Call
1995
Adina's POV
Me and Marshall haven't talked in 3 days, and still I haven't talked to Deshaun, or seen him.... I really should go to his house and check up on him. I miss him... and this is hella unlike him.
For him to hold a grudge this long?... I mean we've been mad at eachother before but this is wild—not saying that I'm mad, I'm not mad at all. Just sad about it...I miss my nigga.
And I miss Marshall too...but I'm still pissed...and for some reason I just don't wanna call him or see him. I guess cause I don't wanna face any conflict or have to talk about my feelings. I don't feel like it. But I just wanna see Marshall. It's only been 3 days but damn I miss him hella. We used to see eachother everyday.
Work has been fine since what happened, especially with Tondra around. During break, these past 3 days, we'd sit together and smoke. Of course outside in the back, a bit further away from the building so we won't get caught—I'm sure people can smell it on us but Tondra always brings this perfume to cover it. And it works pretty well. Or we'll just sit in her car.
Tondra and I have gotten pretty close although it's only been 3 days knowing eachother. She's a cool girl, very sweet too. I was surprised that she smoked weed when she pulled out a pre rolled blunt from her damn bra yesterday. She doesn't seem like the type to smoke...she seems too sweet.
Her music taste is hella different too...at least for me. She listed some rock mothafuckas like—Nirvana, Aerosmith, Piss?...... or Kiss? Or somethin' like that. Queen, and Depeche Mode. I've only heard of Nirvana though. And this other band called Deftones.
I ain't too much into dat rock shit. I'm more Hiphop and R&B,...or Reggae...Always have been.
But I don't know, I just wasn't expecting that from her. She's like ya typical sweet black girl. So Nirvana was a bit of a shock.
Coming out of the shower, I hear the home phone ring so immediately, I wrap my towel around me, leaving the steamy bathroom.
You know, I thought it'd be real hard to get used to going back to work after what happened, but it's not...the manager doesn't even look at me anymore. And I'm sure the boss doesn't know anythang about it. Angelo makes sure im straight...but Tondra doesn't know about it... though her being there definitely helps like I said.
But im sure if things escalated, I wouldn't even go back.
I pick up the telephone, prompting the ringing to come to an end. "Hello?" I speak into the phone.
"Dina?" Deshaun calls my name in an off putting tone instantly making my eyebrows draw together.
But also I'm so happy to hear his voice.
"Deshaun! Hi!" I instinctively squeal.
"...How you been?"
"...I been okay, D... is you aight?" I ask cautiously
"Hangin' in there..."
"...What's wrong, D?" I frown. "I missed you, yo. You been okay?"
"I missed you too, Dina." A somber tone lingers in his voice.
"...Seriously.." I chuckle impatiently and confusedly. "What's goin on?"
The line goes quiet for a minute, worrying me.
"Deshaun?"
Still no answer....
"Deshaun?? You still there?"
I begin to hear sniffles in the background... the hell is goin on??
"D, you aight??" My voice slightly raises, tryna get his attention.
The once neutral atmosphere quickly turning uncomfortable, uneasy and rather sad.
"Imma-...imma need you to come over here, aight?...ion wanna say this shit over the phone."
"Deshaun, cmon now-"
"Dawg, just come over here...bring auntie."
"She's at work right now, D. Ion even got a car to get over there." I respond makin' Deshaun sigh, possibly tryna figure out what to do.
Maybe I can call Angelo and have him pick me up and drop me off at Deshaun's. He wouldn't mind.
"I'll come over there then-"
"Nah, nah. I got it, Deshaun...I'll be over there." I cut him off.
"You sure?"
"Yea, I'll see you in a minute....but for real.. is you aight? You don't sound well, D."
"Adina, I don't wanna talk about this shit over the phone. Just please get ya ass over here."
"Aight, aight." I quit nagging.
"Aight." And with that, he hangs up.
Immediately, I hurriedly dial Angelo's number and almost within a few rings he answers.
I'm hopin' he'll be able to give me a ride. He just dropped me home like an hour ago from work, both of us just got off. So I don't know what he's really doin' now.
"What's up?" His deep voice vibrates through the phone.
"Uh, do you mind givin' me a ride? It's for somethin' important."
"Uhh....Yea, no problem. Imma be there in like 10, aight?"
"Aight, thank you, Angelo." I smile. "I hope I ain't interruptin nothin'."
"Nah, nah. Of course not. Ion mind helpin' you out. Whatever you need,...I'm here." His voice lowers making my eyebrows draw together and a chuckle roll off of my tongue... did that not sound a lil weird?
"Uh, aight. Thank you...see you soon."
"See you."
I hang up the phone, my eyes wandering around a bit confused at the way he spoke in that tone... was he?— nahh....Aight. I gotta go fuckin' get dressed.
Ion know what Deshaun wants and what this is about...but it definitely puts me on edge—just from the tone of his voice. Ion like it...and it worries me. I hope everythang is alright. It's rare to hear that tone from him...
After throwing on a t shirt and sweatpants real quick—My dad comes out of his room making my eyes roll.
"Where the hell you goin', Adina?"
"To Deshaun's, pops."
"...You always goin' somewhere. Can't you just ever stay home?"
"This is probably somethin' real important, Daddy. Ion know what the hell you want me to do." Attitude stings in my voice.
I know my father is hungover as shit right now...he was gone on damn night.
"Daddy, you need to get you some aspirin. I'm not dealin' wit this right now."
"Dina..." His voice sounds less demanding and more sad. "I'm so fucked up, baby girl.... I'm so sorry... I can't—This damn alcohol. It's makin' me do shit ion wanna do, baby...I need help-"
The tone of his voice makes me feel bad...
"Dad, you got yourself into this shit." But I don't show that...he's doing this to himself. "When mama comes back from work you need to tell her what the hell is going on and I'm not jokin'. You're a grown man. But you wanted to act childish and immature about losing a damn job. You went absolutely left....you ain't handle ya shit like a man...and you wanna go on and put ya self through somethin' that almost took ya life. Puttin' everyone in danger....you need to help ya damn self." I speak in disappointment...staring at him for a moment before I hear a honk outside.
That must be Angelo.
I break eye contact. Leaving to go to Angelo's car.
Not knowing how to feel about my father. Ion even wanna speak about it again....
