Page 16 of Ghetto Heartstrings
The remainder of the twelve hours came and went by quickly, but she was exhausted as hell and couldn’t wait to get home, so she could soak in some bath beads. On top of that, Yaya better had been dropping her money off by the time she got there. Unfortunately, she never did see Marley again, but it was all good; she knew she’d see her sooner or later. On her way home, she stopped to the grocery store to get the stuff she would need to make some stuffed lasagna peppers. Next, she drove to Carol City to grab her a dime bag and a berry flavor Dutch, so she could roll up after she ate.
She stuck the key in the door, ready to throw all her clothes off and relax. This was the first time she felt like she could breathe since she left the hospital. She needed to get out of Shaw’s presence because she couldn’t take it. As soon as she stepped foot in the living room, she knew somebody was in there. Slowly, she removed her .22 from her small bag and gripped it in her shaking hands. With her eyes focused, she slowly walked in the direction of the shuffling sounds which were coming from the kitchen.
Aiming carefully, she aimed straight ahead, ready to shoot when she came face to face with Yaya. “Shit, Yaya!” She jumped and slowly lowered the gun. “What the hell are you doing in my house?” she questioned. The key she gave Yaya was for emergency purposes only.
Without blinking, Yaya kept counting the money, making sure she had 10 stacks waiting for Brook’Lynn. Fair was fair. “Girl, relax… I’m just bringing you your money in person. Out of 40 bands, here’s your cut. 10 bands for you, 10 for Kema, 10 for me, and them other bitches can bust down the rest, 5 and 5. Shit, Bugg didn’t do shit but drive this time and Marley… well, she was aiight but she’s a rookie, she still don’t deserve our cut.”
Brook’Lynn slung her bag down and sat at the table. “Who hit Shaw? He was on my floor today; he had a seizure. Like damn, ya’ll couldn’t keep it clean?” she asked, irritated.
Yaya stood up wearing a black halter with her flat belly, exposing her cross-shape belly ring piercing. Her tight jeans hugged her ass and hips with a low dip in the back, showing off her perfect arch and dimples. “Shit happens Brook, I have to go… who’s up next?”
Brook’Lynn felt bad about this one coming up, but she was already in. She dug in her bag and pulled out a small piece of paper. “Here… that’s everything you need. Him and Perfect do a lot of business together; his name is Love.”
Yaya scanned the note-size paper and tucked it in her bra. “My sister used to fuck him. That nigga is stacked but hard to get to, you never know where he’s gonna be at.”
Brook’Lynn pointed at Yaya’s bra. “Well, that’s everything you need to know right there.”
“Bye chick.” Yaya grabbed her purse. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Brook’Lynn stood up to walk her out. “You spoke to Boom?”
“Nope, I don’t have a way to talk to him yet. He didn’t leave me a phone like Perfect did for you.” She smirked. “That’s why a bitch out here doing what she got to do.”
“Maybe he wants to see if you’ll really hold it down, no matter what,” Brook’Lynn suggested.
“Girl, ain’t no telling. Either way, I’m still gonna do me. I love that nigga, but sometimes, love ain’t enough.”
With that, she walked out, leaving Brook’Lynn alone to lock up.
Brook’Lynn showered, washed her hair, and tied a towel around it. Walking to the kitchen in her robe, she couldn’t help herself thinking about Perfect and how much she missed him. It hit her even more when she prepared her stuffed peppers and sat down in front of the TV to eat alone. She grabbed the phone he left for her, hoping that it would ring; she also thought about the fact that he might have been up there having a fucking blast fucking them hoes.
Just the thought alone gave her an attitude. She immediately turned the TV off and went to her room. As soon as she snuggled up under the covers, her iPhone was ringing. She was too confused, looking at Rasta’s name flash across the screen. Her heart immediately started pounding, automatically thinking the worst. “Hello?!” She panicked. “Is everything okay with Perfect? What happened Rasta?”
“I can’t call my beautiful daughter in-law and check on her?” he asked.
She let out a sigh of relief, but Brody had already called her earlier that day, and now, Rasta was calling? She thought the shit was getting weird.What the fuck does he want?she thought to herself.I’m not playin’ with none of ya!
“I’m sorry… what’s up then?” she asked.
He let out a laugh. “I just wanted to check on you since Perfect won’t be around. Maybe you should move into anapartment or something, instead of being in that big ass house all by yourself.”
“I’m good,” she said with her mouth twisted up. “I’m not goin’ nowhere.”
“How you gon’ take care of all those bills? What you plan on having my son come back broke cause you done spent all the money?” he asked, trying to get in her head.
“You know better than that,” she chuckled. What she really wanted to do was cuss his ass out.
“I’m serious, maybe you should go back to Atlanta for a while with your daddy. It’s crazy out here without Perfect around to protect you from this crazy ass world.”
“You don’t even know my daddy. He don’t have nothing to do with this, and I’m not going back to Atlanta. I’m fine.”
Rasta was distracted by someone in the background that was trying to get his attention “Look… I’ll call you back, baby girl. Sleep tight,” he said, hanging up.
Brook’Lynn tossed the phone on the pillow next to her and rolled over.Fuck he thinks heis?she mumbled. She loved Rasta because he was Perfect and C2’s father, but she wasn’t with his bullshit; she didn’t need anybody dictating her life.
A few hours later, she was tossing and turning, when her mind started to play tricks on her. She opened her eyes to Perfect sitting on the edge of the bed looking peaceful, wearing a grey fleece suit with the hoodie covering his head. The look he gave her was a disapproving glare with disappointment behind his eyes.
“Perfect?” She sat up, smiling. “You came back baby? Oh, my God, I’ve missed you so much.” Her eyes watered up. “Why the fuck haven’t you called me?!”
