Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Fumi
My auntie Cookie’s nosy ass sent me a text saying Hood dropped off a car for me; that’s the least he can do since his bitch fucked up my car. I’m still mad as fuck because he’s been a pain in my ass since he got home, and my car is damn near totaled.
I don’t give a fuck whether Hood gets my Benz fixed or buys me a new one; a bitch shouldn’t be that jealous of me, and I’m not dealing with Hood in any capacity. I saw this nigga for the first time Friday at the club, and he was with another bitch.
Nuri pulled up to my parents’ house. Despite everything that happened this morning, it feels good to be here on this Sunday, and I won’t let the bullshit from earlier ruin my family time.
I looked at the cocaine-white Audi with dark-tinted windows parked in front of my parents’ house. Hood thinks he’s so fucking slick; he’s still a basic-ass nigga. I still don’t want his ass.
Nuri burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Hood?”
“Oh, you peeped game too…”
“Yes, that nigga is being intentional with his moves.”
“He really is; not sure why?”
“He wants you?”
“Yeah, that ain’t happening.”
“I hear you. Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure…”
“I told Cash I would be over here; let me drive that Audi while I link up with my new sneaky link.”
“Here you go?”
“I thought you weren’t meeting up with this nigga?”
“How you know it’s him?”
“Because I know you?”
“Damn, I’m curious, Fumi. That’s all. I love Cash, but I’m not in love with him. I want something different, and Ransum feels different.”
“Ok…”
“Cash ain’t finna come by here.”
“If he rides by, he’ll see my car.”
“Okay, I hope so because I don’t feel like cursing his ass out…”
Nuri parked right behind the Audi. We walked up to the porch and got the keys from my momma. Aunt Cookie was nosy as hell; I saw her watching the exchange. I didn’t even feel like entertaining her.
I walked into the house and put the stuff I brought from Publix in the kitchen. I kissed my daddy on the forehead and walked upstairs.
“Fumi…”
“Hi, Daddy!”
“Where are you going, baby girl?”
“Upstairs, to my room.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Not really, Daddy, but I’ll be okay.”
“Let me know if I need to put my foot in a niggas ass.”
“I will.”
My daddy doesn’t play about me on any fucking day.
I finally made it upstairs to my room… I don’t understand how all this shit happened. My phone buzzed, alerting me to a text from Cohen; a smile instantly spread across my face. I hadn’t heard from him since he dropped me off Saturday morning. If only I could’ve stayed with him a little longer.
Cohen- I miss you.
Me- I can’t tell; I hadn’t heard from you.
Cohen-You ain’t reached out.
Me- I haven’t been busy.
Cohen- So when you gon’ make time and free up your schedule?
Me- Soon.
I ain’t gon’ lie, I really like Cohen; this nigga got me blushing like a schoolgirl. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cohen tonight.
Especially since the last place I want to be is at home and accessible. Hood, bringing this Audi by is even worse, so I’mma have to figure some shit out because I definitely wanna see Cohen again tonight. My room door bursts open, and it’s my momma.
“Hey, Ma!”
“Why are you up here hiding?”
“I’m not.”
“I can’t tell.”
“You wanna tell me why Nuri dropped you off and why Hood brought a car by here for you to drive?”
“I don’t, Ma, because I’ll get pissed off again.”
“I got time.”
“Ma…”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’m waiting.”
“Please don’t tell ya sister about this.”
“I won’t,” I tell my momma everything that happened and who I think is behind it. By the time I’m done, I’m still pissed off.
“Umm, I don’t know what to say; at least he’s trying to make it right. I didn’t know Hood was home.”
“I didn’t either.”
“And the first thing these crazy women start doing is bothering you?”
“Yep.”
“Fumi, he may not be dealing with them; something about him was different when he stopped by here.”
“I don’t care, Ma, I ain’t dealing with him.”
“I hear you.”
“Ma, you don’t believe me?”
“I do. If it’s meant to be, you’ll eventually find your way back to each other.”
“We ain’t doing that?”
“I know. I heard you.” I finished talking to my momma, not sure why she said that. I ain’t thinking about Hood, but her words still sit heavy.
I head downstairs to spend time with my family. I’m taking Cohen up on his offer tonight, so I text him.
Me- I’m free tonight if you want some of my time?
Cohen-What time do you want me to pick you up?
Me- I’ll let you know. I’m at my parents’ house. I didn’t bring anything with me.
Cohen- If you want me to meet my in-laws, say that. I can pick you up from there; no bag needed. I got everything you need here.
Me- I’ll be ready by 9 pm, maybe 10. I’ll shoot you the address; later, you want a plate.
Cohen- I do. I’ll see you soon.
I slid my phone back into my purse. Yeah, I’m not going home tonight, and I’m turning off my phone.
Fuck Hood and fuck his crazy ass bitch. If he knows what’s best, he will stay the fuck out of my way. I walk outside to enjoy my family on this good Sunday, but I’m still heated. For some reason, all my cousins were pulling up from both sides of the family.
My daddy went outside to start the grills; he had pans of meat marinating in the refrigerator. I went outside to catch some fresh air; my Aunt Cookie’s nosy ass was sitting on the porch. I tried to walk past her without stopping.
“Fumi, come here…” Auntie Cookie yelled.
“Hi Auntie Cookie…”
“You’re acting brand new since Hood is home. I didn’t know y’all were back together.”
“Auntie Cookie, I ain’t acting brand new. Hood is single, and so am I.”
“Um, he dropped off an Audi, and y’all ain’t together.”
“Yep.”
“Girl, you a trip.”
“I’m not…”
Auntie Cookie is nosy as hell; she’s my momma’s younger sister. My grandparents had her when they were too old, and we’re only about 5 or 6 years apart.
I walked toward the sidewalk where the rest of my cousins were posted up. It’s been a minute since I last saw them, so it’s always good to catch up.
“Hey y’all…”
“Hey, Fumi…” They beamed in unison. It’s been a minute since I saw Toyia and Yaneika, so we hugged.
“Cuddy, I saw you at the club the other night. I was about to speak, but a fine-ass gentleman whisked you away,” Toyia beamed proudly.
“Toyia, I wish you’d said something. I was out with Carmani and Nuri, and suddenly it turned into a double date, so I had to move around. I wasn’t expecting to run into some potential.”
I slapped hands with Toyia and Yaneika; we finished catching up and made plans to start kicking more often. We were always close growing up.
“We finna walk to the Red Store; you wanna walk with us?” Toyia asked.
“I heard it’s some niggas up there, shooting dice in the back.” Yaneika beamed.
“Yeah, I’ll walk with y’all.”
It’s been a minute since I walked to the Red store, but fuck it.
Edgewood will always be my hood. I ran inside the house to grab my purse.
I checked myself in the mirror to make sure my lip gloss was popping.
This felt like old times, walking up to the corner store and hoping to see the one nigga you’re crushing on.
“Where y’all walking to?” Auntie Cookie asked.
“Just up the block.”
“Wait on me. I’m finna walk with y’all,” Aunt Cookie said.
Auntie Cookie just had to walk with us. Toyia and Yaneika were looking at me; our eyes had a private conversation.
Aunt Cookie was always in competition with us, even though she wasn’t much older than we were.
She rose from the porch in a fitted maxi dress that stopped just above her thighs; she ain’t slick.
It’s a family event; why does she have this shit on? My uncles on my daddy’s side ain’t checking for her; they’re all married. My uncles’ wives will beat her ass, and I ain’t breaking it up.
I’m sure they’re going to tell my momma a few things after this is over. Aunt Cookie finally made her way over to us. We started walking up the block; the energy changed when she joined us, but whatever.
The block was definitely busy; everybody was out. It took us a minute to get to the store because everybody in the hood kept stopping to talk to us. It’s hot as fuck. We finally made it to the corner store.
I walked inside to get myself a Jungle Juice and a few snacks. The corner store door opened again; Guap, Hood, and Cash walked in. I turned my head quickly, hoping Hood didn’t see me. Aunt Cookie couldn’t wait for one of them to acknowledge her first. Thirsty-ass bitch
“Hey, Guap,” Auntie Cookie beamed proudly. Guap wasn’t paying her any mind.
I walked to the counter fast as hell to pay for my shit.
I had to walk past Hood; he didn’t say anything, but he quickly got in line behind me, breathing down my fucking neck.
The cashier rang me up; Hood handed the cashier $20.
00 to pay for my stuff. I didn’t say thank you to his ass.
The tension between us was thick as hell, and I still don’t know why.
“What’s up, Fumi? Where’s Nuri?”
“What’s up, Cash? She’s at the house; her lazy ass took a nap because she said it was too hot.”
“I called her, and she didn’t answer.”
“I heard her phone ringing and tried to wake her, but she wasn’t budging.”
“Aiight.” That lie rolled off my tongue. Aunt Cookie was hating; she knew Nuri had left. Toyia and Yaneika walked to the back of the store, where the niggas were shooting dice; that’s exactly where I was headed.
Not sure why Aunt Cookie kept lingering around, trying to be fucking nosy as always. I grabbed my stuff off the counter, and before I could leave, Hood was tugging at the back of my pants, pulling me close to him. Aunt Cookie was hating.
“Let me holla at you for a minute, Fumi?”
‘We ain’t got shit to talk about?”
“I’m just asking for 20 minutes.”
“That’s a lot.”
“You want a nigga to beg?”
“I don’t want you to do shit but leave me the fuck alone.”
“20 minutes, that’s all I’m asking for.”
“You asking for a lot.”
I agreed to talk to Hood. Auntie Cookie was hating like a motherfucka; she’ll never admit it, but she lowkey wanted Hood before I started fucking with him.