Page 33 of Bern and Isley
“You don’t have to worry about it. Pull this muthafucka over. I’ll walk. Pull over!”
“Shut your dumb ass up,” he growled as he sped up even more.
“Let me the fuck out!”
I pulled my phone out of my purse then called Bern. He answered on the first ring.
“What up, Icey?”
Before I could respond, Marshall snatched the phone from my hand.
“Give me back my phone,” I yelled as I attempted to grab it from him.
“Chill out,” Marshall yelled as he hit the end button.
“Marshall, pull over and let me out. I’m not fucking playing,” I warned.
He continued to speed while holding my phone out of reach. I couldn’t believe he was acting so erratically. I realized I didn’t know this nigga at all.
“That baby probably ain’t even mine,” he blurted out before bursting out in an evil laugh. He stared at me with disgust while driving recklessly. “That hoe did say you been fucking her cousin’s man.”
Before I could respond, Marshall sped through the red traffic light without stopping. I yelled as a black Sprinter van crossed the intersection, slamming into us. That was all I remembered before things went black.
Chapter 18
Bern
I was boredas fuck since Isley had a hair appointment. Since I moved into the complex, we’d been spending hella time together. I waited on her hand and foot. And I was glad to do it. She deserved to be pampered. I had already sat down and did the math on how much money I needed to stack up for her to take the last trimester off from doing hair plus twelve weeks postpartum.
I was headed to throw my trash out when I ran into a few niggas from DP. Even though I was never initiated into the gang, they always treated me like I was one of them. I’d grown up around the majority of them. They were telling me about the plans for the annual block party coming up. It was always a big event that everyone around the way looked forward to. A day when everyone put bullshit to the side and just enjoyed good food and festivities. I let them know that I wanted to make a monetary contribution toward the event. My car wash was doing well so it was only right that I helped give back to the community. I was wrapping up my conversation with the dudes when I got a call from Isley. I excused myself to chop it up with her.
“What’s up, Icey?” I answered, smiling involuntarily. I grinned so wide my damn eyes were nearly closed.
She didn’t respond but I could hear some arguing in the background.
“Isley, you there?”
There was still no response then the line went dead. I called back and the phone rang continuously. Worry began to settle inside of me. Isley was in some kind of trouble. That was the only explanation for her calling me and not saying anything but I could hear screaming and yelling. There was a masculine voice. Who the fuck was arguing with her? I tried calling her once more, but still no answer.
I made my way to her apartment unit. I banged on the door repeatedly.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” her Aunt Fee called out. Within a few moments she snatched the door open. The sweet lady looked worn out and I instantly felt guilty for beating on the door so erratically.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Ms. Fee. Is Isley here?”
“Oh Bern, it’s no problem, baby. I just move a little slow.” She chuckled, waving me off. “Isley’s not here, baby, she called me when I was down at Ms. Chandra’s getting me something sweet and said she was going to grab a bite to eat with Marshall.”
Fuck! What was she doing with that nigga? I thought she told me she was done with his lame ass.
“Okay, well thanks for letting me know… do you happen to know where he lives?”
“Yeah, he lives off Flowers Avenue somewhere. Is everything okay?”
I didn’t want the elderly lady to worry, so I forced a smile. “Yeah, I just hadn’t heard from her in a little bit. I’m going to see if I can catch up with her. Do you need help with anything before I leave?”
“Oh no, I’m about to take me a little nap and hope that son of mine gives me a call soon.” She smiled weakly.
I bit my tongue because I didn’t want to speak ill of the woman’s son in front of her. As sorry as I was that her son didn’t do right by her, I didn’t have time to dwell on it.
