, she's going to make us all cry,” Danielle replied as she dabbed at her eyes.
Kayla was one of my closest friends. She had come from a dysfunctional household with a mother with low self-esteem and a habit of letting men use her. Kayla and her sisters inherited her traits. Kayla went through life letting men take advantage of her and ended up with two lowlife baby daddies. After a dead-end relationship with a shady Baptist minister who ended up murdered, Kayla finally came to her senses and realized love had been standing right in front of her. She was just too stuck on stupid to notice until five months ago.
The waiter returned and took our orders. We'd been coming to this authentic Mexican restaurant for so long I knew the menu by heart. By far, El Maguey has the best margaritas and tamales in town.
“So when is the big day?” Danielle asked after our waiter moved to put our order in.
Kayla rested her elbow on the table, wearing a dreamy smile. “I don't know. We talked about getting married in September, but I really don't know if I can wait that long.” She paused and dropped her eyes to the table. “I'm afraid if I don't marry him tomorrow something is going to happen and I'm going to lose him.”
I pursed my lips and rolled my eyes. “Kayla, that man loves you. Shit, the size of your ring proves that. Quit thinking so negative.”
“I know. I know. I just can't believe that something this good is happening to me.”
“Well, believe it, girl,” Danielle said with encouragement.
Kayla gave us an uncomfortable look, then reached for another chip.
That's Kayla for you. Always thinking that she doesn't deserve any goodness in her life. That's from years of fucking around with a no-good penis-dick minister who told her that her fat ass wasn't worth a damn.
Kayla is a
big
girl. Always has been. But she is a beautiful woman, especially on the inside, even though she doesn't think so. Hell, look at Mo'Nique—that sistah is fat, but so beautiful and confident and can dress her ass off that you forget about her size and all you notice is what's on the inside. Kayla has so much going for her. She's got a vanilla complexion, gray eyes to die for, and long cinnamon hair. She's just a healthy girl, but like I tell her all the time, men like a woman with a little meat on their bones. Hell, look at me, I'm thick—ass, legs, and no breasts.
Nadine touched Kayla on the arm. “It's your big day. When would
you
like to get married?”
Kayla shrugged.
“How about a June wedding?” Danielle asked as she tapped an acrylic nail on the table.
She frowned. “No, my cousin's getting married then.”
“Okay, how about July?” Nadine suggested.
I nodded. “July is nice. It's also one of the busiest times of the year. If you're going to do a July wedding, then we're going to have to start planning right away because March is right around the corner.”
Danielle agreed. “Yep, that's five months away.”
“I'll help.” Nadine was so excited you would have thought it was her gay ass getting married.
“Hopefully all of you will help me,” Kayla replied, then glanced around the table. “I can't do this without my three best friends.”
We all nodded in agreement.
Here it was, one of my best friends was getting married while my ass was one step away from divorce. I guess I could be a party pooper and say marriage is for the birds, but I know that isn't true. I just haven't found the right man yet. But damn, how long is it going to take? My ass has already been married three times.

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