I continued to go on outings with my girls and things like that. Until, once again, I ran into Khalil.
This time I had a different attitude about seeing him. I didn’t have shit to say to him. Me, Michelle, and Joy were all eating at the Aquarium, which was an overpriced restaurant with live fish swimming around.
“Raven, do you know the guy sitting to the left of us?” Joy asked me.
“Who?” I asked as I turned in that direction. I spotted Khalil smiling right at me.“Oh, him. He’s nobody.” I sighed.
“Nobody? Girl, that’s Khalil. That nigga gotlongpaper.” Michelle stressed.
“So I’ve heard. I know him but I aint speaking to his ass.” I rolled my eyes.
“Why not?” Joy asked.
“Because his ass is up to no good.”
“Okaay. Oh…I forgot who I was talking to. You don’t want any problems with Jahrein, huh?” Michelle laughed.
“This is not about him.” I shook my head.
“Well, I can’t even front. You are my hero. You’re the only completely faithful chick that I know.” Michelle giggled like I was some kind of joke.
“No, she’s silly.” Joy waved Michelle off. “But seriously, Raven, I’ve never met anyone like you. I got to give it to you, you’re a bad bitch. I mean, you really have the overall package and it seems like you don’t even know it. Most women with the body and face like yours have their heads so far up their asses that it aint even funny. But you, it’s like shit doesn’t even matter. Men always stare, and you pay them no mind. Personally, I don’t know how you ignore that temptation.”
“She doesn’t ignore it all. I’ve caught her skinning and grinning at a few dudes.” Michelle laughed.
I had to laugh too. I’d been holding a secret in for years and I needed to tell somebody. “Well, I’ve done my thing before.” I confessed.
“Yeah, right.” Michelle giggled.
“No, for real.Khalilshowed me what the mouth be like and let him feel this hot boxonce.”
“Are you serious?” Michelle asked.
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“Bitch, you may not get around much, but you have one hell of a track record. JahreinandKhalil?” Michelle gasped.
“What’s so unbelievable about that?”
“For you it’s not unbelievable, but you must not know what your man’s name means in these streets. Bitch, so many hoes try to associate their name with him or his friends. Then Khalil’s been in the game even longer. All people sit around and talk about is what slab they pulled out for the car show or block party. Both ofthem niggas is doing it. Shit, Lucky getting money, but not like that.”
“I guess.” I rolled my eyes. It was amazing how ghetto people thought having a little change and a few cars meant “getting money”. “So, how manyhoeshave you heard claim my man?” I probed.
“Oh, shit.” Joy giggled, as she took a sip of her drink.
“Let’s leave that alone, Raven. I don’t want to be in your business or be the cause of some drama with you and Jahrein.” Michelle shook her head.
“No, I thought that we were girls? I’d tell you if I’d heard something about Lucky.”
Michelle sighed. “Okay, honestly I have heard about three different girls claim to be his woman on some level or another. Hell, when we first met I didn’t know that you knew him, so when I saw him bring you lunch one day I didn’t know what to say. Then I found out that y’all were married and that changed my entire view on the situation. I don’t like bringing back bones, especially to someone who has the level of commitment that y’all got. But as we grow closer I would be wrong to keep that from you.”
I nodded my head. I definitely understood her position. I didn’t like hearing about the man I married fucking over me, but I knew the truth. Jahrein did his thing in the streets and worked overtime to keep that separated from me. He came home every night, was a great father, and kept me sexually satisfied. So, I was thinking that maybe I could look past certain indiscretions, as long as he gave me what I needed. I felt like I didn’t have many other options. There I was pregnant with our fourth baby. Where could I go? What could I do?
“But that was he say she say, Raven. You are married and I wouldn’t run with rumors. If you didn’t see it for your own two eyes I’d leave it alone. Since I’ve known you I look at things a little different. You may feel like you’re tied down, but there are women that would kill to be in your position. You don’t have to work. You drive an Acura at eighteen, for God’s sake. You have a beautiful home and even more beautiful children. Jahrein gives you anything that you want, and I know that he loves you.” Joy offered.
“That’s true, Raven. I wouldn’t go and flip out on him, either. All that I heard was hear say. But on the real, he loves your ass. Anybody could see that. I was just letting you know what was being said out here. Like you said, I’d want you to tell me.” Michelle added.
“Excuse me, would you guys like any dessert?” the waitress asked us.
