I told her a little about my past and who I am, at least the legal version. As B.I.G. said, “Don’t see my ones – don’t see my guns, get it?” Outside of my underground life my conversation with her flowed so naturally. I wasn’t used to feeling that way with any woman or person for that matter. This was bananas!
I guess our time together loosened her up as well because she let me drop her off at her complex but only to the gate. She looked at me before getting out of the car like she had something to say but was afraid to say it. It was as if she was fighting not to let her guard down totally. She said goodnight and I wanted to taste her lips so bad but knew it wasn’t time.
When I pulled away, I clicked the stereo to switch to one of my Hov CD’s and sang along with him, “Either she the one or I’m caught in the Matrix…” Like a fucking sappy teen, I understood the sentiment.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rayna
I was sitting in the corner of the cafeteria of the rec talking on the cell with Michelle. I had to remember to keep it down because we were laughing so much about things I didn’t want people leaving the room to take with them.
“So you had a good time, hunh girl?!” Michelle asked.
“Yeah, I guess Mr. Azmir Jacobs is an alright dude.” I couldn’t manage the boisterous smile that had crested upon my face. “Shelly, it’s crazy to be sitting in the cafeteria of the building he owns talking about him.” I looked around paranoid of anyone hearing.
“Pretty soon you’ll own that building AND business. All you have to do is lay that voodoo coochie on him! He won’t be able to count how many businesses he owns!”
“I don’t know, girl. I just need a little more time before I think about taking it there. I’m so tired of these trifling ass men and their games.” I sulked at the depressing thought of it all.
“Girl, let your friend from down under speak for you!”
“All jokes aside, let’s think about this. From O to Ricardo and all those in between, I’ve been misled and treated unfaithfully. Remember the guy from Compton who I thought was so nice and—” she interrupted.
“…and religious? Yeah, you thought he’d just found the Lord and the only thing he was looking for was the draws. Um-hmm, I remember him. I also remember the intern that came through the practice that you were hesitant to date because he was white. When you finally let him take you out and it so happened to be to a cousin’s welcome home party and the family forgot to yell ‘HELLO’ because they were too busy staring at the only African American in the room who so happened to be you.” In ruminative thought, she continued her stroll down memory lane. “Oh yeah, wasn’t he the one who forgot to mention that he wanted to pull a prank on his racist family and you were the sole prop he used?”
“…sounds funny but true, which makes it difficult for me to trust anyone. I don’t care how many deliveries he arranges to gift me or how much money he has. I’m sick of the games!” I hissed.
“Honey, I know but let’s not push a potentially good man away because of the previous bastards you’ve encountered. Give this one a chance. Erin told me to ask if you guys were still on for Saturday.” For my benefit she switched gears.
“I hear you. Tell Lil’ E I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I want to talk to you about her birthday soon. I know it’s months from now but a few things have run through my mind. Okay?” I said after a long yawn. I was really exhausted.
“Yup. Talk to you soon, girl!”
“Wait…Shelly?” I called out.
“Yeah, babes?”
“How do you know so much about Azmir?” I had to know. I’d grown a bit intrigued by him and suddenly wanted to know everything there was to know about him—well kind of. Michelle had mentioned him several times over the past couple of months. I wanted to know why.