Dirty Lay (23 page)

       “If that is all you may exit using the door furthest to the right.  Have a nice day!” the judge said.

       Ant was pissed and looked like he would have anything but a nice day.  I on the other hand, looked and felt like I had just won the lottery; I couldn’t wait to tell my mom.  When we walked out of the room she immediately stood up because she was ready to get outta here.  As we were walking outside behind Ant she asked, “How did it go in there?”

       I thought,
Damn Mom!  Can’t you even wait until we get in the car!
  But out loud I said, “It went great!  The judge granted me $736 a month starting next month!” I beamed.  Even though I wanted to say what I thought my mama didn’t raise no fool and this lady right here would have definitely shown her ass in public.

       “736 dollars!  Whoop!  Whoop!  That’s good for his ass because I know he’s pissed!  Bout time he takes care of his son!  Niggas like that make me sick!” she said loud enough for Ant to hear.

       He turned around and if looks could kill, we would have definitely been fighting for our lives. 

       “What Muthafucka?  You got something you wanna say?” my mom asked causing a scene.

       I slowly shook my head no at Ant hoping he would just keep walking instead of feeding into my mom’s bullshit.  He looked at me, turned on his heel and began walking until he got to his car and sped off.

       “That’s what I thought you Punk!!” my mom said.

       “Mom, you do know people are staring at you right?” I asked.

       “I don’t give a fuck!  They need to mind their fuckin’ business is what they need to do fo’ they bring the hood out me!” she said embarrassing me even further.

       When we finally made it to the car I was so happy that I breathed a sigh of relief.  A.J. was bouncing around all happy without a care in the world.  I strapped him in his carseat and gave him a kiss on the forehead before I buckled up my seatbelt.  I knew Ant was pissed but I couldn’t understand why.  It’s like the judge said we had a beautiful baby and he was growing fast.  Ant should want to spend time with him while he was young before it slipped away.  As I sat back in the seat I now felt secure that my mom wouldn’t throw me out, at least not right now.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE- ANTOINE

       I couldn’t wait to get in my car because I was about to wring Shaniqua’s mom’s neck for coming out of pocket with me like that.  Her ass was lucky we were in public otherwise they would have been picking up her fuckin’ teeth off the sidewalk.  The judge ordered me to pay Shaniqua $736 a month.  He even had the nerve to put me on blast about wanting a DNA test; where the fuck they do that shit at?  Apparently they did it out here in good ole New Orleans. 

       I needed to get away from here so I called my boss and asked can I go back on the water.  He told me to be at the platform by six and I was good to go.  I thanked him and went home to pack my bags and get ready.  I’m glad I had a cool boss like Mr. James.  Mr. James was a man who loved a hard worker so as long as you showed him you wanted to work, that’s exactly what he allowed you to do: WORK.

       When I got home Megan was at work so I was glad that I didn’t have to hear him lips flapping from her tryna dig information outta me about my court appearance.  Just because we lived together did not mean that I needed her in my business.  I knew that Adrianna was with her mom or at the daycare and I was a little sad that I wouldn’t get to see her before I left but a nigga had to do what a nigga had to do.  I was pissed and needed to get away from around here so I could think of what my next move would be.  I was glad I had fucked Megan this morning because I probably wouldn’t have left here until she got off work.  A nigga like me couldn’t be caught with blue balls.

       I called my mom to tell her that I was leaving and she said okay.  My mom was cool but she didn’t really care when I left as long as I broke her off when I got back.  I parked my car at the yard and headed to the helicopter to get dropped off on the platform.  I hoped when I came back I had a solution as to how I was gonna get out of paying this damn money to Shaniqua every fuckin’ month. 

       I had just gotten to the rig when my phone began to ring.  When I looked at the caller ID it was Megan calling so I sent her a text letting her know I was at work and would be back in three months.  She was pissed because I just up and left without telling her but I was a grown ass man and told her that I didn’t have to answer to anybody.

       I went to put my bags up with Jason, one of the crew members asked, “Did you see the chick they hired to work in the galley Man?”

       “No, I just got here.  They have a chick on the rig?” I asked surprised because I had never seen a female on this rig since I started working here.

       “Yea she’s cute too!  She has a really fat juicy ass too!  I don’t know about you but I just wanna see if I can get a taste of her!” he said.

       “I haven’t seen her so I can’t call it but knock yourself out!” I said.

       I was very surprised to know that a chick was hired to work on this platform.  I mean it was full of men who wouldn’t be going home for months; what the hell were they thinking putting a chick on this rig with fifty dudes?  I made my way to the galley wanting to see this chick that was working here. 

       I didn’t want to make it obvious that I was looking for her so I pretended to be looking for a snack.  I looked around the whole area and didn’t see any female whatsoever.  I wondered if Jason had been drinking before he came on the rig.  As I was leaving the galley I ran into someone because I was looking at my hands as I peeled an orange. 

       “Excuse me,” she said.

       It was at that moment that I looked up and saw the prettiest face I had ever seen.  She had short curly locks, light brown eyes, a cute as a button nose and lips I could imagine sucking my dick. 

       “No, you’re good it was my fault for not looking where I was going,” I said.

       “I’m Rachel,” she said sticking out her hand.

       “Antoine but you can call me Ant,” I said taking her hand.

       “So you work in the galley?” she asked.

       “Nah I work on the deck moving those heavy pipes.  You work in the galley?” I asked already knowing the answer because Jason told me.

       “Yea I start tonight.  I was actually getting ready to take a nap,” she said.

       “Yea, I can understand that.  Working twelve hours straight is a long ass time!” I said.

       “How long you been working here?” she asked.

       “Almost four years,” I said.

       “You like it?” she asked.

       “Yea it’s cool!  It helps me when I wanna get away from drama and shit!” I said.

       “Drama huh?” she asked and I immediately regretted using that word.

       “Not drama per-se but sometimes shit just be crazy in the N.O., ya feel me?” I asked.

       “I guess; well I’m gonna go lie down.  It was nice talkin’ to you,” she said.

       “Oh fa sho!” I said.

       I grabbed a bottled water and went back to my room so I can take a nap myself.  I can’t even lie; that chick had a banging body.  Maybe being out here wouldn’t be so lonely after all.  I walked to my bunk and jumped in for a nap.

       My alarm clock woke me at 5:30 that evening and I brushed my teeth, put on my uniform and made my way to my area to begin my long night.  The job I had was hard work but I enjoyed it and the pay was great so I had no complaints.  The only real complaint I had right now was dealing with this court order for child support.  I didn’t understand how a judge could order me to pay so much money every month to Shaniqua; I mean she only had one kid.  I thought I could stall by asking for a DNA test but that judge saw right through that shit. 

       I walked to the galley area to get something to eat before I reported to my job and saw the new cook.  Damn!  What were the bosses thinking hiring a female to work on this rig with all these men?  Of course she wasn’t the only female but the other female looked like Scooby-Doo in a hairnet; she was a straight dog.  No one paid her any mind because we just treated her like she was a damned nigga; like one of the fuckin’ boys.  So bringing this chick here that looked like an actual female was mad crazy yo!  Rachel was definitely a refreshing sight to see on this rig, even in the company uniform and hairnet.

       Even with that jumpsuit we are required to wear her body was still fabulous.  Her ass looked juicy and like big bubbles that you never wanted to pop as a kid.  I definitely wanted a chance to pop her bubbles now.  This was the one place I could be and keep my dick in my pants, but now I wasn’t so sure I could do that.  I approached her as she was getting ready to sit and eat dinner before her shift began.

       “Hey Rachel, right?” I asked looking unsure of myself.  Of course I remembered her name but it was better to pretend I didn’t.  I had a better chance of striking a conversation that way.

       “Yea, how was your nap?” she asked.

       “It was good, yours?” I asked.

       “Different; I mean this is the first rig I’ve ever been on so I didn’t really get to sleep.  I guess I’m a little nervous being on this rig and not used to the way the water keeps splashing against the rig.  I hope I get used to it soon because twelve hours is a long time to be working without any sleep,” she said looking exhausted.

       “Well if you ever need someone to rock you to sleep, you know where to find me,” I said giving her my best smile.

       “Whatever!” she said.

       “No seriously!  Maybe you need someone to hold you until you get used to it.  If you need my help I promise not to try anything, just offering my assistance,” I said.

       “Thanks but I don’t see that happening,” she said.

       “Okay well the offer still stands if you need me,” I said.

       “Anyway, where are you from and how long you been working here?” she asked,

       “I’m from New Orleans and I’ve been here for three years now.  You from New Orleans?” I asked.

       “No from Metarie,” she said.

       “Oh okay well that ain’t that far.  What made you come work out here?” I asked.

       “The money!  I’m tryna move out my mom’s place into my own and working at Walmart was not doing it for me.  I have been saying though but I want more the lil five or six something I make every two weeks, ya know?” she asked.

       “Yea I feel ya!  I couldn’t wait to move out my mom’s place and into my own,” I said even though I was living in Megan’s place she didn’t need to know that.

       “Well I’m gonna get to work so I’ll be seeing you,” she said as she stood up from the table.

       “Yea I better go too; I’ll see you later,” I said standing up to dump my food tray.

       She turned and smiled at me before she went to the kitchen area and I knew it wouldn’t be long before she and I got better acquainted.  I walked out of the galley area and headed towards my work area when my phone began to vibrate.  I pulled it from my pocket and saw Megan calling again.  I hit the ignore button and placed the phone back in my pocket where it continued to vibrate for the next couple of hours.  I was going to have to call her back and go off on her ass for fuckin’ calling me so much.

       When I first started this job I was a roustabout which meant I was responsible for cleaning, inspecting and maintained the equipment.  Over time I was promoted to driller where I had to operate the drill and keep an eye on the pressure gauges on the rig.  The new job paid a lot more than the old one so I didn’t mind the hard work.

       By the time my shift ended I was exhausted but made my way to the galley to get breakfast before I turned in.  I saw my boy Cripp sitting by himself so I decided I would join him since I didn’t see Rachel in the room.  I grabbed a juice and my food tray and went to sit down at the table.  Not long after I sat down Rachel walked in.  She grabbed a tray and went to sit off in a corner by herself.

       “Man, homegirl is fine!” Cripp said.

       “Yea she is; every time I see her my dick stands up!” I said as we laughed.

       “Well make sure you keep it in your pants because that is not good to get trapped on the water with her if she doesn’t work out,” Cripp said.

       “I’m a big boy and I can handle anything she throws my way,” I said.

       “Alright boy keep that shit up!” he said.

       I gathered my things and went to sit at the table with Rachel.