Love & Money in NOLA ------- Chapter 7

Chapter 7

      Yesterday at Keno’s took an unexpected turn. While I anticipated going over there attitude on a hundred, in King Kong mode, things turned out a whole lot differently. We made love and he cooked me a romantic dinner by candlelight. I wanted to hate him, but when I’m in his presence he has his way of making me forget all of our problems; an attribute I both loved and despised in him. The night ended with a startling phone call. It was Jasmone’s mom and she was at the hospital after she had gotten a call that Jasmone was there. I took off as fast as I could wondering what was wrong with my friend.

    Upon arrival at River Oaks Hospital, I met her mom Joyce in the waiting room and she led me to room 111 where my friend lied looking like she had been attacked by a pack of werewolves. I couldn’t help the tears that had begun rolling down my face. “Oh my God Jas, what happened to you?” “I’m alright. Just a bunch of jealous females in the neighborhood you know.” I caught her shooting her mom a reassuring glance. “I’ll leave you two alone for a few moments, but I’ll be back to check on you,” Mama Joyce told her firmly after planting a kiss on her forehead. “Man, I’m glad she’s gone. She has been so overbearing.” “Jas, look at you! What do you mean overbearing, those bitches could have killed you. They’re lucky I wasn’t there. Why didn’t you call me?” I was beyond infuriated at my friend because she knows all it would have taken was a call for me to have her back.

      “Look, Nae, calm down. I told my ma a lie because I am not ready for her to know about what I do on the side you know. I was a few bucks shy of what I owed the leading lady and she had one of her men rough me up. It’s cool though, we worked things out and she’s letting me keep my job.” I could hardly believe what she was telling me. “You’re lying in the fucking hospital looking like you had the life beat out of you and all you’re worried about is that she let you keep your job. What about your life Jasmone? Huh? Or do you just not give a fuck anymore?”

      I was angry but more hurt that my friend could endanger her life in such a manner. All for a dollar! “I am a grown ass woman Janae. I can handle myself, it was just a little fucking confusion. You act like you’re so much better than me. We come from the same hood, only thing different is our hustle. So stop talking to me like I’m a little ass girl. Matter fact, who called you anyway? I didn’t.”

      The nerve of this girl! My best friend, more like a sister was dissing me in my fucking face. I never knew it was a crime to care about somebody you love. I looked at her through the most painful eyes and just walked out. I knew she wasn’t in her right state of mind so I let it go. I just pray that she gets it together because these NO streets aint no joke; they’ll swallow you whole and spit you back out.

      I didn’t run into Mama Joyce on the way out which was a good thing, because she would’ve interrogated me for hours on end about why I was so upset. I didn’t need that right now. Sometimes I wonder why life throws so many curve balls; when one thing goes right, you can pretty much expect some bullshit to follow. I can’t count how many l’s I’ve taken in this game of life and to be losing my closest friend to a whorehouse was just about the biggest one of them all. I don’t know what to do.

      My rumbling stomach took my mind off of Jas and put it on food. I called in an order of Green Pepper Steak and egg rolls at China Palace. That was my only stop on my way home. 

ANNOUNCEMENT

Since I received such positive feedback from many lustful spirits (lol), I have decided to continue with Random Rendezvous and make it a collection of erotic short stories. Hope you enjoy all new and old work!

LOVE & MONEY IN NOLA ------- CHAPTERS 5 & 6

Chapter 5

      I awakened the next morning and the sun met me, shining bright through my blinds begging me to get up and start my day. Rolling onto the edge of my bed and looking in my dresser mirror directly ahead of me, I couldn’t help but notice how disheveled I looked. Life was truly beginning to take its toll on me and it was showing through my appearance. Someone told me a long time ago “you don’t have to look like what you’re going through”. With that being said, I was determined to make the most of this day.

      I showered with my Japanese Cherry Blossom fragrance which I loved because it lit up the house like a scented candle. Throwing on something light because of the extreme heat outside, I jog downstairs and collect the mail that had been slipped through the slot in the door. Sorting through it all I noticed it was mostly junk mail and bills. What’s new? My phone rang catching me off guard. The ringtone was let me love you down by Ready for the World, so I already knew it was Keno. I don’t know why but I answered it; we hadn’t spoken in a few days so I guess I could see what new lies or excuses he had to throw my way.

“Hello”, I answered nonchalantly. “Hey to you too baby”. “I’m not your baby anymore so cut it out. What do you want Kee?” “I want you. I’m so sorry for the way that shit happened. I told her I didn’t want you to find out that way, to let me do it; but she wasn’t having it. Janae you know I love you. I’m man enough to admit I fucked up so let me fix it.” I let a few minutes of silence fill the air before answering him. “Keno, you put me through so much shit. When we happy, nothing else matters but when shit is sour its sour. It’s always hot or cold with you and I’m beyond tired of it. You don’t give me what I need and all I require is consistency and loyalty but you allow your penis to think for you instead of your brain.” Not realizing how angry I was, I hung up the phone after finishing what I had to say. The phone rang again no sooner than I hung up. “Why’d you do that? Never mind. I deserve it plus more. Can you come over so we can talk? Please! I’m begging you. Don’t say no!” “I’ll think about it,” and with that I hung up for the final time.

Chapter 6

      My baby was finally getting washed and detailed after an entire month of neglect. I had been so busy and frustrated that I was riding around in what resembled a dusty box car. I was at Al and Al’s One Stop Shop in the Hollygrove neighborhood about 4 to 5 miles from Keno’s place. I feel stupid for even thinking about going to see him after what happened but a major part of me wanted to see his face; to believe that everything was a lie. But in my heart I knew it was true and it had to be dealt with. I rode way from this son and pop shop in a vehicle that looked like it had just rolled off the lot.

      I headed North following LA-3139N, the shortest distance to Peppertree Apartments from Al’s. The ride took me about eleven minutes being that traffic was light. I pulled next to his 1991 Acura Legend and killed the engine. I sat in the car for a second preparing myself for whatever would happen once I got inside his apartment. Grabbing my purse and keys I took my time walking to his door. By the time I raised my fist to knock on his door, he opened it all smiles. I walked past him rolling my eyes, clearly bothered by his cockiness. I sat on the edge of the couch with my arms folded, never sitting my things down.

      “Make yourself comfortable; mi casa su casa”. “Look Keno, I didn’t come over here for your little jokes and games. Whats up?” “If you get any colder, I’d need a jacket on just to look at you”, he replied. “Ok, ok. I know you’re mad at me but you must have some love for me left because you came and that’s all that matters. I apologize for my wrong. I want you, not these other hoes. I wanted her to have an abortion but then I thought about it; that’s my seed that didn’t ask to be here so I have to lay down in the bed that I made. I just hope that you can forgive me enough to lay with me while I get things right.”

      I couldn’t find the words to speak because I was so choked up from the tears that had welled in my eyes. I tried so hard not to allow him to see me at such a vulnerable moment but I was so confused. I love him more than I love life at times but I couldn’t let him think that hurting me was ok. That he could step out, have a baby and I’d just come running back to him. I don’t operate like that, but at this very moment all I know is that I am torn. Keno wiped my tears from my eyes and held my face in his hands. As I stared into the windows of his soul I could see remorse and regret and it is for that reason that I allowed him to have me; right there in his living room on the floor. He made love to me as I ached; to be his only one, to be stronger, to let him go. Just for a moment my thoughts ran away from me as I ran towards an orgasm.

      We laid tangled up in each other and my web of emotions afterwards not saying a word to one another. I guess he was afraid to speak for fear of me getting up and leaving or he was exhausted and simply had nothing further to say. All I knew was, when I was in his arms I felt like nothing happened and nothing mattered. While he was my destruction at the same time he was my place of refuge. 

Love & Money in NOLA ---- CHAPTERS 3 & 4

Chapter 3

      Back at home, I showered and went downstairs to find my mom but she wasn’t there.  I opened the fridge to fix a quick sandwich before leaving.  On the fridge door I find a note that says “Not going to be home, have business to handle. There’s barbeque chicken in the oven. Love mom.” Hm. That was weird, ma was never off schedule; her routine was pretty much set in stone. I shrugged it off and fixed me a bowl of chicken to take to work.

      By the time I got to work I had to say a prayer for strength before going in because I was really getting tired of working this job.  I mean it was income but what good is a McDonald’s check when you have a fistful of bills to pay. Sighing I remove myself from work and go to clock in. At the side door where we go to take breaks I saw two figures looking all lovey dovey, but I kept going. Twenty minutes later, Keno pops up and shoots me an awkward side eye. I wondered what that was about but as usual, I let it go. I had a long night full of bitching customers to worry about.

      Nine o clock finally arrived and I couldn’t have been more relieved.  With sore feet and a pounding headache I make my way to clock out and get in my car to leave.  Arriving at my car there was a female there seemingly waiting on me.  I put my hand inside my purse to feel for my mace just in case this was an attack.  I wasn’t overreacting; in this area people are known for getting assaulted not only at night but in broad daylight as well.  “Janae?” she questions.  “Yea, who the hell are you?”  “No need to be rude baby girl, I need to talk to you. I see you’re confused so I’ll just keep talking.  Straight up, I know you and Keno got ya’ll lil thing or whatever but I thought you should be the first to know that we been messing around.  It hasn’t been that long but I just found out that I’m pregnant.  He been told me that he was leaving you for me so we could start our family but I see he never went through with it, seeing as you was coming to his house earlier when I was leaving.  I’m not telling you this out of spite because the way I feel right now, its fuck him and I can raise my baby alone.”

      God, is this a joke?  I bust out laughing clearly bewildered and taken aback by the news.  For a moment I forgot that this unknown girl was there and in that moment, I took the opportunity to partially lose my mind.  Gathering myself I looked at her and I said surprisingly calm, “you……you and Keno, if that’s what you want then you can have him.  If he wants you he can have you.  Please move away from my vehicle.”  With pursed lips she waltzed away and I got in my car and cried like a baby.  I let everything go.  Banging my head against the steering wheel I felt my whole world collapsing around me.  So many emotions and nothing to do about it.  I was at the end of my rope and I was finally okay with that.

      I had no one to turn to.  The guy I loved cheated on me and got another chic pregnant, my best friend is somewhere on her knees sucking dick for twenty dollars and my ma, she just disappeared.  I was exhausted and my eyes were swollen from the continuous crying.  Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep in my car still at my job.

      Awakening hours later, I was startled that it was nearly three thirty in the morning.  I was emotionally spent and my mind was running because I wanted to confront him but another part of me was saying walk away.  My phone was dead and I didn’t have my car charger so I drove to the trap house to get me a dime bag from my supplier.  Luckily the weed men around here are actually about a dollar and can be found almost anywhere, no matter the time.  I decided to go to the boathouse and smoke alone before heading home and passing out again.

Chapter 4

      I slept in late the next day being that classes were cancelled and I didn’t have to work.  Getting out of bed I plugged my phone up and was met with thirty plus messages from Keno.  Ugh, I do not feel like dealing with him!  He made his bed and I was going to make him lie in it. Some of the messages were pleading me to talk to him and others were accusing me of being out with someone else.  My guess was she told him that she was going to tell me and he flipped out. I was determined to remain stress free today so I ignored him and decided to hit up Jas.  I hadn’t heard from her since that night at the boathouse.

      She picked up on the second ring sounding groggy.  “Sorry, did I wake you.”  “Naw you good, I was just getting up anyway.  What’s good stranger?”  I chuckled sensing the distance that had come between us.  Since she started this new “job” I barely heard from her or seen her at school.  The friend in me wanted to stop by her house a few times but she never answered the phone when I was on the way.  “Yeah, I guess we both been busy. I miss you though.”  “I miss you too Nae, what are you doing today because I have a little free time before I have to go in.”  We agreed to meet up at her house and have a day to ourselves.

      I arrived at her crib and went in without knocking.  The place was a mess!  Dishes piled up in the sink, clothes hanging out of the dryer and a horrible stench coming from the bathroom.  I was appalled, Jasmone’s mom would never go for this.  Speaking of, I wondered where she was.  I heard Jas scuffling around upstairs and I went up to meet her.  If downstairs was any indication or alert of what I had yet to see upstairs, I didn’t see it coming.  The shock must’ve been plain as day on my face because she said, “excuse the mess, I’m hardly ever here and when I do it’s never for long so I don’t get a chance to clean up good.”  I didn’t respond but cleared away a spot on the bed and sat down.

      “So what’s been good girl?  You still running behind Keno sorry ass?” Attempting to hold back the tears that had welled up in the corner of my eyes I said softly “we’re done”.  “WHAT!?” she shrieked.  “Oh my goodness Janae why didn’t you call me?  What happened?” Keeping my response short to remain as strong as possible I replied, “it just wasn’t meant to be, there was someone else.”  Understanding that I didn’t want to talk about the situation any further, she backed down and changed the subject.  We gossiped about school, work and a bunch of other bullshit.  I found myself smiling and not thinking about Keno.  That was one reason why Jas had always been a good friend.  She had the ability to make you forget all about your problems and her smile made you feel so warm.

      But I couldn’t help but notice that my friend had lost weight.  She was never a bad size but she had definitely slimmed down and her eyes looked tired and weak.  I didn’t say anything but I kept a mental note to bring it up at a later time.  Jas had received a call and she had to go.  We hugged and I went my way. 

 With no boyfriend, no work and no class I had nowhere else to be so I went home and climbed back in my bed.  My mind was full of mess and I just took the time out to pray and wish for it all to go away.  Music in my ears I drifted off to sleep and into a place where nothing mattered and nothing existed; my own utopia.