So Gone

Looking Delicious


Molaysia

Rocco came over shortly after I texted him to let him know that I was at home. He wasted no time replacing the light fixture and changing the locks. I insisted that he let me pay him for the work, but he simply would not accept pay.

“Accompanying me to dinner is pay enough,” he stood firm.

I smiled up at him, appreciative of his generosity. “Thank you again, kind Sir,” I said as I walked him to the door.

He strolled over to his place to get cleaned up and dressed while I dallied to the shower to do the same.

When Rocco arrived to take me out to dinner, I opened the door confident in my appearance. My hair was swept up off my shoulders in a bun. My black Ann Taylor mini skirt hugged the contours of my hips, and my silver backless top was sexy without being overly revealing. A pair of three inch open toe, black and gray satin stilettos completed the ensemble. The flowered fragrance of Coach’s Poppy hovered over my physique.

Rocco smiled at me approvingly. He wore black Armani slacks, a silver button up shirt, and some square toe casual Prada shoes. His muscular body looked hot and tempting underneath his gear.

The last time I was at church, the minister told the congregation that a blessing was coming our way. I think I had found mine. I stepped outside and followed him to a milky-white four door Mercedes Benz G Class SUV. He opened my door like a gentleman, something Blunt hadn't done since our courting days. I pinched myself to be sure that I wasn’t dreaming.

Not far from the house, Rocco pulled into a BP gas station to gas up. I got out of the car and sashayed into the store for a pack of gum. Chewing gum always seemed to relax me when I was nervous.

I slung my hips from side to side as I walked around the car to ask Rocco if I could get him anything while I was in the store.

“Naw. I’m good, Molaysia,” he stated while pumping his gas and staring at my ass at the same time.

I turned back around and opened the door to the store. The older Arab at the checkout counter gave me a wide smile and spoke. I returned his greeting with, “Hello.”

I walked over to the section with the gum and grabbed a pack. As I stood in line behind five other customers, Devin walked into the store with some chick who I didn’t recognize. I sat my anger towards his dad aside. “Hey, Devin,” I spoke and gave him half a smile.

“Hey,” he spoke back with his li’l bad butt. He went straight towards the candy aisle and was grabbing all kinds of candy. He and the female were soon behind me in the line.

I turned to Devin and asked, “How have you been doing, Baby?”

“I’m aight. This my daddy girlfriend, Mika, and we live with her now. I don’t live with my mama no more,” he blurted.

I gazed at Mika, unconsciously sizing her up. She had a caramel skin tone, big, pretty eyes, and full lips that men likely found sexy. Her hair was cut into a long bob, and she wore little makeup.

I found myself a little jealous. It was a lot easier to imagine Blunt being with one of the dusty broads that he normally chose. I played it off as best I could.

I smacked my lips and laughed. “That’s what’s up. I’m happy for you all. I hope you are behaving at school and making good grades.” I switched subjects.

Mika gave me a smile. “Actually, he has been doing better in school, and his grades have improved. I spoke to his teacher, and she said he’s doing really good. And what’s your name?” She raised her eyebrow and looked at me curiously.

“I’m Molaysia. I’m sure that you’ve heard my name before.” I had to let her know who the hell I was even though it was kinda messy of me.

She nodded her head. “Yes, Blunt has mentioned you several times.”

“How’s the baby?” I asked catching her off guard.

“He’s doing good. He’s getting bigger every day. Listen, Molaysia woman to woman, I owe you an apology. I knew that Blunt had a woman before we started seeing each other. I was wrong for that. Please forgive me.”

I waved her off. “Girl, don’t worry about it. I was sick and tired of him giving me headaches. I’ll let you deal with that now. Make sure you keep some Tylenol handy because he’s a handful.” We both kinda giggled.

“Shut up,” Devin said from behind me.

I looked over my shoulder as I handed the cashier a ten dollar bill. “I’m going to send up a special prayer for you tonight, Devin. You should learn to be kind,” I suggested.

“I’m gon’ tell my mama what you said to me. She’s gon’ beat you up when she sees you, too,” he smart-mouthed me.

“Boy, I'll stomp a mud hole in your mama.” The words came out involuntarily, but I meant every syllable.

On my way out of the store, Devin threw a piece of candy at me. “You ole’ stank booty hoe,” he called me. I whirled around ready to give him a beating that was long overdue.

Mika snatched him up and tried to make him apologize, but his ornery butt was as stubborn as a mule.

“Somebody better teach that baby hoodlum some manners and respect,” I strongly urged Mika.

She just shook her head like she was exasperated from trying. They're building his cell now, so it will be ready by the time he's thirteen,” I predicted with a scowl.

As I returned to the car, I admonished myself for letting a child get under my skin. I was not going to allow a belligerent little runt to ruin my evening. I pushed Devin to the back of my mind and put on my happy face.

My heels were click clacking against the pavement, and I knew I looked fabulous. I winked at Rocco and slung the SUV’s door open. Then, I noticed Blunt sitting in his whip directly behind us. My heart skipped a beat.

Blunt’s car door swung open. He planted his fresh all white Adidas on the pavement and his body rose from his ride. Our eyes met. His pupils were red which warned me he was ready to clown.

Rocco was standing outside of his Lexus on his cell phone. He spotted Blunt stalking towards me, and he must’ve been able to tell from his expression that all hell was about to break loose. He shoved the cell phone down in his pocket and hurried around to my side of the car.

I hopped in the Lexus and locked the door. Blunt peered through the window with a maniacal look plastered on his face.

At that moment, I realized that he was crazy.





Man To Man


Blunt

I was sitting in the BP parking lot in my whip tickling my son, Antwan's belly. I looked up and saw Mo' wit' another nigga. Fire shot out of my nose. The bitch was dressed like that ass was going on a date. She was lookin’ all delectable and shit, smilin’ and throwing her hips like her ass was on fire!

Didn’t she kno’ that I’m the wrong nigga to play wit’?

I made sure that I hopped out of my whip wit’ steam coming off my head like a pressure cooker. Murking her was the only thing on my mind. I didn't give a f*ck if we were together or not, the bitch still belonged to me.

“Daddy, she was talkin’ ‘bout you,” Devin tattled comin’ out of the store pointing at Mo’.

I flipped to beast mode in less than a second.

“No, Baby. Don’t go there!” pleaded Mika as she made her way over to me, and blocked my path. “If I’m your woman, you’re going to have to let that go,” she said staring into my eyes.

“It ain’t even ‘bout that,” I grunted as I moved Mika out of the way wit’ my arm trying to downplay my jealousy.

Mo’ was sitting in another nigga's whip, like the shit was all good. I thought I had shown her my getdown when I punked the first lame she tried to go out with. I guess she needed a reminder that the niggas she hollered at couldn’t stand up to a beast.

“Bitch, bring yo’ ass over here! Don’t make me come get you!” I warned.

She rolled the car’s window down. “The bitch that you are referring to is the one that gave birth to your disrespectful ass,” she tossed back at me.

“Oh, you tough now, huh?” I started in her direction. “I’m ‘bout to show you that slick mouth bitches get beat like they're a nigga.”

I glanced over at her dude. “And this li'l p-ssy you wit’ bet' not say shit or I’ma dead his ass.” I pulled out my strap.

“No, Blunt!” Mika cried out.

“Devin, get in the car with your brother and don't get out!” I barked at my son. It was about to pop off and that was that!

The dude with Mo' stepped up like he was not afraid of a gun. “Blunt, I see you’re still thuggin’,” he said.

It had been a few years since I had seen him, but I recognized the big homie, Rocco, instantly. “Till I die,” I vowed.

“A man can rush his death,” he said.

I looked down by his side and saw the burner in his hand. I knew he was trained to go. Rocco was an OG who was a street legend in the ATL. We were from the same hood in Zone One. Being that he was six or seven years older than me, I had looked up to him when I was coming up. His swag was a trillion, and his gangsta was not to be tested. He was a leader of a click called The Millionaire Boys.

Back in the days, Rocco schooled me on every aspect of the game, from pumping work to the ski mask way, to money laundering to going legit. Which is what he had done before the feds started knocking off his whole click. By the time those alphabet boys showed up at Rocco’s door, he was as clean as a whistle. I respected the big homie, but he would have to respect me too.

“This is my woman, Fam. You taught me to go hard for mines, and that’s what I’m willing to do. I’ll kill or die over shawdy. What about you?” I issued a challenge.

“Blunt, if you murk me, you can’t live in this city no more. I’m outta the game, but the streets still ride for me. I’ll ride hard for myself. You kno’ that,” he said.

We stood face to face, burners ready to pop off. I didn't give a damn how far we went back, it was whatever wit' me. But Rocco didn't test my gun. He spoke softly and with respect.

“Man, looks like you have yourself a nice lady on your side and a coupla li’l seeds too. Be content wit’ that and don’t let jealousy take you out the game,” he advised.

Mika stood beside me nodding in agreeance.

“Only a clown tries to make a woman stay wit’ him. Real niggas don’t want what don’t want them.”

I returned my heater to my waist and acknowledged the wisdom. “You’re right, Big Homie,” I conceded.

We gave each other a gangsta hug.

“Slow down,” he warned before sliding behind the wheel of his whip.

As I watched Rocco drive off with Mo' in the passenger seat, I was salty inside. I stood there wondering how I would ever be able to mend her broken hear and win her back.

I didn't have the answer, but I knew that I would never let her go.





The Unpredicted Happens


Molaysia

So, there I was sitting on the front seat after I rolled the window up observing the action that was taking place between Blunt and Rocco. I was wondering why they had just given each other a brotherly hug. I could hear a few words that they had spoken but not much. I was puzzled trying to figure out how it was that they knew one another.

What made my vajayjay do jumping jacks was when Rocco didn't back down from Blunt. Courage is very sexy in a man.

Rocco started the engine and slowly drove away from the store. After several minutes of silence he asked, “What you gon’ do ‘bout ol’ boy?”

“Are you referring to Blunt?” I asked needlessly. Of course, that is who he was speaking of.

“Who you think I’m talking about?” he replied with attitude. His deep baritone voice became deeper and he kept his eyes on the road never even taking a glance over at me.

I faked a cough. “There’s nothing to discuss when it comes to him. He has gone his way, and I’ve gone mine. But I'll be honest with you, I don't think he wants to let go.”

I sighed and nervously rubbed the side of my leg. “We were a couple for three years, and I did love him. He did some things that I can't forgive, so I have chosen to move on. That’s one reason that he is so upset.”

Rocco nodded his head, and then replied, “Mo’, I’m just trying to get to know you. I don’t want to get caught up in unnecessary drama. If you still have feelings for Blunt, I can respect that and fall back. I could never stand still and watch a man put his hands on any woman, but at the same time I don’t want to take a life or lose mine defending you if you’re gonna run back to him. I hope you feel me and understand.”

“I do. And you have every right to feel that way, but I am not trying to involve you in anything. If you don't mind me asking, where do you know Blunt from?” I delved.

Rocco divulged that he knew Blunt from back in the days. That left me in shock. I wouldn’t have ever guessed he and Blunt were from the same walk of life. Rocco was an ex drug dealer who had turned his life around.

“I commend you on that,” I said earnestly. “And I promise you that Blunt and I are a thing of the past.”

I truly meant that.

I had forgiven Blunt so many times for his mistakes, but this time there was no turning back. I knew that in order to make way for whatever blessings God had in store for me, I had to rebuke Satan, aka Blunt.

Rocco turned on an old school Levert song and the mood inside the car mellowed tremendously.

“Where would you like to eat?” Rocco asked as he accelerated through a green light.

“Red Lobster would be nice. My treat,” I offered.

“Well, Red Lobster is where we will go, but you can forget about that other part,” he said, leaving no room for debate.

Levert was still crooning out love songs when we wheeled into Red Lobster’s parking lot on Tara Boulevard. Rocco killed the engine, we unstrapped our seatbelts, and got out of the car.

I stood up and pulled my skirt down a few inches because it had crept dangerously far up my thigh. Rocco took my hand and led me inside. It was a cute, gentlemanly gesture that I appreciated.

We were seated shortly after we arrived. Not long after, a waitress came to take our orders. I ordered the shrimp linguini Alfredo, and Rocco ordered the wood-grilled fresh salmon.

As we waited on our food, we talked easily back and forth. I liked that he seemed interested in my work, and I found his fascinating.

When the food arrived, I was impressed that he said Grace before we began to eat. The food was deliciously prepared, and Rocco didn't spoil it by talking too much.

“I’m glad that you allowed me to take you out tonight,” he said.

“Me too.” I smiled.

Suddenly, a loud ear piercing scream rattled the table. It startled me and almost caused me to take off running. We jerked our heads towards the front where the scream had come from. There were three masked men pointing sawed off shotguns around the room. “Y’all mothaf*ckas kno’ what time it is,” the tallest of the robbers barked.

Well, damn. I swear every time I got my butt out of one situation, another one arose.





Always Getting Caught Up


Molaysia

“Oh my god!” I whispered to Rocco in a panicked tone.

“Don't panic, baby. Just calmly slide your hands under the table and remove your rings,” he instructed me in a tone as low as mine had been.

“I'm afraid.”

“Don't be, they aren't paying us any attention yet,” Rocco coached. His tone steeled my nerves enough for me to follow his instructions, but I was still afraid.

I eased my hands under the table and removed my eight thousand dollar ring along with my diamond tennis bracelet. Shaking like a leaf on a tree, I slipped the jewelry in my bra. I remembered that I had on the diamond earrings that Blunt purchased for me two years ago for my birthday.

“Rocco, what about these?” I pointed to my earrings.

“You good,” he said, watching the robbers as I deftly removed the diamonds from my ear. My hand was trembling like a washing machine on the spin cycle.

“Old Lady, come up off yo’ jewels right now or I’ma blast yo’ ass.” The shortest gunman barked.

I almost fainted until I realized that he was not talking to me. He pressed the end of his shotgun to an elderly Caucasian woman's head. She was bejeweled to the teeth.

The woman wisely handed over her necklace and diamond rings.

“Er’body start emptying yo’ purses and wallets. I want all yo’ jewelry and dough, and y’all better not play wit’ me! If I check and see that one of you ain’t put all ya shit on the table, I’m deading you right on the spot!” another of the robbers barked.

The patrons dug deep in their pockets and handbags. I placed a one hundred dollar bill on the table. I looked at Rocco who was just sitting there emotionless and didn’t budge. “Aren’t you going to do what they asked?” I questioned him in a low whisper.

He shook his head. “I ain’t got shit on me, but a debit card. They ain’t gon’ get it.”

Two of the robbers were running around snatching up whatever loot that had been placed on the tables. The third one watched the door.

I turned my head towards the two young white girls in the booth next to us. One of them was wiping sweat from her forehead and gasping as if she was having a panic attack. The shortest of the robbers snatched her possessions from the table and aimed the shotgun at her head.

“Bitch, you must be deaf and dumb? You kno’ you gotta give me that necklace from ‘round yo’ neck.”

“I’m sorry, I forgot that I had a necklace on,” she stuttered.

“I should blow yo’ dome back. Now think it’s a game and watch how fast you’ll be posted up in a funeral home. I’m the wrong mothaf*cka for you to be playing wit’.” He reached out and snatched the chain from around her neck.

“Sir, I’m getting married next weekend, could you please let me have my engagement ring back,” she pleaded.

“What?” He chuckled at her obvious naiveté. “Bitch, I don’t give a f*ck ‘bout you getting married.” He slapped her across the face with the butt of the gun, knocking her to the floor.

He came over to our table and grabbed the one hundred dollar bill. He looked at Rocco for a long moment, then said, “Sup, my nigga? Zone One fa life.” He dropped our money back down on the table and moved on.

The heavy scent of marijuana and liquor lingered behind.

“Let’s bounce!” yelled the lookout by the door, clutching a bag that contained the money from the register.

The three of them ran out the door and vanished. Once they were gone, I realized that my knees were shaking. Rocco came around to my side of the booth and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. All I wanted to do was go home. We didn’t even stick around to give a statement to the police.

When we got home, Rocco walked me to my front door and gave me a tight comforting hug. I assured him that I was okay and, we said our goodbyes. I went inside and made myself a drink before going to bed.

I slept fitfully. In the middle of the night, I heard my name being called. I startled awake and glanced over at the alarm clock. It was past two a.m. in the morning. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat straight up in the bed. I planted my foot on the floor and paced across the room, over to the window where the familiar voice was coming from. I snatched the blinds back and glared into Blunt's face.

“Blunt, what the hell do you want at this time of the morning? Go layup with one of your bitches and leave me alone!” I shouted through the window.

“Let me in, Baby. I’m lost without you,” he slurred barely audible.

“Well, if you’re lost, tell Mika or Luscious to come find you and get your ass away from my door, or I'm calling the police.”

We argued back and forth for awhile until he finally gave up. “Aight Mo',” he said, and stumbled away.

Normally, I would have felt sorry for him and let him in, but those days were gone.

Just as I crawled back into bed, I heard a loud bang on my front door.