Chapter 4
Dionne sat beside Kia outside at the table. So far everything was going okay at this little "get together" they were having. She glanced around the table, noting the happy couples: Flex and Kia, Mia and Brian and seemingly Dom and Letty. Her heart fluttered, as she realized that Letty had no intentions on Dwayne, even though if she did there was nothing she could do about it anyways. She looked back down at her food. It had been so hard not to eat everything on the table. But she knew she'd pay for it later so all she'd had was some salad and a small piece of apple pie.
Leon tried to stop looking at Dee but couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was beautiful, and it didn't even seem like she knew it! Leaning back in his chair, he turned his head toward Jesse, whispering slightly.
"So, what do you think about that one??" Nudging his head in Dee's direction.
Jesse stopped eating momentarily to consider Leon's question. "She's pretty dope Leon, why you try talkin' to her or something??"
"Yah maybe, we'll see . . .." But Leon had already made up his mind.
Dom eyed Letty as she talked to Dwayne. Her face was glowing and he hadn't seen her laugh so hard in a long time. His arm was draped around her shoulders, while his hand ran up and down her arm. He hadn't held her like this in so long either. He sighed, so much had happened in such a short space of time. Vince died, Letty almost suffered the same fate, Brian came back, he cheated on Letty and they broke up, now they're back together. It all seemed to happen too fast. He glanced up as he heard someone call his name.
D.A. watched as Dom and Letty sat close together. Fuck! Why did all the good guys get taken?? She rolled her eyes at the two. This dinner was boring; she hadn't even been that hungry, and now she was restless. Lifting an eyebrow, she caught Jordan looking at her again. What was with him anyways?? Ever since . . . She shook her head, nah she didn't want to think about that. Turning her head back towards Dom, she sat up in her chair. Maybe she would stir up some excitement at this table.
"So... Dom who do you like Florida so far??"
Dom turned his head toward the voice that said his name. Oh yeah, this was Dwayne's cousin right? She couldn't be more than 16 maybe 17 at the most. "It's a'ight, people are different here than over in the west coast, a bit nicer here too."
D.A. nodded. "So um . . . did you leave any girlfriends back in L.A.??" Knowing the response she'd get from the table, she almost grinned.
Dionne groaned inwardly, she had specifically told D.A. to not be a smart- ass tonight. Looking over at Dom, she knew that this wouldn't go over well with him.
Letty lifted her eyebrow, clenching her jaw. This bitch was tryna act all disrespectful and shit, actin' like she couldn't see Dom with his arm around her! She sat up in the chair casually. "What you don't see me sitting right here??"
Dwayne's eyes turned cold again, reminding everyone at the table why they called him Ice. D.A. could be such a brat sometimes, he knew she didn't really mean anything and just liked to stir shit up but he also knew that Letty wasn't the average chick that D.A. screwed around with. Getting out of his chair slowly he grabbed his beer and faced the table. "Enough!" His quiet voice stained with finality.
Dionne took Ice's lead and stood up. " I think it's about time we went inside, I'll clear the plates." Biting her lip, she looked over at D.A., who had a smirk on her face; and then over at Letty, who looked ready to do some damage. Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! She knew she shouldn't have agreed to come.
Carla had been watching in silence. She usually wouldn't have been, except after she ate she always got sleepy. Lifting her arms she raised them to her Auntie Kia.
Kia lifted Carla in her arms. Looking down at the 5 year-old, Kia could tell she was sleepy. She turned to the person beside her. "Flex baby, you wanna take C.K. to bed for me, I wanna help Dee clear the dishes."
Flex took C.K. from her arms and casually handed her over to Dee. "Uh uh, the last time I tried to put her to bed I was up there for 2 hours. Let Dee do it, I'll help you clear the dishes."
"Yo, Dee we'll clear the table, can you take C.K. up to B-E-D??
Dee lifted Carla up and clasped her to her chest. "Yeah sure."
Everyone began to leave the table, leaving Kia and Flex to clear it.
D.A. passed Kia on her way inside, and felt her grab her arm. She turned towards Kia.
"Hey D.A., try not to make too much of a fool of yourself tonight ok. I don't think Dwayne's in the mood."
D.A. twisted her arm out of Kia's hand. "So what if he's in the mood, he can't do anything to me anyways."
Knowing D.A. was full of shit with her bravery act, Kia just nodded but gave her a warning look. "Just don't say I didn't tell you so."
D.A. rolled her eyes and continued on her way into the house.
Dom sat opposite Dwayne in the kitchen. He lifted his beer to his mouth and leaned back in the chair. "Who made the grub?? It was pretty good."
The corner of Dwayne's mouth lifted slightly. " Dionne made it, she'd a pretty good cook."
"So what, are you and her . . . . .?"
Dwayne shook his head. "Hell nah, she's the my baby's aunt, that's it."
Dom eyed Dwayne quietly. "So where's C.K.'s mom??"
Dwayne's eyes glazed over slightly with anger, before they turned remote and the familiar cold gaze was back in his eyes. "She's dead. She died when Carla was 2 months old. ." His voice held a quiet but noticeable conclusiveness.
Dom immediately wished he had gone with his first instinct and not asked. He was about to apologize, but Dwayne cut him off.
"So when did you and Ari . . . I mean Letty happen?"
Dom smiled at the use of the old nickname. He took another drink of his beer. "Well, actually it happened when she turned 16. She was helping me fix up some cars, like usual but I glanced up and I really really looked at her." Dom laughed as he remembered how shocked he'd been. "It was like she'd grown up right then. All of a sudden she'd gotten tits and an ass and I was like whoa!"
Dwayne laughed; he could actually picture Dom's face. "Yeah that does happen sometimes . . .!"
"Then she was my girl, just like that. We've been together ever since." He frowned as remembered recent events that could have changed all that.
Dwayne leaned back casually in his chair, draping his arm over the back. "You two must drive each other crazy. She still get crazy jealous??"
Dom laughed out loud. "Oh yeah, everyone in L.A. was scared of her, nobody fucked with us. You remember that time you started babysitting that Trina girl??
Dwayne smirked. Trina had been one of Mia's little play friends when she was five. "Oh yeah, that was crazy funny. I remember, Letty tried to beat her up; thought I was giving Trina too much attention and not enough to her."
"Shit! I knew she'd carry that attitude for the rest of her life."
Dom nodded in agreement, still grinning. "Yeah . . ." He turned his head toward the living room as he heard shouting, that sounded unmistakably like Letty. "Oh shit! What's that noise??" He locked knowing looks with Dwayne. It wasn't . . . Oh shit!
Dom jumped out of his chair slamming his beer on the table; followed closely by Dwayne.
"Can't leave D.A. alone for a second." Dwayne muttered under his breath.
Dionne sat on the edge of the bed while Carla lay under the sheets, her eyes fighting sleep. Dee rolled her eyes at Carla's usual effort to stay awake.
"C'mon Carla stop fighting your sleep . . ."
Carla yawned. She really was tired, maybe tonight she would go to bed without having Auntie Dee read 3 more stories. "Auntie Dee, can I ask you somefin'??"
Dee nodded as she rubbed Carla's back. "What's that?"
Carla's eyes drifted slowly closed. "Since my mommy's not coming back, can I call you mommy . . ." Her breath evened out as she fell asleep.
Dionne stopped the constant rubbing motion on Carla's back, shocked. Where did that come from?? She had no idea what to say. Looking over at Carla's face, she realized she was saved tonight as Carla lay sleeping. What was she going to tell Dwayne?
She turned her head towards the door as she heard yelling downstairs. What the hell was all that noise? Didn't they know Carla was trying to sleep??
D.A. sat on the chair behind Jordan and Letty, who were playing Playstation 2's Midnight Run. Kia and Flex had gone upstairs and Dionne was putting C.K. to bed. The other two guys were sitting talking while Mia and Brian were in the den. Looking at Letty, she guessed she wasn't that bad looking; maybe a little rough around the edges, but it gave her the "don't fuck with me" look. She watched as Letty and Jordan played together, laughing and covering each other's eyes so the other could cheat. Fuck! She didn't have to sit here and watch them flirt; Letty already had a man. Or did she??
"So I guess if you're planning to fuck Jordan then I can borrow Dom for the night!"
Letty's ears perked up. She sat still as rage boiled in her veins and traveled up to her head. Who the fuck did this little girl think she was? Pausing the game she used her hands to push herself off from the ground.
Moving to stand in front of D.A. she used her finger to emphasize what she was saying. "Listen you little bitch, you don't know who you're fucking around with so back off!"
Leon and Jesse stood up as they saw Letty getting into her fighting stance. Uh Oh!
D.A. could feel her adrenaline pumping. Dammit! If she knew she was going to fight tonight, she would have worn her black shirt instead of her white one. She hated getting blood on her clothes, it never came out.
"Why should I? I'm not afraid of you, you skank. I know girls like you, guys only keep you around 'cause you can give good head, while they go fucking other girls at the same time!"
Letty fumed at the reminder of Dom and other girls. That's It! Letty pulled her arm back and punched D.A. viciously in the face. "HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS BITCH?"
D.A.'s head snapped back with the force of the punch. Damn! Did the girl box or something?? She could feel her lip swell up immediately. The bitch had busted her lip!
D.A. screamed. "YOU STUPID HO!" She pushed Letty hard and then with all the power she had she gave her a right hook to the eye.
Letty was a bit surprised the girl could fight but that didn't stop her. She let out a loud roar and jumped on her, pounding her in the stomach. Letty felt a knee to her gut that knocked the wind out of her.
D.A. could feel a rib crack. Damn! That was gonna hurt later. She was about to grab Letty's hair, when she felt herself being pulled back by someone. She fought them off violently.
Mia and Brian were watching TV when the heard the commotion upstairs.
Mia looked at Brian. "Do you hear yelling??"
Brian nodded. "Sounds like Let, think maybe her and that D.A. chick are scrapping it out??"
Mia's eyes widened and then returned to normal. She got up from her seat on Brian's lap and began to walk toward the stairs. "It wouldn't be too unlikely. Let's go see!"
Brian sighed as he followed Mia upstairs.
Dwayne and Dom came running in form the kitchen followed by Mia and Brian from the den and Dionne stood at the bottom of the stairs.
Dom immediately went for Letty, grabbing her around the stomach. He tried to pull her away but her arms and feet were everywhere. Holding her stomach and kicked her off the ground.
"Letty calm down! "
Jordan grabbed D.A. under her arm, imprisoning her back against his chest. He held her tightly as she struggled.
"YOU STUPID BITCH, YOU'RE LUCKY HE PULLED ME OFF WHEN HE DID!"
Dwayne stepped in-between the two girls. "THAT'S IT! ENOUGH!"
D.A. had calmed down but was now struggling again at Letty's comment. She diverted her eyes from Letty over to her cousin. Oh shit! She was definitely gonna get it. She pointed towards Letty.
"She started it!"
Mia, Brian, Leon, Jesse and Dee all turned to look at Letty.
Dwayne turned to her and narrowed his eyes. "SHUT-UP!" His eyes telling her, he'd deal with her better later.
Jordan realizing how pissed Dwayne was, knew he'd better get D.A. away until he calmed down. "C'mon D.A. let's go . . ." He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, only feeling her struggle for a moment. He winced as he heard D.A.'s very very large vocabulary.
Dom had managed to calm Letty down to a small degree, she wasn't yelling anymore and he managed to put her on the ground. He exhaled thankfully as D.A. was carried away. Damn! He couldn't take Letty anywhere!
Letty moved out of Dom's grasp around her waist and folded her arms across her chest. "You need to teach your cousin some fucking manners Dwayne!" She could feel her eye stinging. She was gonna have a nice shiner tomorrow!!
Dwayne turned to Letty and copied her stance. "Don't play the innocent with me! I'm pretty sure you're the one that started the fight." He continued as Letty opened her mouth again. " But not without some provocation from my baby cousin."
Letty just rolled her eyes. "Whatever!" She turned to Dom. "Let's go, all of a sudden I'm kinda tired."
Dionne sat beside Kia outside at the table. So far everything was going okay at this little "get together" they were having. She glanced around the table, noting the happy couples: Flex and Kia, Mia and Brian and seemingly Dom and Letty. Her heart fluttered, as she realized that Letty had no intentions on Dwayne, even though if she did there was nothing she could do about it anyways. She looked back down at her food. It had been so hard not to eat everything on the table. But she knew she'd pay for it later so all she'd had was some salad and a small piece of apple pie.
Leon tried to stop looking at Dee but couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was beautiful, and it didn't even seem like she knew it! Leaning back in his chair, he turned his head toward Jesse, whispering slightly.
"So, what do you think about that one??" Nudging his head in Dee's direction.
Jesse stopped eating momentarily to consider Leon's question. "She's pretty dope Leon, why you try talkin' to her or something??"
"Yah maybe, we'll see . . .." But Leon had already made up his mind.
Dom eyed Letty as she talked to Dwayne. Her face was glowing and he hadn't seen her laugh so hard in a long time. His arm was draped around her shoulders, while his hand ran up and down her arm. He hadn't held her like this in so long either. He sighed, so much had happened in such a short space of time. Vince died, Letty almost suffered the same fate, Brian came back, he cheated on Letty and they broke up, now they're back together. It all seemed to happen too fast. He glanced up as he heard someone call his name.
D.A. watched as Dom and Letty sat close together. Fuck! Why did all the good guys get taken?? She rolled her eyes at the two. This dinner was boring; she hadn't even been that hungry, and now she was restless. Lifting an eyebrow, she caught Jordan looking at her again. What was with him anyways?? Ever since . . . She shook her head, nah she didn't want to think about that. Turning her head back towards Dom, she sat up in her chair. Maybe she would stir up some excitement at this table.
"So... Dom who do you like Florida so far??"
Dom turned his head toward the voice that said his name. Oh yeah, this was Dwayne's cousin right? She couldn't be more than 16 maybe 17 at the most. "It's a'ight, people are different here than over in the west coast, a bit nicer here too."
D.A. nodded. "So um . . . did you leave any girlfriends back in L.A.??" Knowing the response she'd get from the table, she almost grinned.
Dionne groaned inwardly, she had specifically told D.A. to not be a smart- ass tonight. Looking over at Dom, she knew that this wouldn't go over well with him.
Letty lifted her eyebrow, clenching her jaw. This bitch was tryna act all disrespectful and shit, actin' like she couldn't see Dom with his arm around her! She sat up in the chair casually. "What you don't see me sitting right here??"
Dwayne's eyes turned cold again, reminding everyone at the table why they called him Ice. D.A. could be such a brat sometimes, he knew she didn't really mean anything and just liked to stir shit up but he also knew that Letty wasn't the average chick that D.A. screwed around with. Getting out of his chair slowly he grabbed his beer and faced the table. "Enough!" His quiet voice stained with finality.
Dionne took Ice's lead and stood up. " I think it's about time we went inside, I'll clear the plates." Biting her lip, she looked over at D.A., who had a smirk on her face; and then over at Letty, who looked ready to do some damage. Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! She knew she shouldn't have agreed to come.
Carla had been watching in silence. She usually wouldn't have been, except after she ate she always got sleepy. Lifting her arms she raised them to her Auntie Kia.
Kia lifted Carla in her arms. Looking down at the 5 year-old, Kia could tell she was sleepy. She turned to the person beside her. "Flex baby, you wanna take C.K. to bed for me, I wanna help Dee clear the dishes."
Flex took C.K. from her arms and casually handed her over to Dee. "Uh uh, the last time I tried to put her to bed I was up there for 2 hours. Let Dee do it, I'll help you clear the dishes."
"Yo, Dee we'll clear the table, can you take C.K. up to B-E-D??
Dee lifted Carla up and clasped her to her chest. "Yeah sure."
Everyone began to leave the table, leaving Kia and Flex to clear it.
D.A. passed Kia on her way inside, and felt her grab her arm. She turned towards Kia.
"Hey D.A., try not to make too much of a fool of yourself tonight ok. I don't think Dwayne's in the mood."
D.A. twisted her arm out of Kia's hand. "So what if he's in the mood, he can't do anything to me anyways."
Knowing D.A. was full of shit with her bravery act, Kia just nodded but gave her a warning look. "Just don't say I didn't tell you so."
D.A. rolled her eyes and continued on her way into the house.
Dom sat opposite Dwayne in the kitchen. He lifted his beer to his mouth and leaned back in the chair. "Who made the grub?? It was pretty good."
The corner of Dwayne's mouth lifted slightly. " Dionne made it, she'd a pretty good cook."
"So what, are you and her . . . . .?"
Dwayne shook his head. "Hell nah, she's the my baby's aunt, that's it."
Dom eyed Dwayne quietly. "So where's C.K.'s mom??"
Dwayne's eyes glazed over slightly with anger, before they turned remote and the familiar cold gaze was back in his eyes. "She's dead. She died when Carla was 2 months old. ." His voice held a quiet but noticeable conclusiveness.
Dom immediately wished he had gone with his first instinct and not asked. He was about to apologize, but Dwayne cut him off.
"So when did you and Ari . . . I mean Letty happen?"
Dom smiled at the use of the old nickname. He took another drink of his beer. "Well, actually it happened when she turned 16. She was helping me fix up some cars, like usual but I glanced up and I really really looked at her." Dom laughed as he remembered how shocked he'd been. "It was like she'd grown up right then. All of a sudden she'd gotten tits and an ass and I was like whoa!"
Dwayne laughed; he could actually picture Dom's face. "Yeah that does happen sometimes . . .!"
"Then she was my girl, just like that. We've been together ever since." He frowned as remembered recent events that could have changed all that.
Dwayne leaned back casually in his chair, draping his arm over the back. "You two must drive each other crazy. She still get crazy jealous??"
Dom laughed out loud. "Oh yeah, everyone in L.A. was scared of her, nobody fucked with us. You remember that time you started babysitting that Trina girl??
Dwayne smirked. Trina had been one of Mia's little play friends when she was five. "Oh yeah, that was crazy funny. I remember, Letty tried to beat her up; thought I was giving Trina too much attention and not enough to her."
"Shit! I knew she'd carry that attitude for the rest of her life."
Dom nodded in agreement, still grinning. "Yeah . . ." He turned his head toward the living room as he heard shouting, that sounded unmistakably like Letty. "Oh shit! What's that noise??" He locked knowing looks with Dwayne. It wasn't . . . Oh shit!
Dom jumped out of his chair slamming his beer on the table; followed closely by Dwayne.
"Can't leave D.A. alone for a second." Dwayne muttered under his breath.
Dionne sat on the edge of the bed while Carla lay under the sheets, her eyes fighting sleep. Dee rolled her eyes at Carla's usual effort to stay awake.
"C'mon Carla stop fighting your sleep . . ."
Carla yawned. She really was tired, maybe tonight she would go to bed without having Auntie Dee read 3 more stories. "Auntie Dee, can I ask you somefin'??"
Dee nodded as she rubbed Carla's back. "What's that?"
Carla's eyes drifted slowly closed. "Since my mommy's not coming back, can I call you mommy . . ." Her breath evened out as she fell asleep.
Dionne stopped the constant rubbing motion on Carla's back, shocked. Where did that come from?? She had no idea what to say. Looking over at Carla's face, she realized she was saved tonight as Carla lay sleeping. What was she going to tell Dwayne?
She turned her head towards the door as she heard yelling downstairs. What the hell was all that noise? Didn't they know Carla was trying to sleep??
D.A. sat on the chair behind Jordan and Letty, who were playing Playstation 2's Midnight Run. Kia and Flex had gone upstairs and Dionne was putting C.K. to bed. The other two guys were sitting talking while Mia and Brian were in the den. Looking at Letty, she guessed she wasn't that bad looking; maybe a little rough around the edges, but it gave her the "don't fuck with me" look. She watched as Letty and Jordan played together, laughing and covering each other's eyes so the other could cheat. Fuck! She didn't have to sit here and watch them flirt; Letty already had a man. Or did she??
"So I guess if you're planning to fuck Jordan then I can borrow Dom for the night!"
Letty's ears perked up. She sat still as rage boiled in her veins and traveled up to her head. Who the fuck did this little girl think she was? Pausing the game she used her hands to push herself off from the ground.
Moving to stand in front of D.A. she used her finger to emphasize what she was saying. "Listen you little bitch, you don't know who you're fucking around with so back off!"
Leon and Jesse stood up as they saw Letty getting into her fighting stance. Uh Oh!
D.A. could feel her adrenaline pumping. Dammit! If she knew she was going to fight tonight, she would have worn her black shirt instead of her white one. She hated getting blood on her clothes, it never came out.
"Why should I? I'm not afraid of you, you skank. I know girls like you, guys only keep you around 'cause you can give good head, while they go fucking other girls at the same time!"
Letty fumed at the reminder of Dom and other girls. That's It! Letty pulled her arm back and punched D.A. viciously in the face. "HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS BITCH?"
D.A.'s head snapped back with the force of the punch. Damn! Did the girl box or something?? She could feel her lip swell up immediately. The bitch had busted her lip!
D.A. screamed. "YOU STUPID HO!" She pushed Letty hard and then with all the power she had she gave her a right hook to the eye.
Letty was a bit surprised the girl could fight but that didn't stop her. She let out a loud roar and jumped on her, pounding her in the stomach. Letty felt a knee to her gut that knocked the wind out of her.
D.A. could feel a rib crack. Damn! That was gonna hurt later. She was about to grab Letty's hair, when she felt herself being pulled back by someone. She fought them off violently.
Mia and Brian were watching TV when the heard the commotion upstairs.
Mia looked at Brian. "Do you hear yelling??"
Brian nodded. "Sounds like Let, think maybe her and that D.A. chick are scrapping it out??"
Mia's eyes widened and then returned to normal. She got up from her seat on Brian's lap and began to walk toward the stairs. "It wouldn't be too unlikely. Let's go see!"
Brian sighed as he followed Mia upstairs.
Dwayne and Dom came running in form the kitchen followed by Mia and Brian from the den and Dionne stood at the bottom of the stairs.
Dom immediately went for Letty, grabbing her around the stomach. He tried to pull her away but her arms and feet were everywhere. Holding her stomach and kicked her off the ground.
"Letty calm down! "
Jordan grabbed D.A. under her arm, imprisoning her back against his chest. He held her tightly as she struggled.
"YOU STUPID BITCH, YOU'RE LUCKY HE PULLED ME OFF WHEN HE DID!"
Dwayne stepped in-between the two girls. "THAT'S IT! ENOUGH!"
D.A. had calmed down but was now struggling again at Letty's comment. She diverted her eyes from Letty over to her cousin. Oh shit! She was definitely gonna get it. She pointed towards Letty.
"She started it!"
Mia, Brian, Leon, Jesse and Dee all turned to look at Letty.
Dwayne turned to her and narrowed his eyes. "SHUT-UP!" His eyes telling her, he'd deal with her better later.
Jordan realizing how pissed Dwayne was, knew he'd better get D.A. away until he calmed down. "C'mon D.A. let's go . . ." He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, only feeling her struggle for a moment. He winced as he heard D.A.'s very very large vocabulary.
Dom had managed to calm Letty down to a small degree, she wasn't yelling anymore and he managed to put her on the ground. He exhaled thankfully as D.A. was carried away. Damn! He couldn't take Letty anywhere!
Letty moved out of Dom's grasp around her waist and folded her arms across her chest. "You need to teach your cousin some fucking manners Dwayne!" She could feel her eye stinging. She was gonna have a nice shiner tomorrow!!
Dwayne turned to Letty and copied her stance. "Don't play the innocent with me! I'm pretty sure you're the one that started the fight." He continued as Letty opened her mouth again. " But not without some provocation from my baby cousin."
Letty just rolled her eyes. "Whatever!" She turned to Dom. "Let's go, all of a sudden I'm kinda tired."