Life After a Balla (5 page)

The rest of the cab ride was silent.

CHAPTER 4

Asia drove down the street furious after leaving the meeting with the Sandino’s lawyer.
Not only did I get beat up by Skye, but that lawyer was on some bullshit
, she thought.

After all the commotion had calmed down and they got upstairs in her office, Asia immediately started asking personal questions about Sandino’s money. Toni became irritated and told Asia that she couldn’t talk about her client’s finances just as she’d informed her numerous times over the phone. Toni went on to say that the only reason she’d agreed to meet with Asia was because she was tired of the constant calls to her office. She then told Asia that things were getting complicated and from that point on, she only wanted to talk to Asia’s lawyer. When Asia told her she didn’t have a lawyer, Toni suggested that she get one, then ended the meeting. Asia wondered if Skye had something to do with Toni not wanting to give her any information.

“Those bitches are probably in cahoots trying to keep me from getting any of Sandino’s money,” she said to herself. “And why the fuck is it taking so long for Sandino to take that DNA test!”

Asia didn’t know what was going on, but she was in desperate need of some money… bad. In fact, that’s the only reason she’d kept the baby in the first place. A child by Sandino meant a nice payday.

“That bitch Skye better not try to interfere with my loot. She’s just upset that I fucked her husband and got the golden ticket in my back seat,” Asia said, glancing over her shoulder at her one month old son’s car seat. A son she’d named Sandino Lamar Washington Jr.

Either way, Asia knew she’d out smarted Skye once before and could do it again if she had to, especially since the matter involved money. She was the queen of conning and stealing, it was the only way she knew how to survive.

When she turned onto 21st Street, two blocks from Collins Avenue, Asia looked around at the scenery. It was always so lively in the South Beach neighborhood. This was her favorite spot to be in Miami because the area offered everything for anybody. There were tons of trendy restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and at night it transformed into the best nightlife ever. She laughed while counting the number of times the same dudes in a hot ass Ferrari drove past her, not going anywhere just cruising around trying to pick up women. She absolutely loved Miami and was so glad to be out of cold ass Chicago.

When she first arrived, Asia took some of the money she’d stolen from Skye and rented an expensive condo overlooking Lake Michigan. The place was absolutely fabulous with over 1,600 square feet along with cathedral ceilings, bamboo hard wood floors, and a beautiful kitchen with top of the line appliances. Things were going great and she was starting to experience the essence of the Windy City.

While eating at Michael Jordan’s steakhouse on Michigan Avenue one night, Asia befriended a nicely dressed woman at the bar who just so happened to be the wife of a Chicago Bulls player. Asia had once again hit the jackpot and within a few weeks managed to ease her way amongst the rich and famous. After hanging out in the sky box at every Chicago Bulls home game, Asia was on her way to snagging her own NBA player until she started getting sick and later found out she nine weeks pregnant. In fact that sickness became a part of her everyday life until she was well into her second trimester. But in typical Asia style, finding out she was going to be a mother still didn’t stop her from trying to find a man. She was constantly out clubbing and even had a couple of drinks. But with a growing belly and no matter how hard she turned on her sexy charm, no one seemed interested.

Asia’s plans to save her cash and quickly find a balla with money to take care of her quickly went out the window. She spent her entire pregnancy lonely and depressed. She even had to drive herself to the hospital when she went into labor and had the baby all alone. The only thing that kept her going was the fact that she knew she would be set for life. After doing the calculations, Asia knew it was definitely Sandino’s baby, which was certainly gonna be her meal ticket. Even though she was well aware of the shooting and all that he’d gone through, Asia still planned to take Sandino for every dime she could.

After her trip down memory lane, a cold chill suddenly ran over her when she glanced across at the street and saw The Bay View Plaza condo’s where Keon used to live. Asia remembered the day their romance turned sour and he tried to kill her. The vision of his body laying there with a bullet in his forehead from her .32 caliber handgun was still etched in her head.

I hate the fact that I killed Keon, but he tried to kill me first, so I had to do what I had to do
, she thought. And I would do that shit all over again if the situation was the same.

She felt lucky that nothing had ever come out of the Keon situation like a first degree murder charge. When Asia finally pulled up to the Seagull Hotel, reality hit her in face. Even though it was only $87.00 a night, she was still low on cash and didn’t know how much longer she could afford to stay there.

Her mind raced thinking about how she could get some money to hold her over until the paternity tests came back. After getting rid of her old phone, she didn’t know how to get in touch with any of her old men. She needed to go out to the club and let the nigga’s know she was back in town, but she also knew that wasn’t going to work either since she didn’t have a babysitter.

“Shit, think Asia,” she said out loud. Getting frustrated, she came up with the best option. “I’m about to pay Sandino’s ass a visit. Maybe once he gets a look at his son, he can tell that bitch of a lawyer to write me a damn check,” she said, grabbing her white Evo cell phone off the charger.

She went to the internet icon and typed in the name Sandino Washington hoping to find out where he was. With all the media attention since his shooting, reporters and even bloggers seemed to be tracking his every move. Asia waited for several results to come up. A few of them were about his old football injuries, so she kept searching until finally seeing a recent article talking about his status along with the name of the rehabilitation facility. After putting in the address in her GPS system, Asia displayed a huge smile.

“On a mission to get my money,” she said, turning up the music when she heard
Niggas in Paris
by Kanye and Jay-Z playing on the radio.

****

Twenty minutes later, Asia arrived at the facility. She pulled out her foundation and makeup brush before applying a heavy coat on her face trying to cover up the huge red mark under her left eye. After checking her appearance one last time, Asia got out of the truck and opened the back door to take her son out. She frowned at the strong smell of urine and realized she hadn’t changed him all day. Letting out a huge sigh, she pulled him out of the seat, then proceeded to change his soiled pamper. Asia was irritated. She didn’t realize how much work it took to be a mother, and had to admit that she wasn’t looking forward to eighteen years of being responsible for someone other than herself. When Asia finished changing the diaper, she placed the baby back in his car seat and headed towards the facility.

Out of nowhere several reporters and photographers ran up surrounding Asia like a pack of wolves then started snapping her picture and asking questions.

“Are you here to see Sandino Washington? Can you give us an update on his progress?” one reporter asked, passing her a business card.

“Are you family? Whose baby is this?” another reported blurted out snapping pictures of her son. With microphones pushed in her face and the constant flashes of cameras Asia felt trapped and violated.

“No, I’m not here to see Sandino Washington, now move out my way so I can get inside,” she demanded pushing her way past the mob of vultures.

The paparazzi and news reporters walked away disappointed that they weren’t getting a juicy story to report. Once inside, Asia cleared her throat to get the chubby nurse’s attention once she reached the front desk.

“Hello, may I help you?” the nurse asked.

“Yes, I’m here to see my husband, Sandino Washington,” Asia responded.

The nurse looked at her funny. “What’s your name? Are you a reporter?”

“No, not at all. My name is Skye. Skye Washington,” Asia answered.

The nurse’s expression finally changed. “Oh, it’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Washington. Everyone has been wondering when you were finally going to come visit him.” The nurse studied her again. “You look so different from all the photos they show on T.V.”

“Yeah, I changed my hair and added a few pounds,” Asia said trying to play it off.

“I can understand that. I’ve put on a few myself,” the nurse said, patting her stomach.

Bitch, stop lying. You’ve added way more than a few. A ton is more like it,” Asia thought
.

“And look at that beautiful baby.” When the nurse noticed the baby’s blue dinosaur onesie she said, “I thought Mr. Washington had two sons and a one year old daughter.”

Asia was becoming very irritated with the nosey nurse. “He does…I mean we do. This is my nephew. I’m just watching him for my brother for a little while. Can I please see my husband now?”

“Oh, yes of course.”

“So, what room is he in?” Asia asked.

“Please don’t be offended Mrs. Washington, but do you have your ID? We’re supposed to ask when it concerns your husband. You know since he’s a high profile patient.”

Asia had to think of something quick. “Actually, I don’t. I was in such a rush on my way here, and left it in the hotel. It’s been a long day with me dealing with my nephew.” She gave the nurse a sad look. “I can go back and get it. It may take me a while since my hotel is across town, but it’s fine.” When Asia displayed an exhausted expression, and turned around the nurse grabbed her arm.

“Don’t worry about it, Mrs. Washington.” She looked around then lowered her voice. “I’m sure you’re dying to see your husband, so I’ll make an exception this time. Come this way I’ll show you to his room.”

Asia thanked her before giving the nurse a fake smile and following her down the hall. She looked around at all the patients in the hallway and instantly became sick on her stomach. She hated hospitals, but was in desperate need for Sandino to meet his son. When they entered the room, Asia was shocked to see that the once big and muscular Sandino was now much smaller. It looked like he’d lost at least sixty pounds or more. He sat in a wheelchair near the window asleep.

“Mr. Washington, your wife is finally here to see you,” the nurse announced.

At that moment, Sandino’s eyes opened wide as if he was excited by her words. However, when he saw Asia standing there, a frown suddenly appeared on his face.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” the nurse said, walking towards the door.

Asia couldn’t help but stare at the side of Sandino’s head that looked as if an entire section had been removed. “Why does his head look like that?”

“That’s from the surgery where doctor’s had to remove part of his skull to retrieve the bullet fragments,” the nurse advised.

“Damn,” Asia said under her breath. “Can he talk?”

Sandino was slumped over with dried up saliva on the side of his mouth and crust between his eyes. The oversized sweat suit he wore swallowed his now slimmer physique and his large feet were turned together in an awkward position between the petal guards of his wheelchair. It shocked Asia to see him that way.

“He’s working on it. He can mumble a few things, but nothing comes out that well other than yes and no sometimes.”

Asia looked at her but didn’t respond. She wasn’t used to Sandino not being the asshole he once was.

“Let me know if you need anything.”

When the nurse left the room, Asia walked over and sat in a chair near Sandino staring at the large scar that stretched across his head. Sandino watched her as well.

“Long time no see, Sandino. Damn, you all fucked up,” she said, staring at him once again. “I just wanted to come by and introduce you to your son.” Asia took the baby out of the car seat and placed him close to Sandino’s face. “Doesn’t he look just like you? I named him Sandino Jr. Thinking about calling him SJ for short.”

Sandino cut his eyes at the baby. He studied him for a long time before directing his eyes back on Asia.

“I just came here to tell you that I need money. I know Skye and your lawyer are trying to block your third son outta his share and I think that’s fucked up. I know you’re probably still mad at me about that money I stole, but that shit was in the past. What’s important now is making sure your son is taken care of. I know you believe in making sure your kids always have the best,” she said.

Sandino’s eyes turned angry. He moved his mouth trying to speak and after stuttering for a few seconds he yelled out the word no, then spit on Asia. Luckily, the saliva didn’t land anywhere near her face.

She jumped up with the baby in her arms. “I know you didn’t just spit on me you handicapped muthafucka!” She stared at him for a few seconds, before returning the glob of spit. She then reached for her cell phone and snapped several pictures of him.

“I tried to be nice to your evil ass by coming here like a lady to ask for your help. But since you want to disrespect me, I’m about to disrespect you. I’m sure all the paparazzi outside would give me big money for these pictures of your sickly looking ass. Not to mention I could see the headlines now, ex pro ball player Sandino’s Washington’s illegitimate son. One way or the other… you will pay!” Asia yelled. She quickly placed the baby back inside the car seat as the nurse walked back into the room.

“Is everything alright in here, Mrs. Washington?”

“Don’t call me that shit. I’m not Mrs. Washington. It’s no way could I ever be married to this selfish ass bastard!”

As soon as the nurse’s eyes widened, Asia ran out the room and headed back to her truck. After securing the baby’s seat back into the base, it didn’t take long for her to start up the engine and skid out of the parking lot.