Forbidden Fruit Read Online Free PDF Page B

would do without you.”
     
    “You’ll never know ‘cause I ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
     
    * * *
     
    Maya rocked Lexus gently. For some reason she wouldn’t stop crying. Mel had just bought her home from Vernice’s.
     
    “What’s wrong wit’ her?” Maya asked Mel.
     
    “I don’t know. She was ai’ight earlier,” he said lighting a cigarette.
     
    “Put that shit out Mel.”
     
    He puffed the cigarette anyway.
     
    “C’mon Mel, put the damn cigarette out. I don’t like for you to smoke around my baby!” She yelled.
     
    “Ai’ight, but I ain’t doin’ it ‘cause you told me to. I’m doin’ it cause of my shorty,” he said smashing the cigarette in the ash tray.
     
    “I don’t give a fuck Mel, as long as you put that stankin’ shit out.”
     
    “Who the fuck you cussin’ at?”
     
    “What the fuck is your problem?”
     
    “Oh, okay. You smellin’ yourself now. I’m gonna leave before I say some foul shit.” He got up, lit another cigarette and headed toward the door.
     
    “You just goin’ walk out nigga? You ain’t even goin’ admit that you wrong?” Maya asked.
     
    He looked at her and shook his head.
     
    “You just wanna be a bitch and I’m leavin’.” He walked out and slammed the door.
     
    The loud bang made Maya jump, and caused Lexus to cry even harder. The sound of her cries tore at Maya’s soul.
     
    “It’s okay baby. Mommie’s right here,” she said soothingly. “You hungry baby? Is that it?” She rocked Lexus and searched in the diaper bag for a bottle. She was starting to really hate Jamels’ ass. He was only good for sex lately, but he was a good father. She wished she could confess the truth. He would flip if he knew that Lexus wasn’t his. She’d cheated early in the relationship with Ju. She’d been with Ju for almost three years and it was hard to give up her comfort zone. After she had found out that she was pregnant she’d already fallen for Jamel. He’d won her heart, but he wasn’t the father. She had told Mel that Lexus was three weeks early. Mel was in Chicago for a few weeks when she’d slept with Ju Ju. He was also away when she had the baby, so he was easily convinced. The only way she got away with it was because Lexus looked just like her. She had feet like Ju, but how would Mel know that.
     
    “It’s okay. Here’s your bottle,” she said giving Lexus what she wanted. Lexus stopped crying and started sucking immediately.
     
    Maya had a feeling that Ju knew, but hadn’t said anything. He and Mel always had it out for each other, but that was to be expected. Maya just couldn’t conjure up the nerve to come clean, especially after the cold shoulder treatment from Mel. He just wasn’t the same lately. He was bringing his street mentality into the relationship and she hated that. He wasn’t sweet and thoughtful like Diablo, and she was starting to resent him.
     
    There was a soft knock at the door. Maya held the bottle under her chin to open it. She knew that it was Mel coming back to apologize.
     
    “Ju Ju? Nigga, are you crazy?” She asked surprised to see him at the door.
     
    “Hell nol I ain’t crazy. Let me in. We need to talk,” he said.
     
    “Uh, damn Ju…you can’t be poppin’ up over here,” she said looking around in paranoia. “I have a boyfriend and a child.”
     
    “Don’t play me Maya. I know that Lexus is mine. I ain’t stupid! I can fuckin’
     
    count.”
     
    “Don’t curse around my child.”
     
    “Our child Maya! I know she mine!” He yelled angrily.
     
    She pulled him into the apartment and closed the door. She laid Lexus down in the back and then returned to where Ju was.
     
    “Don’t be poppin’ up at my crib talkin’ crazy. You don’t know who’s listenin’.”
     
    What, you don’t want Mel to pop up and over hear some shit? Huh Maya? How long you goin’ keep it a secret? You been keepin’ it a secret long enough, shit. I wanna know my fuckin’ child,” he