“Put the bottle down now.” Deputy Brock demanded again.
“THE HELL I AM!” Andrea was leaning on the counter still holding the bottle.
“You are under arrest. Put the bottle down, Andrea.”
Andrea laughed at Deputy Brock like she said a joke. The bottle slipped out of Andrea’s hand and hit the counter and shattered, and she immediately cussed. She was lucky she didn’t get cut by flying glass. Deputy Brock immediately grabbed one of Andrea’s arms and put it behind her back and was trying to cuff her wrist. Andrea was leaning on the counter not really fighting Deputy Brock, but with her free hand, she began wiping the counter. She then started licking the liquor off her fingers. There was a little bit of blood on her hands, but that didn’t matter to Andrea. Once Deputy Brock got her first wrist handcuffed, she tried to grab the other free hand, but Andrea started waving it around trying to keep it away from her. I shook my head at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Those two looked like a comedy show, but I was too stunned to laugh. Stephanie only stared, and I know she was amazed, too.
The Deputy finally got a hold of the other arm and stated, “Andrea Gray, you are under arrest for shoplifting.” She was pissed off and almost out of breath because Andrea was being a complete pain in the butt. The Deputy cussed under her breath as she cuffed her.
Andrea still wasn’t really putting up a fight. Stephanie and I backed up out the way as the Deputy marched Andrea out of the kitchen into the living room and out the front door. We followed them and watched as she helped Andrea into the back of the car.
I asked the Deputy, “Who did she steal from?”
“She stole from Jerry’s store. Yesterday morning, she drank several bottles of alcohol without paying for them.”
That’s why her night gown was all wet after she left the store yesterday, and then she kept looking back while I was driving. It all made sense now. I looked at Andrea in the back of the police car, and she was sleeping sitting up. She was knocked out that quick. By the time the Deputy was in the driver’s seat, Pritchard came running out in shorts and flip flops. Now, where the hell was he with all that going on in the kitchen? That apartment is so small. You can hear everything.
He asked, “What happened! Where are they going?”
I answered dryly, “To jail.”
Stephanie and I went back into the apartment leaving Pritchard standing outside watching as the Deputy drove away with Andrea. We went to my room where Stephanie got some much needed rest, and I listened to the radio. I was glad she didn’t want to talk about what happened with Andrea. If Tanie was here with all that going, the conversation would never end. With the house quiet and the low hum of the radio, I slept, as well.
CHAPTER TEN
I was awakened by the sound of Stephanie’s cell phone chirping. She sat up in bed and answered it in a groggy, tired voice. I could hear Tanie’s voice coming from the phone. Stephanie was trying her best to pay attention to what Tanie was saying, but she was still too sleepy. Stephanie didn’t say a word as Tanie continued on speaking, and all of a sudden she closed her cell phone.
“That girl knows how to ruin a good nap.” Stephanie lay back down on her back.
“Did you hang up on her?”
“No, she actually hung up on me.”
“What did she want?” I asked as I stood and stretched.
“She said she was outside your apartment door. I don’t understand why she won’t knock on the door and come inside.”
“How did she know you’re here?”
“She doesn’t. She told me to come over. She wants us to go out to dinner.”
I asked, “Do you want to stay here and sleep instead?” I was starving. I was hoping she wanted to go out and eat.
Stephanie turned her head and answered, “If you leave, I’m leaving. I’m not staying here by myself with your sister and Pritchard.”
“Andrea is in jail, remember? You might be here with Pritchard, though.”
We both went outside where Tanie was waiting for us. The music in her car was loud, and she was standing on the sidewalk singing and dancing. The guys in the parking lot were paying attention. They stared at her like a piece of prime cut steak. She could care less and kept right on dancing. When she saw us, she stopped and asked, “Stephanie, how did you get over here so fast?”
“I was already here. I was taking a nap.” Stephanie answered.
“Oh, Coop got his boys over to the house again?” Tanie asked.
“Yes, he does.”
“Well, dinner is on me. I hope you’re hungry.” Tanie was in a good mood. She must have gotten a nice pay check from Roscoe this time.
We all piled into the car, and Tanie winked at the guys when she drove past them. Piedmont Diner was one of the cheapest and best places to eat in Colum. By the time we got there, Stephanie and I were both wide awake. We went inside the restaurant and piled into a booth beside the front window. I sat alone on my side of the table, and Stephanie and Tanie sat together on the other side of the table. Stephanie immediately pulled out her cigarettes and lit up. She leaned her head back as she inhaled the smoke.
“You can’t smoke in here, Stephanie.” Tanie reminded her.
Stephanie looked around for a place to put the cigarette out. She went to the next table and put the cigarette in a glass of water.
Tanie remarked as she opened the menu, “I heard about your sister.”
“What did you hear?” I asked.
Rumors, lies and the truth got around that town like wild fire. Tanie probably knew about Andrea five minutes after she was arrested. When my mom died, Tanie called me before I could contact her. To this day, I have no idea how she found out, and for some odd reason, she won’t tell me who told her. When Pritchard didn’t move out, she was the one that told me about the rumors dealing with him. The people around town called Pritchard a pimp because he slept with my mom and then slept with my sister. They were also saying Olivia and I slept with him, but that was a bone face stupid lie. If I knew who started that rumor, the very source, I would definitely go to jail for whipping his or her ass.
Tanie said, “Andrea was arrested. One chick told me she got into a fight with someone in the projects and they were pressing charges. Then I heard she ripped off Margaret Madison, and she reported her.”
“What you heard is a lie and sound stupid as hell.” I added, “Number one, the cops don’t care who fights in Covington, and number two, nobody rips off Margaret Madison. Not with her double wide son around. I don’t even know why you bother to repeat that crap.”
Stephanie laughed a little as she nodded her head in agreement.
“Was she arrested?” Tanie asked.
“Yes, she was arrested. That part is true.” I answered.
“Why was she arrested, Angela?”
“She was shoplifting from Jerry’s store.”
Tanie’s eye brow lifted in surprise. “What did she take? Was it something real crazy like a cookie or something?”
“Why would she steal a cookie, Tanie?” She pissed me off.
“I’m just saying, trying be funny, that’s all.”
“Well, it’s not funny. It was sad. She didn’t realize she got arrested.”
“How can she not know she was arrested?”
I answered. “She was too drunk and too high. You know how she is.”
A waitress came over and took our orders just in time because I really didn’t want to continue the conversation about my sister going to jail. It was pissing me off, and I didn’t want to get mad.
Tanie asked Stephanie once the lady left, “And how are you holding up?”
Stephanie answered, “I’m good. I was feeling kind of bad earlier, but I’m okay right now.”
Tanie said, “Good days are so much easier.”
“Yea, they can be.” Stephanie remarked.
“Well, we are not going to sit here and drive up those pains.” She changed the subject by asking, “Did Angela tell you she turned down a
date last night? He was a piece, you hear me, a real good piece.”
Stephanie asked, “Who asked you out?”
I answered, “It doesn’t matter because I didn’t go out with him.”
Tanie said, “Alex Westing asked her out.”
I looked at Tanie confused. His last name is Westing?
Stephanie knew who he was, and she looked at me surprised. “Sherrie’s brother asked you out last night?”
There was no way Sherrie’s brother was talking to me and Tanie yesterday. I said, “Tanie, that’s not Sherrie’s brother.”
“They are related all day long to infinity.” She said. “He wanted you, Angela, plain and simple. You should have gone just to say you went out on a date with your boss’s brother. Just to rub it in her face. Oh my God, can you imagine how mad she would’ve been?” Tanie had a devilish smile on her.
Stephanie said, “I would’ve never thought in a million years. Why ask you anyway? Why not ask one of those rich white girls he knows? I don’t get it.” My sentiments exactly, and I shrugged my shoulders. Stephanie continued, “What were his plans? Where was he going to take you? Couldn’t have been anywhere around here. He’d have to explain himself if he was seen with you.”
That kind of hurt to hear Stephanie say those words, but she was telling the truth. I answered, “He wanted to take me to a Laila Benson concert.”
“He had tickets to a Laila Benson concert?” Stephanie asked in disbelief.
Tanie answered quickly, “Yes, he did.”
“So, why didn’t you go?” Stephanie asked.
I said, “I don’t know him, Stephanie. There is no real reason for him to be interested in me. We have nothing to talk about. We have nothing in common.”
“And he’s the wrong color.” Tanie added.
“Tanie, I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s the wrong color.”
“Whatever, Angela, and she was scared to go.”
Stephanie remarked, “I think you made the right decision, Angela. You have to be careful around here. You can’t go around dating outside your own race. This may not be the fifties anymore, but old habits stay new for a long time.”
“I asked myself yesterday if I made a mistake.” I began to feel better about my decision.
Tanie remarked, “You did make a mistake.”
“No, you didn’t, Angela. Don’t listen to Tanie. You and I both know that Tanie would sleep with anybody and go anywhere with anyone at any time. Everybody can’t be like you, Tanie.”
Tanie said, “Live like old maids and you’ll die like old maids. I plan on living like lightning and going out like thunder.”
We glanced over at Tanie.
Tanie continued, “Ladies, you are missing the point entirely. Just because Alex asked you out on a date last night, doesn’t mean you’re going to start a relationship with him. You have to drill in your mind that every guy you go out with isn’t going to be your long term boyfriend. Some guys are only good for overnight flings and nothing more. Alex Westing would classify as an overnight fling.”
Tanie’s thought process was beyond my understanding sometimes.
Stephanie asked, “Why should she put herself out there like that? Overnight flings, Tanie, really? Sounds like being a hooker to me.”
Tanie remarked smartly, “Only if you’re getting paid.”
Stephanie shook her head and looked away.
“We need to look at this with a little less fog in our eyes, girls.” Tanie said, “He is the son of one of the wealthiest men in this town, and his parents will not allow him to have a long term relationship with some poor project black girl. So, we all know that if you went out with him last night, no one would know about it. He’s not going to run off and tell his parents and his friends he met someone like you. It’s not going to happen, but knowing exactly where you stand with him means that truth will not bother you. That date to the concert would have just been a moment, a wonderful little moment to remember. Something to look back on and say you had a nice time. You can call it the end and move on with your life.”
“Tanie,” I began, “I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t want it to be like that for me. I want a relationship. I want to have a meaningful relationship that grows into a great life. I don’t want to waste my time on guys that are not a sure thing.”
“Angela,” Tanie was frustrated with me. “Why can’t you have a little fun without strings attached? There is nothing wrong with that. Alex Westing is the perfect boy toy.”
Stephanie remarked. “I don’t see that man being anybody’s boy toy, Tanie.”
The waitress brought our drinks just when I was about to speak, but I’m glad she interrupted the conversation. As soon as she walked away, Tanie said, “Alright, look, lets change the subject. You two are driving me crazy.”
“I bet you’re mad that you didn’t go.” Stephanie said to Tanie after she sipped her ice tea.
“I’m not mad at all.” Tanie retorted. “Like I was saying, moving off the subject of Alex, I got a phone call today from a certain guy.”
I love hearing about Tanie’s life. This was going to be good.
“I got a phone call this morning from Milton.”
I gave her a mean look and asked her, “Did you send him to my apartment this morning?”
“He really likes you, Angela.”
“Don’t do that again, and I’m not playing, Tanie.”
“He’s not a bad person.”
“The guy was feeling me up in the back of your car, and he wasn’t listening to me when I was telling him no. You think I want a guy that doesn’t understand something as simple as the word no?”
“Are you serious, Angela?” Stephanie looked at me shocked.
“Pissed me off, and Tanie didn’t do anything or say anything to help me.”
“You didn’t tell him no. You just slapped him!” Tanie remarked.
“Oh my goodness,” Stephanie remarked still with shock. “You slapped poor Milton!”
Tanie remarked, “Milton doesn’t understand, Angela. He was probably nervous.”
“You’re really going to sit there and make excuses for him?” When will she understand I don’t want her hooking me up with anyone?
Tanie smartly said, “If you’re looking for a long term relationship, he would definitely be the one.”
Tanie had some damn nerve. She was border line on the shit list with my sister. Andrea already hurt my feelings earlier, and now Tanie was trying to push me with this guy. I asked trying to still my anger, “Why don’t you date him?”
Tanie said calmly and with a little chuckle, “He isn’t my type.”
“I don’t really give a shit, Tanie.” I was so done with her. “For the last damn time, I don’t want to date him. I don’t want him at all. I don’t like him at all. Do you understand? I don’t think I’m speaking a foreign language. Am I speaking a foreign language, Stephanie?”
“No, you are not.” Stephanie quickly answered.
“I didn’t think so. I’ll find my own man! I don’t need your help.”
We stared at one another, and Tanie turned away knowing I was boiling inside. She said, “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Okay, psychic, please tell me what I’m thinking.” I was getting ready to leave. I didn’t want to eat with her, even though I was starving. I didn’t want to talk to her anymore, either.
She was trying to get her thoughts straight before continuing, “I don’t know what you’re thinking, okay, but I will say this.”
I interrupted her, “You said you knew what I was thinking.”
“Let me finish. Just let me finish. Milton will be a great guy to be with and...”
I walked out.
Stephanie ran after me, but I told her to go back and enjoy her dinner. I was going to be fine. If I stayed in the restaurant much longer, Tanie and I were going to get worse. I wasn’t going to allow her to run my life. I could have whipped her ass in that restaurant, but I didn’t fee
l like catching a charge. I’d be sitting in jail along with my sister, and that was no better.
It didn’t take much for Tanie to work my nerve anyway. I loved her to death, but we could fight like century old enemies. I didn’t want to be around her. I can’t stand it when she does that. I’d rather starve and walk home than deal with her mouth.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I decided to take a dirt road on the way home just in case Tanie was looking for me. Tanie thinks too much of her car to drive on a dirt road. But the truth is she wasn’t leaving that restaurant. She ordered food and she was staying to enjoy it. Pissed me off, and I was starving. But the walk wasn’t too bad. I had the view of fields on the right where the farmers had large machines moving slowly. Maybe, they were planting cotton or beans. I had no idea if it was harvest season or planting season or whatever else they called it. That’s all I knew those machines were going up and down the fields. On the left was another open field with a few trees and cows with their noses to the ground eating grass. It was beautiful out there. The entire area was calm like nothing in the world ever affected it. I was at a good pace, and eventually I came upon the forest that was on the right side. The bugs zoomed around. The beams of sun light sometimes broke through the trees and unto the dirt road, and on my left side was another open field with no fence around it and one lonely hay roll. I wondered how the farmers got that hay roll so big. That thing was golden yellow as it set in the middle of the field. I wanted to touch it, but I could imagine a farmer coming at me with a shot gun.
The country walk was exactly what I needed. My anger had subsided, and I was strolling along like this day was the best day of my life. Maybe, that’s what I should do from now on. When problems in my life get to be too much, I should just go walking down this road.
On the left hand side, I came upon a fence and a big white wooden house that set far back off the road with a dirt driveway leading to it. I’d seen this house many times, and I love that house. It had huge white columns and I could see the curtains flying out of the window as the wind swept through. A blue truck was parked in front of it, but I didn’t see anyone walking around. I heard the house belonged to the Westings’, but I didn’t know if that was true or not. I’ve always wanted to go inside and see what it looked like. I didn’t dare go up the road. It was private property and sometimes people shot at you in this county if you trespassed. I wasn’t taking that chance.
The Ex Killer Series Page 6