by Linette King
“Hey baby,” Rashard said as he walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“Trying to see what I’m going to do to spruce this place up for the party,” I said as I stepped out of his embrace. I looked up at his handsome angry face with his dreads neatly braided straight back and smiled. “Not much is wrong here but this place is missing a lady’s touch. For the night, I’m in charge, ok?” I asked before I stood on the tips of my toes to kiss his lips.
“C’mon crazy ass girl, let me introduce you to Candy,” he said and grabbed my hand. I began to wonder if Candy is her real name or stripper name. Not many people named their children job appropriate names these days, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. Now, before you get offended, put yourself in a boss’ position. Now imagine what type of business you’re in if you will hire a “Candy”. Now do you get my point?
We walked in a nice office and I could see Candy was in deep thought, reading over some paperwork on the desk. Rashard cleared his throat, which caused her to look up with the brightest smile I’d seen in I don’t know how long. She stood up and gave Rashard a half hug, then walked over to me and hugged me as well. “I’m Candy,” she said and smiled, but I was too lost in her aura to respond.
She had this presence about her that I had never been in the company of. Most females aren’t like this. She is indeed a rare breed. Hell, even I was judging her by her name before I ever met her and that’s what females do. It doesn’t matter what your name is, a female somewhere is going to comment on it. It’s either your parents are ghetto or they think they’re white. Once you get passed that, they will mentally judge you based on what you’re wearing and how you carry yourself. Not Candy though, she exuded so much confidence! I could tell right off back how strong she was.
Rashard nudged my arm and jarred me out of my thoughts. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m Tamia. I was a little lost in my own thoughts,” I said, apologizing for being rude.
“It’s ok,” Candy replied and took a seat.
“Well, I was coming in here to introduce ya’ll but Candy took over,” Rashard said, which caused us all to laugh. “Well, Tamia is going to host the party and she’s doing a little makeover, so let Raphael know what’s up. I have to go,” Rashard said before he kissed my forehead and walked away.
“I’ll be right back, let me go tell Raphael what he said,” Candy said as she stood to her feet.
“I’m coming with you,” I responded and allowed her to lead the way. I followed her to the bar as she took a seat next to who I assume is Raphael.
“What’s up Candy?” Raphael asked, without bothering to look behind him where I was standing.
“Shard said Tamia will be hosting the party tonight. Whatever she says goes, cool?” she said to him.
He turned around slowly and looked me up and down. “You Tamia?” he asked.
“Yes,” I responded with a smile. I glanced at Candy and she was smiling too.
“Well, do you, just put everything back when you’re done,” he said before he turned back around.
“Will do,” I said and walked away.
Now, it’s time to get started on bringing this club to life! I mean, it’s fine the way it is but not if I’m going to host a party here. I set speakers up in each corner to see where it sounded the loudest from the dance floor. I figured if the people barely heard the music, they’d spend more time talking than dancing. I couldn’t have that at a party I was hosting.
“Excuse me. I’m Tamia, what are your names?” I asked as I approached two guys that were standing by the bar. They had security on the back of their shirts, so I decided to ask them to help me out a bit.
“Tony,” the taller darker one answered.
“Roy,” replied the other one. “What can I do for you, ma’am? The club doesn’t open for a while,” Roy said to me, like I was aggravating him. If me approaching them bothered him, then wait until I put them to work!
“I need the speakers and stage moved to this corner over here,” I said and pointed to the corner I wanted them moved to.
“Ma’am, the boss doesn’t like when things are moved,” Roy said to me. I could already tell that he was going to have a problem taking orders from a woman. It’s nothing he had to get used to, hell, I’m only here for one night.
“Roy, I wouldn’t come over here asking for help if I had not already spoken to Raphael. It’s a go sweetie, so can we get this done before the club opens?” I asked plainly with a serious face.
Roy walked away without saying a word to me and headed in the direction of Raphael’s office. “I’m sorry Tamia, Roy just don’t like females ordering him around. You should see how he does Candy,” Tony said as he apologized for Roy’s behavior. Something he said about Candy caught my attention. Rashard made it seem like she was just a dancer here but it seemed like Ms. Candy got clout!
“It’s ok, Tony. I only have to deal with him tonight,” I replied with a smile.
I watched Roy storm out of Raphael’s office and headed back in our direction. I reached for my purse but forgot I left it in my car. I needed to get my brass knuckles out if I was going to have to fight this big ass nigga! I knew he’d kick my ass either way but with my brass knuckles, I could do some damage. I could leave his big ass something to remember me by. “Let’s get to work!” he yelled as he took his frustrations out on Tony. Tony didn’t reply, he just walked away.
I stood around directing them on where to put each speaker. I had the stage slightly out of the corner with the DJ booth sitting on the back left hand side of the stage. I got Roy to bring the small refrigerator out of the office and plug it in behind the DJ Booth. I already had bottled water in my car, so I went out and brought in six bottles for the DJ. He smiled and thanked me. It wasn’t until he told me that he normally doesn’t get anything like this that I realized why he seemed so appreciative. I don’t know what kind of business Raphael is running if he ain’t taking care of his employees.
I had Roy to turn all four speakers diagonally towards the dance floor. Once I got the stage, speakers, and DJ booth how I wanted it, it was time for a sound test. I grabbed the mic and stood in the middle of the dance floor. “Mic check 1, 2. Mic check 1, 2,” I said into the microphone. I walked through each part of the club and repeated the same phrase. I got Candy to take me up to the VIP booths because I didn’t have security access to get to them. Candy loved how everything sounded this way. As strange as it may seem, I felt good knowing I had pleased her, especially with this being my first time.
“You’re doing awesome Tamia,” Candy said to me.
“Thanks girl. I been working the fuck out of Roy for getting an attitude with me though,” I said, which caused her to laugh.
“Girl, I do the same shit! You would think he’d be use to taking orders from a boss bitch cause I stay on his ass!” she said to me.
“So, what do you do here?” I asked her as we descended to the dance floor.
“I’m a dancer, host, and I’m over the bar and security,” she answered me.
“Wow. You’re a jack of all trades huh?” I said to her as she nodded and laughed again.
“Well, let me finish up and I’ll come chat with you in a bit,” I said to Candy as I walked away. As lonely as I be, I hope we could build a friendship after this. Armani is ok and all but we can’t ever have a conversation without arguing anymore. Now that she’s missing, I miss cleaning up behind her and fussing about dumb stuff. I really hope she’s ok.
I stood back for a second and tried to figure out what I wanted to do with this place next, when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.
Amere: Tamia I really am sorry.
Tamia: I know.
Amere: Can I see you?
Tamia: No
Amere: Why not?
Amere: cuz u wit dat nigga?!!!
I slid my phone in my pocket because this nigga has some nerve! How the fuck he gone cheat on me when we were together, have a baby on me, fuck my best friend, and then try to
get back with me? I swear, I don’t understand the logic behind some people’s thinking.
Rashard: how’s it going beautiful?
Tamia: everything is everything
Rashard: whats wrong miss lady?
Tamia: nothing.
Rashard: I’ll be there in a few minutes.
I have no idea how Rashard always knows when something is bothering me. I’m normally pretty good at hiding how I feel but his ass really sees right through the bullshit!
Instead of standing around mad at the nerve of a nigga I’m never going to be with again, I decided to finish working. I look around and notice some of the girls that worked here are arriving. I’m glad too because I had no idea what they looked like.
I walked up to a skinny dark skin chick and checked her out. She had on a loose fitting tank top shirt with some black shorts that said carte blanche on the back of them. How tacky is that shit? I looked around and noticed the other girls had on the same thing. “Excuse me. I’m Tamia. What’s your name?” I asked the chick I was checking out.
“Goldie,” she responded dryly and my mouth dropped. I watched her walk away, like no this extra black ass bitch don’t call herself Goldie! What’s really going on here?
I don’t know how long I was standing there but Candy approached me giggling, which snapped me out of my trance. “What did she say to you?” Candy asked.
“Now Candy, ya’ll know ya’ll wrong for calling that bitch Goldie!” I said as Candy cracked up with laughter. She was in tears bending over and everything. I’m standing here looking crazy because I didn’t see a damn thing funny about this bitch who is as dark as Blade, calling herself Goldie!
“Come on girl. Let me introduce you to the girls,” she said still chuckling. As we walked into the dressing room, I was surprised that it looked nice. Candy and I walked to the front of the room and I waited as she cleared her throat.
“Is she a new girl?” Blade, I mean Goldie asked, which caused Candy to glare at her. Goldie completely ignored her as she gave me the once over.
“Listen up ladies! This is Tamia and she will be hosting Deuce’s Party tonight. Raphael has given her free reign so what she says goes. I’m sure she won’t make you do anything you aren’t comfortable with. If she tells you to do something you don’t want to do, don’t come to me because I respect her judgement and I’m going to back her decisions. Are we crystal?” Candy asked.
“Clear,” the girls said in unison.
“Good. Tamia, the floor is yours,” Candy said to me then took a step back.
I’ve never been so nervous in my life. Here I am, standing in front of five girls waiting on me to give orders that I haven’t thought of yet. “I’d like for you to stand, state your name, and spin slowly for me one at a time,” I spoke clearly.
“The fuck is this, an Uncle Luke video audition or something?” Goldie asked.
“Do it or take your extraterrestrial black ass home! I’m a female but ain’t no bitch in my blood sweetie, so please don’t let the size fool ya!” I snapped on her. See, with bitches like her, you have to nip that shit in the bud quick before her attitude spread like wildfire and all these bitches will be talking crazy.
She didn’t respond, which was a good thing. She stood up “I’m Goldie” and turned around slowly. She was skinny, dark skinned, and her hair looked like it needed to be washed. She had it in a ponytail like she didn’t work at a fucking club! She had small breasts and no ass, and it had me wondering how she got this job anyway.
“What do you do here?” I asked her.
“I’m a server,” she replied. I personally would only hire eye candy and Goldie was far from it. Don’t get me wrong, she had a cute face but you should have more than that to work at a club!
“Is there a shower in here?” I turned and whispered to Candy, and she nodded her head. “Shampoo and conditioner?” I asked and she nodded her head. “Goldie, I need you to go hop in the shower and wash your hair real good and don’t put it back in a ponytail please,” I said and turned back around to face the group. She stormed out as a brown skinned chick giggled. I shot a cold glare at her, which stopped her from laughing.
“Next,” I responded and gestured for the next girl to stand up.
“I’m Tammy,” she said standing up and doing a slow spin. Tammy is the eye candy you need waitressing tables! She’s light skinned with a big bubble butt and shoulder length hair. She has small breasts and gray eyes. She could get so many tips if she were a waitress with those eyes alone!
“What do you do here?” I asked her.
“I’m a cage dancer,” she replied, which threw me for a loop. I made a mental note to ask Candy about that later. They didn’t know it yet but nobody would be dancing in cages tonight. I needed all these ladies mingling with the fellas tonight.
“Next,” I said to the chick seated next to her.
“I’m Ashley,” she said as she stood and did a slow spin. Ashley is a brown skinned cutie. All of these ladies are cute, they just aren’t in the right positions to make money. Ashley has really big breasts but no ass at all. She was thick though and I knew the perfect position for her tonight. She had a choppy hair cut that looked more like an accident than a style. I hoped she didn’t pay for it.
“What do you do here?” I asked her.
“I’m a server,” she replied as she smiled. I’m like, really bitch? I wanted to know about her tips because I don’t see a nigga tipping when the bitch ain’t got no ass!
“Next,” I said.
“I’m Tia and I’m a cage dancer,” Tia said as she did a slow spin before taking her seat.
“I’m Megan and I’m a bartender,” she stood up saying as she followed suit. I didn’t mind at all because it sped up the process, so I could move on to my next plan of action. Tia was a thick chocolate chick! She had big breasts and ass for days. She had her thin hair cut into a bob. I’m just going to say this and leave it alone, thin hair does not belong in a bob. Megan was browned skinned, really small breasts, and a big butt with her hair stopping right between her shoulder blades. The wheels in my head started turning immediately.
Candy dismissed the girls, so they could take their showers and start getting ready. Candy explained the process to me. She had me crying laughing when she told me she made them take showers before work every day to make sure they smell good and fresh. “Hey, I have to run to the mall, do you need anything?” she asked me.
“Well, do you have all of your dancers’ sizes?” I asked as I made a list of things I wanted and for which dancer. She had already told me Raphael reimbursed her for all out of pocket expenses pertaining to the club. After I gave her the list, she was out the door.
I ran out to my car because I needed to get the all black silk table cloths I bought earlier today. As I was bending over the trunk, I felt a strong pair of arms wrapping around me. Smiling and turning around, already knowing who it was, I threw my arms around his neck. “What are you doing here babe? I told you I was fine,” I said to him.
“You forgot I know you, huh?” he asked as he stood there and waited on me to tell him. I gave him a brief run down on my conversation with Amere and how I felt about it. He kissed me and told me everything was cool.
“Babe!” I called out to him after a good idea hit me.
“Yea?” he said as he turned around.
“Can we get all of the girls sew-ins? It will go with my classy theme. I also want to move them around out of their normal positions tonight. Do you think Raphael will mind?” I asked him.
“I’m sure he won’t but I’ll talk to him right now,” he said.
“Ok, can you text me Candy’s number? I need to text her my idea.”
“Yea,” he said before he sent it to me.
Tamia: Hey Candy this is Tamia. I need scissors to cut hair. All the girls are going to get sew ins done for the party tonight. I have a lot of bundles in my car because I do hair on the side but I need to be able to cut their hair into the styles that fit
their outfits.
Candy: Look at you! You sure you never done this before? LOL I got you tho
I smiled at her text message before I carried the bags of table cloths inside with me. I walked around and cleaned each table before I placed a silk black cloth on top of them. It took me several trips to the car for my glass centerpieces but with the help of Tony and even Roy, we got it covered within the hour. The centerpieces were shaped in the form of different animals of the jungle and gave the place an animalistic feeling to it, while the tablecloth made it all presentable.
I walked back out to my car so I could get more cleaning supplies. It was time for me to sweep and mop then sanitize the bar area. On my way to the car, I couldn’t help but feel like someone was watching me. I stopped and began looking around the parking lot but I didn’t see anyone. This wasn’t the first time I’d felt this way either. For the last four days, I been feeling like someone was sitting back watching me but every time I looked around, I never saw anyone. Instead of brushing it off, I got my brass knuckles out of my purse and slid it in my pocket. After grabbing everything I needed, I headed back into the club to get started.
It took me two hours to get everything the way I wanted it and when I say this placed looked different and in an awesome way, there was no doubt about it! I sat down to rest my feet a bit.
I looked up just as Raphael and Rashard approached me. “Girl, you got this place looking like I need to charge more!” Raphael started laughing and looking around. “Are you employed?” he continued, which caused me to laugh.
“As much as I am enjoying this, it ain’t something I want to do on the regular. The only bright side is I know I’m going to sleep good tonight. But you think you’re impressed now? Wait til I finish with these ladies!” I said as I stood up.
“Where you going babe?” Rashard asked.