August's Empathy

Three Musketeers

AUGUST'S EMPATHY

Debarge and Monique sat in a booth at the local Waffle House. Their waitress had seated them about twenty minutes ago. Still, they had not said one thing to the other. He was just staring at her as she ran through her orange juice, getting refill after refill.

Finally, she spoke, "What's been up? How you know it was me?"

Debarge replied, "Who wouldn't? I still remember them curves. I just got out. Nothing much but making a little bit of money. Where have you been?"

"I just got down here. I was staying with a close friend but things just didn't work out. I know you can tell from my lip." Monique chuckled, before taking another napkin. Debarge watched her as she dabbed at her upper lip. It was beginning to swell up.

She still looked good as hell. Her small frame had filled out in the right places. Her breasts were still small and she still had a head full of healthy hair. She did have in a few extensions but it didn't look bad on her. Besides the bruise on her lip, she looked the same but prettier.

He smiled slightly. "Where are you staying now?"

"I guess at a hotel until I can do a little something. It's something small to a giant." Monique eyed the waitress bringing their food over. She turned back to Debarge, who was giving her a skeptical look.

He knew that she wasn't doing as good as she portrayed. It wasn't his place but she was his friend. He didn't consider many people his friend. If Monique needed somewhere other than a hotel to lay her head, she was going to get it. August shouldn't mind because they were once best friends at a point, therefore Debarge text messaged him with the plan.

August felt his phone vibrate in the console as he sat in his car. He looked at the text message from Debarge.

Call me. I got an issue.

He hurriedly called his friend, listening as the phone rang. Debarge picked up, excusing himself from the table. "What is it?" August asked.

"I got Monique with me. She beat up pretty bad, man. I'm talking about her lip busted and it's swollen. She crying and saying she need a place to go, man. I know you not with all the random people in your crib but, c'mon, Monique been our home girl."

August sighed. He ran his hand over his face before replying, "I'm more worried about Cam. She won't feel comfortable with Monique around."

"I thought about her, too, but Monique ain't no threat. She cool with us and she always had our backs. She not gon' come at Cam sideways or disrespect her. We just need to put her up on game before we make it home."

"All right... She can come. Debarge, don't let this be another one of your jokes."

They ended their call then moved from their spots. August started up his car as Debarge beckoned for the waitress to bring to-go boxes. She nodded her head. Monique sat in the booth staring at the food as she felt her heart breaking. She had just got the call from a detective, who had been trying to reach her all day, that her mother was killed.

She knew it was Rakim! She just knew it was his way of getting back at her. And she couldn't believe it. As grimy as he was, she would've thought that he would've came for her. That was her innocent mother! The woman had did nothing to no one. Monique couldn't believe he had took her mom over five-thousand dollars.

Debarge tapped the table as she cried silently, her head down. She wanted revenge. She wanted to take his mom and let him see how it felt. And she was going to get revenge, no matter what. Her mom may have not treated her the best but she raised her up, and she still had her blood pumping through her veins. Rakim was going to regret his decision.

"He's here. Are you ready to go?" Debarge tapped her arm twice. She wiped her tears before lifting her head up. There was an all black Land Rover parked in front of the restaurant. Debarge helped her get her things. She carried the food. They exited the restaurant after leaving a tip.

Debarge opened the door for her and she hopped in, searching through her backed up contacts for a number. August looked back at her and spoke, "What's up?"

Monique shyly spoke, shocked, "What's up?"

Debarge got inside and then they sped off. She never thought they would meet up with her in this condition. It always played a little different in her head. She expected her to have her life together and be sure of what she wanted. It wasn't like she wanted a relationship with him but she did want to hold a friendship with him.

"How you been?" August asked.

"Good," Monique answered, "You?"

"Same, just trying to make it." August glanced over at Debarge, who looked the other way. He lied pretty good. He had August feeling like Monique was an ugly, sorry mess. Instead, she had a busted lip which looked minor. Besides the lip, she looked well-put together. She still looked the same. It made him miss the old times.

As they settled in, Monique was sharing a room with Debarge. She didn't want to but August claimed the opposite room was his sanctuary. She respected that so she would sleep by Debarge until further notice. Debarge didn't mind. In fact, he was slightly excited but the only thing stopping him was his promised commitment to Bianca.

The morning rolled around and Camry was getting up for work. She styled her hair in a tight, neat chignon before exiting the bathroom. August was still asleep due to being up so late, drinking and smoking with Debarge. She grabbed her purse then placed a light kiss on his cheek, leaving her sticky lip balm stained onto his cheek.

As she entered the kitchen to grab a granola bar, she jumped back, startled. She stared at the girl eating a bowl of cereal while lowly talking on the phone. Camry cleared her throat, walking into the kitchen. "Um, what's up? I'm Camry."

"Hey, I'm Monique." she replied.

"Here with Debarge?" Camry inquired. Monique shook her head while sipping from her cup.

"Visitor, you live here?" Monique was unaware that there was another woman in the house. This had to be August's friend or girlfriend. There was no way she was just questioning her for no reason. Monique knew that.

"Yes, August is my man," Camry answered, grabbing her granola bar, "And I live here, pay half of the bills and all. That's why I asked if you were with Debarge. So, when did you get here?"

"Last night, and I respect' dat. I won't be in your way or nothin', this is just temporary."

"OK," Camry forced a smile, "Well, I have to be to work so I guess we'll talk when I come back home. Bye, Monique."

As Camry sat on break, her mind drifted to the Monique girl. She seemed sweet and all but she was also pretty. She didn't want to trust the girl in her house around August. It kind of hurt her that he didn't even ask for her input either. That small argument didn't exclude her from the household. She just didn't trust the decision and August would know how she felt very soon.