Flaws and All

Twenty-Three

After looking through Josiah's dresser and closet , Bailey finally finds him a couple of loose fitting shirts and basketball shorts. Just as she's about to leave the house, she remembers that her note is still in his nightstand so she grabs it quickly, stuffing it into her purse.

"Hello?" She says, answering the phone call from her job.

"Hey, it's your former boss and I was calling to tell you that you've been terminated. Please return to Luke as soon as possible to pick up your paycheck and clean out your locker." Roland says then hangs up.

Struggling to hold back the tears, Bailey throws her phone onto the floor in an angry fit; making it bounce under the bed. Calming herself down, she gets on her knees and starts fishing under the bed for her phone; pulling out the phone and a condom wrapper.

"What the fuck!" Bailey says to herself, feeling pissed, sad, and angry all at the same time.

She knows she has no reason to feel those emotions because her and Josiah aren't in a relationship but that doesn't make it hurt any less. Rolling her eyes, she storms out of the house and locks it up as she gets into her car and drives to her old job.

"Hmm you finally showed up to work after missing multiple shifts and not answering your phone." Roland says as she steps into his officer for her check.

"My brother was murdered and died in my arms then we had his funeral. I'm sure you wouldn't show up to work if that happened to you so save the shit talk and give me my check. You've talked to me disrespectfully for the last time, you ugly, funky, bastard. If I didn't need that check I'd tell you to shove it up your shitty, hairy asshole you fucking dick! I'm so over you and everybody else saying slick shit to me. I've held my tongue too long! Now I'll take my check and be on my way."

Bailey's boss is speechless as he hands her the check.

"I-I didn't know... I apologize, Bailey. You can keep your job if you'd like." He stutters, a guilty look on his face.

"Nah fuck it! I'm out!" She says, snatching her check and making her way to her locker, putting all of her things into a bag. "Anybody seen Ahmad?"

"He's off today." Chef Max yells loudly. "I was near the door when you spazzed on Roland.. I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself and I'm sorry about your brother. If you ever need anything at all, give me a call."

"Thanks Max, I will."

As Bailey is walking out of the restaurant, she scrolls through her phone to find Ahmad's name and sends him a message.

Bailey: "Hey, Roland fired me and I spazzed on his stupid ass. I haven't seen you in a while and I've missed you! We've got to catch up whenever you're free."

Ahmad: "Wassup and Damn, I hate I missed that! I'll text you to set up dinner plans or something soon."

Bailey: "Great!"

After cashing her check and putting the money in the bank, Bailey drives to the hospital; carrying the bag of clothes up to Josiah's room.

"Here." She says, tossing them on the bed.

"Damn, you ain't gotta throw em! What's wrong?"

"Rough day. Don't worry bout it... imma head out."

"Bailey, yo attitude real stank right now. Sit down and tell me what made your day so rough." Josiah says, looking through the bag of clothes. "Thanks for the clothes."

"Well, I found a condom wrapper in yo room and I got fired from my job." Bailey scoffs, plopping down on the hard, dark blue couch.

"Mannn, that condom wrapper is old, like before I knew you old. You know I haven't been out here having sex. I don't even have time for that! I been with you majority of the time and I wouldn't even do you like that. I know we been feelin each other so why would I fuck that up by fucking somebody else?" Josiah lies smoothly, not wanting to hurt Bailey's feelings.

"Key word Josiah, 'majority' which means when we weren't together you had time to fuck somebody else but forget it, do what you wanna. You're single and so am I. I might just go fuck somebody myself. I'm sure that'll be a nice stress reliever." Bailey shrugs, causing him to frown.

"See Bailey, you doing too fucking much now. You ain't finna fuck nobody!! You ain't losing yo virginity unless it's to me so quit fucking playing with me fore' I get out this bed and handle yo lil ass."

The whole time Josiah was talking Bailey was zoned out, thinking about her expenses and how she's going to pay them with no job. There's only one way she can pay them and that means she has to find that money ASAP.

"Aww so now the cat got ya tongue? You ain't got nun to say huh?" Josiah asks, throwing a pillow into her lap.

"I gotta go." Bailey says, getting up and walking out of the door.

Josiah calls after her but she ignores him and gets into her car, driving to Jerrico's old apartment. The place has been covered in "crime science do not cross" tape but Bailey doesn't care so she lifts it above her head and steps inside. Looking around the trashed apartment, she knows she has no time to waste so she gets busy searching in random places such as the bedroom closet, television stand, and kitchen drawers.

Many hours later, darkness has fallen and Bailey hasn't come up with anything. She walks into the living room and starts looking underneath the fish tank that sits on top of a table with small drawers. Feeling the hair stand up on the back of her neck, she gets an uneasy feeling like someone is watching her. Turning around quickly, she sees a shadow run pass the window; scaring her.

"W-who there's?" She calls out, running to the front door and opening it.

After not getting a response, she checks her surroundings and runs to her car; speeding off before it warms up.

She'll just have to come back when it's daylight, but next time she'll be sure to bring protection incase the creep comes back.