Chapter 9
NINE
ASHANNI
My hands were itching to get at that ho.
I had Glorilla’s “Hollon” blasting all the way to Liberty.
It didn’t help that Jessica’s rowdy ass was at the diner when it happened.
We didn’t even know what was going on until we heard somebody speed off.
When I ran outside and saw my ride keyed the fuck up, I knew exactly who did it.
Jess was right next to me, and my mama was behind me.
We all jumped in my ride and took off after that bitch, leaving our food on the table.
When we got back, I saw that someone had boxed our food up and labeled which was which.
We’d come here to eat brunch before going to Houston.
Jessica wasn’t going to be going to Houston with us, but after we left, she said she would go so I wouldn’t have to go back to Nome to bring her back.
Tyeis, Decaurey’s wife, was in Houston and could scoop her up on her way out.
I sat at the table and just stared at the box.
Being in a relationship shouldn’t be this difficult.
My mama sat next to me. She didn’t say anything, but she grabbed my hand.
Asad was everything I wanted, but he was allowing that bitch to keep us apart.
He should have let me get at her when I wanted to.
Asad said he loved me. That shit almost took me out.
I was quiet the entire thirty-minute drive back.
The way that bitch was behaving wasn’t his fault.
I knew that. However, him being connected to her was going to make it hard for him to move on.
Nobody wanted to deal with a jealous ass psycho like her ass.
I didn’t even understand how Asad got himself entangled with someone like her.
He was a really good guy, but her shit overshadowed that.
I looked over at my mama and asked, “You ready to go home?”
“Whenever you are, baby.”
I nodded, then stood. I’d had enough, and my body was drained.
We were up late into the night, playing games and eating junk food with Maui at Uncle Storm’s house, so I was beyond tired.
Everyone showed up, even Nesha, Jess, Tyeis, Cassie, and Mekayla.
They were all older than us by at least ten years.
Mya and Angel were closer to our ages, but they hung out more with Cassie and Mekayla, because their husbands were all in the same crew.
When we got to my G-Wagon, I got angry all over again.
I bought this vehicle when I first got my money about six months ago.
Before we could get in, Uncle Storm drove up and parked next to me.
My daddy was in the truck with him. They both got out with frowns on their faces.
I swore, every last Henderson looked alike when they frowned.
“Who fucking with my baby? That bitch still at it?” Daddy asked.
“Yeah.”
Uncle Storm frowned harder. “What bitch?”
“Asad’s baby mama.”
“And what he doing about it?”
“He’s going the legal route, man,” Daddy said.
“Fuck that shit. She need to be got right the fuck now.”
“Well, she got arrested. Whether they keep her ass or not is yet to be seen. She’s in Liberty County though.”
“I’m gon’ keep my ear to the street. She need to be fucked up expeditiously.”
“Thanks, Uncle Mayor.”
He stared at me as I went to my daddy and fell in his arms. “I broke up with him, Daddy. I can’t keep dealing with that ho. He doesn’t want me fighting her, talking about he don’t like drama. It’s his fucking drama!”
He rubbed my back. “I know, baby. Asad is a real chill dude. Believe me, this shit is killing him. He loves you.”
“He told you that?”
“Nope. When he talked to me about some shit I found out, I was in the clouds and saw Cupid and shit.”
Uncle Storm rolled his eyes. “Daddy, you sound like you above the clouds right now.”
“Shiiid, I am. You ought to join me.”
I slowly shook my head. “I definitely will. I’m tired of this situation. Maybe I’ll get clarity on what to do after I’m high.”
“You will. That’s when I have all my epiphanies.”
My daddy kissed my head as my mama rolled her eyes. I pulled away from him and asked Uncle Storm, “Where’s Maui?”
“She’s researching something with her mama.”
I nodded. I felt like my friend was pulling away from me, and I hated that shit.
I felt so alone. Milana was wrapped up in Ferris and planning a wedding, the twins were busy with the construction of their clinic and private practice.
They were spending a lot of time with Uncle Kenny.
The weekends were dedicated to Carter Legend and Red Squared.
Everyone was coupled up except the two of us.
It seemed we were both having issues in that area.
“See you at home, Daddy.”
He nodded. I could see that he was worried about me.
Hopefully, he would share the information he found out about that skank.
I needed to know what all she was into. As we were about to leave, SS, Ace, Royal, Crew, King, Kane, and Ryder J pulled up.
Ryder was home for the summer. He’d had an amazing first year in college and was a standout on the football team. I was proud of him.
Uncle Storm went to talk to the hoodlums, so my dad hopped in the vehicle with Mama and me. As I drove, he said, “Asad is a good man, baby. He’s trying.”
I nodded. He was trying, but it wasn’t enough. “Daddy, I’m gonna end up in jail. You gon’ bail me out?”
“Hell the fuck yeah. You see how pretty you are? You gon’ be in there fighting for your fucking life.
Either they gon’ be tryna get at’chu or trying to fuck up your pretty face.
Ain’t none of that shit going down on my watch.
Asad got some good info though. Let his lawyer work.
He ought to be getting a court date soon. ”
“What did you find out?”
“I can’t tell you that shit. He’ll tell you when he can.”
I huffed loudly. “Yeah, I need that blunt asap, my nigga.”
“Make sure y’all wait until I get in the house,” my mama said.
I glanced at her and said, “Make sure Chas get the first pull.”
He chuckled as she rolled her eyes. She knew she liked hitting the blunt from time to time.
If she did hit it, I was gonna have to leave the house for the night.
Those niggas wasn’t gon’ tap out until tomorrow morning if they were both high.
I sure in the hell wouldn’t be able to handle the sound of that tonight.
When we got home, Daddy got out and opened both our doors.
We knew better than to even act like we wanted to open a door around him.
My daddy was the best Henderson, hands down.
He was fun, protective, and smart as hell.
The minute he unlocked the door, he pulled the blunt from his pocket and headed to the deck.
I didn’t know where he got his weed from, but this nigga never ran out.
“Let’s get lifted, baby girl. You deserve it.”
Deserve to get high? Something was truly wrong with my daddy. I didn’t dispute that shit, because I needed something to level me out. I wanted to fuck some shit up so bad I had gotten a headache from trying to reel it back in. The cops already had her, but I still wanted go apeshit on her ass.
When we got to the deck, I sat next to my daddy, waiting for the wisdom he would spit.
While he talked a lot of bullshit, the man had wisdom beyond his years, always had.
He pulled another blunt from the box he kept between the two chairs and handed it to me.
This shit was fat as hell. Before we could even light them and get them going, Uncle Storm walked through the door.
“Give me one too. For the first time in my life, I’m tired of fighting. I’m getting too old for this shit.”
My dad and I both frowned at him. “What the fuck you talking about?” Daddy asked.
“SS took it upon himself to approach Mythic. He brought King, Kane, Royal, Crew, and Ace with him. Thankfully, PJ was there to diffuse shit. I don’t even know who told that nigga about shit, because he wasn’t home when me and Maui got into it.
There wasn’t much going on to insinuate that it was that once he did get home. ”
“Oh my God. Unc, I’m tired of this shit too. I do my best not to fight, because I know I could truly hurt somebody if I’m angry enough, but this ho won’t let me be. I’m sick of that bitch.”
Turning his attention to me, my daddy lit my shit and helped me get it going, then lit his and Uncle Storm’s. After taking a puff, he inhaled and held it for a couple of seconds, then released it slowly.
“I’m gonna start with you, baby. You gon’ have to let that man be a man.
I know that Henderson is in you strong, and we like to handle shit.
Plus, you got your mama in you too. She ain’t for no bullshit.
Had the fucking door hanging off the hinges at Kenny’s truck stop years ago.
But . . . Asad is a good man. He knows what he’s doing.
What he’s doing will not only protect his son, but you too.
If you fuck that girl up, where will Jayceon be?
Even if he doesn’t witness the ass whupping, he’s gonna know something happened to his mommy.
Her ass will tell him you did it. Then that would cause a huge rift between you and Asad. ”
I took a long ass inhale and closed my eyes as my daddy continued.
“His son is his primary concern, but guess who isn’t far behind him? You. I bet you didn’t even know he got laid off yesterday. He didn’t want you worried about that shit. He said you had enough on your plate with being there for Maui and restraining yourself from going after Mila.”
I almost choked as I released the smoke and turned to Daddy. He inhaled again and nodded his head. “That man loves the fuck out of you. I’m willing to bet that it happened a while ago. Has he told you?”
“He told me today when I told him it was best if I went my way.”
“Be patient. I promise, you gon’ have the last laugh. That ho on borrowed time. She ain’t gon’ know what hit her ass.”
I lowered my head and thought about everything he said. I felt like a fool now.
“Lift your head up, baby. You’re young and inexperienced when it comes to matters of the heart.
You with a real one. He a grown ass man that knows how to take care of his business.
Don’t worry about him financially either.
I know you seen Soul Food. That shit ain’t gon’ pan out well if you try to help him with money.
Shit, you probably remember that shit with Jess and Brix.
She ain’t even do nothing, but just the thought that she might have set that nigga off. ”
I remembered perfectly. That was when her ass slept with Nate’s fine ass and fucked that man’s head up. He was such a sweetheart.
“Plus, if that nigga allow his pride to cause him to step out of pocket with you, I’m gon’ fuck him all the way up. It would be a shame for Lacey and Red to have to raise their grandchild.”
I slowly shook my head then glanced at Uncle Storm.
He was quiet as hell, but that blunt was almost gone.
This shit with Maui was eating him alive.
I hated that for both of them, because I knew it was changing her.
She was always so bubbly and happy. Now she was withdrawn and depressed.
After inhaling again and releasing, Daddy turned to Uncle Storm.
“I know this is ripping your heart right out of your chest. But guess what? As much as I hate to say it, Maui is a grown woman. I have a daughter, and if she wanted a nigga like Mythic, I would probably sneak and kill his ass, then comfort her like I didn’t have a clue what happened.”
My eyebrows lifted. This man was crazy as hell, and I could only hope he wasn’t lowkey telling Uncle Storm what to do.
“You gon’ have to let go, bruh. I know that shit easier said than done, but you are driving a wedge between the two of you.
As much as that nigga get on Legend’s nerves, I know there will be animosity between the two of you too.
That’s that nigga’s son. You threatening to kill him couldn’t have gone over well. ”
“He got a lil hostile until I asked him how he would feel about SS being with his baby girl. SS can be a whole nigga in these streets, and I feel sorry for whoever daughter he end up with. The nigga got degrees on the wall and still ain’t got no temperature. No fucking heart.”
“Still . . . that’s his son. Plus, Bali is dating Carter Legend.
We don’t need no static with our people about what these grown ass kids are doing.
Maui will be moving out of your house soon.
Hell, if she wants to, she can move out now.
She’ll be getting her money soon and building a house.
That’s the only reason she’s still there.
I know it’s the only reason Ashanni is still with us, because I know me and Chas on her last fucking nerve, not to mention Royal and Crew. ”
I rolled my eyes as he chuckled. He had that shit right.
They sexed nearly every damn day, and I was sick of that shit, especially because I hadn’t had sex since Asad grabbed me by the neck and fucked my life up.
We were quiet for a moment, all letting our high have full control.
My eyes were getting heavy as hell, and I just wanted to go to sleep now.
“Give it time and think about it, baby girl. Asad ain’t going nowhere. Take a few days to put things into perspective. Okay?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, Daddy.”
I kissed his cheek and lay on his shoulder.
“Storm, let go.”
“Brother Mayor, nigga.”
I lifted my head in time to see my daddy frown at him. “That blunt definitely getting to yo’ ass. Everybody else may kiss yo’ ass, but you got the wrong muthafuckin’ one. Better go resurrect Jenahra’s ex-mother-in-law.”
I laughed so damn hard. I couldn’t even contain it. My vision was blurry as fuck. It wasn’t blurry enough to miss Uncle Storm standing up and stumbling though. “What the fuck you put in that blunt? That shit seemed stronger,” he said.
“Nigga, that was a two-for-one. You fucked up. Wait ’til it kick all the way in. You gon’ be passed out on this deck.”
I laughed even harder as Uncle Storm gave my daddy the finger.
Before long, we were all laughing. Royal and Crew walked out on the deck and just stared at us while shaking their head.
I supposed they figured they may as well join us.
Both of them went into Daddy’s box and got them one and lit up.
My nigga never ran out of smoke, and today, I was grateful.