by Donald Welch
“I’m sorry,” she said and started to laugh. “I was trying to clip a hangnail but the clipper must be too sharp…. I’m sorry.” She laughed again.
“Well, bite it off with your teeth then!”
“What?” She looked up at him like he was joking, but his expression indicated otherwise.
Cupping his foot by the heel, she used one hand to steady it and wrapped the other around his toes as she proceeded to put the toe in her mouth. Nipping gently she was able to remove the hangnail with little pain to Torch. Taking a towel and wiping off her mouth she got up to go to the bathroom.
Torch watched her intently, and for a moment he felt bad about the way he had spoken to her.
“Find you something nice and sexy to put on, we going out later,” he shouted back toward the bathroom.
“Okay,” she faintly said.
A knock at the door brought a wide grin to Torch’s face. He knew it was DuBoy. Jumping up, he kicked the basin of water, causing a large portion of it to splash onto the floor.
“Nigga, what took you so long?” he said to DuBoy as soon as he swung open the door.
“Yo, you getting you a foot bath and shit?” DuBoy said, laughing and pointing to Torch’s feet.
Entering the living room, DuBoy’s eyes became fixed on the large flat-screen, where the Sixers were playing the Lakers.
“What’s the score?” he asked Torch.
“Nigga, fuck that! What the fuck was going on? Where we at?” Torch clicked the remote off and threw it on the sofa.
“You got this bitch washing your feet now, nigga? Dat’s what’s up!” DuBoy laughed as he reared back his hand to give Torch a high five. Torch was not amused.
“It’s been almost two months now. What’s up with your lady, man?” Torch motioned for DuBoy to have a seat on the sofa and shot a stare at Gidget to get lost. She quietly excused herself and headed toward the kitchen.
“She’s coming along. I been staying on Storm about what she needs to do,” DuBoy said. “But it’s her fucking sister man; Skylar isn’t budging. So Storm got a lawyer and shit, and she’ll sue her if she has to.”
“Damn! That’s just gonna hold up shit for a while. We don’t have a lot of time. I was hoping for a different outcome.” He stood up and started pacing. “Skylar needs to get the fuck out the way!” Torch lit up another cigar. DuBoy didn’t even want to imagine what Torch meant. He tried to soften things up.
“Yeah, the papers are going to be served first thing Monday morning, demanding Skylar sell Legends altogether or buy Storm out of her share. Either way, Storm gonna git the money and she’s down with what we doing.”
“Nigga, she better be! Shit, I done dropped thirty Gs on the spot for a hold now. But I’ma need the eighty Gs from you before next month. Now she got her a good muthafuckin’ Jew lawyer, or what?” Torch looked at him for an answer.
“Man, I don’t know all that shit! I just know the bitch said everything was straight. So look, yo, I gotta believe that shit,” DuBoy said, standing his ground. “She was feeling a li’l bad about the shit for a minute. Saying she felt like she was doin’ her sister wrong ’cause she knew how hard Skylar had worked to make the spot successful. But we clever, dude. Damn!”
“I don’t give a fuck! I know yo bitch ain’t getting soft on us now! Look, we had a deal, nigga. You said you’d come through with the cash. I could’ve brought some other muthafucka in on this. But you my nigga, so I was like, cool. Me and DuBoy got this. Now you talking sideways, nigga? Yo. Get that bitch back in line like she used to be or some shit gonna get fucked up around this muthafucka, you feel me?” Torch’s anger frightened DuBoy, who knew oh so well that you didn’t fuck with Torch. He almost wished that he had kept his mouth shut and never involved himself with this deal. In fact, he wished he had never mentioned to Torch that he and Storm had been communicating while she was locked down. Telling him that he could get her to do whatever he wanted to do probably wasn’t a good idea. Storm was hooked on his johnson, true, but she still was a smart bitch.
“I’ma hit the head, man,” DuBoy said, starting upstairs to the bathroom. Approaching it, he passed Gidget in the hall. He noticed right away that the fun-spirited spark she used to have was now gone.
“Hey, girl, what’s up?” he said softly, nodding his head as he closed the bathroom door. Gidget barely spoke and headed back downstairs. She had changed into a canary-yellow bare-midriff top, white miniskirt, and white patent leather boots. Sizing up her outfit, Torch liked what he saw.
“That’s bangin’,” he said, moving his head up and down and smiling. “That’s just the kind of shit I want you in next week at the hotel.” Gidget didn’t respond to his comments and went into the kitchen.
DuBoy turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on his face. He was a nervous wreck. Holding onto both sides of the sink, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Man, what the fuck you done got yo’self into, dude? His frightened reflection told the whole story. Sitting down on the closed toilet, DuBoy pulled out his cellphone and called Storm. It went directly to her voice mail.
“Yo, Storm, it’s me. Check this, ma’, I need you to make sure we get that situation taken care of wit’ your sista, ummm, as soon as possible. Yeah, we gotta do this, Shorti. Call me back.” DuBoy sounded scared. After making the call, he took a moment to get himself together before returning downstairs.
“Damn, nigga, I thought you fell in, you took so long,” Torch said, laughing. He stood on the landing at the bottom of the stairs in his robe, his cigar in his mouth and a nickel-plated .357 magnum revolver in his hand.
Seeing the gun, DuBoy stopped dead in his tracks.
“Nice ain’t it?” Torch waved it in DuBoy’s direction and then jokingly pointed it at him.
“C’mon, dude, turn that shit away from me fo’ you slip up and that shit go off,” DuBoy said, trying not to sound afraid.
Torch let out a hearty laugh as DuBoy descended the stairs. When they were side by side Torch encouraged DuBoy to hold it and examine it.
“Pretty, ain’t it? Just got it yesterday. Can’t wait to try this bitch out.” He took it back from DuBoy and laid it on the coffee table. “Man, once we get TorchLight open, it’s gonna be on, brotha!” Torch put his arm around DuBoy’s neck and pulled him in to a playful chokehold. “You gonna be glad that you were down with this shit!” he said when he released the hold.
“Aight, dude. I’ma roll out. Catch you later,” DuBoy said, pounding him and heading toward the door.
“Cool. Yo, DuBoy, that new bitch Alexia, she still working over there at Legends, ain’t she?” he asked.
“Huh? Ah, yeah, she there. But I don’t say shit to her, though. She just work at the spot. Why?”
Torch began laughing. “I figured out where I knew her from. Me and Cleet are gonna stop by Legends later tonight to pay the ho a visit. And nigga, you might wanna stop by ’cause it’s gon’ be wild up in there.” He continued laughing as he said good-bye.
DuBoy could still hear Torch laughing halfway out of the building. DuBoy was sweating like crazy. Where the hell are you, Storm? Checking the time on his phone, he assumed she must be at work by now. He planned to stop by Legends on his way home, before Torch arrived. What the fuck was that shit about Alexia, the chick at the club? If it involves Torch, it ain’t gonna be good, no matter what it is, that’s for sure.
< TWENTY-THREE >
All Night Long
By the time Skylar and Sidney arrived at Deana’s the dance club was packed and the celebration was in full swing. Inside, sweating and pulsating bodies moved about in a frenzied state to the throbbing high-intensity dance music. At first glance, Skylar and Sidney probably looked like they had stumbled into the wrong place. Although chic, they were casually but conservatively dressed, quite different from some of the other fashions present. A flamboyant heavyset young man, CeCe, stood behind the encased partition collecting money and checking in V.I.P.’s. Skylar told him they were on June Alv
arado’s list.
“I see a Skylar Morrison but there ain’t no plus one,” he said, still looking down at the list.
“That’s fine, we’ll pay for the other ticket. How much is it?” She started to pull out her wallet, but Sidney stopped her and told her he had it.
“Twenty dollars, but he gonna be in a different section of the club than you ’cause they got you in V.I.P.,” CeCe told her.
“Oh, well, I’m not sure what to do here,” Skylar said looking at Sidney.
“Look, baby, you go in. Just text me when you’re ready and I’ll come back to get you,” Sidney said.
“No, I can just go in whatever section you’re in,” Skylar said. Before Sidney could respond someone behind them in line loudly started clapping.
“Okay, okay, let’s move it, y’all. I’m trying to see the show, thank you!” an effeminate male voice shouted. “Ah, Miss CeCe, girl, can you either let these children in or put ’em to the side so we can move on? Thank you.”
CeCe asked Skylar and Sidney to excuse him and stepped to the side for a minute. He then lashed out at the voice in line. “Easy, Hoe Cake! Bitch relax yo neck and settle yo queen-ass down! You have little to do! Now, thank you!” CeCe drew out the words “thank you” in the same fashion as “Hoe Cake,” drawing laughter from the others in line, including Sidney and Skylar.
“Girl, I’m sorry, look, I’ma let y’all both in the V.I.P. section, don’t worry about it,” CeCe said, eyeing Sidney.
Skylar and Sidney both thanked him and received neon-green wristbands notifying security they were to go to the V.I.P. area.
“Y’all together, or ya’ll just girlfriends?” CeCe asked Skylar while lustfully ogling Sidney. Sidney was not quite sure what CeCe meant by this remark, but the quick laughter from Skylar indicated that it was a harmless comment, so he relaxed.
“Ah, we’re together, man, thanks,” Sidney said, smiling and pulling Skylar close.
“Ohhh, and a pretty-ass smile, too? Miss Skylar, girl, I’d say you hit the jackpot. You better stay close to him in there ’cause some of dem cha-cha queens gonna be trying to holla at him.” CeCe was serious, but laughed. “And you better watch her, too, Mr. Fine-Ass, ’cause dem Diesels gonna be on this fine bitch you got with you,” he said, looking Skylar up and down.
When they entered the main part of the club, one of the security guys noticed the green bands and beckoned for them to follow him. Maneuvering through the dancing crowd, they had a hard time really getting a look at where they were going. The flashing lights, sirens, and smoke machines made it difficult to do anything but dance. Skylar held Sidney’s hand as they were led by security—it was the only way she could guarantee that they wouldn’t get separated.
Sidney was getting an eyeful. As secure as he was as a heterosexual male, and knowing beforehand where they were going, he was amazed at what he was seeing. As they reached the roped-off V.I.P. area, a screaming Nettie rushed toward them, arms wide open for an embrace. She was loud—it was easy to tell that she’d had a few too many.
“Aw, shit! Here comes family!” she screamed, grabbing them both and throwing her arms around them. Nettie led them over to where she was seated. She was shocked to see Sidney and teared up. The fact that he had come to support June meant the world to her. June stood up and gave them both hugs. Also seated in the V.I.P. section were the evening’s two speakers, Mayor Michael Nutter and television personality Ananda Lewis. June introduced Skylar and Sidney first to Patrick Willis and Beverly Knight, the two other honorees of the evening, and then took them over to the mayor and Ananda. Skylar had met Mayor Nutter several times before: She had been a big supporter of his when he became the city’s third African American mayor. Ananda complimented her on her earrings and the two briefly discussed where Skylar had purchased them. Sidney chatted with the mayor about business, but it was clear he was mesmerized by Ananda. Skylar noticed how smitten Sidney was.
“Close your mouth, baby!” she teased.
“Huh? What?” he asked.
“Baby, I see the way you came undone when you saw Ananda,” she giggled.
“What are you talking about? I’m good, I mean, she’s a nice-looking sista,” he said while stealing a glance at her again.
Skylar laughed. “Sidney, it’s perfectly fine. Ananda is a beautiful, smart, and classy woman. I don’t blame you for being attracted to her. If Eric Benet came up in here, you know I would be acting the same way!”
“Eric Benet? Please!” Sidney dismissed the singer with a wave of his hand.
“Don’t get jealous!” Skylar shouted over the sound of the music. She playfully slapped his thigh.
“Jealous? Girl, what are you talking about? I’m just saying, Eric Benet? I mean if you gonna leave me, let it be for some real competition. Eric Benet?” He reared back and looked at her, baffled.
Skylar laughed with him and told him she’d heard Ananda was dating somebody, so he’d have to select another girl to leave her for.
“She’s hot. I’d date her, but I wouldn’t leave you for her, baby,” Sidney said. He reached over and gave her a peck on the forehead. Skylar smiled.
“Now, if it were Gabrielle Union, I might have to think twice!” Again, she slapped his thigh. Just as the music stopped and people were asked to leave the dance floor, Skylar leaned over and reminded Nettie that she and Sidney were going to leave immediately after June got her award, because she had to get to the club. Nettie nodded.
A zany, campy female impersonator named Pepper, who dressed like Patti LaBelle, opened the show with a few off-color jokes, ending one with a litany of profanity. She then remembered the mayor was in attendance.
“Ohh, chile, Mayor Nutter, I hear you’re in the house. Where you at, baby? I mean yo’ Honor.” A spotlight shone on the area where he was seated and he stood and waved to the audience. You could tell by the positive response that he was well liked.
“I just love saying your last name, Mayor,” she said, camping it up. “Let me ask the audience what their favorite cookie is.” Some shouted “Oreos,” others “Chips Ahoy,” and, way in the back, a lesbian shouted out “Girl Scout Cookies, any flavor!” The audience howled.
“Well,” Pepper said, “my favorite cookie is Nutter Butter peanut sandwich cookies.” The crowd erupted into laughter.
“Okay, it’s my job to introduce the host for the evening. Now, this bitch is gorgeous!”
The full-capacity crowd stood to hoot and holler again with shouts of approval. “She’s classy, intelligent, and no nonsense. Kind of a girl, you know, like me. Everybody, put your hands together for one of the few, and I did say few, black sistas in Hollywood not wearing a weave, Miss Ananda Lewis! Y’all, give it up!”
The statuesque caramel-skinned beauty made her way to the stage in a pair of hip-hugging jeans and a leopard-print top with spaghetti straps. Her silky jet-black hair flowed long down her back. Leopard-skin ankle boots lent even more height to her lean but shapely figure. The mostly gay female crowd whistled and punched their fists in the air like they were at a pep rally. The queens screamed and snapped their fingers in unity, voicing their approval. At least a third of the crowd was straight, and they clapped appropriately—but they seemed more mesmerized by the show offstage.
Before introducing each of the honorees, Ananda spoke about how, in America, HIV/AIDS continues to affect more African American and Latino women than any other group. She said that none of what she was telling them should be news to anyone there, but that it was important they continue not only the fight against HIV, but the dialogue about it, as well. “The alarming reality is that the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in our community are nothing short of shocking. Media propaganda would love for you to believe that we are just dealing with ‘uneducated, impoverished women of color,’ or a ‘promiscuous’ gay community, but I’m here to tell you this is not the case.” There was a sudden hush over the crowd as Ananda continued. “Speaking at many college campuses and before professional women’s
empowerment groups throughout the country, I often hear stories of women who are in what they assume are monogamous relationships. So they forgo protective measures, only to find out that their mates are bisexual men or on the down-low. Or at gay teenage support groups, where I hear about kids who often look for ‘love’ in all the wrong places when they are shunned by their families. I can’t say enough how this is not a gay disease, or a white man’s disease, but a ‘people’s disease.’” This drew thunderous applause from the crowd, and Ananda stepped aside, making way for Pepper to proceed with the show.
All three honorees were led onstage as a large projector screen descended from the ceiling so the audience could be treated to a mini-montage of their individual lives and the accomplishments they’d made in the community dealing with the illness. They were touching, funny, and poignant. When the film clips were over, Mayor Nutter came forward and presented each honoree with a Certificate of Merit from City Hall and the City of Philadelphia. Each had a few moments to address the crowd and community and to pose for pictures.
When June stepped forward, Nettie became the loudest person in the audience. June’s door-to-door awareness crusade in the community had signed up over one thousand teenagers and young adults to be tested for HIV. Because of her tireless efforts, over seventy-five HIV-infected people were being treated. Although June knew that Nettie was proud of her, she wished that she would take it down a notch. After they all left the stage, Ananda reemerged and introduced the talent segment of the show. The music started and three female impersonators came onstage who were dead ringers for Destiny’s Child. They did renditions of “Independent Women” and “Survivor” that had the crowd going wild. Even Sidney couldn’t get over how, with makeup, lights, and choreography, the three had mastered the personas of Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle. Afterward, Pepper took over the hosting duties again, thanked everyone for coming, and told the crowd to enjoy the rest of the evening.
Mayor Nutter, followed by his security, exited the club with Ananda Lewis and her publicist not far behind. June rejoined Nettie, Skylar, and Sidney back in the V.I.P. section. They each told her how proud they were of her. Skylar and Sidney shared a quick conversation with the two and then got up to leave.