Him

3.

Nicki

I somehow managed to make it through the week. But there is a major problem that has become part of this plot. Ray Ray now has to come over here and practice with me because he can't do a simple three count. This is hell on wheels right about now. My attitude hasn't changed because that asshole father I have claims to be busy every time I call him.

This morning I gave Sally and the rest the weekend off. Bill lives in the pool house so yeah he good where he at. I fixed myself some waffles and eggs since that is the only thing I feel like cooking. I sat at the kitchen table by myself in this big ass house for what seems like the hundredth time. Its really the 30th time but hey who's counting. 

Its 9:03 and somebody is banging on my door. I sighed as I passed through the foyer. I opened the door to see the boy with long twist in his hair today pulled back into a bun. He had on a chicago bulls jersey that is customized and black jeans. He had a gym bag thrown over his shoulder with a little boy attached to his leg.

"I said you can come over. Not Oliver and company." I said as I leaned against the door.

"He's my brother and I couldn't get someone to watch him so he go where I go." Ray Ray said a bit more snappier than usual.

I could careless about his brother being here. We need to pass this quarter so do what you gotta do playboy. "Fine. Come in." I said moving over a bit more to let them in. I could tell they were amazed at the sight of my house. Their jaws dropped at the staircase and the huge painting at the top of my family. Before all that shit happened.

"You live here?" the little boy asked.

"Yes. You wanna watch Nemo or something?" I bent down to his level.

"No. You got Baby Boy?" he asked excitedly.

"Cover your ears for a minute cutie." as soon as he did that I turn my attention to Ray Ray."Why the hell you let him watch that shit? How old is he?"

"Tay Tay is old enough to know every word in the dictionary. He is 6 years old. He can do whatever long as it doesn't send him to the hospital." Ray Ray yelled and smacked Tay Tay hands away from his ears in the process.

"Know what, you are over here for one reason and one reason only. Tay Tay is going to just have to read or play with something until we finish." I said calm as one can be right now.

"Yeah. Whatever. You gonna put on some clothes right? He a little bit too young to be seein' all of you." he said pointing and smirking at me.

"What?!" I looked down and seen I had on a bra and some booty shorts that my ass came out of a little. Damn. I never ran up so many stairs in my life. I put on the sleeveless white shirt and some green sweatpants that I thought I already had on. Oh my goodness. He seen more than I have ever planned on letting him see.

I went back down stairs to hear music coming from the room I barely even use anymore.

Ray Ray

While Nicki put on some clothes I found this dance studio like room. The room had a wall full of mirrors and a complete sound system. The floor was hardwood and glossy. I told Tay Tay to sit down in any corner of his choice while I hooked my Ipod up to the sound system. I played some beats and warmed up the way I always do. Dancing with Tommy the Clown for most of my childhood only way I know how to do it.

Crumping was a art form. It takes all energy from your body to do things like pin drop turn and chest movements. I learned from the best and the crew helps me with Tay Tay from time to time even though Im not apart of it anymore. I miss my second family.

I barely noticed that Nicki was watching me in the door. I stopped the music and wiped whatever sweat I had on my forehead off.

"How long was you standing there?" I asked walking back over to her.

She started stretching while she talked, "It doesn't matter. What matters is finding a way to make you move that freely with other dance styles." She sat down and bent over to touch her toes.

"What you mean?" I was confused by the tone in her voice.

"What I mean is you are going to be able to do ballet if you wanted to. Just pay attention to my feet for now." She said standing up and motioning for me to sit down. I watch every move she made. From her arms and hand motion to her hips. The last thing I wanted to watch was her feet. But when I did there was so much structure in her feet. Never missed a count matching her with whatever this music was from the 20's.

I wanted to watch her move all day. But I have to snap back to reality. Now it was my turn and being the guy in this sequence I would have to pick her up and such things. I learn from experience that she doesn't like to be touched.

"Okay, start with your right foot. Heel toe. Front back." She instructed as she also did while looking at me in the mirror. I mimicked whatever she was doing. I almost lost my balance trying to follow along with her paste. "If you need to turn your left foot you can but until you are able to do it with both feet you not learning anything else."

I stopped moving. This shit is hard to do. "Are you serious? Im not doing that all day."

"Well then become a pro at it so we can move on." she raised her eyebrows at me.

"Im hungry!" Tay Tay yelled with the headphones blocking his hearing. "You got anything to eat for him?" I asked her.

She nodded and left out. I got Tay Tay and followed her. Tay Tay smiled at me for no reason. He hasn't had a reason to smile in a while so I guess being around Nicki makes him think of my mother. We went into this big ass kitchen which would make up our whole apartment.

She went into the fridge and got out a box of pizza that only had two slices missing. She sucked her teeth and pressed the button on this panel on the wall next to the back door. "Yes Miss Nicki." the person said.

"Bill next time make it known that you were in the house please." She said.

The guy laughed, "Stop leaving the door unlocked."

She heated up the rest of the pizza and gave Tay Tay two slices and gave me three. She looked her slice. "You not hungry?"

"You care why?"

"Good question. Why do I care when you obviously have everything together?" I pushed my food away and went to get my bag. I waited for Tay Tay to eat and told him we were leaving. But I took my plate of food and left. We had to walk ten blocks and three buses to get here. I had to call Prince to come and get me because I didn't have enough for Tay Tay and me both to get on the bus again.

"How did it go?" Prince asked me as soon as I got in the passenger seat. I looked at him side ways. "That bad."

"I can't deal with her, man. One minute she nice and sweet next minute she the devil." I rubbed my temples. I looked back at Tay Tay who has not stopped smiling since we left her house.

"Tay Tay what you smiling for, homie?" I asked him playfully.

"I like her. Can she be my girl?" he said smiling.

"Ahhhh. Hahaha. Yo she too old for and your brother already got her." Prince said laughing at Tay Tay's question.

"She not my girl. She is my dance partner." I sighed. I wanted her to be my girl but I doubt that it will ever happen.