by Sa'id Salaam
“What change?” He spat curtly holding the bill as if it were contaminated.
They both sipped the brew then spit it right back into the glass.
“This sophisticated shit ain’t gone be easy.” Troy said shaking his head.
“Nothing worthwhile ever is.” Trigga responded echoing yet another lesson learned in prison.
“Say shawty, that’s that white girl I was hollering at in the mall!” Troy announced pointing to the dance floor.
Cameisha, Dasia, Aqua, Jackie and Samantha all hit the floor dancing together, yet separately as bad girls do. Troy shoved his jelly ale at Trigga and took off. The fat-fat dance was played out by now. It had recently been replaced by the ‘uh-oh’ from Chicago. This dance didn’t come from a hamburger like the fat-fat. It derived from a dough-nut that was so good it made you wind your hips and say ‘uh-oh’ when you bit it.
“Uh-oh, uh-oh” Samantha chanted along with the ‘uh-oh’ song blaring through the speakers. Troy slid up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Uh-oh!”
“Sup shawty.” He whispered in her ear. She was initially shocked at the intrusion but once she saw who it was she melted into him.
“Man down.” Jackie laughed at their friend getting bagged up.
“That’s son from the mall.” Dasia announced remembering the dark face.
Cameisha saw it was indeed him and scanned the area for his friend; the friend who got her attention by paying her no attention. That shit had been eating at her all day. Even when she slid into her little dress, she wondered how he would react to all this golden flesh exposed. She was about to get her answer.
“Excuse me!” Meisha yelled over the music and took off to the bar where she spotted Trigga. She needlessly smoothed her dress and made a beeline to the bar.
Cameisha slid into the empty seat Troy vacated while Trigga looked off into the sea of beautiful people. She lifted her hand and called out getting both the bartender and Trigga’s attention at the same time.
“Excuse me but we need more champagne in the V.I.P.” She lied. Trigga looked her over with one of those, ‘damn she fine’ frowns and leaned in.
“Sup shaw…um, hi.” He said, flashing that smile of his at her. “Can I buy you a drink? Car, house, or whatever.”
Nine times out of ten that line would get you in the door at least. This time it got him barked at.
“Oh, Oh! Now you wanna buy a nigga a house and a car but yo ass was too good to speak earlier. Who da fuck you think you are turning ya nose up at people?” She yelled. She wanted to be cool, play coy but lost it.
“Huh?” Trigga asked confused by the outburst. “Shawty, I ain’t never seen you before in life!”
“At the mall? I was with…her!” Meisha said finding and pointing at Samantha who was now slow dancing and kissing Troy.
“Yeah but I ain’t see you, trust me, I would remember you shawty. ‘Sides, I had money on my mind so I was a lil pre-occupied.” He said in a language she spoke.
“Ok, you get a pass then. Since it’s my birthday, I’ll let you buy me a drink.” She said softening her tone.
“Sho nuff? It’s my birthday too! Champagne?” He asked flashing that smile again.
“Yup, Dom?” She said climbing up on the bar stool. She saw him trying to peep between her legs and giggled. The thought of flashing her bare box amused her further.
“What’s yo name lil mama?” He inquired as they waited for their champagne.
“Cameisha, but my friends call me Meisha.” She said extending the invitation to be her friend.
“Hello Meisha.” He smiled accepting. “My friend’s call me Trigga.”
“Trigga? Should I ask?” Meisha giggled. She heard her giggle and realized she had let her guard down and that was ok. "So what do you do Mr. Trigga?"
“I’m in the process of raising capital for a real estate company. We want to buy up those distressed properties around the city and rehab them.” He said revealing yet another lesson learned in the joint.
“Sounds interesting.” Cameisha nodded approvingly. “So how are you raising the money? Venture capitalist? Investors?”
“Nah, I’m a dope boy.” Trigga said almost proudly. It was what it was, no sense fronting.
“Cool!” She smiled liking him even more.
“Cameisha I hope you don’t mind but we’re leaving. My friend wants to take me to breakfast.” Samantha announced as she and Troy arrived hand in hand at the bar. She knew all he wanted to feed her was some dick but she was hungry.
“No.” Cameisha said stoicly. Trigga and Troy shared a curious frown at her asking for permission. “Yo we all came together so we all leave together.”
“Okaaaay.” Samantha said dejected. She and Troy went back to the dance floor for more musical foreplay. The way they were kissing and grinding on the dance floor he had been right on the brink of busting a nut.
Both Trigga and Cameisha were feeling each other mentally in addition to the swipes and grazes they stole while talking. He might pat a firm thigh while making a point while she checked his muscles while laughing. The loud music forced them to lean into each other as they spoke. It’s what led Trigga to ask, “Let’s go somewhere and talk.”
“Talk? You mean go somewhere and fuck don’t you?” Meisha asked intently. The smile on her face was bait, because she was going to flip the fuck out if he tried her like a jump off. Too many men fuck up good conversations and possibilities by moving too fast. Trade five text messages and a nigga asking to see some coochie.
“Actually I mean talk.” He frowned. He hadn’t had her pegged as the one night stand type but if that’s what it was then that’s what it would be. He would gladly give her his prison induced virginity and continue his search for a queen tomorrow. “It’s loud in here, I mean some where quiet so we can chill.”
“Sure we can go somewhere. Belize!” Cameisha cheered.
“What’s that, a hotel?” Trigga asked of the new word.
“Actually it’s a small country in Central America, but it has hotels.”
“Ok, let’s go.” He said rising to his feet.
“We can’t go tonight crazy.” She laughed, enthused by his enthusiasm.
“Steve is ready to go.” Aqua pouted as she came up on the future couple.
“Who dat?” Trigga demanded as if he had a right to know. He was feeling the girl and planted his flag. Cameisha was giddy by the possessive question and showed her teeth.
“He’s the boss.” She said coyly.
“You work for him?” He asked studying the line backer.
“More like he got that work and we help with distribution.” She replied ready to study his reaction.
“I need to holla at him.” Trigga said eagerly. This could just be the break he was looking for. That’s why they were here, to mingle with a better class of women and dealers.
“Ain’t no hollering at him. You can holla at me and I’ll holla at him. Oh and it cost 18 to kick it.” She said, setting the price of a kilo.
“Shit, so let’s kick it!” He said just below a scream. He was ready to get to it tonight.
“I’ll be in the car." Troy said rushing by, looking sleepy. Both Cameisha and Trigga frowned at his odd behavior.
“Um…anyway, you got a number?” Cameisha asked, pulling out her phone. She entered the numbers as he dictated them. Then she stuck the phone between her legs and snapped a picture. “Since you been tryna peek since I sat down.”
Trigga smiled at the blurry picture when she texted it to his phone. He couldn’t make it out but he knew what it was.
“I’ma hit you soon." He said laughing at the double entendre.
“I’m counting on it.” Meisha smiled and sashayed off. She made sure to give him something to see switching her ass way harder than necessary.
“Everybody accounted for?” Cameisha asked taking head count. “Wrong with you?”
“Ugh!” Samantha spat disgusted.
“Tell her!
” Jackie said and cracked up again.
“Me and Troy were dancing and….he had a climax.” She moaned pointing to a wet spot on her dress.
Chapter 12
“Yo what time is Manny coming? We out of everything!” Jackie reminded.
“Sometime today. I’m bout to go shoot Juan this money now. He making me come to the damn big house cuz they cooking out or some shit.” Meisha grumbled.
“You one of the family girl. Ask bruh can I hold like a half a mil. I wanna buy a purse or a car.”
“We do need another car but I ain’t feeling like dealing with the whole clan. Mama Salazar gives me the strangest looks, Angela crazy ass be watching me like a damn hawk and I got my period.” Cameisha complained.
“Pay the cost to be the boss Mama.” Jackie encouraged.
“Yeah, yeah.” Meisha cheered unenthusiastically. She grabbed the small tote bag filled with money and rushed off. It wasn’t until she was gone that Jackie realized she left her purse. She called to remind but heard her phone vibrating inside the purse.
Marisol was holding court with her late husband’s sister, Rosa and Angela on the patio when Cameisha arrived. It was one of those speak of the devil moments because she was the topic of their conversation.
“Speak of the devil.” Angela quipped when Meisha walked into the backyard.
“Adios mio! Mi hermano!” Rosa exclaimed then covered her mouth with her hands. The girl looked almost exactly like her brother. “But how is this possible?”
“Pedro last sent money from Longs, Mississippi. This is the place where the girl was born. The times are exact.” Marisol related, showing she had been doing her homework.
“What of the mother?” Rosa demanded.
“A black woman!” Mama Salazar spat as if the word had a bitter taste to it.
“No!” Rosa pleaded crossing herself then kissing her crucifix. The fact that her brother may have fathered a child outside of wedlock was bad enough but a black woman!
When Pedro Juan Salazar disappeared, the family gravitated to the cocaine business. The same industry he fought so hard against. Pedro would turn over in his shallow Mississippi grave if he saw what became of his family.
“They both dropped off the face of the earth.” Marisol added. She turned the embarrassment of her husband leaving her for black woman into hatred for Cameisha. Seeing her baby boy was so attached to the girl meant she had to move slow.
“We need proof!” Rosa demanded forcefully.
“We have people in the police; access to the crime lab. All we need is some DNA!” Mama nodded at the idea.
“I’ll get it.” Angela cheered, speaking up for the first time. This was a chance to get the pretty girl away from her man.
“Get it!” The two elder Spanish ladies demanded.
****
“Sup big bruh?” Cameisha smiled and tippy toed to reach Manny’s cheek. He smiled like a little boy at the affection and pointed to the pool house.
“He’s in there waiting for you.” He replied from behind the smile.
“Hola?” Meisha sang, tapping on the door frame as she stepped inside the open door.
“Hola, coma esta?” Juan said, rising to his feet. He opened his arms inviting her for a hug.
“Muy bien.” She said accepting the invitation. On cue Angela appeared out of nowhere to suck her teeth at the hug. Once she announced her presence, she left again.
“Umm…yeah?” Meisha frowned at the odd move.
“Anyway, your boyfriend has a court date soon.” He said switching gears.
“I know! I’m keeping up with it.” She shot back curtly. She really should have been mad at herself for putting him in that position. In her immature, spoiled brat reasoning it was all Bilal’s fault.
“My sources say he is pleading guilty?” Juan stated, making it sound like a question. All he got for an answer was a shoulder shrug.
“How much you gone charge me for a brick?” She asked, changing the subject.
“A kilo? Yo moving up already?” He asked slightly astonished. He knew she was a hustla but that was a big jump. It took most people longer to move up because of all the parties and bullshit.
“No, not just yet but that shit go so quick. Plus, I probably can make a bigger profit if I buy bulk.”
“They go for 17.5 on the street but I’ll let you get them for 16. But…no trying to sell kilos! Too much shit that goes along with it. Shit you cannot handle.” Juan warned. “If someone wants that kind of weight you just middle man and keep fifteen hundred.”
“Okay.” Cameisha sang like she was going to adhere. The truth was that this hard headed little girl was going to have Samantha flip the coke and make one into four.
“How about half?”
“What's half of 16?” He asked sarcastically.
“Well let me get a half to go with my weed, smart ass.” Cameisha quipped, tossing the money to him. “I owe you three grand. Manny can get it when he drop off the work.”
“Ok mamacita. Now let’s go get some of my Aunt Rosa’s Columbian roast. Best in the world.”
Cameisha followed her bother out into the crowded backyard. She traded smiles and hugs with everyone he introduced her to carrying on conversations in rapid fire Spanish.
“Mmp.” Meisha frowned, feeling uncomfortable. Her mind instantly remembered her purse was on the dresser back at the dorm. Now she had a real dilemma. When she saw Angela approaching wearing an uncharacteristic smile, she seized the moment.
“Oh my gosh Angela! You are so pretty. I love your dress.” She gushed and enveloped the shock woman with a hug.
“Um…I do?” Angela asked confused by the sudden display of affection.
“Hey, um Angela. I need a favor?” Cameisha whispered. “I forgot my purse and need a pad.”
“I hate when that happens. Come on mama, I got you.” Juan watched proudly as two of the women in his life seemed to finally hit it off. Angela led Cameisha into the pool house and into the bathroom.
“Right in here chica.” Angela said opening a cabinet. A couple of minutes later Cameisha came out of the bathroom looking refreshed and grateful.
“Thank you so much.” She said and hugged again only this one was sincere.
“No problem, we’re sisters after all.” Angela said then frowned at the sound of it. If she really was Juan’s sister, she was no threat. They really could be friends after all. Now she definitely had to know. “Go on and enjoy yourself. I’ll be out in a minute.”
The second Cameisha cleared the pool house, Angela rushed into the bathroom. She scrambled to unwrap the pink wrapper and pumped her fist. Once she confirmed the blood, she quickly wrapped it back up and rushed out.
“What the hell?” Mariso demanded when Angela presented her the bloody pad.
“She tried you, let’s whoop her ass!” Rosa suggested.
“No disrespect Mama Salazar.” She said retentively. “You said you needed DNA. This is from the girl.”
Chapter 13
“Triggaaaa, what’s my muhfuckin name? Triggaaaa.” Cameisha sang as Trigga’s name appeared on her vibrating cell phone.
“It’s like that?” Jackie laughed at her friend. She knew the girl liked the boy since she talked about him nonstop since they met a few nights before.
Cameisha blew her a kiss and let the phone ring a few more times so she wouldn’t appear thirsty. She was though because he had her full attention. The few conversations they had were casual but left her panties moist each time.
“Sup my dude.” She said playfully when she took the call.
“You my nigga. Today is Saturday, you ready for me?”
“I’m ready if you ready.” Meisha said since Samantha said she was ready.
“17 right?” Trigga asked seeing if he earned any pull.
“17 plus a stack.” She shot back proving he didn’t. As much as she liked him, business was business and the dope girl preferred dollars to dick. For now anyway.
“Aight, a
ight, so you wanna fall through my way?”
“Not, meet me where we met in an hour.” She said and clicked off. She immediately dialed Aqua to get her in motion.
“Fuck!” Steven moaned as Aqua’s phone rang. He knew she normally would have ignored it at a time like this but by now he knew Cameisha’s distinctive ring tone.
Aqua slowly pulled his erection from her mouth as slowly and carefully as she swallowed it. She cleared her throat literally and took the call.
“You busy?” Meisha asked as if it mattered even though it didn’t.
“No” She said managing to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
“Good. I need you guys to meet me at the food court in Lennox in an hour. One, hour!” She demanded.
“An hour! That’s plenty of time.” Aqua cheered and hung up. In a flash she had her man back in her mouth.
Steve wanted to complain about being forced to drive her here and there at the spur of the moment but now wasn’t the time. Who complains during a blow job?
Cameisha’s next stop was to see Samantha. A million negative thoughts circulated in her mind. What if it didn’t work? Did she just fuck up eight grand?
“Hey Meisha!” Samantha cheered when she opened the door. She launched into one of her verbal whirlwinds but Cameisha didn’t hear any of it. Instead she walked over to the lab table.
“Is this it?” She asked hopefully at the identical packages.
“Yup, two kilos of 98% pure cocaine.” Samantha said proudly. Not only had she increased the quantity, she even pressed them back into neat 2.2 pound bricks just like they come off the boat.
“Looks good.” Meisha nodded casually even though she wanted to pick her up and twirl her around. The girl just turned eight grand into 36 grand. Still she felt a need to down play her contribution. No way could she let on that she was the team’s most valuable player. Everyone else was expendable, she was a keeper.
“Get dressed, I’ll buy you lunch.”
****
It was neither chance nor mere circumstance that Cameisha sold her first kilo in the same place her dope boy father bought his first. No, she took a page out of his life and followed the leader. She smiled as the lesson rang in her head.