“Get out my room,” Andrew huffed, sitting up. “Say bye before I kick you out.”
The video focused on Andrew throwing Sanaa over his shoulder and walking out the room with her.
“No! I don’t wanna leave.”
Andrew grunted as he put her down and ran back in the room. “Say bye!”
“Bye, Daddy!” Sanaa shouted, running back in behind him and jumping back in his bed. The call ended and Jahlil shook his head. That was the reset he needed so his dreams wouldn’t be filled with Emani.
11 /EMANI
She sat in the chair,eyes closed trying to hold on to the faint scent of Jahlil. Almost as bad as an addict scraping through the carpet for spilled cocaine. That reference made her lowly scoff to herself. The recall of her aunt scraping through the carpet after fighting all night with her boyfriend to get the residual product. It was the typical Thursday night. He’d cash a check, buy a few packs off the neighborhood hustlers and sit in that room and get high out of his mind. She was right there at his side. Donnée and Emani made it a point to stay out making plays or hoisted on top the roof, stargazing through the smog of better days.
As she pulled her eyes open, she found Derrick handing her tissue with a pointed glare.
“I would’ve fucked the shit out that man just to get even,” he shared, making Emani roll her eyes before she dabbed her face free of a night of torture. “You want a minute?”
“No, I’m good,” Emani rumbled with a huff. From the corner of her eye, she caught Donnée easing down the hall. She was free of the state she inched into the house in. Emani laughed softly. “Did you get some dick for the both of us?”
Donnée’s cheeks flushed before turning to Derrick and asking, “You mind bringing her up something to eat?”
“Oh gladly. Big Daddy Jahlil will not be snapping me in half. How did you handle all of that man?” Derrick asked as he sashayed out of the room. “I’d be scared.”
Emani rolled her eyes. “He was skinny and I taught him everything he knows. Any more questions?”
“Oop, just shut me the hell up huh?” Derrick quipped, leaving the two alone.
“How was your night?” Donnée asked once she knew Derrick was out of earshot. “Why didn’t you sleep?”
Emani rubbed her forehead and then brought her knees to her chest. “Malik was on my phone all night. Calling, texting, leaving voice notes, sending pictures. All night. It’s like this is the new norm now. Gahdamn, I said yes. I can say no.”
Donnée raised her brows, pulling in a deep breath before asking, “Why don’t you?”
Emani dropped her forehead to her knees. “Because part of me keeps hoping this is a right now thing. Like by some stroke of fate, he’ll shake it off and go back to-”
“His representative? Nah, that nigga is gone. Long gone. Who you got violating you every time his ego is bruised is who he is. Who his bitch ass momma raised him to be. I get you want love and to be in love but sometimes you got to escape the shit that ain’t. Don’t forget who the fuck you are, trying to hold on to a nigga that you got to carry on your back. Marriage doesn’t change a person. But it’s more than just him on your mind. Jahlil brings in memories that you’ve done a great job of running from. You got to look that shit in the face now, put on your big girl panties. Time is ticking and life is short. No more crying? That’s for bitches and-”
“And pussies. Speaking of…you got a new walk,” Emani replied, welcoming the change of topic.
“You know a little reunion with my husband never hurt anyone,” Donnée said, turning to the mirror to fix her hair. “how mad you think the group is going to be?”
“When they find out y’all been married since we left here? Hot as that grease at Ray’s come food stamp Friday. I’m still trying to get over the fact you didn’t let me witness it.”
“To be fair, for years, you and Jahlil have put us in a bit of a pickle,” Donnée admitted, studying Emani’s face in the mirror. “Something about that read text really sent you into another place. We didn’t want the courtroom being torn up.”
“I know how to behave,” Emani huffed with an eye roll.
“Oh? You do?”
“So what I’ve slapped a few bitches and tried to turn some heads around. That’s the libra in me. They fucked with me first.”
“Uh huh and you finished it. Your wedding gift already solidified you forgave us. And yes, he hit every corner. His schedule and my schedule just is too much,” Donnée hummed.
“I mean I can find someone else.”
“To do what? You’d be lost without me.” Donnée was almost offended as Emani laughed. “You’re not remotely funny.”
“I would be lost without you, if we’re being real. Anyway, what am I being subjected to today?”
