9. Alise
ALISE
As soon as the doorbell rang, I looked over at Kiara with wide eyes.
I had just gotten her to sleep and if that doorbell woke her up, I was going to be pissed.
I knew it wasn’t Lauren ringing the doorbell to her own house.
I eased off Kiara’s bed and went to open the door.
When I saw Keith standing there, I frowned.
“Eeeeyuck. Fuck you want?”
“You’re in the house where I pay the mortgage. Where is Lauren?”
“She’s not here, and you’re not coming in.”
Keith’s brows dipped. “She’s not here? Where is my daughter?”
“Asleep, nigga.”
Keith’s eyes narrowed, and he may have been contemplating putting his hands on me but if he did, I’d be the last woman he ever hit. “It’s ten pm. Why are you here with my daughter instead of Lauren?”
“Is there something that you need? Because I’m really not in the mood to be playing twenty-one questions with you. I’m not telling you shit.”
“She out being a hoe? I tried to tell her hanging with a bunch of single, bitter bitches was going to be her downfall.”
“You got about one more bitch lil’ nigga before I show you who my daddy raised.
I’m not Lauren. I’ll slap the fuck out you, wait for you to hit me back, then go get my gun, and blow your dick off.
You were the worst thing that ever happened to her and even though it hurt her, I’m glad God put it on your heart to leave her.
The trash took itself out. Now, she can have some peace. ”
“That’s how I know you’re single and bitter. Who would wish that on their friend?”
“Oh baby, I don’t wish being single on her. I wish you away from her. And you keep calling me bitter and single. My man is a fine, and I do mean fine, ass lawyer. And he has some fine ass friends. When I’m done playing matchmaker, I’ll be helping Lauren plan her next wedding bitch boy.”
“You’re a disrespectful, uncouth ass person. I don’t see how Lauren hangs around you. If she starts bringing men around my daughter, I will be filing for custody of her.”
“And take her where? To a home that has pickles and hot Cheetos on the menu every night? Where your chick can give her hard, crunchy baby hair? You didn’t do anything for your daughter while you were here.
I know you don’t want full custody. My man will represent Lauren for free and call your bluff. What’s up?”
Keith was glaring at me like he hated me, and I didn’t care because the feeling was indeed mutual.
Lauren was in fact out on a date, and I would have flown in from hell to babysit Kiara for her.
She didn’t want to rush into anything with anybody, but I needed her to know it was okay to have friends and a social life.
She didn’t have to feel guilty about going out for food and drinks with anyone whether they were male or female.
She was out with one of her old classmates.
He was newly divorced, and they were just catching up.
But even if she let the man crack her back it was none of Keith’s business.
Headlights lit up the yard as Lauren pulled into the driveway, and I stayed right where I was watching Keith.
I had of course seen Lauren when she left the house, and my girl was rocking baggy, denim boyfriend jeans, a white, fitted, cropped shirt that showed just a hint of her midsection, and pink strappy heels.
Her hair had been cut into a chin length bob, and my girl looked good.
I smirked when I realized Keith would see her looking like a MILF.
“Fuck you been?” he stormed down the steps.
I eased out onto the porch and closed the door behind me because I didn’t want Kiara disturbed. With my arms folded across my chest, I watched as Lauren approached with a look of confusion covering her face.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Why is she here with my daughter when you should be here with her?”
“And what law is it that says I have to be with Kiara twenty-four seven? Which, I mean when she’s not in school, I pretty much am.
You don’t get to question me. Especially when you haven’t spent more than five hours with her since you left.
” Lauren attempted to walk around Keith, and he grabbed her arm.
I took a step forward, but I didn’t say anything.
“I’m not done talking to you. You about to start running the streets and being a hoe like your friends?”
“Why does it matter?!” she yelled in his face. “You left! You wanted to be free. So go!”
I watched Keith’s fists clench at his sides, and I knew he better not even try it. For a brief moment, the pair had a stare off. Lauren tried to walk away for the second time. Keith used his pointer finger to poke Lauren’s forehead. “Don’t start playing with me,” he damn near growled in a low tone.
Lauren’s face balled as she drew back. “Are you out of your mind?” she swatted his finger away, and he pushed her.
My reflexes kicked in so fast that I almost twisted my ankle running down the four porch steps to get to my friend.
She almost fell since she was wearing heels, but she steadied herself.
Lauren lunged toward him, and I punched him in the back of the head for the old and new.
My girl had a lot of pent up aggression inside of her because after I tapped that head and she started wailing on him, Keith was trying to get away from us rather than fighting back.
Lauren threw punch after punch, and I grabbed her keys that had fallen to the ground.
“Aight, chill!” Keith barked and pushed her again.
That time she did fall, and I stepped in front of him and sprayed mace in his face as he screamed.
“Stupid ass bitch! Yo! As long as I’m paying the mortgage, I don’t want this hoe over here!” He yelled while blinking his eyes rapidly. “Lauren get me some water!”
“I’m not getting you anything. I hope you go blind,” she hissed before limping toward the porch.
“Two stupid ass bitches. Two stupid lonely bitches. You’ll be bumping pussies soon ‘cus no man wants you.”
“Ha! You don’t even believe that because if you did you wouldn’t be here foaming at the mouth wondering where she was. Lame ass loser,” I smirked before closing the door behind him.
Lauren’s chest heaved up and down and for all of sixty seconds she appeared furious. Until our eyes met, and she erupted into laughter. “That man hates you.”
“And I hate him.”
“And for the record, he doesn’t like you because he knew how headstrong and independent you are.
He was afraid that would rub off on me and that I would leave him.
You have never once insinuated or suggested that I leave him.
His you’re single and bitter narrative is bullshit.
He didn’t want me having single friends and realizing that I didn’t need a man to make it. ”
I waved her comment off. “Girl, you don’t have to explain anything to me.
Jada’s husband is cool. All my friends that have significant others are cool.
We all get along great because I only want my girls single if that’s what makes them happy.
I know I’m far from bitter, so his insults went right in one ear and out the other. So, how was your date?”
Immediately, Lauren’s cheeks flushed. “It was nice, but it wasn’t a date.
Rock is cool, and we were just catching up.
It felt good to have adult conversation and wine.
It felt good to dress up and care about how I looked rather than just throwing on whatever is comfortable and going to run errands looking a mess.
I want to take time to find my own rhythm and to find Lauren but when I’m ready, I’d love to go out on another date with him or anyone else that asks. ”
“Period!” I snapped my fingers making her laugh. “Kiara is asleep, and your house is clean. Enjoy your night.”
“I will, boo. Thank you so much.”
“Hopefully, Keith’s eyeballs have fallen out by now.”
Lauren laughed and watched as I walked to my car.
I didn’t mind watching Kiara at all, but Carter was at my house waiting, and I was ready to see him.
I had it so bad for that man it was ridiculous.
I hadn’t liked a man the way I liked him in a really long time.
When his name appeared on my phone screen, I smiled.
When he was about to come over, it felt like butterflies were taking flight in my tummy.
When we were about to go out on a date, I became super excited.
It was cool to just say I would enjoy it for however long it lasted and then be cool if it ended.
But the reality was that, I had proven to myself that I could live a very fulfilled, very happy life without a man.
I was successful, thriving, financially stable, and living life to the best of my ability.
I wasn’t hyper focused on sex or getting on dating apps and obsessing over having a man.
I traveled alone and with friends. I went out with friends and sometimes, I went on solo dates.
Life was good. But I also enjoyed randomly getting flowers.
I enjoyed being told to pack my bags and clear my schedule.
It felt good to wake up wrapped in muscular arms. I didn’t want those things for a short time. I wanted them for a long time.
This wasn’t a let’s date, fall in love, get married, buy a house, and have kids kind of thing.
It was a we’re both two adults with our own lives that are coming together and figuring out how to merge our lives and just be happy until God calls us home.
Our grandkids could play together when we had them.
We could travel and move around with no restrictions.
We didn’t have to agree on how to raise our kids, when to buy a home, saving for college tuition.
This was something different. And I liked it.