Page 34 of Hellcat Barbies: Imani
For the next two hours, we eat, drink, and chill, with Imani blending in perfectly with the people I love. For the past two years, I grinded hard to build the life that I have here in Crescent Falls. I worked my way up in the organization. I own my condo and I have a nice savings. Honestly, I thought I had everything I needed until I met Imani. In the short time I’ve been with her, I see how different and better life can be with a real woman by your side.
Imani’s got her own, she knows and owns who she is, and she’s sexy and feisty as hell. Plus, she rocks with me and fits. From the moment she walked into this house, she blended with my fam. Hazel and Presha are chopping it up with her and I fo’ sure have Dodge and Brick’s nod of approval. While I don’t need their acceptance of her, I appreciate it and it just proves that she is the one.
As soon as we finish with our food, Brick and I bag up the trash, shells, and empty bottles. Dodge cleans the boiler and Imani helps Presha in the kitchen with washing the bowls and platters. We all meet back up in the entertainment room. Dodgeturns on the television and finds a pre-season football game. Presha immediately objects.
“I have to watch football all the damn time. This is just pre-season, baby. Can we please watch something else? That new Denzel movie is out,” she says.
“I’m bout to watch my eyelids. I’m full as fuck and tired from my flight,” Brick announces.
“Man, you stopped by. I appreciate it. Take yo’ ass home. We can get up later,” Dodge says.
“Yeah, baby, go home. Get some sleep,” Hazel says.
“Come with me and put me to sleep,” he counters.
“And with that, I guess I’m leaving,” Hazel smirks then stands. She steps in front of him and holds her hands out. He takes them and she pretends to pull him up. “Hit me up so you can go with me to the track,” she tells Imani.
“I definitely will,” Imani says. Then, she looks to me. “Dodge looks tired too. Maybe we should go too,” Imani utters.
I look up and Dodge is definitely nodding on the other sectional. He spent a lot of time standing over that boiler cooking. He cooks so much, there’s still some left.
“You right,” I tell her then speak up louder. “We bout to dip too. This nigga sleep already.”
“Well, hold up. I have food packed for everybody and you need to get some of the cake Imani bought,” Presha says.
“I’ll get the food,” Imani says then stands. She follows Presha and Hazel out of the room. Brick nods then dips too.
When she walks out, my cell rings. It’s the 832 area code that called twice yesterday. I didn’t answer then and I don’t answer now. It’s an unknown number. If the caller wants me, he or she can leave a message or text.
“Damn, where everybody at?” Dodge says after he lifts his head.
“Left. I’m bout to dip too.” I stand and step over to him. After dapping him up, I say, “Thanks for the invite.”
“Already. Where’s yo’ girl?”
“In the kitchen with Presha.”
“Keep her. She’s aight. I like her for you.”
“I like her for me too,” I assure him.
“Good.”
“Alright, I’m out,” I say and he starts to move like he’s about to get up but I stop him. “Chill. I know how to get out.”
“Say less,” he sighs then gets back comfortable.
Imani is still in the kitchen when I walk in. She’s talking to Presha. Hazel and Brick are gone. When they see me, they hug and say their good byes. So, I hug Presha next.
“I like her. Don’t fuck it up,” she whispers in my ear as we embrace.
“I won’t.” After I grab the food bag, Presha walks us to the door and we dip. “Thanks for coming with me,” I tell Imani when I pull out of the driveway.
“Thanks for bringing me. I had fun. Good company and good ass food is always a time. I’m fat and full but you should see all the crab legs and shrimp Presha put in that bag. We have legs for days. I might repurpose some and make a seafood paella or pasta.”
“You can make whatever you want with it. I know you can cook.”
“So can you. I can’t eat French fries unless they are the Daymir way,” she says with a cute smirk.
