The Reunion Show (10 page)

Roc pulled the wife beater over his head and used it to wipe across the minimal sweat on his forehead. He put the wife beater next to him and then started to do sit ups. While switching his elbows to touch his knees, he kept lifting his feet off the floor. By the time I got off the bike, he was already up to one hundred sit-ups.

“You'll be lucky to get ten of those out of me,” I said.

I staggered over to where he was and plopped down on the mat in front of him. I lay on my back and took a few more minutes to rest. Roc was now up to two hundred and fifty sit-ups, so I watched and waited until he was done.

“Your turn,” he said, kneeling in front of me to hold down my feet. I knew he was going to push me to do more, so after five sit-ups, I pretended that I couldn't do any more.

“You can give me more that that, Jada. Up and down, ma, up and down.”

“Dang, you gotta make it sound so sexual?”

“I don't care how it sounds. Just do it.”

I strained to do more, and by the time I got to fifteen, my stomach cramps were back again. I squeezed my stomach, but I could feel a fart wanting to slip out. I tightened my ass and grunted as I forced myself to do another sit up.

“More,” Roc shouted. “Come on, Jada, ten more!”

“I can't!” I shouted back.

“Yes, you can. Give me more.”

I strained, tightened, and squeezed as I did five more sit-ups.

“Five more!” Roc hollered.

“No. One!”

“Come on, ma. Give it here!”

On my way up to do one more sit-up, I exhaled and several pops of loud air flew out. I looked around and tried to play it off, like I didn't know what had happened. Roc ducked and backed away from me, thinking it was gunfire. At that point, all I could do was cover my mouth.

“Damn, girl,” Roc said with a twisted face. “What the fuck was that?”

I removed my hand from my mouth and whispered, “I'm sorry.”

He fanned his hand in front of his face. “You really and truly need to go handle that. You got it stankin' in this mutha, for real.”

I couldn't argue with him on that. I tried not to go there, but he kept pushing and asking for me to give him more. I stood and pinched my nose, so I didn't have to inhale what I had put into the air.

“Can I go now?” I asked, hoping we were finished.

Roc walked away, looking disgusted. “It's a wrap. We're done.”

I walked like a penguin as I made my way to the door. I then hiked up my leg to give him one more silent poot for memories. Afterward, I took his advice and left to go handle my business in the kitchen with some ice cream. My body was hurting so bad; Lord knows I needed a cane to walk.

I hurried to get out of the workout room and moved into some fresh air that had done my nostrils some good. Jada had gone to shower. I hoped like hell that she got herself together. While I didn't approve of how she got down sometimes, I did like the realness about her. She surely wasn't no phony, with the exception of what- ever it was she was doing behind my back.

I'd been thinking about it all day, but before I brought anything to her attention, I needed some privacy. The only place I could get it was in the bathroom, but Jada was in there. The only other place that I suspected didn't have cameras was in the closet. Therefore, I made my way to it and closed the door. I sat on the floor and removed the phone from my pocket. I dialed out to call Desa Rae's home phone. After three rings, my call went to voicemail so I left a message.

“Ay. I wanted to let you know that I'll be home soon. Meanwhile, I had to see what you were up to. I see you ain't home. On a Thursday night, where could you be?”

I ended the call with all kinds of thoughts in my head. Bad thoughts that made me want to get the fuck out of there to go see what was up. Dez being with Reggie was on my mind, and I also thought about Chase doing something conniving too. Hearing Desa Rae's voice would make me feel so much better, but when I tried her cell phone, I got voicemail again.

“Say, ma, where are you? Wanted to holla at you for a second. I'll try to hit you back later.”

I held the phone in my hand. When I heard Jada enter the bedroom, I slipped the phone into my pocket. I hurried to grab some clothes and then threw them over my shoulder. When I opened the door, Jada stood in her white silk bra and panties. She was rubbing lotion on her legs. Surprised to see me come out of the closet, she hurried to cover herself with the towel.

“Where did you come from? I didn't know you were in there,” she said.

“I was gettin' my clothes together to shower and change. The closet door closed on me.”

“Aw,” she said still trying to cover up.

Seeing how uncomfortable she was, I went to the door and then turned around. “I don't know why you actin' all shy and everything. From what I can see, you hooked up nicely. A few more workouts like today and you'll be tight.”

She blushed and thanked me. I left the bedroom, thinking that she really did have a shapely full figure. Too bad she thought otherwise.

By the time I washed up and changed into some comfortable clothes, Jada was in the kitchen cooking what she called a special, late dinner for the two of us. She pulled back my chair and invited me to have a seat.

“There ain't a Chinese woman out there who can cook chicken fried rice like me. I made some Egg Foo Young patties too, and wait until you taste my gravy. I bet you won't ever go to the Fried Rice Kitchen again.”

I sat in the chair and laughed. “If you got Chinese food on lock, my hat will go off to you tonight. Ain't too many people can do Chinese food the right way. When Desa Rae tried to do it, it was jacked up.”

She released a deep sigh. “Don't you get tired of talkin' about yo woman? I mean, if you really want to talk about her, then let's do it. My question to you is, how does she feel about your sharp, thick toenails slicin' her ankles underneath the covers at night? You straight up got it going on, Roc, but once I get a glance at those big, crusty feet of yours, it's all over with for me. I would like to know how she handles all those cat scratches you be givin' her.”

Jada was tripping. I looked down at my feet and then looked at hers. “My feet are not that bad. They may need some work, but trust me, ma, when I say you have no room to talk.”

“Yes, I do. I'm not the one clawin' sheets in the middle of the night and shreddin' them with my sharp toenails. You are. The Chinese lady by my house can hook you up for twenty dollars. If you ain't got it, I'mma buy you a gift card when I leave here.”

“Keep it and use it for yourself. With all that crust droppin' from the heels of your feet when you walk, you need to back away from this conversation. Quick.”

“I will. Only because your feet are Desa Rae's problem, not mine. The truth is I don't like to be compared to other women. You keep goin' there with this Desa Rae thing, but no matter what, you need to get ready to give me props for my Egg Foo Young. After eatin' this, you will see me as a blessin' in the skies.”

Roc cocked his head back. “As a what? You mean a blessin' in disguise, don't you?”

“Uh, no. I meant exactly what I said. Blessings come from the sky, not from a disguise. That sounds real stupid.”

“Whatever you say, ma, I'm good.”

She walked away, seeming real upbeat. I didn't know what had her so hyped tonight. She fixed my plate and placed it on the table in front of me.

“Don't eat yet. I'mma dim the lights, light some candles, and get us some wine. I'll be right back.”

“What's so special about tonight? You goin' all out, ain't you?”

“Excuse me, but this is how I treat men. I love to cater to y'all, especially when y'all are so deservin'.”

“What did I do that was so deservin'?”

“My list is so long that I would be here all night tryin' to tell you. Just hursh and enjoy, okay?”

Jada lit the candles, poured the wine, and joined me at the table. She reached out and held my hands with hers.

“Before we eat, close your eyes and let us pray,” she said.

I followed suit and closed my eyes.

“Dear Lord, thank you for bringin' us together in Hell House. I've truly enjoyed myself, and I haven't had this much fun since Kiley and me departed. Bless Roc and his family too. I pray that him and Disser Rae have a happy life together. I pray that he likes the food I prepared for him this evenin', and I'm grateful for the cookin' skills you gave me to throw down like this. I ask that you watch over my family, especially my kitten who is at Portia's house with her. I don't know why her house is so nasty, but do what you can to help her work out that situation. Lord, you know I'm not a greedy person, but I ask that you soon send a whole lot of money my way. I want to donate the money and give to some of the people who are way needier than me. I want to pay my bills and buy a—”

I opened my eyes and removed my hands from Jada's. “Amen. You movin' that prayer in another direction, so cut it. It's time to eat.”

Jada laughed and slapped my arm. “I know, right. I wasn't gettin' ready to get all up in it.”

“Yeah, you were. But you lost me after you went there with the Disser Rae thing. It's Desa Rae.”

Jada started to eat and so did I. Unfortunately, the chicken fried rice was not on point. Neither was the Egg Foo Young, and the gravy was too thick. It was so bad that I didn't want to eat it. I didn't want to hurt Jada's feelings, but when she asked if I liked it, I had to be truthful.

“It's all right. I've definitely had better and yo gravy is too lumpy.”

“What?” Jada shouted. “Where? Where can you get Chinese food better than that?”

“Several places like The Fried Rice Kitchen. I guess I like the way Chinese people do it. This here ain't doin' nothin' for me.”

She dropped her fork and appeared stunned. “You just tryin' to make me mad. I'm not goin' there with you, Roc, 'cause you know doggone well that food is good.”

I hated for somebody to tell me how I felt about something, especially when I had my own opinion. “If it's good, you eat it. I'mma opt for a TV dinner and call it a night.”

I got up from the table, but before I could pick up my plate, Jada snatched it. She stormed over to the trashcan and dumped my plate.

“I hate picky-ass, ungrateful men. I'm done cookin' for you, and anything else you eat in this house will have to be made with yo own hands.”

I didn't bother to argue with Jada. It was all good when I was praising her food, but now I was being ungrateful. She was so upset with me that she didn't even eat. She turned the lights back on, blew out the candles, and went over to the couch with a glass of wine in her hand.

“Are you gon' watch anything on TV tonight? If not, I'm watchin'
Scandal.”

Just to keep the peace, I joined her on the couch. Thankfully, she was all into watching
Scandal
and her snobby attitude had changed. The only time her eyes shifted in another direction was when a commercial came on.

“It's good, ain't it?” she said.

I shrugged, not really paying attention. I was working a crossword puzzle. “I guess, but I got other things on my mind right now.”

“Other things like what?”

Before I could answer, the phone in my pocket rang. I looked at Jada. Her eyes were locked with mine.

“Things like, maybe I should let you answer this, especially since I suspect it's for you,” I said.

I removed the cell phone from my pocket, and obviously recognizing it, Jada sat speechless. I glanced at the number that flashed across the screen. It was Desa Rae's number. That wasn't the number I had hoped to see, but I hurried to answer before she hung up. Jada crossed her arms and pursed her lips.

“I see that there's about to be a scandal up in here,” she said.

“What's shakin', ma?” I said to Desa Rae while keeping my eyes on Jada.

“Roc? I…I didn't know whose number this was. I saw that you called earlier, but Chassidy and I were at Monica's house. I'm sorry I missed your call.”

I wanted to continue my phone conversation with Desa Rae, but I had to make this quick. I didn't want Jeff to see me on camera with the phone on, and I also didn't want Jada to use this against me.

“I hope y'all had a good time, but I can't continue to holla at you on this phone. I'll try to hit you up soon, but just tell me real quick that everything is good with you.”

“Everything is fine with me, but I want you to hurry home. I miss you. I don't know how much longer I can go without seeing my Rockster.”

I couldn't help but to smile. “Soon. I'll be there soon, all right? For now, I gotta go. Give Chassidy some love for me and mega love to you too.”

Desa Rae returned the love, and even though I felt good about our conversation, I didn't feel good about the way Jada was staring at me. I placed the phone on the table and eased back on the couch.