From Sinner to Saint Read online

  After having dodged the prom date bullet, Antonyo needed to get away from these two females, so he decided to make an excuse and leave. His next move would be to head over to Brittany’s house. She was never too busy for him, and she had more experience than Kayla. He just happened to like Kayla more. Antonyo sensed that his sentimental side was becoming a hazard to his Mack Daddy lifestyle, but what could he do? Sometimes even the best of pimps got caught off guard momentarily.

  “Kay, I’m going home now. It’s getting close to finals, and I really need to get caught up on some English work. Ever since me and Mr. Flannery got into it, I’ve been behind in his class.” Antonyo leaned over to give Kayla a good-bye kiss once he stood up from the sofa. Turning toward his cousin, he offered her a kiss on the cheek as well.

  Taraija gently moved away, and Antonyo’s kissed barely caught her on the ear. She didn’t want Kayla to notice her action and question her about it, so she was subtle, but the last thing she wanted was a kiss from Antonyo. Still furious at him for cheating on Kayla, she vowed she would somehow get back at him.

  Antonyo again noticed his cousin’s attitude, and prayed she would not dime him out. Again, his mother’s voice rang in his head: You reap what you sow, Antonyo, he heard her say. Just as quickly, his mind countered with, That is just old-fashioned thinking. You cousin has got your back. He left the basement confident that she would not tell, and headed over to Brittany’s for a little fun in the back seat of his car.

  Taraija started hatching her plan the moment she heard the side door close.

  Chapter 5

  That evening after Antonyo and Brittany were done with their little romp, they relaxed in the back seat of his car, still sitting at the park. Antonyo decided now was as good a time as any to tell Brittany he was taking Taylor to the prom and explain his reasoning behind his decision. He knew it would not be too much of a problem, but he wanted to be gentle.

  “Brittany, baby, I have something I want to tell you. I know you are going to be a little upset, but I want to be honest with you.”

  Brittany snuggled closer to Antonyo and braced herself for what she was about to hear. The only thing he could say that would really bother her was that he no longer wanted to see her. She hoped that was not the news.

  Holding her breath, Brittany asked, “What is it, Tony?”

  “I’ve decided to take Taylor to the prom,” he announced. He then went on to explain to her the logic as his mother had explained it to him.

  “So you see, I will take you to your prom next year. I promise,” he finished.

  Brittany was so relieved. While she truly did want to go to the prom with him this year, she was cool with him taking Taylor. His promise to take her next year meant that he would be with her for at least another whole year. The prospect of him being a part of her life throughout the duration of her senior year was wonderful to her.

  “I understand, Antonyo, and I don’t mind. Taylor is cool people. I’d even like to come and get a few pictures of you two before you leave, if that’s all right with you.”

  “That’s cool with me. You can meet us at my mother’s house. After I pick her up in the limo and we take pictures at her mother’s house, Taylor and I will go back there to do the picture thing.”

  Antonyo was happy that there was absolutely no drama with Brittany. With her and Taylor, he could be completely honest because they were both content simply to have a part of him, as opposed to having none of him at all.

  He just wished things were as simple with Kayla. The situation with her was difficult because she offered so much when she gave him her virginity, thus expecting much in return. Antonyo respected Kayla. He prized her innocence and naïve nature. It was that part of her that touched his heart; yet it was also the same part he took advantage of. He often found himself wrestling with conflict and guilt after spending quality time in Kayla’s presence. It was like sitting between the white-clothed angel with a halo and the red-covered devil with the pitchfork.

  After dropping Brittany off, Antonyo drove home, reflecting on words that were a part of his aunt’s lessons: Love has no place in the life of a mack. A pimp, on the other hand, has to sometimes show love in an effort to keep his whore, because he needs her. A mack, however, can keep his heart guarded at all times, because he should never deal with a female that is not disposable. A little interest is all the energy a true mack should ever have to exert.

  Was Kayla disposable? If so, why did he feel the need to lie to her?

  “Hey, son! How you doing?” Sheldon asked his oldest child over the phone.

  Antonyo and Sheldon were more like acquaintances than father and son. Sheldon only showed up sporadically. Whenever he did make an appearance, he always made a big deal about the few dollars that the state garnished from his paycheck for child support. Complaining about money he paid seemed more important than actually spending time with his son; therefore, Antonyo had come to dread the encounters.

  “What up, Dad?” he responded unenthusiastically. He only called Sheldon Dad because his mother insisted that Antonyo always respect him.

  “So, my boy is going to the prom. That’s so cool. I bought you a little gift. I want to bring it over tonight before you leave, if that’s all right with you.”

  Antonyo knew not to expect much of anything, if Sheldon even bothered to show up at all, but he agreed. “Sure. Everybody will be meeting here around seven to take pictures and stuff. You can come by then.”

  “Good deal. I guess I’ll see you then.”

  Antonyo recognized guess was more than likely the operative word. The moment he hung up the phone, it rang again. “Hello,” he answered.

  “Tony, dude! What time are we supposed to hook up? Which girl are we picking up first?” Darnell’s voice raised an octave from his excitement over the prom and the limousine. Antonyo found his cousin’s excitement both amusing and aggravating.

  “The limo will come here first; then we will come and get you. We can figure out which female to pick up from there. Calm down, cousin.”

  “Hold on a minute, Tony. The other line is ringing.” Darnell clicked over. When he came back to the line, Antonyo overheard him yelling a message for Aunt Treecie. “Ma, Taraija said her daddy will drop them off at five.”

  “Taraija’s coming to spend the weekend over there?” Antonyo asked with a little apprehension. For some reason, the thought of his cousin being there this weekend made him somewhat uncomfortable.

  “Yeah. She’ll be here later this afternoon. She wanted to see her big brother off to the prom.”

  Something was up. Antonyo could feel it deep down in his bones, but could not exactly pinpoint why his senses were on full alert. He became agitated trying to figure out what Taraija was up to. “Dang!”

  “What’s wrong, man?” a confused Darnell asked his cousin.

  “Nothing. I just banged my toe,” Antonyo lied. “I’ve got some things I need to finish around here, so I’ll see you later, Darnell.” He hung up abruptly before his cousin could say anything else.

  Antonyo sat on his bed, thinking about why he felt so uneasy. After sitting for only a few minutes, he realized it made perfect sense that Taraija would come over this weekend. The prom was a big event for her brother. He decided to let go of his angst and finish getting ready for his prom.

  Just as Antonyo and Trina were putting the final touches on his hair and tuxedo, mother and son heard a knock at the front door. Trina left the bedroom to investigate.

  “Antonyo, your father is here,” she yelled to him after a few moments.

  Antonyo was somewhat stunned. His dad had actually come through as he said he would. Antonyo joined his parents in the living room and found his father shamelessly flirting with his mother, while Trina dissed him like a snaggletooth orangutan.

  “Thank God my rap is not as weak as his,” Antonyo mumbled as he approached his parents.

  “Did you say something, Antonyo?” Trina asked.

  “No, Ma,” h
e replied then looked to his father. “What up, Dad?”

  “Hey, son! I brought this for you.” Sheldon handed Antonyo a gold-colored gift bag.

  Antonyo, surprised, took the bag from his father’s outstretched hand. He could not remember the last time Sheldon had given him anything. He opened the bag and removed a nicely wrapped box. Inside the box was a stylish new watch.

  Both Antonyo and Trina stood mesmerized, looking back and forth between each other and the gift he held in his hand. Each was impressed by the watch, but more intrigued by the gesture itself.

  “Well, what do you think? Do you like it?”

  Not wanting to let his father know how awed he was by the watch, Antonyo opted to downplay his emotions and gave only a minimal response.

  “It’s cool, Dad. Thanks.”

  “Cool!” Sheldon repeated.

  Trina could read her son like a book. She knew he was pleased with the gift and the giver.

  “Dad, my graduation is in two weeks. I want you to promise you’ll be there. I’ll call you later in the week to give you the details.”

  “I promise. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Antonyo smiled at his father. As hard as he was trying not to let Sheldon’s appearance and gift get his hopes up, he found himself eager over the possibility that the two could begin to build a closer relationship.

  When the limousine arrived, Sheldon and Trina stood outside and took a couple of pictures of their son. They did not want to waste too much film because he and his cousin were due back to the house with their dates before they actually left for the event.

  “You’ll be here when I get back. Right, Dad?” Antonyo asked.

  “I sure will. I’ve got a quick errand to run, then I’ll come right back,” Sheldon said. Antonyo again smiled at his father and rode off in the limo, believing his every word.

  The limo went to pick up Darnell then headed to get Darnell’s date, Ebony. As they pulled away from Aunt Treecie’s, Antonyo inquired about Taraija’s whereabouts. “D, where is Taraija? I thought you said she was spending the weekend.”

  “She went to visit an old friend in the neighborhood. She said she would catch up with us at your house once we got back there,” Darnell answered.

  At Ebony’s house, they took a few pictures then headed over to pick up Taylor, where the flashbulbs were again in full effect. Finally they made their way back to Trina’s house.

  Treecie and Trina greeted the limo and helped the two couples out of the car. Antonyo’s mother pulled her son aside to whisper something in his ear. “Antonyo, Brittany is in my house. She swore that you said it was okay for her to come over here and take pictures. Is that true? If it’s not, I’m going in there and smack the taste out of her mouth for lying.”

  “It’s cool, Ma. I told her she could come over,” Antonyo assured his mother, who looked at him with veiled contempt.

  Brittany came from inside the house, first greeting Taylor, complimenting her on how wonderful she looked, and then acknowledging the rest of the prom party. Trina and Treecie stood watching with different emotions on how Antonyo could entertain both women at the same time and get away with it. Trina was afraid for her only child and how his behavior was going to affect his adult life. Treecie was inspired by her protégé and how much better he was at macking than she thought he would ever be.

  “My nephew is one bad li’l Negro,” Treecie professed.

  “I’m glad you are so proud of how he is paving his road to hell,” Trina replied sarcastically. Treecie, in an effort to avoid a sermon, kept her mouth closed. She simply rolled her eyes at her sister.

  Antonyo looked around the yard in search of his dad as everyone milled about. He then noticed his car was not there.

  “Mama, where’s Dad? Did he come back yet?”

  “No, not yet, Antonyo. He’ll probably be here any minute.” Trina did not have the heart to tell her son that his father was more than likely going to be a no-show. Sheldon was Sheldon. Nothing other than God could change him. She had hoped Antonyo would have come to understand that by now, but her son obviously still craved his father’s love and attention.

  Antonyo trotted off to get in the pictures. Every few seconds, Trina would catch him glancing up and down the street, knowing he was looking for Sheldon. Her heart broke for him.

  During one of the photos Trina took of Antonyo and Taylor, she again caught him searching the block for Sheldon. Suddenly, his eyes got big and he looked as if he were going to faint. Trina looked in the direction of her son’s focus, hoping to see Sheldon coming down the block; however, she only saw her niece, Taraija, walking alongside another young girl. Why would seeing his cousin cause him such shock?

  Antonyo could not believe his eyes. There came Taraija with a big ole grin on her face, while Kayla walked next to her with an even bigger scowl on hers. How could Taraija do this to him? How could she betray him like this? How was he going to explain this mess?

  As if reading his mind, Kayla asked, “Tony, what are you doing? I thought you were not going to the prom. What lie are you going to tell me now?” She now stood directly in Antonyo’s face, her arms folded across her chest, with her lips poked out two miles in front of her.

  Antonyo was speechless. Not one word left his lips, no matter how hard he tried to speak.

  Taylor stepped between the two, alleviating the closeness of Antonyo and Kayla. She was the first to break the silence. “Look, little girl, it’s obvious that you’re another one of Antonyo’s playmates, and now you have an attitude because he’s taking me to the prom. But let this be known: tonight Antonyo is my man. He is going to the prom with me, so back up.”

  “AARGHHHHH!” Whack! Kayla let out a loud howl, and then punched Taylor in the face with all her might.

  Everything after that happened very quickly. Taylor grabbed Kayla, and the two began an all out fistfight. Taylor was a couple of years older, three inches taller, and about ten pounds heavier than Kayla, and using all of that to her advantage . . . long gown, high heels, and all. Kayla was definitely losing this battle.

  Taraija saw how badly her best friend was being defeated and jumped in to help Kayla. She grabbed one of Taylor’s discarded shoes and began pummeling her in the head with the thick heel. Darnell saw his little sister get in the scuffle, so he stepped in to grab her away. Before her brother could get to her, though, Taraija caught a solid blow to the chin.

  Seeing her child get hit sent Treecie into the brawl; however, instead of acting like a grownup and trying to pry the fighting girls apart, she, too, joined in on the beat-down against Taylor.

  Trina, being the only obvious adult-minded person present, tried her best to bring control to the disaster in her front yard. She screamed, yelled, and did her best to grab a swinging arm in an effort to break up the fight, but there were too many hands, feet, and shoes flying for her to gain any momentum.

  Antonyo and Ebony stood watching the fiasco while Brittany positioned herself so she could photograph the whole thing. Antonyo was too spellbound to move, and Ebony wanted no part of any of it, since it had nothing to do with her.

  Antonyo finally broke his trance when he heard his mother yell, “Antonyo Ian Demonté Simms, get your butt over here and help me break up this mess.”

  By the time it was all said and done, a badly beaten Kayla was seated on the front porch with Taraija, who only had a bloody lip. Taylor, who had taken the worst beating, was sitting in the limo, being tended to by the driver while awaiting her mother’s arrival.

  Trina, Treecie, Antonyo, and Darnell were talking to the police, who had been called by Ebony. She and Brittany were now gone because Ebony’s mother had already picked up both girls and left. The police left, only warning the adults to control their children. No one made it to the prom.

  Antonyo went to the limo just as Taylor’s mom arrived. He wanted to apologize for everything. “Taylor, before you go—” he began, but was unable to finish.

  “Antonyo, get a
way from me before I kick you. Don’t ever speak to me again. When you see me in school, pretend like you don’t know me.” She then got in the car with her mother and they drove away.

  Antonyo went to join Kayla and Taraija on the porch, but he had to bypass his mom first. She was still standing on the sidewalk waiting for him. She grabbed his arm as he tried to pass her.

  “Antonyo, I am sick and tired of this crap. Here I am all scratched up because of your wannabe mack-daddy drama. This is the final time I am going to tell you not to bring it to my house again.”

  “Yes, Mama,” Antonyo replied as his mother and aunt retreated to the house. He then went to try to talk with Kayla.

  As soon as he approached, both Kayla and Taraija started yelling at him.

  “I can’t believe you lied to me, Tony. Why did you do that?” Kayla screamed through her tears.

  “You ain’t nothing but a punk, Tony,” Taraija added.

  Treecie overheard Taraija’s intervention and instructed her to come into the house and stay out of their business.

  “I’m sorry I lied to you, Kayla. I had a perfectly good reason for taking Taylor to the prom, and I should have simply explained it to you.” He gave her a doctored-up version of the spiel that his mother’s advice produced, minus the inclusion of the fact that he had been dating Taylor and Brittany. “Taylor is just a good friend and classmate, and she had no one to take her to the prom. Since this is her last year of high school, I wanted to do her this favor. I lied to you because I just didn’t want to lose you, baby.” Without even realizing it, he was back in mack mode.

  “I’m glad to hear that, because I found out I was pregnant yesterday.” Her tears had momentarily stopped, but the moment she shared her news, she began bawling again.

  Shock was barely an adequate enough word to describe Antonyo’s state after Kayla’s announcement. He became sick to his stomach, nearly throwing up on the front porch. This could not be happening to him. He had always been so careful not to get anybody pregnant. He wore condoms for protection against STDs; killing the chance of fatherhood was a bonus as a result. Kayla, however, was the first virgin he had been with. Since he didn’t have to worry about disease, he never even thought about birth control.