Scarlett by Tiece D Mickens Page B

actually made up for a change. He couldn’t believe it. He walked back out of the room and called Scarlett’s cell phone. It was 7:45 a.m. and she should have at least been home, so she could get ready for work. Scarlett’s phone rang over and over until it went to voicemail. Anton didn’t like the feeling that he was getting.
    “Where are you, Sis?” He dialed her number again and on the third ring, she answered.
    “What’s up, Ant?”
    “What’s up, Ant?” he mocked her with his deep voice. “Why the hell you ain’t answer the first time? I was worried about your ass and where you at?”
    “Damn, Daddy I didn’t know you’d be waiting up for me,” she laughed.
    “Don’t downplay this, Sis. I was worried after you didn’t come in at all last night or this morning.” Scarlett could tell Anton was sincere and she hated that she worried him like that, but it felt good to know he really did love her.
    “I’m sorry, Ant. I didn’t mean to scare you. I stayed the night in Statesboro with a friend and I’m heading to work right now. I don’t have time to drop by the house, so I’m going straight there.”
    “Okay, sis, that’s all you had to say. So did you have fun with this friend?”
    “As a matter of fact I had a wonderful time.” She was still feeling the thrill from her night with Jay.
    “I can hear it in your voice, and I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. Next time, just call and say something.”
    “Ant,” she said ignoring his comment. “Is Gwen there?”
    “I’m not sure. She wasn’t here when I in, and that was after one this morning.”
    “Hmmm… we need to sit down and talk when I get off today. I would like to discuss Gwen’s living arrangements.” Anton had an idea where she was going with this, but he didn’t want to jump to any conclusions.
    “Okay, that’s cool, sis. Have a good day at work, and I’ll make sure I’m here when you get off.”
    “Thanks, Ant. I’ll see you later and I love you.”
    “I know you do, Sis.” Ant ended the call.
    Scarlett was proud of Anton. It seemed he finally had a wakeup call. He was probably even thinking that their lives could be so much better without Gwen too. His attitude seemed to change overnight, as well. Now all she had to do was convince him that Gwen needed to be out on her own, and he’ll see how much better their lives could really be.
    After hanging up, Anton walked to Gwen’s bedroom door and lightly tapped on it. He thought he’d heard a murmur of some kind come from behind it. He lightly knocked again and the door pushed open. He was shocked. Gwen was on her knees giving Ed, the neighborhood drunk, a blowjob.
    “Ma, what in the hell are you doing?” he yelled.
    Ed snatched his pants up.
    “I was just leaving,” he stammered and jumped out of the open window. Gwen sat on the floor like that was her last resort to get her hit. She looked at Anton and rolled her eyes.
    “He hadn’t even given me the money yet!” she yelled.
    “What?” Anton grabbed his head. He couldn’t believe what Gwen had just said to him. “Are you crazy and that hard up for drugs, Ma?” He kicked a hole in the wall. He wanted to kick Gwen, but he knew if he put his foot up to her head, he would kick it right off of her body. He was BLOWED! “What were you thinking? You’re in here sucking 10-10’s dick. What the fuck, man!”
    “I needed money. My body hurts, son. I need a hit real bad.” She sat balled up on the floor, scratching her arms like she had the chicken pox or a terrible case of eczema.
    “Ma, what in the hell can 10-10 do for you? Do you not know that they call him 10-10, because all he can afford is a dime of weed and a dime of crack? The man got two teeth in his whole mouth and you’re on the floor sucking his dick! Are you kidding me?” He watched her on the floor crying like a baby. She was done. “Ma, you need help. You need to go to rehab, because once Scarlett finds out about this-“
    “You wouldn’t