Laporsha burst out laughing, doubling over like it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard.
Something in me snapped clean in half.
“Fuck both of you bitches! I hope you bitches die!”
I wiped my face, chest heaving, and stormed toward the hallway before I really did something I couldn’t take back. The sound of their voices kept going behind me, but I didn’t stop. If I stayed another second, I was going to hurt my own sister because a part of me already wanted to.
Ironically, I grabbed one of my spend the night hoe bags from the closet and packed some panties, clothes, and shoes so that I could get the fuck away from here. Them always being overmy mama’s house is why I go to Crew’s house so much in the first place. Yes, I love my sisters, and yes, we get along most of the time, but what I hated about them was their ability to make me feel low. It was funny when we were doing it to random bitches on the block, but when that pressure was turned on me, I never could handle it.
When I stormed back through the living room, they were back sitting down on the couch like nothing had happened.
“I’ll be back tomorrow, Mama.”
“Where are you going, Jas?"
“I don’t know! Away from here.” I replied, stepping outside the door. My mama probably wanted to follow me, but I know they made her feel bad about treating me as a mother should. That was another reason they were jealous of me and Crew, and it was always evident. They’ve even given my mother shit about her being too close to RJ, saying she won’t keep their kids as easily like their children didn’t act like they belong in the Bronx Zoo at times.
All this talk about my son only made me want to call him. After all, I know he knows how much his mother loves him. I wasn’t sure if Reggie would answer the phone, but I knew if I didn’t try to call, it would eat me up all night, especially after what that bitch Vanessa just said.
I dialed his number while standing on the curb with my bag hanging from my shoulder.
“Yeah, Jasmine,” Reggie answered the phone with a sharp, loud sawing sound in the back. That competing with the loud music playing from the boom box my neighbors had on the sidewalk made me have to press the phone up to my ear so hard the shit kind of hurt.
“Where is RJ? I want to talk to him.”
“He’s at my mama’s house. I’m at work.”
“If you had to work, then why didn’t you just bring him back home?”
“Because he is home, Jasmine. You didn’t hear what I said when I told you that I’m taking over. My son is not about to get killed because of you and your family’s bull shit. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to work.”
“You are giving me my son back nigga! You are not just getting away with this shit!”
“Take me to court. That’s all I have to say.” He hung up the phone, and I was so mad that I threw my phone down. It skipped a few feet away from me, and I was scared to bend down and pick it up knowing I had broken it.
I walked over and pick my phone up because walking up and down this street tonight without one wasn't part of my plans. I didn’t want to go back into the house, and going to Crew’s house would have put him in my business about Reggie, and I just wasn’t ready for him to crash out on him. But who am I supposed to call? Most of the time, besides Mama, I feel like he’s truly all I have.
My thumb hovered over Crew’s name, and I sighed heavily because I didn’t want to call him. I thought there for a minute, tapping my foot, knowing I could go to Maleka’s, only I didn’t feel like riding the bus to get over there with all my stuff.
Amir, I wonder where he is.
I thought to myself, scrolling up to get to his name in my contacts. The other night, after I fingered myself on top of him, I planned to avoid him at all costs because I had post-nut clarity for a minute. I was embarrassed, but now I was too mad at myfamily to wallow in that shit. I would rather be around him with my head down than see Vanessa or Porsha at all tonight.
I hit call on his number, and the line rang once, then again, before he finally picked up.
“Yeah.” His voice came through, raspy, almost like I’d woken him up.
I started pacing back and forth, nervous to say my first words. “Hey, Amir?”
“Yeah. What’s up?”
“Are you busy?”
“Depends. You good?”
I let out a small breath. “No.”
Silence stretched between us for a second, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I could hear faint movement on his end, like he was already getting up.
