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Kenya

Kenya -Priceless

By Jaded One Comment

Kenya entered the gym at approximately 7:13 am.  Even though she was thirteen minutes late, she felt like Jade should be excited that she showed up.  7 am is to damn early to be coming to the gym, Kenya thought as she headed for the treadmills.  To her surprise, Jade wasn’t warming up on her usual machine.   I know she’s here.  Her X5 is parked outside.  She searched for Jade within the mixture of rock hard abs, puny biceps, muscular triceps, and flabby bellies.  Soon she heard Jade laughing and was surprised to find her all giggly faced with this tall, dark, and chocolate brotha that she’d never seen before. Ummmm….I wonder who Jade’s new friend is.

She watched as Jade flirted with the mystery man.  They’re clearly into each other, she thought watching Jade playfully punched him in the arm.  Wow!  This just keeps getting more delicious.  Dom with his secret rendezvous and Jade with her gym boo.   I guess things aren’t happily ever after in paradise after all.

Kenya strolled over to the squat machine where Jade was flirting herself into oblivion.  Her Brazilian booty length weave was pulled back in a low bun, and she was wearing light make- up, minimal jewelry, a low-cut tank, and some joggers.  Jade was wearing a maroon colored sports tank and her usual mesh leggings with no makeup or wedding ring.

“So, I see I’ve been replaced,” Kenya said walking up and standing with her hands in her pockets.

“Well, that’s what happens when you continuously refuse to show up.”

“There you go exaggerating again.  It hasn’t been continuous. I’ve only missed a few sessions.”

“Yeah, like the last 12, but it’s cool.  Jamel has been helping me train.”

Jade looked away from Kenya and turned towards Jamel.   She looked up at him with a googly-eyed smile that almost made Kenya choke.

“Well, hello, Jamel,” Kenya said turning towards him, “since my sister is too rude to introduce you, hi, I’m Kenya.”

“Nice to meet you, Kenya.  I’m one of the personal trainers here.  I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All bad I’m sure.”

“Of course not. Your sister speaks very highly of you.”

“Ha!  I hope you train better than you lie.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Jade said, “Did you come to work out or talk junk, Kenya?”

“Obviously, since we’re at the gym, I came to work out, Jade.”

“Okay, good. Jamel was just about to show me how to use the squat machine.”

“The squat machine?”

“Yes, the squat machine.  Which of those syllables is too difficult for you to understand?”

“Ewwww, what’s got you acting extra bitchy this morning?”

“Just your childish demeanor, as usual.  Now can we get started?”

“Sure, Jade. Whatever you want.”

“Thank you.  Can you place 25 pounds on the left side of the squat bar?  I’ll add 25 to the right side.”

“Who do you think is about to squat with 50 pounds?  Not me.  I don’t want to look like a man.”

“First of all, the squat machine is for your glutes and quads.  Not your arms, and you are not going to end up looking like a man after one day of doing the squat machine.  Women that body build train extra, extra hard to look that way.”

“Oh, so you were listening to my conversation about bodybuilding?” Jamel joked.

Jade laughed.

“Yes, I was listening,” she smiled.

“Well,” Kenya began, “I still think 50 pounds is too much for us to be starting with.  Do you even know what you’re doing?”

“Aside from getting tired of your mouth, yes I know what I’m doing. I did my research.  According to one of Fitmelle’s For Beginners Blogs, you want to start with a weight that pushes you but doesn’t cause you to injure yourself.   So, considering I can lift 30 pounds by myself when I’m moving boxes at Delectables, I’m assuming 50 will be a challenge but not too strenuous. “

“If you say so.  50 pounds is a long way from 30 pounds though.  How bout I just watch you and do the next round with about 25 pounds.”

“25 pounds total?”

“Yes.”

“Kenya, the bar weighs 25 pounds by itself.  Did you come here to work out or  to just look cute?”

“Aww, you think I look cute?”

“Oh, my God!  You’re intolerable.  Can you at least spot me?”

“How do I do that?” Kenya asked.

Jade took a deep breath before answering her sister.  Kenya had to admit getting on Jade’s nerves had always been one of her favorite pastimes.

“Never mind, Jamel can you spot me please?”

“Of course, go ahead and get in position.”

“Thanks. I want to do ten reps before I stop.”

“Ten reps?  You’re going to kill yourself.  You should start with five,” Kenya warned.

“No, Kenya! Five reps are not going to do anything.  I’m trying to get results before Mama and Daddy’s party.  Aren’t’ you?”

“Yea, I guess so.  But I don’t know how this is gonna help.”

“Have you listened to anything I said about the squat machine?  Squats will help you build a booty.  Isn’t that your goal?”

“Yes, Jade. It’s my goal.  Are you gonna get in position or not?”

“Finally, we’re getting somewhere.”

Jade gently placed the bar against her shoulders and assumed the squat position.  After doing one rep, she realized she was right, 50 pounds wasn’t too heavy, but by rep eight she had to push herself to complete the last two reps.  Kenya watched as Jade finished her first set and placed the bar back on the holster.

“Oh, so I bet you think you was doing something?”

“Apparently you do since you’re commenting on it,” Jade smirked, “Do you want to try?”

“I think I’ll just keep watching you.  After all, you’re doing such a great job.”

Kenya flashed Jade an insincere smile, which Jade seemed to ignore.   She never was impressed by Kenya’s sarcasm.

“So, remind me why you came here again?”

“I’m going to work-out, Jade.  Damn, just give me a sec to get warmed up.”

“Well, most people warm up by actually doing some type of physical activity, but okay whatever you say,” Jade said turning her attention from Kenya to Jamel, “Was my form okay?”

“For the most part.  You just need to bend at the knees and stick your glutes out a little bit more.  Like you’re about to sit down in a chair.”

Jade replaced the bar and stepped away from the machine.   Okay, will you show me?”

“Yes! Please show us the right way,“ Kenya began, “I tried to tell my sister that she didn’t know what she was doing.”

Jade glared at Kenya.  Her eyes said she wished she could smack her, but luckily for Kenya Jade had never been the type to make a scene.  Instead, she was known as a monument of class and control. Jamel chuckled as Jade rolled her eyes at her sister and took a deep breath.

“Yes, I’ll show you,” he said, “so, your form, as far as wrapping your hands around the bar, was good.  You want to let the bar rest gently on the lower part of your neck, which you also did well.”

“Thanks.  I’ve had a good teacher,” Jade said smiling intently at Jamel.

Kenya watched as he smiled at Jade and kept his gaze focused on her.   Uggh! Everybody loves Jade.

“Like I was saying,” Jamel continued, “the key is to bend at the knee and to stick your butt out like you’re about to sit down in a chair.  It should be one smooth motion.”

“Oh, okay.  I see what you mean.” Jade said.  Kenya noticed that Jade had been watching Jamel’s every move.  She was finding it hard to tell if Jade was genuinely interested in correcting her form or if she was truly interested in the view.  She decided that the latter could work to her advantage.

“Ok, now let me see you try,”  Jamel said stepping back from the machine and allowing Jade to take his place.   Kenya wondered if they even remembered she was still standing there.

“I think, I’d like to try,” she said.

“I thought you only wanted to watch?” Jade asked.

“Oh, I think I’ve watched enough.  Besides, since there’s a professional here, I want to be sure I’m doing it right.”

“Of course, you do, Kenya.  Here you go.”

Jade stepped to the side and Kenya approached the machine.  Now Jamel’s attention was on her.

“I think I should remove some of the weight before we start.  50 pounds will be way too heavy for me.”

“Okay, I’ll take 10 pounds off each side for you.”

“Thank you,” Kenya said trying to sound sweet and innocent, neither of which she was.

“Alright, try it now. And remember what I said about bending at the knee and sticking your glutes out.”

“Okay, I think I’ve got it.”

Jade watched as Kenya struggled to lift the bar.  Kenya couldn’t help but notice Jade’s annoyance when Jamel rushed to assist Kenya with her reps.  Jamel cheered her on as she approached rep ten.

“Good job, Kenya,” he said as he replaced the bar.

“Thanks.  I couldn’t have done it without your help.

Kenya playfully tapped him on his chest, but Jamel acted as if he didn’t notice.

“You have excellent form too.”

Kenya smiled. She was enjoying Jamel’s attention.  For a moment, she thought he was enjoying her’s too, but before she could say another word, he had returned his attention to Jade.

“Jade, why don’t you try now?”

“Sure.”

Jade added the additional ten pounds back to each side and then commenced to complete her set.

“That’s good but try to go a little bit lower.”

“Like this?”  she asked squatting maybe an inch lower than she had the previous rep.

“Yes, that’s perfect,” Jamel beamed, “Good Job.  Give me two more reps, and you’ll be done.”

Kenya stood with her hands crossed, covered in annoyance as she watched another man give all his attention to Jade.

“Well,” Jamel said, “Looks like my work here is done.  You ladies are now officially using the squat machine correctly.”

“Great! Thank you so much for your help,” Jade smiled.

“You’re welcome.  It was my pleasure.”

Jamel and Jade stood looking into each other’s eyes.  Kenya watched as the seemed to have forgotten that anyone else was at the gym.  Damn, he is really feeling her.

“You do know she’s married, right?”

Yep, that definitely broke his trance.

“Yes, of course.  A classy woman like your sister is always upfront about her home life.”

“Right. So then why are you still hanging around?”

“It’s called friendship, Kenya.   Jade, I guess I’ll talk to you a little later.”

“Okay, Jamel.  Sorry about her.”

“It’s fine,” he said gently caressing her hand.  “It was nice meeting you, Kenya.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it was.”

Jamel walked away and headed towards the free weights.  Both Kenya and Jade watched as his calf muscles flexed across the gym.  Kenya couldn’t help but noticed that Jade seemed annoyed that Jamel gave her his card.

“Did you really have to say that to him?” Jade hissed.

“What?  Someone needed to remind you that you’re married.”

“I know  I’m married, Kenya! Jamel and I are just friends.”

“How you gonna be friends with a man that damn fine?!?”

“He’s fine?  I hadn’t noticed.”

“Yeah, right.  You’re married, but you ain’t blind.”

“Or maybe, I see more than physical features when I’m interacting with someone.

“I do too, but I also see what’s physically speaking to me.”

“Maybe that’s your problem with men.  Something is always physically speaking to you.”

Jade’s voice trailed off as she began to run on the treadmill.   Kenya watched their reflections in the mirror.  Jade was doing the same; only she was looking at Jamel’s reflection and not her own.  He appeared to be looking at her too.  At first, Kenya was bothered.  For once she would have liked for the male attention to be given to her, but then she realized that Jamel’s attraction to Jade might be more beneficial.

“Jade, if you stare at him any harder, you’re going to burn a hole through the mirror.”

“I’m not staring at him.”

“Yes, the hell you are.  And he’s staring at you too. Yall like each other.”

“Like each other?  What are we, 12?  He’s just been helping me cause my workout partner doesn’t usually show up, and when she does, she doesn’t even work out.”

“Whatever.  I’m working out now, and I come when I can.  But chill, I guess it’s nothing wrong with you having a side boo.”

“A side boo?  As usual, you see things through a whorish lens.  Jamel is not my side boo.  I’m a married woman, and I take my vows seriously.”

“Did you just call me a whore?”

“I did not,” Jade said gasping for breath, “I said you see things through a whorish lens.”

“And that means you’re calling me a whore.”

“Oh, my God!  I am not calling you a whore, and I don’t care if you are a whore. I was merely making the point that nothing is going on between Jamel and me.

“ And I was merely making the point that it would be okay for you to have a side boo since Dominic probably has one too.”

Jade stopped running and pulled the stop cord on the treadmill.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because yall have been together for almost two decades now and you’ve gained a lot of weight.  I mean a lot! So I’m sure he’s found someone thinner, prettier, whiter.”

“Whiter?  Kenya, please.  Dom would never cheat on me and especially not with a white woman.”

“All I’m saying is that you finding you a gym boo ain’t a bad look.  I’m sure Dom is doing the same.“

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.  You’re just trying to upset me cause you think I was calling you a whore.”

“Ha! I ain’t worried about you thinking I’m a whore.  I’m good wit mine. I’m trying to help you be good with yours.

“I am good with mine.  I’m a happily married woman.”

“Oh, really?  And where is that loving husband of yours?”

“Not like it’s any of your business, but he’s out of town on a business trip.”

“In California?”

“Yes,” Jade said, pausing for a moment. “How did you know that?”

“Cause California is the perfect place to take your mistress.  It’s on the other side of the country, and you and Dom don’t know anyone there. Do you?”

“I trust my husband, Kenya.”

“I know you do.  I’m just saying maybe you shouldn’t.”

“You’re unbelievable! Dom and I have never wronged you, yet you’d do anything to destroy us.”

Damn right I would!

“That’s not true.  I’m telling you this because I care about you.”

“Right, you care about me so much that you’re telling me my husband is cheating on me in the middle of the freakin gym.”

“Well, there’s no time like the present.”

“You are a pitiful excuse of a sister.  Just stay the hell away from me.”

“I was only trying to help, Jade.”

“Please.  You only care about helping your damn self.”

Jade grabbed her water bottle and stormed out of the gym.  Kenya watched as Jade’s BMW peeled out of the parking lot.  She couldn’t help but smile.  Phase 1 of her plan went exactly as planned. She laughed to herself as she took out her phone to text Dom.

Kenya 8:32 am

I just hinted to Jade that you might be having an affair.

Dom 8:33 am

WTF?!?!  Why would you do that?  You know it’s not true!

Kenya 8:34 am

All I know is you haven’t wired me my 10 grand yet.

Dom: 8:35 am

Damn! That’s why she’s been blowing my phone up for the last five minutes.

Ha!  I knew I got to her!

Kenya 8:36 am

Probably so.   Now about my money…

Dom: 8:35 am

SMH.  You’re so messy.

See if you get a dime from me now.

Kenya 8:36 am

Oh, I’m still getting my money.

BELIEVE THAT!!!!

Either you wire it to me in 48 hours, or I’ll tell Jade everything.

From Dom:  8:37 am

You already did.

Kenya 8:38 am

No, I planted the seed that you might be having an affair.  It’s nothing you can’t wiggle your way out of if your talk game is any good.

But if you don’t send me my money asap, I’ll tell her who you really are.

Dom 8:39 am

Who I really am?  IDK what you’re talking about.

Kenya pulled up the video of LJ and Dom and sent it to him.

Kenya 8:41

This conversation makes it sound like you’re a whole nother you.  I wonder how Jade would feel about it?

Dom: 8:42 am

I swear to God, Kenya, you will get what you deserve for this.

Kenya 8:43 am

I know I will.  A new booty is otw. Thanks to you.  ?

48 hours, Dom.  Or Else

Dom 8:44 am

Don’t threaten me.

Kenya 8:45 am

Like I said…48 hours or else.

Kenya closed her messaging app and placed her phone in her pocket.  She smiled at how victorious her morning had been.  She’d found out about Jade’s gym boo, alerted Jade to Dom’s make-believe affair, and shown Dom that she meant business.   It’s finally happening! She thought.  Jade’s world is about to come crumbling down.   Kenya was proud of herself.  She’d figured out a way to get her butt lift while also destroying Jade’s world.  To Kenya, Jade’s demise is everything.  It’s priceless.

Dominic-Heading Home

By Jaded 3 Comments

Dominic has been dreading this morning since he met with LJ two weeks ago.  He’d promised to fly out to Cali last week, but his work obligations kept him from going.  If he would be honest with himself, he’d admit that postponing the trip was a big relief.   It gave him another week to ignore the truth.  But now today is here, and Dominic is lying in bed trying to figure out what to do about it.  I have to get this over with, so I can fix things with Jade before I lose her forever.

He rolled over to look at her, but she wasn’t there for him to see. This was the fifth morning in a row that Jade was gone before he woke up.  The usual “At The Gym” sticky note was waiting for him on his nightstand.   He’d hoped she would be lying beside him when he awoke this morning.  Lately, he’d been coming to bed an hour or two after her just to keep from having to talk. Now, with her morning gym routine, she’s always gone when he wakes up.  But he needed her to be home this morning, so he could explain that things would get better once he got back from his business trip.   Maybe she’ll come home before I leave, he thought heading into the bathroom.

He grabbed his clippers from under the cabinet and began shaping up his beard.  He even contemplated cutting it completely off because Ma Mary always liked it better that way.  But the beard was a Dominic Jacobs thing.  Clean cut was Dominic Jackson, and he couldn’t go back to being him.  Ma Mary would understand, just like she did when he left. He placed the trimmers back under the cabinet and hopped in the shower. His mind lingered on thoughts of his mother’s illness and how LJ had called him a bad son.  Maybe I have stayed away too longI need to try to spend as much time with her as I can.  But how?  I can’t be gone from NC for too long.  Jade will get suspicious.

Dominic turned off the shower and dried himself off.   He decided to assess the situation with Ma Mary when he arrived in Cali. I can always tell Jade that my trip got extended.  She won’t question it if it’s about work.   Damn!  I have to stop lying to her!  

He shook his head at himself in the mirror.  Dominic Jacobs was staring back at him, but all the lying he was doing meant Dominic Jackson was still buried inside.  He walked over to the closet and pulled out a fresh pair of Jordan’s, a new pair of True Religion jeans, and a crisp Polo shirt. He wanted to be sure he’d be comfortable during his five-hour flight to Los Angeles.  He hadn’t been back to California since he left there 20 years ago.  He was 19 then—when he shed his true identity and lost his father.  Dominic hadn’t thought about his father in years.  But now he’d have to face those demons too.

 “Are you going somewhere?” Jade asked, placing her keys on the dresser.

 “Yes, my business trip.  Remember?”

 “You never told me about a business trip, Dominic.”

 “Yes, I did.  Two weeks ago, I told you I’d have to go to Cali. I leave today.  I’ll be gone for a week.”

“Dominic.  I would remember if you said you were flying across the country for a week. You know you didn’t tell me.”

 “I’m sorry, Baby.  I really thought I told you.  I’ve just been stressed lately.”

 “About what?”

 “Work.”

“What’s going on at work?”

 “Nothing, Jade.  It’s nothing.”

“You know what!” she said rolling her eyes and walking towards the bathroom, “I don’t get you!  You say work is stressing you out, and I try to be supportive.  But instead of talking about it, you keep blowing me off. “

 “I’m not blowing you off, Jade.   You just wouldn’t understand.”

 “Why, because I’m not a math genius? Did you forget that my business grossed 7 million last year and that I do my own damn books?”

 “No, Baby. I didn’t forget but being a stockbroker requires a lot more than balancing your books.  I just don’t want to—

 “Whatever, Dominic, “she said raising her hand in front of his face, “It’s not even about your damn job! You’re pushing me to the side for whatever or WHOEVER you’re preoccupied with.  Keep on, and you won’t have to push much further.”

“Jade, Baby,” Dominic walked over to her and placed his arms around her waist, “There is no whoever.”

Jade tried resisting his embrace, but he pulled her in close anyway.

“And I’m not trying to push you away. I love you. You’re still the most important thing in the world to me.”

 “Ha! I’m the most important thing?”

“Yes, Baby.  You know how much you mean to me.”

“Yeah! Right!” she yelled pushing back from him. “You don’t even notice me anymore.”

“Yes, I do.”

“NO, you don’t!  I’ve lost 12 pounds over the last eight weeks, and you haven’t even noticed.  My triceps and biceps are starting to pop,  and you haven’t said a thing. I feel better than I’ve ever felt, and you don’t even want to hear about it.”

Dominic stares at his wife as silence overtakes the room.  For the first time in weeks, he’s looking directly at her instead of through her.  He realizes that he allowed himself to forget how sexy she truly is.  At this moment, he’s lost in her caramel macchiato complexion and how it glows.  He’s taking notice of the changes that he failed to see before.   He’s observing the perkiness of her breast and how her triceps flex as she stands there with her hands on her luscious hips.  Hips that now rest beneath a trimmer waistline that complements her natural coke bottle shape.  Dominic has always thought of Jade’s shape as a bonus to her intellect, which is why even though she doesn’t think so, he still thinks of her as the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.   And now, the fear of losing his beautiful wife may become a reality.

“Jade, Baby, you look great.  I can see how hard you’ve been working, and I’m proud of you. But—”

 “But what?”

 “You’ve always looked great to me.  I never needed you to change your appearance.”

 “You want me to believe that you still find me just as attractive as you did 15 years ago?  Ha! You don’t even touch me anymore.

We haven’t had sex in months, and you ignore the fact that my biological clock is going to one day stop ticking.”

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz. 

“Let me guess; it’s work?” Jade snapped.

She was standing with her arms crossed with all her weight shifted to her right side.  That was her you’re getting on my last nerve stance.

“It’s the flight update.  I have to go if I want to make the flight.”

“Whatever, I need to get in the shower.”

 “Jade!”

She turned around to face him with a beautiful yet emotionless face.  Dominic could see the love in her eyes fading away.   I’m losing her.

 “What is it, Dominic?”

“I promise.  When I get back, we’ll talk about our marriage.  We’ll work on it.”

“Whatever.  Have a nice trip.”

“Jade, Baby?”

She didn’t answer.  The bathroom door slammed behind her, and her Jazz music began blasting.  She was upset.  She didn’t like to argue.  Jazz was her way of mellowing down, releasing her anxiety—her anger.  Dominic walked over to the bathroom door.  I’ll tell her the truth now, he thought.  I have nothing left to lose. But Jade had locked the door behind her.   That’s something she never used to do.  Dominic grabbed his bag from beside the dresser and headed downstairs.  By the time he got outside, his Uber was waiting for him.  He hopped in the back seat and laid his head back.  I will fix it when I get back.

 Buzz, Buzz, Buzz

            From: LJ 9:31 am

            Ma Mary’s jet is waiting for you at RDU, 
            on the private runway. 

            From: Dominic 9:32 am

            I booked a flight.  I don’t need the jet.”

            From: LJ 9:33 am

            It’s already there. Don’t insult her by refusing 
            to use it.  Act like your loyal to your family.”

 

Dominic squeezed the phone in his hand.  LJ’s mouth was what he didn’t need right now.  She never could exercise restraint.  Why does everything have to be about my loyalty to my family?

            From: Dominic 9:34am

            Fine.

            From LJ 9:35 am

            I’ll pick you up at LAX. Money green Tesla SUV. 

            From: Dominic 9:36 am

            Okay

 

Dominic turned his phone off and placed it in his bag.  He needed to escape everything, and right now the Uber ride was as close to a getaway car as he could get.

 

 

Kenya

Kenya

By Jaded 6 Comments

Kenya laid sound asleep with a smile on her face.  She’d had quite the evening. It all started with a party at Catastrophic, the most prestigious club in town. The party was by invitation only for some girl named Laylah that Kenya had randomly bumped into in the elevator and politely informed that her skirt was tucked into her panties.

“Oh my, God! Gurl!!” Layla had exclaimed. “You just saved me from total Instagram humiliation!  Here’s a pass to my party tonight! Hope to see ya there!” She’d pulled the flyer from her purse and exited the elevator so fast that Kenya hadn’t had time to read it, but it didn’t matter.  She didn’t need all the time in the world to know that this party was exclusive, and oh how she loved being on the exclusive side of things. Talk about luck. She had needed something to do that night.  Something that would allow her to blow off some stress and ignore her inhibitions.

The party had turned out to be just what she needed, and it ended with her hooking up with Phoenix.  Oh, yeah, Phoenix. Her friend slash sexual soul mate. They get along fabulous in bed but not so much outside of it.  But last night that hadn’t mattered to Kenya. In fact, she’d done exactly what she always said she’d never do. I will not drunk text a dude at 2am when I’m lonely and about to leave the club cause that’s what thirsty chics do!  Buttttttt last night, that’s exactly what she did.  She sent Phoenix a simple text, “ Meet me at my house in 20 minutes. You know why.”  He’d replied with the thumbs up emoji a lot quicker than she’d anticipated. Five minutes later she saw him exiting the club next to Catastrophic and realized he must have been having the same drunken thoughts she was. Dang it! She thought.  If I would have only waited longer he’d have called me first!  Thirty minutes later, he was knocking on her front door.  

She wanted to be angry that he hadn’t gotten there in twenty minutes but when she opened the door, he was standing there with his beautiful smile, sexy dimples, and two bags from the Waffle House.  Kenya decided he was forgiven since he’d answered her stomach’s prayer. She only had bread, cheese, eggs, and bacon in the fridge and she was saving that for breakfast in the morning. She knew Phoenix had a thing for her bacon and egg sandwiches.  

He joined Kenya in her living room and together, with minimal conversation, they devoured the food as if it had just been invented. Afterwards, they each let out a few moans of satisfaction and then Kenya gave Phoenix the eye.  

“You ready, already?”

“Of course! What? You thought I called you over to watch Netflix and chill?”

“Do you even have Netflix?”

“Nope!” she laughed turning off the lights and heading to the bedroom.  Phoenix followed shaking his head and smiling. He knew just like Kenya did that they were both in for a mind-blowing end to the night.  

Now, at 7am the next day, Kenya found herself awakening from her marvelous evening and feeling the effects of her ten Tequila shots.  OMG! Why do I always do this to myself?”  Slowly, she got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.  Aspirin!  I need aspirin!  Finally, she found the Aleve in her medicine cabinet and prayed it would alleviate her headache as quickly as possible.   Now, to the kitchen. Her stomach felt like she hadn’t eaten it months. Didn’t Phoenix and I eat last night; she asked herself as she pulled the eggs and bacon from the fridge.  Yeah, we did.  Right before heading to the bedroom.  Kenya scrambled the eggs with a smile remembering the great night she and Phoenix shared.  Uh-oh, Ken-Ken!  You like him. No, I don’t.  Phoenix is just a friend…with benefits.

Sure, that’s what her mind said but as she stood there in the doorway of her bedroom, holding their breakfast, and watching him sleep peacefully, she couldn’t help but notice how damn fine he was.

“Nix, wake up.  I cooked breakfast.

Kenya nudged him in the side with her knee before plopping down on her lavender, Egyptian sheets.

“Leave me alone, Kenya” he mumbled before rolling over on his stomach and placing the pillow on top of his head.

“Nix! wake up!  You know you love my bacon and egg sandwiches, plus I have to be at work soon.”

“Dang, so that’s how you do your Nigga?  You get you some, fix him breakfast, and then tell him to get out?  That’s cold Ken, real cold.”

“Boy, bye.  You know how we do.  Wake up and eat this sandwich before it gets cold.  I spent a whole 10 minutes preparing it for you.”

He finally sat up and rested his muscular back against the mahogany headboard.

“Here you go,” Kenya said shoving the paper plate in his hands.  

“Thanks,” he said taking a huge bite of his sandwich and pulling out his phone.   

Kenya watched intently as he scrolled through his recent matches on Tinder.   All of them were thick with fairly light skin and natural hair. The complete opposite of Kenya who was the color of coffee, with no shape and inches of Brazilian hair strolling down her back.  

“If you’re going to disrespect me by laying in my bed and looking at other chics, you could at least make sure they’re attractive.”

“What are you talking about?  These females are attractive. They have natural beauty.”

“Natural beauty?!” Yeah, okay.  Whatever, Phoenix. That’s what niggas say when they trying to be nice and don’t want to call a chick ugly.  But that last chic’s profile pic was ugly. She barely had any hair.”

“Wooowww, Ken you really hating on a chick you don’t even know just cause I liked her photo?”

“I am definitely not hating on her ugly ass. Plus, I don’t really care who’s pic you like. I was just trying to look out for you, but I see ugly is your type.

“Must be since I’m here with you.”

“What did you just say?”

Kenya was standing now with her hands on her hips.  It was one thing to look at other chics but to call her ugly was a no-no.

“I said. I must like ugly since I’m here with you.”

Phoenix showed no hesitation in repeating himself.  It was clear to him and Kenya both that this was the reason they could never get past the bedroom.  In short, her insecurities made having a conversation with her impossible.

“You sure weren’t treating me like I was ugly last night!”

“Of course not, you’re a lot more beautiful with your mouth closed,” he said rummaging through the sheets and covers looking for his clothes.

“Nigga…I’m a dime whether my mouth is open or not.  And if you hate the sound of my voice so much. How bout you never come back to hear it again. ”

“Fine! I’d rather talk to one of these chics anyway.”

“Of course, you would Phoenix.  Because they have light skin, big boobs, and big booties, which are probably fake anyway.”

“You really are a trip! I don’t like their pictures because they’re thick or light skin.  I like them because they’re confident and real. Real hair, real nails, real bodies, and real confidence.   You should try finding the latter, then maybe you wouldn’t be so threatened by another female’s picture.”

“Whatever, Phoenix!  I am not threatened. And I have a lot of confidence Screw you!” she yelled as he exited her bedroom, slamming the door and knocking down the shelves that showcased her designer bags.

“Ugghhhh, you better not have damaged my new Gucci!” Kenya yelled after Phoenix although she knew he was long gone.  

She inspected the bags for damage and saw that there was none, but there was a hole in the wall from where the shelves had detached.  Great, Kenya thought to herself. Now, I have to figure out how to get the wall fixed. All because of Phoenix’s dumb ass. Shaking her head, she headed for her bathroom to get ready for work.  Fixing the wall would just have to wait.

Kenya works at her parent’s real estate firm and they hate when she’s late.  It’s her job to arrive before all the realtors and set up for the morning meeting.  This requires brewing coffee, setting out muffins, printing each relator’s schedule, and of course making sure her mother’s talking points are freshly typed, free of grammatical errors, and sure to make her look like the Mother Theresa of all real estate firms.  As usual, Kenya finished all her task in record time and had at least an hour to spare before her parents arrived.

She sat down at her computer and typed “Natural Hair Styles” into Google.  She had to admit that there were some really cute natural hairstyles out there, but she wasn’t sure she could pull them off.  I’m so skinny and dark.  Most of these chicks are thicker and lighter.  I need to be thicker and lighter.

Kenya closed her natural hair search and began a new one for Brazilian butt lifts.  She told herself that she would look into skin bleaching later, but she may be looking into it sooner than she thought because all the Brazilian butt lifts are super expensive.   

Her Google search revealed that the minimum amount she would have to spend on a Brazilian butt lift would be $3500.00.   Dang it! I’m going to need a part-time job or a loan to pull this off.  

Umph, if only Kenya was more like her big sis, Jade. She’s financially successful and her husband, Dominic, makes a few 100k a year too. Kenya thought to herself about what her life would be like with Jade’s bank account.  I’d be able to afford this Brazilian butt lift with no problem.  I wonder if Jade would be willing to lend me the money?  Maybe, Kenya thought, if I ask her at the right time, in the right way, and at the right moment, she’ll agree to fund my butt lifting experience. After all, it’s for a great cause, and it’s not like she’s using her money for anything else.  All she does is work at her catering business and go home to her husband and their huge empty house. With this recollection, Kenya had convinced herself to text Jade and invite her to lunch so that she could strategically implant the idea that Jade should pay for her butt lift.

Kenya rolled her eyes as she read Jade’s text.  God!  Is she serious right now?  Why does she always have to be so hateful?

Kenya threw her phone down on her desk and went back to her Brazilian butt lift research.   She couldn’t believe Jade, telling her that she didn’t need to change her body. Umph, easy for her to say, Kenya thought.  She’s already thick, and it’s easy for her to manage her money cause she has so freakin much of it! Sometimes Kenya really resented Jade’s perfect little life. Especially now since Kenya thought Jade was entirely wrong about her not needing the butt lift. I need to look like all the sexy thick girls that Phoenix admires on Tinder.  Not that she was doing this for him.  No, of course not. She would never admit that she cared what Phoenix thought, especially since all he clearly saw her as was a bed crawl. I don’t care what he thinks, but I know I would look better than those girls because some of them don’t even have cute faces.  At least my face is cute. That’s how I know I’ll look incredible after the Brazilian butt lift. But I am still furious at him and Jade.

Kenya got up from her desk and went to pour herself a cup of coffee.  In her anger, she slammed the coffee pot down to hard and coffee splashed all over the counter and onto her sheer purple blouse.  Great, this is exactly what I need ten minutes before Mama arrives.

“Good Morning, Kenya.”  

Oh, great! Today, Mama wants to be early.

“Good Morning, Mama.”

“Well, I see you didn’t wait long to make a mess.”

“It was an accident, Mama.   The coffee pot slipped as I was placing it back on the burner.

“I’m sure it did, Dear.  You’ve always been a little clumsy, unlike Jade.”

“Right, because Jade was always your perfect child,” Kenya mumbled dumping the soiled paper towels in the trash.  

“What did you say?’

“I said that I’m cleaning it up now.”

“Well, I can see that, Dear.  The point is the mess shouldn’t have been made in the first place. When Jade worked here, she never made messes like these.

“Or, maybe she just made them when you weren’t around and cleaned them up before you arrived?

“Not likely, you were always the messy child.  Jade was always neat and efficient. We didn’t even pay her when she worked here.  She interned.

“I know, Mama. You’ve told me before.”

“And yet, you continue to take your paycheck from your parents?”

“Mama, I told you.  This is only temporary.”

“Temporary is a few months, Dear.  You’ve been here three years.”

Kenya was well aware that she’d been at Home Reality for three years, but in her defense, it really was supposed to be temporary.  Just until she figured out whether to go to design school or business school. Kenya had a natural instinct for business, just not the motivation to trust those instincts, and she could dress her behind off, or at least she could to everyone else except for her mother.  

“You, know what else Jade wouldn’t have done?”

Unbelievable! No, Mama, I don’t know but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.

“She also wouldn’t show up to work in a see-through blouse.”

“It’s made like this on purpose, Mama.  So you can wear a different color cami under it, which is exactly what I’m doing.”

“Yes, I see. But yellow and purple don’t look good together regardless of how well your 5-inch stilettos—which are entirely too tall for work—match your outfit.  Now, hurry up and finish getting up the mess you made before the others arrive.”

“Yes, Mama.”

Mrs. Monroe headed into her office closing the door behind her.  Kenya continued to clean up the spilled coffee. She wiped the counters down and brewed a fresh pot.  All the while wondering how she got stuck with a non-boyfriend that had called her ugly, a sister that refused to lend her money to beautify herself, and a mother that didn’t like her at all.   Screw Phoenix, Screw Jade, and Screw my MAMA! I don’t need any of them.  Kenya tossed her hair over her shoulder and returned to her desk.  I will do it!  I will raise enough money for my butt lift and then I’ll quit this place. Mama can just stay here with her precious Jade.  She’s the only daughter she cares about anyway.

 

By: Kima LaToya for Fitmelle @KimaLaToya on IG

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