Page 49 of Grown Folks Confessions: Black Lush

Every time you needed the police in the city, they never showed up. But leave it to tonight, for them to be all punctual and shit. I was sure Layla’s neighbor across the street had called, because the lady had been peeking through her blinds since we parked the car.

Everything else happened pretty quickly. We explained what happened, but no shocker, we were still arrested. I swear, there wasn’t much difference between Detroit cops and Chicago cops to me.

Getting arrested within twenty-four hours of reconciling with Layla was a shitty end to an otherwise perfect night. Yet, knowing her father got the message loud and clear that if he fucked with my girl, he fucked with me and my family felt pretty damn good. And it was obvious that Patty was strung out on some shit and just following Marvin’s lead.

Marvin and Patty were arrested, too, but I didn’t give a shit what happened to them as long as they stayed away from Layla. One day, I would have to tell Layla about what Marvin had done, but she’d been through enough with her parents, and honestly, I didn’t want the death of those innocent people and children weighing heavy on her heart. Her father committed the crime, but knowing Layla, she’d feel responsible with it being her family.

“I can’t believe I’m bailing y’all asses out of jail again,” Meeka scolded, motioning for us to get in the car. “If Tone wasn’t out of town, we’d both be asking you why the fuck you’re always getting arrested when you’re both together.”

Layla’s eyes widened. “Wait, you didn’t tell Ivy, right?”

Meeka rolled her eyes. “Girl, nah, do I look like a snitch?”

I breathed a sigh of relief, too, because no doubt Ivy would tell my brother and I didn’t need that shit either.

“And y’all muthafuckas are getting into the back seat like I’m an Uber driver,” she complained, throwing her hands in the air. “Un-fucking-believable.”

We let Meeka rant until we got on the expressway. Then, I tuned her out.

“How are you doing, Butterfly?” I asked, touching her arms and face to make sure Patty didn’t leave any long-lasting marks. Problem was, though, the biggest scar would no doubt be a psychological one.

“I’m fine,” Layla answered, placing a quick kiss on my lips. “Not exactly how I thought our night would end, but in a way, I needed this.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You needed your parents to show up at your home and try and extort you for money?”

She laughed, and damn was it nice to hear her laughing. “No, not like that. It’s just, I’ve given them so much power over my life, and tonight I realized that the only thing they have ever done for me in my entire life was not aborting me when Patty got pregnant. They are a couple of the worse people I’ve ever known, but that’s because I let them impact me and the way I viewed love. But that woman today who I haven’t seen in over twenty years? That’s not my mother. My aunt was my true mother. And that piece of shit Marvin? Well, the only good he did was bring his sister into my life.”

I gently touched her cheek. “I’m so proud of you, Layla. Most people would break after an experience like tonight.”

Tilting her head to the side, she bit her bottom lip, her fingers outlining my mouth as she admitted, “Most wouldn’t find it so damn sexy to see their partner hitting the shit out of their father. And yet, I got wet watching your tattooed muscles bulge beneath your shirt.”

I laughed, tugging her head to mine as I kissed her the way I had wanted to after seeing her slap Patty. “We are kinda fucked up, ain’t we?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but since I’m in love with you and shit, I’m good with how we are.”

“I love you, too, baby.” I pulled her into my lap. “And I especially want us to go back to Lush soon.”

“Jade is going to kill you for backing out of your contract,” Layla teased.

“I never really signed the contract,” I disclosed, my eyes solely on her. “I mean I did, but I spoke to Jade right after the meeting she had with me and my cousins and told her there was no way I could fuck other women when my heart belonged to you. She tore up the contract right then and there.”

“Aww, you guys.” Meeka clutched her chest with one hand and the steering wheel with the other as she stayed in the fast lane of the expressway. “You’re gonna make a bitch break down and cry on the Dan Ryan.”

Eventually, Meeka grew silent while we talked, but with her, silence never lasted long. I wasn’t even surprised when she started rhyming and shit from the driver’s seat.

“Star light. Star bright. First star I see tonight. I wish I may. I wish I might, pray these fuckers finally got it right.” She looked at us through the rearview mirror. “And if they commit more crimes, please don’t let them call me for bail. For a bitch is saving for her future, so these hoes will rot in jail.”

“Meeka!” Layla exclaimed, her mouth dropping in surprise. “How can you of all people say that?”

“Girl, please.” Meeka waved her hand in the air. “The two of you are a bigger train wreck than Tone and I ever were. I mean, first y’all fuck. Then you hate each other. Then you get married. Then you fuck again. Then you hate each other. Now you’re in love. I mean, this Hood soap opera is a real Payne in my ass.”

Layla rolled her eyes. “I see what you did there. You worked our last names into your little spiel.”

Meeka smiled. “Because I’m a genius.”

“Are you though?” Layla provoked.

“Be careful, friend. I hope you know during my next comedy tour, you idiots are starring as my main jokes.”

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