Page 38 of I Heard It All Before

“I meant every word I said. You showed me what was more important to you and it damn sure ain’t me,” Demi said as she wiped tears from her eyes.

“You’re pissed and I get it, but you don’t believe that shit. I fucked up Demi. I’m human and I make mistakes. You’re asking me to just stop doing something overnight that I’ve been doing for over ten years, and the shit ain’t that easy. I tried to do the right thing and I failed. I just need you to understand my position,” Kamari said as he followed her to the front door.

Demi disarmed the alarm and unlocked the front door. Kamari grabbed her arm before she had a chance to walk out of it.

“Kamari please, just move. I have a headache and I’m stressed out. I can’t do this no more. You basically told me that you’re gonna do what you want to do, no matter how I feel about it. You put me in the middle of your mess and that’s not fair to me. I didn’t ask for this and I’m not staying around to take it.”

“So, what are you saying Demi?” Kamari asked, dreading her answer.

“We need some time apart. I think it’s best if we separate for a while,” Demi replied.

“Separate! Man, you got me fucked up. Now, if you don’t feel comfortable sleeping here for a while, I understand that. But wherever we go, we’re going as a couple,” Kamari replied.

“Why, so you can bring your drama there too?” Demi asked.

“You keep talking like you’re the only one who’s feeling this shit. Do you know how much fucking money I lost? It’s gon’ take me a minute to bounce back from that,” Kamari replied.

“Wow. Thanks for showing me the real you. I was a damn fool for even believing all that shit you told me. I’ll pass on going anywhere with you. I don’t need none of your problems following me around,” Demi said as she tried to walk around him.

“Cool, well, you can go put your bags up and get ready for bed. If you’re not going anywhere with me, you’re damn sure not going without me,” Kamari said with finality.

“You must be crazy if you think I’m staying in here. We could have been killed Kamari. I’ll never feel comfortable in this house again. I’m done with all this shit,” Demi said as she tried to leave once again.

Demi was both shocked and hurt when Kamari grabbed her by her hair and pulled her back. She fell to the floor hard and fast. Aside from that one time that he grabbed her neck when she followed him, Kamari had never laid a hand on her. She felt like her bundles were being ripped from her scalp, piece by piece. Kamari tried to drag her down the hall to their bedroom, but Demi wasn’t going without a fight. She grabbed on to the leg of their antique leather chair and tried to pull that along with her. Kamari wasn’t trying to hurt his wife, but he didn’t want her to go. Demi was all that he knew. He’d never known stability until she came into his life. Without her, he wouldn’t even have a place to live. He didn’t have legal income when they purchased their home, so they put everything in her name. Even his car and motorcycle belonged to his wife on paper. He paid for it all, but that didn’t even matter. He would die and take Demi along with him before he gave her a divorce.

“Are you crazy Kamari? Let her go!” Isis yelled when she walked into her sister’s house and saw what was going on.

She and Imani had been trying to call Demi, but they never got an answer. They were worried about her after what she’d told them and they wanted to make sure that she was okay. Imani suggested they go over there, and Isis was on board. They heard Demi’s screams as soon as they got out of their cars, prompting them to rush to her rescue. They were shocked by what they walked in on because Kamari had never been a violent man.

“Get the fuck up out of my house!” Kamari barked angrily.

“We’re not going anywhere without our sister,” Isis replied.

“Fuck all that! Let her go!” Imani yelled as she shoved her brother-in-law with all her strength.

Kamari stumbled a little, but he didn’t fall. He did release his grip on Demi’s hair, and she was up on her feet in no time. As soon as she got up, she charged at him full speed and started swinging. Her sisters joined in and the three of them beat Kamari down to the floor. He didn’t want to hurt them, so he didn’t even swing back. After a little while, he did push them away and staggered to his feet. He was still spent from being bashed in the head and their attack didn’t help.

“Y’all hoes jumping people now,” Kamari said as he leaned against the wall for support.

“Your mammy who gave your ass up at birth is a hoe,” Imani spat angrily.

“Let’s go y’all,” Demi said as she grabbed her bag and headed for the front door.

“We need to talk Demi. I’m sorry about my behavior, but leaving is not the answer,” Kamari said, sounding calmer than he did before.

“She don’t have shit to say to you,” Imani spoke up.

“Will you please tell that bitch to mind her business?” Kamari yelled angrily.

“Let’s go Imani,” Demi pleaded with her sister.

“No, fuck him! Calling me a bitch like I won’t cut his stupid ass!” Imani yelled.

“Imani, please, let’s just go,” Isis begged.

“Demi ain’t going nowhere,” Kamari said as he pulled her towards him again.

And just like before, Demi started swinging and her sisters followed her lead. They were beating Kamari like he wasn’t a grown ass man and he’d had enough. He reached into his waistband and pulled out the gun that he’d had on him the entire time. Demi and Imani were too hyped up to see it, but Isis was paying attention. She jumped up and kicked the gun from Kamari’s hand, causing it to slide under the nearby sofa.

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