Nicole strutted down Main Street with a couple of workers. She stopped in front of Trent and asked, “Can I talk to you?”
Trent handed one of the workers his package and stepped off to the side with Nicole.
“About the other night. Trent, I was out of line, and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am,” Nicole said.
Trent looked at Nicole and said, “Don’t even trip, little mama, and I apologize for putting my hands on you.” He replied as he stroked Nicole’s cheek.
“I know you didn’t mean to, daddy,” Nicole said.
Marcos walked up and said, “Yo, man. I’m outta work, and it’s time to get on.”
“Yeah? Me, too. I gave Renzo my last dub, so we can make our way to the house,” Trent said. Then, he turned to Nicole and said, “Do you need a ride home?”
“Nah, I’m good. I’m staying at the Huntington tonight,” she answered.
“Ugh, that nasty-ass, crack-infested shit,” Marcos laughed.
“A’ight. then, we out,” Trent said, hopping in his work car.
It was three in the morning. Trent and Marcos felt good. They had been able to dump their packs without any interruptions from the Crew Cuts. Trent hopped right on the highway. They made it home in ten minutes. To Trent’s surprise, Kendra was still up.
“Hey, baby,” Kendra greeted Trent, kissing him on the lips. Then, she turned to Marcos and said, “Hey! Nia’s up in the bedroom. Y’all might as well stay. No need for you to wake her.”
“Thanks, little sis,” Marcos said, heading upstairs to the guest bedroom.
Kendra grabbed a glass of water. Then, she turned the lights and TV off. Trent grabbed her hand, and off to bed they went. Everything seemed so perfect to Kendra. Over the next few weeks, her job seemed to become less stressful. Trent came home at decent hours, and the sex got better. It was like Kendra had fallen in love all over again. Trent was being the man that she had always dreamed of. The house stayed cleaned, and he cooked every evening before he left the house. He even went one step further by sending Kendra a bouquet of flowers every Friday. What more could Kendra ask for?
One evening, before Kendra got off work, she called Trent. His phone kept going straight to voicemail, and, each time this happened, Kendra became more and more annoyed. She had left four messages, cursing him out. When Kendra called Trent’s phone for the fifth time, a woman answered, leaving Kendra stunned.
“Hello,” the girl said with a lot of attitude.
Kendra fumed as she looked at the phone. Once she made sure she hadn’t misdialed, she put her ear back to the phone. Very irritated, she asked, “Who are you, and why are you answering Trent’s phone?”
After she asked that, the phone went dead. Kendra grabbed her belongings and let her boss know that she was leaving.
“Miss LaSalle, before you leave, can you put the Atkins case on my desk?” her boss asked.
“Sure thing, Mrs. Monroe.”
Kendra grabbed the file and passed it to the receptionist. She was very eager to get out of the office. Once she got to her car, Kendra threw all her things in the back of her Nissan Altima and sped off. She had so many things running through her mind. She felt deceived and betrayed. Tears poured out of her eyes as she drove like a mad woman, checking all of Trent’s spots to see if she could find him. Her first stop was the Nickel since her office was close to downtown. She drove down Main Street. She was like a hawk, stalking her prey. She circled the block twice, but she did not see him. While still calling his cell, she decided to head to his next spot, but his voicemail kept coming on. Kendra was so determined to find Trent that she kept on calling, but to no avail. Kendra drove all around Los Angeles, looking for her man. After checking out all of his regular spots, she drove to the only other place she could think of- Trent’s parent’s house.
Just as she had suspected, Trent’s Escalade was parked in the driveway. Kendra pulled in, blocking the driveway. Kendra regained her composure as she took one deep breath before going to the door. As she walked toward the house, Mrs. Moore, Trent’s mother, was just heading out.
“Hey, Kendra sweetie. I haven’t seen you in a while,” Mrs. Moore said, hugging Kendra and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“It’s nice to see you, Mrs. Moore. I’ve just been so busy with work and getting ready for my graduation this summer that I haven’t had much free time,” Kendra replied.
“Good. Good. I always knew I liked you. You’re a go-getter,” Mrs. Moore said, hugging Kendra once more.
Mrs. Moore stepped aside to let Kendra into the house. Kendra walked in and greeted Trent’s sister.
“Hey, Treniyah. How are you, boo?” Kendra asked.
“I’m good, working and doing me, you know?” Treniyah said while doing a booty dance.
Both girls started to laugh.
“Girl, you know you’re crazy. Where’s your nappy headed brother at?” Kendra asked.
“He’s in the back. Daddy’s showing him his riffle collection again,” Treniyah replied. “You don’t have to go back there. They’re going to drive you crazy. That’s why Mama left,” Treniyah laughed again while going to the family room to watch a movie.
Kendra made her way down the long hallway to Mr. Moore’s office. Kendra tapped lightly on the door. Mr. Moore yelled, “It’s open!”
“Hi, Mr. Moore. How are you?” Kendra asked as she entered.
“Not too bad for an old fella like myself,” Mr. Moore said.
“Excuse me, Mr. Moore. Can I steal Trenton away for a moment?” Kendra asked.
“Of course. Be my guest,” Mr. Moore stepped out the office and closed the door behind him.
“What’s going on, shawty?” Trent asked.
“Would you knock that shawty shit out, Trent?” Kendra angrily spat.
“C’mon, baby. What’s with the attitude?” Trent asked, not understand where her anger was coming from.
“Let me make a couple of things clear to you. I don’t know what kind of bullshit-ass game you think you got going on-”
“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Watch your tone! What the fuck are you talking about?” Trent asked.
Kendra was trying her best not to slap Trent, but her patience was wearing thin. Somehow, she managed to ask, “Where’s your fucking phone?”
“Why you asking me for my phone, Ken?” Trent asked, getting angry.
“Look, Trent. If I call your phone one more time and a bitch answers, I’mma beat your ass and hers.”
“Ain’t no fuckin’ bitch answer my phone. I’ve been here with my mom and dad all day. It could’ve been my mom or my sister that answered it.”
“Trent, do you honestly think I’m Boo Boo the Fool? If you was with your mother or sister, why would they just hang up in my face? So, like I said before, let another bitch answer your phone and watch you get fucked up,” Kendra said calmly, controlling her anger.
“Who the fuck you think you’re threatening, Ken?” Trent asked. He was heated.
“It’s not a threat, Trent. It’s a muthafuckin’ promise, yah dig?” Kendra said, storming out the office.
Kendra’s heart was beating rapidly and tears were pouring out of her eyes.
Trent stepped out of his father’s office and said, “C’mon, Ken baby. It’s not that serious. You’re overreacting, ma.”
Kendra snatched herself away from Trent’s hold and stormed away from him, but he was right on her heels. They didn’t want to make a scene in his parents’ home. Mr. Moore asked if was everything alright once Kendra was outside.
“Yeah, Pops. She alright,” Trent said as he closed the door behind him.
Outside, Kendra slapped Trent’s face.
“Don’t bother bringing your ass home,” Kendra said furiously.
“Bitch, I’mma let that shit go ‘cuz you’re feeling yourself. You forget whose name’s on that house you’re sleeping in.”
Kendra slapped Trent once more.
“Nigga, who the fuck you calling a bitch? Like I said, don’t bring your ass home tonight. I pay bills up in that
