Life After a Balla (15 page)

Asia’s mind suddenly drifted to her mother. She missed her so much, when she was murdered ten years ago, part of Asia died with her. After her father walked out on them when she was nine years old and they eventually lost their house and were living in the car, her mother vowed that once she got back on her feet she would never trust another man again. She said she would use any and every man that came in her path and she did just that.

Asia actually remembered the first time she saw her mother stealing money out of one of her boyfriend’s pockets. She made Asia stand as look out while she took his money and bank card. Her mother had tons of different men going in and out of her life, and if he she met one who wasn’t paid she wouldn’t give them the time of day.

They finally hit the jackpot when Asia’s mother met Rodney, one the biggest drug dealers in Texas. He fell madly in love with her and soon they were living in his 13,000 square foot home in the expensive River Oak subdivision. Life was good and Rodney spoiled them beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Asia thought her mother had finally softened up about her perception of men. That was until Rodney was busted by the Feds and got sentenced to twenty years. A week after his sentencing her mother moved on and started sleeping with his friend who had even more money. Her lack of commitment was beyond foul. She taught Asia everything she knew about manipulating men and Asia had been following in her mother’s footsteps ever since. However, Asia felt like since she’d gotten pregnant and had the baby she wasn’t on her game.

“I can turn this shit around if everybody would just stop plotting against me,” she said to herself.

Asia had somehow convinced herself that she was entitled to the same thing Skye received and was determined that Sandino was going to pay her at least three or more thousand a month for child support.

She poured herself another cup of vodka and tossed it back. Since the rape, it felt like she was possibly becoming an alcoholic, but drinking kept her in a state of relaxation with all that she’d been though and with the baby constantly crying. At that moment Asia had to wonder if her son’s cranky moods were caused as a result of her tainted breast milk.

Deciding to call Sandino’s lawyer again, Asia grabbed her cell phone off the table and dialed the number. Prepared to leave another message, she was surprised when she finally heard a live person answer.

“Toni Vaughn’s office, how may I assist you?” a new voice answered.

Asia put on her professional voice. “Yes, is Ms. Vaughn available?”

“May I ask who’s calling?” the woman asked.

“This is Mrs…Washington. Mrs. Skye Washington,” Asia lied.

“Oh hello, Mrs. Washington. I was just about to call you. We realized you accidently missed initialing one of the pages on your husband’s paper work.”

Asia paused realizing that this lady must’ve been new and really had her mixed up with Skye so she played along.

“What paperwork are you talking about?”

“The Power of Attorney paperwork, you know… making you in charge of your husband’s money and estate. Ms Vaughn really needs you to come in A.S.A.P. Since you already have access to all his accounts, we just need you to initial that one final page so we can file the paperwork away correctly.”

Asia’s couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her temper boiled. Here she was struggling while Skye was getting the royal treatment.

“Okay,” was all Asia could say.

“I know you’re glad all the renovations to the house are finished,” the woman continued.

“Yes, I am,” Asia responded.

“I hope you and your family are finally getting settled back in Miami. That cute little girl of yours is so adorable. If you ever need a babysitter just let me know,” the chatter box went on to say.

Asia couldn’t believe how unprofessional the woman was, but was glad she provided her with that bit of information.

“I will defiantly keep that in mind. Is Ms. Vaughn in?” Asia asked.

“No, she’s in court and won’t be in until later.”

“Okay, I’ll stop by to see her tomorrow.”

“Bring my baby with you,” the woman responded.

Asia ended the call thinking,
I’ll have a baby alright, but it won’t be Payton
. She slammed her phone down on the table beside the lounge chair. After sitting there pissed for a few seconds, Asia started talking to herself.

“This is some bullshit. Here I am broke, eating fucking fast food everyday so Sandino’s son can have pampers and Skye is obviously set for life! What the fuck is taking so long with me getting my damn money?”

Furious, she started pacing the floor and mumbling under her breath. The revelation was a devastating blow as she punched the cheap mirror that was hanging on the wall in frustration. Blood splattered everywhere as several pieces of glass pierced her skin.

“Shiitttt!” she yelled out loud.

Disappointed and pissed, Asia looked at the reporter’s card sitting on her nightstand as she turned around to make her way to the bathroom. She smiled as she grabbed a towel off the rack and wrapped her hand.

She walked out the bathroom, retrieved her phone off the table and picked up the reporter’s card. After looking at it for a few seconds, Asia dialed the number on the card. When the call went to voicemail she left a message.

“Hello, my name is Asia Jones, and I think I have some photographs you might be interested in publishing. Please call me back when you get this,” Asia said, providing her phone number and ending the call.

“It’s time to turn this shit up another notch.”

****

Kareem was slightly irritated as he rode in a cab listening to the African driver talk loudly on his cell phone in his foreign language. Trying to drown out the noise, he reached into his backpack, grabbed his OVO headphones and started listening to Drake’s new album
Take Care
. He was headed back to Le Le’s after storming out earlier that morning from another one of their huge arguments. Kareem just couldn’t seem to do anything right lately and he was beginning to wonder if moving in with her was such a good idea. He felt bad about yelling at her, but Le Le was starting to get on his nerves by asking so many questions about why his mother left and where she’d gone. It was hard enough for him to deal with his family leaving yet alone getting the third degree about it. He was very close to his family and even though he and his mother didn’t get along at times, she was his rock and truth be told he was lost without her.

They shared a very emotional conversation before she left about his feelings towards his father. She’d even held him tight as they both cried together. He felt a burden had been lifted and both of them telling each other their true feelings was the best therapy he could’ve ever had. It was a major breakthrough, and truth be told Kareem missed his family desperately. He couldn’t wait to see them again. But until he could go to Miami and pay them a visit, Le Le was his family. Kareem knew he’d put up a shield and needed to open up more, so he was on his way to apologize for being so cold towards her.

When the cab pulled onto her street, Kareem noticed a car backing out of her drive way. Instead of stopping, he told the cabbie to keep driving past the house. When the car passed them, Kareem glanced over at the man who didn’t see him. He looked familiar and so did the car. After instructing the driver to turn around and pull in her driveway, Kareem paid the fare, headed to the door, inserted the key, and walked inside.

When Kareem didn’t see Le Le in the living room, he walked towards her bedroom, but stopped once he realized she was inside her closet talking. It was something he’d heard her do in the past, which had him wondering if that’s where she liked to talk on the phone. As soon as he walked up behind her, she turned around completely startled.

“Who are you talking to?” Kareem asked, looking around like he expected to see someone. “And why are you always talking in the closet?”

“How did you get in the house?” Le Le asked ignoring his questions. “I didn’t hear you ring the doorbell.”

“I took your key, is that a problem?”

“Yes it is…a big problem. If I wanted you to have a key I would’ve given you one,” she said. “Just like it’s a problem with you being in my closet. You know this area is off limits.” After Kareem made his way out, Le Le quickly turned the light off, and locked the door only wearing a thin, silk robe.

Kareem looked at her up and down furious, then wondered why she wasn’t dressed.

“Who the fuck was that nigga I just saw leaving here? And why don’t you have any clothes on?” he asked pissed off.

Le Le immediately rolled her eyes. “I know you’re not coming back in here asking me fifty thousand questions after the way you acted this morning. If you must know, that was my cousin. He’s in town visiting and stopped by to see me. Why, what’s the big deal?”

Kareem looked at her funny, squinting his eyes.

“Why you looking at me like that? You don’t believe me? Do you want me to call him back and introduce him to you?” she questioned with an attitude.

“No, if you say it was your cousin then that’s who it was,” Kareem said, following her into the living room.

They both went over and sat on the couch.

“Look, I need to apologize to you about storming out earlier, but seeing that nigga pulling out your driveway got me all fired up again.”

“Well, I’ll accept your apology this time, but don’t make that shit a habit. Just because your mother let’s you talk to her any kind of way doesn’t mean I’m going to.” When Kareem shook his head, Le Le finally smiled. “Now, come here and give me a hug.”

Being in Le Le’s arms always seemed to make things right
, Kareem thought as they embraced. He then planted a huge kiss on her lips.

“I love to make up,” she continued. “It’s the best part about fighting.”

“Me too. You know my mother’s ex-boyfriend used to have a car just like the one your cousin was driving,” Kareem added.

“Oh really. So, who was your mom’s ex boyfriend?”

“Nobody important. Just a low life muthafucka named Justice who double crossed us.”

“Double crossed you? How?”

“He claimed to be so in love with my mom, but called my father and told him where to find us just to collect money because he was in debt.”

This information took Le Le by surprise. “Hold up, he called your father? What happened once he called him?” Le Le couldn’t believe Kareem was finally being so open. The anticipation of him answering her questions was almost too much to handle.

“Look, I don’t want to keep talking about that shit,” Kareem said trying to change the subject.

Le Le stomped her foot in frustration. “Why do you get so damn defensive and shut me out when I ask you questions about your family?”

“I just don’t like people asking me a lot of questions,” Kareem responded.

Le Le took a deep breath. “So, I’m just
people
now? You know what, since you obviously don’t think I’m trustworthy enough to learn a little about your precious family, but I trust you enough to stay in my fucking house, you should think about moving out,” she said, walking off with an attitude.

CHAPTER 15

Le Le circled the block several times looking for a parking space before she finally found one. After checking her cell phone and realizing there were ten missed calls from Kareem, she finally got out and walked toward the building. When she entered the coffee shop, the aroma of several different types of gourmet coffee lingered in the air.

“Welcome to The Singing Bean, can I interest you in one of our homemade deserts?” a lady behind the counter asked.

“No thanks, maybe later,” Le Le said, looking around. The place wasn’t very big, but the relaxed atmosphere was nice and cozy. She made her way past several people who all had their laptop computers out and walked toward the back.

“Why the hell did I have to call you so many times today before I finally got a call back?” she asked the person she was there to meet.

“Well hello to you, too, my wonderful sister-in-law,” Dre said sarcastically. She hadn’t even given herself time to sit down before going off.

After noticing that he’d already ordered her a cup of coffee, Le Le sat down, grabbed the cream and a spoon, then started stirring it into the cup. At that moment, she realized Dre was wearing one of her husband’s Polo shirts, which instantly sent a cold chill over her body. Other then the fact that Dre was 6’4, two-hundred and eighty pounds with a tattooed body, compared to Justice who was 5’10 with a smaller build they looked so much alike.

“What’s up Felicia?”

“It’s so good to hear you call me Felicia. I’m so tired of going by that ghetto ass Le Le. This hood shit is definitely not for me,” she stated, sipping her coffee.

“How could I forget, Ms. Bougie.”

“I’m not bougie. I grew up in the projects like everybody else. I just don’t go around acting like a damn fool. Besides, it’s not my fault that I went to school instead of a strip club.”

“Okay, Dr. Mitchell. Calm down,” Dre said.

“Well, don’t go there with me then. I’m proud to be a plastic surgeon. I worked hard to get where I am,” Felicia boasted.

Dre quickly changed the subject so she wouldn’t go on and on. “So, why did you want to meet me again after I just saw you?”

“Because I told you coming to my house was a bad idea, that’s why. You almost fucked up everything. Kareem saw you leaving.”

“So what. He doesn’t know who I am. Besides, I already told you him livin’ there was a bad idea anyway. I’m tired of stayin’ at that fuckin’ hotel,” Dre responded with an attitude.

At that moment, Felicia reached inside her purse. “Well, how else would I have continued to get information if I’d let him move to Miami? Speaking of hotels here’s some cash to hold you off for a couple more days. I forgot to give it to you earlier,” she said, handing him some money.