BURY ME A G, #1 Page 6

  Te’Qui frowned. He already knew who his mother was talking about and he wasn’t feeling it in the slightest bit. “You’re talking about the jailbird, aren’t chu? They finally set him free? Why does he have to come here?”

  “Well, baby, he’s trying to turn his life around, and he feels that the only way he can do that is by distancing himself from certain friends and his old neighborhood.”

  “What about dad?”

  “What about your father?”

  “If you guys are trying to work things out, do you really think he’s gonna like that you have some dude staying here with us?”

  “Te’Qui, me and your father getting back together isn’t likely. It’s been a year now, and we’ve grown a part. We bothmoved on.”

  “Are you saying you don’t love him anymore?” His eyes welled with tears.

  “No, baby, no.I love him, I’m just not in love with him, not anymore.” She grabbed his hand.

  “What?” Te’Qui snatched his hand away, staring at her eerily. “You’re just gonna say fuck dad? And let some other nigga slide into his slot?” Hot tears rolled down his cheeks and he quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand.

  “Te’Qui! You watch how you talk to me! I am your mother goddamn it, and you will show me the proper respect!” Chevy shot to her feet.

  “You want me to show you respect? How can I when you’re tearing our family apart? Can’t you see that? You’re gonna kill whatever chance there was of us reconciling!”

  “Te’Qui,” Shereached for him.

  He moved back and away from her. “Man, fuck this!” He then stormed off inside of his bedroom and slammed the door behind him.

  Tears welled up in Chevy’s eyes.She picked up the bottle of Moscato and headed over to the couch. She sat the bottle down on the coffeetable and continued to smoke her cigarette, while she flipped through the cable channels. Landing on Fresh Prince of Bell Air, she mashed her cigarette out into the ashtray and took the bottle to the head. She cried and drunk herself into a stupor.

  Chevy’s eyes flickered open as she lay on the couch. She sat up looking at the space where she’d laid her head and saw a dark spot where she’d drooled. She wiped the slobber from her lips and looked around as if she didn’t know where she was. She picked up the bottle of Moscato from the floor and turned it upside down once she placed it to her lips, but it was empty.

  Chevy sat the bottle on the coffeetable and called out for Te’Qui. When he didn’t answer, she got up and headed for the door. She knocked on the door and called out his name again. She waited, but she didn’t receive an answer. “Te’Qui, open up this door.” Still no answer, so she knocked again. “Te’Qui, I know you hear me!” When he didn’t answer, she threw her shoulder into the lock of the door until the door broke open and sent a spray of splinters everywhere. She looked around Te’Qui’s bedroom. He was gone. His bedroom window was open, and the cold breeze that blew inside ruffled the curtains hanging over it.

  “Oh, my God!” She ran out of his bedroom.

  Chevy called the police and her baby brother, Savon.

  ***

  Savon drove Chevy to the police station to help with finding her boy, but the police told her that she couldn’t file a missing person’s report until Te’Qui was missing for forty-eight hours. With that said, Savon and Chevy drove around looking for Te’Quiall through the night.

  “We’ve gotta find ‘em, Savon. We’ve just gotta.” Chevy stared out of the front passenger side window, scanning the streets as they drove past them. Her face was streaked with tears. “That’s my lil’ man, my heart beat, the air I breathe.”

  “Don’t worry, sis. We’re gonna find ‘em.” He grasped her hand affectionately. “If I gotta turn this whole mothafucking city on its head looking for him, we’re gon’ find my nephew, you hear me?” She nodded yes and placed her other hand on top of his, her wandering eyes still searching the streets for her baby boy.

  Savon agreed to continue the search for his nephew only if Chevy stayed behind. If he was going to be out wandering the streets looking for Te’Qui, then he was definitely going to be packing. It was in the wee hours of the morning and all of the wolves would be out looking for a comeup or stripes. Savon didn’t want his sister to get caught up in a situation, so he made her stay home while he went on the mission.

  When he pulled into the driveway of her house, she hopped out of the car.Chevy pulled off her jacket and hung it on the coat stand as soon as she came into the house. She turned on the flat screen TV to see if there were any news reports on that may involve Te’Qui. So far, nothing. So, she picked up the cordless telephone and plopped down on the couch. She looked from the screen to the buttons on the telephone as she punched in the digits. It would be the first of many calls she would place to the hospitals and precincts.

  Hours later...

  The sun had begun to rise over the horizon, making the sky convert from pitch black to a golden orange.

  “No, thanks anyway.” Chevy’s shoulders slumped feeling defeated. She disconnected the call and sat the phone down on the coffee table. That was the hundredth call she’d placed in search of herson. She stared ahead, looking at nothing but thinking of all of the horrible predicaments her son could be in. Realizing if he was in some kind of danger that there wasn’t anything she could do about it.Her eyes welled up with fresh tears. Her vision blurred and they fell down her cheeks. Right then and there she got down on her knees at the coffee table, hands together in prayer, looking up at the ceiling.

  “God, please, oh please, bring my baby home to me.” She whimpered and sniffled, nose running. She closed her eyes as she tried to regain her composure before continuing. She could feel herself about to go to pieces. “Please, please, I need my baby. I need...” she trailed off and snorted back snot, wiping her eyes with her arm. “I need my son back. You bring him back to me and I’ll serve at your feet for all eternity.”

  Hearing a car speeding up the block, Chevy jumped to her feet and ran to the window. She pulled the curtain back and peered outside. She saw Savon’s black Camero with the silver racing stripeson the side pulling out in front of her house. She looked alive in hopes that her baby boy was with him.

  “Te’Qui? Te’Qui?” Chevy came bursting out of the house and running down the steps. She damn near tripped and fell trying to get to her brother’s car.

  She narrowed her eyes trying to peer through the tinted windows of the sport’s car, but she couldn’t see a thing. The engine of the vehicle died and Savon hopped out, putting his keys into his pocket. He and Chevy locked eyes, and it was at the moment she knew he hadn’t found her son.

  Chevy dropped down to her knees and hung her head low, tears falling from her eyesat rapid pace. They splashed when they hit the concrete, turning parts of the ground darker. Moments later, an approaching vehicle grabbed her attention. She wiped her eyes and looked up to see a Mercedes Benz truck pulling up.

  Faison hopped out of the SUV and came around to the other side. He opened the door and Te’Qui hopped out wearing a backpack. Chevy broke down crying even harder and ran over to him.

  “Oh, thank you, God.” She looked up into the sky, hands together in prayer. “Thank you so much, Father.My baby.” She ran over to Te’Qui and wrapped her arms around him, squeezinghim lovingly. She kissed him all over his face and then held him by it, looking into his eyes.

  “Don’t chu ever run off like that again, do you hear me?” He nodded his understanding. “Where have you been?”

  “My house,” Faison interjected.

  “Thank you for bringing him back home.”

  Faison nodded then spoke. “We need to talk.”

  “I’ll take Te’Qui inside,” Savon said, lead Te’Qui inside of the house and posted up on the porch. He folded his arms across his chest and watched Chevy and Faison like a guard dog.

  Chevy folded her arms to her chest and shifted her weight to her other leg. “So, what’s up, Faison?”

  “Tha
t’s what I’m trying to see. Te’Quisaid there’s no chance of us reconciling and becoming a family again. Is that true? You said that?”

  “True story, we’re done.We had our run, and it has come to an end.”

  “Tell me what I gotta do to make this right.Whatever it is, I’ll do it. Matter of fact, it’s done.”

  Chevy shook her head. “There is nothing you could ever do, Faison. We’re over. I don’t have those feelings for you anymore. You stepped and stomped on my heart too many times. You broke it into a million pieces. You blatantly fucked around in my face.You weren’t even trying to hide the shit. I mean damn, how much do you want a bitch to take? You had to have known I’d have a breaking point.”

  “I’ll admit that I fucked up. I broke your heart and I feel like shit every time I think about it. But it isn’t like you didn’t get some getback behind it.” He pulled the collar of his shirt down and exposed the healed gunshot wound in his shoulder. “I use this as a daily reminder of how I slighted the most important woman in my life. Shit, sometimes I wish Savon wouldn’t have stopped you from putting one through my dome. It wouldn’t have been like I didn’t deserve it. At least then I wouldn’t have to keeping feeling the pain I feel knowing that I hurt chu.”

  Chevy stared into Faison’s face with tearful eyes and a scowling mug as he went on talking. She tapped her foot on the cracked sidewalk listening intently. Once he finished saying what he had to say, she spoke. “Why would you say some shit like that, Faison? Then Te’Qui wouldn’t have a father.”

  “I know. But it still doesn’t change the fact. I miss y’all. I’m dying without my family. I know I fucked up, Chevy, but all I am asking is that chu give me just one more chance.” He clasped his hands together. “Just one more chance and I swear on my life I’ma do right by you, baby.”

  Chevy shook her head and wiped the tears that spilled down her cheeks. “No. We’re just gonna go back to you doing the same old shit. Just as soon as you get comfortable, it’s back to you sticking your dick in every ratchet that glances in your direction. I’m tired of going through this bullshit with you, Faison.”

  “What do you want a nigga to do, beg? Fuck it. I’ll beg.What’s pride to a man in love?” Faison got down on his knees with his hands together looking up into Chevy’s eyes. “Please, take me back, Chevy. I love you, I love our son, and I want to come home.”

  Chevy stared down at Faison in deep thought as tears continued to trickle down her face. She wanted so badly to take him back and give him another chance. She wanted to give Te’Qui a shot at being raised in a two parent household. She wanted him to have a family. She wanted for her and Faison to get married and live happily ever after. Chevy wanted all of these things, but she’d never get it from Faison. He would never change. She’d caught him fucking around more times than she could count on both hands. He’d give her a lecture on how he was going to change and she’d take him back. But not this time, she was tired of the bullshit.

  “I’m sorry, Faison, but we’re done.” Chevy pulled her engagement ring from her finger, placed it into his palm, and closed it. He watched as she turned her back and headed for the house. He was in awe. He knew he’d lost her for good this time. With each step she took toward the house, the crack in his heart opened further down the middle until it was split in two.

  Faison felt like a fool having put himself out there like that with Chevy and being shot down. He always abided by the three Fs when dealing with the opposite sex: find them, fuck them, then flee them. But now he was experiencing the pain he’d caused all of the women he dealt with and the consequence of not following his rule. It was in that moment, he understood why people referred to karma being a bitch.

  Faison’s face twisted in anger and he rose to his feet, throwing the expensive diamond platinum engagement ring aside. “You want us to be through? Fine! But you bet not bring another nigga into the house that I paid for. I better not catch wind of ‘nan nigga laying up in mine. You keep that fucking jailbird away from my son or else!”

  “Or else what?” Chevy turned around from where she stood on the porch. “You’re gonna send a hit squad to kill me and whoever I bring up in here? How would your son feel growing up knowing that his punk ass daddy was so in his feelings he had his mother whacked in the same space he lays his head? He’ll grow up to hate cho black hearted ass, Faison. Then he’ll probably kill you, himself. Matter of fact, nigga, you know what?” She raced down the steps toward Faison, getting in his face. “You may as well kill me, right now,” tears rimmed her eyes and came to spill over. “Shoot me dead, mothafucka, ‘cause I’m bringing me a man into my house, whether you like it or not. I’m not finna grow old and alone running behind your ass. I’ma get me someone that loves and appreciates everything I have to offer.”

  “Over my dead body you are!” His nostrils pulsated like an angry bull.

  “Let’s just hope it doesn’t lead to that.” She went to turn around and he grabbed her arm, jerking her around violently.

  “Don’t chu turn your back on me!” He grumbled, madness dancing in his eyes.

  “Take your hands off me!” She tried to snatch her arm away but he held fast.

  “Nah, yo ass is gon’ stay right here and listen to me!” He wagged a chubby finger in her face.

  “Let me go!” She steadily tried to yank her arm back.

  “What I tell you, homeboy?” Savon came running from off of the porch, darting towardFaison and pulling his sagging jeans upon his skinny ass.

  The husky man let go of Chevy and squared up with her brother. They locked ass like a couple of Rottweilers throwing those thangs.

  Crack! Bwap!

  With no hesitiation, Savon gave him a two piece to the face and jumped back, strategizing his next move. “Uh huh, what’s up with it, Blood?”

  Wop!

  Savon jabbed him in the eye but when he went to stick him again, Faison weaved and gave him some act right.A three punch combination dropped him on his ass. Faison went to rush him butSavon kicked him in the balls. He staggered back holding his precious jewels, eyes bulged and lips twisted. Seeing Savon hurrying to his feet and reaching for the small of his back, he forgot the lingering pain in his crotch and drew his steel too. Chevy’s little brother was right behind him, drawing a gun of his own. They stood there with their bangers pointed at each other.

  “Stop!” Chevy looked from up the block to the two warring parties. “The police are rolling.”

  “Fuck Binem this nigga ‘bout to get his issue, on the set.” Savon swore.

  “Savon, don’t be stupid this will be your third strike if you get caught out here dirty.” She reasoned, eyes looking from the approaching police car and then to them. “Put the gun down.”

  He held his gun on Faison for a minute longer before tucking it at the small of his back. Faison tucked his on his waistline and drew his shirt over it. The police cruiser then coasted by. The officer in the front passenger seat chewed gum and eye fucked everybody. The cruiser then sped up and made a left at the end of the block.

  Faison and Savon mad dogged one another for what seemed like forever. Finally, the husky man broke eye contact and trekked back to his truck. He climbed behind the wheel and fired it up. He looked out of the front passenger side window and locked eyes with Chevy. He then focused his attention through the windshield and pulled off.

  “Are you alright?” Savon asked Chevy as he approached her. She closed her eyes and tears ran down her face as she slowly shook her head. Her shoulders shuddered as she made an ugly face, bottom lip quivering. She opened her arms and he embraced her. He kissed her forehead and ran his hand up and down her back soothingly.

  “Ahh, haa! Haa! Haa! Haa!” Her entire body trembled as he held her in his arms, tightening his arms around her. She bawled long and hard. When Savon saw his nephew looking out of the window at them, he motioned him out. The front door swung open and he leaped down to the last step, running over. He collided with them and threw his arms around th
em both. Savon rubbed his head and kissed the top of it.La familia.

  ***

  Chevy lay in bed on her side snuggled under the covers. She wasn’t asleep, but her eyes were closed. She was thinking about what happened earlier that morning with Faison and what would become of her relationship with Tiaz once he moved in. She was jolted out of her thoughts, opening her eyes when she heard the knob of her bedroom door click as it was being turned. The door opened and a light cut through the darkness of the bedroom. She picked her head up from the pillow and looked to the doorway. She found Te’Qui standing before her in his pajamas.

  “Momma, I’m sorry. I don’t want chu to cry anymore.If your new boyfriend wants to come live with us, then I’ll try to get along with him. Okay?”

  Chevy smirked. “Come here. Come lay in the bed with me.” She patted the empty space beside her. Te’Qui closed the door and hopped in bed beside his mother. She pulled the covers back and draped them over her son, snuggling up next to him. She put her arm around him and kissed the top of his head. She closed her eyes and exhaled, relieved.

  Thank you, Father. Thank you for allowing my baby to accept my man. And please, God, let this union go as I have always imagined it.

  They both closed their eyes and waited for their dreams.

  Chapter 7

  That night

  The elevator doors parted and Faison stepped out, holding a bouquet of flowers. He rounded the corner and journeyed down the corridor, glancing in each room as he went along. He wasn’t quite sure where the room was that his sister was staying in, so he approached the nurses’ station. He spoke with the clerk. After memorizing the information he was given, he headed toward his destination. Reaching the room number he was provided, he stepped through the door. Faison’s heart dropped when he saw his baby sister lying in the castiron bed in ICU. He could feel his eyes beginning to tear up. Feeling his knees buckle, he quickly grabbed the bed railing to keep himself from collapsing.

  Faison took in Ta’shauna’s appearance. Her head was wrapped in bandages. Her rightleg was concealed in a cast. She was hooked up to machines with tubes running in and out of her petite frame. He couldn’t believe it was his baby sister lying before him. It always tripped him out how someone could be so full of life one minute and be on the brink of death in the next. It was right then that he understood there was a thin line between life and death.