CHAPTER 3
I was bored as fuck. There was nothing to do around here. Without my kids, I have no entertainment what-so-ever.
After sighing for the hundredth time and flipping through endless amount of channels, with absolutely nothing to watch on them, I decided to call Jas. Jasmine, Jas, is the only friend I have that is a girl. She is also engaged to my brother. I reached for the cordless phone that was next to me. I was waiting for someone to call me, but no such luck.
I pressed the talk button and began to dial my friend’s number.
“Hello?” She picked up on the third ring.
“Hey, what’s up, Jas?”
“Oh, hey, Dani, what’s up? Where you at?” She was trying to scream over the loud hip-hop music that was blasted in the background.
“I’m at home. Where are you?”
“What?!” She screamed.
“Where are you?” I asked louder.
“Oh, I’m at Shaun’s.” Damn was everybody at Shaun’s? “Hold on, girl.” She told me as I heard her obviously trying to find somewhere she can hear me. “Dani?” She asked, as it got quieter in the background.
“I’m still here.”
“Why are you at home? I thought you’d be over here too.”
“Nah, that’s ok. I’m fine right where I’m at.” I lied, curling myself further onto the living room couch.
“Yeah right. My babies are over here.” She said referring to my kids. “They staying with Marshall for the weekend?”
“Yep.”
“And you let them?”
“Yep.” I absentmindedly started playing with the fabric of one of my pillows.
“You
do know who his wife is right?”
I giggled softly. “Jas, I know. I’ve thought about it a lot and I really think I should be the bigger woman in the situation.”
“That’s very mature of you. And now be the bigger woman and bring ya ass over to Shaun’s.”
“I told you, I’m fine. You go back to the party. It sounds like everyone’s having a good time.”
“Yeah and you would too if you came.”
“No thanks.”
“I wasn’t asking. If I don’t see you in about a half an hour, I’m coming to ya house and I’m dragging your big ass over here. Bye.” She hung up before I could protest.
I looked at my phone shocked as I couldn’t believe that she had just did that to me. That was Jasmine for you. But, I guess she was right. And I guess I could go over to Shaun’s for a little while. Just to say ‘hello’. Maybe stay for an hour or so. It couldn’t hurt.
I got up from the couch and headed upstairs to take a shower. Fifteen minutes later, I emerged from the shower all fresh and clean. I went over to my drawer and got some clean underwear. After slipping on my panties, I dropped my towel to the floor.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I looked at the familiar marking above my right breast. I looked down at the tattoo that read,
Slim Shady. I had gotten a few years ago. Right before the ‘Stan’ video came out. They had actually used my tattoo as an example of the one that ‘Stan’ had gotten in the video. Yes, who in their right mind would get a tattoo of their lover’s name anywhere on their bodies? Well, he was the first man I ever fell in love with. First man I had ever kissed. And first man I ever made love to. I was in love with him.
But trust me that’s not the only place he’s got me marked.
I sighed before retrieving my bra and placing it on along with the rest of my clothes. I was done and out of my house in ten minutes.
--
I arrived at Shaun’s house about fifteen minutes later. After placing my truck in park, I hopped out of it. I looked up at the front of the door to see Jasmine waiting for me. I smiled at her as soon as we connected eyes.
“That was longer than thirty minutes.” Her thick, Spanish accent rang through my ears.
“I showed up, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever .” She linked her arm in mine as we walked into Shaun’s house.
As soon as we stepped foot into the house, I was almost knocked over by the sound of D-12’s ‘Git Up’. Why they are bumping their own music is a mystery to me. But hey whatever floats their boat.
“What’s up, baby sis?” I saw my brother, Denaun, walk over to me.
“Hey, D.”
“I thought you won’t coming. Marsh, said you was staying at home.”
“Well, I’ve changed my mind. I just decided to drop by for a few minutes.”
“Aight. That’s cool.” He took a swig of his beer.
“Where’s the drinks?” I asked.
“In a cooler out back.” Denaun pointed to the back-yard.
“I’ll be back, y’all. I’m just going to get me something to drink.” I said as I walked away from my brother and Jas, but before catching a glimpse of them hugging and making kissie faces at each other.
I walked towards the back, trying to pass through the crowd of people. For this to be a big ass house, it damn sure was crowded in here. After squeezing through the many people, I finally made it to the backyard, and headed towards the huge (almost the size of a refrigerator in length) cooler out there. I opened it up and reached down into the half-way melted ice and grabbed me a corona. I pulled it out and put the top down on it.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” A voice called out to me.
A voice I knew all too well…
My gut feeling was telling me to not acknowledge her presence and just walk away. But it seemed like every time I go for my gut feeling, I always get screwed in the end. So, fuck my gut…
I turned to the direction of the voice, and I rolled my eyes when my suspicions proved to be correct.
“Kim.” I said annoyed by her sudden appearance.
“Danielle.” She mocked me as she took a long drag from her cigarette. “I was wondering when you were going to show. You know I was beginning to miss the way you can ruin a party.” She smiled at me. Her six foot frame towering over mine.
“You know what, Kim? I don’t have time for this. I said I was sorry. I don’t know what happened. I somehow lost it that day.”
“You
lost it? Danielle, you ruined my fucking wedding.”
“And you ruined my
marriage!” I reiterated. “So, I guess we’re both even.”
She scoffed throwing the butt of her cigarette into the grass, before stepping on it. “I may have had a little persuasion on my part, but don’t blame your crumbling marriage all on me. It was a sham to begin with. I’m even surprised that it lasted as long as it did. You know that Marshall and I belong together and that’s how it’s always going to be. You will always be second, Danielle. No matter what you do.”
I chuckled sarcastically at her little comment. And deep, down in my gut, stupid
fucking gut, I knew that she was right. But I wasn’t fucking going to let her know that’s how I felt. She had already taken so much away from me. I was not going to let her take my pride.
“You know what, Kim? You can change your hair color, and your clothes, and you can even lose a few pounds, but you will always be that jealous and bitter bitch from fifteen years ago. Get over yourself and stay the hell away from me.” I shoulder bump passed her and went back in the house. This bitch was not going to ruin my night.
I stomped back into the house and walked right into a broad chest. I sighed, looking up into the most intense blue eyes I had ever seen in my life, before letting out a frustrated growl.
“I thought you said that weren’t coming.”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “Well, I was forced to come, and I should have stuck with my gut instinct and kept my ass at home.” Again, stupid fucking gut.
“Why? What happened?” His eye brows knitted in confusion.
“Your wife. That’s what happened.”
“What she do this time?”
“She was born. That’s what.” I snapped, turning to walk away from him.
And like before, he grabbed my elbow to stop me.
“Hey,” He started.
I shook my head, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. “No, Marshall, I don’t want to talk about it. All I want to do is get the hell away from you and her. I just want to go home.”
He sighed. “Danielle, please. Look…” Before he could say anything else, you-know-who came from out of no where.
“What the
fuck is going on?” Kim walked towards us, her arms crossed across her chest.
“I was just leaving.” Marshall let go of my arm and I began to walk away.
“Yeah, bitch you better stay the fuck away from my husband.” I heard her yell over to me. “You need to be at home with your children. Being a mother.”
I stopped in my tracks, and swiftly whipped my body around to face her. “I know you are not trying to tell me what kind of mother to be. Do NOT get me started on you.” I told myself to calm down before something really goes down tonight. “I told you Kim, that I wasn’t in the mood for all of your bullshit, and I meant what I said, but if you keep opening your mouth, I might have to shut it myself.” I threatened, starting to walk toward her. But Marshall stepped in the way.
“Bitch, I want to see you try.” She provoked me.
“Dani…” Marshall tried to stop me.
I pushed him away. “Don’t
touch me, ok.”
“You’re
protecting her, Marsh?! I can’t believe this shit.” She shouted and a crowd started to form around us.
“Kim, just fucking go outside, ok.” He turned his head over his shoulder to look at her.
“Hell no, just let her fucking through, Marshall. Let her through.” Kim screamed.
I looked at Kim, again trying to make my way over to her. And again, Marshall blocked my path. “Bitch, you don’t want him to let me through. Don’t forget I fucked ya ass up the last time. So you don’t want to start with me. Cause I sure as hell would finish it.”
“I ain’t scared of you.” She started to come towards me, but before she could get to me Marshall quickly turned around and stepped in front of her.
“Go the
fuck outside now!” He yelled.
“No! Why are you protecting her? Do you still love her?”
He looked back at me, sighed, and turned back to Kim. “Let’s go.” He grabbed her arm and yanked her out to the back. And that crowd dispersed themselves from the potential fight that was about to happen.
I stood there all alone. I didn’t know why, but in that moment I felt like I wanted to cry. For the first time, I agreed with Kim. No matter what I do, he will always put me second after her.
“Hey, what the fuck just happened?” I turned to see Shaun standing behind me, holding a beer.
“I’m sorry, Shaun.” I shook my head.
“For what?” He took a sip from his bottle. I shook my head again. “Kim.” He knew. Everyone we knew, knew that Kim and I have beef with each other. “I told Em not to bring that girl. She starts shit with everybody.”
“Yeah, well, I think I’m just going to go home.” I started to walk away.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him. “Uh…no you’re not. Look, fuck Kim, aight. You are going to stay and have fun like everybody else. Come on.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Let’s get something to eat.” We walked towards the kitchen.
--
After about twenty minutes, I still sat in the kitchen picking off whatever seconds I had of the food. Everyone had deserted me. Shaun got a phone call from one of his baby’s mamas, an argument was started and he left. My brother and Jasmine, I hadn't even seen them, since I walk through the door. My kids were running around here somewhere. Don’t get me started on Marshall and Kim. I wouldn’t care if I would never see them for the rest of my life. Even the drunk guy that was sitting next to me, deserted me.
Sighing, I picked up my plate, got up from my seat, and tossed it in the garbage. This night had turned into a bust.
Walking out of the kitchen, again I bumped into another broad chest. Damn, don’t people know how to walk.
I looked up to see who I had walked into and it immediately put a smile on my face.
“Hey, Curtis.” I looked up at my ex’s protégé, Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson.
“Hey, what’s up, Dani? How you been?” He leaned in to hug me, and I reciprocated the gesture.
“I’ve been doing alright. You?”
“I’m good. I’m good.” He nodded.
“That’s good.”
“Where you headed to?”
“I was just about to leave. They’ve been trying to get me to stay, but I really think I’m just going to head home.”
“Oh, Why? What’s going on?”
“Nothing, it’s fine. I’m just not in the mood to be around a lot of people tonight.”
“What Marsh do?” He saw right through me.
“Damn is it that obvious?” I said sarcastically.
He chuckled. “Maybe.”
“It wasn’t him. I mean it
was him, but not like that. Kim just struck a bad nerve tonight.” I shook my head, running my fingers through my hair.
“Again?” He questioned.
“Trust me, Curtis, this has been going on for almost ten years. Ever since I first got with Marshall. And it would be a cold day in hell when Kim and I call a truce.”
He chuckled. “She still mad about what happened at the wedding?”
I nodded. “Yep, that bitch can hold grudges forever. And really, I don’t even remember all that happened. I was pretty out of it.”
“Yeah. You kind of scared us all.”
“I know, I scared myself.” I kind of chuckled. “Look, Curtis, I’m not going to hold you up any longer. I know you’ve got people to mingle with. So I’m going to leave. Thanks for the talk.” I stood on my tip-toes and kissed his cheek.
“You’re welcome. And I hope this night gets better for you.”
“Thanks. You also have a good night.” He winked and I walked away.
I made it out of the house before anyone else could see me. I hopped in my truck and pulled off of the property, and headed home. Apparently the bitch did ruin my night.