Pride

Chapter Eleven

Ketara Greene

"Good God, what you doin' that walk for? When I see that thing move I just wish we would fight less and we would talk more..."

-Kendrick Lamar Feat. Drake; Poetic Justice

Broderick stood in front of my door while my face was still stained with tears. I didn't bother wiping them. I just wanted to understand why he was in front of my door at the present moment.

"Ketara...listen, I'm sorry things went the way they did. I didn't mean to hurt you-"

"-but you did. You hurt me. You ignored me. You embarrassed me. You had hours to tell me that you had a change of heart. You could've ended things more respectfully than to let me realize you reunited with the same ex you told me not to worry about."

"Yo, just hear me out."

"There's nothing to hear out. You made your choice. Get off my porch."

He reached forward to pull me in and I pushed at him. While he was unbalanced, I slapped him as hard as I could manage. Afterward I closed the door and cried some more. I heard him cursing and walking away from the door and waited about thirty more seconds until I was sure he'd driven away. I was glad because the last thing I wanted to do was call the police but it was heading in that direction. As far as I was concerned, he'd better carry himself to the park and find his girlfriend again because I wasn't the one.

Suddenly needing company, I walked outside and ventured to Shakyra's. Her mother Marian answered the door and informed me that she was probably over at Louis'.

"If you want to hang out here until she comes back though, you're more than welcome."

"Oh, thanks Ms. Marian. I'm just going to check across the street."

"You sure, baby?"

Everybody knew and understood Louis' and I rivalry so I didn't think twice about the concern I'd read on Ms. Marian's face. She was like a second mother so if Louis acted up with me she'd be sure to let Ms. Sherane know.

"Yeah." I responded, "I'll see you later!"

I also forgot that Ms. Marian would let my mother know I showed up at her door looking despondent. That hadn't been a thought in my mind as I walked across the street and up the stairs of my worst enemy. I was hoping he'd take it easy on me today considering all that had happened. I couldn't take anymore abuse, even if fighting Louis to release some steam would help. Somehow, I felt like it wouldn't even be the same.

I trudged until I reached the top. I rang the bell and waited. Maybe two minutes later, Louis answered, his expression surprised.

"Ketara?"

"Is Shakyra there?"

I had pushed past him, ignoring the flutters that normally attacked my belly at the sight of him. He chuckled lightly and closed his door, walking behind me as I searched frantically for my friend's presence.

"Nah. I'm pretty sure I saw her walking Lichelle's way."

"Oh." I said, sighing, "I'll get out of your way, then."

Louis sighed, taking me in. He waved me in, motioning for me to sit on the couch in his living room. I rose a brow but ventured in, anyway. I didn't know how to feel when I read pity in his eyes. It was a sad day when Louis Allen was being sensitive to my needs but at the same token, I was grateful. I wasn't in the right state of mind to fight.

"You want something to drink?" he asked me, "I have lemonade, sprite, Pepsi..."

"Water is fine."