The Only Exception

27

Letoya

When I pulled up, I saw Monica standing outside on the porch of Essences house. Getting out, I walked up on her.

"Hey Monica." I mused as my eyes stayed on my sister who was glaring her down.

Monica turned and smiled at me. "Hey cousin. Now look, I've been looking for you high and dry. I went to your dorm and Kelly told me you would be here. Do you still need the money?"

"Money?" I asked in confusion.

"Grandma told me and momma that you were behind on your tuition. I came to give you the money."

I was still confused. "You came to give me a loan?"

She shook her head. "No. I came to give you the money."

"She don't need yo money." Essence broke into our conversation with a tone of ice.

"Nobody's talking to you Essence." Monica bit back.

Essence went to grab her and I got in between them and spoke to my sister. "Down."

Essence sent Monica a look. "Every time I see you and Letoya's not around I'm gonna whoop your ass. I can't stand you bitch."

"Get over it Essence! He didn't want you!" Monica yelled back.

E scoffed. "Bitch! He didn't want you! Do you not know that's my damn husband now?"

I looked between Essence and Monica in humor. This beef was deep rooted for they had been 'fighting' over the same boy since grade school. He always wanted Essence but one time Monica kissed him and all hell broke loose. It was safe to say that our cousin Monica was the richest in the family but she was snobby and well... to cut it short, she was fast.

Essence always caught Terrence's attention for some reason. Monica was always materialistic, still is, but Essence was just down to earth. Money was something wanted but not always needed. She, like me, grew into humbleness. More than likely because we ain't have much.

"H-husband?" Monica asked in shock.

"Yes hoe. My h-husband." Essence sent me a look and I had to refrain from laughing. "Tee! Baby come down here!" Two sets of footsteps came down the steps. First Pierre then Terrence. Essence shook her head. "PJ, I said Tee, not P."

Peanuts eyes widened as he giggled. "Sorry mommy. Daddy and I play wrestling."

Monica went from Peanut to Terrence in shock. Damn. You'd think she figure out that she'd lost by now but I guess she had to learn the hard way.

Terrence scoped the scene and him being polite spoke. "Hello Monica."

Moe hesitated. "Hi Tee—."

"Terrence bitch. Don't call my husband by no nicknames unless I can trust you." Essence rolled her neck.

Terrence put his arms around my sister. "Behave woman."

"I am behaving." E disagreed. "I just don't like this bitch. Matter fact, bye. Get off my property. Letoya, take ya family member and skedaddle. I love you but ion mess with this hoe."

"I love you too. Bye Peanut. Bye Tee." Not having to hear E dismiss me twice, I pulled Moe away from Essences doorstep. As we walked to our cars I mumbled to her. "Now you know what you just tried to do was dirty."

"Don't matter. The hoe was still bothered. Nice knowing I still got it." Monica replied arrogantly as she applied some lip gloss that she had grabbed out her purse. "Did you see Terrence? He's still as fine as I remember chile. That goatee of his, mm, mm, mm."

"Don't call my sister our her name again and girl stop roaching. That's what got yo ass beat last time." I recalled when my sister beat her up the summer of my junior year.

Monica chuckled. "Back then, I was all skin and bones. Now I'm thick in all the right places. Terrence is gonna realize where home is real soon."

I sent her a look as I unlocked my car. "See yo ass be asking for the shit you get handed to you." I opened my car door. "I'm about to go. I don't know where you finna go, but I'd advise for you to be anywhere but here."

She nodded. "I'm going to my hotel. Oh by the way, the money—."

"I was serious Monica. Grandma told you some old shit. I don't need your money."

With Monica everything had a catch, literally everything. This money she was so willing to give me probably had a even worse catch saying as how much she would be giving me. Once I started working for Jo, I began putting money to the side to pay my tuition. I had saved up a lot and I almost had enough to pay the entire loan back.

Moe sighed. "Suit yourself. Move your car hoe, I wasted a flight."

"When are you leaving?"

"In five days."

"Oh okay." I didn't bother to say goodbye, instead I got into my car and drove to Jo's.

While driving I noticed all the signs in places and build boards that had her face and name on it. Elections were tomorrow, yet nobody wanted to act like it. Everyone at the office ran like it was just another day and when I talked to David, he said it was because Jo didn't want to jinx herself or some shit. So I haven't mentioned it either.

Pulling into the driveway, I got the key from behind the plant and went to open the door but someone opened it before I could. A undershirt wearing William Garner and I came face to face and I tilted my head as I blinked in confusion. What was he doing here?

He nodded at me but his head hung low. "Hi Miss Luckett."

I didn't reply and Jo came to the door in short set pajamas with Williams shirt in her hands. "Hey Will, your shirt—." She stopped when she saw me standing there. "Oh, hey. William was just leaving."

Stepping to the side, William hugged Jo a little too long for my likings before walking away. When he drove off, I looked at her before realizing I just didn't even want to know. Walking past her, I dropped the spare key on the counter and simply walked up the steps. Grabbing some clothes, I started the shower and shut the restroom door behind me.

Jo walked in moments later. "Let me explain. Nothing happened."

"Okay." I replied back because I didn't think anything happened. I trusted her.

"I'm serious baby, nothing happened."

"Okay baby." I repeated as I took my clothes off. Getting in the shower, I grabbed my towel and lathered it with soap.

Jo didn't get in but she stayed in the restroom. "He was beat up and I told him that he could—."

I grabbed the shower curtain and pulled it back so she could see me. "Jo, seriously... okay. I believed you the first time. You don't have to explain. I trust you. Now get some rest, your days tomorrow. I'll come after I get out the shower."

She nodded as she came over and pecked my lips. "Alright fine but hurry up. I wanna cuddle."

"Girlllll, I'm turning you soft. It's cute."

Jo squinted. "Don't call me soft."

"Alright softy. My bad." I raised a eyebrow as I pulled the curtain back. The toilet flushed and the water temperature changed causing me to yelp. "Jo! You play too damn much!"

Her laugh filled the bathroom. "Don't call me soft no more then. Anyways, I'll be in the bed! Toodaloo."

I heard the door shut after her and I shook my head. Well, look at the bright side, at least she was in good spirits.

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Lmao, long story short this is the worst day of my 2019 and trust me child, I then had some bad days. However, hope you all had a great Good Friday! <3