Chapter Eighteen #2
“Say the word baby girl and I’ll drag that nigga from the east side to the west.”
“You crazy,” Tyler giggled. “It’s quiet, where are your little demons?”
“In school,” Logic replied. “What you up to? You trying to go get something to eat?”
“I can’t. I’m about to visit my mom and then I’m going to the shop with Shane. He's really making me work, but I can’t complain because it keeps me busy.”
“What do you need?”
“I don’t need anything.”
“Send me your banking info.”
“No.” Tyler frowned. “I’m not telling you that so you can feel bad. I don’t need you to send me anything.”
“Why can’t I just wanna drop a couple bands in your pocket because I got it?”
“Oh, you out here trickin’?”
“Nah, I gotta get the pussy to trick and all you let me do is rub on that fat muthafucka.”
“Oop,” Tyler snickered. “That mouth.”
“I’m just saying.”
“I sure hope you can back up all that freaky shit you be talking.”
“I’ve never had any complaints.”
“Hm, I bet. Get up and do something with your life. I’m about to go walk in here.”
“Tell mama I said what’s up.”
“Nope. Have a good day, Logic.”
“Aye,” Logic called out before she ended the call.
“Yes.”
“What kinda wig do you have on today?”
“You’re an asshole,” she giggled. “Bye.”
“Don’t say that shit like this the only time we’re gonna talk today. Call me when you leave.”
“I’ll think about it.” Tyler ended the call before he could get another word out.
She knew it wouldn’t be the last time they talked because since leaving Rahlo’s house, they talked at least twice a day, every day. They hadn’t seen each other in person because of his crazy schedule, but Logic made it clear that he’d pull up whenever she needed him.
Exiting her car, Tyler grabbed her purse and a couple of board games she bought for her mother.
The last time they were together, Maple mentioned something about Chutes and Ladders, so Tyler went to Walmart and bought it along with Candyland and Guess Who.
She couldn’t wait to see the look on Maple’s face.
“Good afternoon, Ty,” the receptionist greeted as Tyler stepped through the double doors.
“Hey,” she said with a smile, shifting the bags on her arms.
“Ms. Maple is a popular lady. You’re her second visitor today.”
“What?” Tyler's brows met in the middle of her forehead. “Who else was here?”
“Your aunt is here. She’s been here for about twenty minutes.”
“Where are they?”
“The sunroom,” the receptionist answered, taken aback by Tyler’s sudden change of attitude.
Dropping the clipboard on the desk, Tyler pushed her purse on her shoulder and dashed down the hall. She ignored Mr. Rogers calling her name and other residents telling her to slow down. Turning the corner to the sunroom, Tyler was stopped by Nurse Hawkins.
“Hey, hey!” She stuck her hand out. “Are you ok?”
“What is she doing here?” Tyler pointed to her aunt, who was now staring at her with a smug expression.
As if she were Queen Sheeba, Carla sat there dressed in her Sunday’s best. The dress she wore hugged her body like a glove, diamonds adorned her wrists and ears, but her makeup was shitty.
Tyler could see the dark circles and bags that she tried to conceal.
It was clear that she was going through something, and Tyler would bet her last dollar that it had everything to do with Oakwood and Darryl.
“She came to visit your mom, was she not supposed to?” Nurse Hawkins inquired. “I know she’s not allowed to make changes, but I didn’t know visitation was off the table.”
“They are. I want her removed from the list. She’s not allowed to be here.”
“Oh, girl please.” Carla waved her off. “Ain’t nobody doing nothing to her nutty ass.”
“Carla, I’m trying to be cool, but if you don’t get the fuck outta here, I’m going to beat your ass with these board games.”
“Whoop her ass,” Mr. Rogers instigated, rolling around the corner. “I knew it was something about her long neck ass I didn’t like. What she do to you, baby girl?”
“Sir, mind the business that pays you before I roll your cripple ass in that lake back there,” Carla snapped.
“You can’t threaten the residents. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” Nurse Hawkins tried to calm the situation.
“So, it’s a problem with me visiting my sister because this lil girl walks in here thinking she runs shit. Yall need to make sure she isn’t stealing people medication instead of trying to put me out.”
“You can go.” Maple shooed Carla away. “You can go away.”
“Hush Radio, ain’t nobody talking to you.
Go eat some puzzle pieces.” Carla snorted before turning back to her niece.
“I’m still trying to figure out how you’re paying for this place.
I know you don’t have any money, and I know Dexter broke ass ain’t helping you. How are you footing the bill, Tyler?”
“Ma’am.” Nurse Hawkins stepped forward. “We asked you to leave.”
“Whatever, I’m leaving, and I won’t be back because I doubt her lil broke ass can afford another month.”
“I bet that makes you happy, huh?” Tyler chuckled.
“It does.” Carla picked at her nails. “She thought she was so much better than me, now look at her sitting here not knowing her left from right.” She peered at her sister.
“And she’s still shittin’ on your wanna be ass. My mama never had to pretend to be something she wasn’t and that’s why you’re so mad. Don’t worry about how I'm going to pay for her to be here. Worry about your nasty ass daughter and grandchild.”
“How nasty is her daughter?” Mr. Rogers asked, looking over his glasses. “I’ve known some nasty girls in my day.”
“Oh, are you mad?” Carla shot, ignoring Mr. Rogers' comment. “Bobbi stole your man right from under your nose. She’s living in your skyrise apartment and she’s having his baby, something your useless ass couldn’t do.”
“You think she won something.” Tyler laughed in her face. Her laughter was so contagious that Mr. Rogers and Maple joined in. Tears sprouted from Tyler’s eyes as she held her stomach. “What do you think she won?”
“Your spot in his life, that’s for sure,” Carla smartly replied. “His firstborn.”
“A baby?” Tyler cocked her head to the side.
“Lady, I’ve been pregnant by Dex three times, and I have an unhealthy stock of Plan B under the cabinet in the bathroom.
If you’re smart, you’ll tell your bird brain daughter to chew a couple of tablets and go play hopscotch on I-94.
Second thought, knowing Dexter, he’ll probably beat it out of her. ”
“He’d never.” Carla glared at her. “Just because he beat your ass doesn’t mean she’s going to get the same treatment. You were weak, but that’s what happens when you are raised by a weak woman.”
“So, you knew what he was doing to me?”
“I did.” She folded her arms across her chest. “You’ve always had a smart mouth and someone needed to put you in your place. So, yes, I turned my head every time you walked in the house with a busted lip or black eye.”
“I was only nineteen,” Tyler whispered, remembering the first time Dexter hit her because he thought she was flirting with someone at a party.
“And you learned how to hit back. You thought I was about to worry myself with yall bullshit? You whined about leaving him, but Dex was never going to let you go.”
“Wow, you hate me that much? Why not leave me in the group home? You didn’t have to come get me and fuck up my life.”
“The money, duh. Your father was paying me a nice penny for keeping you out of his hair, and then I found out you could sing.” She paused.
“Who do you think told Bobbi to introduce you to Dexter? Me. I made you, lil girl.” She clapped her hands.
“You need to bow down at my feet when you speak to me.”
“You didn’t make shit,” Tyler gritted.
“But I did. You were only seventeen. I signed the paperwork, I allowed you to be with Dexter, and I dished out your money when I saw fit. I was over all your accounts and I kept you so busy that you never had time to take my name off anything. Everything might be tied up with the label and lawyers now, but when the smoke clears, all your money is going right to me.”
“Ma’am.” Security approached, interrupting Carla’s rant. “We’re going to need you to leave.”
“I’m leaving,” Carla snapped, turning back to her niece. “But if you get your shit together, I can talk to Darryl and maybe we can work something out.”
“Fuck you, Carla,” Tyler spat. “You speak so highly of the man that likes to get me drunk and eat my pussy.”
“Who do you think spiked the fucking drinks?”
“Bitch!” Tyler lunged forward, snatching Carla by her hair.
Whap!
She punched her in the face.
Whap!
Whap!
Whap!
“You let him rape me?” Tyler screamed as security tried to contain her.
“Rape?” Carla laughed with a bloody mouth. “Your hot ass wanted that shit. Fast in the ass, just like your triflin’ ass mama, and you see how she ended up.”
Before anyone could stop her, Tyler broke loose and punched Carla in the face so hard, she flew back and hit her head on the corner of the desk.
“You’re going to fucking jail,” Carla cried as blood leaked from the back of her head. “Call the police!”
???
Logic opened the front door and frowned at Pepper standing there holding up shopping bags. Times like this he wished they had a peephole because he would have left her ass standing right there on the stoop.
“Sage,” Logic called out, not bothering to greet her.
“Actually, I’m here to see you. I thought I could cook lunch and we could chat. I think it’s long overdue.”
“I don’t have shit to say to you, Pepper, and you not about to cook shit in my crib.” He tried to close the door on her. “Take yo worrisome ass on somewhere,” Logic mumbled.
“Wait!” Sage ran from the back. “Ma, what you doing here? I didn’t know you were coming by.”
Pepper glanced at Logic, then Sage.
“Uh, I thought you’d be in school,” she explained. “I wanted to talk to your brother.”
“Nah, I have 4 AP classes and get out at one every day.” Sage held the door open for her, taking the bags in the process. “Come in.”