by Anna J.
“They were bragging about my wife in public?” he asked, sounding angry and surprised.
Shit, that’s what men do: lie and brag about their sexual trysts in public. Why was he so surprised? “Basically. You know how guys are at the gym. They all want to brag about who slept with who, who has the biggest dicks, et cetera. You know the drill. From what I heard, when you guys split up Jazz was going to them for personal training. I guess it got more personal than just working on the machines.”
He got quiet for a minute, and I allowed him that time to digest what I just told him. Even though men cheat, it’s different somehow when a woman does it. It’s like, they can dick down a dog and it be cool, but as soon as we let someone else besides our mate dip in the cookie jar we are tainted, damaged goods. Women obviously do it better. Cheating, that is. Hell, not only did she step out, but she pushed out two babies and still held the secret for years. Jazz was a bad bitch, if I could say so myself. I guessed James had no reason to suspect her of being pregnant by someone else because they already had a set a twins, and twins probably ran in either or both of their families. I never cared enough to find out either way.
“Hello?” I spoke into the receiver to make sure he was still there since I didn’t even hear him breathing.
“I’m still here. Could you just do me that solid and get the information for me? I would really appreciate it,” he said, sounding weary and defeated.
“Sure, no problem. I’ll get the info you need to contact them by Friday. I’ll have it when I come over.”
“Monica, thanks for everything. I really appreciate this.”
“Thank you as well. I’ll see you then.”
I had to get my head together for a second. From what I gathered, it appeared that everything was really a mess over at the Cinques! It’s always been said that what you do in the dark comes to light, but damn. I couldn’t say that I blamed him though. If I had been in his situation I would have done the same thing. It’s not like Jazz would keep it real with him about it anyway. Knowing her, she probably wouldn’t even want to discuss it, and when you got something like that bugging at you, it’s hard to let it go.
Looking to my left, I found a pissed-off Jaydah staring back at me. I apologized because we were in the middle of handling business, but I needed to take all calls, and I couldn’t afford to miss any. I saw that it was almost five, and I needed to get at Sheila when she got off work. Rolling over I jumped right back into action, knocking that attitude clear off her face. I really didn’t feel like any beef with this chick, so I needed to at least let her get a nut before I bounced out, and thankfully it didn’t take long.
The minute she was done convulsing and hanging on for dear life, I peeled her naked body from mine and hopped in the shower. I needed to call Sheila, and I didn’t want her to have any excuses not to help me. Oh, Jaydah was pissed that I was rolling out and I had to promise her I would come back just to get out of her place. She was still just too damn clingy, so I knew I would have to watch out for her ass. Taking the steps two at a time, I got down to my car as quickly as I could, locking the door before pulling my phone out. It was five thirty, and I was supposed to have called Sheila fifteen minutes ago. God, please let her answer the phone.
“You’re late,” she answered the phone, not even bothering to say hello. I wasn’t in the position to snap back because I needed her, so I took a deep breath before responding.
“Sheila, I apologize. I was caught up and—”
“What do you want, Monica?”
For real? I had to pull the phone back and look at the screen to make sure I dialed the right number. The times had definitely changed, because the Sheila I remembered would have never talked to me like that.
“Well, can we meet up somewhere to talk?” I asked hesitantly, not sure of what to expect. I couldn’t believe this chick had me nervous.
“Talk about what? I have to pick up my son, and I have things to do before then. I don’t have a lot of time right now for your shit.”
“Sheila, you might want to bring it down some. I’m not calling to start anything up. I just need your help, and I thought since we were friends—”
“Friends? With who?” She cut me off with even more anger in her voice. “Bitch, you tried to ruin my life, or did you forget that part?”
Speechless once again. Between her and James I didn’t know who was worse. You leave your beloved city for a few years, and come back to totally different people. Yeah, it was time for me to get back on my game because it was obvious folks done forgot how I got down. Playing it cool, I put the phone back to my ear, feeling totally in control. Sheila had better recognize real quick who she is dealing with.
“Sheila, first of all I don’t know who pissed in your coffee today, but you might want to tone that shit down. I just need some info from you, and I was going to pay you for your time, but since you want to be a dizzy bitch—”
“Hold up—”
“No, you hold up. All of this attitude you giving me is really unnecessary. I ain’t calling you for your raggedy pussy. I need your help. Now, do you want to make this money or not?”
“Meet me at Ms. Tootsie’s in an hour,” she said in a defeated tone. I was going to apologize to her, but I changed my mind. Apparently she liked being checked . . . Simple ass.
“I’ll see you in forty-five minutes,” I responded before hanging up. Starting the car, I backed out of my space and pointed my rental toward Center City. I swear I didn’t feel like all of the aggravation that I was experiencing in my hometown, and best believe when all of this was over Philly would never see this face again. It was too much damn work.
As I was driving I noticed a few cars back that same black car that was following me before. But then, I wasn’t sure if it was the exact car or just someone with a car like it. Turning off a few blocks down, I noticed the car did the same as before and turned off with me. This went on for like ten minutes. Deciding to drive slow, the cars that were in between us went around me, leaving the car that was following me no choice but to catch up. Stopping at the red light, I put the car in park and prepared to get out. I couldn’t see who the other driver was because the windows were covered with dark tinting. My plan was to go tap on the window and see who was inside. This shit was getting ridiculous.
I hoped for a second that maybe they had the wrong person, and maybe they needed to see who I was. Everyone knew that my fellow Philadelphians hated me. That wasn’t lost on anyone, but after all this time folks still wanted my head on the chopping block? Really? I hadn’t stirred up anything in years, and totally left Philly alone when I rolled out of here. This time, I just needed some information, then I would be gone. No harm, no foul.
Putting my hazards on, I got out of the car, leaving the car running and the door open just in case I had to get back inside and get ghost. I did not feel like dying today, but someone was gunning for me and I wasn’t in the mood to run. I popped the trunk like I had to get something out of it, just in case my plan to approach the car didn’t work too well and I lost the heart to do it. I wasn’t even five steps out of my car before the car behind me rolled back a little and then slammed into the back of the rental. I barely had time to jump out of the way. Landing on the ground near the curb, I saw the car back up once again, and the driver turned toward me. I hopped up off the ground and dodged in between two cars just as he got up on me, and whipped the car the other way. Yep, someone definitely wanted me dead.
Other pedestrians and drivers stopped to gawk at the scene, and a few even came over to help me. I could already hear someone speaking to the police on the phone, repeating the license plate number of the other vehicle to the cops. It was a good thing I did get out of the car because I could have been seriously hurt.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” one of the pedestrians asked me as I stumbled toward the car to get my phone and pocketbook.
“Yes, I’m okay. I just need to call my friend to tell her I will be late,” I responded
in a daze as I searched under the seat for my phone. I could not believe this shit was happening, but it’s cool. I knew I had to call in reinforcements for this one. Wasn’t nobody in Philly going to chump me.
“Sheila, is there somewhere else I can meet up with you in about two to three hours? I just got into a car accident, and I’ll need to handle this so that I can get another rental.”
Surprisingly she cooperated, and gave me the address to her house. My next call was to Enterprise, informing them of the damaged vehicle, and that I would need another one. Thankful that I opted to get their insurance as opposed to using my own, I cleared the car of my belongings once the cops took my statement and the statements from a few witnesses. The tow truck didn’t take long at all, and pretty soon I was back at Enterprise in a new vehicle with tinted windows, and the deductible paid on the damaged one. I needed to make this visit with Sheila quick and get back to the judge’s spot before anything else happened. I must admit that I was a little shook, but I was too cool to let the enemy see me sweat. If they were going to chase me out of here they would have to try harder than that.
On the ride over to Sheila’s place I ran through a list of people who could possibly want to take me out. It wasn’t a long list, but a list nonetheless. I mean, there was that situation with Rico that never got resolved. After I cleaned out the spot I knew for sure that his team would want me dead. I didn’t take everything; the cops did grab a few items “for evidence,” or so they said. Those were the very same cops who wrecked my place down the line. I swear, you can’t even trust the law to stay clean nowadays.
There was Rico’s girlfriend at the time, Sheneka. Now, she was a crazy bitch, and apparently really loved Rico.
There was Sheila, but I just as quickly dismissed that thought because that wasn’t even her type of thing.
The Cinques were a thought as well, but I dismissed that notion too. They had my son, and my money. Why would they want to kill me? There was the judge’s wife, and the mayor’s wife and daughter, and even that cop I slept with to avoid getting a ticket that time, but none of them seemed like logical candidates. Sheneka didn’t even know I was in the city, or did she? I was confused, but out of all of those people someone wanted me dead. The question was who, and I would try to figure that out before I left the city. That was, if I made it out of here in one piece.
I arrived to Sheila’s apartment about two hours later, and I could see that she was definitely making more money now. Instead of the little apartment she used to have, she now lived in a split-level layout in Presidential City right off of City Avenue. It made me smile to see that she had come up the way she did. When I got into the building I had to sign in at the desk, and wait for a call to be placed to her apartment to let her know I was there. They had this thing on lock, so I knew there was no way I could come kicking and banging on her door like I did back in the day. After all of the technicalities, and damn near being strip searched, I was granted access to the elevator that led me to her floor. When I got off I could see her door cracked open, waiting for me to come inside. I was a little irritated that I even had to go through all of that, but I didn’t even feel like getting into it with her.
Once inside, I took my shoes off because I didn’t want to risk scratching the hardwood floors, and as I crossed the room my feet sunk into the area rug, which showcased a beautiful carved coffee table, which looked like a family tree minus the names.
Sheila looked amazing. When she walked out from what I assumed was the kitchen, holding a steaming cup of something, I checked my smile as I took her in. The last few years had been good to her. From the top of her neatly curled head to the tips of her cranberry toes and all the curves in between, homegirl looked good. She sat down on the chaise across from me, tucking her shapely legs under her body. Making eye contact before speaking, she sipped from her cup and set it down on an onyx coaster. Damn, I wanted to kiss her.
“Why are you back here?”
“I just told you over the phone—”
“No, why are you here in Philly? The city was at peace without you.”
Taking a deep breath, I ran down the entire story concerning the Cinques and the returned checks and how I was being followed since I arrived. I skipped telling her that I was staying with the judge, but I did remind her of the reason for my visit.
“Although I don’t think he will use it against me, or keep me from seeing my son, I know this is important to him and I really need that information.”
She sat and stared at me for a long moment, and I thought for a second that maybe she didn’t hear what I said. I wasn’t in the mood for anything extra, but if I had to I would throw in some extra cash, or whatever it was that she wanted. I just needed to get this over with.
“It appears that today is your lucky day. The twins work out at the same gym I do, and one of them is my personal trainer. I have their number, but you didn’t get it from me. I don’t want no part of this bullshit.” Sheila spoke with venom as she looked at me through slits because her face was in such a scowl.
Going through her phone she scribbled down some information for the twin who was training her, and the location of the gym that she used close to the job. It was an awkward moment because I didn’t know that Sheila could be this strong without me, but I was grateful. She was so quiet and mousy years ago, and so easy to control. I had her wrapped around my finger, and she pretty much did whatever I told her to. She wasn’t as sexy four years ago either, and she looked like she was slimmed down and toned up nicely. This was definitely a new Sheila I was looking at, and I was happy that she came into herself and took control of her life. She had to once I left because we both knew, had I stayed, she would have still been a damn puppet for me to play with.
I didn’t want to waste any more time, and since it was getting late I needed to get back to the judge’s house. I was sure by now his butler/bodyguard knew I was gone and I didn’t want any shit. Getting up, I headed toward the door, slipping back into my shoes when I got there. When I turned back around to thank her she was still on the chaise, sipping from her cup. She was definitely a totally different person than I remembered, and I was happy that she had gotten stronger.
“Monica, do me a favor,” she said to me as I slipped into my coat.
“Anything for you,” I responded, waiting for her request.
“Make sure you never contact me again, and feel free to lock the door behind you.”
Damn, was it like that? It caught me off guard, but I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction. Taking my cue, I exited stage left and went on about my business, leaving her to her thoughts. When I got outside I made sure to lock the car doors, and I searched the lot for suspicious activity before pulling out. I paid close attention to the road and the rearview as I made my way back to the judge’s spot. A million thoughts swam through my head as I drove, mainly on who was trying to off me, and I knew I would need me a good stiff drink once I got inside. I wondered briefly how different my life would be if I had stayed, but I knew going was the best move I could’ve made in my entire life. If my own child couldn’t keep me here, there was nothing else here for me.
I was greeted by the butler when I pulled up, and that shit creeped me out a little because I didn’t know how he knew I was even pulling up at the time. I got out of the car and tiptoed through the door, ignoring the scowl on his face. I needed to get my thoughts together before Friday got here. I had something to bring to the table to level the playing field and I was ready to go to war if needed. I was all hype about meeting my son, but what if he wasn’t ready to meet me?
Carlos
Let the Games Begin
“You did what?” I barked into the phone. I swear, whenever you want something done right you have to do it yourself. I told this fool to just keep tabs on Monica. How hard was it to follow someone around without being seen?
“It was an accident. She got out of the car like she was about to pull a hammer from the trunk, so I stepped on the
gas. I didn’t think I was going to hit the bitch.”
“Yo, you are so fuckin’ stupid. She ain’t carrying no hammer, fool!” I yelled into the phone, steaming. Monica with a hammer? She ain’t never been that kind of chick. Yeah, she needed to have her ass served for the shit she did to my homie, but she wasn’t a known criminal. Damn!
“Dude, I didn’t know. I was just trying to—”
“Where did you put the whip?” I cut him off, mad as fuck that he wrecked my damn ride. That Infinity set me back a nice amount, and this fool goes and bangs it up. Irked!
“I took it to the garage.”
Click! I had to get my head on straight before I blasted this fool. I had a plan set up, and people just didn’t know how to follow directions. Simple-ass directions that a toddler could get with ease. I owned several auto body shops and convenience stores in the area, so I wasn’t worried about getting it fixed, but the cost was coming out of his cut. Damn that.
Rolling out of the bed, I took a quick second to roll an el before popping a squat on the toilet. Sheneka was on my damn top, and I knew that she was ready to get shit poppin’. Sometimes you just have to slow down, and let things play out the way they are supposed to. Monica was very smart, and at this point I was certain that she knew someone was gunning for her, even if she couldn’t put a name to the face. Now we’d have to wait it out, because no doubt she would go into hiding. I swear a boss’s job is never done.
After smoking the entire blunt to the head, I did my hygiene thing, and got myself together for the day. I made a few rounds, making sure that business, both legal and otherwise, was on point. I had to keep the legal business to wash the money I was making on the street, but I had to admit that once Rico got knocked it took awhile to get my game back up. Niggas was acting crazy now that the top dog was down, and I had to make a few examples of some folks to put the word back out on who was in charge. I hated to even take it there, but some folks need hands-on experiences to get the picture.