Family Lies

Treasure

I stood by the phone in the dining room rushing to put lotion on my legs while waiting for that phone to ring. I’d been hitting Aki’s chirp all night and she had yet to respond. But if she didn't call this phone by the time I was ready to walk out the door that would just be on her. Since me and Nic had been spending more time together I found that Aki and I hadn't spent much time together at all. And I would be lying if I said I didn't know why too. Once me and Nic started hanging out again everybody around me was saying me and her were picking up where we left off. And if it was that obvious where my heart was to everyone else then I knew Aki must have peeped and felt some kinda way about that.

But I couldn't help it. I had known Nic for just about as long as I’d known myself. We'd fell off for a lil minute… but that girl was my rock. She kept me grounded. I'm still not looking for nothing official— I don't think my heart or my mind are in the right place for no commitment right now. But I could tell Nic wasn't going nowhere no time soon. Because I wasn't gonna let her.

And I know I’m probably in the wrong for even trying to deal with both of these girls at the same time. But they’d done different things for me in the time we’ve been dealing with each other.

Aki saw me when I felt invisible and was broken and needing help and she became my help. She got me that job working for Mr. Chow— and she decided to put up with me and my bullshit through me insisting that I ain't want no commitment. Even though I could always tell Aki and I were both expecting different end results from our situationship it was still evident that she was satisfied with what we had going on until recently. I couldn't blame her for it… I just want a chance to explain.

But Nic—

RRri— I picked up the phone as soon as it started ringing and said, “Aki?”

“Ohhhh, you remember my name?” Aki sassed and I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly gave myself a headache.

“You know I know your name, Aki,” I whispered with an attitude I couldn't hide if I tried.

“Well it’s been a while since I've heard you say it or… moan it. Hell it’s been a while since I’ve heard you say anything Tré.”

“Why you talkin’ like that? Listen… I can't talk here. But I wanna see you. Link me at 007?”

“What? Do you know what time it is?”

“Just… say you’ll come out with me.”

I listened to Aki breathe for a few seconds before she finally responded. “Fine. I’ll meet you there in an hour.” I twirled True’s car keys around my finger. “You don't have to meet me. I’m about to steal my brother’s car, I can pick you up.”

“Tuh! I got a ride, don't you worry about it Tré.”

“And what ride you got?”

“What I'm riding in isn't what you need to be worried about,” Aki sassed before hanging up and I gasped quietly. I put the phone back on the hook and collected my little bag and carried my heels out of the house. I ran in barefoot for two blocks until I got to where True always parked his ride so Aunt Donna wouldn't see him rolling in it. When I got in I sat there and rolled the joint I'd started craving the second Aki called herself getting smart with me and lit it before pulling off to speed across town.

Once I got where I was headed I thanked God for getting me there in one piece because it was almost the other way the way I was running them lights! I put on my lipgloss and tucked it in my bra next to my lil blade before getting out and locking the door. When inside I strolled all the way to the front row and pulled the stack of ones I had tucked in my bag out and started fanning myself with it as my favorite Queen hit the floor— Miss Thang. I watched her strut across that stage while lip syncing Big Cat downnnnn and I giggled and waved a few dollars in the air to let her know to come and get it. Miss Thang was really that girl though. I don't care who came out, what house put on the hardest show or what— Miss Thang was always the most fishy bitch in the room. If I had never been down to that dressing room I would never think she could have a big ole country dick in her pantyhose— but she do!