Chapter 4 #2
Both of us went over and beyond to show our intentions. I had to make sure I matched his energy because Fortune made it clear he did not come to play. Just the thought of him had me grinning like a lovesick fool.
I cut off the water and wrapped up in my lush drying towel. It was still warm from the dryer. Before I exited the bathroom, I handled my oral hygiene and grabbed my phone.
When I made it inside my room, I’d barely had enough time to moisturize when loud banging took place on my room door. I pulled my towel back on and snatched the door opened. Tahiri stood in front of me with tears streaming down her face.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“Mommy, you have to come quick. JJ and our crazy neighbor are arguing.”
“Say less. I’ll be right down.” I closed my door and immediately dressed. My heart pounded like crazy. I said a quick prayer to cover my kids. When I slipped into my sneakers, I removed my gun from the safe and placed it in my waistband.
If push came to shove, I wouldn’t hesitate to pop his ass. My thick legs carried me down the stairs. The moment I ran into the kitchen, my ears filled with loud shouts and profanity.
I walked outside in the backyard. Everyone was in front of the girls’ playground area with slides I had installed for them. Myron continued to throw out profanity at JJ. His son held his face and cried loudly.
There was a welt on Tahari’s face. My eyes widened because I knew this nigga didn’t put his hands on my child. I stepped in front of JJ and gently pushed him to the back.
“You got me now. Back that ass up!” I hollered.
Myron’s red eyes zeroed in on me. I patted my waist, and reluctantly he did as I said.
“Now what the hell is going on here?” I probed, staring at him. I refused to let Myron out of my sight.
Tahari walked up and mugged Myron’s son. “Tahiri and I were playing on the slide. AJ asked if he could join us, so we said yes. Things were going fine until he started to bully us.
“We were not about to play with him. I told him to leave, and that boy slapped me. So, I jumped off the slide and kicked him in his stomach.
“Tahiri came and we jumped him. AJ ran home to his dad. He came over and yelled at us because you were in the shower. We went and got JJ, and they got into it,” Tahari revealed.
“That lil bitch lying!” Myron yelled.
Before I knew it, I pulled my gun out and aimed at him. “Call her a bitch again. Do it! I fucking dare you. I’ll shoot you right in that drunk ass brain of yours.”
Myron’s eyes widened in shock until his brows merged in anger. His hands twitched at his side. No words left his mouth though.
“That’s exactly what I thought. I’m done playing games with you. You get yo’ raggedy ass off my property. Take yo’ nappy-headed and dirty ass son too. The next time I see either of you on my property, I will shoot first and ask questions later. Kids go in the house now!”
They did as I commanded. Slowly, Myron and AJ walked backward through their littered and funky yard and back to their home. I lowered my gun.
“This ain’t over! Believe me!” Myron hollered.
“If there’s a third time, dirt will surely be thrown on your face and not mine!” I spat. I left him outside talking to himself as I entered my kitchen and locked the door.
I strolled in the living room where my babies sat. They looked so upset and frustrated, and I hated that for them. I took a seat on the couch and hugged my girls tightly.
“JJ, I’m so damn proud of you for defending your family. You’re so brave and strong. If there are any future incidents with them, y’all come and get me. As the adult, let me handle it.
“My apologies for pulling my weapon out in front of y’all, but y’all know I have weapons to protect y’all. It’s always only been us, and I have to do everything in my power to keep y’all safe.”
Tahari sniffled. “I don’t wanna live here anymore. I wanna go back to our old house. Nobody bothered us there.”
I kissed the top of her heads. “I’m sorry you feel that way, honey. I really am.
“But y’all know we can’t go back. I explained to y’all that once we’re out of the Section 8 system, it’s damn near impossible to get back in. Moving forward, we bought this home. This is our home.
“I’m not letting that drunk run us away. If we do, we’ll have nowhere to go. We don’t run. Now, we’re going to get dressed and go down to our local police station to make a report. Afterwards, we’ll go for pizza and bowling. How does that sound?”
All of them sat up now. They loved bowling. My kids were really great at it. Bowling was our safe space.
“I’m down,” Tahari voiced first.
“Me too,” JJ and Tahiri announced together.
I laughed at them. “Alright then, let’s get up and head out.” The girls raced upstairs, and I pulled JJ in for a tight hug.
“Thank you for all that you do for our family. I’m really grateful to have you as my son. I love you, JJ.”
“I love you too, Mama.” He walked away and up the stairs to get dressed. I followed behind him and locked my weapon up. I had a weapon in my car, next to my seat, so I didn’t need that one.
Minutes later, we were all dressed and headed out. I stopped by the station and made my report, then we bowled. It was a great time. By the time we made it home, it was evening and dark out.
We had a blast together. Now all I wanted was to dive in my bed and wrap up in my covers. I let the kids in first.
“JJ, can you take the garbage out?”
“I’m on it,” he replied.
“Girls, shower before y’all get in bed.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they responded together.
I put my things away and started on the kitchen. As I loaded the dishwasher, JJ walked back in.
“Mama, we got a big problem.”
“What’s wrong, son?”
“That crazy man ripped up and destroyed the twins’ playground,” JJ professed.
My brows furrowed together as I rushed outside into the backyard. JJ was right. The girl’s playground set was completely ruined. It was pulled up from the dirt and cut into shreds.
Rage had filled me. That muthafucka had crossed the line. Since he wanted to continue this cat and mouse game, I’d join him. I removed my phone from my pocket and took pictures. I’d make another report to the police in the morning.
“JJ, go inside and relax. I got this.”
“Okay, Mama.” He walked away with a sad look on his face. I hated that he’d seen so much and felt like it was his responsibility to handle things.
He grew up too fast, and I hated that. I tried my hardest to do better by him, but as a single mom, life was hard, and I needed his help. I just had to keep working at it.
Afterwards, I walked into my garage and removed the bag of tacks I had. It was what I used before I discovered the usefulness of sticky tape. I poured the bag of tacks in his yard and on his porch. He wanted to hurt me and my babies, so I’d return the favor.
Once I was done, I locked up and called Fortune. I had to take more serious actions.