Skeletons by Shimeka McFadden Page B

mother.
    Pandia yawned again, “Well I’m about to go to sleep, I can’t wait up on him all night tonight.”
    “Alright, I will see you in the morning.”
    “Asteria, I love you.”
    Taken by surprise I stammered, “I-I love you too.”
    Once I hung up the phone with her I jumped out of bed, threw on a pair of jeans, a hoodie, and boots. I got Latif out of his bed and put his coat on over his thermal sleeper as he slept. Jumping in my blue Avalon I sped down the road towards the highway, telling myself that I was only going to make sure that Keith was out with his boys and not with some slut.
    When I pulled up to the Skybox I rode around the parking lot, but when I didn’t spot Keith’s truck I sped off. Not knowing where he was I dialed his cellphone once again, still no answer. Growing more pissed by the second I drove past a few other spots that Keith and his boys were known to hang out at from time to time, but still no luck. Finally, after looking at the clock read twelve-thirty I decided to take my ass home. Keith would have to feel my wrath the next time that I saw him. Unlike my sister, I’m not stupid; Keith always played the Stony and Pete game with her when he was really with me. Sometimes while he was sexing me Pandia would call and he’d lie and say that he was kicking it with one of his boys and that he’d be home soon. I’m no fool, I knew that Keith was out with someone else, but who?
    Deciding not to take the highway home I instead rode down Delmar; as my car neared the shop I slowed down when I noticed a car sitting out front. It was silver Ford Focus with tinted windows and Illinois plates; there was only one person who drove that car and it was Keisha. Wondering why this heifer was at the shop other than to steal products I pulled my car to the side of the building and to my surprise Keith’s truck was parked in the parking lot. Furious I tried to get out of the car without putting it in park and ended up rear ending Keith’s truck. Putting my own car in reverse and parking it alongside of Keith’s I jumped out and walked to the side door of the salon.
    Quietly putting my key in the door and turning the lock, I could hear soft moans coming from the front of the shop. I tip-toed to the front and there was Keith sitting in his wife’s chair with Keisha, butt naked riding him. Her head was thrown back as she rotated her hips on my man’s lap. I could taste the blood boiling in my throat as I watched the man that I loved fuck the girl that I gave a chance. I wanted to come out of the darkness and choke the life out of Keisha, but the tears forming in my eyes made impossible for me to see clearly. Keith stood up; bending Keisha over the chair he took her from behind. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t say anything because I’d expose my own skeleton, instead I walked back out into the frigid midnight air.
    Before I left, I made sure Keith got a nice parting gift; I took my key and ran it along the length of his truck on the driver’s side first then repeated my actions on the passenger’s side. I rode home with tears in my eyes and pain in my heart wondering how he could do this. How ironic, this must be how my sister felt every time that he was with me.

18
    Santana
     
    G athering a stack of checks that I needed to present to Mr. Gold for approval I walked out of my office passing by Tabitha’s desk she winked at me and continued her telephone conversation.
    “Good afternoon Julie.” I smiled to Mr. Gold’s young assistant.
    “Good afternoon Mrs. Montgomery,” she smiled, “I love your suit.”
    “Thanks. Is Mr. Gold in his office?”
    “Yes, I told him that you were coming.”
    Thanking Julie I walked into Mr. Gold’s office, he was standing in front of the large floor to ceiling windows with a golf putter in one hand and a scotch in his other.
    “Good afternoon Santana.” He grinned when he saw me.
    “How are you?” I asked taking a seat on the large Italian leather