What's His Is Mine (14 page)

P
hilly smelled different and it was cold for October. I was spoiled by the warm Cali weather. I took a cab home, because I wanted to surprise Lisa and my nephews. I saw Lisa's Toyota Camry. A strange vanilla smell greeted me at the door. The house just had a different vibe. I called out to Lisa. She came to the top of the steps.

“What are you doing here?” Lisa yelled as she came down the stairs and hugged me. I placed my luggage down and said, “Aunt Vicky and Jade were moving again. I couldn't go with them, and the rent out there is so expensive, so I had to come home.”

“Damn, I didn't even get a chance to come out there. I'm happy you are home, but now I don't know where everyone is going to sleep.”

“Who is everybody?” I asked, looking around.

“Saundra from my job and her daughter moved in. She is going through a divorce. I finally left Mikey, so we're helping each other. They're staying in your room. But you know, we'll figure something out. I'll just tell her she has to find somewhere else to stay.”

“No, you don't have to do that. I'll just sleep on the sofa, and I'm going to walk to my old job and see if I can get my job back. Where are the boys?”

“Over at Mikey's mom's house. Well, I got a date. I'm glad you're back and we'll make it work. Don't worry about it.”

I peeped into my room. It was filled up with several ten-gallon-sized plastic bags.

I couldn't waste any time. I needed to get my job back, so I could get a place and then save money.

I showered and then walked to my former job. Nothing had changed in the three months since I had left. I saw Lenora and she gave me the one-minute sign because she was giving a cashier change. After she counted the change she came over to me and said, “What's going on? You visiting?” We walked as we talked and I followed her up the stairs.

“No, I came back home. I'm moving back. I came here to see if I could get my job back.”

“Get your job back? Um, actually I just hired five people last week. Zakiya, you should have called me.” She picked up a few boxes of popcorn that had fallen back on the shelf and said, “You still have the same number? I can give you a call if anything changes.”

“Okay, Lenora, call me.”

 

 

I needed a job. I knew I wouldn't be able to stay with my sister. I love my nephews, but them plus Saundra and her daughter, Yahnee, was unbearable. They all got up at seven a.m. on a Saturday morning, to play games, scream, and yell.

Several days went by and Lenora still hadn't called, so I was going to call the woman—Adrienne—from the airport. I didn't know her, but she didn't seem crazy.

“Hi, Adrienne, this is Zakiya.”

“Hey, Zakiya. I'm on the other line—hold on for a minute.” She put me on hold and didn't come back to the phone for a very long time. I felt like hanging up.

“Sorry about that. So what's going on?”

“I wanted to know if you still needed someone to watch your daughter because my sister's friend has moved in with her and I wasn't able to get my job back. So I kinda need a live-in nanny job.”

“Yeah, I do still need you. When can you start?”

“I'm going to come tomorrow.”

 

 

The next day Adrienne came and picked me up and brought me to her home. She lived in a big three-bedroom town house and it was just her and her daughter. She gave me a tour of her home. Her daughter's room looked like it was never slept in—it was beautiful. It was lavender, with a rainbow and a white unicorn painted on the wall. There were toys everywhere. Dolls and blocks and things her daughter probably won't be able to play with for years. Even the guest room, where I was going to be staying, had a huge brass bed, a white dresser, and walk-in closet. And her room and closet were set up like a department store. There were all types of perfume and jewelry and she had so many shoes. And clothes.

I liked Adrienne. She had so much going on for herself. She was a nurse, had a nice car and home. I couldn't believe she was the same age as my sister, but she had so much more. She said she worked a lot of hours, but who cares? She had everything.

I
tried to call Kevin several times and he never answered. I tried him again. A woman answered and said, “Kevin is busy. Who should I tell him called?” I wanted to curse the woman out and tell Kevin to get his ass on the telephone, but I didn't bother. I just hung up on her. I wanted to see my child and I was becoming angry. There was nothing I could do until he decided that he was going to let the hate he felt for me out of his heart. I wasn't going to bother or harass him, but by law he had to let me see my child. I was Jarell's mother. I knew eventually he would come around.

In the meantime I had to enjoy my other children. Alexis didn't have class on Tuesday and Thursday so she would come and visit with me while Tyrone was at work and Kierra at school. Today was going to be a very interesting visit. Unfortunately, she was about to witness me being put under house arrest. My probation officer, Robert Neal, was on his way over. He was young black guy who talked fast and was kind of funny. So far, he seemed nice, but stern.

He was at the door, clipboard and box in hand, promptly at noon. He wanted me to direct him to the phone line and he began setting up. He performed random tests on the box accuracy. Red and green lights flashed on and off. I made small talk with Alexis, trying to distract her attention off of the box. She stared at him as he began placing and adjusting the band around my ankle as he was running down all the rules I had to abide by while I wore the black box anklet.

Mr. Neal snapped the device on and then asked, “Does it hurt?”

I looked down at my ankle and responded, “No.”

He got up off the floor and said, “Just so you know, I can pop in on you at any time, and the fastest way to land in jail is to not keep it real with me. If an emergency happens, call me. If I don't answer, leave a message. You understand?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and you need to try to distance yourself from whoever the people were that got you in this predicament.”

“Okay.”

“How is she going to take a shower and bathe?” Alexis asked.

“You can take a shower, but no baths because it can't be submerged in water. I have many people who think they are smarter than this box. They're not. My best advice—call me if something comes up. Do not try to deactivate or take this thing off.” He spieled off more rules and then he left.

After he left, we caught up on Alexis's life. She had turned into such a remarkable young woman. Before, she barely wanted to get a job. Now she had a job and was going to school.

“Mom, you need your hair done. I'm going to bring my friend over to do your hair. She is in cosmetology school. She can give you a manicure and pedicure, too.”

“I would love that. Bring her over,” I said, trying to seem excited and enthused, but really I was becoming sad. I think the thought of three months in this one place was sinking in. I was about to be stuck. I felt myself about to panic, so instead I went into the basement and did a few loads of laundry. For a moment I was reminded of Detroit. I remembered how lonely, depressing, and miserable it was. How when I was there the only thing I wanted was to see my family. I have my family back, so I wasn't about to let an ankle bracelet upset me. I said a prayer and just tried not to get upset.

Z
akiya had been living with me for two weeks, and I already couldn't live without her. She made my life so much easier. I got three for one with her. She cleaned my house like a slave, cooked like a gourmet soul food chef, and took good care of my daughter.

When I came in from work, Asia was already dressed and didn't want to leave her to come to me. She was a godsend. She was like the little sister I never had. She was like a sponge, and I could school her on life. I told her every piece of advice I could think of. I gave her some of my old stuff and she was so grateful. She is just a real innocent nineteen-year-old girl. From what she told me, she had it very hard growing up without a mom. Her sister didn't seem like she knew that much herself. I told her to go to college, but still get a man with money. I told her that she wasn't going to be anyone's baby mother, and that she had to look pretty at all times. She was already a cute girl, but she just needed a little refining, and when I'm done with her, the world won't be ready.

My mom thought I was crazy when I told her I met a nice young lady at the airport and she was living with me and watching Asia. But she was the one who suggested I find a nice teenager to watch Asia. And now that I had my built-in babysitter, which she suggested, she was harassing me with phone calls, saying, “I miss my grandbaby. Bring her over.” No, ma'am. I could get up, get dressed, and walk straight out the door. And then when I came home, Asia was already dressed, fed, and ready for school.

I
wasn't going to hide my relationship with DeCarious from the world any longer. We were going to the pre-show activities at the Atlanta International Car Show. All the Atlanta elite would be in attendance. Every year, I heard the black-tie gala charity car show was one of the most coveted events. It was like DeCarious's and my unofficial coming-out party. I was so excited and wanted to look totally different tonight. I had my makeup done and hair styled at a salon in Buckhead that Mari recommended. The stylist did an amazing job seaming the long black flowing weave with my own hair. When she handed me the mirror I couldn't believe how my hair was moving back and forth so naturally.

From the salon, I went home, showered, and then changed into this crushed-fabric purple and silver cocktail dress. I looked in the mirror and was impressed. I felt beautiful and special.

The moment DeCarious saw me he stopped and whispered, “You look so beautiful.” I thanked him.

We entered the car show arm in arm and there were cameras flashing, but I didn't mind. I was actually proud to say DeCarious was my man. Who wouldn't be? He was perfect. He looked so handsome in his black suit and silver tie.

The car show was huge. There were thousands of new and futuristic concept car models on display.

The entire event was very elegant. Servers were walking around with champagne and hors d'oeuvres as all the attendees mingled. We had a great time, but I couldn't wait to get home and get out of my dress and on top of my man.

When we got back to my place, DeCarious didn't let me get out of my dress. He just pushed me onto the sofa and began giving my warm insides a massage with the tip of his tongue. I brought his face farther in and glided my hips onto him, when the knocking at my front door interrupted everything. DeCarious looked at me like who was at my door at one in the morning? I didn't know. I threw on my robe and went to the door. He was right behind me. I opened the door and saw Toni. She barged in, walking right past me, hand and hand with Lou.

“Toni, is everything okay?” Why was she at my house at one in the morning?

She spoke to DeCarious and then said, “Yeah, I just wanted to tell you I parked downstairs, so if Dave calls here tell him I'm asleep. He is getting on my nerves. I had to get out of that damn house. Plus I needed my Lou fix,” she said as she gave Lou's ass a slap.

I couldn't believe she was talking about cheating on her husband in front of DeCarious. I didn't know what else to say, but okay. As soon as they walked out the door, DeCarious started asking questions.

“What's up with your sister cheating on her husband?”

“I don't know. She said he cheated on her. And she can't forgive him,” I said, trying to change the subject and get back to where we left off. I disrobed and wrapped my legs around him.

“Do you agree with that?” he asked, looking at me.

“No. I've tried to talk to her, but she doesn't listen. I stopped caring.”

“Wow, that's really messed up. If her marriage isn't working, don't cheat, just leave.”

“She can't. She has a house and family. I'm not going to argue about what she does. Just mind your business.”

“Would you ever cheat or leave?”

“I wouldn't cheat. Now leave it alone and stop asking me silly questions.” I didn't know why DeCarious was so angry about what Toni was doing. I reached over and grabbed his face and kissed him. “Babe, let's not worry about anyone but us.”

“Okay. But I don't like that, Cherise.”

“I understand, but that's not me and that's not us. Okay?” He calmed back down and we returned to our previous activities until another knock at the door interrupted us. Now I was mad. I was going to kick Toni's ass, but it wasn't Toni. It was Dave standing outside my door. I hurried and threw my robe on and answered the door.

“Cherise, tell Toni I'm out here.” He wasn't even my husband and I was scared as hell. What was I going to tell him? I looked at DeCarious, who was now behind me. I just said the first thing that came to mind, which was she was here but she left. He accepted my answer and said if she came back to call him. I closed the door. I then dialed Toni.

“Girl, your husband is at my door. Where are you?” What the hell? I wasn't the one cheating, but my heart was in my throat.

“He is? Damn it . . . What time is it? Oh shit, I got twenty-five missed calls from him. I'm just going to come and get my car. If he calls back, tell him that I just called you and said I am on my way home, but my phone was about to die.”

“Okay, I'll do that.”

I went back and got in the bed. DeCarious was putting on his clothes.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. What are you doing? This is so messed up. Cherise, you're helping your sister have an affair.”

“So you are leaving me in the middle of the night, because my sister is having an affair?”

“No, I have to get up early in the morning, but I think you are so wrong for covering for her.”

“So what should I do—tell him she is cheating on him?”

“Do what you want to. I'll call you tomorrow.”