"Can I borrow three hundred dollars to get my alternator replaced?"
Lela figured she must have had a bothered look on her face when he quickly added, "Before you say anything, I will pay you back as soon as I sell my four-wheeler, babe. I just need to get my car fixed so I can have transportation to get out and make money for us. You know I'm always on the grind."
With it being her first time hearing about his car needing repairs, she was shocked to be hearing it now with his hand between her legs.
"You know I got you, Ty. I didn't know you were having problems with your car," she replied calmly, but deep inside, she was flipping out because by her giving him this money, it would mean she paid for her gifts yesterday and the dinner.
"Yeah, it started yesterday."
Lela pushed the covers back, climbed out of bed, found her wallet, and counted out three crisp one-hundred dollar bills, handing them to him. Even though she was tired of pulling the weight, she knew he was hustling to get his business off the ground, and she believed in standing by her man.
"Now, you said you would pay me back, right?"
He nodded his head. "Yes, of course…as soon as my fourwheeler sells."
While giving him a knowing grin, Lela glided back under the covers. "Well, come over here and finish what you started."
A few hours later was when the phone rang waking Lela from her deep slumber. She felt around in the tangled blankets, searching for the phone so she could put an end to its annoying shrill. She was pissed at whoever was responsible for pulling her out of her deep slumber.
"Hello," Lela answered groggily, not bothering to clear the sleep from her voice.
"Wake up, girl!" It was Tonya. "I'll be there in thirty minutes," Tonya sang.
Lela hated her friend for being so perky right now. Then she remembered what day it was. "Uh-uh, gimme like an hour."
Lela turned under the warmth of the comforters and focused on the red digital numbers of the tiny clock on her nightstand. 8:30 a.m. It had barely been an hour since Tyrese left and she needed a little more time to recoup.
She heard Tonya suck her teeth and clear her throat. "I know you didn't forget," her friend said, and Lela could picture her rolling her eyes from the other end of the phone.