Black & Ugly (35 page)

"Are you okay, baby?" he asks.

"Uh ... yeah ... I'm okay," I answer.

"Well, go sit down now. I got this," he demands as he pushes me out the kitchen.

I want to run out the door but everybody will know something's up. I wonder if he's gonna tell Parade what I did. But then, I remember I don't plan to stay friends with them after tonight anyway. So, in a way, it doesn't even matter.

I casually walk to the sofa and act like nothing happened.

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33

Miss Wayne

WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW is what's really goin' on with Miss Sky. She has been so distant lately and although I know she and Miss Parade have their problems, she's been taking it out on everyone else, too. I hadn't seen her ever since we picked Miss Daffany up from the hospital. Well, I'm not gonna be too concerned with Ms. Thang anymore. I have decided that after tonight, if she continues to play her little games, I'm severing our friendship.

"How you feelin', Miss Daffany?" I ask.

"I'm good. Just a little out of it, that's all," she responds.

Poor chile hasn't been the same for a minute. I have a feeling that I know what it is, which it was probably my big mouth that brought things out. I think she's HIV positive. Damn! We're too young to be gettin' shit like that. I don't care what she got, she'll always be my girl and I'll always love her.

"Well, let's start the game," Miss Sky says, clearly
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not getting enough attention. "I think it's my turn to start first since Parade went first last month."

"Okay," everyone agrees.

"Well, Miss Wayne," she says as she turns around to me, "truth or dare?"

"Uhn-ahn, honey. We playin' charades this month, remember? We played that game last month and you know we have to switch up."

"
Noooooo
," Miss Sky asserts. "We didn't finish playing because Melvin came by and picked up Parade." She turns around and looks at Parade like she's sorry. "Oh, I'm sorry, Parade. I didn't mean to bring up your boyfriend," she pronounces real slyly.

"Don't worry, Sky. Me and Melvin are through. I've told Cannon everything he needs to know about him," Miss Parade responds calmly.

"I doubt that very seriously," Miss Sky shoots back.

We all look at one another, trying to figure out what's up with her 'tude.

Right in the middle of the game, Miss Parade's cell phone rings. She excuses herself, walks out of the living room and goes into the bathroom to take the call.

Miss Daffany jumps up, heading toward the kitchen.

Miss Parade returns five minutes later and she doesn't have her cell phone on her and that definitely doesn't help matters. Miss Sky has an attitude as expected.

She's probably assuming it was Jay while I wouldn't be surprised if it was. I figure she must've left the phone wherever on purpose and I almost ask, "Parade who was that?" but I reconsider. There's no need for me hot
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boxing. After the little stunt Miss Sky pulled before, when she tried to use her phone, nobody really wants to hear her mouth.

"Sorry, y'all. Uh ... that was my mom," Miss Parade says.

"I bet it was," Miss Sky responds and rolls her eyes.

"I don't recall you leavin' to talk to your mom in the past. But, whatever you say. Anyway," Miss Sky continues in her funky little demeanor, "Miss Wayne, truth or dare?"

"Truth," I say, not wanting to act up as of yet by picking dare in front of Miss Parade's man.

"Okay. Is it true that you got that outfit for ten bucks at the flea market in Baltimore?" Oh, this bitch tried it. See, I wasn't gonna take it there but since she wants to bring it, I decide to come for her when I get my turn.

"Yes, honey. It
is
true. Miss Wayne knows how to look for a deal without being cheap. Something you know a lot about," I retort and roll my neck.

"You look good in it, too," Miss Daffany says as she returns from the kitchen looking like she's out to lunch.

I don't care. Whatever she took, she deserves to feel better after everything she's been through.

"Thanks, baby. I try," I reply as I smack my lips then look back at Miss Sky, like the trash she is. "My turn. Truth or dare, Miss Daffany?"

"True," Miss Daffany responds.

"Is it true that you seen Miss Sky eat a fry that fell from her plate and onto the floor at Friday's?"
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"It is true," Miss Daffany answers as she winks at me. Everyone, including Cannon, busts out laughing.

"That is real cute but it was
my
food," Miss Sky responds.

"But it was on the fuckin' floor! Yuck," I tease as I brush her away to give Miss Daffany a high five. "And you call yourself a lady."

"Don't be mad, Sky. We just messing with you," Miss Parade says.

"Yeah, whatever the fuck," Miss Sky counters.

"
Okay
," says Miss Parade, thinking she's playing, but I know the bitch is serious.

"Truth or dare, Sky," Miss Daffany asks.

"
Truth
," she responds, real nasty.

"Is it true you think that everyone in the world is jealous of you?" Miss Daffany laughs, convincing me even more that she's high.

"It's true because they are jealous, including all of you bitches in here."

"Hold up, Miss Sky. Are you playing or serious?" I ask her, not feeling the attitude anymore.

"Why, Miss Wayne," she pauses, "I'm just playin'.

Just like y'all are," she says sarcastically. "But since you asked me a question, truth or dare."

"True," I reluctantly respond as I try to think of what I could have possibly done around her that she could use against me. I stop as I realize that we've been friends so long and it's a waste of my time.

"Is it true that you once thought Parade looked like a boy, and you didn't want to be her friend because she
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always looked dirty?"

"You bitch. You fuckin' bitch!" I scream at her, wanting to slap her. What hurts the most is the look on Miss Parade's face as she waits for my answer.

"True or false?" Miss Sky repeats, trying to make matters worse. "Why you keeping everybody waiting?"

"I heard you, bitch!" I yell in her face. "It's true," I answer in a low voice. "But we were in fucking middle school then," I continue, trying to cover up the betray-al. "What were we, like, ten?"

"Miss Wayne, we're not playing truth, dare and explanations, so save it. If you said it, you said it. This is a game, right? We should all be able to handle anything we're dealt," she says and smiles at me.

I look over at Miss Parade who is visibly heartbro-ken and embarrassed. "I guess so," I respond.

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34

Parade

I DON'T WANT TO PLAY the game anymore, and I can tell that nobody besides Sky wants to play either. Sky embarrasses me so much that I want to go home and hide under my covers. Cannon's constant pulls around my waist make me feel better. I can tell he wants me to know that he's on my side and it feels good.

Sky has hurt my feelings for the last time.

"Truth or dare, Sky?" I ask.

"Truth," she responds like she's ready for me.

"Is it true that you never really liked me and only used me for what I could do for you?"

"False," she answers and laughs. "Are you kidding me? What can you do for me, Parade? You can't do shit for me but get in my way and try to bite my style.

Bitch, I made you. Just a few weeks ago you were bust-ed and look at you now."

"Now who's getting mad?" Miss Wayne says, trying to help me as usual.

"I'm not mad. She asked me a question and I
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