The Moth and the Flame

TMATF|7

"Yo, who you fuckin Irie?!"

Before Irie could turn around, a swoosh of brisk, cold air hit her nude, wet body, as she looked to see an angry Heru, pulling the curtains to the side, damn near ripping them in the process.

"What?" she replied, as the bar of Dove soap slipped from her hands, hitting the bottom of the tub with a loud thump.

"What the fuck you been doin!?" he yelled again.

Irie just stood, the hot stream of water still hitting the side of her body.

"What are you talking about?" she said, while trying to cover her body.

Heru sniffled his nose before dropping his head down and gulping hard. He didn't appreciate how dumbfounded she was acting at the moment, and he was only getting angrier.

"Some nigga just called ya phone. The same number...over and over again. The spam number, right ma?" he replied, lowering his tone once bringing his head back up.

Gulping hard herself, Irie said nothing. She couldn't think of a lie quick enough to ease the tension.

But her silence wasn't enough for Heru.

Irie stepped back in fear, as Heru walked over towards her. Cutting the shower off, he then tossed her her towel, to which she cautiously caught, quickly wrapping it tightly around her body. She refused to step out with Heru still standing there, staring daggers at her.

"Irie...I'm gone ask you one time...and one time only baby,...okay," Heru paused, clasping his hands together in an effort to calm himself before continuing.

"Who is dude that just called ya phone?"

He never took his eyes off hers, as she avoided his vicious stare down.

"No...nobody important, I...I swear," Irie stuttered.

"So why da nigga callin you baby and shit? and why he askin if you up?"

"Is...is dat why you showering all early and shit...you really even off today?" Heru asked with suspicious eyes.

"Yes..."

"Yes what?!" Heru was back yelling now.

"I am off today," Irie's voice raised just a little, as Heru eyed her in doubt.

"Okay. So why he comfortable enough to call you at this time...and callin you baby...and asking are you up....let's get back to that," Heru said next, now leaning against the sink.

"I don't...I don't...I don't know...I swear," Irie began to tear up, but was too afraid to wipe her eyes.

"So this dude, that ain't important, is calling you at five in the morning, callin you baby and asking if you up? For what Irie? To go fuck em or some shit?"

"No," Irie said, her voice wavering, as she stayed close to the wall of the shower.

"What's his name?" Heru asked next.