Chapter 1
Black screen
ROBERT
Can you believe this shit, bro? Mom dukes went and got her a young guy.
KEVIN
Bro, this nigga younger than us! We got to do something about this shit!
ROBERT
How old is this nigga?
KEVIN
This nigga twenty two, bro! Like seriously, my nigg!
ROBERT
Oh, yeah! That’s a problem.
INT. COFFEE Shop – DAY
TONYA and KEISHA sit. They have a coffee.
TONYA
Keisha, I don’t know if I could keep dealing with these no good ass men.
KEISHA
Hell yeah, girl. These niggas is no good! Got me ready to become a lesbian!
TONYA
(Laughs extremely hard)
Girl, you crazy.
KEISHA
Well, shit… bitches can love better than these niggas, obviously! So, why not? I might like the other side of the grass.
TONYA
I feel you on that one.
JAQUAN approaches Tonya.
JAQUAN
Excuse me?
TONYA
Yes?
JAQUAN
Girl, you pretty as fuck!
TONYA
Boy, I’m grown!
JAQUAN
Well, how them old timers treatin’ you? You got a man?
TONYA
Not at the moment.
JAQUAN
Well, I’m guessing them niggas ain’t doing it right, then. What’s your name, P Y T?
TONYA
P Y T?
(Chuckles)
My name’s Tonya.
JAQUAN
Nice to meet you, Tonya. You can just call me JQ. You got a phone?
TONYA
Yeah.
JAQUAN
Let me see it, real quick.
She hands him her phone.
TONYA
What you need this for?
JAQUAN
I’m a put my number in.
He puts his number in her phone, and hands it back.
JAQUAN(CONT’D)
Maybe you could call me sometime, and let a young man show you how it’s done.
TONYA
Oh, so you know how to do it?
JAQUAN
Well, them old timers obviously ain’t doing it right. So, let me show you something new. Call me!
He walks away.
Keisha smiles at Tonya.
KEISHA
So, what you going to do with his number?
TONYA
I might make use of it.
KEISHA
Girl, your boys’ll go crazy you talk to that little man.
TONYA
I don’t give a shit! Mama got to have a life, too.
KEISHA
That ain’t no lie.
TONYA
I’m a have to see what he working wit’.
INT. TONYA’S HOUSE – DAY – LATER
Robert and Kevin sleep on opposite couches.
Tonya busts through the front door.
TONYA
(Yells)
Wake y’all asses up!
Robert and Kevin open their eyes, angrily.
TONYA(CONT’D)
Why the hell the grass ain’t cut?
ROBERT
Damn, mama! I’m a handle it!
Tonya walks to Robert, and slaps him twice in the torso.
TONYA
You watch your damn mouth when you talking to me!
Kevin laughs.
TONYA(CONT’D)
And what the hell you laughing at? Take yo’ ass outside, and cut that grass. You motha fuckas gunna listen to me. Ain’t no daddy around this motha fucka, so, y’all need to man up!
KEVIN
All right, ma! Fuck! You always fuckin’ yellin’!
Robert laughs at Kevin.
Tonya walks to Kevin, and slaps him in the head five times.
TONYA
You watch your motha fucking mouth.
She calms down.
TONYA(cont’d)
Now, both of y’all go cut that grass.
They exit.
Tonya calls Jaquan.
Jaquan’s voice can be heard on the other end.
JAQUAN
(Answers the phone)
Hello?
TONYA
What’s up, JQ?
JAQUAN
Who dis?
TONYA
Tonya. From the coffee shop.
JAQUAN
Oh, yeah. The P Y T!
CUT TO
EXT. TONYA’S HOUSE – DAY - CONTINUED
Robert and Kevin prepare to cut the grass.
ROBERT
I’m getting tired of mom talking to me like that!
KEVIN
I know, man. But, shit, what you gunna do? You gunna move out?
ROBERT
Hell nah, I ain’t moving. This a good deal. I get to live for free, all the bills is paid, and all I got to do is some maintenance? You can’t get better, brother. But, the way she be talking to me, I ain’t feeling that shit, at all.
KEVIN
Well, shit, nigga, I don’t know what you going to do. But, you try talking to her about her attitude if you want. She gunna beat that ass, nigga!
ROBERT
Man, fuck it, let’s handle this grass.
INT. TONYA’S bedroom – DAY – next
Tonya’s on the phone with Jaquan.
TONYA
Well, yeah, I’m down... okay... Definitely.
She hangs up.
INT. TONYA’S living room – DAY – LATER
Robert and Kevin walk in through the front door. Tonya’s in her bedroom.
KEVIN
Ma, it’s finished.
ROBERT
It look good, too!
TONYA(O.S)
(From bedroom)
I’m a check that shit!
She walks to the living room.
TONYA(CONT’D)
And it better look perfect!
ROBERT
Ma, you know I handle business.
TONYA
All right, we’ll see.
She exits out the front door.
INT. KEVINS ROOM – NIGHT – LATER
Kevin and Robert play NFL Madden.
Kevin scores a touchdown. He rises in excitement.
KEVIN
That’s what I’m talking about!
(Turns to Robert)
Yeah, bitch, eat that, nigga!
ROBERT
Yeah, whatever, man.
Tonya walks in.
TONYA
What y’all doin’?
KEVIN
Whoopin’ ya son in Madden!
He laughs at Robert.
KEVIN(CONT’D)
Bitch!
TONYA
Watch your mouth, Kevin. Now, look, I’m about to leave. Make sure ya‘ watch my house. If y’all make a mess, clean it up! If I come home, and my house is destroyed, I’m whoopin’ ass.
KEVIN
Ma, why you always got to talk to us like we’re children? We get it.
TONYA
Well, sometimes y’all act like children. Now, come lock this door, Robert.
He follows Tonya to the front door, and locks it after she exits.
INT. BAR – NIGHT – NEXT
Tonya and Jaquan sit at a table for two, with a drink in hand.
JAQUAN
So, what up, P Y T?
TONYA
Nothing much.
JAQUAN
Well, I been thinking ’bout you!
TONYA
You have?
JAQUAN
Yeah, girl! It’s hard not to think about your fine ass.
TONYA
So, what you was doing before I called you?
JAQUAN
Not much. Just chillin’. Happy you called me.
TONYA
So, where you work?
JAQUAN
Mickey deez.
TONYA
Mickey deez? McDonalds?
JAQUAN
Yeah. School really wasn’t my thing. I want to be a rapper. I be in the studio, faithfully.
TONYA
Sound like my sons!
JAQUAN
You got kids?
TONYA
Yeah. Two boys.
JAQUAN
Awe! What’s their names?
TONYA
Kevin and Robert.
JAQUAN
Oh, cool!
TONYA
Yeah, their a hand full.
JAQUAN
Well, what kid’s aren’t?
TONYA
So, how long you been single?
JAQUAN
Shit, for awhile, now. I just been chillin’, though. No time for the chicks.
TONYA
So, why you stopped to talk to me, then?
JAQUAN.
I mean, look at you, shorty! You bad! I had to.
TONYA
Well, I’m glad you did!
INT. KEISHA’S HOUSE – NIGHT – NEXT
There’s a knock at the front door. Keisha answers it. It’s Tonya.
KEISHA
What’s up, Tonya? Come on in!
Keisha and Tonya walk in the living room, and sit.
KEISHA(cont’d)
So, what happened on the date?
TONYA
Girl, it was amazing! He left me breathless!
KEISHA
That’s good. Was he a gentlemen?
TONYA
Kind of!
KEISHA
Kind of? What that mean?
TONYA
He didn’t open the door, or nothing like that. But, it was a good date. He kept telling me how beautiful I was, and you know, a girl could never get tired of hearing that.
KEISHA
That’s true.
She nods.
INT. KEISHA’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT – next
Keisha and Tonya watch TV.
KEISHA
Oh, yeah, girl, before I forget, did you tell ’em about your kids?
TONYA
Not yet. I’m nervous!
KEISHA
Girl, you got to tell him!
TONYA
I know!
INT. TONYA’S HOUSE - DAY
Music plays.
Tonya sits in the living room. Kevin and Robert sit in the kitchen.
Tonya’s on the phone with Jaquan. Kevin and Robert can hear her talk. She laughs, and blushes. Kevin and Robert look at each other, concerned.
INT. GROCERY STORE - DAY
Kevin pushes the grocery cart, as Robert and Tonya walk beside it. Tonya’s phone rings. She looks at the caller ID, stops, and answers. She talks, and smiles. Robert and Kevin look at her, confused.
Music ends.
INT. TONYA’S CAR - DAY - NEXT
Tonya drives home. Kevin sits on the passenger side, and Robert sits in the back seat. Tonya’s on the phone.
TONYA
Yeah, I know.
(Laughs)
You’re so crazy, boy!
Robert stares at Tonya.
ROBERT
Ma, who you on the phone with, Man?
TONYA
Robert, mind your business!
KEVIN
Mama got a boyfriend!
ROBERT
Shut the fuck up, nigga!
Tonya slaps Robert on the back of his head.
TONYA
Robert, I’m not gunna tell you, again! Watch your mouth! Jaquan, I’ll call you back. My kids acting up.
ROBERT
Yeah, nigga! She’ll call you back!
Tonya hangs up, and stares at Robert.
TONYA
Robert, when we get home, take yo’ ass to bed.
He shoos Tonya away.
ROBERT
Ma, I’m too old for that.
TONYA
Ok. We’ll see.
KEVIN
...So, ma? Who’s Jaquan?
TONYA
Damn, boy. Am I in your business?
KEVIN
You right. I’m sorry.
TONYA
When we get home, take y’all asses to bed!
ROBERT
Yes, ma’am!
(Low tone)
Yo, bro? We gotta find out who this nigga is that got ma open like this.
KEVIN
That’s a fact!
(Looks at Tonya)
Telling me to go to bed, and shit! I’m a grown ass man.
INT. TONYA’S HOUSE – DAY – NEXT
Tonya walks in front of Kevin and Robert. Kevin and Robert carry groceries to the kitchen. They set the groceries on the floor, then walk to Tonya.
KEVIN
So, ma? Who’s Jaquan?
TONYA
Didn’t I just tell you two motherfuckers to mind y’all business? Go put them groceries away, then take your asses to bed!
ROBERT
I’ll put the groceries away, but I ain’t going to bed. I’m a grown ass man!
TONYA
Oh, you not? Well, then, go pack you some bags, and get out my house. I pay these bills. You don’t abide by my rules, you can go!
ROBERT
(Smacks teeth)
Fine! I’ll go to bed. Fuck.
Robert and Kevin put the groceries away.
INT. TONYA’S ROOM – DAY – LATER
Tonya’s on the phone with Jaquan.
She lays down, with her TV on.
TONYA
I’m sorry, JQ. My kid’s are a mess.
Jaquan’s voice can be heard on the other end.
JAQUAN
Na, you iight. But, ya kids sound like grown ass men. How old are they?
TONYA
JQ, where you at?
JAQUAN
The crib, why?
TONYA
I need to come see you.
JAQUAN
All right, come through.
INT. JAQUAN’S LIVING ROOM – DAY – NEXT
Jaquan sits across from Tonya.
JAQUAN
So, what’s up? You missed me?
TONYA
Boy, you crazy. I just had to talk to you.
JAQUAN
About what?
TONYA
My kids.
JAQUAN
What about ’em?
TONYA
JQ, they’re old!
JAQUAN
Well, how old you talkin’?
TONYA
...Twenty five and twenty seven. I know I should’ve told you. I just was nervous.
JAQUAN
Damn! Twenty five and twenty seven? How they gunna feel about you talking to a twenty two year old?
TONYA
JQ, I don’t give a fuck how they feel. This is my life.
JAQUAN
Okay, then! If you cool with it, I’m cool with it.
TONYA
You sure?
JAQUAN
Hell yeah! It don’t bother me. You told em, yet?
TONYA
No. But, it ain’t none of they got damn business who I talk to.
JAQUAN
Facts, P Y T! Come here, real quick, though. I got to tell you something.
Tonya sits next to Jaquan, and Jaquan kisses her.
INT. RAP STUDIO – DAY
Jaquan’s in the booth. DJ SKILLS sits in front of the equipment, and JOHNNY sits next to Dj skills.
JAQUAN
(Raps)
And I don’t give a fuck, if a nigga talking to the cops, that’s my word, I’m a motha fucking pop, guarantee, that nigga shit bout to get rocked, I aint on the bottom, nigga, I’m on the top!
Dj skills cuts the beat off, and stops the recording.
DJ SKILLS
All right, JQ! Come on out, man.
Jaquan walks out the booth.
JAQUAn
That shit tight?
Johnny gives Jaquan dapp.
Johnny
Yeah, you know that shit tight, bro. You put down on that one!
DJ SKILLS
Let’s listen to it.
He plays the track back.
DJ SKILLS
(To Jaquan)
What you think?
JAQUAN
Yeah, that shit tight, b!
DJ SKILLS
Cool! Let me put it on a CD for you.
He puts it on CD, and turns to Jaquan.
DJ SKILLS(cont’d
So, what up, man? You still talking to that shorty you was telling me about?
JAQUAN
Yeah, man. Shorty got kids, though! Grown ass kids!
JOHNNY
Word? You gunna have them little niggas calling you step pops?
Jaquan laughs.
JAQUAN
If we get that serious, then, yeah. I’ll take the place of they step dad. You know I like taking care of kids, anyway.
DJ SKILLS
Facts, bro. You meet ’em yet?
JAQUAN
Nah. But whenever she ready, though, I’m ready.
INT. BOWLING ALLEY – DAY
Music plays.
Jaquan and Tonya bowl. They laugh, and play around as they bowl.
INT. JAQUAN’S LIVING ROOM – DAY
Jaquan and Tonya play dance central on the X box connect, joking around as they take turns.
Music ends.
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT
Jaquan and Tonya sit across from one another.
JAQUAN
Tonya, you know you make me real happy, right?
TONYA
I do?
JAQUAN
Yeah! Just the way we can joke around, and stuff. I really like that.
TONYA
I like it, too. You always talking to me sweet.
JAQUAN
Well, I want to do something else, too!
TONYA
What’s that?
JAQUAN
I want to make you my shorty.
TONYA
That ain’t no question. I want to be your shorty.
JAQUAN
I’m down with that! Come here, and give me some sugar.
Tonya kisses Jaquan.
INT. TONYA’S HOUSE – DAY
Jaquan sits in the living room. Tonya’s in the kitchen. Robert and Kevin walk in, through the front door.
Kevin notices Jaquan. He walks to him.
KEVIN
What’s up, bro? You here for Robert?
Robert walks to Kevin.
ROBERT
Nah, I don’t know him. Who you lookin’ for, man?
Tonya walks in the living room.
TONYA
(To Robert and Kevin)
Oh, you’re here.
Jaquan rises, next to Tonya.
ROBERT
Yo, ma, you know this dude?
TONYA
Robert, Kevin, this is Jaquan. Remember when y’all was asking who I was talking to? This is who. This my new man.
The room goes silent.
KEVIN(Angry)
Oh, hell naw! Ma, this nigga young enough to be my little bro!
TONYA
Watch your mouth, Kevin! Now, look, he makes me happy, so, this is my guy. Come on, JQ! I gotta run to the store.
Tonya exits.
JAQUAN
I’ll be right there, baby!
ROBERT
(Low toned)
This nigga really called her baby, though.
Jaquan smiles at Kevin and Robert.
JAQUAN
Just know, little niggas. I’m taking care of that thang. Ya’ mom’s in good hands.
He exits.
To order the full book, visit amazon, and type in O'Shea Wright. Thank you!
