Page 12 of Simply Complicated
“Didn’t you two go out to lunch the other day?” She continues to play with her hair. “I thought I saw the two of you come back in his Audi.”
Rosa already had a scope on me and she’s itching to pull the trigger. “It was a business meeting.” I answer.
Rosa nods and plays with her hair even more. It’s clear her hair is her selling point and she’s probably wondering how my baldheaded scallywag ass got her grand prize. Magic is owned and can’t be taught, sweetheart. “I’ve done my research on the Ellison family. They’re very particular and quite private about who associates with them. They don’t just let anyone in their circle.”
I can deal with blatant racism. It’s in your face and you don’t have to wonder what someone means when they call you afucking nigger. But the thinly veiled, below the belt type? That one cuts to your soul.
I’ve had it with Passive-Aggressive Conchita and she’s about to learn the real meaning of ghetto-ass bitch. “I’m sure they also don’t let ass-kissing suck-ups in their circle as well, but that won’t stop you from trying, huh?”
Rosa finally stopped playing with her hair and she slowly turns her head towards me. “What did you say?”
“Bitch, I didn’t motherfucking stutter. You worry about you and I’ll worry about me. But if you ever want to talk slick about me on some supposed behavior you have witnessed, please keep this in mind – this is an internship that neither one of us are getting paid for, therefore it would not make a fucking difference who I’m blowing and who you wish you could. And while you’re at it, keep your micro aggressions about my race and class, before you and your relatives get a surprise visit from ICE and our deportation-happy orange president. Good evening.”
~~~~~
I’m three hours into studying when I finally take a break. Alexander Hamilton is one wordy motherfucker. God bless the dude who created a play off his name. I don’t know how he could’ve done it. He deserves all the rewards and blessings for sloughing through 400 years of bullshit to get a three-hour show.
I walk out of my bedroom and hear the familiar muffled sounds of Tasha and Junie getting it in and I don’t even give them a second thought. Hell, at least someone in this house is getting some action. With the way I reacted tonight and I’m sure Rosa’s ass ratted me to Savior and everyone else, our arrangement is over before it could begin.
Oh well. I have a sweet Beemer out of it. And I didn’t even have to suck his dick. I say that’s a win.
Just when I was about make some messed-up cocktail that would guarantee me not to remember anything tomorrow, I get a phone call on my cellular. It’s not the person I want to hear from but if he wants to break me off, I won’t fight it. “Hello?”
“I didn’t think you were going to answer,” Jalen replies. “I thought you would be sleeping now.”
“Nah, I have to study. I have a test tomorrow so I don’t have too many options. I’ll be up all night.” I reply.
“That sounds tempting,” he purrs, “could you use some company?”
“I don’t know,” I tease him, “it’s already ten o’clock now so by the time you come over, it’ll be midnight.”
“You said you were going to be up all night?”
“I did say that,” I reply, “studying.”
“I got something you can study.” Jalen laughs.
“I bet you do.” A knock on the door interrupts me. “Hold on. Someone’s knocking.”
“You expecting company?” He asks.
No one ever really comes to visit me this late at night unless they’re asking to get put into a body bag. That’s the nature of the neighborhood. “No, but I need to see who it is.”
“Just don’t open the door,” he advises, “and where’s that strap your dad gave you?”
“I got it,” I retrieve my Hello Kitty 35 mm, and hold it behind me. I told my daddy if he was insistent to get me a gun, it should at least look cute and match my pink Jordans. I look through the peephole and my special guest visitor takes me aback.
I slowly open the door and see Savior Ellison in his dressed-down finest. Even when he’s not wearing a business suit, he still looks like the best Bel-Air has to offer. The sultry look in his eyes, however, suggest he doesn’t want to talk to me about what happened earlier.
He wants to fuck all of the micro aggressions out and you know what? I’m about to let white boy get this work. “Jalen, let me call you back. My cousin’s here.”
