A Hood Chick's Story pt. 3: The Final Chapter Read online

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  HOOD CHICK’S STORY Pt. 3:

  The FINAL CHAPTER

  Presented by:

  LaShonda DeVaughn

  Published by: StreetDreamz Publications

  Copyright © 2011 LaShonda DeVaughn

  All Rights Reserved

  Printed in the United States of America

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  PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

  This book is a work of fiction.

  Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents

  are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally.

  Any resemblance of actual persons, living or dead, events or locales

  are coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced

  without

  written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote

  brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper or magazine.

  Editor: Tina Nance – www.perfectproseediting.com

  In Loving Memory of Andre Stone…………

  Remembered forever…

  A Hood Chick is thorough… designed not to take no shit from no one! She is LOYAL; she protects her family and is down for her friends. She can adapt to any environment like a chameleon. The hood taught her to see through bullshit and play you before you play her…she loves hard, fights harder and demands respect. She is REAL, a warrior, a survivor… she is I, and I am her. Tiara James…and this is A Hood Chick’s Story…The FINAL CHAPTER!

  A Hood Chick’s Story Pt 3: The Final Chapter

  Chapter 1 – Good Bye Boston…

  I drove and I drove and I drove… Boston was finally in my past. I didn't know where the fuck I was going to end up or what the fuck my future held. All I knew was that my daughter and I were off it! I cruised 95-South as if I knew where I was heading. I kept peeking at Shayonna in the back seat and once she was finally sound asleep, I let my tears flow. It was a wrap! I was officially on my own. The pain of giving up everything and everyone torched my insides. Losing Tony, my mom, my big brother and most of all; not being able to visit my little brother’s grave site frequently, had me fucked up. Yeah, I was always forced to have my own back but at least I had Tony in my corner whenever I really needed someone. Now, I was truly alone.

  Thoughts of Tony taunted me as I drove. In the midst of my emotional meltdown, my phone vibrated repeatedly with texts from him begging me to come home and not to take Shayonna away from him. His texts had me crying even harder. As guilty as I felt for taking Shayonna away, I knew it was for our own good. It was like Tony meant well, but had a fucked up way of showing his sincerity. After that nigga gave me gonorrhea, it was more than a wrap for his ass. I was too real of a chick to stay with someone that damn selfish. I had a strong will. I was determined to make a better future; more so for my daughter than myself. The cheating and the verbal and physical abuse were way too much. It was no type of environment to raise my daughter in. All that damn stress had me tired. I couldn’t fight for us anymore, my decision was hasty, but I was ready to start over.

  As I tried to fight through New Jersey traffic, I used the time to delete Tony’s text messages. I didn’t even read any more, there were just too many. Simultaneously, an incoming text came through from his aunt. She sent me an address to her sister’s house in DC and promised that if I stayed with her, she would never tell Tony where I was headed. She said that although the neighborhood wasn’t that great, at least I’d have help. She further stated that she was just very worried about Shayonna's well-being and explained that her sister also gave her word not to tell Tony my whereabouts.

  I stared up at the road and it seemed to go on infinitely. I didn’t have anywhere to go, and I needed to stop trying to play tough because I needed help. I took a deep breath and slowly took in her suggestion.

  Fuck it. I entered the address into my GPS and then texted her back agreeing to stay with her sister; but only temporarily. She sent back a smiley face and all I could do was cry tears of joy. Her text message was heaven sent and I now had a destination.

  I spent the rest of my time on the road, reflecting on my past. I had hoped that my future was everything that my past wasn’t. After all, there was no way things could get any worse.

  It was about three o’clock in the afternoon when I arrived in DC. Shayonna had slept almost the entire way there. She woke up stretching and peering out of the back window. “Where are we Mommy?” she asked.

  “I’m trying to find your aunt’s house.” I explained while looking for number 665 on one of the identical brick row houses. My GPS was super wack! It kept telling me that I arrived at my destination three houses back which was number 625.

  “Oh, there it is.” I said as I spotted 665 on the corner. I parked my car on the congested, grim street and I peeked back at my baby. Her innocent face seemed to be full of questions. I almost started to cry again because I was still in a fragile emotional state.

  “Mommy, I have to pee.” She said clenching her legs together.

  “Okay baby, put your sweater on and let’s go inside.” I popped the trunk and retrieved the small amount of luggage that I packed and lugged it up to the dingy front door. The three brick steps leading up to the door were chipped and loose. I didn’t even get a chance to knock. Tony’s aunt opened the door right away.

  “Hey babies, come on in.” she greeted, widening the door. I instructed Shayonna to go in ahead of me and I lugged our luggage in behind her.

  “She has to use the bathroom.” I said.

  “Okay baby, look to your right, that’s the half bathroom.” Shayonna looked over at the bathroom and then back at me as if she wanted to ask for permission.

  “Go ahead baby.” I said. She bolted into the bathroom and I stood by the front door. This was the first time that I had met Tony’s aunt and it was hard to find the right words to thank her for her hospitality. The silence was awkward at first and I looked around uncomfortably before I finally spoke. “I just wanted to express how thankful I am that you offered to open your home to us. I promise you, it’s only temporary.”

  “Child don’t worry about none of that. You are family! Now come on over here and give me a hug.” She said. I embraced her and then heard Shayonna tip-toeing out of the bathroom.

  “So what should I call you? Aunty or Mrs. Stevens?” I asked.

  “Child, just call me Aunty. I know you ain’t with my knuckle-head nephew anymore but you are still family. You hear me? You are still family!”

  “Aww, thank you,” I said. My own damn family didn’t give a fuck about me so I was really appreciative of her kindness. It hit a soft spot inside.

  “And this little lady here must be Shayonna.” She said kneeling to Shayonna’s level. She gazed into Shayonna’s chinky eyes. “Mmm, you are a beautiful child. Just lovely!” She pinched her cheek.

  “Thank you.” I smiled, glancing down at Shayonna. She was being so shy.

  “Say hi to your aunty baby.”

  "Hi." Shayonna greeted nonchalantly before burying her head into my side.

  Tony's aunt flashed a smile. She had a warm welcoming smile and I felt comfortable around her. She reminded me of Tony’s mom. Her aura was very nurturing.

  She stood there dressed in her flattering sundress, staring at us. Her build was thick, but she wore her weight well. She reminded me of one of those ladies at church who always came dressed up with the fancy hats to match their dresses on Sundays. She was well put together from her French tip manicure to the long fake French tip nails on her toes. When Shayonna took her head away from m
e, she scanned Tony’s aunt up and down stopping at her feet. She bucked her eyes wide at the longer than usual fake nails on Aunty’s toes. I tried not to laugh, and pulled her toward me as Tony’s aunt began to lead us on a tour of her house.

  Suddenly the doorbell rang. Aunty turned and squinted at the door.

  “Wait right here babies, I wasn’t expecting anyone. Let me see who this is.” She started toward the front door.

  “Who is it?” she asked pressing her ear against the door.

  “It’s Ebony.” I heard a familiar voice sing out. Aunty widened the door and in walked Tony’s cousin Ebony. She sped straight toward us embracing me first.

  “Hey Tiara, it’s been sooo looonng!!” She hugged me tightly.

  I hadn’t seen Ebony since I had Shayonna, so we were practically strangers. She used to live in Boston but she was one of them chicks whose mom took her out of public school because she thought her child was too good for that type of environment. She sent her off to DC to live with her aunt and attend a private school, but it didn’t do anything but make her straight bourgeois. I always felt that she thought she was better than everyone, so I never dug her. When she would come back to Boston to visit Tony’s family, we usually only exchanged hello’s and nothing more. She would walk in with her Louis bags and her expensive weave down her back and kiss each family member on both cheeks as if she was from France or some shit. I just never rocked with bitches like her. Plus she watched me beat this bitch’s ass one day so I know she probably thought I was the biggest hoodrat ever.

  “How you been?” she asked.

  “Just taking things one day at a time.” I told her.

  “I hear that.” She said.

  I scoped her out. I noticed that she had ditched the long weave and was now rocking a feminine Mohawk with one side of her head shaved. It fit her swag. She reminded me of the singer Rihanna; same light brown eyes and slender shape. She had always dressed her ass off but now she had the appropriate hairstyle to compliment her look.

  “Aunty told me about Tony and his crazy ways. You definitely didn’t deserve what he did to you after everything you’ve been through with your family and the loss of your little brother.”

  I motioned toward Shayonna with my eyes, hoping that Ebony would realize that she was talking about my baby’s father right in front of her. Thankfully she understood and cut the convo about Tony short. She bent down and reached out her hands.

  “Hey Shayonna, I’m your cousin Ebony. Sweetie, give me a hug.”

  Shayonna reluctantly hugged her back. My poor baby didn’t know who these people were. After all, they were indeed strangers to her.

  Ebony straightened up and addressed me.

  “Tiara they have the best schools for Shayonna in VA. Y’all will love it out here!” she said enthusiastically.

  “And girl, I don’t have too many friends, so I’m glad you are here. I can show you the DMV.” She said clapping her hands twice in excitement.

  “The DMV?” I asked, wondering why she was so excited to show me the damn Department of Motor Vehicles.

  “DC, Maryland and Virginia, we call it the DMV out here for short. Everything is close to each other. It’s like fifteen minutes to VA and MD from here. And girl it ain’t like Boston, everyone out here ain’t rude. People out here actually want to see you get ahead.”

  “I’ll believe that when I see it!” I exclaimed.

  I had never been out of the Bean before so everything she said was foreign to me. I would have to discover the city for myself. Positive people were few and far between back home and if what Ebony said was true, then I moved my daughter to the right place. My biggest aspiration for her was to attend college, get the best education possible and be better than I ever was.

  “Well anyway girl, I just came by to see y’all. When Aunty told me y’all was coming to stay with her, I got excited.” She stopped talking, batted her eyes, and looked at me nervously.

  “I ain’t gonna front though, I never thought you liked me, but I always respected you. You were no joke back home.”

  I laughed because I always heard the same thing from people. They acted as if I was some sort of menace.

  “Well that was the old Tiara, I’m a mom now and nothing is more important than this little girl right here.” I said bringing Shayonna closer to me.

  “I hear that.” Ebony said. “Well get settled in and get my number from Aunty so you can call me if you need anything.” She let out a big sigh and smiled. “Tiara, I PROMISE you are going to love it out here! Moving here was the best thing that could have ever happened to me girl. Seriously,” she said sincerely.

  “I’ll be back later to show you around.” She said, and then stepped closer to my ear. “Because you will not be staying here long with all the drama happening in this house.” She whispered.

  “Child I heard that, don’t be telling that nonsense to that child.” Aunty sassed planting her hands on her wide hips.

  “I’m playing Aunty. It’s peaceful in this house.” Ebony said sarcastically and rolled her eyes.

  I wondered what she meant and just hoped that I wouldn’t be wrapped in any type of drama. I left Boston to get away from drama, not walk into it. I dismissed whatever she was implying and said my good-byes.

  “Thanks for stopping through Ebony, Aunty’s gonna finish showing us around and then I’m going to sleep. I’m tired from that long drive, but it was good seeing you.” I said.

  “No problem girl. Bye Aunty, bye little Shayonna.”

  “Bye.” Shayonna whispered.

  Aunty locked the door and we were finally led on our tour.

  “Alright y’all come on through the living room,” she gestured leading us through a short hall. Plastered on the walls in the hallway were loads of family portraits. Tony’s baby pictures in particular stuck out to me because they all reminded me of Shayonna. They looked so much alike.

  We finally ended up in Aunty’s old spacious living room and the smell of mothballs instantly filled my nose. The old flat carpet was red, the couch was an old antique styled oriental gold and red design and again, the walls were covered with photos. There were so many photos hanging around that it made the room look crowded. I smiled when I spotted Shayonna’s baby picture adorning the wall. I hadn’t even noticed that someone was on one of the couches until I heard snoring.

  “Smitty, Smitty get up!” Aunty snapped hitting the lying man’s shoulder. “You see Tiara and that baby in here, go put on some clothes! I told you they are going to be staying with us. You have to start keeping some clothes on.”

  Once Smitty sat up and removed the covers from his body, I noticed that he only had his boxers on. I had to cover Shayonna’s eyes as he stood up. His johnson hung out of the bottom of the short boxer shorts and I wanted to throw up.

  “Oh hey, how y’all doing,” he mumbled as he stumbled up from the couch. He pulled the wedgy out of his dingy cream colored boxers and burped. The nappy hairs on his chest were disturbing to look at and his beer belly stretched down to his shaft. He snatched his bottle of gin off the coffee table and pushed his way through us. Clearly he was drunk; there was no denying that. I nodded and then rolled my eyes. Everything about Aunty’s house seemed fine until I discovered that Smitty lived there too.

  I didn’t trust men at ALL after what happened to Shayonna. I couldn’t live in a household with anyone who had a strange man that I didn’t know around my daughter. She had just endured that whole ordeal with Shawn. I would never let anything like that happen to my baby ever again while she’s in my care. I almost gathered my things to head to a hotel right on the spot when I saw Smitty. But, Aunty tried to make us as comfortable as possible and I was keeping Shayonna close to me at all times.

  After the tour, Aunty fixed us a hearty meal and we ate and got acquainted. She was very down to earth and easy to talk to. And her food was the bomb! She definitely put her foot in the soul food platter. Eventually Shayonna even broke out of her shell and opened
up to Aunty. When she asked Aunty why she wore her toe nails so long, I liked to have fallen out. But Aunty thought it was the cutest thing and told Shayonna that she was a jazzy lady and every jazzy lady needed her nails and toes kept up.

  Aunty ended up turning it in early that night. It seemed as if she rushed through dinner to cater to Smitty, but I didn’t pay it any mind. I took it upon myself to do the dinner dishes and then I gave Shayonna a bath in Aunty’s newly remodeled full bathroom. It seemed to be the only room in the house that was modern. The tub was gleaming white porcelain, as was the sink and toilet. All Shayonna kept talking about was how much she missed her dad. I figured that it was the perfect opportunity for me to explain to her that we wouldn’t be going back to Boston anytime soon. She had so many questions and I didn’t want to lie to her, so I had to be honest. After all, she wasn’t a baby anymore and she was at an impressionable age. I needed her to know that every move I made was for her own good.