What About Us: A Crazy Love Story (4 page)

She looks deep into my eyes and it may sound corny, but I hear angels singing. I haven’t felt that way since I met my first and last girlfriend, Amiyah.

“I’ll be honest; I’m not the handyman type.  However, I do what I can.”

“So . . . how is it you know my mother?”

“He is friends with one of my boy toys. We just became friends recently,” Ms. Sims answers for me.

I honestly didn’t know what to say. I didn’t wanna ruin my chances with her and say that I was banging her sister.

“I see. Well, it was nice meeting you, Jabari.”

She turns to walk away and that ass almost puts me in a trance.

“Why don’t we go get that glass pitcher, so that you can make me some lemonade?”

“I don’t know you like that!”

She smiles a little, letting me know that she is playing.

“We can get to know each other on the ride to the store. Besides, yo’ mama will vouch for me. Tell er’, Ms. Sims. I won’t bite.”

“He won’t bite! Can y’all stop at the grocery store to buy food for dinner tomorrow too?”

I knew that it was a reason why I liked Ms. Sims.

“Are you sure that you don’t mind taking me, Jabari?”

“Not at all, sweet thang. I’ll take you anywhere.”

“I bet. Let me go and change my clothes. I’ll be ready in a minute.”

I watch her run in the house, with that big fluffy ass jiggling behind her.

“Don’t get any ideas, Jabari. That is my baby and she doesn’t need you in her head.”

“Why did you vouch for me then?”

Women are so confusing.

“Because . . . . I want you to leave my married daughter alone, so if hooking you up with my single daughter will do that then it is what it is.”

She walks by me, dragging the water hose behind her. I take it from her hand and then I pull it to the backyard for her.

“I got that, Ms. Sims. But I want you to know that I’m not a bad guy. I promise you, if me and Jazzlene hit it off then Ja’nelle is a thing of the past.”

“You promise, Jabari?”

“All I’ve got in this world is my balls and word, Ms. Sims. I promise; I’ll leave Ja’nelle alone.”

“Alright now, Jabari . . . . I don’t wanna hurt you, but I will when it comes to my babies. You hear me?”

“Yes ma’am, I do. I promise. So what’s for dinner tomorrow?”

Ms. Sims just shakes her head at me.

“Whatever you buy at the grocery store, Jabari.”

She smiles hard. I can tell that we will be friends, before it is all said and done.

“Okay, I’ve got you. I want the works too!”

“I’m ready Jabari. Ma, where is your bank card so that I can buy the groceries.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it. I told your mom that I will buy the groceries for putting a good word in for me to you.”

“Are you bribing my Mama, nigga?”

“Naw, I’m just showing my appreciation.”

“Let me find out that this was all a setup, Ma and Jabari.”

Jazzlene folds her arms over her small breasts.

“You know that I wouldn’t set you up girl. I’m yo mama and I love you. Jabari was just checking to see if I was alright, after arguing with his boy the other day. You just so happened to come outside, showing him all of your goods.”

She laughs a little.

“I can’t help showing off. I get it from my Mama.”

They bump hips and fall out laughing. I can tell that they have a good relationship with each other.

“I swear . . . you are a trip. Y’all hurry up and go. After I get finished planting these flowers and edging up my grass, I’m gonna want a glass of lemonade to go with my B&M’s that ya’ll are buying.”

B&M’s has some of the best bbq in the city, especially those polish boys. Now she has me thinking about smashing at least three of them. They deep fry a polish sausage, and then cover it with fries, bbq sauce and coleslaw. It is the bomb.

“You know that I want a polish boy. They don’t sell those in DC.”

I can see the big smile on Jazzlene’s face, as she thinks about the polish boy.

“Well, hurry on up. I should be finished soon. And I want my food, when I get out the shower,” Ms. Sims says, as she walks back towards the front of yard.

I have to admit; it is well kept. The grass is cut and the bushes are trimmed nice and neat. I can tell that she takes pride in her yard, but I hate seeing women do manual labor. I’m gonna get up with the crack head who does yard work for me and my mom. He will keep it up for her, from now on.

On the ride to the store, me and Jazzlene get to know each other better. She is cool and funny. She isn’t trying hard to impress me either, like other females usually do.

When we get back to the house, the yard is looking really good. It looks just like a professional did it. I am impressed.

After the crazy shit that Lela pulled earlier, my day is turning out to be okay. I gained a new friend in Ms. Sims and I have found my future wife.

Chapter Four

Jazzlene

It so beautiful when the thirst is mutual

-unknown

I can’t believe that I have met the perfect guy. I mean he has flaws like we all do, but overall he is a really good guy. The last three months have been amazing. But like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

It’s time for me to go back to DC. Usually I’m dying to get back to my friends at school. Only this time, I’m dragging my ass.

“Are you almost packed up, Jazzy?” My mom asks, standing in the doorway of my bedroom.

“Yes, Mama, I’m all packed up; just sitting here thinking, that’s all.”

“You’re thinking about Jabari, aren’t you, baby?”

She comes and sits next to me on the bed.

“Yeah, I really like him. Hell, I love that man. But I know that once I go back to school, it will be a wrap.”

I lay my head on her shoulder and let the tears fall from my eyes.

“Oh, Jazzy, don’t cry. Jabari loves you too! I think everything will be just fine between the two of you. And if it doesn’t work out for the best, then he wasn’t meant for you, Baby. Sure it will hurt at first, but like all pain it will eventually go away.”

“I know that, Ma, but I really love him. I don’t want to live my life without him.”

“I think that everything will work out for the best. Don’t ruin your last night with Jabari, thinking about what might happen. Think positive Baby and positive things will happen.”

“I promise to not think negatively about me and Jabari. I just know that I’m gonna miss him, when I get back to D.C.”

“Maybe that means that you’ll come home to visit more than just in the summertime, now that your boo is here.”

My mother is forever trying to get me to come home more. So maybe my being with Jabari will get me home more often.

“You know that I hate coming home, because it is always so hard to leave you, Ja’nelle, and Imanie.”

“Thank goodness for Jabari. At least I’ll get to see you more than three months out of a year. Let me go and get ready for Imanie. She already told me that it was movie night. I just hope that we don’t have to watch
Frozen
again. I’ll be glad when Elsa lets the shit go!”

My mother is so damn funny.

“Ma, you’re wrong for that. I think that movie is cute.”

Last week, me and Jabari took Imanie to Wade Oval Wednesday. It is a weekly music and movie family function on Wade Park that is free for the community. They had a cool reggae band and they showed the movie,
Frozen
. Jabari even enjoyed the movie.

“That is because you haven’t seen it five hundred times already. I swear, she reminds me of you and Ja’nelle watching
The Little Mermaid,
all damn day.” That was our favorite movie growing up.

“You should pull that up on Netflix. I bet she will forget all about Elsa!”

“That’s not a bad idea. Let me go get it ready. Ja’nelle and Hasaan will be dropping her off, at any moment.”

My mother goes downstairs.

I decide to put my clothes on, because Jabari will be here soon. I want to just lay under him tonight, but he told me to wear something sexy. He said that he has a surprise for me.

I decide to wear my fuchsia caped short romper and my gold strappy Nine West sandals. I pair it with my ghetto fabulous gold bamboo earrings, a gold herringbone necklace and my gold rings. Then I spray on some
Heat Rush
by Beyoncé, all over my neck, wrists and inner thighs.

I make sure that my hair is nice and sleek, with a center part, while putting on my Mistress Lipstick and Hello Baby eye shadow by Ka’Oir. Afterwards, I grab my gold Prada clutch and then I head downstairs to go wait on Jabari.

“Auntie Jazzy you look ca-yute! Don’t she Mommy?” My niece Imanie compliments me, as I come downstairs.

“She sure does! She must have a hot date. Who are you going out with tonight?”

“You know that I’m going out with my Bae, Jabari. Who else would I be going out with?”

All summer, I’ve been joined to the hip with Jabari. So why would she ask that question?

“I know that y’all kick it, but I didn’t realize that he had gotten to Bae status; especially with his reputation, as far as the ladies.”

She smirks, with her evil ass. I know that sometimes she gets a little jealous of me because I’m finishing college, but she can always go back. Nobody is stopping her.

“I’m sure that he had a flock of bitches, but not since I’ve been in town. I’ve got him on lock, you’d better believe that Hunty.”

“I’m glad that you feel so confident, but what about when you go back to school? Do you think that he’ll be able to control his whorish ways?”

This thought has crossed my mind a million times. But I trust Jabari with my heart.

“I trust Jabari, Ja’nelle. Why are you being so negative, any damn way?”

“I’m not being negative. I’m just asking questions. I’m concerned about you, Jazzy. I don’t want you to get hurt, because these niggas out here are dogs! I already know about Jabari and all of his ghetto birds. But don’t worry; I’ll keep my eye on his ass while you’re away.”

“Thanks a lot for caring, Ja’nelle. Where is my brother in law?”

“He is out back helping Ma with something in the garage. I wish that they would hurry up. I’m starving.”

My stomach is growling a little, as well. I wonder where Jabari is taking me.

“I’m a little hungry myself. I haven’t eaten since me and Jabari went to Landmarks for breakfast.”

“Jabari, Jabari, Jabari. Girl, you’ve got it bad. He is all that you seem to talk about lately. He must’ve put it on yo’ ass.”

She tells Imanie to go and get Hasaan, because she is ready to go.

“It’s more than sex, Nelle. We have good chemistry and he has a good heart. He also loves his mother and they have a really good relationship; that is important to me. We talk for hours about nothing and he just makes me happy. The sex is amazing too, so that is just the icing on the cake. He does things to my body that I’m sure are illegal in all fifty states!”

“I just bet he does. It’s good to see you happy, Jazzy. I don’t think that I have ever seen you this happy, not even when you were with Amaad. You used to love his ugly ass.”

“He wasn’t ugly! He was just average, but he has anger issues. I had to leave his crazy ass alone, but I did love him. He was my first everything.”

“I’m sorry about holding y’all up, Nelle. For some reason, I just couldn’t seem to get the garage door to go down with the remote.”

“You just need some new batteries I believe, Ma. I can go and get some from Home Depot for you tomorrow.”

“Thanks a lot, Saan. I don’t know what I would do without my two son-in-laws. Y’all have got me spoiled.”

“It’s no problem. I heard that you’ve got a new man in your life, Jazzy. We didn’t even get to go to an Indians game this year, like we always do when you come home.”

Me and my brother-in-law love baseball. Of course, Nelle hates all things that are sports.

“I know; I’ve been so busy running around with Jabari, until it slipped my mind.”

“I’ve been busy too. Cutz is doing much better than I expected. I’m thinking about opening up another one on the west side, if things keep looking this good.”

“I’m so happy for you, Hasaan. For years, you’ve been talking about opening up a barbershop. I’m glad to see that you finally did it. I know that Nelle has been shopping her ass off, so business must be good.”

“Business is booming and I have a great bunch of guys working for me a well. I can’t wait to pass the business down to my children one day. If only your sister would only pop another one out.’’

“Don’t start, Hasaan. I already told you that I am seriously thinking about going back to school to get my degree.”

“That’s right Nelle; get your school on, before you have another baby. Besides, she can help you out with the business, once she gets here degree in accounting.”

I give Nelle a high five for going back to school. I know that she has wanted to do it, for a while now.

“I guess you’re right, but I want more kids. I want at least four more.”

“Four more!” Me, my mom, and Nelle said in unison.

“Yes, four more. I came from a huge family and I want to make sure that we have someone to carry on the family name.”

“I’m not having four more kids, Hasaan. You can just get that shit outta your head right now . . . Maybe one or two more, but definitely not four.”

“People are so crazy nowadays. I don’t think that I would want to bring that many children into the world,” my mother cosigns.

I know my sister loves Imanie, but sometimes I think that she resents having her. I think she thinks her life would’ve been better, if she would’ve waited to have her. I, on the other hand, think she has the American dream type of life.

How many women can actually say that they married the man who took their virginity? They have the big house, with the white picket fence. Then I know for a fact that Hasaan is head over heels in love with Ja’nelle.

“I think they should have more kids, but not until after she finishes school. Nelle is young enough to still pursue her dreams and then add to y’all’s family, Hasaan. She always has been extremely smart. It’s no sense in letting her brains go to waste, just sitting at home having a bunch of babies.”

“Thank you, sister. I’ve already made an appointment with the admissions advisor at John Carroll. I have tunnel vision right now, when it comes to getting my degree. No one can stop me . . . Not even my handsome husband.”

She stands on her tiptoes and gives him a deep kiss.

“Eew . . . that’s nasty, Mommy,” Imanie giggles from the couch.

“It’s not nasty, how do you think that you got here?”

“Let’s get moving. I’m starving like Marvin, right about now. A nigga can taste the lobster bisque in my mouth, right now.”

Hasaan closes his eye and rubs his belly.

“Tell me about it. Come give Mommy and Daddy kisses goodbye. Promise to be on your best behavior for your grandmother. You hear me, Imanie?”

“Yes, I hear you.”

She gives them both kisses and then runs back over to the couch. She picks up some candy and stuffs it inside of her mouth. I swear, my mother spoils her little butt. She wouldn’t give us hardly any candy growing up, but Imanie has a whole bag full.

“She knows better than to get outta hand. I will spank them little legs, if she does. Y’all have a nice evening. Don’t forget that I’ll be dropping her off, first thing in the morning. I’m going to ride with Jabari to take Jazzy to the airport in the morning.”

“I haven’t forgotten, Ma. I can’t believe you’re going back to school already, Jazzy. We hardly even got to kick it. Just know that I’m coming down there for homecoming this year. I heard that Lil Wayne is performing and you know how much I love me some Weezy.

I love you so much, Jazzy.” Nelle says, giving me a big hug.

I hate that we didn’t get to spend more time together. I can’t wait for her to come down to DC, finally.

“Give me a hug, sis-in-law. Next time, the baseball game is on you, since you played me this time.”

Hasaan gives me a big hug.

“Okay, but you’ve gotta buy the snacks.”

“I gotchu . . . . Let’s go, Nelle . . . Bye-bye, Daddy’s Angel.”

“Bye, Daddy!”

I watch, as they leave the house. It is good to know that they made it through so many hard years together. It gives me hope to one day marry someone, as kind and genuine as Hasaan.

“What time is Jabari coming to get you?”

“He should be here, at any minute.

You know, I love seeing Hasaan and Nelle together. I want a marriage like theirs one day.”

“Mmm-hmm.’’

“What does that mmm-hmm mean, Ma? You know something that I don’t know?”

“Sit right here Imanie and watch the movie while G-Ma gets the popcorn.”

I watch my mother start the Little Mermaid and then I follow her into the kitchen.

“What’s up, Ma?”

“Child, I’ve been dying to tell someone. But I don’t want to put Nelle’s business out there. You’ve gotta promise me that you won’t tell a soul, what I’m about to divulge to you, Jazzy.”

This has to be some juicy gossip, because of the way that my mother is looking.

“I promise, not a word to anyone!”

I cross my heart, so that she can see just how serious I am about not spilling the beans.

“Ja’nelle was cheating on Saan, at the beginning of the summer. She even brought the nigga over here to meet me and everything, like I would be on board with the shit!”

“You have got to be kidding me! They seem so in love.”

“I don’t doubt Hasaan’s love for Nelle. It’s just that she was feeling lonely because he was spending so much time getting the barbershop up and running. He was hardly ever home. She claimed that she cheated outta loneliness, but that daughter of mine is a trip.