Journei – Thirteen Years Later
Every time I came to the gym, I dealt with men shooting their shot. It was like they waited to see who got turned down first before the next stupid nigga tried. Why must men be so damn childish? Yo’ homeboy didn’t make the cut, and neither would you. I had a zero-dick policy.
My father fucked it up for any man wantin’ to be with me. He showed me what men were capable of when they were mad, drunk, or in their feelings period. I almost died to get away from a man, so I refused to entertain one.
“Cord, how many times do I have to tell you and Fitz that I am a married woman? Stop being disrespectful please. Y’all really gon’ make me lose all manners and nut up on both of y’all,” I said with my back to him.
“If you married the way you claim, you would respect your marriage and wear your ring. That pretty ass hand don’t ever sparkle unless it’s from them fake ass jewels on your nails. I’m sayin’ though, Journei, you come to my gym three to four times a week, and you still ain’t tryna fuck with me?”
It was the begging for me. We were too old to be begging anybody for shit. That was weak as fuck, especially on a nigga’s behalf. Better get you some balls ’cause a bitch like me ran over weak muthafuckas nowadays.
“Cord, we have the same discussion every damn time I’m in here. Stop pursuin’ me, or I’ll take my money elsewhere. I prefer your gym ’cause it’s close to my house, but I have no problem traveling across town.”
“A’ight, Journei. You got it.” With that, Cord walked away, leaving me to finish my squats.
Cord and his brother were cool people, but they creeped me out with how they watched me from the time I walked in ’til the time I walked out. Fitz was at the gym twice a week, but when we were there on the same days, he made sure to occupy a machine nearby. The shit was fuckin’ weird.
I ran through my workout, finishing an hour later. I spent two hours in there today. My aggravation level was still through the roof though. I only came to work out because I thought it would relieve some built-up stress. All it did was magnify it.
The day marked my three-year marriage anniversary. The surprise I had instore for my baby ended up gettin’ pushed back a day, so the shit wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow, which defeated the fuckin’ purpose. I walked out the gym and headed toward my car. I had to figure somethin’ out and soon.
Putting my bag in the trunk, I heard a commotion behind me. My nosy ass tried to casually turn around and see what was goin’ on, but when I heard gun shots, I got my scrawny ass on the ground and prayed. Not to God, but to somebody up there.
I lay there with my heart on ten. That was why I hated blessing these ghetto muthafuckas with my presence. Once I heard sirens, I got my ass up and jumped in the car. Bet this be my last day comin’ to this area. That drive across town didn’t seem so bad now.
My nerves were still a little shaken and stirred by the time I made it home. A lot of shit had been witnessed by these eyes of mine, but a shootout wasn’t one of them. I could barely get my gym bag out the trunk without my hands shaking. I knew exactly what I was doin’ once I got inside.
I walked into the house, dropping my bag at the door. My baby would be leaving work within the next hour, so I had enough time to bathe before I needed to fulfill my wifely duties. When I made it upstairs, our jacuzzi tub was the only thing on my mind. Relaxation was desperately calling my name.
As the water ran, I peeled those sweaty clothes from my skin. If sweat wasn’t produced, I wasn’t workin’ hard enough. I applied my face mask and stepped inside the tub, turning the water off before I got comfortable.
“Alexa, set a timer for thirty minutes.” I couldn’t relax too much. I still had to do something for our anniversary.
I relaxed and thought on what I could give my baby. Jewelry and clothes, we had enough of, so that was out the question. I could definitely upgrade that car though. I settled on that, along with a few designer gifts. I laid my head back and let the warmth of the water take over.
It felt like I had just dozed off when the timer went off.
I exhaled, stepped out the tub, then headed toward the shower to wash.
It was gon’ be a long night. I could sense it.
My shower lasted no longer than fifteen minutes.
I was dressed in under ten. The mall would be closing soon, and I needed to run by the BMW dealership.
The dealership was closer, so I stopped to make the proper arrangements for the old car to be picked up as the new one got dropped off. The salesman let me know that by the time dinner was over, the cars would be switched out. That worked out perfect for me.
“Siri, call Alleia in Chattanooga, Tennessee.”
“Thank you for calling Alleia. How may I assist you?”
“I know it’s last minute, but do you guys have any open reservations?” More than likely, they didn’t, but I had to ask.
“You are a very lucky woman. Someone just canceled for a reservation at 7:30,” he replied.
“That’s perfect!” I shouted. “I apologize for that. I just really needed a spot for my anniversary tonight. You can put the reservation under Evans.”
“I have you down. Is there anything else I can do for you, Ms. Evans?”
“Nope. That was all I needed. Thank you.” I hung up with a smile.
Alleia was an Italian restaurant that stayed packed. People had to make reservations at least two to three months ahead. I’d only eaten there once, and that was with my best friend Hunz when we graduated college. I shot a text to my baby, saying be ready by seven.
Last stop was the mall. I had an hour before the mall closed, so I was lowkey rushing.
I brought a few pair of shoes, two bags, a new smartwatch, and some unnecessary items. I walked out the mall in a rushed manner.
I was paying attention to what was in front of me, but then again, I wasn’t.
I walked right into someone, dropping everything I had in tow.
“Damn. My bad, sweetheart. I was into this damn phone of mine. Let me get this for you.”
“No, It’s okay. I was somewhat zoned out as well.” I bent down and grabbed what he didn’t.
When I finally looked up into his face, I felt everything in me shift. My body was reacting to something I had sworn off. I examined the specimen in front of me, not caring what he was saying at the moment. Everything he had on was Nike. So simple, but so attractive.
His sky-blue eyes were so dreamy and mesmerizing.
That nose ring he sported fit him. It wasn’t too feminine or thuggish.
Then the tattoos that covered his body were so neatly done, complementing his complexion by the second.
He smiled, and I felt myself release. I’d never seen a smile so perfect and contagious.
“Here you go, love. Again, my bad.” He handed over my bags and walked away.
I had yet to move. I was stuck, wet, and very much puzzled. What the fuck just happened? I looked back to see he’d already disappeared. I shook off the confusing feeling and proceeded to my car.
A debate was goin’ on in my head at the moment. I didn’t know if I wanted to give the gifts first or stop back by the dealership and place them inside the car. I would be passing the dealership on the way home, so I might as well stop.
Jeff was locking the door when I pulled up. I hurriedly hopped out before he pulled that key out the hole. “Wait!” I yelled.
“Is there something wrong, Journei?” he questioned with a worried look.
“No. But I need a favor, Jeff. I have to put these gifts in the car before it’s delivered. I know it’s a lot, but just do this for me please.” I did the praying motion with my hands.
He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Journei, you are last minute with everything you do, man; I swear. Come on. The car already on the truck.”
I squealed and ran to grab the bags out the trunk. I placed each gift throughout the car. Whenever a door was opened, a gift would be seen. “I ’preciate that, Jeff. Be safe out here, youngblood,” I said and laughed as I walked out the door.
If I wasn’t rushing before, then I was definitely channeling my inner Speedy Gonzales. It was 6:45, and I had under an hour to shower, get pretty, and make the reservation on time. Thankfully, traffic wasn’t bad, so I made it home in ten minutes. I broke a few laws on the way, but they’d be a’ight.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hey. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll be ready to go,” I spoke briefly as I entered the house. Running up the stairs, I had a one-track mind. I hopped in the shower once again, doing a wash and rinse—a bourgeoisie hoe bath.
My outfit was already mapped out for the night.
I quickly applied a coat of lotion and let my Fenty bra and panty set cover my lady parts.
I stepped into my black Burberry catsuit with the Burberry signature colors flowing along the sides.
Those red Louboutin heels I slipped on brought the outfit together.
I didn’t overdo my jewelry ever. A simple tennis bracelet with the earrings to match was all I wore at a time. Red matte lipstick was the color of choice tonight. My face didn’t need to be tended to, and I was glad about that.
I inherited these natural looks and long curly hair from my mother. I did a once-over, then grabbed the red Burberry handbag I had sitting on the dresser. I really had to stop doin’ shit the day of.
I made it downstairs to see the time read 7:15. “Make it to the restaurant, then relax,” I spoke out loud. “Baaaeee! Let’s go!”
“Stop yelling. I’m right here.”
When I looked back at my wife, a smile appeared voluntarily.
Alexis was matching my fly. I moved out the way, motioning for her to walk ahead.
I let her know that I was driving her that evening as she passed by.
I was still in Speedy mode because we had fifteen minutes to cross town and make the reservation.
“Baby, can you lock the doors for me? I got way too much goin’ on right now.” I was doin’ twenty over the limit just to make it.
“Well, if you slow down and breathe for a minute. Why were you movin’ as if somebody is after you? And can you stop drivin’ so fast?” She pulled her phone out and did as I asked.
“Alexis, you are in my business. Don’t do that, baby.”
She laughed and turned on the radio. We rode to the restaurant, singing the latest from Jazmine Sullivan. That bitch could sing chile. I loved that new EP she dropped. I’d always been a fan, but baby, the songs on Heaux Tales were everything.
We made the reservation by a fuckin’ hair. Literally walked through the door hand in hand at 7:30. I could finally relax and calm my nerves, as well as my thoughts. I knew one thing: when I got back home, my hookah was gettin’ the puff down of the century.