Scarlett (3 page)

“Oh hell naw! Curtis what the fuck are you doing over here?” Scarlett asked, leaning down in the car. Curtis was Gwen’s stepbrother. They weren’t blood related; only related by Gwen’s mom being married to Curtis’ dad at one time. He was a drug dealer and a pimp. Scarlett hated him with a passion. When Gwen was pregnant with Anton, Curtis encouraged her to make money to support her habit by pimping her. The only problem was that he’d keep her so drugged up, that anything she made he’d take and profit from it.

“I was just leaving Sc… Scarlett,” Curtis stuttered, starting his engine. He knew Scarlett hated him for what he did to Gwen back in the day, and he already believed that she was crazy. She was only twelve when she jumped on him and stabbed his hand with a steak knife. “Your mama called me over here for a favor.”

“Yeah, I bet the favor had something to do with you bringing her drugs.” She could never figure out why her family was so hell bent on hurting each other. She turned to look at Gwen. She was standing there looking like a child who was about to get a beaten for being bad.

“What did you put in your pocket, Gwen?” Scarlett asked.

“Nothing,” Gwen stated. She tried to walk off quickly when she saw Scarlett coming her way. “Get off me!” she screamed as Scarlett to get in her pockets.

“Give it here, Gwen!” she yelled. “I told you not to be around my house with that shit! It’s bad enough you’re a user and your stupid ass brother is condoning it!” Gwen was hella strong, so Scarlett let her go, but she turned to Curtis who was stuck looking at them wrestling in the yard. Scarlett ran over and kicked his passenger door as hard as she could. “Why the fuck are you still here?”

Curtis sped away so fast; it seemed he left his trunk behind. He left skid marks in the road from spinning off so quickly.

Scarlett was pissed as Gwen took off into the house. By the time she made it in the house, Gwen was locked inside in her room.

“Gwen I don’t care what the fuck you’re doing in there, but you better not be firing up that crack pipe, or I promise you I’ma put your ass out!” She walked off and sat on the couch. She was fuming, because Gwen was very quiet and there was no telling what she was doing.

Anton walked in the house and sat next to her. “What’s all the screaming about Sis, and why are you home so early?”

“Your mama is up to no good and your filthy ass uncle Curtis has everything to do with it.”

“Okay,” he said in a nonchalant tone. “Why are you off work?”

“You didn’t hear a word I just said.”

“Yeah, I did. I just don’t care. Mama is always up to no good. She puts everybody before us, and I don’t care what she does any more.” Scarlett was surprised to hear Anton say this. He never really cared to talk to her about anything, including their mama.

“I’m off work because I wasn’t feeling well,” she lied.

Out of nowhere, Gwen bolted from the room, and out the door, she went. Scarlett didn’t even try to get up to see where she was going.

“Let her go,” she sighed. She was tired and just wanted to clear her thoughts. “I ain’t running behind her crazy ass.”

They looked at each other and fell out laughing. Scarlett needed that laugh, and for some reason, Anton made her feel better. She looked over at him and his smile was all she needed to see. She’d never noticed how much of a man he’d become in so little time. His hair was braided in cornrows, with small fine curls around his edges. He had a pudgy nose just like hers, but she felt he was very handsome with it. His small frame showed his muscular biceps through his wife beater, and for a change, he didn’t look smoked out as he normally did. She thought she’d spark up a different conversation.

“So, what is it that you do every day when I’m working?” she asked.

“Nothing really,” he replied. “I just be chilling.”

“Chilling, huh? Have you thought about going back to school?” she asked.

“Nah, school ain’t for me.”

Scarlett shook her head. “I can help you get your GED,” she offered, “since school ain’t for you.”

“I don’t know ‘bout that,” he said, pulling out a Newport.

Scarlett hesitated. “Don’t think I’m starting with you, but I hope you’re not out there selling drugs or in a gang or something.”

Anton looked at her sideways. “Why do you always have to think I’m doing something crazy?” 

“I don’t, Ant. I’m just asking, or rather making sure.” She didn’t want to ruffle his feathers, because Anton could be just as unpredictable as she was at times; big thanks to Gwen for smoking crack the entire time she was pregnant with him.

“I don’t sell drugs and I’m not in a gang anymore.”

“Anymore, Ant?” She looked confused.

“Yeah, I used to be a leader of a gang that I started a long time ago, but I outgrew that shit.” He laughed, because he knew he was lying. He got off the couch and walked over to the door.

“Hey, I’ma buy you those Jordan’s you wanted this weekend when I cash my check,” she said, looking back at him.

“Thanks, Sis.”

“I just want you to be happy, Ant. I know we’re a dysfunctional family, but I love you.” She tried to tell him that she loved him more often than not, but her words seemed to go unnoticed most of the time.

Anton smiled. “I know, sis.”

Scarlett laid her head back on the floral colored couch. She sighed and reached for her purse. After taking another Xanax, she dozed off to sleep.

Chapter Three

Scarlett was awakened by the sound of her cell phone ringing. She picked it up and looked at it.

Oh shit, it’s four-thirty!
She had overslept. It was Sheila calling.

“Hello,” she answered sleepily.

“Scarlett, were you asleep?”

“Yeah Sheila, I told you I wasn’t feeling well.” She yawned in the phone. “I’m getting up now. I’ll be there to pick you up by five.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Why?” Scarlett asked.

“Because Jay is taking me home today,” she grinned in the phone.

Scarlett sat up. “Did you say what I thought you said?”

“Yep, I sure did. I think I’m starting to like him.”

“What about Jay not being good enough for you, and the fact that you and Mike just broke up last week?”

“What about it, Scarlett? You only live once. Ain’t that what you’re always preaching?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Scarlett was hurt because she actually did like Jay, and even though she never told Sheila they were messing around, she just figured that she somehow knew.

“You can keep my ride tonight, because Jay is going to pick me up in the morning and take me out for breakfast before work. Aren’t you happy I’m taking a chance on dating someone other than Mike?”

Scarlett thought about it. “Yeah, I’m happy about that.” She hated Mike because he played Sheila like a fiddle. He’d show up to the shop with roses, and then she’d catch him with another chick the same night. He was always cheating on her, and when they first started dating each other, he gave her crabs. He acted like he got them from sitting on the toilet seat back when they were in high school.
Wow, what a loser.
She couldn’t see how Sheila managed to stay with him that long.

“Scarlett, are you okay?”

“Yeah, why you ask?”

“Because, you don’t sound very happy for me. You’re the one that has been pushing me for years to leave Mike alone, and when I finally do, you sound down about it.”

Only because you’re hooking up with the guy I just so happen to like a lot.

“Is it Jay, because if it is then I’ll…”

“Don’t worry yourself, Sheila. Jay is a hot catch. I’m glad you’re taking a chance on finding love with someone else.” She hated the words that came out of her mouth, but she had to pretend to be the loving best friend.

“Thanks, Scarlett, for understanding. That’s why I love you.”

“I know, Sheila, and I love you too.”

“I hope you feel better, and if anything sizzling happens tonight, I’ll call and tell you about it,” she laughed. “I’m so excited.”

“I can hear it in your voice. If I don’t answer, then save it for tomorrow, because I’m gonna take this muscle relaxer and lay back down.”
I don’t care to hear about that shit anyway.

“Okay, my friend. Wish me luck.”

“Somehow, luck is just always on your side. Talk to you later, Sheila.” Scarlett ended the call and sat the phone down beside her.

“Urrrgh!” she yelled. “I hate my life!” She buried her face in the palm of her hands and picked her phone back up.

“What are you doing?” she asked as soon as Nina answered.

“Shit. Why, what you doing?”

“’Bout to head your way, I need someone to talk to.”

“I’ll be here,” Nina said, and ended the call.

Scarlett tapped on Nina’s door and walked in since the door was unlocked.

“What’s up?” Scarlett said as soon as she spotted Nina in her recliner listening to a mix cd.

“Hey Red,” she softly spoke. Nina had referred to Scarlett as
Red
since the first day they met in kindergarten, when a little Scarlett walked up to Nina and introduced herself, clearly stating that she hated her name. Without asking any questions, Nina told her that Scarlett was actually the color red, so she’d call her
Red
instead. Scarlett was pleased with the name, and they’d been best friends ever since.

Scarlett sat down on Nina’s brown couch. She leaned her head back.

“Long day, Red?” she asked, sensing Scarlett’s attitude.

“Yeah, you can say that.”

“Talk,” Nina said. She was always good at listening and being there for Scarlett. She knew how hard Scarlett had it when they were younger. Although her family was in the same boat financially, she wasn’t mentally or physically abused by her mother.

“How about my other best friend is thinking of dating Jay?”

“
High Yellow
likes Jay now? What happened to her lofty standards, and Mike of course?” 

“She claims she is going to give Jay a chance, since she’s trying to get over Mike now. You know they broke up about a week ago.”

“Is that right?” Nina asked. Even though Scarlett was both of their best friends, Nina wasn’t crazy about Sheila, and Sheila wasn’t crazy about her. They dealt with each other because of Scarlett, but that was it.

“That’s no excuse. The bitch is rebounding and it won’t last,” Nina tried to assure her.

Scarlett frowned. She hated when Nina called Sheila names, especially
High Yellow
, but she didn’t say anything to her about it. It was crazy, because she’d straighten Sheila quick if she called Nina a name.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m just saying.”

“I know, and I hate that she so-called likes him now. It seemed real phony when she was all up in his face today, and that’s why I left work. I couldn’t sit there and watch that shit.”

“She was talking to him while you were sitting there watching them?” Nina asked.

“Yeah, but I still haven’t told her that I’m fucking Jay. She has dogged him so bad in the past, until I didn’t wanna even associate myself with him like that. Ain’t that shit crazy? Hell, he acts like he’s too good to let anyone know about us anyway.”

“And now he’s the one dealing with a broad who dogs him out behind his back. This world is crazy, but he’s getting what he deserves.” Nina said.

Scarlett put on a fake smile. “I guess you’re right.”

“Well, either you’re gonna let it go and let them bitches have each other or you’re gonna speak up and tell High Yellow how you feel about Jay. Honestly, the second scenario should be out of the question because Jay doesn’t want anybody to know he’s fucking you. I don’t know how you managed to fall for his bitch ass anyway.” Nina was just like Scarlett. Either you loved her or you hated her.

Scarlett laughed. “Me either girl, but he’s sort of nice to me when we’re alone.”

“Red…” Nina paused. “Either he’s nice or not, it’s no sorta in the equation.”

“Alright, Nina. I get your point.”

“Hand me one of those pills. I need to calm my nerves before Stephen brings the kids home.” Nina had four children by two baby daddies. Stephen was still in love with her and when he’d pick up his two, which were the younger two, he’d take the oldest two as well. Funny thing though, because Rick, the father of the oldest two, was the one that Nina was crazy about, even though he treated her like shit and never came to see his kids.

Nina walked into the kitchen and came back out with two glasses filled with Blue Raspberry MD 2020, aka Mad Dog, the ghetto wine of the hood.

“I would take one with you, but I’ve had more than my dose for one day.” Scarlett said.

She passed Nina a pill and they sipped their favorite drink as Nina washed the Xanax down.

“You said something that really made sense in a way. This world is crazy, but that’s because it holds so many crazy and unpredictable people in it.” They laughed and continued drinking.

Chapter Four

Scarlett returned home and walked into the kitchen. She smiled inside after seeing Anton and Gwen sitting at the table together. There was a bucket of KFC chicken in front of them and they were digging in.

Anton bit his chicken leg. “Sit down and eat with us. I brought home some chicken, hoping we could have a family night.”

“Ant, that was so sweet of you!” Scarlett said.

“I told him the same thing,” Gwen responded. “Sit down, Scarred. I’ve missed this.”

“How could you miss something that has rarely ever happened in our lives?” Scarlett mumbled under her breath.

“Sis, please just sit down. If not for Ma, then do it for me.”

Scarlett picked up a paper plate and decided she’d pretend they were a happy family for Anton. Gwen continued eating as if Scarlett’s comment didn’t faze her. Scarlett looked at her and shook her head in disappointment.

“I guess I’ll eat a chicken breast.” Scarlett moved the pieces of chicken around in the box until she found a breast. “Here is one.” She put it on her plate along with a biscuit and sat down by Anton.

“It was nice of you to go out and buy us dinner, Ant. It would have been even nicer if Gwen would have thought of the idea to do something like this.”