11. Maleek
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MALEEK
“ M a, come on. I’ll walk you outside,” I offered after we cleared away the remnants of dinner, still feeling the tension that hung thickly in the air.
The meal shared between me, her, and Jai had been one of the most uncomfortable and silent experiences I could recall, punctuated only by Jai’s piercing glares directed at both me and my mom throughout the evening. Each glance felt like a dagger, communicating more hostility than words ever could.
“Okay, but will you tell Jai that I said goodbye?”
“I will, Ma,” I promised.
Jai had retreated to the back of the house just moments before, I assumed, to avoid the awkwardness of having to tell my mama goodbye.
As we stepped outside into the cool evening air, I noticed the sky was covered in dark clouds, and a slight wind had begun to stir, hinting at the rain that was likely to come.
Once my mama was settled in her car, she explained, “Maleek, I’m sorry about today. You have to know that I would’ve never said anything to her about the lease if I knew you hadn’t mentioned it to her.”
“Well, I didn’t, Ma, but you made sure you did, and she knows now, so it really doesn’t matter.”
“But it does! You’re my son, and I don’t want you to be angry with me!”
“Ma, I’m more angry with myself because I should’ve told her, but we’ll be good. I can handle Jai.”
She nodded. “So, when am I going to see my grandson again?” she asked softly, lowering her voice as she nervously glanced around.
My mama was well aware of the existence of my son. When I first broke the news to her, she was livid. Despite what Jai might’ve thought about her, my mama always wanted my first and only children to be by Jai. However, once my son was born, she gradually began to come to terms with the situation. While my mama still struggled to accept my baby mama, she quickly formed a bond with my son. Despite the awkward situation, I knew my mama would never go behind my back and tell Jai that secret.
“Soon, Ma,” I replied, trying to sound reassuring.
“Maleek, you know you're eventually going to have to tell her,” she said, her tone firm yet caring. “She may not like it, but it's better for her to hear it from you than to find out in some other way.”
“Ma...” I started, unsure how to continue.
She raised her hands in a gesture of understanding.
“Maleek, I’m just saying what I believe is right. But okay, I know you don't want me poking around in your life too much.”
I appreciated her concern, but the truth was, I wasn’t ready to confront that difficult conversation just yet.
“All right, Ma, it's probably best if you head home now. It looks like it is about to rain.”
“Alright, son. I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I watched as she pulled away. The moment her taillights faded from view, I hurried back inside to face Jai and the conversation we desperately needed to have.
“Jai!” I called out as I stepped into our bedroom but halted my following words.
Jai was rummaging through the dresser drawer. Once she grabbed a pair of pajamas, she faced me.
“Leek, save it! I've had enough drama for the last two days! Just make sure you get that key from your mama!”
The intensity in Jai’s tone made it clear that she was almost at her breaking point.
Jai shut the drawer with a forceful bang, causing a few items on the dresser to fall over. Without another word or glance in my direction, she marched into the bathroom and then slammed the door behind her with a loud thud that echoed off the walls, a final punctuation to the conversation.
“Fuck!” I cursed, tossing my head back on the door.
This is about to be a long ass night, I thought.
“Why the fuck are you calling me this early and, on the weekend, anyway, when you know that my girl is more than likely around me?” I asked my baby mama while cautiously looking around for any signs of Jai.
Luckily, when she called, I was outside smoking a blunt while Jai was inside.
“Was she your girl when we created MJ?”
“Gone on with that! You know that shit was a mistake!”
“So, you’re saying that your son was a mistake?”
“Nah, but us fucking was! You acting like that shit was planned or we were in love at the time!”
“Planned or in love or not, all the moaning and sweet whispers you said that night says differently.”
“You ever heard of beautiful lies? That’s all that shit was!”
I was drunk as fuck the night she got pregnant, but that didn’t erase the memory of how good her pussy was. However, I wasn’t going to give her ass the satisfaction of knowing that.
“Whatever! Anyway, you know exactly what I’m calling for, Leek, so stop playing! Where is my money?”
“Look, I’m trying to work something out! I don’t have it all, but I’ma get you your money! Damn! This shit takes time, especially the amount you’re asking!”
My baby mama was requesting fifty thousand dollars, money she knew I didn’t have. Well, money, I didn’t have to supply her wants.
“I believe you, so I’ma give you an extension… two weeks only, though.”
I sighed a breath of relief, but I should’ve known she wouldn’t make it that easy for me.
“But since you obviously can’t come up with the money portion right now, I’m sure there’s something else you can give me while I wait,” she referred to some dick.
I was still having sex with my baby mama. Not because I necessarily wanted to, but more so out of blackmail. Nobody, not even my brother, knew that shit. I was sure if he did, he would’ve clowned me for allowing a woman to have that much control over me, but I was too deep in that situation to pull out without repercussions.
“Look, I’ll see you and my son this weekend. Don’t call my fuckin’ phone no more until then!” I firmly stated, then hung up on her ass.
I remained outside, savoring every puff of the blunt that I desperately needed at that moment. The calming effects filled my mind as I took in the crisp air, trying to find some peace amidst the drama that was unfolding in my life. When I finally mustered the will to step back inside, the first thing that hit me was the sound of music blasting from the speakers. Jai had “The One” by Ann Marie playing. As I paused in the doorway of the kitchen, I could see Jai all into the song, her voice rising above the music. As she sang along, I couldn’t help but notice how carefree she appeared, her spirit seemingly unbothered by the tension that had hung between us.
“ So, boy, don’t fuck up ’cause the streets been waitin’ on me. No matter where you look, boy, it won’t be another me. So, you better off playing with your dick before you think you can play with me. ’Cause, baby, I’m the one .” As Jai recited the final lines, her eyes flicked over to me, and a mischievous smirk danced across her lips.
“Shid, is there something you’re trying to tell me?” I asked her. “Last night, you had the volume up playing ‘I Bet’ by Ciara, and now you’re dropping these lyrics. What’s good, Jai?”
Jai turned off the stove before sauntering over to me. Giving my shoulder a gentle pat, she leaned in slightly and whispered, “Just a lil’ warning, baby,” then sashayed away, leaving behind a trail of intrigue.
Damn, I wonder if she heard my conversation.