Me & My Boyfriend (6 page)

“Hold up ya'll, don't go over there.” He said sincerely.

“Why not?” Asked Gwen, still shaking.

“I'm sorry but.”

“But what?” Meesa demanded to know.

“Tamara got hit and she's dead.” Pushing past him, Meesa saw Tamara lying in a pool of blood.

“No!” She screamed. Grabbing her, trying his best to console her, Black shed a tear. Gwen and Nikki stood holding each other crying hysterically. Picking up Tamara's hand and holding it, Meesa asked God to take care of her, hoping and praying that she would one day see her friend again. Blood was all over Meesa's dress and hands, but she didn't care, she was in a different place. Rick lay in the chair next to Tamara. More tears came in puddles to Meesa's eyes.

Whispering in her ear, “I got to go, the po po will be here soon.” Black kissed her cheek and disappeared through the crowd.

Meesa, Gwen, and Nikki stayed and gave their statement to the police. Each knowing not to include the fact they knew Black and his friends were some of the shooters in the shoot out. They watched while the paramedics put Rick and Tamara in body bags, and onto the stretcher, then they were off to the morgue.

They rode home in silence wondering who would tell Tamara's parents. Gwen said she would, knowing that the other girls weren't strong enough to handle it.

Back in the safety of her apartment, Meesa cried and cried asking God why. Hearing a noise outside in her hallway, Meesa became scared. Then she heard loud footsteps coming faster and faster. She thought she had been followed and that whoever killed Tamara was after her. So she raced to the kitchen and got a butcher knife, armed and ready to strike. Grabbing his keys, Black unlocked the door. Walking into the pitch black apartment memories came flooding back.

“Meesa, are you here?” He called out. Switching on the hall light she sighed a sense of relief. Black saw the knife in her hand and saw that she was frightened. Realizing Black still had keys to her house, Meesa sighed with relief.

“Baby give me the knife.” He asked, slowly approaching her. “Everything is going to be okay.”

Trembling she stood frozen stiff. Black placed his hand on hers and pried the knife from her hands. Throwing the knife across the room, he then turned and hugged Meesa with all of his might. Thinking all the way over to her apartment, what if it had been her.

Knowing he would gladly die right beside her if anything like that was to ever happen, Meesa cried the whole night. Black held her all night, not saying a word. His presence let his feelings be known.

Visualizing Daryl's face made Black sick. He knew a war was about to begin, and that nigga Daryl was his target.

By morning, Meesa had finally cried herself to sleep. Black had dozed off too. The startling sound of the alarm clock woke them both up. Knocking the alarm clock on the floor and breaking it, Meesa laid back down. The thoughts of the night before came back, haunting her again.

Tears streamed down her face. Her dog was dead. No more of the sweet, beautiful, thoughtful Tamara. Black lay remembering Rick, one of his true blue friends. The only nigga he totally trusted. His death had to be avenged, and would be, if that was
the last thing he did. Black turned and faced Meesa, looking at her beautiful face looking so sad. He hadn't seen her look this hurt since the day they had broken up. He hated she was in pain yet again, on the strength of him.

“Baby, I don't know what to say.”

Meesa looked right into Black eyes and said, “I know you don't Black, because I don't even know myself. Both of our friends are dead.”

The only thing he could say was, “I love you.”

Unsure of what to think she replied, “I love you too, Black. But Black, do you really love me?”

Thinking about how he felt when he thought she could have been hurt made him even surer. “I really do love you Meesa. If anything would have happened to you last night, I would've killed myself just to be with you.” He answered honestly. And Meesa knew that he was telling the truth. He did love her and he would die for her.

Black and Meesa got through both funerals feeling like they both needed a change.
They stood by each other's side, this time taking care of each other. Both decided they wanted a fresh start with each other.

Black moved her out of her apartment and sold his house, not wanting anyone to know where they stayed. They found themselves a three story $300,000 house in Ladue, Missouri. Black intended to pay for it himself but, once again, Meesa shocked him. The day of the closing on the house, Meesa presented Black with a check for $50,000. Dumbfounded, Black laughed with amazement.

“Where did you get this kind of dough Shorty?”

“I have my own dough Black. I want to help you on the payment for the house, I don't have to, but I want to.”

“Thank you Shorty, but I can't take your money. Your moms left you this. It's yours, keep it”.

“Look, I'm not taking no for an answer, take it.” Smiling, Black hugged her. Black still paid for the house with his on money, taking the dough Meesa gave him and putting it into a safety deposit box he had stashed.

Meesa decorated the house with all of her mothers' furniture, crystal vases, and knick-knacks, like she promised herself after her mother passed, adding only new things where needed. Their house was beautiful inside and out. It had four bedrooms,
two living rooms, three bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, a furnished basement, a two-story deck, and pool.

Black conducted most of his business in the extra room they had in the basement. Meesa turned one of the bedrooms into a computer room so that she could study and design.

The master bedroom was so big that it could be two rooms. Meesa decorated it in Black's favorite color, red. One of the living rooms had all black leather furniture, that being Black's room. The other room had Meesa's mother's furniture in it. Flowers lined their walkway that led to two big wooden double doors.

Meesa loved her new home and the man she shared it with. Her life was coming full circle she thought. For once she was truly happy. Black was finally happy too. He gave Meesa any and everything she wanted.

Black was no longer in the drug game. He had finally saved up enough money to go legit. He would never have to want for a damn thing. Meesa was so happy she had her man at home with her. But in the back of her mind, she knew that the peace they both shared would only last so long.

Black was biding his time but he was still out for Daryl's blood. After Tamara's funeral, and him not seeing Destiny there, made him know that it was Daryl. Meesa couldn't understand why, after all the shit that she and Destiny, and the girls had been through, Destiny still didn't even attend Tamara's funeral. Something wasn't right and Meesa knew it.

Not wanting to know the truth, but knowing she should, she asked Black who was behind killing Tamara and Rick. Black didn't want to involve her, but feeling that she should know, he told her. Meesa sat stoned faced staring at the wall. Everything was suddenly becoming clearer, Daryl was trying to kill Black for punking him at the club.

But somehow he missed Black and killed Tamara. Now the
only question was did Destiny know what he was up to that fateful night.

December 24th, 2002 and winter was showing itself. Snow was falling heavily from the sky and Meesa sat in front of her big window and gazed. Black was out doing some last minute Christmas shopping for his extended family. Meesa only liked looking at snow, and decided to stay home. And besides, she wasn't feeling all that well. All that week, Meesa had felt queasy and nauseated. But only thinking that she was coming with a cold, she ignored it. Eyeing Black's black Mercedes Benz truck cruising down the street, Meesa leapt off of the couch to great him.

Opening their double doors, Black's hand was filled with bags.

“Baby you need some help?”

“No, you stay in the house, you're sick.” Black demanded.

Making two trips back and forth from the house to the truck, Black finally finished. He had really out done himself this time Meesa thought. Opening a bag to find out the contents, Black slapped her hand.

“Ouch that hurt, kiss it.”

“Come here, Shorty.” Meesa leapt into his arms loving him more than ever. Kissing her hand playing along with her game, Black smiled. He never felt so complete in his life. Meesa completed him and he did the same for her.

“Baby, what all did you buy? Did you hit up every store or what? There has to be over ten bags here.” Meesa asked.

“Yeah I did, you know I had to buy your ass a million things. And I bought things for my grandma, aunts, uncle, and cousins.” Black answered. They had been in their house for over two months and only the girls had been allowed to their house.

After the incident at Sprull's, Black was overly cautious.
Persuading Black to let her have a Christmas party took every trick in the book, but he finally let up. But she could only invite her immediate friends being Nikki, Gwen, and Kelly.

Meesa didn't have much family and the little she did have stayed out of town. It had only been her and her mother until she met Destiny and the girls. They became her family, they were like the sisters she never had.

Black invited his immediate family and friends as well, happy that he could finally repay his grandmother for all the things she did for him. He also had planned a surprise for Meesa. Not only were they having a Christmas party, it was also an engagement party. After losing Rick, Black needed Meesa in his life desperately.

So he planned to propose. He knew that Meesa was down for him and would never leave him, but he wanted to make sure. No one had ever been able to get inside his heart like Meesa. All the things he disliked at first about her, like the cooking, cleaning, and always wanting to be up under him, taking care of him, and playing house were things that he now cherished about her. No other hoe could fuck with Meesa in his eyes. She was drop dead gorgeous, smart, classy, thoughtful, caring, and attentive. She took care of him, herself, and their home. He always wanted to protect her and make sure that she was safe and happy.

No one or nothing could tear them apart, or so they thought.

That night Black lay snoring next to Meesa, as usual, but Meesa couldn't sleep. Her symptoms were getting worse and she felt throw up rising in her throat. Quickly running to their bathroom she threw up.

Twice that Christmas Eve night, she had heaved up food that she devoured over the course of the day. Looking at the calendar hanging on the wall, she saw that her period was late.

Always keeping a pregnancy test around in case she ever needed one, she drank a glass of water. Seated on the toilet she waited for pee to come. Fifteen minutes later, Meesa peed on the
stick. A minute later, a plus sign appeared. Tears of joy filled her. She was having Black's baby.

Thinking back to when she could have gotten pregnant, Meesa realized she was two months pregnant. When they first moved in their home, Meesa and Black made sure to christen every room in the house. One of those times led to a baby she thought. How would he react to the news was the other question. She knew Black loved her, but would he be happy that she was having his baby. Afraid to tell him she planned on waiting until the perfect time to drop the news. Climbing back into bed, Meesa kissed Black on his cheek and snuggled up close to him, all the while smiling. Meesa rubbed her stomach thinking of the baby to be.

December 25th, 2002 1:00 p.m., and the house was full. Meesa never realized how much family Black had. His grandmother, five uncles with their girlfriends and wives, two aunts, one with her husband, and cousins were all in attendance. She prayed to God she had enough food to feed them all. Hearing the doorbell ring, Meesa yelled for someone to answer it.

Black broke himself away from his Xbox game to answer the door. There standing was Meesa's friends Gwen, Nikki, Kelly, and Kelly's son, Jaden Jr. Black hugged and greeted them all. Feeling that Meesa's friends were now his friends, he scooped Jaden Jr. up and walked back into his living room to continue his game. Ten minutes later, Black's friends Perry, Kat, AJ, and Devon arrived. Meesa loved Black's friends. They all treated her like their little sister.

Black's grandmother, Rose, helped Meesa prepare dinner. Never really getting to know her own grandmother, Meesa was immediately drawn to her. Gwen, Nikki, and Kelly snuck behind Meesa and hugged her. Turning, she hugged them back and almost cried remembering Tamara's face was missing. But she knew that Tamara and Rick were there in spirit. Meesa also prayed the night before that Destiny had a happy and blessed Christmas day.

The girls asked Meesa did she need any help in the kitchen. Meesa said, “No, me and Black's grandmother, Rose, got everything.”

Returning to her cooking duties, Gwen and the girls mingled with Black's friends and family. Looking through the hall into the two adjoining living rooms Meesa cried, so overjoyed that she had her family and friends surrounding her, especially Black and the baby on the way, made her life complete.

The emotional roller coaster that came with pregnancy was already kicking in. Sensing Meesa's tears Rose rubbed her back. “What's the matter child?”

Wiping her face trying not to mess up her makeup Meesa replied, “Nothing Ms. Rose, I'm just so happy. I just love my life so much and I love Black so much.”

Knowing that Black was going to propose, she hugged Meesa. She was so happy that Black had found such a wonderful young women. Black had already asked Rose two weeks prior what she thought. She stated that if Meesa made him happy, then go for it. Not ever meeting her before until now, she was glad that she gave her blessing.

Finished cooking dinner, Meesa untied her apron and went to find Black. Finding him in his living room, she saw him tickling Jaden Jr. and his little cousins. The sight took any doubt about her pregnancy away. The laughter coming from the children filled the air.

Gathering everyone to say grace, everyone held hands, Black said grace. Never hearing Black speak so profoundly about God, surprised Meesa. She knew he believed in God but she didn't know he knew scriptures. When she tried to get him to come to church with her, he always declined. He felt that he didn't have to attend church to believe in God, which was true and Meesa had to agree. Laughing and talking over collard greens, sweet potatoes, dressing, ham, turkey, roast, potato salad, and cornbread, Black looked around the dinner table
pleased. He had his woman, friends, and family surrounding him. About thirty people sat in the huge house eating and conversating.

After feasting, they all exchanged gifts. Ooh's and ahh's were all you heard. Meesa had bought all her friends Chanel outfits. In return, they got her a Gucci bag that cost well over two grand. She also got Black over $3,000 worth of clothes, shoes, and accessories. He got Roc-A-Wear, Polo, Fubu, Phatfarm, and more. Meesa also got him a pair of three-karat diamond earrings to go with his new diamond platinum chain. The new one had a huge diamond cross on it, Black loved it.

Meesa bought Rose four different kinds of perfumes, hats, scarves, and a pair of two-karat diamond earrings. Black bought her new furniture, all of which was set to go inside the new house he purchased for her only three blocks away. Ms. Rose was overjoyed, sitting back fanning herself from all things she had received. Next, Black handed his partnas all diamond embezzled Rolex watches. The niggas flipped over their watches, in return giving him an envelope filled with money. Meesa skimmed through it estimating almost a hundred grand. They both bought all of his aunts and uncles gift certificates worth a thousand each. The older kids all got PlayStation 2's, while the smaller ones got saving bonds for a thousand each. Black handed Meesa gift after gift. He bought her Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and her favorite Christian Dior everything. She had clothes, shoes, purses, bras, panties, socks, and perfume.

Taking her hand he helped her to stand. Standing, he covered her eyes and lead her to the window. Everyone knew what was about to happen, he took his hand away revealing a brand new 2003 white Cadillac Escalade truck. Meesa jumped up and down hugging his neck. Sliding the curtains over to get a better view of her new car, Meesa's eyes welled up again.

“Excuse me everyone, but I have an announcement to make or rather a question to ask. As you all know, Meesa and me have been together for a couple of months now, and we did have our problems at first, but now, we're straight. Even though we
haven't been together that long, I know she's my heart. She is my best friend and I want to ask her a question.” No he isn't about to do what I think he's about to do, she thought to herself, while looking into his eyes. Forgetting that other people were in the room watching on, Black continued.

Black kneeled down and took Meesa's delicate hand and asked, “Shorty, will you marry me?” How ghetto can he be she thought to herself. Disbelief, shock, and nervousness filled her heart. He was actually asking her to marry him.

Thinking why she hasn't said yes yet, he asked, “Baby are you okay?”

Coming back to reality Meesa replied, “Yes baby I'm okay.” Looking around the room at all of the beautiful faces consuming her, she thought, how can life get any better than this moment?

“Yes, Black I would be more than honored to marry you.” She answered, while kneeling down with him kissing his face and lips. On her left hand, he placed a platinum six-karat princess cut diamond ring. Meesa's mouth dropped down to the floor from the blinding light the rock sent off.

“Close your mouth baby, what did you expect from your man, a one karat ring?”

“Shut up Black it's just so beautiful.” She said jokingly. Everybody clapped and cheered.

“Now it's really time to party!” Black yelled.

“Pop that water!” Kat hollered across the room.

“Forsho cuz,” Black answered back. Everybody cracked up laughing at the Ebonics they used. Partying well into the next day, Meesa and Black sat back in front of the fireplace.

“I had so much fun yesterday Black.”

“Me too, baby.” He said while kissing her forehead. Still in their pajamas, Meesa sat and admired her ring.