Snapped (Urban Renaissance) Read Free

himself—or you for that matter—to wrap his dick up when he’s out there in those streets. Do you know how fortunate you are that he hasn’t given you some type of disease that you can’t go to the doctor and get a cure for? He’s playing Russian Roulette with your life.”
    Her words hurt me more than I wanted to admit. I had often thought about how careless Ronald was with my life, but at the end of the day, I still loved him and would do anything to keep him, including putting my own life on the line for his. But if I were honest with myself, this was taking a toll on my self-esteem. I used to think I was a vibrant woman, but lately I felt like a piece of shit stuck on the bottom of someone’s shoe.
    “I know you ain’t stupid, but tell me this: Why haven’t you told him yet?”
    “I told you, I’m going to tell him when he comes home for Christmas. I don’t want to tell him over the phone.”
    “Why didn’t you tell him when he was here for Thanksgiving?”
    “He was only here for the day, and I wasn’t sure I was pregnant. Besides, for the first time since he left, he’s actually talking about moving back home.”
    “Ah, now we’re getting to the root of the problem. You think if you tell him, he might change his mind about moving, right?”
    I didn’t answer her. I didn’t need to because she already knew the answer to that question.
    “I’ve got to hand it to the brother, he’s good. He’s got your mind so messed up you can’t even tell when he’s pissing all over you.”
    I reared back as if to slap her. She had gone too far.
    “What? You gonna hit me? I’m the only one who is around for your sorry, underappreciated ass.”
    I got up and grabbed my purse. “You know what? I think I need to leave. Obviously, I have outstayed my welcome.”
    “Gina, no, I’m sorry. I just hate that you keep giving that man all your love and he continues to shit on you. I want you to wake the fuck up.”
    “Understand and respect this, Tabatha: I love him. For all his faults and betrayals, I love him. How he treats me is my business. Now, I love you too, but I can and will cut you from my life if I have to continue to defend my decisions to you.”
    “I hear what you’re saying. I will try to keep my opinions to myself, but would you at least consider my idea? If you are going to take in wayward kids, why not get compensated for it? You could apply for grants and give the love that is in your heart and get compensated for it.”
    “Tabatha, what are you talking about? What I do for Ronald’s kids, I do from my heart. I don’t want to accept money for it.” I sent a look that could have drawn blood.
    “Gina, doing from your heart is one thing, but your purse is on empty. You need some help. How do you plan to support another mouth when you’re barely making it as it is?”
    “My husband will support me and the children.”
    “That’s the thing, sweetie, he’s not your husband and those twins are not yours. He could decide tomorrow that he doesn’t want to have a damn thing to do with you and there won’t be anything you could do about it.”
    “Tabatha, I’m going to leave before I say something that I can’t take back.”
    “Yeah, you’re right. Because I am not going to allow you to sell me a line of bullshit. I love you, but I’m not going to say the things that make you happy just to make you feel better. I love you; but, damn, don’t test me.”
    I started to gather my belongings again.

CHAPTER TWO
     
    GINA MEADOWS
     
    When I got home, I went into frenzy mode to make sure my meager house was spotless. I gave the house one last look before I went into the living room to wait for Ronald to come back from one of his many runs. Ronald was a street nigga. He wasn’t happy staying in the house for long periods. He always had someplace to go or something to see too. He tried to make me believe that he had given up selling weed, but I wasn’t that naïve. He was a born hustler, but