Chapter 7
“Why have you been avoiding Rocky?” Rosemary asked.
“What makes you think I’m avoiding him?”
“Because Daisy has been picking Briar up before coming to work for the past week. What’s going on?”
“Nothing is going on, and I’m not avoiding Rocky. Mother’s Day is coming up and?—”
“Save it, sis. If you can’t be honest, don’t say anything.”
I shrugged off the conversation and focused on the arrangement I was working on. The bell above the door chimed, gaining her attention. I wasn’t surprised to see Briar enter, but I wasn’t expecting the person behind him.
“Hey, Mom. Titi Daisy let Mr. Rocky bring me.” He hugged my waist before allowing me to kiss his forehead.
“Oh really? Were you on his bike or in a car?”
“In a truck. Mr. Rocky said he can’t take me on his bike again.”
“Where’s Titi Daisy?”
He shrugged. “Maybe she went home.”
“Why didn’t—You know what? Never mind. Go in the back and play your game. I’ll be ready to go home in a little while.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow, Mr. Rocky.”
“Later, Briar.”
“Hey, what’s Briar—oh. Hey, Rocky. We were just talking about you. Did Briar come with you?” Rosemary asked when she came from the back.
“Yeah, he did. Why was I the topic of conversation?”
“I was just asking my sister why?—”
“Rose, can you go check on Briar?”
She smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. “I guess. See you later, Rocky.”
She disappeared, and Rocky and I stared at each other silently for a minute.
“Thank you for bringing Briar, but I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t do things like this without my permission.”
“Are you avoiding me?” he asked without responding to my statement.
“I just had this conversation with my sister. No, I’m not avoiding you. Mother’s Day is coming up, and I’m trying to make sure we’re ready.”
“Or…you’re avoiding me.”
“Why would I be avoiding you?”
“Because I ate your pussy, and you don’t want to admit how much you loved it.”
I rolled my eyes as I responded. “Is that what you think?”
He slowly walked toward me, stopping when he was close enough to touch me.
“I’m willing to bet my life you’ve been playing with your pussy with thoughts of my tongue brushing against those thick, juicy lips.”
I swallowed, even though my mouth had suddenly become as dry as the Sahara Desert. My heart began to beat rapidly, and my palms were sweaty.
“Umm, I think Briar is calling me.”
Before I could move, his hands were on my waist, holding me in place. I opened my mouth to protest, but it was covered with his before I made a sound. Instead, I found myself welcoming his tongue into my mouth, and damn…it felt amazing.
His hands drifted to my ass, and he picked me up and sat me on the counter. I opened my legs, allowing him to step between them, and our kiss became more intense. I heard myself moan, and the sound startled me, causing me to push him away from me and hop off the counter. I quickly moved to the other side to put some distance between us.
“You can’t keep doing shit like that.”
“Why? You seem to enjoy it.”
“I don’t sleep around, and I’m not interested in a relationship right now, especially with you.”
“Is that what you tell yourself so you can sleep better at night?”
“Rocky, please leave my place of business, and leave me alone.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid of anything. I’m not interested in men like you.”
“What do you mean men like me? ”
“You know what I mean.”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t have asked.”
“Men in motorcycle gangs, who start shit with innocent people when they have nothing better to do and use women as punching bags and cum buckets.”
“Damn! I don’t need to ask who hurt you because I know exactly who did that shit.”
“Since you know, I shouldn’t need to explain why I want nothing to do with you.”
“I’m nothing like that nigga and his friends.”
“Maybe you’re not, but I’m not willing to risk my life or self-worth to find out. Please leave.”
We had an intense stare down, and for a moment, I didn’t think he would leave. However, finally, without another word, he turned around and left. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the bell chime again.
“You might not be with Deacon’s raggedy ass anymore, but you’re still letting him control you,” Rosemary stated.
“You’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m entitled to disagree.”
“Just because you don’t agree doesn’t make it any less true. You’re afraid to date because you know he’s gonna have a fit and start trouble. Rocky is just the kind of man you need to hook up with because I have no doubt he would fuck Deacon’s bitch ass up.”
“That won’t be necessary because I’m not interested in Rocky.”
“It didn’t look like it when he had you on that counter with his tongue down your throat.”
I gasped. “Shut up! It was not.”
“Whatever. You can head home if you want. Blossom is coming in for Daisy, and she’s two minutes away.”
“I’m in no rush.”
“Suit yourself.”
Rosemary returned to the back of the store, and a minute later, Blossom entered.
“Hey, sis!” she greeted me.
“Hey! How was class today?”
“It was fine. Just prepping for finals.”
“Oh, yeah. They’re next week, right?”
“Yep. So, was that Rocky I saw outside?”
“Probably, but he should’ve been gone by the time you pulled up.”
“He was leaning against his car on the phone.”
“Oh.”
“What’s up between you two?”
“Tuh. Not a damn thing because she’s too scary,” Rosemary responded as she returned from the back.
“I don’t need you to speak for me. I’m just about sick of you and your snide comments.”
“Somebody needs to be honest with you, and I feel like it’s my duty as the second oldest.”
“Y’all need to chill,” Blossom said.
I ignored her. “Whatever, Rose! I’m not like you, okay?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she questioned.
“Whatever you want it to mean. Briar, it’s time to go. Get your things together!” I shouted.
“Okay, Mom.”
“Hold on. You can’t just say something like that and not tell me what you mean.”
“Rose, chill,” Blossom pleaded.
“She needs to tell me what she meant.”
“I don’t need to do anything. Let it go, and find something to keep yourself busy.”
I finished the task I was working on and went to the office to gather my belongings. Rosemary stopped hounding me, and no more words were exchanged between us before I left the shop.
“How was school today?” I asked Briar once we were on the road.
“Fine. Are you still coming on the field trip on Friday?”
“Yes, I’m still coming. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Yay!” he cheered.
A few minutes later, I cringed as I turned down our street and saw Deacon’s bike in front of our house. I turned into the driveway and swore under my breath when I noticed him on the porch. He hadn’t seen Briar in weeks, so as annoyed as I was by his presence, at least he was here to see his son.
“Briar, your father is here to see you,” I told him, knowing he wasn’t looking out the window because his face was probably glued to his iPad.
“Okay.”
I thought he might respond with a bit more excitement, but if anything, he sounded disappointed. We slowly got out of the car, and as we approached the porch, I prepared myself for the bullshit I knew he’d be on.
“Wassup, Rue? How you doing, son?”
“Hi,” Briar responded solemnly while I ignored him altogether.
“That’s all I get? What’s wrong with you? Did you have a bad day at school?”
“No. Mom, what’s for dinner? I’m hungry.”
“Tacos and nachos. I’m gonna get dinner started while you talk to your dad. Give me your things, and I’ll take them inside.”
Reluctantly, Briar passed me his things and sat on the bench next to his father. Once inside, I immediately opened my video security app to listen in on their conversation because I didn’t trust Deacon as far as I could throw him.
“Did your mom talk to you about going back to the other youth center?” Deacon asked.
“No, and I don’t want to go back there. This one is better. We do way cooler stuff.”
“Yeah, but the old one is closer to my house, and I’ll be able to see you more.”
“I didn’t see you the whole time I went there. I don’t want to go back, and Mommy won’t make me.”
You got that right, son!
“Your mama got you spoiled. You need to grow outta that shit before niggas start beating your ass.”
“I can protect myself. I’m taking boxing lessons with Mr. Rocky and Mr. Russ. They said I’m one of the best.”
“You what? Rue, get out here. Now!” Deacon shouted. “Briar, go to your room.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes before taking my sweet time going back out to the porch. Briar came inside before I reached the front door, but he didn’t look happy.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he mumbled as he tried to walk past me.
“Wait a minute, son. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s Dad. He always says I’m spoiled, but that’s not true. He’s gonna tell you I have to quit my boxing class.”
I kneeled to look him in the eyes. “Hey, don’t worry about it. You’re not quitting anything, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Wait for me in your room while I talk to your father.” I kissed his forehead and waited for him to go into his room before heading outside.
“You missed your deadline,” Deacon spat before I got outside.
I kept my distance because being near him sickened me.
“What deadline?”
“I told your dumb ass to take him back to the youth center on the Westside.”
“I didn’t agree to do anything, so I’m not sure why?—”
“You think because we’re not together anymore, I won’t fuck you up?” He walked toward me, and my hand, still on the door handle, began to shiver.
“I don’t think anything, but I know you better not put your hands on me.”
“Or what?”
He was barely an inch away from me, and I could smell liquor and weed on his breath. I often asked myself why I was head over heels in love with him. He was average-looking, not very tall or fit, and he had the personality of a wet paper bag.
“He’s staying where he is. End of discussion.” I tried to go back inside, but he pulled my arm so hard it felt like my shoulder was dislocated.
He yanked me away from the door, pinned my arm behind my back, and pressed me against the house.
“Oww!” I screamed, causing Briar to run from his room.
“Mommy!” he cried.
“Go back to your room, baby.”
“Yeah, go back to your room, mama’s boy.”
“No! Let my mommy go!”
Briar barged through the screen door and kicked his father in the leg.
“Lil nigga!” Deacon shouted as he released me and went after Briar.
My shoulder was throbbing, but I had to protect my baby. We were still on the porch, and Deacon had Briar cornered. Just as he reached for him, I jumped on his back, catching him by surprise and giving Briar enough time to get past us and into the house.
I wrapped my good arm around his neck and used every ounce of my strength to choke him. When he’d abused me in the past, I rarely fought back, but this was the first time he’d ever tried to hurt Briar. I wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t play about my son.
Suddenly, I was slammed against the house, and I felt a surge of pain. The pain caused me to loosen my grip around his neck and fall to the ground. My eyes were closed as I rolled around in pain. I could sense Deacon standing over me although I couldn’t see him.
“Bitch! I will—Ahh, fuck!”
Before he could unleash his venomous words, they were interrupted by a loud thump. I opened my eyes and saw Sage and Violet standing over me. Sage was holding a brick while Deacon lay on the ground next to me, seemingly passed out.
“Oh my God!”
I tried to get up, but between the pain in my back and shoulder, I could barely move. Violet and Sage quickly helped me to my feet when they noticed I needed their assistance.
“Sis, what the heck is going on?” Violet asked.
“Do we need to take you to the hospital?” Sage questioned.
“I don’t think so. He was here when we got home. I went inside to cook while him and Briar talked on the porch.” I recounted the conversation I heard between my son and his father.
“He’s such an asshole. I swear Briar is the only good thing he’s ever done,” Sage said, then kicked Deacon in his back.
“Watch your mouth, and check to see if he’s still breathing.”
“You’re worried about my mouth after the way we just found you? Sis, please. I think I have the right to cuss. He’s unconscious, but unfortunately, he’s still breathing.”
“Let’s get you inside and make sure nothing is broken,” Violet urged.
“Briar! Briar, where are you?” I waited to hear his voice but was met with silence. “Violet, please find Briar and make sure he’s okay.”
She sprinted up the stairs while Sage continued helping me to the couch.
“I wish he would just disappear. I’m sick of him,” Sage said, referring to Deacon.
“You sound like Rose, and there are days like today that I wish the same. I keep praying he’ll change, but he’s getting worse.”
“Ya think! Thank God you’re not together anymore. He shouldn’t have been hitting you before, but that man has some real audacity to be putting his hands on you now.”
Violet came down the stairs holding Briar’s hand. When he saw me on the couch, he released it and ran to me.
“Mommy,” he cried, climbing onto my lap.
“Be careful, Briar,” Sage warned.
“Mommy, are you hurt?”
“I’m okay, baby. Are you okay?” He nodded. “Where were you hiding?”
“In my closet. Mr. Rocky told me to hide there until he gets here.”
“Mr. Rocky? You talked to him?”
“Yeah. He’s?—”
Before he could explain, the screen door opened and closed. Sage grabbed an empty vase I hadn’t had time to refill with flowers and prepared to crack it over Deacon’s head if necessary.
“What are you doing here?” I asked when Rocky appeared.