ALONZO
When Rachael first introduced me to her cousin JaShel, she was married to Jayson and pregnant with their third child. She left him because the asshole cheated on her. I hated the muthafucka for that bullshit. Now she was married to Antonio, a punkass bitch that likes to beat on his wife. For HIM, you couldn’t MEASURE the level of hate I feel for him!
“If I had my way, I would take them both out,” I said to Chico.
As a favor to our wives, we reluctantly invited my visiting extended family to join me and the fellas to play basketball.
“If I didn’t love my wife, I wouldn’t have shit to do with either one of their sorry asses!” Chico muttered under his breath. “I’ll take Jayson!”
“Ah’ight, that puts Antonio on my team,” I said as Vincent and I prepared to play three-on-three against Chico, Nicolas and Jayson.
Our wives and children sat in the bleachers cheering us on. Quickly, I noticed that each man had someone that COULD root for him but not everyone was getting the attention he wanted. Jayson was so busy showboating for JaShel that he didn’t see the clothesline Antonio set up for him as he ran down the court.
BOOM!!
Immediately, the ladies ran to Jayson’s aid, including and most hurriedly, JaShel. Before she could put her hands on her ex-husband, Antonio’s hands were on her!
“What the hell do you think YOU’RE doing, JaShel?!” Antonio bellowed at his wife, angrily snatching her away from Jayson.
All eyes were on us as the drama unfolded. Not one for public confrontations involving spousal or child abuse, I inched closer toward Antonio in case he decided to become more belligerent.
“You didn’t have to do that, Antonio,” said Jayson as he sat up, glaring at Antonio. “Taking me out of the game still won’t help you win!”
“Stay the fuck away from my wife, Jayson!!” Antonio spat as he attempted to lunge at JaShel’s ex-husband.
Had it not been for Vincent’s agile feet, our friendly game would’ve promptly landed most of us in jail. Subduing Antonio, Vincent nearly threw him off JaShel into the bleachers. My little cousin’s boyfriend wouldn’t unlock his grip until JaShel asked him to let her husband go!
“I’m going back to the hotel! NOW!!” JaShel informed Antonio. “Jayson Eric! Michael! Get the kids!”
“Yeah let’s…” Antonio began but his wife cut him short.
“You AND Jayson can do what the fuck you want to do but you’re not going with us!”
I knew JaShel had had her limit when she raised her voice above library standards but DAYUM!! Lil Cousin was MAD!!
Assuming he would seek the opportunity to mend fences, Jayson began to follow along behind JaShel but Chico saw that move coming.
“We need to have a talk with you two,” I said as everyone cleared the basketball court. Once we were all settled on the bleachers, I waited until everyone else had their say before I voiced my opinion on Antonio and Jayson’s actions toward JaShel.
“Jayson, you had your chance with JaShel. She’s with Antonio now. If you love JaShel and your children, respect the fact that she’s not yours anymore,” I said to Jayson. Turning to Antonio, I stated, “JaShel is my wife’s cousin which means she is MY family. Just because she married you doesn’t mean I won’t fuck you up for hurting her!”
As expected, neither Jayson nor Antonio had a rebuttal.
“You only have a few more days left of your vacation. Don’t ruin it with arguing and fighting,” Chico suggested.
Nodding his head, Jayson agreed. Antonio was too busy watching his wife’s every move to respond. After JaShel and Jayson Eric drove away, the men and I joined the women and children in the parking lot. Since JaShel and her eldest son took both of their rented SUVs, Antonio and Jayson were in need of a ride. Reluctantly, they rode with my little family.
The plan for the day was to go to the park for a friendly game of basketball before we all headed over to my parents’ house for Chico and Meeka’s anniversary barbecue. With JaShel leaving early, I wasn’t sure what kind of mood everyone would be in, particularly Rachael, Antonio and Jayson.
Before we left the park, Rachael called to check on her cousin. “We’re headed over to the Banks’ party. Are you guys coming? … I understand. Call me later. Love you.” Turning to me with a sour look, Rachael said, “She’s not coming.”
I heard Jayson say “fuck” under his breath.
Glaring at Antonio and Jayson before I drove off the parking lot, I said, “I’m taking y’all to the party and y’all better act like you got some damn sense in my parents’ house!” Looking at my backseat, Quincy was the most mature person back there!
When we arrived at the party, we were surprised to see JaShel sitting at a table talking with my mother! Immediately, Antonio approached his wife while I held Jayson back from doing the same thing.
“She’s not your wife, Jayson,” I reminded him.
“She’ll always be my wife, Alonzo. No matter who she’s with, she’ll always be mine!” Jayson declared before abruptly walking away.
Pulling Rachael into my arms, I said, “Next time I suggest that JaShel comes for a visit, shoot me! I don’t know what the hell I was thinking!”
“You were thinking of me and you wanted me to be happy about seeing my cousin but I feel ya,” Rachael said before kissing me. “You would think Antonio and Jayson would act right and keep the peace around JaShel’s family!”
Watching Jayson watching JaShel and Antonio, I said, “Don’t worry, Babe. Chico and I will handle it if things get out of hand.”
“Count me in, bruh,” Nicolas said as he, Layla, Chico and Meeka joined us at a picnic table. “All she did was go and check on the man after her own husband clotheslined him!”
“Yeah but Antonio has been possessive of JaShel since before they got married,” Rachael added. “The last thing she should’ve done was go to Jayson knowing how Antonio feels about him! If it was anyone BUT Jayson, there wouldn’t’ve been an issue!”
When JaShel looked over at us, she looked like she needed rescuing.
“Babe, do you mind if I talk to your cousin? I just want to make sure she’s alright,” I said with concern.
“Sure Boo. Go right ahead,” Rachael said with a kiss.
“Come on, Chico,” I said as we started walking toward JaShel.