Free Your Man Chose Me by Racquel Williams

phone up. I was excited. Shit, I could go shopping tomorrow with that ten stacks, stock up on some new shoes and purses. Ant ass was going to have a rude awakening when he found out his spot got hit. Oh, well, that’s his motherfucking problem. He will soon find out that he done crossed the wrong bitch!
    * * *
    I decided to drop the kids off at Mama’s. I knew lately she’d been fussing about watching them, but I was stuttin’ her. Shit, she should’ve been happy to have my damn babies around her half-drunk ass.
    I knocked on her door, waited about five minutes, and no one came. I started banging harder; I knew her ass was in there because her car was parked in her parking space.
    â€œWho the hell knocking my door like that?” she hollered.
    â€œMa, open the door.” I was past annoyed with her ass.
    â€œWell, hello. You need to call before you pop up over here. I could’ve had company over here.”
    â€œMa, cut it out. Don’t nobody want your ass except Daddy.”
    â€œHey, babies, give your nana some love.” She turned her attention to the kids.
    I walked in and put their bags down. She turned to me and spoke, “What’s all this here? They ain’t staying.”
    â€œCome on, Mama, I have a date tonight.”
    â€œA date? It’s about time you started looking for another man.”
    â€œYes, Mama, we all know how much you dislike Ant.”
    â€œDislike? I don’t dislike him. I just always thought he was too good for you. You just like yo’ mama: you like a variety of ‘you know what.’ It takes a special kind of man to deal with you and that fella didn’t seem to fit it.”
    I wanted to choke her ass for talking like that. I was nothing like her; she was a drunk who liked to fuck for a can of beer. I would never sell my pussy for beer. She had me all the way fucked up.
    â€œWhen was the last time you seen that child you used to have here with you? What’s her name again?”
    â€œTiana, the daughter you wished you had,” I replied sarcastically.
    â€œChild, hush. You’ve always been jealous of me and her relationship. I sure hope you’ve outgrown that foolishness,” she scolded.
    I wanted to entertain that bullshit, but I didn’t want to upset her, ’cause when she got upset, she started drinking. “A’ight, Ma, I got to go. All their food and stuff is in their bags.”
    â€œA’ight. You better be on time to pick them up. If not I’ll be calling the people.”
    I kissed my kids and ran out the door. I loved that woman, but sometimes she just didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut. She was the same woman who taught me that if you didn’t have anything good to say not to say anything at all. I shook my head and walked off to my car.
    My mind raced back to when I was growing up. My life was fine up until the point when Tiana moved in with us. My mother treated that bitch better than she did her own flesh and blood. I used to sit back and watch the shenanigans take place. To this day I harbored ill feelings toward that bitch ’cause she came into my life and tried to take it over.
    I got home in no time, took a shower, and got dressed. I had no idea what time Tahj was going to hit me so I wanted to be ready. This nigga better not be playing and he better have my money.
    As soon as I got out of the shower, my phone was ringing. It’s funny how niggas are always late, but be on time when it involves fucking or something beneficial to them. “Hello. You ain’t playing huh?”
    â€œNah, love. I’m dead serious. Where you wanna meet at?”
    â€œLet’s meet at the Red Roof Inn on Panola, right off the exit.”
    â€œBet.”
    â€œI’ll see you in a little while and, Tahj, please have my money.”
    â€œLove, I got you.”
    I didn’t know if I believed him, so I looked in the drawer and pulled out my little