Deliverance (Fem x Stem)

21

Lilliana Morst

I was out running errands for the house when I realized I had left my phone at home. The bad thing was that I was riding in a Lyft, so I couldn't just necessarily turn back around and go get it. Time was literally money, but I needed my way of communication always on me in case some shit went down.

I sucked up my frustration and asked the driver to turn back around. He had already driven me to three grocery stores, in which one where he actually went shopping at. Not all drivers did that, some would make you have to pay per ride, in and out of the car, but luckily he was chill. I think he said his name was Robert or something.

"Could you turn around please? I left my phone at home." I then decided I had ran enough errand today. Teyanne and I weren't necessarily broke right now but money was running out from her little college fund that was in her name, and we couldn't keep living off of that. I was trying to spruce up the house and find a job while Teyanne went to the local Work Source everyday. "That'll be all for today."

We were just trying to make something of ourselves.

"Sure," the driver agreed.

A moment later and we were parked near me and Tey's apartment. Normally this would be the moment where I text Tey quick and told her I was leaving the car in case somebody tried to kidnap my feisty ass, but I didn't have my phone on me.

"Ian know you lived over here. I think I used to stay here awhile back," the dude commented.

"Is it a nice area to you?"

"You just moving here?"

Like I was finna put a robbery target on my back. Rule #1, don't ever tell somebody you new. "Nahh, the way I see this place is different. I'm from the other side of the complex," I lied smoothly.

"It's an ight place. It's chill and quiet if you ask me," he shrugged. "You need some help carrying all of this?"

"My girl gone come out and help me. Thanks," I politely smiled at him.

He hid his expression of surprise under a look of concentration as he helped haul my things out of his vehicle. Teyanne must have seen me from the window because she came out the door, dragging out smoke from her vape. I scowled, knowing we were going to argue about that later.

"You need some help, baby?"

Not her putting on her daddy voice, I thought in my head, passing her some bags. She took those inside of the house and eventually we had everything out. "Y'all have a nice day," Robert dipped his head, smirking at me once he was out of Teyanne's sight. After he was gone I kicked the back of Tey's knee as she turned around to head back inside.

"Why you smoking on dat thing?"

"On what?" she rolled her eyes, pressing the device between her soft lips.

"Teyanne Margarita Sully-

"That ain't even my middle name, shawty."

"Why you acting like this?" I said, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around. "Like I'm some hoe you just tolerate, then fuck. Teyanne Avoni Sully."

She ran her hands over her face, damn near dropping the vape. "Babe," she looked at me seriously, a tired expression on her face, "I have been looking for jobs all day long. At least you get to go out and buy groceries and shit, cause God knows if I did, I'd prolly come back with some damn toy carrots and pet food. At least you get that sort of break- I don't. It's all day- finding a job, finding a job."

"Teyanne, shopping is far from a break," I told her, calming down my attitude. My baby was just stressed. "I have to worry if I should get this and that because then we might not have money for another thing. Shit, I don't even enjoy shopping. You and I both know there was days on the road where we didn't eat because we didn't know how much the next gas station would cost to fill your tank all the way up. We not coming from nothing, Tey," I said the last part patiently, "but we need to treat it like that or we'll be dirt poor soon."

Tey sighed and brought me against her chest. "I'm sorry for flipping out on you like that. I'm just- I'm tired of this. And I'm not used to this. I grew up thinking I had a secured future, that I'd work with my mom's church and now everything has changed." She brought her lips to mine, the scent of whatever flavor she was smoking wafting against my face.

"The only good outcome out of all of this was you."

We stood there for a moment then I pulled back. I was tired of standing outside near the cars. "Let's go inside." Once we were back in the house I already knew what time it was. "Lay on your back," Teyanne commanded me.

She sat her vape down on the table and climbed on top of me, the couch squeaking under the weight of both of us. Her kisses felt lazy and forceful, but I tried to ignore that and let my body get into everything as I closed my eyes.

After awhile of her just kissing up and down my body, I opened my eyes and frowned at her. Something was off about Teyanne. Her eyes were bloodshot and her arms seemed to be trembling as they placed themselves on both sides of me, and she dipped down to kiss my exposed breasts again.

"Teyanne what's wrong?" I asked softly.

"I'm high," she whispered, then collapsed heavily on top of me. "Teyanne," I screeched, trying to pick her up off of me. She was fast asleep, with her head pressed between my breasts. I whispered her name again but she was dead asleep. I started the process of trying to lift her up and take her to our bedroom but she was too heavy. Not to mention she would probably fall all over the groceries and boxes still littering the apartment.

I decided to leave her on the couch, and got a blanket to put over her sleeping form. I went around the house and tried to clean up as best as I could. After everything was mostly put away, I decided to go out for a walk (with my phone), since my only friend and girlfriend was high and passed out.

I walked to the apartment's park, and walked around the perimeter. I was listening to J Cole, and switching to Monaleo when I realized it was getting late. Teyanne was probably awake by now and maybe she'd have enough consciousness to comprehend the argument I had been practicing about in my head. She wasn't finna start doing drugs, and drinking a lot, and smoking. That's just not how I roll and there's too much to deal with when it comes to stupid people like that.

I'm not gonna be the one taking care of both of us. I refuse to. So we're gonna nip this in the bud right now. I was unlocking the apartment door when I heard faint moans coming from our bedroom. I immediately froze, a bundle of emotions rushing at me. Was she cheating? Why would she do this to me? Who was it? How could she disrespect me like this? What should I do? Will she call the cops on me if I cut up all her shit?

I closed the door behind me as quietly as I could.

You den fucked up Teyanne Sully.