Meshelle
"Could you keep Camden for me tonight? I have to work."
My mom stared with a questioning look before taking my sleeping son into her arms. He looked so precious and innocent while asleep but it was a different story whenever he was wide awake.
"You're over-working yourself, Meshelle. Can't you take a vacation or something?" she inquired. We've had this conversation plenty of times. She disagrees with my job, I explain that I need it to support my son, then my words are taken out of context. Mama laid Camden across the bed after placing a kiss on his forehead as I watched from the doorway. Even though we don't get along, we're similar in so many ways. We've both been through our trials and tribulations in relationships and raised kids on our own. In my case that would be one kid.
My mother was so disappointed when I told her that I was pregnant with my first child and encouraged me to abort it and I know my body belongs to me but I had to make that choice, then I started a relationship with someone else who belonged to another woman while I was in a relationship and that's how Camden ended up here. The guy I was with eventually ended his relationship and we started ours.
"If he cheats on her with you, what makes you think he won't cheat on you with the next broad?" Ashanti had asked me that question when I was around 3 months pregnant and it seems like everything took a turn for the worst right after that. He started lying, staying out late, etc. Basically doing the things cheaters do. I held mine like a real woman, though. When he wasn't there I packed my things and got as far away as possible to another city. Things were rough so I came back to California only to find out he was gone. It was like we were taking turns. I still talk to him every other day but it's only about us. He never asks how his son's doing or if he needs anything. It's always about us getting back together or making plans to see me.
"All right, I'm out. I'll be back by 7 or earlier. Please leave the door unlocked," I pleaded. I walked out of the house and onto the porch where the night was settling in. It felt so good out here so I decided to get rid of my jacket and just wear my undershirt.
As I was mixing a drink for a customer, I noticed Lai dancing on stage. We were cool when she first started but something about her is disturbing and she looks so sneaky. She noticed me staring and gave me a concerned look before continuing to dance. Just because she was a stripper I looked at her differently and I've told many of the strippers here that I don't like my working environment but they never take offense. They always laugh the insults off. What makes them proud to show out like this?
"Did you ask him for I-D?" Brandy asked, standing alongside of me.
"Yes, I'm not stupid," I replied.
Rico took a seat in a bar stool, staring at his surroundings. The only reason his business is big like this is because his father left it to his weird ass. "You're taking up space, you know?"
"What?" he said, taken aback.
"If you aren't buying then you need to move," Brandy co-signed. He kissed his teeth then turned back around in the stool so that he was facing the stages. I reached to throw liquor on him but was quickly stopped by Brandy. "Calm down, Mesh. It isn't worth it."
Lai
"What's up with Meshelle giving me dirty looks?" I asked. I sat on my mother's sofa while holding my phone between my ear and shoulder. Yaris burst out laughing.
"She's probably jealous. When was this?" she asked.
"Tonight. I'm on stage and she's at the bar grilling me so I'm like.." I trailed off, rolling my eyes as if she was here to see me.
"Who cares about her? What about you and that dude?" she said. I looked at my phone in confusion. There was no dude. "Um, who?"
"The rapper. I know you didn't get rid of that already," she said, laughing.
"Jokes, huh? We're still, um, talking or whatever you want to call it." I answered. Michael has yet to let me know what we are and I refuse to ask because it's something I should never have to do, and as mentioned before I am not ready.
"Has he met my goddaughter?" Yaris inquired, referring to Malasia. "No-o-o, he still doesn't even know about my job."
"What the hell, L?! What you waiting for? Him to find out through some homeboys or some girl at the club? You need to hurry and let it be known so the two of you can move past that friend stage and you can get into those pockets, OK?" We shared a laugh and I stopped abruptly, letting her continue to laugh.
"Yaris, it isn't even like that. You know how I am about supporting myself and not depending on any man to provide for me or my child." I said, shaking my head.
"Wrong! I don't know how you are about supporting yourself. Look at you now depending on your parents for a place to stay, depending on your parents to watch your kid. Girl, my list goes on but I'll save it for another time. I'm not telling you to pimp him or anything. Just see what he's working with and see if you can get a little something to kick of this whole I'm independent thing you have going on."
Yaris was sort of right. Michael has money and I know that for a fact but it would still be wrong to be looking into his pockets like that and that isn't what I'm about therefore I'll leave the whole gold-digging to her. And Michael's way too sweet to be getting played like that.
"I'm very rich!" I exclaimed, imitating Nene. Yaris laughed. "Shut up. Call me tomorrow morning, all right?"
"Got you, bye." As soon as our call ended a private number came through and I accidentally answered while attempting to lock my phone. "Hello?" I answered. I repeated it at least two times before ending the call. OK...
*
I opened the cabinet, hoping to see Nyquil or Alka-Seltzer sitting there but it was empty. Out of nowhere I had awoke coughing badly and feeling horrible. No one was home so there was no type of transportation to the store. Yaris was probably still asleep because we worked pretty hard last night. I'll just call Michael. I needed to see him, anyways.
"H-hello?" he answered, clearing his throat. If this cold didn't have me feeling so bad then I'd smile.
"Could you run me to CVS or Walgreens? Doesn't matter," I asked. He sighed heavily before yawning. "Give me a couple minutes." He ended the conversation without even giving me a chance to reply. Amare walked through the door with his backpack and phone in hands.
"Where's everybody?" he asked. I shrugged then he took off down the hall.
Michael unlocked his car door and I pulled the door handle before getting inside. He didn't look too well either. Maybe it was because I woke him up so early. "Where did you want to again?" he spoke up, breaking the silence. "Uh, CVS." He nodded. Our journey to the pharmacy was very awkward and silent. I was afraid to say anything so I just directed my attention elsewhere.
"You know a dude named Kirk?" he asks.
I know that I haven't updated for a bit and I apologize. I'll try and get more updates out! Comment, vote. Thank you all.
