Started From the Top Now I'm Here 2 Page 8

  To make matters worse, they both smiled in her face like nothing ever happened. This explained why Kenterris was always so agitated with Sonnet. He was afraid of an episode like what had just when down.

  Cheron had no doubt in her mind that if Sonnet wasn’t staying with her, and Kenterris wasn’t afraid of getting busted he would have never told her the truth.

  After he confessed his wrong doings, he tried to explain to Cheron that it was over between him and Sonnet and that he wanted nothing do with her. He tried to explain to her that he basically fucked up and would do whatever it took to make it right, but she was beyond hearing anything he had to say.

  The only reason she agreed to the little plan to catch Sonnet pulling her stunt was because she wanted to confirm the suspicion she already had but didn’t want to believe, Sonnet was a lying, scheming bitch. She had already gotten a taste of it with the stunt she pulled on The Duchess.

  She wanted to see it for herself, with her own two eyes, what Sonnet would do if given the chance alone with her man. Granted, she would never have felt like she could come on to him in the first place if he hadn’t ever opened that door. But the fact remained that not only did she try to fuck her man in her house, she hollered raped when her ass was busted.

  And to add insult to injury she destroyed Cheron’s property before she left with her car. She didn’t know what she was grieving over the most, her man or her friend, at the end of the day neither one of them weren’t worth shit.

  She had been there for Sonnet when no one else would give her a second look, and this was the thanks she got. She reported her car stolen along with the property damage. With any luck, they would catch up to her while she was driving a stolen vehicle, and it would be no better for her.

  Cheron blew her nose and dragged herself to the bathroom to get cleaned up. When she looked at herself in the mirror she could see that her eyes were now puffy and swollen from all the crying she had been doing.

  When she got back to her room, she looked over at the photo of her and Kenterris she kept on the nightstand. She picked up and stared at the once happy couple in the photograph. The more she thought about how he bought her all those flowers, trying to romance her knowing he had done his dirt, infuriated her to no end.

  What’s even worse was the shade Sonnet always threw in her face whenever Kenterris bought her something nice. Low and behold the shade was actually warranted. She always made some snide remark about how men give gifts when they are guilty about something, and as bad as she hated to admit it. Sonnet was completely right.

  She always thought Sonnet was just envious of her, and she actually was, Cheron just refused to believe it. This bitch sat up and tee heed in her face, all the while trying to drop hints. Cheron hated herself for not picking up on this sooner.

  Her stomach turned each time she thought about Kenterris saying I love you knowing full well he had just got done fucking Sonnet. Did he touch her the same way? Did he make love to her the same way? The mere thought caused Cheron’s insecurities to run rampant.

  All that shit he talked about loving her size 14 frame just the way she was, he still turned around, and had to have Sonnet’s skinny ass.

  Was he lying about liking me plus sized the whole time? She thought as she hurled the frame across the room shattering the glass.

  “I hate you!” she sobbed. “Fake asshole!”

  She proceeded to grab a garbage bag and tear the sheets off the bed, the sheets where they had just made love the night before. She didn’t want anything to remind her of the stabbing pain that replaced her heart at this moment.

  Once she was done ridding her bedroom of any reminders of Kenterris she headed out to the living room to get rid of all the flowers. One by one she threw the vases in the bags after pouring out the water. She then swept up the glass in her room from the broken frame and tossed it as well, along with the picture. After cleaning up the mess Sonnet made by breaking her big screen, she drug all the trash outside to the dumpster.

  After she made her way back inside, she locked her door, and turned off the lights. This day couldn’t have ended any sooner.

  She took a hot shower, put clean sheets on the bed and poured herself a double shot of Patron.

  Upon entering her room to lie down, the phone rang. It was Lexi.

  “Hello”

  “Hello Cheron?”

  “Yeah, it’s me,” she responded softly.

  “Girl it’s me Lexi. I know it’s kinda late but I had to call you and thank you for your advice. I’m taking the leap! Darius and I are moving in together.”

  Lexi was absolutely giddy and wanted to share her excitement with someone before she was about to burst.

  Go figure, my shit done fell apart, and somebody else’s is coming together, Cheron thought. However, none of this was Lexi’s fault and unlike like Sonnet, Cheron had the ability to be happy for a friend even in her unhappiness

  “That’s awesome Lexi, you deserve it.” Cheron sniffled before taking a swig from her glass.

  “Hold up, are you ok? It sounds like you crying.”

  “No, I’m not ok. Kenterris and I broke up today.”

  Lexi’s mouth fell open. “What girl I’m so sorry, what happened?”

  “Don’t be sorry, he was fucking Sonnet.”

  ‘What?”

  “Yeah, you heard me right; my man was fucking my best friend.”

  Damn! I knew it was only gon’ be a matter of time before the truth came to light, Lexi thought.

  “Damn Cheron!”

  “And do you know she had the nerve to try and get salty with me when I confronted her. The bitch put a brick through my flat screen.”

  “I know you tore her a new asshole behind that!”

  “Didn’t get a chance to, she had already stole the Festiva and took off.”

  Lexi shook her head in disbelief. Sonnet had truly gone off the deep end.

  “Aww hell naw. You want me to help you ride down on that hoe?”

  “No need for that. I called the police and reported the car stolen. I’m letting them deal with her.”

  “That trashy bitch don’t have no shame, she done truly lost it. That’s another reason I was calling you. Do you know that this tramp had the nerve to come on to Darius? I tried to tear the top of her head off when I slapped that bitch”

  Lexi got angry all over again just thinking about what went down in the parking lot.

  “What? So she came on to Darius too? When did this happen?” Cheron asked straightening up in the bed.

  “Yesterday girl! She outright grabbed his dick! Talking ‘bout she was trying to thank him. Broke ass couldn’t even pay for her shit in Target; Darius had to catch the bill. She was in there fronting, knowing she didn’t have enough.”

  Cheron was beyond shocked at these new developments. Apparently Sonnet was more desperate than she originally thought.

  “Damn so I guess she will do anything to try and stay relevant. I didn’t get a chance to tell you but when we hung up the last time The Duchess called looking for her.”

  “What did she want girl? Does she owe her some money?”

  “Worse than that, apparently she got the works and ran up out of her shop.”

  “And that bitch has the nerve to call me hood. That’s some shit straight out the projects if I ever seen it,” Lexi replied. “Everybody looking for her ass, I knew it was only going to be a matter of time before her dirt caught up to her. That’s why I didn’t let her ass stay with me. I wasn’t ‘bout to have her trickin’ ass around my man, especially the way she was doing you....”

  Oops! Shit! I didn’t mean to let that slip

  “Wait? What do you mean how she was doing me? Did you know about her and Kenterris?” Cheron snapped.

  “Huh? Oh Uhmm naw... I was talking about how she was doing you by trying to stay there for free?”

  Lexi was lying through her teeth and she wasn’t sure if Cheron had bought it or not.

  “Bullshit! Sp
ill it Lexi. Did you know about Sonnet and Kenterris or not?”

  Lexi’s heart sank. She cringed at the thought of telling Cheron the truth.

  Her voice shook as she spoke, “yeah, I knew...she told me the night she met Tyler, when we were at the club.”

  “Damn, so everybody knew except me. I guess my dumb ass was the last to find out.”

  “I’m sorry Cheron. I know I should have told you but after that shit went down with me and Sonnet at her granny’s funeral I decided to stay out of people’s personal business.”

  “Yet and still before the shit went down at the funeral y’all were laughing it up in my face that night. And when I asked what was so damn funny everybody was tongue tied.”

  “Cheron I’m sorry...”

  “Nope, you know what Lexi? I know your loyalty is to Sonnet and it’s all good. I done cut off two fake ass people from my life, might as well make it three. Don’t ever call me again.”

  With that Cheron hung up the phone while Lexi was still speaking.

  Chapter 16 – No Place To Go

  Darkness crept in where the dusk had completely faded. Sonnet managed to get back on her feet and drag herself to the curb to catch her breath.

  The Duchess and her crew of shemales had taken her by surprise. Not only did she blow the engine in the Festiva trying to out run her crazy ass, she had to leave behind her belongings. She didn’t even get a chance to grab her purse with the last few dollars she had to her name. Even though her cell was turned off, she could at least use it for the contacts and who the hell knows where Gucci was. And worst of all, she was scalped as payment for her shop bill.

  As she sat weeping with her head in her hands, it started to drizzle.

  Can this night get any worse?

  She had lost everything. Is this what rock bottom felt like?

  Suddenly from behind one of the huge recycle bins that lined the back of the buildings she heard a whining noise. She crept over to it and peeped around the side, only to see Gucci, scared, shivering and whining.

  “Gucci, come to momma baby!”

  The pooch made a mad dash for Sonnet and leaped into her arms.

  “I know you not use to being out here like this, neither am I.”

  She stroked the dog’s dirty fur to comfort her. “You my only friend Gucci.”

  The dog licked the salty tears as they fell from her owner’s eyes.

  Despite Sonnet being bruised and defeated, she realized that she had to keep moving. There was no way she was going to sleep on the street. Her plan was to make it back to the car and at least use it for shelter for the night if she couldn’t manage to get it started. And if she had to walk away and leave it tomorrow so be it. She also prayed that her belongings would still be there when she got back to it.

  That idea was short lived seeing as the police were now on the scene along with a tow truck. She couldn’t even get her purse or her things out of the trunk for fear that she would be arrested seeing as Cheron most likely called them when she stole the car.

  “What are we going to do now Gucci?”

  Her body was paralyzed with fear. For the first time in her entire life, she was faced with the possibility that she may have to sleep outside.

  She had no phone or no money. She could go into a store or a bar and ask someone to use the phone, but who would she call?

  She held herself to stay warm as she trudged down the damp darkened street. If she could only make it to the next intersection, there would surely be someone there who could help her.

  “Lord I know I don’t pray like I should but please provide a place for me and Gucci to stay tonight.”

  It was though her prayers had been answered. When she finally made it to the next busy street, low and behold what sat on the corner, a sight for sore eyes, it was a church.

  Sonnet’s heart almost leaped out of her chest when she saw the building. She picked Gucci up, who had been following along beside her and ran across the street.

  She was just in time to see some of the sistas leaving their evening bible study.

  “Please help me,” she called out to the women as they headed towards the parking lot.

  They were taken aback by her disheveled appearance.

  “What happened to you child?” one of them called out.

  “I was kicked out of my place and I was attacked just now.”

  “My God have mercy, are you ok? Do you need us to call the police?” the women asked as they surrounded her.

  “I’m ok. I don’t need the police, I just need to sit down and get warm.”

  “Lawd child they just about to lock up the church, lucky you showed up when you did. Come on in here. Let’s dry you off and get you some coffee. By the way, you can call me Sista Bessie. That’s Sista Esther and Sista Patti.”

  “Please to meet you ladies,” Sonnet replied as she extended a cold, shaky hand. The women’s handshakes felt warm and comforting.

  “The pleasure is ours,” Sista Esther responded. “Bessie, you need me and Patti to go back in with you?”

  “It’s late and I know y’all got to be getting on down the road. I’ll take care of this young lady.”

  “Are you sure because we can stay till she gets herself together, so you don’t have to walk back out by yourself,” Sista Patti chimed in.

  “Child naw... I’ll be ok.”

  “Ok, well good luck to you young lady. I’ll be praying for you,” said Sista Patti.

  “So will I, good luck to you baby,” said Sista Esther.

  “Thank you,” Sonnet replied.

  “Now let’s get you inside and see if we can get you some help” announced Sista Bessie.

  She stopped Sonnet dead in her tracks before entering the church.

  “Baby you can’t bring that dog in here.”

  “Please, she’s cold and hungry” Sonnet replied with pleading eyes.

  They both looked so pitiful that Sista Bessie felt sorry for them. She let out a sigh and looked around to see if anyone was watching.

  “I guess she can come in, but only for a few minutes, till she warms up.”

  “Thank you so much!”

  Upon entering the church, Sonnet was over whelmed by the breathtaking beauty that stood before her. In her whole life, she had never seen a church so beautiful.

  Every detail from the rich violet curtains with gold sashes that dressed the 12 foot stained glass windows, to the majestic statues, and marble flooring oozed magnificence and spender.

  “Beautiful isn’t it?” Sista Bessie asked as she noticed Sonnet admiring her surroundings.

  “Yes it is, it’s been way too long since I’ve been to church.”

  “Come in here and have a seat and tell me what’s going on.”

  Sista Bessie ushered Sonnet to one of the offices and poured her a cup of coffee. Gucci followed close behind and sat at her feet.

  “Thank you... well I don’t know where to start. Everything seems to be falling apart around me. First my boyfriend and I broke up, then I started dating a new guy, only to have him scam me out of my money.”

  “Oh baby I’m sorry to hear that,” Sista Bessie replied, giving her a sympathetic gaze. “Keep going...”

  “After I lost everything I had to move in with a friend. We got into a fight earlier today, and she put me out. I didn’t have anywhere else to turn, that’s how I ended up here.”

  Sista Bessie took a sip from her cup as she listened to Sonnet’s story. Her mind didn’t usually lead her wrong. And in her 61 years of living she could tell when someone wasn’t being completely straight with her. She sensed Sonnet had more to her story than she was telling, but she let her continue on without questioning her.

  “What about your family? Do you have somebody you need me to call?”

  Sonnet pondered in thought for a few seconds wondering what would happen if she tried to call Aintee Maven. At the end of the day, she didn’t even know her or Aviare’s number by heart, despite the many times they called
her. All her contacts were lost when she lost her phone. In addition to that, Aintee Maven had cut her off. How would it look now if she were to call her for help?”

  “Nah... I don’t have any family. Well any that wants to be bothered with me. My parents are dead, and my aunt cut me off. I even lost my best friends.”

  Sonnet looked down at her cup as she spoke to avoid making eye contact with Sista Bessie.

  “Sounds like the Lord doing some kind of work with you. Have you been praying about your situation?”

  “Nah... I know I should, but it just never crosses my mind. I can’t believe how I lost everything and everybody. I had it all. I didn’t use to look anything like this,” Sonnet replied in disgust, waving her hand across her body.

  Sista Bessie let out a small chuckle. “Child the Lord don’t care nothing about how you look. God examines the hearts of men. That’s what you will be judged on. He loves you though. All you need to do is repent and ask him to come into your life.”

  Sonnet looked up at Sista Bessie with contempt. Of course she would say that the Lord don’t care about what you look like, look at her.

  She was a large brown skinned woman that appeared to be about 200 pounds in stature judging by her 5’6 inch frame. Her salt and pepper locks were perfectly coiffed in a chin length bob. Deep expression lines framed a smile that was as warm as her heart. She was a fairly loud and boisterous woman. However, her words carried the weight of someone who didn’t mind speaking their mind, even when her opinion wasn’t popular. Beyond her sometimes brash approach, was a nurturing spirit and a heart of gold that inspired others to lead by example.

  “Hmph... If God loves me so much why would he allow this to happen to me? Why would he cause me to lose everything I have and everyone I ever loved?” Sonnet asked in a disdained tone.

  “Sometimes the Lord doesn’t change your situation because he’s trying to change your heart,” Sista Bessie responded, peering at Sonnet over the edge of her wire framed glasses.

  As much as Sonnet hated to admit it, Sista Bessie’s words cut her to the core. And why was she looking at her like that? It was like she looked through her whenever their eyes met. Sista Bessie’s bold, authoritative presence and unyielding ability to not seem fazed by anything, made Sonnet very uneasy to say the least. She started fidgeting in her chair and tapping her foot. Sonnet picked up on the fact that Sista Bessie would not be someone she could easily run game on.