Jackie D. - Life After A Balla

“No Ma, I just need to talk to him about something man to man. Since I don’t have a father in my life Cruze is the closest thing to that right now.”

“Yeah, alright. This still sounds a little fishy to me but I’ll text you his number. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Kareem said before ending the call. He tried his best to keep his voice from trembling.

While holding the gun on Kareem, Dre’s mind drifted. I wonder if the same person who killed Justice had something to do with Mercedes murder, too. It’s just ironic that they died around the same time , he thought.

When Kareem noticed Dre’s blank expression, he decided to it was time to make his move. He dove over and rustled for the gun. When the gun suddenly went off, Felicia ran back into the bathroom.

“Oh my God!” she screamed.

Skye stood beside the table holding Payton’s hand as she was examined by the chiropractor. Payton whimpered, clenching Skye as the doctor held her tiny little leg up in the air feeling around the bones.

“Its okay baby girl, he just wants to look at your leg to make sure it’s all better,” Skye said, trying to reassure her daughter. She could see in Payton’s eyes that she was terrified and about to start screaming at any minute.

“I’m almost finished, Payton. You’re being such a big girl,” the doctor said in his thick Indian accent.

When Skye was able to get Payton to calm down, a few seconds later the exam was over. The doctor sat Payton up on the table, removed his rubber gloves, grabbed her file and wrote down some notes.

“Give this to the young lady at the desk on your way out. I need to see Payton back next week,” he said, passing Skye a billing invoice. “Payton’s first round of Physical therapy went well today. She’s healing a lot faster than expected. This is remarkable progress being that she just got her cast removed two days ago. I hope she isn’t afraid of water because her second round of therapy will be Aquatic. This type of therapy will reduce the stress placed on her joints while walking on her leg again. Also, this aspect of aquatic therapy is especially useful for healing fractured bones and increasing flexibility and strength back in her leg.”

“Payton loves the water. She’s been swimming since she was a baby. My kids had a personal swimming instructor for years,” Skye informed him.

“That’s great. Did they attend some type of program at the Miami city pool?” he questioned.

Skye immediately frowned and gave him the look of death. “City Pool? My kids have never been in a city swimming pool. I have a customized swimming pool at my Palm Island Estate. Thank you very much,” Skye said, putting on Payton’s shoes. She was pissed that the doctor had insulted her like she was some project chick.

“I didn’t mean to offend you, Mrs. Washington. I just assumed that…”

Skye cut him off, “You just assumed that my kids were some o’ poor black kids, huh? Well, sorry to disappoint you, but that’s far from the case. And by the way I asked you once before not to call me Mrs. Washington,” she said, picking up Payton and walking out of the room.

Skye was fuming as she approached the check out desk and handed Payton’s form to the pale skinny receptionist.

“Okay, Mrs. Washington, I see that the Dr. Chopra would like me to schedule Payton’s weekly physical therapy appointments for the remainder of the month. But I don’t see where we have your insurance information on file.”

“I can see none of you listen around here. You can call me Skye and no you aren’t gonna be able to find it because the insurance I applied for is still in underwriting.”

The receptionist looked up at Skye and turned up her nose then looked back at the computer screen.

“Well, today’s visit has to be paid before I can set up anymore appointments.”

“Not a problem. I’m going to pay with cash.”

“Today’s visit was $700.00,” the receptionist informed. It was almost as if she expected Skye not to have the money.

Skye threw her brand new Balenciaga purse on the counter, reached inside and pulled out a stack of money. She peeled off some of the bills.

“Here’s $4000.00. That should cover her bill for today and the next couple therapy sessions. Now schedule her appointments so I can get out of here and go shopping please,” Skye said.

The receptionist looked at Skye once more before counting the money and passing her a receipt. It felt good to be able to pay her daughter’s bill this time.

“What time do you prefer, morning or afternoon appointments, Mrs…I mean Skye?” Her entire attitude had changed.

“Mornings, please. I usually like to schedule my spa appointments in the afternoon,” Skye said, rubbing her new found status in the woman’s face.

The receptionist continued to look in the computer before printing off Payton’s monthly schedule and handed it to Skye. “Thanks, we’ll see you next week.”

Skye gave her a fake smile and headed out the door. However, before they could leave the building she was surprised to see Cruze walking toward them.

“What are you doing here?” Skye asked.

Payton instantly lit up when she saw Cruze. She smiled and reached out for him.

He grabbed her from Skye’s arms. “Hey, pretty girl, I missed you,” he said, kissing Payton on the cheek. He looked at Skye. “I’ve missed you, too,” Cruze uttered with a sad appearance.

Skye rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. “How did you know where I was… are you stalking me?”

Cruze chuckled, “No, Jordan told me where you were. I was hoping to take you to lunch so we could talk.”

I’m going to kill Jordan , she thought. “Hey, I just thought about something. Have you talked to Kareem? He called me about an hour ago and asked for your number.”

“No, not at all. What did he wanna talk about?”

“I don’t know, he wouldn’t say.” Skye rubbed the back of her neck where a brick of tension had suddenly formed.

“I’m not hungry and there’s nothing to talk about.”

As Cruze stared at her, their eyes locked. Skye could see the regret and knew that another apology was approaching.

“I’m sorry that I hurt you, Skye. You have no idea the pain I’ve felt over these past few weeks.”

“Yeah, well you should’ve thought about that before you chose to lie,” Skye countered.

“So, can you at least go to lunch with me? Haven’t you been avoiding me long enough?”

Skye took a deep breath. “Look…I gotta go,” she said, grabbing Payton and walking out of the door. She ignored Payton’s cries as she continued to hold her arms out for him.

Cruze walked behind her checking out her new clothes, new designer purse and the diamonds blinging everywhere as they approached the lobby. When they walked outside and he saw Skye stroll over to her brand new Bentley, jealously quickly consumed him.

Who am I kidding, I’ll never be ever to compete with Sandino’s money , he thought.

“Damn, you rolling like that now,” he said, admiring the subtle twenty inch rims.

“Can you believe that bitch Asia slashed all four of my fucking tires the other day? She even pissed on it. Look.” Skye pointed to a small dent on the hood. “That’s from her standing on it. Now, I gotta get my shit fixed.”

Cruze seemed shocked. “Pissed on it? Get the fuck outta here. How do you know it was her?”

“Because Sandino’s nurse saw her from the window. By the time I knew what was going on, that bitch had left. He didn’t know who the woman was, but who else would be crazy enough to do some shit like that? Asia better hope I don’t run into her ass on the street.”