Tracy Brown - Twisted

Table of Contents

Monique Patterson, I just cant say enough about you. Thanks for your support, your honest critiques, your patience and understanding. You are the absolute best there is and I am so honored to work with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do.

Kareem Moody, you always support me and you constantly include me in your latest ventures. You are always quick to offer your help, and you never let me down. You are a true friend and I thank you for all youve done.

Tanara Brown, Paulette Wilson, Twana Denard, Jessica Forrest, Ayana Ellis, Angelique Poole, and Deidre Woodley: A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself. A friend is someone who knows allabout you and loves you anyway. A friend remembers what we were and sees what we can be. Friends are the angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. Thank you for being my friends. I love you.

Dime Piece

Black

Criminal Minded

White Lines

The Truth Hurts

Four years later

R ah-lo walked into his house, and wasnt surprised to find it empty. He assumed that Asia must be out somewhere with her good-for-nothing friends. Their daughters were older nowfourteen, eleven, and nine. The teenagerRasheedawas always out with her friends, and the two younger ones took a dance class three days a week. He went in the kitchen and looked around for something quick to eat. True to form, Asia hadnt gone shopping, so there was nothing in the fridge for him to snack on. He sighed and shut the refrigerator and wondered what type of mother Asia really thought she was. Did she think she was doing herbest and that their daughters were learning good habits from her? This type of shit was the reason he sought shelter in the arms of other women. Although he loved his family and wanted to keep it intact, he wasnt getting what he needed from his wife. Rah-lo wondered for the thousandth time if he should walk away.

Instinctively, his mind drifted to thoughts of Celeste. Even after four years, his love for her had never waned. And try as he might, Rah-lo couldnt get over her. He walked over to the bookcase in the living room and pulled out the Bible on the second shelf. It was the only place in the house that he never worried about Asia searching. He pulled out the letter Celeste had left behind when she had walked out of his life four years ago. Rah-lo sat down on the couch and read the worn and folded page.

He folded the note once again and put it in his pocket, sighing. When he first discovered that Celeste had left town, Rah-lo had put his heart on the shelf and tried to tough it out. Fuck it , he had told himself. If she could leave him, she wasnt worth the heartache. He had even tried to put his all into his marriage at that point. One week after Celeste left town, Rah-lo had taken Asia and the girls on vacation to the Disney resort in Florida. His intention was to see if he could reconnect with his wife to salvage what remained of their marriage. Asia had been surprised by this spontaneous gesture and their daughters had been thrilled, surrounded by fun, sun, and their parents. Rah-lo had tried to make his time with his family fun enough to satisfy his longing for Celeste. But throughout their vacation, he and Asia had constantly argued. About the simplest things. They argued over what they would do each day, which rides they would get on, what the girls would wear, what they all would eat for dinner, how they would spend their evenings. It was ridiculous, and both Rah-lo and Asia were disgusted with each other by the end of their vacation.

But the girls had had a blast. Rasheeda, Raleigh, and Raven had been on cloud nine. The trip, to them, had been one big adventure. Granted, their parents were at each others throats as usual. The kids were accustomed to the arguing and fighting that went on between Rah-lo and Asia. It was nothing new to them. But they were excited to have the luxury of a hotel suite and a rental car, room service, and the excitement of being someplace new and thrilling. They seemed oblivious to the tension surrounding them, and for that Rah-lo was grateful. At least the trip hadnt been a total waste. The girls had enjoyed themselves and Rah-lo was satisfied with that.

But it had only highlighted the fact that his relationship with Asia was unsalvageable. Even with the sun and beaches, the absence of Celeste or any other distractions, and the joy of giving their daughters a vacation they would never forget, Rah-lo and Asia failed to reconnect. Even though Asia still looked good, considering her age and the fact that she had had three children, Rah-lo wasnt attracted to her anymore. Seeing his wife in a revealing bathing suit and watching her ass jiggle as she walked around sweating sexily in the heat and humidity had done nothing to entice him. He had found himself counting the days to when he could get home and get back to the block. It was the first time he genuinely accepted that he no longer loved Asia. In fact, he no longer even liked the woman.

Every day after that had been difficult for him. Staying in his marriage for the sake of his kids was a noble gesture. Butit caused him to neglect his own happiness. Each time he came home after a day of grinding in New York Citys mean streets, Rah-lo wished that he could have the love of his daughters and the routine of tucking them in each night, without having to deal with their mother. It was wishful thinking, though. Asia wasnt going anywhere. He felt like he was stuck with her.

As he sat on the couch lost in thought, Asia came home. She was returning from a smoke session at her friend Kims house. High off marijuana, eyes hanging low, Asia walked in the door and looked at Rah-lo. He looked back at his wife, trying to recall if he had ever been more disgusted by her. He was so sick of seeing her this waycoming home twisted with no dinner ready for her family and no intentions of doing anything productive.

What? she asked, looking confused.

Rah-lo just kept staring at her. Where were you?

She grinned. Youre jealous? I was just over at Kims

What are the kids supposed to eat when they get home? he demanded. Rah-lo was seething.

Asia looked taken aback but still high. Well, if youre so worried about it, why dont you go cook something for them?

Rah-lo was amazed. Whats wrong with you? You think I should do it allcooking, cleaning up, and the whole nineand you dont do shit all day but go out and get high with your friends? What the fuck do I need you for then?