Broke Luxury (A Jacquees Short Story) #Wattys2016

(12) This House

Jacquees

My mind was going a mile a minute as I drove. I was so thankful for Issa, because without him I wouldn't be back in the states. Cal and Kale have never liked me since the beginning of this, and I know they don't like me even more now.

I had been thinking about what I would say as I drove to Sasha's house. Everything that I've come up with sounded like bullshit, but my time ran out as I pulled up to her house.

I stepped out of the car and up to the door. I rung the doorbell and wiped the sweat from my palms off on my pants. The door nob jiggled and when it opened, I didn't see anyone.

"Daddy!" Malika exclaimed running to my leg and wrapping her arms around it.

"Hey baby girl." I smiled and picked her up. I kissed her cheek over and over and she giggled each time.

"Why you go bye-bye?" She asked as her voice went up an octave. Even my child noticed I wasn't around. "We miss you lots."

My heart constricted in my chest. "Where's mommy?" I asked moving on to another subject. I would explain to her later.

She wiggled out of my arms and held up her index finger. "You wait here."

I smiled as she ran off. I could here her talking to Sasha in the back room.

"Mommy, me surprise you."

"Lika, what are you talking about?"

"Come look, mommy be happy now!"

I heard their footsteps coming down the hall. I was standing in the threshold of the door with the door still wide open.

Malika dragged her by her index finger all the way to the door and when she laid eyes on me, they were empty. They were different.

They weren't the same eyes that drew me in and saw right through my soul.

"Why are you here?" She said quietly. Her tone wasn't angry, it was sad, almost depressing.

"I have so much explaining to do." I said quietly.

"Mommy no happy?" Malika peered up at us as her eyes shifted rapidly between us.

Sasha bent down to her level. "Thank you baby, mommy loves you. Are you hungry?" Malika nodded.

"Mac and cheese?"

"Alright, you have some left over from earlier. Why don't you take daddy in the living room and watch Dr. McStuffins while I make it."

Malika hugged her neck and then came over to me. She pulled me inside by my finger and quickly closed the door. She grabbed my finger again and led me into the living room to watch tv. She curled up under me.

I wasn't expecting Sasha to react how she did and I honestly would have rather her scream at me and tell me I ain't shit. At least I would know what she's actually feeling. The thing that bothered me the most was the look in her eyes. I've only seen it one other time, but I don't remember where.

Sasha walked over with the food. She sat her at her small table in front of the tv.

"Do you need help?" Sasha asked placing her sippy cup next to her plate.

"I got. You go." Malika shooed us away and we both smiled at her. She's growing up so fast.

We walked into the kitchen area where she was still visible and sat across from each other. Sasha folded her arms and I saw the look in her eyes again.

"First, I didn't just leave because of my mistake. I got kidnapped Sasha. I wasn't running away from what I did, I'm a man and I'm old enough to own up to my shit." I blurted out. She unfolded her arms and shifted in her seat, waiting for me to continue.

"And I know I cheated. That was the biggest mistake I've ever made. I never meant to hurt you or for you to find out in any other way than by me. Don't be mad at Kerrie because she knew. She chewed my ass out and I promised I would tell you, but I got taken."

I didn't know what else to say and I just looked at her, trying to see what she felt.

"By who?" She said quietly. I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. "Who took you?"

"I don't know, but whoever it is wants you and Malika." I said cautiously. Her eyes grew wide and gripped with fear. I knew that look in her eyes all too well. "But, they won't come for you or her."

"How do you know?" She shot back. It's the first thing she's said without hesitation or a moment of silence.

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "B-because I killed them." I stuttered.

Sasha

My breath hitched in my throat. All along my heart was already aching at the thought of him being kidnapped. We had been through this already and doing it a second time would be worse.

But Jacquees, a killer?

"How?" I asked. "There must have been more than one person. So how?"

He looked up from his hands and held them in the air. "With my bare hands Sasha. I chocked them until they were black and blue. They kicked for air and I didn't let go until their body slumped to the floor. Is that enough explanation for you?"

I looked at him and his eyes were dark and vague.

"I need some time to think." I started. "You need to be seeing if you're the father of someone else's children."

His face scrunched up a little like I had just slapped him.

He stood up from the table and nodded. After kissing Malika's forehead, hugging her, and telling her he loved her, he left without another word.

Cal

"You know the lil broad from the mall?" I asked Kale. He nodded his head as he lit up a blunt.

"Yeah, what about her?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Choo choo!" I laughed and pumped my fist in the air like a conductor.

"Nasty motherfucker." Kale laughed.

"Nah, I ain't fucked nobody moms yet. It's somethin' about that broad though. Ha' name Tina, bitch wasn't too wet."

"Disgustin'."

"Baby sis heard from that bitch boy?" I asked and I saw Kale clench his lil ass jaw. I swea' sometimes I think he in love with our sister for real.

"I ain't ask." He took a deep breath.

"Be cool young blood." I chuckled. "By the way, I'm callin a group meeting. We 'bout to fix what's broken."