Chapter 20
About an hour after Miki departed from his presence, Bebe received a call. It was an urgent call. His mother was hysterical and crying. She was able to manage the words, “Vanderbilt…your sister.”
The first thought was something happened to Bless. Bebe pushed all other thoughts out his mind. All he could focus on was his sister. He and the kids dressed and headed for Vanderbilt.
Marvin had gone to Bless’ place claiming to want to see the boys. Again, he cornered Bless in the kitchen. Lil Marvin explained that they started talking louder and arguing. Next thing he knew his mother was screaming. Lil Marvin described seeing his father stab his mother multiple times. Fearing his and Marcus’ life they fled the house and went next door to Trina’s. Trina called 9-1-1. Marvin left before the police got there. Bless was rushed to the hospital.
“I’m killing him Mama,” Bless said with anger and determination. It was a matter of fact that Bebe was killing Marvin.
“No,” Joyce said firmly. “Let the police do their job. He’ll get his.”
“He’s still out there. They ain’t doing their gotdamn jobs!” Bebe said, his voice rose. The other people in the emergency room waiting area looked over at them.
Deja tried to console him by rubbing his back. “Calm down Bebe.”
Bebe shrugged her off of him. He got up and headed outside. He didn’t smoke but this would be a good time to start. Cyn was hurrying from the parking lot. He called Cyn’s name. She walked over. “What happened Bebe!”
“She’s fine. He didn’t hit anything major,” Bebe said somberly. “They’re stitching her up. He punctured her thirteen times though.”
Cyn looked on in disbelief. Bebe said, “She’s gonna be okay. All I know is he ain’t gonna be once I find his ass and kill him.”
“No Bebe,” Cyn cried. “If you kill him then we won’t have you anymore.”
Bebe knew that was the rational way but he wasn’t feeling very sensible at the moment. Shit like this was what he was afraid of for Miki.
Shortly after Free, Trina, Sharif and Monique all showed up at the hospital concerned about Bless.
“Let’s go beat that nigga’s ass, Bebe,” Free said to him. They were in the family room waiting area.
“Don’t encourage him,” Monique said. “Please.”
Bebe didn’t reply. He thanked God that his sister was okay. If something else had happened to her he wouldn’t know what he would have done. However his mind was on Miki. Redd was just as crazy if not crazier than Marvin. No one knew Marvin was capable of going to these lengths. There was no telling what Redd was capable of doing. Miki might not be as fortunate as Bless. And Miki was carrying his child. No, she had to get away from Redd right away.
Bebe pulled out his phone and sent Miki a text: call me asap!
Cyn walked back into the waiting room. She looked over at Bebe and wondered who he was texting with. She sat down beside him. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he mumbled not looking away from his phone.
“I hadn’t seen or talked to you since Friday. You okay?” she asked.
“I was until this shit,” he said.
“Bless is fine. She’s in there talking and in good spirits,” Cyn said in a comforting manner. She caught Free cutting her eyes at her. Cyn frowned with disapproval. She asked Bebe, “You and her got something going on or something?”
“Who?” he asked finally looking up at her.
She nodded towards Free.
Bebe actually smiled. “Naw. She just crazy.”
Cyn ignored Free. She asked Bebe, “So did you and ol’ girl talk Friday?”
“What makes you think that?” he mused.
“Because she showed up at your house and you started acting weird. Then you didn’t even wanna go out with us. I assume you must’ve called her back.”
“We did talk,” he said. His phone alerted him to a received text. Beautiful: can’t talk right now, will call later
“Oh yeah,” Cyn stated.
Bebe looked over at Cyn. “I guess I need to tell you this. I ain’t tryna lead you on or nothing and I’m sorry if you thought me and you could have anything more. But I’ma try to make things work with Miki.”
Cyn was displeased. She rolled her eyes and exhaled heavily. “I figure that.”
“She’s pregnant and we’re going to be together.”
“Really? How you know it isn’t her man’s baby?”
Bebe looked at her wondering how much Deja had ran her mouth about. Bebe replied, “That would be my concern and not yours.”
“Don’t be stupid Bebe.”
“Not being stupid would mean you and I continue to see each other?” he questioned.
“I’m not saying that.”
“Look, I enjoyed our little time together, but it was just that. Miki has my heart.”
Cyn didn’t have a reply. Her eyebrows furrowed as she sat in deep thought.
“I’m sorry,” Bebe said softly.
Cyn half shrugged. “I’m fine. Just hope you’re fine.”
_____________
Miki sat in her truck and let her mind wander. How could she get away from Redd for good? He would have to spend some time in prison to allow her enough time to move far away and get settled into a new life. She had an aunt that lived in Virginia. She could go there and start an entirely brand-new life. She knew Redd wouldn’t allow her to leave just like that. Miki needed to devise a plan.
Instead of going home Miki went to Kat’s. When Miki got there, she was surprised to see Kat with a purple bruise on her neck. “What happened?”
“Whatchu think?” Kat said incredulously.
“I thought you said Ox wasn’t trippin’ like that,” Miki said sitting on the couch. “Did he choke you or something?”
Kat started laughing. “Girl these ain’t those kind of bruises. This come from someone sucking on my neck.”
“Ox?”
Kat gave an evasive shrug with a sneaky grin.
Miki gasped in surprise. “Kat! How did you explain that Ox?”
“I didn’t,” Kat said. She snickered, “The nigga think he did it.”
Miki shook her head shaming her friend. Kat sat down beside Miki. She said, “I’m thinking about leaving.”
“Leaving Ox?”
“Yeah. But not just him. I’m thinking about leaving Tennessee.”
“No Kat. You can’t leave me. You’re the only friend I have,” Miki said with feigned sadness.
“You’re crazy. You have Maddie and Kizzie.”
“Yeah but they’re boring,” Miki said. “Where are you going?”
“Atlanta.”
“Atlanta!” Miki exclaimed. “Everybody going to Atlanta.”
“Dwayne’s family live there.”
Miki’s mouth dropped open in shock. “You leaving with him?”
Kat nodded. She quickly said, “Well I haven’t confirmed it yet.”
“What is Ox gon do?”
“Don’t even care,” Kat said. “I’m so sick of his shit. Him and that bitch can have each other.”
“Well I’m leaving after Christmas,” Miki said matter of factly.
“I can’t wait to see how Redd will react to that. What is Bebe saying?”
“You know he’s happy I’m leaving. Especially after I told him about the baby.”
“So, you told him you were pregnant?”
“Yep. He believes the baby is his. I do too but I can’t be one hundred percent sure.”
“Wow. I guess you and I both are overdue for change.”
“Yep,” Miki said looking down at her phone. A text was received. Redd: where r u?
Miki: Kat’s y
Redd: cum home u been gone long enuff
Miki: I’m on my way’
Miki sighed. “Well that’s him. He wants me home. I guess I talk with you later.”
“Okay. And be careful,” Kat said.
Once inside her truck Miki called Bebe.
He answered, “Hello?”
“Hey Elmo!”
“Elmo my ass. Don’t call me that shit.”
Miki giggled. Because Bebe was so ticklish Miki started calling him by the popular kid’s toy’s name.
“Ay, there’s something I need to tell you,” Bebe said. His tone had changed to a somber one.
“What is it?” Miki asked.
“My sister was stabbed by her husband,” Bebe said. “I’m worried about you and I don’t want you to end up like her. Especially with you carrying my baby. So, if I gotta come over there and get you myself, I will.”
“Is she okay?” Miki’s heart had dropped at hearing the news. “I can’t believe it. Oh my God. Is she all right, Bebe?”
“She’s okay. She’s stitched up,” he said.
“When did this happen?”
“Right after you left.”
“Is that why you wanted to talk to me?”
“Yep. Come on, Miki.”
“Come on what?”
“You know. Come home to me baby. Don’t even go back to the house with him.”
“I’m leaving Bebe. Right after Christmas.”
“That’s too long.”
“Two days Bebe.”
“Do you know what he could do to you in those two days?”
“There’s more stuff I need to get,” she explained.
“I’ll replace it,” he said.
“Bebe.” She said his name with frustration. She hated when he put her on the spot.
“Mikina,” he countered.
It made Miki smile when he used her birth name. She liked the way it sound rolling off his lips. “If he’s there I will stay. If he’s not, I’ll go ahead and grab the things I need and come over to your house.”
“Baby, forget that stuff.”
“Bebe, don’t do that. I’ll be there, okay.”
He exhaled impatiently and groaned. “Okay. But if you’re not here by Christmas Day I’m coming to get you.”
Miki shook her head at his insistence. They spoke a few minutes more until Miki pulled up to her house. Redd wasn’t there so she needed to move as fast as she could.
Miki went from room to room gathering things. She felt like Celie from The Color Purple when she was trying to leave with Shug.
“What are you doing?”
Miki nearly jumped out of her skin. She stammered, “N-n-nothing.”
Redd looked at the clothes and shoes Miki had pulled out of the closet. “That look like most of your shit, Miki. I know you ain’t doing what it looks like you’re doing.”
Miki giggled nervously, “What’s that, Redd?”
“Leaving me. Is that what you’re doing?” he asked with his head cocked to the side.
“No. I’m just going through this stuff to see what else I want to depart with. This is the season for giving, you know. You need to go through some of your stuff too.”
“I wear all of my shit,” he said.
Miki was relieved that he was falling for it.
“We going out tonight to Demon Knights’ Christmas party,” he said.
“On a Monday? Who has a party on a Monday night?”
“The bike clubs do. It’s their regular bike night anyway.”
“I don’t feel like going out,” Miki called out to him as he went into the closet.
“Why not?”
“I’m pregnant and I’m sick,” she said. “I don’t feel too good.”
“You’ll be alright. Go on and call your mama.”
Miki sighed. She called Ava. When she answered Miki said, “Hey Mama.”
“Hey babycakes,” Ava chirped.
“What are you and Larry doing?”
“Nothing. Just sitting here. Why?”
“Can you watch your grandchild and her sister one more night?”
“You must be going out. With who?”
“Redd.”
“What happened to Bebe?”
“Mama, you know I can’t talk about that, right?”
“He don’t have to know what you’re talking about. So, what happened to Bebe? You don’t talk about him as much.”
“Still there.”
Ava scoffed. “I think he’s stupid too.”
“Too?” Miki asked incredulously. She laughed. “What are you trying to say?”
“Both of you are stupid. You sit there with that man who doesn’t make you happy. And he sitting right there being your side piece waiting on you to come to your senses.”
“Whatever, Mama. Will you watch them?”
“I guess. They already here. But will you be getting them tomorrow at least?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. Bring them on.”
Miki told Redd she had the girl’s taken care of. He was already dressing for a night out. Miki decided with a loose-fitting blouse with a pair of relaxed cut jeans. Her days of wearing skin tight clothing was over.
“Baby, you couldn’t dress sexier than that?” Redd asked.
Miki looked down at herself. She thought she looked okay. “I told you I wasn’t feeling too good. Can I at least be comfortable?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
Redd took her to a bike club party. It was also a birthday bash for one of Demon Knights’ leading men. Going to their usual sitting area Miki was glad to be meeting up with Mokeba, Kat, Kim and Toya.
“What’s up girl?” Mokeba greeted.
“Hey y’all,” Miki replied as she sat down.
“Miki, you don’t look too good,” Toya commented. “Where’s your makeup?”
“She all naked face,” Kim added.
“I don’t feel good. I didn’t feel like coming to this shit,” Miki said.
Kat gave Miki and sympathetic look. “That baby sick.”
Miki shot Kat a look. Kat grinned. She leaned closer to Miki so that she could only hear, “Girl, I’m about to do some of you and Bebe’s shit.”
“What are you talking about?” Miki asked.
“The restroom,” Kat laughed.
“With who?” Miki asked.
Kat’s eyes traveled to Toya.
Miki shook her head to shame Kat. “Shame on you girl.” Miki looked around and observed Dwayne talking right in front of Ox’s face. Damn shame. At least her side piece wasn’t a part of the group.
“So how you been Miki?” Mokeba asked.
“Good,” Miki said. She noticed the way Mokeba was grinning at her. “What?”
“I heard something about you,” she said.
Miki cut her eyes at Kat assuming she ran her mouth about her pregnancy. “What you hear?”
“You got you a little piece on the side,” Mokeba said.
Miki glanced Redd’s way to make sure he wasn’t close by to be hearing any of this. “Be quiet. You tryna get my head chopped.”
Mokeba laughed. “Girl he ain’t thinking about us.”
“Shit. He got radar ears,” Miki said. She asked, “So what are you talking about? A side piece?”
Kat said, “Yeah. What are you talking about?”
“Somebody said that Keonte’s cousin got the hots for you,” Mokeba said.
“Keonte? Who is Keonte?” Miki asked with genuine confusion.
“Don’t be playing dumb,” Toya teased.
“I don’t know who that is. For real,” Miki said.
Kim said, “There they go right there.” She nodded her head in the direction of a group of men moving through the crowd.
Miki looked, and her heart began beating wildly. Bebe was there. Miki forgot that Bebe had a cousin that belonged to one of the bike clubs. There he was looking gorgeous in his all-black attire. Miki watched him interact with the men around him. He was clowning around. A smile crept across Miki’s face.
“It must be true,” Mokeba teased. “Look at that smile on your face.”
“No. They just being silly, and I was reacting to it,” Miki countered. She wouldn’t admit nothing to them. The only person Miki trusted was Kat.
“Sure, you were,” Toya said.
Miki watched as woman after woman made their way to Bebe. Bebe was definitely hot with the ladies. Miki wanted to see him desperately, but if she got up and went his way now it would look very suspicious.
“I know he look good though,” Kim said.
“Y’all stop looking,” Kat said. “Redd an’nem looking over here.”
Miki glanced back at Redd and he was staring right at her. He motioned for her to come to him. “Here we go,” she said under her breath.
“Yes,” she said when she walked up to Redd.
He turned his back to his boys and talked to her. “What are you doing?”
“Sitting over there with the ladies,” she answered with confusion.
“Who you looking at?”
“Mokeba and Toya were saying something about somebody out there.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t that nigga?”
“What nigga?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Redd,” she said.
“I tell you what. I’ll give you a few hours to think about it and when I ask you again you can either tell me or you can get your ass kicked,” he said calmly.
“I don’t know what—”
She was interrupted by Redd grabbing her face hard and squeezing her jaws. “Shut up sometimes, Miki.” He released her.
Miki frowned, too mad to be embarrassed. “Why are you doing me like that?”
“I’ve heard some shit, Miki,” he said.
The look in his eyes let Miki know he knew the truth. She looked away, “Can I go back to the table?” She saw Karmen with Pocahontas looking her way. Pocahontas was smirking. Karmen waved. She said, “Hey Miki. Hey Redd.”
Redd said, “What’s up.”
Miki’s frown deepened. She knew Karmen went back running her mouth. How else would Redd know?
Redd said, “Keep your eyes at the mothafuckin table. If I catch you looking in that nigga’s direction I will bust you in both of your goddamn eyes. You hear me?”
Miki went back to table fuming. She dared not to look up. She didn’t want to face their questioning eyes.
“What he say?” Kat asked.
“I don’t even wanna talk about it,” Miki mumbled.
“I ain’t gon lie,” Toya said. “Dwayne told me that Redd told him you were fucking around.”
Kat was taken aback. “Dwayne need to shut up.”
“Dwayne didn’t say it, Redd did,” Toya defended.
“I know. But he don’t need to be spreading other people’s shit that may or may not be true,” Kat snapped.
“It’s just me though,” Toya said.
“Yeah, and you told Mokeba and Kim. That’s where Mokeba got that ‘I heard something about you’ from.”
“Well damn Kat, you act like it’s you we talking about,” Mokeba said.
“All I’m saying is none of them niggas over there can’t talk about nobody’s shit when they be doing the most especially Dwayne.” Kat was upset.
Miki pat Kat on the thigh. “I’m okay Kat.” Only Miki understood where Kat’s anger was coming from. But now Miki wondered how Redd assumed she was seeing somebody. And he was specific because he knew who Miki was looking at.
“Uh-oh,” Kim said under her breath. Miki looked up to see what Kim was talking about. Bebe and a few of his people were making their way to where they were. Miki looked away and tried to focus on Kat’s shoes. She could feel Bebe’s eyes on her. She could even hear his silent pleas. “Miki, look at me baby.” But she couldn’t. She was immobilized by the feel of Redd’s stare.
Kat said to Miki, “Bebe’s crazy.”
“Why you say that?” Miki asked looking only at Kat’s face.
“He just is. He waved to me,” Kat said. “He mean-mugged the hell out of Redd though.”
Miki rolled her eyes and sighed. “Why did he do that?”
“I told you he crazy.”