(2012) The Real Hoodwives of Detroit

by India

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Gucci

  “Thanks Ms. Claudia, are you coming in?” I asked as we pulled up in front of Mario’s house.

  “No sugar, my bingo game starts in an hour.” She smiled looking at her brown Burberry watch.

  “Ms. C you’re rich. You don’t need to go to bingo.” Chloe laughed and so did I. Even though Ms. Claudia was living the good life, she faithfully attended bingo as well as played the lottery, and for the life of me I couldn’t understand why.

  “Chile I know what I have and I appreciate what my son does for me but I like the game. Whether I win or lose, it gives this old woman something to do. How you young folks say it; ‘ya feel me!’ Plus it never hurts to have your own?” We all exploded with laughter. On that note, we collected our things and exited the car.

  “That lady is a trip for real.” Nikki said and I nodded my agreement. On the way inside of the house, I took note of the large eighteen wheeler which was parked partially in the driveway and partially on the beautiful lawn. I guess Nikki had noticed it too, because she hit the ceiling as we walked inside, “Marioooo! Why in the hell is that thing even here? I don’t play that! You know I always tell you I’m against that bringing business home bull and you know it. Furthermore, why in the hell did you park it on my lawn? Did you see the tire tracks you left?”

  Mario came out of the kitchen with a cigar in one hand and the cigar box in the other.

  “Baby don’t trip. The truck is here because I don’t trust it being nowhere else, and fuck that lawn. After I drop that shit off, we out-of-this bitch anyway. Let the nigga that buy this bitch from us worry about that bullshit.” He laughed and handed me a cigar. Sam came behind him with two bottles of Cristal, both of which were freshly popped, and three champagne glasses. The wine was dripping all over the beautiful cocaine-white carpet.

  “Fuck that. I ain’t worried about the lawn…it’s nothing!” Sam said as he and Mario laughed at some sort of inside joke while the rest of us looked confused.

  “What are you talking about Sam?” Chloe asked looking from him to Mario. He walked up to her and tongued her down.

  “Well baby, you always wanted a big house just like this one. So now that I’ma be the boss in less than twenty-four hours, I decided it was time you got that house. What better choice than this one.” He kissed her again; then she turned beet red although she was dark complexioned.

  “Oh my god, are you serious?” She beamed with excitement.

  “Yeah it’s all up hill from here baby. Me and Mario was just about to toast to the good life. Here baby take a glass.” He handed each of the ladies a glass, keeping one bottle for himself and passing the other one to Mario.

  “This is to H.O.F. and the life that it has given me. This is to my beautiful wife who stuck by a nigga through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Who continues to love me in spite of everything that I represent. This is to my seed, may God make him a thoroughbred like his old man. This is to Chloe and my main man Sam. You both remind me so much of me and my wife when we were your age. I pray that you have as much success in the game as I did. I hope you groom the next rookie just as I groomed you so that our legacy will continue. I hope you know when it’s time to fold and not fuck it up by being greedy.” He laughed and then continued. “This is for my mama who raised me the best way she knew how and still loved me when I chose to take a different path. Last, but certainly not least, this is for my sister, my friend, and literally my partner in crime, Gucci. Girl words can’t even explain the bond that we have. You had my back way when I was just a dingy-ass teenager telling you about all my plans and dreams to be rich. You told me, no matter what, you was ridin’ wit’ me and I truly appreciate you for taking this journey with me. Salute!” We all raised our glasses for the toast and clicked them together. The ladies sipped and the men took their bottles to the head.

  It really hit me hard that Mario was leaving, so I took a minute and stepped out on the back porch to clear my mind. Me and him had been through it all and now it was over. We accomplished everything that we set out to do and after tonight our union would be no more. I couldn’t believe that I put so much on hold just to be on Mario’s team. In my mind, it was always me and him against the world. I was so blinded by the notion that I was just now coming to the realization that he had moved on in life. Shit, he was retiring with a wife and a son and I was simply retiring. I had no one, just my money to keep me warm at night. That had me fucked-up. My emotions were all over the place. I needed to get them in check. Therefore, I wiped the tears that were streaming from my eyes. Just as I turned to go into the house, I was stopped in my tracks. Mario had stepped out the back door and was extending a blunt to me. “What’s popin’ ma, you good?”

  I wiped my face again. “Yeah I’m good my nigga just trippin’ that after tonight you gone! We been a team for fifteen years and now its over.” I hit the blunt and passed it back. Mario hit the blunt and wiped an ash off of his Grey Dickie pants.

  “G you know that I got you. If you want to relocate ,just tell me where and you out of here first thing in the morning. Plus, I was gone wait til’ tonight to give you this at the going away party that Sam put together, but fuck it.” He handed me a small manila envelope. Inside was a folded piece of paper and a check. I opened it and my mouth dropped to the floor. It was a check for two million dollars and the deed to the Doll House!

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Mina

  “Hello?” I sat up straight in my seat on the couch where I was relaxing in my robe and reading a book when I saw Sam’s number on the caller I.D. I knew they would be back in town today and I was scared as hell because I didn’t have that money.

  “Mina did you get that?” He asked getting straight to the point.

  “No I couldn’t, I…I…” I began to cry.

  “Listen, is Tre’ there?” He asked.

  “No, he’s been gone for two days now. He doesn’t give a fuck about the situation that he put me in. He’s gonna get me killed Sam.” I continued to sob and sniff.

  “Look, I’m pulling up now, open the door.”

  I hesitated because I didn’t know what the deal was. I was unsure if I could trust Sam with my life and let him into my house. I heard a knock then he spoke into the phone, “open the door Mina. I think I can help you.”

  Fuck it, if he’s going to kill me, then I guess it’s just my time. I said to myself as I swung the door open.

  “It’s cool ma you safe with me, I promise.” I looked into his beautiful eyes. I believed him so I moved aside and let him inside. Immediately, I began to cry on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around me.

  “I’m so sorry Sam. I swear I didn’t know.” He patted my head and we moved to the couch.

  “Mina, as of first thing in the morning, I’m the boss.”

  At first I looked at him in confusion, but then my eyes lit up. I knew he was telling me this because he would give me a break. “Hold on don’t get too excited. I will be the boss, but I can’t forgive the debt. If I do it for Tre’, then everybody will be asking me to cut them some slack. However, I will give you time to get it.”

  I was relieved. “Thank you Sam, I swear I’m going to get you every dime of it back. Even if it takes me a decade.” I said it and I meant every word of it.

  “I know you will. But on the real Mina, you need to leave that nigga alone. He ain’t no good for you. I know you love him but the man you used to love is gone. Now you just stuck wit’ a bitch ass nigga.”

  “You’re right Sam. He has been in and out of the house more and more lately. I called his job, which he doesn’t have anymore because he hasn’t shown up to work for days. To top it all off, he’s becoming more abusive and I swear as soon as I pay you off I’m outta here.” I confessed, letting all of my burdens spill out.

  “Abusive?” Sam looked puzzled. “That nigga be hittin’ you?” He asked and I nodded.

  “Then leaving is definitely a good idea ma.” He s
tood and walked toward my door. “I gotta get ready for this party so I’ll be in touch aiight shorty.”

  I didn’t want him to leave. In fact, I silently wished he could stay forever but I knew better. I closed the door behind him and sniffed the air which was still smelling of his Aqua Di Gio cologne. I don’t know if it was me, but Sam definitely had more swag about himself. I went upstairs to take a bubble bath and to put a plan together for getting Sam’s money. It was as if the thought hit me all at once. I pulled out my cell phone and called Gucci.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey girl. Do you think you could use your clout and get me a job.” I asked with a smile on my face. Knowing she was the woman for the job.

  “A job where girl?”

  “The Doll House where you work. I need money fast to pay off a debt. Other than slinging crack, dancing is the only thing I can think of to make fast money.” I held my breath and didn’t know how to take her hardy laugh on the other end of the phone.

  “Girl, can you dance?”

  “Yeah, I’m decent.” I replied a little offended that she had asked me that question and I didn’t know why because it was a legitimate question.

  “Okay. Come by the club tomorrow night at seven. The owner will be there to greet you. Bring a performance outfit, some heels, and your moves for your audition.”

  “Okay but can you come too, just for support.” I said as I went into the closest and began flipping through my lingerie collection.

  “Oh yeah, I’ll be there Mina. I own that bitch!”

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Tonya

  “Yo Tee, it’s going down tonight baby and I can’t wait.” I watched as Roscoe paced back and forth in the living room.

  “Yeah baby I cant wait. What you need me to do?” I asked. Always willing to play my position.

  “Yo, you good ma. I got this one. Just get the kids ready. After this go down, we gotta get the fuck out of dodge for a while.”

  Roscoe Jr. walked into the room and joined the conversation. “You gone dead them niggas huh pop?” I smiled at my lil’ soldier, but Roscoe was furious.

  “Nigga you betta watch you mouth lil’ nigga. This here don’t concern you, so stay in a child’s place.”

  “Damn Roscoe, he just happy to see his daddy in action that’s all.” I defended my son. Hell, Jr. was only thirteen but I knew when he grew up, he wasn’t gone be nothing to play wit’.

  “This shit ain’t a game! This is real life. I don’t want my son to idolize this bullshit. Look at what it did to me…sent me to prison!” He shook his head in disgust.

  “Yeah you went to jail but you stood tall for your family and that’s all that matters.” I said.

  He stood up then walked away from me but I didn’t understand why. I felt like he was bitchin’ up. Nonetheless, I dismissed the thought as I envisioned all the money we would be spending in a few days. I had plans to live-it-up. I be damned if I let anybody steal my joy, not even Roscoe. “Where you going?” I asked him as he walked into the living room fully dressed in a canary yellow Polo top, white t-shirt underneath, dark denim Polo jeans, Gucci belt, matching loafers, and his signature rose gold eighteen-inch chain with the matching charm that read: I‘m so hood.

  “Out!” Was all he said as he walked past me into the kitchen.

  “Out where?”

  “I need to meet up with a few people tonight that wanna purchase the product from the truck. I’ll be back later aiight. Just chill.” And with that, he left out the door.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Nikki

  “Nikki, I really wish you was coming out with me tonight.” Mario said as he slipped on his Prada shoes.

  “I’m still a little tired from Miami baby. Plus I want to spend some time with my little man. We’ve been apart for too long.”

  “Girl after tonight, we’ll have all the time in the world to spend with him. Trust me.” He sprayed on his Jean Paul cologne then put on his bezelled-out chain with the matching cross.

  “Baby I feel like you should stay here tonight. My gut is telling me something ain’t right.” I admitted.

  “Nikki I got to get out there with my people. Hell they made me, so it’s only right that I party with them one last time. Nik trust me, ain’t nothin gonna happen. But in the event that it do, baby I want you to make sure you get that truck to the spot and collect our money, only you baby. I trust nobody else!” He tucked his wife beater inside his slacks and slid on his Armani button up, pulling his chain over his collar. He looked so handsome tonight with his hair freely hanging down his back like he was a Hawaiian. His diamonds were almost blinding. His swagger was on full blast. You couldn’t tell him nothing tonight.

  “Why would you say that if you didn’t think something would happen? Please stay here with me, please Rio.” I begged to no avail because he leaned down and kissed my forehead.

  “Nik, I can’t stay but I will come home early…deal?”

  I didn’t respond so he kissed me again and grabbed his cell phone and keys.

  It was going on 3:20 a.m. when the sound of Rio Jr.’s crying woke me up. I stretched, looked at the clock, and got up from the bed to calm my crying son. “It’s okay baby don’t cry. What’s the matter, did you have a bad dream little man.” The minute I picked him up, he got quiet. I went downstairs to fix a bottle. I subconsciously peeked out of the blinds to see if the truck was gone. I thought Rio may have come home early but didn’t want to wake me. I frowned when I saw the truck was still there. I grabbed the cordless phone to see where he was since the drop needed to be made in forty minutes. “I bet his ass is drunk or something.” I said to myself just as the doorbell rang. I placed the phone back on the cradle and walked towards the door. I swung it open thinking it was Rio because few people had the code to make it pass our gate. To my surprise it was Gucci looking all disheveled. “Nikki, Mario got locked up about an hour ago. He gave Sam instructions and told me to come get you. He wants you to make the drop for him. He said the key to the truck is on here.” She waived the keys in my face snapping me away from my thoughts.

  “What…locked up for what?” I questioned while backing up and letting her into the house.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Gucci

  I stepped into the house and began to recount the night’s events. I told Nikki that we had gotten to club Vibe at about eleven o’clock and it was in full force. People came from everywhere to show my nigga love. He was really enjoying the moment. “Oh shit! My nigga Mario done stepped up in this bitch!” The DJ announced. “The hood love you my nigga fa’ real and we really gone miss you my dude.”

  Mario threw his fists in the air and the crowd went crazy like he was a rap star or something. At that very moment, waitresses came from the back of the club with bottles of Moët on ice with sparklers sticking out of them.

  “No homo my nigga, but thanks for all you did for the hood!” One guy said and dapped him up. I guess he was referring to all the years that the H.O.F. crew had passed out meals for the hungry, purchased brand new coats for children, as well as putting needy families in brand new or newly renovated homes throughout the years. Mario nodded back at the man and we kept it moving to the back towards the V.I.P.

  “Yo’ Mario, I just want to let you know that it’s been a pleasure working for you.” Someone else came up and said as we passed by him and a small crowd.

  “This is the life my nigga! Are you sure you wanna throw this away? I asked while taking a swig from the Moët bottle that I had taken from one of the waitresses. Tonight there was no room for drinking all pretty and shit, my ass was gettin’ white-boy wasted!

  “Yeah Ma, I’m thirty years old and I’m a fuckin’ millionaire. Why wouldn’t I want to throw this away. Most niggas in my position never ever get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Niggas hustle day-in and day-out waiting for this moment. The time when they can sit back and spend all the money they done stacked over the years. Too often, when that moment comes
niggas let it pass them by because they too damn scared to do anything else but hustle. When we started H.O.F. it was me, you, Blink, Dame, and Roscoe now look around.” He waived his hand to gesture the empty table that we were sitting at. “Who do you see?” He looked at me for a second to let it sink in; then he continued. “All you see G is me and you. Blink died on his eighteenth birthday.” He poured out some liquor on the floor for the fallen homie. “Dame doing two life sentences and Roscoe…” He was cut off as someone approached our table.

  “Roscoe right here.” We both turned to see Roscoe lurking in the shadows like some goon. Mario stood and dapped him up. At the same time, I was reaching for my gun which was inside of my pink clutch. Mario must’ve sensed my movement. More than likely, he felt the heat coming from my side of the table because he turned back towards me rapidly. He put his hand over my hand to let me know it was cool.

  “What up my nigga.” Roscoe said after Mario broke the embrace.

  “Slow motion my nigga, what’s crackin’?”

  “Shit, just coming to holla at chu’ ‘bout something right quick.” He took a seat next to me. “What up Gucci, still looking good girl.” I smacked my lips and slid over.

  “Wish I could say the same about you jail bird. What is your bitch-ass doing here?” I hissed.

  “Okay Gucci it’s like that? Thought we was family? Guess you was frontin’ back then huh?”

  “Ain’t no future in frontin’ so you got me twisted!” I was just about to get with him some more when Mario slammed his fist down on the table like a judge with his gavel.

  “Speak on it Roscoe! What’s on your dome?” Mario took a sip from his bottle.

  “My girl been telling me you ain’t hold my family down while I was locked up and for the life of me I just can’t understand why? I was your partner man, so if you lookin' out for the hard-headed corner boys and look outs, why not my family?” He lit a blunt that he had pulled from his pocket.