Chapter 43.5 I Guess You Did Mean It
Lula’s POV
The envelope is sitting on Connie’s desk when I walk in, and she’s smiling to beat the band.
“Special delivery. Just for you.”
I blink. Who in the hell would be sending me shit, especially to the bonds office? I take the envelope from her and open it.
A first class ticket from Newark to San Antonio. Leaving in one week.
Tank.
He meant it. He actually meant what he said.
I’m looking at the ticket, dumbfounded, when Connie speaks.
“You wanna know the value of that ticket?”
I nod.
“About $1500.”
I’m stunned, and I’m not sure how to handle this. I sit down on the couch and the weasel comes out.
“I don’t pay vacation so if you go, no pay.”
Connie throws a pen at him and he retreats back to his office. She’s searching for the bugs, and I’m still sitting in shock.
A good man kept his word. He’s been calling me (I’ve been avoiding the calls) and he sent the plane ticket.
Connie sits next to me on the couch and looks at the ticket. “I’m jealous. I’ve never met a man willing to pop $1500 for a first class plane ticket. And it’s a non-stop flight. I checked it out online. He could’ve paid 1/3 the price having you leave from JFK, but he popped for the best ticket for you. So, we need to hit Vickie’s before you go?”
I nod. “Call Steph. Tell her I don’t give a damn what she’s got going on, if she gotta bring Hector that’s fine, but her ass is leaving the building today.”
Connie makes the call. Steph and Ram will be here in 10 minutes.
Steph whistles at the ticket. “Nice seat too. Lula, you don’t look excited. Aren’t you excited?”
“I ain’t sure what to think.”
Steph tries to raise an eyebrow, which is so funny I laugh. “Nope, you still don’t have it down, White Girl. Keep trying.”
“Damn,” she mutters. “So, where are we headed?”
I shrug. I just needed to talk to her. I don’t have a clue beyond that.
“You are going, right? I mean, this ticket is non-refundable. Tank’s betting you’ll come see him.”
I think about telling her. It’s the last little bit of my past that I’ve kept from her and Connie, and I know they’ll understand. I’m not sure Tank ever did.
“I did this once before,” I say, quietly. “I believed a man when he said he loved me, and I followed him from my home to where he was going and I ended up trickin’. This shit’s déjà vu. I don’t know if I trust it.”
That’s the beauty of talking with women. Steph and Connie immediately nod. They got it.
We pull up to Quaker Bridge Mall and head to Macy’s. I need shoes to think this over. Steph pulls out her phone and does something, then smiles.
“Summery stuff. It’s 100 degrees in the shade there. Sandals, shorts, capris, maybe some dresses. Lula, you get your shoes. Connie, you grab the tops. I’ll find pants. 30 minutes we meet back down here. Let’s go!”
And they’re off, headed to their respective departments. I can see some pumps I like, but I think about what Steph just said. 100 degrees in the shade. Imma melt. I start picking up sandals. I’m here so often that Marion, the head of the department, starts pulling stuff for me based on what I pick up.
My phone rings. Tank. I debate whether or not to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Lula?” I can hear him moving away from Lester and Bobby in the background.
“Yeah. . . ” I’m not sure what else to say. Sorry I’ve been ducking your calls? I miss you like crazy? I can’t believe you kept your word?
“You, uh . . . you didn’t happen to get a delivery today, did you?” He sounds nervous. Tank never sounds nervous.
“A delivery? No . . .” I let the silence stretch. “I got an envelope though.”
I can hear the exhale. “You ain’t right.” I can hear his smile and his relief. I shake my head at a pair of sandals Marion brings over. They ugly. “So, I kept my word. I sent the plane ticket. You comin’?”
I’m thinking about it. Tank has never not kept his word. He called. He sent the plane tickets. He’s not promisin’ me marriage or nothing, just a visit. Just to see where he’s from and what’s he doing. He hasn’t asked me to move.
And that’s a lot of words. Is he in a bedroom?
“I’m shopping. Steph says it’s 100 degrees in the shade. How are you managing the all-black outfit?”
“With lots of water and air-conditioning. We’re thinking of modifying the outfit to dark grey. Steph’s right. Baby, I know you love your Spandex, but leave that at home. Bring loose clothes, sandals, things that breathe. And bring something dressy. I told my momma about you and she’s planning a Sunday dinner.”
OK, now this is outside my experience. He wants me to meet his momma? Attend Sunday dinner?
“Tank, I don’t know about that.”
“Lula, baby, it’s been three years. If I bring you anywhere near Louisiana and don’t take you to see her, my momma will end my life.”
“How much does she know about me?” I can’t imagine yo’ momma being happy you datin’ a trick.
“My momma don’t judge.” So she knows. “You still ain’t answered my question. You comin’?”
You want me to meet your momma. You kept your promises. You sent me an expensive ass ticket and you aren’t asking me to move. This is just a visit. This is just a visit.
“I’ll be there. See you in a week.”
Click. My man. Still no concept of phone manners. And he’s real nervous. That was a hell of a lot of words.
Ram and Steph return, Steph looking a bit nervous. “Look, I know you love your Spandex Lula, but it’s not good in that kind of heat. I grabbed things that were appropriate and started a dressing room for you. Connie’s put some tops in with my stuff.”
Translation: You ain’t getting into no 10s today missy. Slide into these 16s and 18s and let your cooch breathe.
I hug Steph. Even as busy as she is, she’s still here with me to shop and prep. “He wants me to meet his Momma.”
“Expect a proposal,” says Ram. We turn and look at him. He shrugs. “You don’t meet the Momma without a man being serious. He’s ready to make it permanent.”
I forgot he understands English. Shit. I miss Hector. Never thought I’d think that.
Both of Steph’s eyebrows rise at that. “Wow.” She looks as uncertain as I feel. “He texted me and said not to let you pay for a thing since you have to buy a whole new wardrobe.” Steph grins. “So if he’s paying, let’s wear the credit cards out!”
I can get onboard with that.
He hasn’t proposed yet. He hasn’t proposed yet.
I have two suitcases for this trip. Well, three with the carry on. Having traveled so much lately, Steph came over to my apartment, Hal in tow, and helped me pack. She took Space Bags and vacuumed all the air out, which is the only way we got that many clothes into the suitcases. I put that away as a new neat trick to remember.
I’m at baggage claim looking for my bags when I feel someone slide up behind me. Lord have mercy he smells good, Polo Black cologne and cocoa butter. I hope it won’t take long to get where we’re going.
“Suitcases?”
“Two.” Is that my voice? I sound like I’m outta air.
“That’s all?” He sounds amused.
“I know how to pack. We got everything into them two suitcases.”
I feel a chuckle. “I can’t wait to see how overstuffed these suitcases are. I saw the Vickie’s bill. I was hoping one suitcase was just from her.”
Don’t worry. She got her own Space Bag. The baggage finally starts rolling and I see my raspberry colored bags come out. I point and Tank moves to grab them. I can finally see what he’s wearing and I’m surprised. Tank has on a forest green Henley and blue jeans. No black anywhere. Wow. Steph talked me into wearing a wrap dress. I feel dowdy, but comfortable. This is a Mary Lou/Connie kinda outfit. No personality in this, but Steph said I’d be more comfortable in the airport and in Texas in this.
Tank smiles at the dress. “Classy. Date night outfit. Got another one?”
I nod. OK, maybe I’ll give Steph a little more credit for this one. I had the expensive weave put in, styled into big curls, so I wouldn’t have to do hair on this trip. I look, well, classy.
We walk outside, where I see a RangeMan in grey standing next to Tank’s Escalade. He nods, walks to the Suburban behind it, and drives off. Tank opens my door (I’m still not used to it), stashes my suitcases in his trunk, and off we go.
“I got a text while I was waiting that I need to come in and sign some paperwork, so I need to make a stop at the office. After that, I’m offline for a week. Just you and me for a week, Lula.”
My cooch sits up. Yes. We’ve missed Sgt. Mandingo and he needs to come put in serious work.
The trip to RangeMan San Antonio takes about 30 minutes. We don’t talk; Tank never talks while driving and I’m too busy looking around. Steph told me to take a notepad to write things down, things I want to go back and see cuz I’d never remember if I relied on my memory. She’s right; I see all kinds of places I want Tank to take me back to.
We finally arrive at the office and I look up. It’s not like Trenton. This place is classy, with lots of windows and marble. The air conditioning is kicking because there’s a 20 degree difference between the outside and inside. We walk in and the guy at the desk comes to attention. Tank nods and he relaxes, but he’s looking at me as if he’s trying to memorize me. We hit the elevators (Thank God. I’m wearing sandals but they have a 4″ heel) and head to the 5th floor.
It’s silent on the 5th floor. Every man comes to attention and I’m trying to look around at everything. I’m so caught up in trying to see that Tank takes my hand and hurries me up a bit. I see one or two familiar faces and they nod at me. OK, so those are guys from Trenton. Before we reach Tank’s office, I feel myself being grabbed from behind and twirled.
“Lula!” Lester. He looks happy to see me. He ain’t ever looked this happy to see me before.
“Hey Lester!” I get a big bear hug and I feel another set of arms tugging him.
“Move out the way, dipstick. My turn. Hey Lula!” Bobby actually picks me up and twirls me.
“OK, what’s with the bear hugs? You guys didn’t hug me all the time in Trenton.” I’m suspicious.
They both start laughing, and I remember what Steph said about RangeMan only hiring sexy people. Hey, a standard starts at the top.
“True, but we’ve been stuck here in this hot ass heat for months with no visitors from home. You’re the first person we’ve seen from back east and believe me, you’re a welcome sight,” Bobby says.
“Really?”
Lester grins. “Well, that and we know you had to leave your gun at home.” He and Bobby start laughing and I hear a chuckle behind me. Tank is biting his lip trying not to smile.
“Tank, baby, can I borrow your stun gun?” All three immediately sober up and start moving away. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“Anyway,” Lester says, “We’ve just dropped about 30 minutes worth of urgent paperwork on Tank’s desk,” he raises an eyebrow to Tank, who frowns, “so we thought we’d give you the tour of RangeMan San Antonio.”
“All floors,” Tank says. The guys look him, surprised. Tank doesn’t blink.
“OK, then. Well, you ready?” Bobby asks.
I nod. We take the elevator back down to the basement and the guys give me the tour. We finish on 8, where Tank is waiting. The guys do their handshake and leave.
“Hold your questions until we’re inside.” I nod and Tank fobs us in. The room is huge and blank but I can see that it’s supposed to be an apartment. A really nice apartment but everything has been stripped to the studs to rebuild from the ground up.
“Months ago I told you that I wasn’t sure if I would ever come back east,” Tank says quietly. I’m still looking around. “The more time I spend here the more certain I am of it. I might come for visits, but this is home for me.”
I can feel the lump in my throat. I knew he wasn’t comin’ back to Jersey.
“When we started the company, the plan was to open branches in San Antonio, Memphis and Detroit. That’s the last of the master plan and that’s what we’re executing now. Each one of us, me, Ranger, Bobby, and Lester, we were going to oversee the company from different branches. San Antonio, Memphis, and Detroit were going to be mine.”
I’m listening to this and trying to understand where he’s going. Tank goes to the small refrigerator and pulls some water.
“This is going to be my San Antonio apartment. I haven’t started on it for a few reasons, but the biggest was that every time I tried to make a decision, I wondered what you might think. If you would like the tile or the flooring or the paint scheme. Makes the decorator crazy, but I can’t make a decision on any of it.”
Tank moves in front of me and tilts my head up. “Lula Bear, I’m asking you what you want. If you want me. If you want to share my life. If you want to move here with me. If that takes marriage, I’m OK with that. If you don’t want that, fine, but I want you. It’s been hell being halfway across the country without you, alone with Tweedledum and Tweedledee and a bunch of grown ass children.”
I laugh at that and I see Tank smile.
“I want you to see where I’m from, Louisiana and Texas, so you know what you’re getting. But this is it. I want to know if you want to make a life with me. If you don’t want to move here, I’ll work it out. I’ll take Trenton and send Lester here. I’ll do what it takes. But I want you to think about it while you’re here.”
Ram was right. I got a proposal. Hell, I’m barely off the plane and he hit me with it. I nod. I wanna see what his decorator has in mind and now that I’m thinking about it, I might get the answer to a question that’s really been bothering me.
“Tank?”
“Yeah?”
“Who’s allowed up here?”
I can see his confusion. “Well, since this is mine, me, you, Lester, Bobby, Ranger, Hector, and Steph. Oh, and whatever housekeeper I choose to hire. Why?”
Humph. That’s what I thought. “So, if Steph is allowed up here, how come I’m not allowed into Ranger’s apartment where she’s living?”
I can see this is uncomfortable for Tank. “These apartments are considered the sanctuary of the man in charge of that branch. Access is extremely limited. The people I just named are the leadership of the company and a housekeeper. That’s it. In the case of Ranger’s apartment, Steph’s always been allowed up there because it’s Ranger’s desire. If Steph wasn’t running the company right now, she wouldn’t be allowed up here, and if she ever chooses The Cop over Ranger, she won’t be allowed back on 7 in Trenton unless it’s an emergency.”
Shit. I wonder if Steph knows that, but I get it now. Company leadership and the man’s girlfriend only. No one else. Now I see why that was such an uncomfortable subject for Steph. I hug Tank around his waist and smile.
“Humph. Well I guess that makes sense but still . . . thank you. That explained everything.” I see Tank raise an eyebrow. “Steph would never explain why she wouldn’t let us upstairs. She just blushed and changed the subject, and if that explanation hadda come from Steph I woulda taken it personal.”
Tank nods. “I know. I kept getting reports you were taking it personally, but you would never answer your phone so I could explain it to you.” I hear the disappointment in his voice and wince. Sorry.
We stand there in the middle of the gutted apartment until I hear my stomach growl. Tank smiles.
“I’m offline now. Let’s get some dinner.”
Dinner was great, and as we traveled to Tank’s current apartment, I asked about the cats. Bobby has them as long as I’m here, and Tank had the entire apartment fumigated and professionally cleaned. I tell him I had the allergy shot and he smiles.
We spend the rest of the evening in bed. The moment Tank slides inside me, I realize exactly how much I missed this man. We get up for the occasional shower and dinner but otherwise we’re naked ’till the sun comes up.
I decide I wouldn’t mind another day like that so, after washing the sheets, we spend the next day in bed too. I’m admiring the gorgeous chocolate skin and hard muscles the next afternoon when the phone rings. Tank reaches out a hand to answer.
“Hello?” Ummm … all sleep sexy and deep. I’m still running fingers over his back when he sits straight up and looks panicked. “Momma? Where are you? Where?” He’s in panic mode now. He leaps from the bed and motions for me to hit the bathroom and take a shower. “Yes, Momma, I understand, but you coulda given me some warning.” I’m in the bathroom brushing my teeth when I hear my man’s voice reach a different pitch. “You got Antoine with you? Momma, you know me an’ Antoine don’t get along and if he tries to hit on Lula, he’ll be a grease stain in my carpet.”
I laugh. I’m glad I hung up all my clothes. I pull a tropical colored outfit and some shoes. Tank’s pulled on his sweats but nothing else. I slide my hand into his pants and find my favorite soldier. I’m stroking him while Tank looks both thrilled and terrified.
“Momma, I gotta go. Look if you’re gonna be here in 5 minutes I’ll be here, but I’m putting in an official complaint that this ain’t fair.” He’s hitting a different pitch by the time he hangs up and Sgt. Mandingo is ready to fall out.
“You ain’t right. You got me hot with my momma on the phone!” Tank’s ready to blow, so I smile.
“Take care of it in the shower so you loosen up and relax. I’ll change the sheets and Febreze the bedroom. You got anything to serve yo momma ’round here?”
He shakes his head and hits the shower. I strip the bed and throw the sheets in the washing machine. When I head back to the bedroom, I smell that Tank’s Febrezed in there, so I head back to the kitchen and pour some lemonade in a glass. I’m pulling stuff to make some ham sandwiches when the doorbell rings.
Now I’m nervous. I was too busy to be nervous before, but Tank’s momma is here. My man’s momma is here and she knows I was a trick and she may have brought more family with her. She’s gonna know I’m not good enough for her son. I can feel Tank slide up behind me.
“It’ll be OK. I want you and my momma to get along, but at the end of the day Lula, I love you.” I nod, too scared to do anything else.
Tank opens the door and is immediately tackled in a bear hug by a woman half his size. Another man who looks like Tank at 100 pounds slides in and looks at me. I ain’t seen them kinda looks since I was a ‘ho. He’s followed by three other women and two little kids, who immediately start running amuck. Tank turns around.
“Jayson! Quintavious! Git yo’ asses back in this living room right now! If I gotta come find you, you ain’t ‘gon be able to sit down for a week!” The boys both run back in the living room and sit down, clearly afraid.
“Sorry Uncle Pierre.” I see Tank cringe and I smile. He truly hates that name.
I can finally see his momma and she’s smiling at me. Tank got a lot of his looks from her. Smooth black skin, gorgeous smile with perfect teeth. A big-boned woman and she’s got a nice dye job. Clairol Nice ‘n Easy 110, Natural Light Auburn. One of my favorite colors.
She comes toward me, arms outstretched. “You must be Tallulah.” I cringe. I hate my name. She laughs. “Oh Lord, another one who hates they name. Well, honey, what nickname you go by? Is it Lula?” I nod. “Well, that makes more sense than Tank.” The way his mother says ‘Tank’, like she’s spitting it out, makes me laugh. “Well honey, I’m Mrs. Carol Jean LaPierre and you can call me Mrs. Carol Jean. Baby, I’m happy to finally meet the woman Tank talks about.” Tank cringes behind his momma and I laugh.
We start moving toward the kitchen and Mrs. Carol Jean is still talking a mile a minute. “Now mind you, when I say talks, what I mean is you get a mention about twice a month, which is damn near gushing on you. I think Ranger and the rest of his boys get a mention once a month.” Tank is blushing, well, as much as Tank might blush.
I’ve been parked on the stool, Tank standing and leaning over behind me, while his momma takes over production of the sandwiches and pours glasses of lemonade. I move to help and she points me right back to the stool. “This here is Wilma,” a nod “Thelma,” another nod “and Chenae. They Pierre’s sisters and this here is his brother, Antoine. And you’ve met Jayson and Quintavious. They Antoine’s.”
His sisters haven’t said much to me. They’re just looking at me coolly and I’m wondering if I got my clothes on right. “Nice to meet you ladies.” I turn toward Antoine. “And you Antoine.” I turn to the kids.”How old are you guys?”
“I’m six,” says one.
“I’m eight,” says the other.
“So Lula,” Thelma says coolly, “tell us about yo’ self. Whatchu do? Where you from? How’d you end up meeting Tank? He only meets criminals in his job.”
Oh you bitch. I see where you’re going. I can feel Tank’s displeasure behind me, and I put my hands on top of his. “I’m a file clerk at a bonds office. I’m originally from Philly and moved to Jersey in my twenties. I met Tank through mutual friends. My best friend is friends with his best friend.”
Mrs. Carol Jean smiles and places a nice thick sandwich in front of me. “I hear you’re a bounty hunter too. That sounds exciting! I watch Dog on TV,” I can feel Tank groan, “but I still can’t believe that’s what Tank does. Tell me, is it dangerous?”
“Well, yes and no. Me and Steph, that’s my best friend, we go after the low bonds, and they’re more tricky than anything. Me and her, we got a theory: the lower the bond, the trickier the skip. They truly will do anything to avoid goin’ back to jail.” I start telling Mrs. Carol Jean about some of me and Steph’s adventures and she laughs while Tank verifies that they’re all true.
Tank’s sisters and brother look disappointed. What? Did you bitches think I was gon’ hand you my trickin days on a silver platter? Shit, I tried to put all that shit behind me. Right now, I’m tryin’ to impress yo’ momma so she think I’m good enough for her son. You the least of my problems.
This is the pattern for the entire afternoon until finally Chenae says, “Look, we heard you wuz a ‘ho. Is that true or not, cuz if so, you need to get yo crabby ass away from my brother. We don’t need you passing him no die-slow.”
That is, without a doubt, the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to me. Tank is furious and so is his momma.
“Chenae, how dare you! This ain’t yo house to be comin in and saying things like that. This Pierre’s house and his woman, and if he’s chosen her that’s all we need to know. I’m ashamed of you.” Mrs. Carol Jean is livid, and Tank’s ready to toss his sisters out but I stroke his arm until he calms down. I turn and look Chenae in the eye.
“I don’t know your background, but since you and yo’ sisters been prying all afternoon, here’s mine. I finished high school, no further. I worked a lot of jobs in my life. When I moved to Jersey I became an independent operator. I had one good to sell and I sold it until I was too hurt to sell it anymore. I changed my life and I’m in school now. I work a 9 to 5 and I’m a bounty hunter on the side. Your brother knew all this from the very start cuz he met me right after I got hurt. Does that answer your questions? Cuz if not, I don’t give a damn. Tank knows everything he needs to know and he still wants me in his life. I’m not a stupid woman, never been, so if he wants me by his side then, dammit, that’s where I’m gon’ be.”
Tank tightens his grip on my arms and gives his sister the coldest, nastiest look I’ve ever seen. That’s the look that makes skips come along quietly and Chenae looks a bit frightened.
“I didn’t expect y’all to come in here and insult my woman like you have. Only reason I’ve allowed your rudeness is cuz I know Lula. I know she wants to handle things like that herself. But this is the last time we ever discuss this. Whether in my house or yours, you will never open your mouths and disrespect my woman again. Otherwise I cut you off. Understood?”
Chenae is completely pale. “You’d stop paying my tuition?”
“In a heartbeat,” Tank replies.
“You paid Wilma and Thelma’s tuition!”
“Which is why I won’t be paying any car notes, any rent checks, and no day care bills. I’ve supported y’all because you my family, but if me and Lula become permanent, she’s my family. Y’all better start preparing for the day that I cut all of you off. You too, Antoine. Get a fucking job and pay your own damn child support.” He turns to his mother. “You know you’re excluded from that Momma.”
“Honey chile, I don’t spend the money you give me now. It’s just sitting in that bank account, waiting for you to decide what you wanna do with it.” Tank looks surprised and grateful.
It’s completely quiet in the living room. Mrs. Carol Jean is smiling to beat the band. I’m not sure how to restart any conversation here and luckily I don’t have to.
“So, when you and Pierre gon’ come to church with us? If you come Sunday, it’s 1st Sunday,” Tank groans, “and we got a guest preacher comin’. He gon’ raise the roof on the church and it should be good. Pierre, you need to come back to church, get sanctified again, and bring Lula with you. Be nice for her to start looking at churches, you know, for special events.” His momma winks and I can feel Tank counting to 10. I’m wondering what my face looks like.
Nervous as a whore in church on Sunday is not just a sayin’.
