passed away, Ashley just wasn’t in the mood. Pleaseeee Ash! It’s October and they will be wearing pink for breast cancer awareness month and plus I bought you a pink Ray Lewis jersey and I got my husband Ray Rice jersey on! Okay, okay, Ashley said defeated and worn out I will meet you around six thirty because you know we have to find a parking spot! Yesss Ash! And I will bring your jersey!
3
Touchdown! Mannn the Ravens are killing the Redskins Mike yelled to Derrick over the loud noise. Yeah I have to give it to you, y’all defense is off the hook! Indeed it is my brother, indeed it is. “Whew now that’s what I’m talking about!” yelled Clarissa, who was starting to feel her drink. Derrick just so happened to look in that direction, and to his surprise he saw Ashley. Immediately his heart skipped a beat, there she was sitting there in her pink-and-white Jersey and gray jogging pants that hugged her hips just right. He was so into her he didn’t notice Mike talking about Clarissa… Derrick! Derrick! Snap out of it! Man, you see that how they gonna disrespect the jersey by turning it pink? Pink of all colors man! Derrick got up and walked over to their table, Mike was in tow. Man what are you doing? Where you going? Mike protested. Hey Ashley. Derrick! Hey! I didn’t know you were a Ravens fan. Oh I’m not. Boy you better not say that to loud you’ll get your a§§ kicked down here, Clarissa butted in. Naw, not while I’m here Mike exclaimed, and how y’all gonna disrespect the jersey and make them pink! It’s for breast cancer awareness dog. Derrick explained. That’s right Clarrissa yelled “respect the tatas.” At this point Clarisse’s alcohol intake was catching up with her. Everybody laughed and Ashley introduced Clarissa to Derrick and Derrick introduced Mike to them. Derrick noticed that Mike was checking Clarissa out, so he turned to Ashley and said will I just wanted to come over and speak and to make sure that you was okay over here. Yes we’re fine. Hey why don’t you two join us? That’s if it not too much pink for you Mike! Naw respect the tatas! I mean if it okay with Ms. Ashley here? It’s fine by me.
For the rest of the evening they talked trash and cheered on the Ravens, Ashley was getting a kick out of seeing Derrick squirm in his seat and actually thought it was cute. He is really an attractive guy but he’s not my Malik. Derrick was noticing Ashley checking him out so he slid a little closer to her and whispered, “Are you still mad at me?” Ashley turned and faced him and whispered, “Yes, I am,” and slid away. Finally the game was over that the Ravens triumphed over the Redskins 38 to 9! The bar started clearing out. Derrick and Mike offered to walk the ladies to their car. Clarissa informed them that she was in no condition to drive, and Mike took that as an invitation. Well Clarissa where do you live I’ll take you home. No that’s okay I can take her she don’t live too far from me, Ashley stated. I live in Mount Washington on the Westside Clarissa said to Mike, then turned to Ashley and whispered stop blocking! No problem I live in Park Heights, I can take you home and bring you back down here to your car in the morning, because I work at the courthouse. Really? Clarissa asked, as she turn to Ashley and said I will call you when I get in so you won’t worry okay? Okay Rissa, please be careful! All right dawg, Derrick said to Mike giving him a pound, I’ll catch you later, peace out. Derrick and Ashley continued to walk to the next parking lot and Ashley noticed that she didn’t see his bike. “Where’s your bike Derrick?” she asked. Oh, it’s home I drove my car because I thought it was gonna rain, and plus someone made me feel bad about me not being careful and responsible about my bike today so I drove my car. Ashley blushed and dropped her head. So what kind of car do you have Derrick? I have a 2012 Camaro. Really? I always wanted to drive one of those but I think it might get away from me, it’s so fast. It’s all in how you drive it. It just got a little more horsepower than your Lexus. If you want I’ll let you drive it one day to see how you like it, he stated with a mischievous grin. Ashley smiled and rolled her eyes. Maybe, but until then I’ll just roll in luxury. Here’s my car I’ll see you in the morning.
4
Thanks Mike for bringing me home, and walking me to the door. That rain came out of nowhere; do you want to come in a dry off a bit? Clarissa asked. Yes that will be fine; I need this rain to let up some! Man, she is fine he thought, he also felt his nature rise. Chill Mike you are a gentleman, so conduct yourself accordingly in this lady’s house, he whispered to himself. Mike had no problem getting any chick on campus. He was a good-looking six-foot-three dark and lovely man. It wasn’t often that you’ll find a dark-skinned brother with beautiful eyes and chiseled jaws and chin. However Mike didn’t want just any girl, he want a love of his own, not like his cheating mother.
Big Michael, Mike’s father, was a hardworking blue-collar man He loved his wife and his son, Little Mike. Big Mike often work the graveyard shift to pull in extra income to supply his wife and son everything they needed and want, which often was unappreciated by his wife, Candace. “Ahhh Stevie.” Hmmm. “Oh goodness, yes right there.” Little Mike was awaken to his mom’s moans and groans one night. “Stevie? Who’s Stevie?” lil Mike thought. My daddy’s name is Mike, like mine, he thought. To avoid getting into trouble lil Mike climbed back into bed and fell back to sleep. “What the hell!” Big Mike yelled. Who the hell is this, Candace! “How you gonna have another nigga in my house around my son?” Big Mike’s booming voice woke lil Mike from his sleep. Wait Mike I can explain, I didn’t know you was getting off early please you’re gonna wake lil Mike up! Little did she know lil Mike was already up and standing in the hallway watching the whole thing… I bust my a§§ working to take care of you and this is how you repay me? Big Mike yelled. I loved you Candace I did everything for you. Big Mike sobbed. In the meantime Stevie slid past him and lil Mike and was out the door. “Wait Mike let me explain… It only happened this one time. Pleeassee noooooo. Bang bang! Noooo, Mommy, nooo… Lil Mike could not believe his eyes, his dad just killed his mother, but it didn’t end there… Aw Candy! What have I done, get up please I’m sorry baby I don’t know what came over me, ohh Godddd. At the moment lil Mike watched his dad put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. BANG! That night Mike’s life changed, he was sent to live with his Aunt Shirley in Baltimore, and with a lot of counseling and prayer Mike was able to put the past behind him and live a normal life.
Hey Mike do you want some hot tea or coffee you got soaked and it’s a bit chilly in here, Clarissa asked. Mike was checking out her apartment she had a lot of books and CDs and a lot of art on the wall. Yes that would be great. So Clarissa what do you do for a living? If you don’t mind me asking. No I don’t mind she replied, I’m a naked floor technician! A what? Mike asked with a confused look on his face. A stripper! That’s my profession, Clarissa answered. Oh Mike said disappointedly. “Jack-a-bull!” giggled Clarissa, I’m a teacher, I teach children with autism. Oh you got jokes I see! Mike was a little turned on by her humor but so relieved that it was a joke! He notices pictures of an older-looking lady that favor Clarissa a lot… Hey Clarissa, is this your sister in these pictures? Nope yell Clarissa from the kitchen. That’s my mother, she laughed as she walked in with two coffee mugs sitting them down on the table. She was my best friend well besides Ashley. “Was?” Mike asked curiously? Yes, she passed away three years ago, she lost her battle to breast cancer. Oh so that’s why you’re so into pink and respecting the tatas! He mentioned. Yes you catch on really quick!
Clarissa’s parents were natives of the Bahamas; her mom was half Bahamian and Italian which gave Clarissa her exotic look. Her dad was a hardworking taxi driver, when he found out that Clarissa’s mom was pregnant he married her and save enough money and moved to the States. Shortly after that, Clarissa was born healthy and beautiful. She grew up a couple of doors down from Ashley, those two shared everything from the new bikes to naming their cabbage patch kids. Although Clarissa and her mom were taken care of finically, her dad harbored a dark demon…alcoholism. Gary your drunk again! Cathy screamed, dodging blows Clarissa’s father was throwing at her. “No, I’m not! I’m just tired of you nagging me when I come home! Where is my daughter? She’s the only one that loves me around here! Clarissa!” he yelled. “Com’er and give your daddy a hug,” he said in his drunken state. “Hey, Daddy, how are you felling today?” Clarissa said hesitantly all the while looking
