What Ya Girl Won't Do (17 page)

Kylee was lying in the bed dizzy and dripping in sweat. She'd been up all night throwing up. She was thinking she may have gotten food poisoning from the gyros they'd had for dinner. Eli had offered to stay home and take care of her, but she assured him that she would take some Pepto-Bismol and be just fine.

Kylee's cell phone began to ring. She rolled over, picked it up off the nightstand, and forced herself to smile. “Hey, sis,” she answered in a groggy tone.

“Ewwww, you sound like you got a man in yo' throat,” I'reon joked.

“I feel like I got one in there,” she said, laughing.

“You sick or somethin'?”

“Yeah, man, I've been throwin' up all night. I'm dizzy and hot. I think I got food poisonin' from the gyro Eli brought home for dinner last night.”

“Either that or yo' ass pregnant,” I'reon said.

“Bitch, please, I am not pregnant,” Kylee replied.

“How do you know?” I'reon asked.

“I just do.”

“Have you taken a test?”

“No, I don't need to take no test. Eli is very careful when we havin' sex,” Kylee said.

“Does he wear condoms?” I'reon questioned.

“Sometimes,” Kylee answered.

“Bitch, you pregnant,” I'reon repeated.

“No, I'm not, and would you stop sayin' that?” Kylee asked, slightly annoyed.

“If that nigga not wearin' condoms all the time there's a strong chance I'm about to be an auntie,” I'reon said, laughing.

“Whatever; what you call me for?” Kylee laughed too, brushing the thought to the side and sticking with food poisoning from the gyro.

“Actually, I was just callin' to check on you and see if things were still goin' well in paradise,” I'reon replied.

“Yeah, things are still goin' good between me and Eli, but I ain't gon' lie, sis, in the back of my mind, I still have this fear of him going back to his wife. I would never tell him this, but sometimes I think maybe he should try to work things out wit' Tionna. She is his wife,” Kylee said.

“Oh my goodness! Is this really Kylee Ny'Air Hampton I'm talkin' to? Or an imposter?” I'reon joked.

Kylee laughed. “It's me. I just have been thinkin' a lot lately. I can't imagine what she's goin' through. I've never had to experience bein' left before. I'm still not gon' leave him alone even if he does get back wit' her.”

“Well, sis, you gotta look at it like this: if he wanted to be wit' Tionna, that's where he would be, but he's not. He's there wit' you. He said himself that he didn't love her, so fuck what she goin' through and focus on you and your happiness.”

“You know what, you right; fuck her and what she's goin' through. I don't know what got into me. For a minute I was startin' to act like Ja'Nay,” Kylee said, laughing.

“Right,” I'reon agreed. “She's rubbin' off on you.”

“Please, don't ever let me get that soft. If I do, please slap me back to reality,” Kylee joked.

“I got'chu, sis,” I'reon said. “Speakin' of Ja'Nay, is she still mad at you?”

“No, she finally got over the initial shock of us startin' school in January instead of August.”

“That's good, 'cause she was crushed,” I'reon said.

“I know. I felt bad too, but she don't have nothin' to worry about. I got all our paperwork turned in for winter quarter, so all we gotta do is go to school.”

“That's wassup! I'm proud of y'all,” I'reon said sincerely.

“Thank you.”

“All right, sis, I'm about to go. I just wanted to hear your voice. I'm about to call Ja'Nay and check on her, too.”

“Okay,” Kylee said, not wanting to let her go.

“Oh, I know what else I called you for,” I'reon said.

“What?”

“Have you talked to Uncle Vince?”

“Nope,” Kylee said. “He's still actin' like a bitch.”

“A bitch?” I'reon asked, laughing.

“Yes, a bitch. I don't even care though.”

“How you payin' your bills? I mean I'm sure Eli is helpin' out, but you know how you like to shop and shit and since you cut all your boy toys off, how's that workin' out?” I'reon asked.

“My mom still pays my car note and insurance without my dad knowing. Eli pays all the bills and buys the groceries, and as far as me shoppin' like I'm used to, bitch, I still got one boy toy footin' that bill, so I'm cool. You know Mama didn't raise no fool; you know Kylee Ny'Air Hampton has to always keep an ace in the hole.”

“I know that's right, sis,” I'reon responded happily.

“All right, girl, it feels like I'm about to throw up again,” Kylee said, holding her stomach. “I will call you later.”

“All right, sis, get you some Vernors. And a pregnancy test,” she slid in.

“Whatever.” Kylee laughed before hanging up. She lay in the bed a few more seconds, hoping her stomach would settle. Feeling herself about to throw up again, Kylee jumped out of bed and made it to the toilet just in the nick of time.

“God, help me,” she called out, feeling like she was about to die. Kylee crawled back into her bedroom, grabbed her cell phone, and called Ja'Nay.

“Hello?” Ja'Nay answered.

“Can you borrow your mom's car and bring me somethin' for my stomach?” she moaned.

“Girl, you sound horrible,” Ja'Nay said.

“I feel the same way,” Kylee said, wiping beads of sweat away from her forehead.

“I'll be there in about twenty minutes,” Ja'Nay said.

“Okay,” Kylee said, hanging up and pulling herself back into bed.

Half an hour later, Ja'Nay pulled up with a grocery bag full of things that would hopefully help her best friend feel better. She let herself in with her key and headed straight up to Kylee's room.

“Shit, bitch, it's cold up in here and it smells like throw-up.” Ja'Nay grimaced.

“Shut, up, bitch, and I'm burnin' up,” Kylee said. “Did you bring the Pepto?”

Ja'Nay sat down on the bed beside her best friend. “Yep, and some Tums, and a ginger ale, and a pregnancy test,” she said, pulling each item out the bag.

“Let me guess, you talked to I'reon?” Kylee asked.

“Yep, and she suggested I pick one up for you.” Ja'Nay laughed.

“I told that heffa I wasn't pregnant,” Kylee said, taking the pregnancy test from Ja'Nay, tossing it on the bed before sitting up.

“Where you 'bouta go?” Ja'Nay asked.

“Uhhhh, I gotta pee; is that okay wit' you?” Kylee asked smartly while scooting out of the bed.

“Here, take this wit'you,” Ja'Nay said, picking up the pregnancy test.

“I don't need that, 'cause I'm not pregnant!” Kylee fussed.

“Please just take it. I promised I'reon I would see to you takin' one,” Ja'Nay said.

Kylee sighed. “You two bitches get on my nerves,” she huffed, snatching the test from Ja'Nay's hand and walking into the bathroom. Kylee opened the package, placed the stick underneath her, and peed on the stick. She then laid the stick on the counter, wiped herself, washed her hands, and walked back into her bedroom.

“Well, what did it say? I got I'reon textin' me tryin'a find out the results,” Ja'Nay said.

“I don't know. I peed on the damn thing and laid it on the sink in the bathroom,” she said, climbing back into bed.

“Ewwww, that's nasty,” Ja'Nay laughed.

“It is ain't it?” Kylee laughed, not thinking about how unsanitary it was when she laid it up there.

“Well let's go see what the results say,” Ja'Nay said anxiously.

“I can tell you what they say. I'm not pregnant,” Kylee said.

“Well, just go see,” Ja'Nay pushed.

“If you wanna know what it say so bad, you go check,” Kylee said before closing her eyes.

“I sure will.” Ja'Nay stood from the bed, walked in the bathroom, picked up the test, and shook her head.

“What it say?” Kylee called out from the bed and asked.

“I thought you didn't wanna know,” Ja'Nay said smartly.

“For real, for real, I don't 'cause I know I'm not pregnant,” Kylee said.

“Well that ain't what this test says,” Ja'Nay said, walking in the room with the test in hand.

Kylee's eyes popped open and she sat straight up. “Quit playin', bitch,” Kylee said, quickly getting out of bed, snatching the test from Ja'Nay's hand and reading the results for herself. “I'll be damned, I'm pregnant!” Kylee snapped, surprised, starting to feel even sicker.

“What you gon' do?” Ja'Nay asked.

“I don't know,” Kylee replied, walking over to her bed and lying down.

“You betta think of somethin',” Ja'Nay said.

“Like what?” Kylee asked, confused.

“Whose is it?” Ja'Nay asked.

Kylee shot her friend a “you already know” look.

“What? Shit, I'm just askin'. You was fuckin' a lotta niggas,” Ja'Nay said.

“I been quit fuckin' wit' them niggas, all but Tony. And me and him use protection at all times,” Kylee responded.

Kylee and Ja'Nay both sat in silence, trying to come up with a plan.

“Look, I suggest you have an abortion,” Ja'Nay finally said.

“Huh?”

“How you gon' go to college and take care of a baby, too? I don't know about you but I'm goin' to school in January. You can sit around here and be mommy to a baby if you want to, that's on you. I'm sorry, I can't rely on my mommy and daddy so I have to make somethin' out of myself,” Ja'Nay said harshly.

“I don't know what to do,” Kylee said as tears began to fill her eyelids.

“Look, Kylee, your dad already mad at you for not goin' to college in the fall and done cut you off financially. Just think how he's gon' react if you're pregnant and still not gon' be able to go to college? How you gon' take care of a baby? Keep sleepin' wit' Tony?” Ja'Nay asked.

“Eli would help me take care of his child,” Kylee said.

“But what if he decides to go back to Tionna? You said yourself you still worried he might try to work things out with her in order to see his daughter,” Ja'nay said, hoping to convince Kylee to do the right thing . . . well, the right thing in her eyes.

Even though Kylee hated to admit it, Ja'Nay did make some valid points. She knew her father would disown her if she got pregnant and didn't go to college, but what if Eli really did go back to Tionna? She would be stuck, struggling and taking care of a child when she could barely take care of herself.

“Maybe I should call I'reon and see what she has to say?” Kylee said, second-guessing an abortion.

“No, 'cause she just gon' talk you into havin' it and you the one who's gon' have to take care of it. She lives way over in Spain,” Ja'Nay said, trying to keep her from calling I'reon.

“True.”

“Look, Kylee, I know right now it doesn't seem like the right thing to do, but you have to think about your future. You'll have plenty of time to have kids.”

“I know,” Kylee said as the tears flowed.

“Don't cry, we gon' get through this together,” Ja'Nay assured her. She took the phone book out of the top drawer of the nightstand and handed it to Kylee.

Kylee wiped her eyes, hoping she was making the right decision as she flipped through the phonebook pages. Stopping on the A's, she dialed the first number she came across.

“Hello?” a woman answered in a pleasant tone.

“Yes, I need to make an appointment.”

Kylee lay in bed crying and in pain. Ja'Nay had just dropped her off and offered to stay with her until Eli got off work, but Kylee wanted to be alone. She needed time to think about what she'd just done. She couldn't get over the fact that she'd just taken a life and prayed to God that He'd forgive her for doing such a horrible thing.

As Kylee was trying to get some rest, the doorbell rang. She slowly got up and walked to the top of the stairs. “Who is it?” she yelled down asking. No one answered. “I said who is it?”

Getting no answer a second time, Kylee eased down the stairs and looked out the peephole. “What the fuck?” Kylee snatched the door opened. “What the fuck you doin' at my muthafuckin' house? Bitch, you done lost your mind, but I'ma whoop yo' ass until you find it,” she said to Tionna, knowing she wasn't in any shape to fight anyone, but she sure wasn't about to let Tionna know that.

“Wait, wait, wait, Kylee,” Tionna said, holding up her hands trying to stop anything from happening.

“Wait my ass; bitch, you at my house and how the fuck you know my name?”

Tionna looked a hot mess. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. She had big bags underneath her eyes and looked nothing like she had at the gas station or the Dairy Queen that day.

“Have you ever had a man mess around on you?” Tionna asked.

“Hell naw,” Kylee snapped.

“Well if you had, you would know that I done my homework until I found out your name, where you live, and what you about,” Tionna replied boldly.

“Okay, so what the fuck you want at my house?”

“My husband,” Tionna answered desperately.

“Look at you. I know this ain't the same bitch who was at the shop poppin' fly in front of an audience; now you here standin' on my porch, beggin' for your husband back.” Kylee smirked.

“Just let me explain, Kylee, please, and after you hear me out, you will never have to worry about me again,” Tionna pleaded.

“What you wanna explain? How I do have more than just ass to offer Eli? Oh wait a minute, or how you finally come to realize that Eli is never comin' back to you?” Kylee antagonized her. Kylee's words were cutting into Tionna deep. Kylee was outdone. She couldn't believe how much nerve this chick had to actually walk up on her property and ask for her husband back. The old Kylee would have commenced kicking her ass, but the new, maturing Kylee was going to hear her out first, then kick her ass for coming over to her house.

“Please, just hear me out,” Tionna begged.

“You got five minutes, then I'm goin' back to lie down,” Kylee said.

Tionna stood quietly, trying to get her thoughts together. She knew this would be her one and only chance to ask Kylee for her husband back.

“Talk,” Kylee snapped, tired of waiting.

“Look, Kylee, first I want to apologize for callin' you out of your name at the Dairy Queen,” Tionna started. “And for tryin'a front on you at the shop.”

“It ain't no biggie,” Kylee said.

“Look, I really don't know where to start, but all I can say is I wish you would leave my husband alone. I love Eli, and me and my daughter need him home with us,” Tionna said.

“Eli don't love you, and you know he don't.” Kylee frowned.

Knowing Kylee knew the truth about Eli's feelings hurt Tionna badly. “He might not love me, but I love him. Truthfully, I didn't at first, but I fell in love with him. And the worst feelin' in the world is seein' the one you love, love someone else,” Tionna said as tears filled her eyelids.

Kylee listened as Tionna continued pouring out her heart.

“You just don't know how many nights I sit up and wait for my husband to come home, tell me he's sorry, make love to me, and tell me that he'll never leave me again.”

Kylee felt bad and felt her eyes welling up, too. She knew messing around with this woman's husband was bad enough, but taking him from her was even worse and she knew better than anyone that karma was a dangerous bitch!

“It's so hard to wait for somethin' you know might never happen, but it's even harder to give up when you know it's everything you want,” Tionna said as the tears poured.

“I'm really sorry, Tionna. I never meant for any of this to happen,” Kylee said as tears flowed down her cheeks. “I only planned on sleepin' wit' Eli. I never intended for us to be livin' together or anything.”

“It's okay.” Tionna was glad that she'd gotten through to Kylee and was even happier that her husband was finally coming home so they could be a family again. Tionna made a promise that when Eli came home she would treat him like the king he was. “I'm so happy you see where I'm comin' from and even happier that you're goin' to leave Eli alone,” Tionna said, smiling.

“Who said that?” Kylee asked, surprised.

“I thought you understood where I was comin' from,” Tionna said.

“I do understand where you comin' from. But you gotta understand that a lot of people's relationships end badly; if not, they wouldn't have ended in the first place,” Kylee said.

“So what are you sayin'?” Tionna asked desperately.

“I'm sayin' why keep chasin' a nigga who's already gone? Focus on your future and not your past,” Kylee stated. With that being said, Kylee walked back in the house, leaving Tionna standing on the porch.