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Kiana
To: Mommy From: Kiana Good Morning Ma. You can bring Ava and Elise back home today. You don’t have to keep them all week.
The time on the clock read 7:32 a.m. My mom was usually up by 6:05 every morning because she liked to watch the sunrise. But, I was positive that this morning she was still asleep. I didn’t want to call her this early and tell her to bring the kids because I knew Ava and Elise had probably run her ragged.
I needed my daughters here to bring comfort to an uncomfortable situation. It was unreal how much solace a 3 and 4-year-old gave me. They were the innocent and pure parts of Brick’s and my love.
Just looking at them gave me a peace that I never knew existed before giving birth to them. I needed their positive energy right now. Because right now, my body was consumed with turmoil.
Looking to my right, I wanted to smile, cry, and scream. Brick laid beside me knocked out with his right hand tucked under his head. I wanted to smile because even though I had shot him at point blank range he still felt comfortable enough to sleep next to me. He only slept like this when he felt completely relaxed and had no worries.
The small gauze pad was stained with a little blood. I wanted to cry because I still couldn’t believe that I had shot him. I couldn’t believe that I felt scorned enough to pull a gun on my own husband. I was gonna see that bitch Charmaine.
Her snake ass was going to wish that she never crossed me in the way she did. That bitch could possibly be carrying my husband’s child. My daughter’s sister or brother. How was I supposed to accept that?
The only person that I ever envisioned giving Clifton Brick any kids was me. But now, there was a risk that I’d have to share him with another woman, my former best friend, for the next eighteen years.
That fact made me want to kick and scream. Because if I couldn’t have him to myself, I didn’t want him. But the fact is, I needed him. I loved Brick too much to let another bitch have him. I’d kill him first before I let him be with someone else.
“Make up your mind Ki. Either you want the divorce or you want the marriage.” I said to myself. As I stared at my sleeping husband.
Brick was so handsome. His long dreads spilled over his thick muscular chest and I could feel myself getting wet. From the first time I saw Brick I knew I wanted him.
But I refused to be like most of the other females vying for his attention. I was not about to be a notch on no niggas belt. Avalon Bradshaw didn’t raise me that way.
“I really hate your ass right now.” I said as I ran my fingers over Brick’s hard pects. I couldn’t help but to rub my clit as I touched him. So many different feelings consumed me at one time. Feelings of me wanting to kill him, protect him, and make love to him consumed my brain. I couldn’t decide which feeling was greater or if it was all the same.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“Ahhh!!!” I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard Brick’s voice. I snatched my hand from his chest and out of my soaking wet box. I was literally caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
“You’re thinking that you want to finish what we started earlier.” Brick said as he grabbed my hand and placed the two fingers that I had between my legs into his mouth. He stared directly into my eyes as if he dared me to disagree with him.
“As good as that sounds. That’s not what I was thinking. I was thinking that I had no idea that we had a rocky or unstable marriage. I was wrong to think that we were perfect.” I said looking away from his gaze.
“Nah, I was wrong. We don’t have an unstable marriage Kiana.”
“If we didn’t then how could someone get into your head, and make you think otherwise. Unless, you were just looking for a reason or excuse to fuck Charmaine. This is too much for me to handle Brick.
I don’t want to become the type of woman that feels unsure of herself, insecure, and snoops through her boyfriend or husband’s phone or clothes looking for evidence. I’ve never been that type of woman and I’m not going to start now.” I said as I tried to get out of bed.
“Ahhh.” I screamed as Brick grabbed me by the back of my neck and pulled me back onto the bed.
“Ooouuuu Brick.” I moaned as he got on top of me and kissed my neck with so much passion, that I forgot how to breathe.
“When you went through my phone and my pocket what did you find?” Brick asked as he continued to kiss and lick my neck, while he rubbed the head of his dick against my sensitive clit. I could feel my cum pouring out of me. I wanted him so bad, but I refused to tell him that.
“Get off me Brick.” I moaned.
“What did you find?” He asked between licks and kisses.
“Nothing.” I said truthfully. I was embarrassed that he knew that I had gone through his personal items.
“Because there isn’t anything to find.” He said as he pushed himself inside of me and began beating on my cervix the way I liked it. The way he moved inside of me let me know the love he had for me was mine and mine alone.
After forty-five minutes of some of the most intense sex, oral sex, anal sex, reverse cowgirl, wheelbarrow and acts that should be banned in the United States, Brick’s body stiffened and he released his load inside of me.
I hated that sex was the thing that made me change my mind, but it was. Brick was my husband, my kids father, I had papers on his ass and I refused to let another bitch have my husband. Avalon said it best, everybody plays the fool sometimes.
“After all that grabbing, pulling, and spanking. How’s your shoulder?” I asked trying to catch my breath. He had really put his name on my pussy with that sex session.
“It’s alright. What’s all of that stuff in the chair? That wasn’t here when I got here earlier.” He asked while wiping his excess cum off on my sheets.
“I couldn’t sleep so I got up and went to Bing’s and got you some toiletry. Simple things like deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste. A 5 pack of boxer briefs, wife beaters, and other things that you’d probably need.” I said while grabbing my robe off the leather tufted bench at the foot of my bed.
“You left this house in the middle of the night Kiana? Especially after I told you about Rahlo trying to set us up. You leave here by yourself. You don’t think you should’ve woke me up to tell me you were leaving the fucking house?” Brick asked looking at me like he wanted to choke me for doing something so stupid.
I knew he hated, downright forbad that type of behavior, but I needed some fresh air. Even though I wasn’t going to tell him that.
“I didn’t leave in the middle of the night Brick. I left around 6:30. The sun was already out. The only pieces of clothes you have here were what you wore last night. You know I’m not stepping foot back in your house, so buying what I thought you needed was the next best thing. As far as Rahlo is concerned, I already know how I wanna handle him. And I had my gun and my hunters knife on me. So, I was straight.” I said looking him directly in his eyes. But he was still unmoved, and I could tell by the way he clinched his jaws and how he glared at me that he was angry for real.
“Brick, listen...”
“No, you listen. You know better than to be going anywhere without me knowing where you’re going. You know me better than that. Maybe those six months of living by yourself got you thinking you can do whatever you want. Don’t make that mistake again. Got it?” He asked.
“Got it.” I said and rolled my eyes and prepared to walk downstairs.
“Come here Ki.” Brick said with a little more compassion in his voice.
I blew out a breath because he pissed me off by the way he just tried to check me.
“Yes, sir.” I said with major attitude while standing in the doorway.
“Come here.” He said pointing to the bed.
Sucking my teeth, I walked back into the bedroom and sat on the bed like I was a child.
“Thank you for getting the things that I needed. I just don’t want anything to happen to you. As far as the house, I’m going to sell it. I’m moving in here until we find a bigger house that we can agree on.”
I was so excited by those words that I wanted to jump on the bed and scream. I could hold my own, but there was nothing like having your man with you.
“This house is big enough. It’s not 5,000 plus square feet. But it’s big enough for a family of four to live comfortably.”
“We’ll talk about all that later. What are we going to do about Rah-”
RING! RING! RING!
Before he could finish asking the question. My phone started ringing. As if it were his own, Brick grabbed my phone and held it in his hand.
“Who the fuck is calling you before 8 a.m.?” He asked staring at me. Grabbing my phone was something he never did in the past. So, the fact that he was doing it now, pissed me off. His cheating was definitely going to cause a riff in our marriage because now he was the insecure one.
“You’re the cheater Brick. Not me.” I said as I snatched my phone from his hand. Putting the phone on speaker, I answered.
“Hello.”
“Kiana. Good Morning. I’m just letting you know that I will have a process server deliver the summons to Clifton. I know you said you don’t want any monetary support, but I’m thinking we should...”
“Maureen, I’m so sorry. There is no need to serve him with anything. Brick and I spoke about our problems like adults. Like husband and wife, and we’re good. There won’t be a divorce. But as usual you will be compensated for all your hard work.” I said.
“Kiana, don’t be ridiculous. I’m sure he’s just saying whatever you want to hear, because you’re vulnerable and you want to believe him. Don’t let him intimidate you into staying in a marriage, if you don’t want to stay. I can pull some strings and get you a restraining order and full custody of those gorgeous little girls.” Maureen said.
Brick bristled like a wild dog. Hearing Maureen admit all that she planned to do, nearly sent him over the edge. She was not letting up, so to avoid him snatching the phone and cursing her out, I began placing seductive wet kisses on his exposed flesh to calm him down.
She hated men so much that she was willing to destroy a marriage, just to make a man suffer. I was realizing that it was now time to retain a new attorney.
“Maureen, I’ll deposit your severance check into your account. I’m going to get off this phone, so I can make love to my husband, then cook him a marvelous breakfast. Goodbye Attorney Leibowitz.” I said and hung up. I could hear Maureen gasp before I hung up the phone, but she’d get over it.
“Don’t make me regret firing Maureen’s man hating ass.” I said as I cut my eyes at Brick. All he did was laugh. He knew Maureen hated men. But he had no idea how much.
“I want real bacon with my eggs not that turkey bacon shit you be eating.” He smirked.
“You’ll eat whatever I put in front of you and you’ll like it.” I said as my phone began to ring for a second time.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” He yelled as I answered my phone and made my way down the stairs.
“Hello.”
“Good Morning Key-Key Bear.” My mom said. She sounded real energized and upbeat. Which I wasn’t expecting since I knew how energized my kids could be.
“Good Morning Ma. You sound well rested. Ava and Elise must’ve been on their best behavior.” I said.
“They’re always on their best behavior. What happened that has you so upbeat and ready for them to come home? You looked like you needed to be institutionalized when I saw you yesterday. So, what’s up?” She asked. My mom was always cool and laid back, but this demeanor was something I couldn’t explain.
“Brick and I worked out our differences. He forgave me for shooting him and I forgave him too. Maureen called before you did and wanted me to pursue the divorce, but I couldn’t. Why would I let another woman have my man? So, we worked things out and I want the girls here with us. They’ve lived apart from him for so long. I just want my entire family under the same roof.” I said truthfully.
“Aww, baby. I’m so glad to hear that. I’ll get them dressed and I’ll be over there in about an hour. There is also something I want to talk to you about face to face.” She said. But she sounded nervous which was something Avalon Marie Bradshaw never was.
“Alright, Mommy. Spill the beans. What’s going on? Since when do we keep secrets from each other? Why do you sound so nervous?” I asked.
“Kiana, we don’t keep secrets. But, some things are better said in person. So, I will talk to you when I get there. Love you Baby.” She said and hung up.
For some reason I felt happier than I ever felt before. The only thing that could top the feeling that I was having was the day I gave birth to my daughters. My husband and I were under the same roof, our daughters were healthy and happy, we were about to get rid of a rat. Life was good.
“Damn it smells good in here.” Brick said as he wrapped his arms around me as I prepared his breakfast. 3 fluffy scrambled eggs, 3 sausage patties, 2 crab cakes, and a bowl of grits with sugar.
“You already know I had to fix my man a welcome home breakfast. Have a seat. The food is ready, I’m just waiting for the Keurig to finish brewing the coffee. Ma will be here in about an hour to bring the divas back.” I said as I prepared his food.
“Ok, I probably won’t be here when they get here. I’ma feel Rahlo out and see what he’s talking about. He was real reckless on the phone. So, I know he’s trying to set us up. He talking about he has a new connect with better prices. That nigga thinks I’m stupid. The prices he’s talking about is low. Fed low.” Brick said with his nostrils flaring.
“How low?” I asked.
“From 33 to 17,5.”
I spun my head around so fast that it I looked like that little possessed girl on the exorcist. Rahlo had to be stupid. He should’ve just worn a sign that said I’m working for the feds. There was no way that he could’ve believed that a person that has been in the game as long as Brick would’ve fallen for the okie doke.
“So, you mean to tell me, Rodney Rawlings thought no one would be suspicious of a connect that you’ve never met dropping their prices $15,500?” I asked. I really needed to hear the answer for this. Because there was no way he could be so foolish.
“Obviously that’s what that nigga thinks. I’m thinking I could just slump that nigga when he pulls up at the house and have the cleanup crew get rid of him. That way whatever investigation he’s trying to help the feds form against us, will die when he does.
Damn, I can’t believe I’m having this conversation. Rahlo has been my ace for over twenty years. I never expected that nigga to do me dirty.” Brick sighed.
I could tell he was genuinely upset, bothered, and hurt by Rahlo’s betrayal. But, I wasn’t. I told him years ago that Rahlo was a snake. But now was not the time to say I told you so.
“Baby, listen. I don’t think that would be a good idea. It’s obvious that he’s building a case against you. That alone tells me that he’s checking in with the agents. Killing him when he more than likely has already informed them of meeting with you will only point to you. We have to be smart about this.” I said.
Going half on a body wasn’t anything new in our marriage. We had done this more than once before. But I knew that this time was hard for him. Even though this was only a part of the game.
People sharing information was grounds for dismissal, and Rahlo knew that better than anybody. For whatever reason he started talking, was unimportant. He had to go and that’s the bottom line.
“This is what we’ll do...”
“Dadddy!!!!”
Two little girls that looked exactly like Brick came running in the kitchen screaming his name like they hadn’t seen him in years. That meant our conversation was now on hold.
Bricks face lit up. It always amazed me how he could turn from a coldhearted savage to a loving father within seconds.
“Where are you girls coming from?” Brick asked as he kissed both Ava and Elise’s cheeks. I smiled at how much of a daddy’s girl our daughters were. They loved me but not how they loved him. They hadn’t even spoke to me.
“What am I chopped liver?” I said as I kissed my girls on the top of their heads. They smelled like sugar cookies and pink bubble gum. I could inhale their sweet scent all day long.
“Good Morning Mommy.” They said in unison. The greeting they gave me was nowhere near as excited as the one they gave their dad.
“Where’s grandma?” I asked. Usually my mom walked them in, but this time she was nowhere in sight. I hadn’t forgotten that she said she wanted to speak to me.
“She’s outside on the phone. She has a boyfriend. She’s been giggling and laughing since she picked us up.” Elise said as she ate some of Brick’s crabcakes
“Boyfriend?” I frowned. The words felt like broken glass in my mouth. I didn’t like the way that word sounded, tasted or felt. I could hear Brick chuckling which let me know my face reflected my dislike.
It had only been me and my mom my entire life. Even though she had dated from time to time I never approved. The little girl that still lived in me didn’t want to share my only parent.
“Oh-Oh Avalon. The cat is out of the bag and Ki is pissed.” Brick said as my cheesing mother came gliding into our kitchen. The shiny glow on her face made me sick to my stomach. If I didn’t know any better I’d think she had had sex or even worst was in love.
“What do you mean?” She asked Brick. The look on her face could not be dulled. No matter how hard she tried.
“Ava and Elise go upstairs and color daddy a pretty picture. The prettiest one wins $20 and the ice cream of your choice.” Brick said.
“Yayyy!!!”
Ava and Elise took off for their bedrooms. Each wanting to be the one that won the prize. I knew they were both going to win.
“Who is he Avalon?” Brick asked showing all 32 of his teeth. He thought my mom was way too stylish and attractive to be single. I disagreed.
Yes, my mother was beautiful with a body that most video vixens would die to have. But, she was my mother and my children’s grandmother. We were all she needed. She didn’t need a man.
“So, you got a man for real?” I asked with major attitude. I was pissed off.
“Kiana, listen. You and I have never kept secrets. So, I won’t start now. When you asked me the question, I didn’t know how to tell you what was going on. You actually shocked me when you asked. But now I have to come clean. Have a seat baby.” She said as she stared in my hazel eyes with her own set of hazel eyes.
Looking at her I could see why any man would want her. Avalon Marie was drop dead gorgeous. She was in her mid-50’s but didn’t look a day over 35. I prayed she was dating the pastor. That gave me hope that they wouldn’t be having sex. At least until they were married. Well, that’s what I made myself believe.
“So, is Pastor Russell my new stepdaddy?” I asked as I rolled my eyes. I was already done with the conversation and it hadn’t even begun.
“Pastor Russell. No.” She laughed.
“Honey, just because I’m a Godfearing woman, doesn’t mean I want a man of the cloth to be my man. Honestly, they aren’t my type.” She smirked.
“So, who is this gangsta? I’ll hide Ki’s shank.” Brick laughed. I was so mad that if I had my gun, I’d probably shoot his ass again. I couldn’t believe my mom was blushing at that statement.
“Kiana. The reason I never took any man serious was because I was still holding onto pain and hurt from over twenty-five years ago. But, I had to let that pain go, move on, and just be happy.” My mom said.
I could tell she was stalling, which let me know that she was nervous about my reaction.
“Go ahead, ma. I’m listening.” I said as I folded my arms like a child. She exhaled and I held my breath.
“Baby, I know you’re overprotective of me because it’s been me and you your whole life. It’s still going to be me and you. But now, there’s going to be a plus one. Yesterday you asked me if I would take your dad back. The answer was yes.”
“Wha... what?” I said stunned. Her words caught me completely off guard. Out of all men in the universe, I never expected her to say ‘my dad’.
“Yeah, baby. Calvin and I have been talking and he wants to see us. I was hesitant at first, but he was extremely persistent. He booked an immediate flight and he’ll be here Friday night.” She said never breaking her gaze. I was still stunned. Feelings that I didn’t know how to explain swirled in my chest. I had no idea how to feel.
“Ma, how... How did this happen? This man has been out of our lives for decades. Now he wants to be a husband and father. You can’t be serious. Where did you even find this nigga? You want him back after you saw him fucking your junky best friend?”
Now, I don’t know what happened after I made my last statement. All I know was Brick was helping me up off the floor and holding my mama back.
“Everybody calm down.” Brick said as he wedged himself between me and my mother. The look on her face was something I had never seen before. I had to admit, it shook the hell out of me.
“Let me explain something to you Kiana Bradshaw Brick. You may be a mother and wife. But when it comes to me, you will always be a child. Don’t think that because you and I have a close-knit relationship that you can disrespect me.
Because I don’t tolerate disrespect to well. I know you meant well, and I appreciate that. But understand this daughter, my choices are mine to make. I love Calvin, I always have. All of my pride and joys, meaning you and Kennedy, came from him. I will always love him.
Now, like I said he’ll be here Friday and I’m having a dinner at my house at 6 pm and I don’t have to tell you, that you better be there and leave your slick mouth at the door.” My mom said.
“We’ll be there Avalon. 6’oclock sharp.” Brick said.
“That’s what I thought. Love you Key-Key Bear.” She said. Then kissed me on my forehead and walked out the door.
