Get Somebody New (3 page)

“Uh oh, I
know that glow. You’re digging dude hard aren’t you?” I asked.

“Well, he is
nice and fine as hell, but I think he is straight. I can’t tell one way or the
other about him. He is really protective of me though. If somebody even looks
at me the wrong way, he will be all over them with a quickness. I don’t quite
know how to take that. Sometime it makes me feel like he pities me and needs to
protect me from something. Then sometimes it just seems like he is just
fiercely loyal and protective of anyone is his circle. He is a good friend and
I am happy with that.”

“We’ll see
what’s up when he gets here.” Rachel said.

“Okay y’all
be good now.” Zeke joked.

We continued
shooting the breeze and decided to move from tequila shots to margaritas. Jazz
arrived about 10 minutes after Zeke talked to him. Rachel suggested a game of
Charades. None of us could have imagined the wrecking ball of drama that would
come barreling through the rest of the evening.

When Jazz
walked in, Rachel and I looked at each other. Jazz looked like anybody’s
typical street thug. Something looked familiar about Jazz but I couldn’t place
it. Judging from his hard posturing, he probably wouldn’t take too kindly to
anyone thinking that he was even remotely gay.

After a few
shots, Jazz loosened up. It was Rachel’s turn up to the board. As she began to
act out the clues, she looked at me and winked. I knew she was about to do something.
The category was movies. I immediately knew what the movie was when I put it
together with the wink. I let Zeke guess at it until he got it.

“Brokeback
Mountain!” he shouted.

“That’s it.”
Rachel said.

That was the
opportunity to open up the sexuality dialogue and Rachel seized the moment.

“Did y’all
see it? It was a good movie I thought.” She said.

“Yeah, it was
cool. I think it’s a sign that America is becoming more tolerant if a movie
like that can win an Oscar. I think tolerance is a good thing. Jazz what do you
think?” I said.

“Ah well um,
I haven’t seen it. I ain’t too hot on seeing no two dudes getting busy.”

“That was
only a small part of what it was about.” Zeke remarked.

“I understand
what you’re saying Zeke, but just knowing that it has that homosexual element
turns a lot of people off.” Jazz explained.

“Why do
people seem to be scared of gay people, as if they think it’s contagious or
something.” Zeke responded.

“Fags, uh, I
mean gay dudes be checking me out all the time. They know better than to
approach me with that shit though.” Jazz said.

Rachel, Zeke,
and I all looked at each other with a look that said, “Well, that question has
been answered.”

Nadiah

After I
fought with Alton on Valentine’s Day, he left home. I knew he was at his cousin
Zeke’s house, so after a week I decided to go over there and drag his ass back
home if I had to. I made up my face and put on my most flattering wine-colored
dress with a long peek-a-boo slit up the side to show off my long and shapely
legs. I also threw on my wine colored 3-inch, stiletto, “do me” heels. As I
checked my long, brown mane in the mirror, I put the finishing touches on my
lipstick, then blew a kiss to myself and proceeded out the door to go get my
husband.

When I
arrived at Zeke’s, just as I suspected, Alton’s black Lincoln Navigator was
parked in the driveway along with Zeke’s pearl white Cadillac STS, a bright red
Nissan 350Z, and a candy red Cadillac Escalade, neither of which were familiar.
I stepped out of the car and walked seductively toward the house like a true
vixen going to claim her man.

I knocked on
the door and waited. Seconds later Alton opened the door with a surprised look
on his face.

“Nadiah what
are you doing here?”

“I came to
take you home Alton.”

“I am not your
child and you are not taking me anywhere.”

“Alton I
didn’t come to fight with you.”

“Come in, we
have to get some things straight before I agree to come home.”

“Okay.”

When I walked
inside my eyes automatically zoomed in on a woman sitting on the sofa. She was
the typical light-skinned, light-eyed, long-haired bitch I’d seen many times
before. Alton bounced his happy ass over and took a seat next to her and
started grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“Rachel, this
is my wife, Nadiah. Nadiah this is Rachel, she works with Zeke.”

“Nice to meet
you.” I lied as I extended my hand.

She gave
Alton a funny look as she shook my hand and that set me off.

“What the
hell was that for?” I fumed.

“What was
what for?" He asked.

“I saw the
way this bitch looked at you. What the fuck is going on here Alton? Is she the
reason you haven’t been home in a week? Huh? Is
she?”     

“I just met
her a few hours ago. I haven’t been home in a week because of the way you are
acting right now Nadiah!”

“It’s a good
thing I came when I did.”

“You really
have the wrong idea. I am a married woman.” Rachel said as she flashed her
large 7 carat diamond wedding ring.

“Did I give
you permission to speak bitch? You looked at my husband like a pit bull looking
at a meat truck.”

“You ain’t
gonna call me too many more bitches, I know that!”

“What? When I
pull your chain, you bark and not a second before. Do something bitch, since
you so bad.”

“Nadiah you
need to leave!” Alton shouted.

“You need to
shut the fuck up!” I snapped back.

“What is
going on? Oh Nadiah. I thought I detected the aroma of venom.” Zeke remarked as
he entered the room.

“I know you
don’t like me Zeke. Is that why you are having Alton meet women here now to try
to break us up, huh?”

“I am not
running a whorehouse. You are just paranoid because you know you don’t treat
Alton right. If he does leave you I shall gleefully tap dance for a month.”

“Nadiah you
need to leave.” Alton demanded.

“I’ll leave
when you come with me.”

“I am not
going with you.”

“So you’re choosing
this bitch over me?”

All of a
sudden that bitch lunged at me like Wonder Woman. Miss Light Bright caught me
off guard with a palm to my face. Her hand connected with a resounding pop.
Alton jumped in between us before I could hit her back, so I did the next best
thing, I hit him. He pushed me toward the door as I hit him in his head and
back. Once outside, Alton glared at me, then said,

“Nadiah
acting like a crazy woman won’t make me do anything! You are such an
embarrassment!”

“Shut up
Alton! The only reason you want to act like you have any balls at all is to
impress you little girlfriend in there.” 

“For the last
time, there is nothing going on between me and her. Also, I’ve allowed you to
physically attack me for years and never did anything, but it stops today. This
is the last day you will put your hands on me and I mean that!”

“Oh is that
so? Well let’s see.” I said as I swung at him with my open hand.

He caught my
wrist before it connected with his face.

“You are
hurting my wrist.”

“I’m gonna
hurt your ass too if you don’t get in there and apologize to Rachel for
insulting her.”

“Have you
lost your mind? I’m not apologizing to that bitch!”

“You don’t
have a choice.”

“If you don’t
let me go, I’ll have your ass arrested.”

Alton
increased his grip on my wrist and pushed me against the side of the house. He
brought his face so close to mine that I felt his mustache brush against my
face.

“Shut up.” He
whispered in my ear.

“Alton let me
go!”

“I said shut
the hell up! You are going to go in there, apologize, and then take your ass
home. Do I make myself clear? Do I?” He asked as he increased his grip and
pressed me against the warm brick wall.

“Yes.”

“Rachel I
apologize for calling you out of your name. I uh.. ummm I… I’m uh … I’m so..
sor… I’m sorry!”

“Apology
accepted.”

“Now go home
Nadiah. We’ll talk later.” Alton said.

I walked to
my car with my shoes in my hand and confusion in my brain. On one hand, I felt
oddly excited. On the other hand I felt mad as hell that he chose to assert
himself to defend the honor of another woman against me. Thirty minutes later I
found myself at Ingrid’s apartment.

“I went to
talk to Alton and he just went off on me for no reason.” I explained to her.

“He went off
on you? What did he do?”

“Well when I
saw this woman there I politely asked her if she was seeing my husband. Alton
just grabbed me and shoved me outside. He twisted my wrist, slammed me up
against a brick wall, and forced me to apologize to her.”

“Oh hell no.
We are going right now to handle his ass.”

Ingrid and I
went back over to Zeke’s to confront Alton.

Ezekiel

I couldn’t
believe my eyes when I saw Alton put his foot down with Nadiah. I was equally
dumbfounded when Nadiah apologized.

“I’m so sorry
everybody.” Alton said to us.

“It’s good you
finally let her know you aren’t gonna take that violence from her anymore. Is
anyone ready for another margarita?” I asked.

“I bet you
she went straight to Ingrid’s.” Alton remarked.

“Alton do you
notice anything strange about that friendship?”

“I’ve never
really given it much thought. Why?”

“You poor
thing, you haven’t a clue, do you?” I asked.

“Clue about
what?”

“Alton, I
hoped you would eventually see this on your own, but I will go ahead and help
you out. Have you ever noticed that Ingrid can’t stand you?”

“Well yeah,
but she doesn’t have a reason to dislike me. I hardly even talk to her. What,
you think something is going on between them?”

“Nigga, is
rain wet?”

Alton stood
there letting my words sink in. Suddenly loud banging on my front door startled
us. I went to the door, snatched it open, and went off!

“What is your
damn problem?” I said, before realizing that it was Ingrid.

“Where is
Alton?” She fumed.

“He is
minding his business, like you should be.”

“I’ll handle
this Zeke.” Alton said as he stepped behind me.

When Ingrid
saw Alton, she lunged at him and caught me between the two of them. Jazz rushed
forward to break them apart and free me.

Alton paid no
attention to Ingrid, who was standing in a fighting position with her fists up.
He walked out to the passenger side of her car where Nadiah was sitting.

“What the
hell is wrong with you? I don’t know what lie you told her, but you better get
her ass before she gets hurt.”

“You twisted
my arm don’t act like you didn’t.” Nadiah lied with an evil smirk on her face.

“Nadiah stop
lying.”

Ingrid ran up
behind Alton and punched him in the back. He turned swiftly and raised his
fist, but caught himself before he actually hit her. He grabbed Ingrid by her
neck with one hand and scared her shitless. Even though I was about 20 feet
away, I could see the veins and tendons in his arm twisting and flexing as he
squeezed her neck.

“Get your ass
in the truck right now, Nadiah!” He said while unlocking the truck door with
his remote.

“I’m not
going anywhere wit….”

“Git cho' ass
in that truck, now!” He snapped, cutting her off mid-sentence.

“You don’t
have to go with him Nadiah. Get back in the car.” Ingrid said.

“Shut up! You
better go on your way, before I….”

“Before you
what?” Ingrid asked.

“Later for this.”
He said as he picked Nadiah up like a feather and carried her to his truck in
one arm.

Ingrid went
ballistic. She chased after Alton hitting him and shouting for him to put
Nadiah down. Alton, shifted Nadiah into his left arm, turned, and backhanded
Ingrid with his right hand. She hit the ground so hard that dust rose up around
her. After putting Nadiah in the truck, Alton went around to the driver’s side
and opened the door.

“Ingrid No!”
Nadiah screamed, alerting Alton to turn around.

Alton turned his
head right into the barrel of the pearl handled, 9mm handgun Ingrid held a
half-inch from his face.

“What are you
gonna do with that?”

“If you don’t
let her out of the truck, I will shoot you.”

“I’m not
holding her in the truck. My wife wants to go home with her HUSBAND!”

“Nadiah get
out of the truck.” Ingrid said looking past Alton into the truck.

“Ingrid go
home. I’ll be okay.”

“What?”
Ingrid asked.

Ingrid aimed
the gun at Alton’s head with her finger quivering on the trigger.

“Go ahead, I
dare you, dyke.” Alton said antagonizing Ingrid even more.

Suddenly
there was a loud bang and Ingrid was on the ground. It was so fast that I
couldn’t clearly see what happened. I saw Alton’s head bleeding and got a sick
feeling in my stomach. Then a slow motion replay began in my brain. When Alton
saw that Ingrid was about to shoot, he moved quickly. In one fluid motion he
pushed her arm up with his left hand then snatched the gun away with his right
hand. Alton grabbed her entire face with his huge left hand and pushed her
backwards. With the gun in his right hand, he aimed at her.

“I could kill
you right now and no judge would convict me! Get in your car and take your ass
home!”

Alton got in
his truck with the gun and started the ignition. He shook his head as he drove
away. Nadiah had a look of genuine fear on her face. Ingrid, who’d suffered the
ultimate embarrassment, simply staggered to her car and left.