Chapter 11 Emani
She sat in the chair, eyes closed trying to hold on to the faint scent of Jahlil.
Almost as bad as an addict scraping through the carpet for spilled cocaine.
That reference made her lowly scoff to herself.
The recall of her aunt scraping through the carpet after fighting all night with her boyfriend to get the residual product.
It was the typical Thursday night. He’d cash a check, buy a few packs off the neighborhood hustlers and sit in that room and get high out of his mind.
She was right there at his side. Donnée and Emani made it a point to stay out making plays or hoisted on top the roof, stargazing through the smog of better days.
As she pulled her eyes open, she found Derrick handing her tissue with a pointed glare.
“I would’ve fucked the shit out that man just to get even,” he shared, making Emani roll her eyes before she dabbed her face free of a night of torture. “You want a minute?”
“No, I’m good,” Emani rumbled with a huff. From the corner of her eye, she caught Donnée easing down the hall. She was free of the state she inched into the house in. Emani laughed softly. “Did you get some dick for the both of us?”
Donnée’s cheeks flushed before turning to Derrick and asking, “You mind bringing her up something to eat?”
“Oh gladly. Big Daddy Jahlil will not be snapping me in half. How did you handle all of that man?” Derrick asked as he sashayed out of the room. “I’d be scared.”
Emani rolled her eyes. “He was skinny and I taught him everything he knows. Any more questions?”
“Oop, just shut me the hell up huh?” Derrick quipped, leaving the two alone.
“How was your night?” Donnée asked once she knew Derrick was out of earshot. “Why didn’t you sleep?”
Emani rubbed her forehead and then brought her knees to her chest. “Malik was on my phone all night. Calling, texting, leaving voice notes, sending pictures. All night. It’s like this is the new norm now. Gahdamn, I said yes. I can say no.”
Donnée raised her brows, pulling in a deep breath before asking, “Why don’t you?”
Emani dropped her forehead to her knees. “Because part of me keeps hoping this is a right now thing. Like by some stroke of fate, he’ll shake it off and go back to-”
“His representative? Nah, that nigga is gone. Long gone. Who you got violating you every time his ego is bruised is who he is. Who his bitch ass momma raised him to be. I get you want love and to be in love but sometimes you got to escape the shit that ain’t.
Don’t forget who the fuck you are, trying to hold on to a nigga that you got to carry on your back.
Marriage doesn’t change a person. But it’s more than just him on your mind.
Jahlil brings in memories that you’ve done a great job of running from.
You got to look that shit in the face now, put on your big girl panties.
Time is ticking and life is short. No more crying? That’s for bitches and-”
“And pussies. Speaking of…you got a new walk,” Emani replied, welcoming the change of topic.
“You know a little reunion with my husband never hurt anyone,” Donnée said, turning to the mirror to fix her hair. “how mad you think the group is going to be?”
“When they find out y’all been married since we left here? Hot as that grease at Ray’s come food stamp Friday. I’m still trying to get over the fact you didn’t let me witness it.”
“To be fair, for years, you and Jahlil have put us in a bit of a pickle,” Donnée admitted, studying Emani’s face in the mirror. “Something about that read text really sent you into another place. We didn’t want the courtroom being torn up.”
“I know how to behave,” Emani huffed with an eye roll.
“Oh? You do?”
“So what I’ve slapped a few bitches and tried to turn some heads around. That’s the libra in me. They fucked with me first.”
“Uh huh and you finished it. Your wedding gift already solidified you forgave us. And yes, he hit every corner. His schedule and my schedule just is too much,” Donnée hummed.
“I mean I can find someone else.”
“To do what? You’d be lost without me.” Donnée was almost offended as Emani laughed. “You’re not remotely funny.”
“I would be lost without you, if we’re being real. Anyway, what am I being subjected to today?”
“I’m Sandi now?” Donnée snipped.
“Apparently, she caught whatever Malachi has,” Emani said with a shrug. “What?”
“Malachi is “sick” so Joanna had Derrick doing all her work. Sandi caught something from the “sick” Malachi and I’m doing her work. You got to fire these hoes. They’re playing in your face and you’re letting them. Malik too. Send all them bitches stepping.”
“I can tell you what, whatever is happening will show itself. Just be ready when it does because I have a feeling it’s going to piss me off. Anyway, what am I doing besides rehearsal and the interview?”
“Pool party at the house,” Donnée stated casually.
“Uh uh pool party,” Derrick objected, walking back into the room, food and coffee in tow. “Joanna didn’t send me anything for a pool party.”
“Because she doesn’t think about the what if’s.
I’ll get you a swimsuit and let’s not even worry about the hair for real until tomorrow for the pick-up game.
She’s going to be courtside and the internet is buzzing about you and Jahlil.
They’ve dug up old photos and everything.
You have to be cordial and fly as fuck.”
“What’s in this for me?” Emani questioned, sarcastically.
Derrick started to take her braids down and sassed. “I don’t know, maybe some of that sixty dollar dick. No change.”
Emani snorted in laughter. “I hate you so bad.”
“I know that man still holds a flame for you because he just lets you talk to him any kind of way. And I love it.”
“He does too,” Donnée mumbled. “Derrick, make her cute, we got a bathing suit to find. One that’ll piss Malik off…bad.”
“You play too much,” Emani huffed, picking up a tray of food.
Two eggs over hard, skillet potatoes and bacon.
With all the food Emani used to “burrow” from the Eagles Nest, Jahlil would make breakfast for her and Andrew before running off to practice.
There was note with it every morning and in the air of nostalgia, Emani looked for it.
Derrick handed her the receipt with a smirk on his face. “Yeah, I read it. Let him fold you up and don’t tell Malik shit.”
Emani took the receipt and looked at the note at the bottom – remember who you are. She bit a soft smile. Derrick and Donnée shared a look and let her live in that space where the smile came with ease and a sigh of relief. She deserved that.