Caught Up

Chapter 3

Taj stepped out the car, pressed the lock button twice and walked into the house. It was surprisingly empty. Usually at any given time there would be at least 3 people in the house but for once Taj had walked into emptiness. Although she loved her siblings, she relished in the moments when she could be in the house alone with her thoughts.

Since their mother had passed away from cancer a few years ago, the four siblings inherited the house. Luckily it was paid for. The life insurance policy that their mother left behind kept them well off, but the money was slowly running out. Everyone had gotten jobs and was holding it down so Essence, the youngest sister, could finish college.

 Essence was the baby but never acted like it. At just 19 years old, she was wise beyond her years. Even though Taj was just 23 years old, she treasured and spoiled her little sister. Since they were the only girls amongst the siblings, they stuck together like super glue.

Taj went in the kitchen, grabbed a beer, cracked it open and headed up the stairs to her bedroom.

*Power On*

Reggae music blasted out of the speakers and Taj vibed as she walked to the closet. She opened the double doors to the full walk in closet and stared at all her clothes. She had a closet full of clothes and still thought to herself I have nothing to wear tonight. Taj looked to her right at the full length mirror and started dancing with herself to the reggae music playing. She grinded and humped the air imagining a sexy female in front of her. Reggae music always took her away to another place.

The door slowly opened and Essence stood watching the show. She slowly pulled her phone out and pressed the little red button to start video recording. Taj, oblivious to the audience she recently acquired, continued dancing with the air. She grabbed on the closet door and started grinding on it.

“Hey baby, you know you sexy right? Uh huh, AND u can dance girl. Lemme get yo number” Taj smooth talked the closet door with the game that she DIDN’T have.

Essence burst out into a fit of laughter and Taj quickly straightened up like she wasn’t doing anything. “Aye, when’d u get here?” she asked Essence as if nothing happened.

“So, I finally get to see what you do when you hit on these lil girlies of yours…” Essence started through laughter. “I’m impressed. I didn’t know my big sister had that much ‘game’”

“Yea, well it works. The ladies be flockin” Taj retorted, brushing off her shoulder like it was nothing. “What are you doing home anyway? I thought you had class tonight”

“They let us out early” Essence replied, plopping down on Taj’s bed. “What are YOU doing home, I thought you had work”

“Yea, well they fired me” Taj mumbled, barely audible.

“What was that?” Essence questioned loudly.

“I SAID...” Taj started louder, “They fired me”

“What? Why? What happened, Taj? Why you get fired? What you do?” Essence shot at her.

“Why it gotta be something I did?” Taj asked slightly offended by the barrage of questions.

“Because, that was the easiest job ever.  You have to actually TRY to get fired from that dump” Essence replied.

“Well, I wasn’t planning on it… it just happened. Fuck that job anyway. Help me find something for tonight. I’m ‘bout to go out and get some new bait” Taj said, quickly changing the subject.

“Ugh, I HATE when u say bait… these women are more than just ‘bait’ Taj. They have feelings and what not. That’s why you keep creating all these crazy stalker bitches” Essence reminded her.