Page 58 of Rah

“Who is this?” I was holding the phone up to his face so close that the reflection of the picture was on his chocolate skin.

Rah squinted his eyes, looking at it. Then he slapped my wrists so hard that the phone flew out of my hand.

“Ouch!”

“Shut up before you wake the baby.”

My eyes bulged in response. I pushed past the offense I felt and asked, “Who is that, Rah?”

“Why are you worried about it?”

I could have fainted. Was he serious?

“Why am I worried about it? You can’t be serious! You’re laying up with some chick, andthat’syour response?!”

He simply continued to collect his things for his shower, like what I was saying meant nothing to him.

“Rah, answer me!”

No longer did I care about being put out. Rah was being so disrespectful that my anger didn’t allow me to care.

“My cousin is in the hospital with bullet holes in his stomach and you worried about some bitch?!”

My flabber was gasted. “Yes!”

“Why do you care?! Whose living good? Whose rockin’ expensive labels and all that five-hundred-dollar ass hair without paying a dime?! I take care of you because you’re supposed to be my ride or die bitch. But you standing here worried about a bitch who can’t get a dime outta me!”

“And that’s supposed to be okay?! That doesn’t make it right, Rah! This bitch is comfortable with you if she is contacting me. And she’s real close to you if she was able to get my number out of your phone.”

No response.

Nothing.

He just casually continued to collect his shower gel and deodorant from the dresser.

“I’ll ride for you all day, but only if you ridin’ for me. I’m riding for you while you’re walking all over me! And furthermore, just as hard as I ride for you, I’m going to ride just as hard for my motherfuckin’ self. Which means, I’m not condoning this shit! Hell, I’m starting to think Solae was right.” I chuckled sarcastically. “You’ve probably been fucking with her too. Now, you’re cheating onus.”

He stopped what he was doing right then and dropped his toiletries on the bed. My reflexes were too slow. Before I knew it, he’d grabbed me by the neck, threw me down on the bed, and started to hit me. Every punch felt like I was being smacked in the body with a bag of ice.

I couldn’t believe it. Rah had never put his hands on me before.

As he beat me, he roared, “You don’t tell me what you not gon’ condone. Fuck, you and Solae.I’mthe man.Irun shit.”

I put my arms over my face, protecting it as he swung on me.

“Stop, Rah! The baby!”

That didn’t even stop him. He just dragged me from the bed by the neck. My body hit the floor with a thud, and he continued his attack.

I just lay there, crying and trying to protect myself, until he finally stopped.

He didn’t check on me. He didn’t apologize. He didn’t even check on the baby. He grabbed his keys off the dresser and walked over me like I was a puppy.

Then, he stormed out of the room, barking, “Bet you won’t question me anymore.”

13

AALIYAH