Chapter Eight

Angela
So we were exclusive.
"I think I should tell Anthony about my past."
Meech was quiet.
"Did you hear me?"
"Do you really think he's ready for that?"
"I don't know but I'm starting to really like him and I think he should know.
"Well you guys have been together damn near a year."
"Technically four months."
"Whatever. I guess if he's really into you then it shouldn't matter."
Meech was right. If this is real nothing I could tell him would hurt our relationship.
I made my famous chicken alfredo and invited him over.
"What's the occasion?"
I sat his plate in front of him and sat down with mine.
"I just want to talk to you."
"About what?" he asked looking suspicious.
"Me. I think it's time I tell you about my past."
"Okay," he said taking a fork full of noodles.
I took a deep breath before I began.
"The night we met at the club I had just gotten off parole."
He dropped the fork back onto his plate.
"Parole?" For what?"
"Attempted murder," I said with my head down.
I didn't have to look at him to know he was bothered by my confession. I continued through the uneasiness.
"My ex physically abused me then one day I lost it."

PAST
"Have you decided on a college yet?"
I knew Reggie wasn't asking out of concern. He could care less if I went to college but I cared I wanted to get out of this situation so bad and college was my escape. The further the better.
"No, not yet."
I jumped when he stroked my hair.
"I'm sorry babe, I'm really trying to work on my temper."
"I know," I said wishing he'd get his hands off me.
My hand shook as I put on my lipstick trying to cover the cut on my lip.
This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, my graduation.
I sat in his truck trying to make myself happy. I thought about my parents and how proud they are of me. I held on to the smile on my mother's face when she woke me up this morning. I didn't even know what Reggie talked about as we walked to the football field. I just stayed focused on that happy moment.
"I'll see you later baby," he said and walked toward the bleachers.
"ANNGGGIIIIEEEEE!!!!" I heard Meech call me like Celie did to Nettie in The Color Purple.
"MEECHHIIEE!!" I replied and we ran to each other in slow motion.
We stopped in the middle of the field and did the patty cake song they did.
"Me and you mus neva part..."
Meech was more than my friend she was my sister. She's been there for everything good and bad. I cried as we hugged.
"Mom and Dad here?"
"Not yet."
"So how did you get here?"
I gave her a look.
"Oh."
We found our place in line.
"So is the warden going to let you go to the graduation party?"
"No."
That's what we argued about earlier.
"You need to get out of this relationship. He's not going to change Ang. It's only going to get worse."
My eyes watered because I knew she was right.
After pictures, gifts and goodbyes all I wanted to do was go home and sleep but my parents took me and Meech out for a graduation dinner. Reggie wasn't invited. Every since my mom noticed bruises on my arms my dad hasn't wanted him around. Even though he told them we were just playing my dad didn't buy it.
"Have fun at the party," I told Meech when we dropped her off.
I was out when my head hit the pillow. I didn't even hear my phone when it rang.
Meech came by the next morning to give me the gossip on the party. She was supposed to be going to the store for her mom but she gets easily side tracked.
"Come to the store with me, I got a lot to tell you."
"Dad I'm going with Meech, I'll be back."
She talked nonstop while loading the basket with the items from the list her mom gave her.
"Girl and then she told him she was pregnant and it wasn't his."

Meanwhile...
Reggie waited as he saw Angela's dad leave then he went to the door.
"Hi Mrs. Randolph I know your husband doesn't want me here but I have to talk to Angie she's not answering her phone and I'm worried.
"Hold on."
She goes to Angela's room and finds it empty.
"I'm sorry Reggie but she's not here."
"Do you know where she is?"
"No I don't."
"Thank you."
Reggie leaves angry.

"Are you almost done?" I ask Meech realizing I left my phone at home.
"Yeah why?"
"I left my phone."
Meech looked disgusted.
"What kind of hold does the nicca have on you."
"Meech just hurry up."
When she dropped me off I raced upstairs looked under my pillow and there was my phone with "10 missed calls" all from Reggie. I called him right away.
"Where you at?"
"Home."
"Don't lie to me I was just there."
"Oh I went to the store with Meech."
"Come outside I'm on my way."
He was quiet the whole drive to his place. I could tell his little brain was working overtime.
When we got inside I sat on the couch and he sat in the chair.
"Where's your mom?"
"Out of town. So where were you last night?"
"At home."
"Then why didn't you answer your phone."
"I was sleep."
"Don't fukin lie to me!" He stood up "You went to that party didn't you?"
He walked toward me. I scooted back.
"No."
"Stop lyin to me. I hate being lied to."
SMACK, right across the face. Then he balled up his fists I tried to get up and run but he caught me and pulled me back down hitting me so hard it took my breath. I lay balled up like a baby crying wishing he would just stop. God must've heard me because soon after that he did.
"Now get up and fix me something to eat."
I limped to the kitchen. I heard Meech's voice over and over, "It's only going to get worse."
"Hurry up!" he walked into the kitchen.
"What do you want?"
"Surprise me."
There was a pot on the stove not thinking I grabbed it and hit him in the head. He went down but he didn't stay down.
"You bxtch."
He regained his balance and clocked me in my eye I was blinded for a moment but the pot was still in my hand. The little voice in my head said hit him again. I tried but he caught my hand and punched me in the stomach. I went down.
"You can't hang with me, you weak," he said.
My body was hurt and I could only see out of one eye but I was going to get rid of him no matter what it took. Somehow I got back on my feet and I was leaning over the sink where I saw the butcher knife.
"Did I say you could get up?" was the last words he said to me.
At the end of it all he suffered for ten stab wounds to the left torso and thigh resulting in him having a colostomy bag from the damage to his intestines and walk with a cane for the damage to his thigh muscle. While I had a fractured cheekbone, three broken ribs and multiple abrasions and contusions on various parts of my body as well as a five year prison sentence at the age of 18.