You Knew Betta. Cachet Johnson

a deal?"

      "So basically, you want us to be your secret family, that you take care of?" I asked, making sure that I completely understood what he was saying.

      "Don't think of it as being my secret family. Think of it as kind of like my extended family." He was playing word games like I was stupid. I knew what the hell he meant, but I agreed to it anyway. What he didn't know was, that in the back of my mind, I was sure that I was going to win him over, and take him from the bitch that he claimed to love.

      I called myself being the perfect "side line." I fucked him when he wanted to be fucked, and I sucked his dick at the drop of the dime. Doing everything he asked me to, just to prove myself. I never questioned him about what he was doing, and I very rarely called to ask for any of his time. I acted like I really didn't give a fuck, when in fact I was dying inside. I went through all of the important stages of my pregnancy alone, even giving birth with just my mother in the delivery room. I cried many nights thinking about him lying in the bed with her, while I was alone. Just the thought of him touching her made me sick to my stomach; but what could I do?

      After awhile I just got used to it and completely started to ignore him. I wouldn't call him at all and when he called me, I made myself unavailable; I was tired of playing by his rules.

      Seeing that I wasn't studding his ass, he made a change for the better. He started coming around a lot more and telling me how much he cared for me; once again, I was sucked back in. I thought that eventually we would be a happy family, but that day has yet to come. That was two years ago and nothing has changed.

      I've been in this fucked-up situation ever since! The part that screwed me up the most is the fact that he up and married this bitch; that broke my fucking heart!

      Here I am being the ride-or-die bitch that you want me to be, but you up and put a ring on this hoe's finger?

      Was there something wrong with me that I didn't know about? If so, please tell me.

      I'm a soldier, though, 'cause Raimone loves me.

      I know he does. It's just that bitch who is in the way.

      Without her, it'll be him, me, and Raimona--a happy family, and I know this. Now don't get me wrong, he provides for the both of us, so I can't complain. He did just as he said he would and moved us out of my low-income apartment and into a three-bedroom house off of W. 130th in Bellaire, on Tyler street. He bought me a new Chevy Tahoe, and he keeps me and Moni laced in the flyest shit. He always comes over and gives us a lot of his time, but not the amount of time I want. I love him with all my heart and I know that one day he will come around. I just have to wait it out, even though I'm not sure how much longer it will be. Realizing that I haven't talked to him all day, I stretch my arm toward my nightstand to grab the phone. I'm going to call him and see if he'll come over tonight, because I really need some dick right about now.

      "Hey baby, it's me. Call me when you get a chance.

      Moni and I miss you; we haven't seen you all week. I love you, bye." But I was only speaking to his voicemail, because he didn't answer. Yeah, he'll come around. I just have to sit and wait. Until then, I'm going to make that bitch's life as miserable as I possibly can.