Feenin': The Ballad of DeVante and Serafina

Chapter Twenty-Four: Stay Away From Me

SERAFINA POV

Two weeks after my nightmare, I recieved a devastating call from Dalvin. Latisha's son Quentin was killed in a drive-by shooting. He was just eight years old. I dreaded going to the funeral because I hate going to them, but because I was scared of having to face you-know-who. 

T-Boz and I went to the funeral. It's common sense that funerals are indeed sad....but when you have to attend a funeral for an 8-year-old found with hollow-point bullets in his chest, shit hits VERY hard. I haven't seen Latisha in years and she's devastated. Sole, Eden, and Karyn were also there. I wanted the old crew to reunite, just not like this. 

I sat on the couch stone-faced and devastated. T-Boz sat next to me and Karyn. I snapped out of my trance when Dalvin brought us plates of food. 

Dalvin: C'mon ladies, ya'll gotta eat something.

Me: I can't right now, Dalvin. 

Dalvin: Can you at least try? 

I took the plate as he walked off, but I set it down and sighed. 

T-Boz: You okay?

Me: It's a scary thing....an eight year old!? 

Karyn: Hell yeah. Let me go check on my own baby, holla.

We hugged as Karyn left. 

T-Boz and I got up to get some water. Suddenly, she turned me away from her so my back was turned to everyone else. 

Me: What are you---

T-Boz: Shush! DeVante's here. Put cha shades on!

Me: What!?

T-Boz: Just do it, girl!

I sighed and put on my shades. My arms folded and looking everywhere else....T-Boz got me looking like Stevie Wonder. 

Me: I'll be back....

Seeing as how the front door was crowded with people, I had no other choice but to go through the kitchen and outside. 

T-Boz: Where you going?

Me: To my car....I'll be back.

Seeing as how DeVante was coming up the road, I bolted out the kitchen and into the alley, walked to my car door and got in.I looked in the rear view and sure enough saw DeVante driving behind me. I sped up and finally got out of the alley and parked on the curb. I looked back and strangely enough....DeVante wasn't following me. I made my way past the crowd at the front and quietly shut the door. I saw Left Eye, Dalvin, Latisha, Chili, and T-Boz all in a circle. I exhaled....I CAN'T WIN!!!

Left Eye: Ayye! Hey Fina girl!

Me: Hi Lisa.

She kills me being so loud and obnoxious when greeting people. And sure enough, DeVante looked at me. 

T-Boz: You uh, get my Carmex out the glove compartment right!?

I looked confused.....then realizing what she was doing, I played along.

Me: Yeah. I got it somewhere in my purse here. 

I hesitantly walked over to their circle, digging frantically through my purse. I felt DeVante put his right arm around my waist. The fuck!?

DeVante: Hi there, how ya feeling beautiful!?

He really wanted to sit here and act as though NOTHING had happened? I hesitated as he took the shades off of my face and looked into my eyes. For the first time, I could see DeVante for what he really was, and NOT what I imagined him to be: a vile, controlling, tempermental, and violent man who delivered love on the back of his hands. I looked away and handed T-Boz a Chap-Stick tube. 

T-Boz: Um...thanks honey.

I nodded my head and went outside to clear my head. I got back in my car and began to cry. This is supposed to be about Latisha losing Quentin, but seeing DeVante just shatters the purpose entirely. I wanted to drive away but I couldn't leave T-Boz behind. I was so lost in my emotions, but I was able to hear Dalvin calling my name.

Dalvin: FINA!!! COME BACK IN HERE!!! PLEASE!

I wiped my tears as Dalvin knocked on the door. I rolled down the window.

Me: NO!

Dalvin: Come on, you know DeVante ain't gonna hurt you as long as I'm here. This ain't about ya'll, just for the next few hours forget that you're divorced. 

I hated to admit it, but Dalvin was right. I got out of the car and walked back in the house with him. 

Dalvin: Look, I just told her outside DeVante, this ain't about the two of ya'll......we're here for Latisha. Whatever drama is brewing between ya'll, you better settle it another time. We clear?

DeVante: I'm here for the same reason as everyone else.

T-Boz (under her breath): Bullshit...

DeVante angrily glared at her.

I hugged Latisha and cried in her arms. She pulled away and wiped my tears. I felt so bad for letting him get under my skin, the rest of the time I spent consoling Latisha. 

As the gathering ended, I went to my car so quickly I could have easily made a dust trail behind me.T-Boz was taking forever macking with Dalvin's still feenin' ass. They were so cute together, they could have just stayed together. But that's none of my business. Driving back to San Fran, T-Boz was knocked out sleep and I was focused on the road. My car phone began ringing, but I didn't feel like talking to anyone at the moment so I let it go to voicemail. I noticed something on the restboard of the windshield, like a piece of paper. I took the paper, opened it and screamed. I went into shock, waking up T-Boz from her nap!

T-Boz: Girl, I was about to let Dalvin get a taste of this ice cream cone. What the hell you---

Me: It's happening again!

Another note, it read:

"IT WAS GREAT SEEING YOU TODAY. HOPEFULLY THE NEXT TIME WON'T BE AT YOUR OWN FUNERAL THOUGH!!!" 

T-Boz saw something attached to it.

T-Boz: What is that with it, girl?

I went into shock realizing that the fabric was silk panties. Now, these silk panties aren't just any silk panties. These were the panties I took off when I had sex with DeVante for the very first time. He kept them because he said that day was "unbelievably special." I sped home and as we reached the front steps I saw a bouquet of roses. Brian doesn't know my address, so they aren't from him and there was another note. It read:

"YOU CAN NEVER GIVE UP ON SOMEONE YOU LOVE."

I screamed and threw them away. I paced the house, unsure of what the fuck I was going to do. DeVante's doing this, but I have no real proof that it's him. I can't live like this. 

T-Boz: That's it! I'm going to confront this nigga myself. 

Me: No you're not!

T-Boz: YES THE FUCK I AM!?

Me: And provoke him more!? Tionne, please.

T-Boz: You have to stop running and fight. He only wins if you let him! Fina! Listen to me!

Me: I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS! HE'S GOING TO KILL ME EVENTUALLY!!!!

I grabbed a knife from the kitchen and tried to cut myself, but T-Boz fought me for the knife. 

Me: STOP IT!!! IM GONNA DIE!!! HE'LL NEVER STAY AWAY FROM ME!!! I CAN'T....

T-Boz: YES YOU CAN, JUST TRUST ME!!! 

She took the knife from me and held me tight as we cried in each other's arms. 

....this is harder than I thought.