Life After A Balla

Vodka inside an old McDonald’s cup. Not only did Zoe violate her in the worst way ever, she also realized he robbed her as well. To add insult to injury, he even took it a step further by continuously calling her cell phone and saying he was coming back for more. Terrified, and knowing that he wasn’t joking, Asia quickly packed up and fled the hotel with her son in tow and rode around for hours bleeding, bruised and distraught.

Thinking back on the ordeal she poured herself another drink as a tear ran down her face. “How did my life get to this point?” she asked herself.

After deceiving so many people, Asia didn’t have anybody to call in her time of need. The only person that she could think of was Divine, but after calling him several times hoping he could loan her some money, he never answered or returned her calls.

Desperate and broke she ended up at a pawn shop getting money for several pieces of her jewelry. She then had to budget the little bit of money they gave her on pampers, food and another hotel room. She’d called Sandino’s lawyer at least five or six times to see if he’d taken the paternity test, but was forced to leave messages for the unavailable attorney each time. So far, no one had returned Asia’s call and her money was running out.

Asia’s mind suddenly drifted to her mother. She missed her so much, when she was murdered ten years ago, part of Asia died with her. After her father walked out on them when she was nine years old and they eventually lost their house and were living in the car, her mother vowed that once she got back on her feet she would never trust another man again. She said she would use any and every man that came in her path and she did just that.

Asia actually remembered the first time she saw her mother stealing money out of one of her boyfriend’s pockets. She made Asia stand as look out while she took his money and bank card. Her mother had tons of different men going in and out of her life, and if he she met one who wasn’t paid she wouldn’t give them the time of day.

They finally hit the jackpot when Asia’s mother met Rodney, one the biggest drug dealers in Texas. He fell madly in love with her and soon they were living in his 13,000 square foot home in the expensive River Oak subdivision. Life was good and Rodney spoiled them beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Asia thought her mother had finally softened up about her perception of men. That was until Rodney was busted by the Feds and got sentenced to twenty years. A week after his sentencing her mother moved on and started sleeping with his friend who had even more money. Her lack of commitment was beyond foul. She taught Asia everything she knew about manipulating men and Asia had been following in her mother’s footsteps ever since. However, Asia felt like since she’d gotten pregnant and had the baby she wasn’t on her game.

“I can turn this shit around if everybody would just stop plotting against me,” she said to herself.

Asia had somehow convinced herself that she was entitled to the same thing Skye received and was determined that Sandino was going to pay her at least three or more thousand a month for child support.

She poured herself another cup of vodka and tossed it back. Since the rape, it felt like she was possibly becoming an alcoholic, but drinking kept her in a state of relaxation with all that she’d been though and with the baby constantly crying. At that moment Asia had to wonder if her son’s cranky moods were caused as a result of her tainted breast milk.

Deciding to call Sandino’s lawyer again, Asia grabbed her cell phone off the table and dialed the number. Prepared to leave another message, she was surprised when she finally heard a live person answer.

“Toni Vaughn’s office, how may I assist you?” a new voice answered.

Asia put on her professional voice. “Yes, is Ms. Vaughn available?”

“May I ask who’s calling?” the woman asked.

“This is Mrs…Washington. Mrs. Skye Washington,” Asia lied.

“Oh hello, Mrs. Washington. I was just about to call you. We realized you accidently missed initialing one of the pages on your husband’s paper work.”

Asia paused realizing that this lady must’ve been new and really had her mixed up with Skye so she played along.

“What paperwork are you talking about?”

“The Power of Attorney paperwork, you know… making you in charge of your husband’s money and estate. Ms Vaughn really needs you to come in A.S.A.P. Since you already have access to all his accounts, we just need you to initial that one final page so we can file the paperwork away correctly.”

Asia’s couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her temper boiled. Here she was struggling while Skye was getting the royal treatment.

“Okay,” was all Asia could say.

“I know you’re glad all the renovations to the house are finished,” the woman continued.

“Yes, I am,” Asia responded.

“I hope you and your family are finally getting settled back in Miami. That cute little girl of yours is so adorable. If you ever need a babysitter just let me know,” the chatter box went on to say.

Asia couldn’t believe how unprofessional the woman was, but was glad she provided her with that bit of information.

“I will defiantly keep that in mind. Is Ms. Vaughn in?” Asia asked.

“No, she’s in court and won’t be in until later.”

“Okay, I’ll stop by to see her tomorrow.”

“Bring my baby with you,” the woman responded.

Asia ended the call thinking, I’ll have a baby alright, but it won’t be Payton. She slammed her phone down on the table beside the lounge chair. After sitting there pissed for a few seconds, Asia started talking to herself.

“This is some bullshit. Here I am broke, eating fucking fast food everyday so Sandino’s son can have pampers and Skye is obviously set for life! What the fuck is taking so long with me getting my damn money?”

Furious, she started pacing the floor and mumbling under her breath. The revelation was a devastating blow as she punched the cheap mirror that was hanging on the wall in frustration. Blood splattered everywhere as several pieces of glass pierced her skin.

“Shiitttt!” she yelled out loud.

Disappointed and pissed, Asia looked at the reporter’s card sitting on her nightstand as she turned around to make her way to the bathroom. She smiled as she grabbed a towel off the rack and wrapped her hand.

She walked out the bathroom, retrieved her phone off the table and picked up the reporter’s card. After looking at it for a few seconds, Asia dialed the number on the card. When the call went to voicemail she left a message.

“Hello, my name is Asia Jones, and I think I have some photographs you might be interested in publishing. Please call me back when you get this,” Asia said, providing her phone number and ending the call.

“It’s time to turn this shit up another notch.”

****

Kareem was slightly irritated as he rode in a cab listening to the African driver talk loudly on his cell phone in his foreign language. Trying to drown out the noise, he reached into his backpack, grabbed his OVO headphones and started listening to Drake’s new album Take Care. He was headed back to Le Le’s after storming out earlier that morning from another one of their huge arguments. Kareem just couldn’t seem to do anything right lately and he was beginning to wonder if moving in with her was such a good idea. He felt bad about yelling at her, but Le Le was starting to get on his nerves by asking so many questions about why his mother left and where she’d gone. It was hard enough for him to deal with his family leaving yet alone getting the third degree about it. He was very close to his family and even though he and his mother didn’t get along at times, she was his rock and truth be told he was lost without her.

They shared a very emotional conversation before she left about his feelings towards his father. She’d even held him tight as they both cried together. He felt a burden had been lifted and both of them telling each other their true feelings was the best therapy he could’ve ever had. It was a major breakthrough, and truth be told Kareem missed his family desperately. He couldn’t wait to see them again. But until he could go to Miami and pay them a visit, Le Le was his family. Kareem knew he’d put up a shield and needed to open up more, so he was on his way to apologize for being so cold towards her.