Free Side Chic 2 (A Ratchet Mess) by La'Tonya West Page B

the boys with him!”
              “You don’t have to get smart! I just asked.” Her eyes roamed around the room, her nose slightly turned up. I was ready for her to leave already. “How have you been?”
    “I’ve been good, how about yourself?”
    “I’ve been fine.” She turned her attention back to me taking off her shades. She studied my face. She reached over and turned my face from side to side with her hand. “What happened to your face?” Her face was screwed up like she already knew the answer and was waiting for me to confirm her suspicions. I saw anger dancing in her brown eyes. Even though we didn’t get along, her love for me was just like any other mother’s. She didn’t play anybody putting their hands on her child! She’d never even allowed my daddy to hit me!
    I knew I had to think of a lie quickly. I couldn’t tell her the truth a bout what had happened to my face. She already hated Tre and this information would only make her hatred for him stronger. I’d learned a long time ago to be careful about how much information I shared with my family about my relationship because it would always come back to bite me in the long run. My family was the type that was unforgiving and when they did forgive it took a very long time. The issue could be resolved and they’d still be angry. That’s why I learned to keep my and Tre’s business between us!
    “ Ummm…I got into it with this chic because her son was picking on Shaun and Quan. They’d come home a few times and told me that this kid was picking on them so I decided to have a talk with his mama. Well when I tried to talk to her ignorant behind she popped off!” I pretended to have an attitude as I told the story to make it more believable. It worked like a charm.
    “Well why did she get upset with you? She should teach her son how to act! I don’t know why people have children and don’t try to raise them then have the nerve to get mad when someone says something about’em! What more do they expect? ” She smacked her lips shaking her head. I could see the frustration in her face. “You didn’t get into any legal trouble, did you?”
    “Nah.”
    “Well that’s good.” She reached over and touched my face. “Is it sore?”
    “No ma’am, you know that I bruise easily so it looks worse than what it actually is.”
    “Oh okay. Girl, when I first saw it I thought that Tre had done it. That’s why I took my time asking you about it because I was trying to calm myself down. I wasn’t sure how I was going to react.” She admitted truthfully. “I wasn’t trying to go to jail out here today!”
    “Ma…” the ringing doorbell caused me to pause. I got up and answered the door. It was Tamika.
    “Hey girl…” She greeted me sashaying into the house and past me. She was wearing a tight low-cut black tank top with her breasts practically spilling over the top and a pair of blue super short jean shorts with a pair of black flip flops. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. “It’s hot out there today.” She said over her shoulder.
    “Yeah, I can tell.” I replied closing the door and following her into the living room. She took a seat in the chair that sat directly across from the sofa. “Ma, this is my friend Tamika. Tamika this is my ma.” I introduced them.
    My mama was staring at Tamika with her nose turned up wearing a disgusted expression on her face. “Hey.” She managed to drag out but I could tell that she wasn’t really feeling her.
    Lord please, don’t let her start! My mama wasn’t the type to bite her tongue. She was more so the type that said whatever was on her mind.
    “Hey. How are you?” Tamika spoke.
    “I’m fine.” Ma replied eyeing Tamika’s outfit. I was slightly embarrassed by her rude behavior but then again Tamika should’ve known better than to come out dressed like that. “I see that you forgot some of your clothes at home.”
    “Ma’am?” Tamika asked smiling but