Chapter 81

A/N: Thanks for the 7K. Y'all are great.-Shia

7am, August

It was early in the mornin' and I was tryna find a way out of Esined's room.

"Babe, just go through the window," Esined whispered.

"Do I look like a stunt devil ta you? Dis shit ain't close ta the ground. I almost broke my arm last time," I whispered back.

There was a knock on her door and she shoved me into her closet.

"Essy," her mama said from the otha side of the door.

Esined put her index finger up ta her lips and pulled the slidin' door.

It was dark, but it was cracked. I could see a little bit.

"Morning, mama," Esined said, openin' the door.

"Hi. What did you want to talk to me about this morning?" Eiram asked.

"Well-"

"Why are there clothes on your floor?" she went ova ta pick up my hoodie and jeans. "Aren't these August's clothes?"

My heartbeat started pickin' up. I licked my lips out of nervousness. I began ta say a prayer in my head.

Lord, please don't let her come ova ta this closet.

"Huh?" Esined pretended not ta hea' her.

"I swear Esined, if he spent the night-"

"He didn't, Ma," she whined. "I was cleaning from under my bed and it was there,"

"Why were his clothes off in your room?"

"It was when we went swimming,"

"When? It hasn't been nice enough to swim this past week,"

"Well, we thought it was nice enough," she mumbled.

I felt somethin' tickle my neck and I jumped. I slipped on one of her shoes and fell in the closet, causin' a loud thud.

Eiram snapped her head in the direction of the closet.

"Mama, I think Brandon or Erica fell," Esined said.

"Shut up," Eiram came ova ta the closet and slid the door open. She gave me a side eye and I returned a weak smile.

"H-Hey, Eiram. How you doin' today? Girl, look at you. Ya look good," I flicked my wrist. I laid uncomfortably on Esined's shoes.

"Get up," she said.

I slowly stood and Eiram yanked me down ta her by my ear.

"Ow," I hissed, squeezin' my eyes shut.

"What did I tell you about coming to my house late at night without permission?"

"I don't know," I mumbled.

She yanked my ear again, forcin' an answer out of me.

"Ow! You said don't do it," I said quickly.

"Then why are you here?" she asked.

"I'll be honest wit you, I couldn't sleep and I needed ta be wit Esined. Sometimes I hate sleepin' alone," I admitted. "I wasn't thinkin' right and I needed her ta calm down my negative thoughts,"

She let my ear go. "You better sleep with the Holy Spirit next time. I like you, August. I do, but I refuse to have you running in and out of my house at these crazy hours. Lord knows what y'all do in private, and I'm not about to have her walking around here pregnant. She has dreams and goals to achieve. She's a model who a lot of young girls look up to-"

"Mama," Esined whined, embarrassed.

"What? I'm serious, Esined. You know the rules! No boys after midnight and no boys in your room. Especially with the door closed,"

"He's not just a boy, mama. I don't see the big deal. I mean, I lived with him for months,"

"Exactly, he's not just a boy. He's your boyfriend, which makes it worse. Not a big deal? Is this your house?"

"No,"

"Is this August's house?"

"No,"

"Who's is it?"

"Well, if you wanna be technical, it's Brandon's," Esined mumbled.

Eiram gave her a mean side eye.

I looked back and forth between them. "Um... I'm sorry, Eiram. It won't happen again. I don't mean any disrespect ta your home,"

She looked at me. "It better not,"

"This isn't fair. I'm not a child," Esined said. "I'm eighteen. I shouldn't have curfews, and times when I can and can't see my boyfriend,"

"Our roof, our rules," Eiram said. She picked up my clothes and gave them ta me.

I pulled my jeans on, then I put on my hoodie. I slipped my shoes on. I grabbed my keys off of Esined's desk and looked at her.

Esined's arms were folded and she had a pout on her face.

Eiram stepped ta the side.

"Sorry," I said again befo' leavin'.

I felt bad fa accidentally gettin' us caught, but I was happy ta be outta dat room. The tension was so thick.

Esined

"It's not fair that you treat me like I'm some immature child," I said once August left the room.

"It's not fair that you sneak your boyfriend in and out of the house late at night and early in the morning. We have jobs and we have kids living here. What about our sleep?"

"It's not like he comes in loud and messy, waking up the whole house. Also, it's funny how you talk about how you don't want me to be pregnant, but you're making Erica carry that baby. I've got a feeling that you think I'm the only hope in this family. You have no faith in Erica and that's the problem. You put me threw so much and you saw how strong I was through it all. Is this some test to you? You're trying to make Erica strong and this is only breaking her-"

"You have no clue of what you're speaking on, so I advise you watch your mouth," she said.

I tapped my fingers on my arm. "Fine," I mumbled.

Sighing in frustration, she rolled her eyes. "Anyway, what did you want to talk about? I only have a few minutes until I need to get Erica to school,"

"Let's get right to it then. Is Brandon my dad?"

"What?" she laughed lightly.

"What do you mean what? I'm serious,"

"Well no,"

"We want to do DNA tests,"

"Oh, no," she said, shaking her head.

"Why not?"

"Because there's no point,"

"How is there no point?"

"I was with Eric at that time. Brandon wasn't even in the picture,"

"Because you cut him off,"

"I did. So what?"

"Why'd you cut him off?"

"Is that any of your business?"

"Is it because you knew you were pregnant? So, you went back to Eric just to pretend that I'm his child,"

"You know what, Esined," she said. "You don't know anything. You think you know everything, but you don't know nothing about nothing,"

"Of course not, since you hide everything from me. You may think that I don't know anything, but I'm not stupid, Mama. And you know I'm not. I don't see why you're still trying to hide things from me,"

She stared at me before leaving my room.

I looked at the time and decided to get ready for work. I got my uniform together and put it on. I went to my bathroom and did my hair, putting it in a simple ponytail.

I went downstairs and ate a quick breakfast.

"Esined, you-" Mama began to talk, but I pretended I didn't hear her.

She had officially pissed me off, so I was giving her a silent treatment.

"Esined, don't walk away when I'm talking to you," she said.

Erica laughed quietly as I continued to walk away.

I went back upstairs to my room and closed my door. I ate my breakfast and drank my orange juice. After, I went to brush my teeth. I grabbed my car keys and purse. I took my cellphone off the charger and went downstairs.

"Es," Erica said.

"Yeah?" I looked at her.

"Can you see it?" she asked.

"See what?"

She patted her shirt lightly.

I frowned and shook my head. "No. When did this happen?"

"Before Don let me come out here," she said.

"Did he know?"

"No. Mama told me to keep it between her and I. She said Don wouldn't let me come to Atlanta if he knew,"

"So she's being hiding this too?"

She nodded.

"I'm so sick of her shit,"

"Same," she sighed. "What am I gonna do when I get bigger?"

"I'll figure it out for you. I have to go to work,"

She frowned.

I gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. "I love you. Have a nice day. I'll see you later,"

"Okay. I love you too. Work hard," she gave me a faint smile.

I smiled back and left the house.

"Esined," my boss said in a singalong voice.

"Yes, Jeremy?" I sang back, spinning in my chair.

"I hope you're hungry. I got tacos,"

"Aye," I smiled and slowly stopped spinning. "Thank you,"

"No problem," he smiled and sat a tray in front of me. "Mind if I eat with you?"

"Nah, it's cool. I'll be back. Gonna wash my hands and clock out," I stood up.

"You don't have to clock out," he said.

"I'm on break,"

Jeremy shrugged. "Extra time,"

"You're the best," I smiled. "I'll be back," I left and walked down the hall. I made my way to the bathroom and washed my hands.

As soon as I finished washing my hands, my phone was vibrating.

I quickly dried my hands and answered the phone. "Hi baby," I smiled to myself.

"Hey, Pooh. You on break?"

"Yeah. Why, what's up?"

"You want me ta bring you somethin'?"

"Awe, thanks Snugga, but Jeremy bought me some tacos,"

"Jeremy?"

"My boss,"

"Oh, aiight," he said. "But, um. I'a see you lata, boo. I luh you,"

"I love you too, babe. Enjoy your-"

The phone disconnected and I frowned. He never hangs up that quick, let alone at all.

I knew he felt some type of way, but I decided to just leave it alone.

I went back to the room where Jeremy was. I said a quiet prayer and he was already eating.

"You pray every time before you eat?" he asked.

"Most of the time, yes,"

It was something that August had done and I picked up on it. I mainly picked up on it because he'd slap my hand if I began to dig in before praying, vice versa.

"My mama does that," he chuckled. "You go to church often?"

"Yeah. Whenever I can. I'm always so busy, but I make sure I'm there every Sunday. Do you go to church often?"

"No," he said. "Honestly, I'm not into the whole religious scene,"

"Are you an atheist?"

"No," he laughed. "I just don't have a preferred religion,"

"Oh, that's understandable,"

"I'm glad you think so. Some Christians just start jumping down my throat and judging me without understanding,"

"Oh no, I can be understanding. I'm not judgmental either,"

"That's cool," he smiled.

We were eating and making small conversation.

"So," he sipped his drink. "What do you look for in a man?"

I laughed a little. "My man,"

"Your man?" he raised his eyebrows a bit.

"Mhm," I bit into my taco.

"My apologies. Didn't know you were taken,"

"I know. I prefer to keep my love life away from my work,"

"That's understandable. He must be a lucky guy,"

"I'm a lucky girl too," I stood. "Thanks for lunch, Jeremy," I smiled.

"No problem," he forced a smile on his face and quietly left.

I got back to watching the cameras for the remaining of my time on the clock.

August

"Aye, Trav," I said.

He kept walkin' like he ain't hea' me.

"Travis," I said again.

"What do you want?" he turned around.

"Lemme talk ta you fa a second. Won't take long,"

We went ta the living room and we sat down. He was on end and I was on the otha.

"Well? You gon' talk?" he said with an attitude.

"Look... Now, I was wit Esined and she told me dat you was talkin' crazy. Wassup wit dat?"

"I don't know what you talkin' about,"

"So, you ain't tell her dat she need a man and not a boy?"

"I said it. It's true," he laughed, like something was funny.

I was ready ta knock dat smirk off his face.

"And you think you're best fa her?"

"Yeah, I do. So what?"

He really thought shit was funny. I even started laughin' myself.

"We done hea?" he stood up.

I stood up too. "One mo' thing, bruh," I said.

"What?" as soon as he turned around, I swung my fist at the side of his head, hittin' him in his eye.

Travis stumbled fa a moment befo' he reacted. He hit me back and we started fightin'.

I swung and hit him in his face again.

Travis swung and I ducked. He ended up knockin' Mama's lamp off the table, and it shattered on the floor.

Travis tackled me and we were throwin' punches back ta back.

I flipped us ova and started chokin' him.

Viola came downstairs and saw what was goin' on. "Mel!" she yelled. "They're fighting!"

Mel ran down the stairs and ova ta us.

"C'mon now, stop!" he tried ta pry my hands off of Travis.

Travis was still tryna swing at me.

I stopped chokin' him and punched him in the mouth.

Mel snatched me off of Travis and pushed me on a wall. "Fuck is wrong wit you?!" he yelled.

"Fuck him!" I tried ta get out of Mel's grip.

"Hell is y'all fightin' fa? Y'all brothas! Y'all ain't supposed ta fight each otha like niggas on the streets!"

"He ain't my brotha!" Travis spat.

"And you ain't mine! Grimy ass nigga!" I yelled.

"Do I need ta whoop both y'all asses?" Mel asked.

We ignored what he said and kept goin' off.

"I hate you! I wish them bullets woulda killed you," Travis said.

"Travis!" Viola said.

"Viola, take Aug somewhere," Mel said. "Go outside,"

She came ova ta me and grabbed my hand dat wasn't bruised up.

We left the living room and went through the front door. We closed it behind us.

"I'm sorry he said that to you," she said quietly.

"It's cool," I lied.

Truthfully, it hurt. It hurt ta know dat ya own blood wanted you dead.

"What happened?"

"He was tryna get at Esined," I peeped through the window, tryna see what Mel was doin'.

"That's horrible," she shook her head. "Can you see Mel?"

"Yeah,"

Suddenly, Mel snatched Travis up and started yellin' in his face. He was yellin' so loud, you could partially hea' what he was sayin'.

"Fuck is yo problem, huh?!"

Travis stayed quiet and just stared at Mel.

"You don't wish death on nobody, especially not yo blood!"

Mel must have had a lot ta say, because he yelled at Travis fa a while, slapped him upside his head a few times, and then dismissed him.

That's just how Mel was. He was who we looked up to. He was our father figure. When their dad stopped comin' around, Mel stepped up and looked out fa Travis. Whenever I wasn't wit my pops, I was wit Mel, lookin' fa guidance. When my pops passed, Mel only got tougher on us. He always said dat we had ta stick togetha, no matta what.

I looked at Viola and she was walkin' back and forth.

"Is he done?" she asked.

"Yeah,"

"I have to pee," she whined. "Open the door,"

I opened the door fa her. "You need ta push dat baby out already,"

"I know," she walked into the house.

"August," Mel said.

"Yeah?"

"You good? What happened?"

"He was tryna get at Es, so I confronted him about it. I hit him first because he pissed me off. I'll replace the lamp,"

"Aiight. Learn ta keep ya hands ta yo self, bro. You can't be fightin' everybody, especially family. Go ice ya eye,"

I smacked my lips. "You heard him, we ain't family,"

Mel sighed and I walked off to the kitchen. I grabbed an ice pack and went ta my room. I closed my door and locked it.

My phone was vibratin', so I looked at it.

I answered the phone, but didn't say anything.

"August?" Esined said.

I cleared my throat.

"You okay? I'll be over soon,"

"Okay,"

"I love you,"

"I luh you mo',"

"Did you want me to bring you anything?"

"Nah,"

"No food or nothing? Did you eat today? How much water did you drink today? Are you-"

"Esined," I chuckled a little.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"Don't feel bad, baybeh. I know you care, but I'm okay. I'm eatin' good and drinkin' lots of water. Are you okay?"

"Yes,"

"We'll talk about your day when you get hea, okay?"

"My day?"

"Yes, your day,"

"Okay. Well, I'll get back to work so I can leave soon,"

"Aiight,"

"Bye,"

I waited a moment and she hung up.

I stood up and went ta my bathroom. I looked at my face. My eye was swollen and my lip was busted. Nothin' too bad, I expected worse.

I went ta my closet and grabbed a hoodie. I pulled it ova my head and pulled the strings, makin' the hood cover my eye a lil. I knew Esined would trip if she saw it.

I relaxed in my room until Esined showed up. I thought about lyin' ta her about what happened, but it'd be stupid ta lie about.

"Aug, open the door," she said from the outside.

I went ova and unlocked it, then opened it. "My bad. Hey," I took the bags from her.

"Can I take a shower?" she asked.

"Mhm. Want me ta wash ya uniform?"

"Yes, please,"

"Okay,"

I sat the bags she brought in wit her on my bed.

Esined left ta get a towel and wash clothes. "Why do you have your hood on like that?"

I looked at her. "I'm cold,"

She started strippin' out of her clothes right in front of me.

"Did you want me ta turn away?"

"I don't care," she laughed a little and unbuttoned her jeans. She took them off and he handed them ta me.

"Why you got a thong on?" I tilted my head.

"I always wear one with those jeans," she pulled her shirt ova her head and gave it ta me also. "Do I look like I'm gaining weight?"

"Don't start,"

"I'm not," she laughed. "I'm trying to gain weight,"

I bit my lip. "Well, ya butt gettin' a lil thick,"

"You think so?" she smiled, standin' in front of my full body mirror.

"Are you happy wit your body?"

"I could be a little bigger, but this is fine for now,"

"I think you look great,"

"Thanks, Snugga," she smiled. "I'm gonna shower now,"

"Okay," I left my room and went ta wash her uniform.

I noticed that it smelled like men's cologne. It made me suspicious, but I washed it anyway.

I started thinkin' too much and brought myself ta the conclusion dat Esined was sneakin' around.

I started ta tell myself dat I was trippin', but shit was addin' up.

I stood in the wash room fa while, thinkin'. I had ta be down there fa at least half an hour.

When I went back ta my room, Esined was on my bed. She was in one of my t-shirts and shorts.

"I got us some Chinese food," she smiled. "Did you wanna watch some movies or listen to music and chill?"

"Did you cheat on me?"

Her smile dropped. "No. Why did you ask me that?"

"You had lunch with your boss. Your clothes smelled like men's cologne. And, you wore a thong. You got off at seven instead of six. You're smilin' a lot too,"

She shook her head. "I'm not cheating,"

"Why'd you turn me down fa lunch?"

"Well, Jeremy brought tacos for us and I didn't want to be rude. You had called after I was ready to eat with him,"

"You couldn't make up a lie so you could eat wit me instead?"

"August," she laughed. "You're being ridiculous,"

"Am I trippin'?" I genuinely asked afta I suddenly realized how controllin' and crazy I sound.

"Yeah, babe. Just a little,"

"I'm sorry. I just-"

"I know. You've been cheated on before. Now your trust is fucked up and you think I'm cheating too," she sighed. "Even though we've been together for almost two years," she added.

"Why you say it like dat?"

"Because that's how it is?"

"Well, excuse me,"

We both started laughin', but she stopped and looked at me.

"I am so tired of people putting their hands on you," she took my hoodie down and touched my face. "Like, seriously. Are you okay, Snugga? Do I need to fight someone?"

"It's cool," I chuckled.

"Awe, you lip is busted. Does it hurt?"

"No,"

"Who did you fight?"

"Travis,"

"Why?"

"You know why,"

"You didn't have to fight him because of that,"

"He was being disrespectful. I was tryna be mature and talk ya him about it, and he was laughin'. So, I punched him in his face,"

She frowned. "Aug,"

"What? You know disrespect doesn't sit well with me,"

"But just because someone disrespects you, it doesn't mean that you have to react violently,"

"Although that's true, I can't let it slide. Different reactions fa different people. You choose ta be let it go and I choose ta let my fists go,"

"I'm tired of my man being all bruised up," she got on her knees, crawlin' ova ta me.

"You are?"

"Mhm," she poked out her bottom lip. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek. "I know you don't like your face being bruised either,"

"True,"

"Stop fighting. You fight so much, you might as well do it as a hobby,"

"I don't. I've been in like four fights since we met,"

"Oh no. I've been keeping count. It's been six,"

"Really?"

"Yes,"

"I doubt it," I chuckled.

"Travis, Don, and those three brothers at the college party. The last time I took you to one of my photoshoots, you punched the photographer for calling me fat,"

"And he deserved that,"

"What about at thanksgiving when you were gonna fight your cousin?"

"But I didn't. I should have, but I didn't,"

"And then you actually a little kid at anger management,"

"Dat wasn't a fight. I choked him up,"

"You still put your hands on someone,"

"And it was all because they disrespected eitha me or you,"

"Whatever. Stop fighting,"

"Fine,"

"Fine?"

"Mhm,"

"So, you'll stop fighting?"

I huffed. "Yes, Esined,"

"Promise?" she perked.

"No," I laughed. "I just won't throw the first punch, deal?"

"I guess that's better than nothing. Deal,"

"Good. Now let's talk about ya day,"

Esined went on ta talk about her day and she wasn't tellin' me what I wanted ta hea'.

"Okay, but baybeh, what's the tea?" I asked.

She started laughin'. "You always wanna get straight to the gossip. Such a girl,"

"I ain't no girl. I just think drama is just as entertaining as y'all do. I'm petty too,"

"Don't I know it," she mumbled.

I gave her a side eye, causin' her ta smile innocently.

"Okay, but guess who got sent home early today?"

"Who?"

"Tiffany,"

"What'd she do?"

"Jeremy caught her and Brad in the janitors closet together. You know what they were up to," she pursed her lips.

I gasped then started laughin'.

Esined and I gossiped about her coworkers like old church ladies. It was quite funny watchin' her gossip since she was the type of girl ta keep to herself.

"Babe, it's crazy. They are ridiculous,"

"I bet," I chuckled.

"Ah, man. You make me feel old,"

"How?"

"I'm used to seeing my mama gossip to Brandon about her job. It's cute how he fakes like he's interested, just like you do,"

"I don't fake,"

"Yes, you do,"

"I don't. I like when you talk about ya day. Even when it's not interestin'. It's lets me know how you're doin',"

"How so?"

"Well, the way you talk. I know if you cross your legs and face me, you've got a lot ta say. Usually you had an alright or good day. And when you're havin' a bad day, you try ta get me ta talk about my day instead,"

"Do I seem like I had a good day today?"

I shrugged lightly. "You tell me,"

"Not really. My day didn't get better until I saw you,"

"Why wasn't your day so good? Tell me, Pooh,"

She moved from behind me and sat on my lap.

I wrapped my arms around her and she told me how she was really feelin'. I listened ta her while she told me about what her mom and her said once I left their house this mornin'. Her mama was trippin'.

"I'm thinking about moving out," Esined said. "And, I wanna take Erica with me,"

"You know she won't let you do dat. Besides, there's no point. You're goin' ta Princeton in a few months, where would Erica live then?"

"Stop being logical,"

I chuckled. "Well?"

"I don't know," she poked out her bottom lip. "You got anything rolled?"

"You stressed, huh? Blunts and back rubs it is,"

I pulled a rolled blunt from my dresser and a lighter. I gave it ta her and she put it ta her lips.

She flicked the lighter and lit it. She inhaled and blew the smoke into the air. She took anotha puff then passed it ta me.

We took turns and when we finished, I gave her a back massage.

"Aug," Esined mumbled.

"Yeah, babe?"

"I love you,"

"I love you too," I kissed her shoulder. "And don't forget dat I'ma be hea fa you wheneva you need me,"

"And I'm here for you too. Can we cuddle?"

"Uh, I'on know about dat now,"

"Snugga," she turned ta me wit a pout.

"Fine," I gave in.

She smiled and pulled me down on top of her.

I started laughin' as she kissed all ova my face.

-Hi.

I don't know how to end this.

Hopefully I'll stop around 85 chaps.

Excuse typos please.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo