Discernment, delayed

  I should have known better. Let’s be real….I DID know better but I love being a rebel. No matter the consequences. Makes life interesting. But….. that charm is how I landed myself smack dab in the middle of a possible murder investigation. Never, and I mean never answer a exs “you up?” Text.  

     I hateeeeee set ups. I didn’t even agree to this but Malone offered to buy me a free meal and who am I to turn down  free food in this economy?  My greediness is how I ended up in a smoky diner squished next to a window so my thigh doesn’t accidentally rub against this weirdo next to me.  Malone has been trying to get the attention of Perry for the longest and I guess today was her chance…..the caveat? I have to be the wing man…..well wing woman. 

    I was just sitting on my couch pretending to work but really binge watching New York Undercover, when my phone rang. Surprised me really because no one ever really calls me so when I see Malone, I figured why not?  If I’m honest with you, I don’t remember much of the conversation beyond meeting up with Perry and her paying for my food so I can be a buffer. Dru Hill was on the show and that had my attention really. Before I knew it, I must have agreed because she hung up and text me an address. I contemplated making up an excuse and ultimately seen I had no food in the house so I might as well go. I throw on a crop top, jeans and crocs and head out the front door. As I open the restaurant door, I recognize Perry and Malone….but who is this man with them? He looks like he stepped right out of a 2006 rap video with a mouth full of a grill that looked like he got it for free with a full tank of gas. Malone seen my face

  rushed up to me and whispered “I’m so sorry. I owe you” 

   I take a deep breath, put on my customer service smile and head over. The stranger man looks up to me, smiles (with food in that grill) and introduced himself as Rufus….. That tracks.

   He asks would I like to sit next to the window. I do a quick nod and start my 30 minute timer in my head. Rufus stands up to let me in and slides back in immediately rubbing his thigh against mine. YUCK he smells like clothes that hasn’t dried all the way. I’m not sure a meal is worth this.

    I smile and nod through about 10 minutes and think to myself…maybe he isn’t that bad…..

   But then he looks at me and laughs….mouth wide open. There is no reason anyone breathe should smell like this.

  I’m in my head trying to come up with a suitable excuse when my phone lights up. 

 A simple “you up?”

Well it’s only. 8:45 pm why wouldn’t I be? But more importantly, why is my ex asking me this? 

I respond with a simple “you good?” 

All I got back was an address. 

Should I go? 

It’s not like we ended amicably. …..

I look at the table…this is the only other alternative? 

I put on my best disappointed voice and made up some excuse to get out of there. Rufus asked to walk me to my car. I politely declined and followed him on IG to give him some illusion he would ever speak to me again. After pleasantries, I slid out that booth and walked briskly to my car. 

   Now that I’m in the car, I can think clearly. Now why is he asking am I up? 

Why did he only send me an address? 

Do I go? 

What if he need help? 

What if this a set up? 

…..Fuck it we ball. Start up the car and headed to the address. 

    I pull up to the address and it’s pitch black minus a car with flashing hazard lights. I assume this is Barron car. I’m rethinking my decision when he jumps out the backseat frantically asking am I by myself. Is it too late to just go back to my couch?  

    Barron rushes up to my car with a wrinkled eyebrow and his flashlight in his phone. I’m still contemplating driving off when he taps my passenger window. I let it down just enough to hear him. Barron puts his face in the crack of the window and whispers “I think I seen someone get killed” 

All I could muster up is “why are you even out here ?” 

Barron nervous giggles. “Why does that even matter? I think I seen someone get killed Delia! Focus!” 

….”man are you sure? How much weed have you ingested today? And…why in the hell did you call me? Call the police

“Well I’m offended…what make you think I been smoking?”

“Barron….”

“Ok ok you right. Which is why I couldn’t call authorities. I’ve watched true crime shows! It’s always the unsuspecting black man. No thank you” 

….” So your solution is to involve the unsuspecting black woman? 

Barron stares blankly….

….not to mention, we been broken up for months Barron”

Barron sighs. “Just come look with me please”

I truly can’t believe I’m here. One minute I’m on my couch watching NewYork Undercover and next I’m sitting next to Great Value Rick Ross. Leave  it to me to leave one bad situation  just to end up in the woods with a ex. All I had to do was turn down the free food. Good ol Delia. Just out here doing shit. But…here I am. So I grab my taser and phone . I’m here now. 

Gotta see it through. 

     I walk into the darkness and walk right into a spider web.  Sigh, I promise Barron not even worth all this. But, still I rise. I continue down the path, following Barron to where he seen this supposed body. He grabs my hand and guides me down this dark slope of a hill.  It’s gets darker and darker and I try to pull back. Barron gently pulls me forward. Finally…I see some light. 

Is that a bonfire? 

Omg! Did some crazed killer burn a body? 

Am I next?? I gotta start asking more questions man. 

We head deeper and deeper down the marsh. Mud just hugging my poor little crocs. These are not murder solving shoes for sure. I finally stop to think…could he be trying to take me out? So…. obviously gotta ask

“Hey Barron, are you trying to kill me? Cause a few ppl who I won’t specify always have my location..just in case…..

Barron deep chuckles. “Of course not…and probably should have asked near your car for future reference” 

…I’m with you when you right… should have asked before the risk of my cell phone not working.

Nervous chuckle but I mean…we dated a year and a half…I gotta be safe…right? 

I didn’t think this through. 

How can I help with a murder investigation? 

I have on a crop top for goodness sakes. The mosquitoes are having a field day on my belly button 

This is just bad judgment.

Finally Barron stops! I take a sigh of relief. My thighs were starting to burn. 

I’m not a hiker by any means necessary. 

I can make out a bonfire and next to it a long bag that look like it could contain a body!

He wasn’t lying! What else  could be in a 6 foot long bag? Omg, omg, omg.  I never seen a dead body before 

He leads me closer as I rethink all my life decisions up until this very moment. People get falsely accused everyday. And here I am playing Harriet the Spy with someone I had to dump because he didn’t think condom sex was cheating. 

  But here I am. He leads me closer to the bag. I’m apprehensive. 

Girl,  not you having discernment now lmao 

Either way, I tremble as I go to unzip the bag……

It’s fuckin flowers. 

I look at Barron…he smiles foolishly…

I dig deeper…it’s cocktail shrimp in this damn bag!! 

I look at Barron again

He just shrugs….if I just told you to meet me… I knew you wouldn’t.