Page 34 of Simply Complicated
Fourteen
Andrea, Charmaine, and King J. force themselves into the booth and I scoot closer to Savior. Immediately, the air changes from laidback and lovey-dovey, to a tension thicker than a video vixen’s booty.
Junie and Tasha decide this was going to be a good time to stress eat and not say anything. Their M.O. is to act like everything is normal when it really isn’t. I can’t blame them. They already know what might happen.
Savior’s reaction is different. His eyes became dark and brooding, and his jaw tightened. His body stiffened and went on high alert. He calmly sipped his cognac and his eyes bounced from Charmaine sitting with Tasha and Junie, to Andrea and King J right next to me.
Savior is waiting for the right moment, the perfect opportunity, and he’ll make his move. I’m half hoping he won’t have to. I’m fully expecting he’s going to.
“So, who’s this white boy here?” Andrea asks as King J and Charmaine help themselves to the food. Andrea is dressed in a dress that’s too tight and I can tell it’s uncomfortable because she ad to adjust her position three times already. Her ebony hair is in curly ringlets and bouncing off her shoulders. Her lips are painted with a deep burgundy that matches her eyes.
Charmaine is also dressed nicely going with slacks and a dress tank. King J decided Michelin Man was the look he was going for and he’s decked out in all white. Who wears all white to go out to eat?
It’s clear they were here in hopes to get spotted by whatever paparazzi was desperate enough to Z-list black reality stars that only the EBT crowd cares about. Savior’s restaurant doesn’t look like the typical mom and pop soul food joint and I’m sure the prices reflect that.
It’s about to be a long night for me and a short night for everyone else not named Keisha. “He’s paying for this?” Andrea smiles a rich, gold-digging smile. “He looks rich.”
“Savior, this is my…” I pause on the word mother. Andrea hasn’t raised me since I was four. She couldn’t even tell anyone when I graduated from high school because she didn’t attend the graduation. She was too busy attending the NBA Finals, trying to score a baller’s attention that year.
The Bible says honor thy mother and father but what happens when the mother acts like the child never existed? Then what?
“Hi, I’m Andrea!” She reaches over, with her hand half-bent expecting Savior to kiss it. He doesn’t even bother to shake it. “I’m Keisha’s mother.”
“Andrea.” He repeats the name without any emotion. He’s clearly annoyed. Oh dear.
Andrea clears her throat and shrugs off the embarrassment. “And this is my best friend, Charmaine, and my boyfriend, James. He’s a well-known rapper also known as King J. They did a famous song together, “Bottoms Up (And You Know This!).”” My mother looks at any type of recognition or acknowledgment from Savior and is still met with an ice cold reception from him.
“Hey Tasha!” Charmaine greets her and Tasha responds with a nod. “Hey Junie!” She loses the smile as she meets eyes with me. “Keisha.”
Word travels fast about what went down in the DM’s. I’m sure Chermica told Charmaine a story that made her skank ass look like a saint and me the perfect sinner. I hate to break it to both of those birds, but Jalen isn’t a dude a girl with half a brain would go to jail for.
“Yo, Savior, how you know about this place?” King J asks as he checks out the décor. He’s constantly sniffling and I already know he’s on that shit. This night is going to be disastrous. “I wouldn’t have guessed you would be in this place.”
“I own it.” Savior’s voice is rife with irritation, yet he’s still calm.
King J’s eyebrows raise up and he looks around the restaurant a bit more. I just see his eyes try to do the mental math on how much Savior is making every week from this place and how he can get it in on the action.
“Girl, this reminds me of that joint back in Riverside!” Charmaine talks with her mouth half-full. “Not as classy, though!” She hastily adds and winks at Savior, who doesn’t acknowledge her.
“Oh, remember how we used to tear it up at the club!” Andrea cackles like a hen and Charmaine feverishly nods. “Man, we were the baddest bitches in the club!”
“Still are,” King J blows a kiss at Andrea, and she giggles. Puke.
“So Savior,” Andrea eats some dip, “what do you do for a living besides own this restaurant?”
“I’m a lawyer.” He states and nurses his bourbon. “What is your occupation?”
“Well, I don’t just have one thing I specialize at,” Andrea brushes her brown yaki off her collarbone, “I do a little bit of everything.”
“Yo,” King J sniffles again. Every time he sniffles, I become that much more embarrassed, “where’s the bathroom at, yo? I need to handle some business.”
“It’s down the hallway to your right.” Savior replies and King leaves a short while later. Savior glances down at his Apple watch and types something into it. Probably something along the lines of, ‘Why am I wasting my time with these Negroes?’
“So Tasha,” Andrea prepares her venom at my best friend. “Have you found a steady gig?”
“Well,” Tasha swallows, “I just applied for a city job so I’m waiting to hear back. Other than that, I’m still driving Lyft.” She smiles.
Andrea busts out laughing and Charmaine follows. “Everyone’s a Lyft driver! You ain’t special, girl!”
