“I don’t see your name anywhere here,” she answered, her eyes still skimming the sheet.
“It was kind of personal. So I don’t know…” Deedee’s voice trailed when the secretary looked up at her. Her eyeglasses had slid back into the same position on her nose.
“Then why didn’t you say that in the first place? Have a seat—she’s busy with a client. I’ll let her know and see if she can fit you in… Have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Deedee smirked.
The woman haughtily watched Deedee strutting to the waiting area. Deedee sat, reading magazines. After waiting for over an hour, she finally spotted Sophia emerged from one of the offices.
“Hey Dee, how are you?’ Sophia said, reaching out.
“Hi, Sophia,” Deedee responded with a hug and a kiss on Sophia’s cheek.
She was led past the frowning secretary and into a medium-sized office. There were a couple of desks and several chairs. There was no one else around, making the place seem like an interrogation room.
“I apologize, Dee. But you caught me when I’m really busy, and my office is in chaos. So I had to bring you into this office. Before we start do you want some coffee or hot chocolate?”
“Sure, I’ll take the hot chocolate.”
Deedee watched Sophia disappear out the door. Sophia was gone, and this allowed Deedee time to settle down and think. She remained standing while mentally going over the story of her uncle’s arrest. Sophia returned with two hot chocolates in white, medium sized Styrofoam cups.
“Let’s sit over here, Dee” Sophia said.
She ushered Deedee to a desk outfitted with a two chairs across the empty office area. They walked over in silence and sat. Sophia handed Deedee a cup. She took a sip from her own and smiled at the beautiful teen. An uneasy silence ensued. Deedee watched Sophia slowly sipping the hot liquid and waited for eye contact. None came. After watching Sophia take couple more sips, Deedee dove in.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you since your graduation. Congratulations,” Sophia said with a smile.
“Thanks, Sophia,” Deedee quickly said.
“So, you’re here to see me because…”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Uncle E has been arrested again by the police. They—”
“Raided his office…” Sophia said, interrupting Deedee. She stared, but not with sympathy. Deedee was surprised by the deep resentment she saw welling inside Sophia. It grew into an angry outburst. “I’m so damn sick and tired of all this!” Sophia said.
Deedee was not prepared for Sophia’s agitated response. Her eyes blinked rapidly. Struck by a heavy dose of reality, Deedee tried to refocus as Sophia continued.
“Eric should have known better than to get involved in all this, Dee. He should have known better and I can’t help him. My job, my position will be on the line. I’ve got all the police documents on my desk. I work for the government, the DA, and I can’t go against that. Your uncle has to figure this out.”
“But he isn’t involved in anything—”
“Dee—”
“Sophia, you’re his friend. You’re close to him and you know that he’s been setup by the police. They’ve been after him all this time.”
“Dee, trust me on this. Eric is involved and that’s that. The law has caught up to him.”
“The law is corrupt!” Deedee shouted.
There was a pause and she looked at Sophia pleadingly. The attorney was dressed in a blue skirt suit with black heels, her face pretty with a little makeup. Deedee wished she could take back what she had just said, but it was already out.
“Oh Dee, please don’t be fooled. I think your uncle was wrong taking the law into his own hands. I guess when a man reaches a certain status in life the only thing that matters is money. But I’m not gonna judge him. Only a court of law can bring him—and you—justice. And I’m sure he will get his. There’s nothing I can do to help him, Dee,” Sophia calmly said.
She shook her head and the room went silent. Deedee took it all in but stared at Sophia in disbelief.
“Well, I guess I won’t take anymore of your time,” Deedee said and stood.
She placed the cup of hot chocolate on the desk, untouched. Sophia was standing, her mouth agape but nothing came out. They stared at each other in an uncomfortable silence.
“Goodbye, Sophia,” Deedee said and walked out of the office.
“Dee, I’m sorry but—”
Sophia was left standing alone when the door slammed and Deedee kept walking. Even with her Gucci shades on, the fat secretary could see tears rolling down Deedee’s cheek. She whisked by without a nod or wave. Shaking her head, the nosey secretary watched Deedee quickly get on the elevator.
“These teenagers have no manners,” she hissed under her breath.
Outside, the sun shone brightly and Deedee made her way to the garage. She adjusted her makeup, paid her toll, and drove out of the parking lot. She turned the music on and tapped in time with the rhythm of the song playing on the car radio.
What a difference a day makes
Twenty-four hours a day…
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain…
Esther Phillips moaned her way through an up-tempo version of the Dinah Washington classic while Deedee guided the car through the busy streets of Manhattan. Later, she pulled into the parking lot under the building housing Ascot Music Group. Her father was gone, her uncle was arrested, and Sophia, a person she thought she could turn to, was not available. Deedee was now in charge of running the family business, which included a recording studio.
She walked inside the building, ignoring the doorman in the lobby. He was always staring lecherously at her ass. Now that her uncle was not with her, she wanted to keep the doorman further away. She remembered that he was present on the day of her uncle’s arrest.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
“Good morning,” she returned and kept it moving.
“Great day we’re having…”
Deedee was already on the elevator, checking her floor and thinking of the work ahead. School was out and if it wasn’t for the chaotic nature of things in her life, running a business could be a great summer gig. It was a huge undertaking and there would be so many important decisions to make. She had spent time arming herself with understanding all the nuances of a recording studio. Her uncle had been her best teacher. The business aspects she would have to learn on the fly. Deedee contemplated her options as she walked out of the elevator.
Walking toward the office of the recording studio, she saw what looked like a confrontation in progress. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but things looked pretty explosive. Deedee hurried inside.
She saw Coco and Tina locked in a heated exchange, Tina seated at a receptionist desk, Kim hovering over her. By the time Deedee reached them, the two were having a staring contest. Not a second later, Kim arrived, talking loudly on her cell phone.
“Shyt girlfriend… You done know da deal already! We back doing our thang like the second comin’ o’ crack!” Kim screamed, giggling into the headphone hanging around her neck.
She waved royally in the direction of Deedee. Then she froze in her tight-jeans, pranced, and flashed a smile. Coco pretending not to have noticed, kept a cold stare on Tina. Meanwhile a smirk was registering at Richter scale–high on Tina’s face. Kim’s brow furrowed briefly then quickly went to a frown.
“Hmm, hmm…Hold up, sump’n look like it’s about to jump-off up in here. Lemme handle biz real quick, and I’ll call you right back and shyt. Bye…”
As Kim’s cell phone conversation ended, she saw Deedee trying to get Coco’s attention, waving a hand in the girl’s angry grill.
“All I did was asked her in a nice voice to sign in,” Tina said.
“Nah, she ordered me to sign in, yo,” Coco countered.
“Shut your face! I told you everybody have to sign in,” Tina shouted.
“Alrigh
t, okay. That’s enough!” Deedee said.
Tina walked away and left Deedee and Coco standing next to each other. Kim was still in earshot.
“What’s going on, Coco…?” Deedee asked.
“Miss Recording Artist just came in and been ripping everyone,” Kim disdainfully said, walking away.
“Who ask you anything, yo?”
“Coco, do you wanna go get some breakfast?” Deedee offered. “I sure could use some.”
“Yeah, let’s go real quick, yo. I’m getting kinda sick up in this piece.”
“What’s the matter?” Deedee inquired with concern.
Coco remained tensely silent. Deedee stared at her best friend for a few beats. She seemed to be caught up in thinking exactly what to say. Coco was finally ready to open her mouth when suddenly they heard loud yapping.
“She be acting like she somebody!” Kim said.
“You right. She can’t sing, can’t rap. Don’t know what the fuck she can do,” Tina said.
They were yapping loud enough for Coco and Deedee to hear. The conversation between Kim and Tina was enough for the rekindling. Coco knew they were talking about her. Deedee shook her head and sighed heavily.
“It ain’t me so much, yo. It’s these bitches, running around here with their stink ass.”
Coco’s vociferous response caught Deedee off guard. Salvo from Kim and Tina’s had been fired in the general direction of Coco.
“They want it? They can bring it, yo!”
The place was about to return to normal office mode, but Coco dropped the proverbial bomb. It was a direct hit. Everyone and everything stopped moving. It was as if she had unplugged the very lifeline of Ascot’s recording studio. The only thing lacking was the long beep at end.
Tina, who was popping gum loudly, quickly hung up the phone call she was on. She was the first to respond.
“Shut da front door! No this bitch didn’t!”
“Nah, nah, wait a minute, wait a minute. Did this hater-ass, dyke-bitch just call me a bitch…?” Kim asked.
“Hmm, hmm… Oh yes, I think she did,” Tina said, sliding over closer from her desk.
“Yeah, I said that, yo. And I do mean, stink bird-ass types, yo,” Coco said, nodding, and pointing at Kim and Tina.
They were the two business assistants hired by Eric on the recommendation of his lawyer. Kim and Tina were archenemies of Coco from their days growing up on the same block. Coco was the little wiry girl, with the great voice back then. Having won a talent show, Coco joined the recording studio to work with Eric Ascot, music’s hot producer. She took offense at being in the same vicinity with her former foes. Tina, who was sitting at the receptionist’s desk, jumped up.
“Shut da fuck up! I know you ain’t talkin’ to moi…? Cuz that be just one more reason to be up in ya fuckin’ ass!” Tina said.
“Nah, nah, nah, bitch, see don’t let me start akkin’ ig’nant up in here and shyt!” Kim said, looking Coco up and down with the dirtiest of stares.
“You can’t even rap you—just a fucking foul-mouth bitch!” Tina said.
“Who you talkin’ to, you Spanish ho’?”
“No you didn’t! Shit, push come to shove, I’ll just say fuck everything and you and me go at it, right here. I’m a bitch of my word,” Tina said, coming around the receptionist desk.
Coco met her half way. In a hot second Coco and Tina were again squaring off in each other’s face, ready to go at each other.
“We ain’t gotta whip her ass right here. Don’t forgot bitch, we from da same hood and shyt!” Kim said, stepping into the fracas.
“Alright, everyone take a chill pill, breathe, and fucking relax,” Deedee said, interceding.
“Go ahead, yo. You a bitch of your word, right?” Coco said, standing directly across from Tina.
“Don’t let this ghetto girl push you to do nothing, Tina. Take her out da hood, but she still don’t know how to act…” Kim laughed mockingly.
“Your friend got killed and now you got heavy problems, huh hood bitch?” Tina said.
“Better listen to your bitch, yo!”
“Who you callin’ bitch…? Oh God, what’s gotten into this bitch? Bitch, I’ll set your ass on fire so fast, you’ll know what beef is,” Kim said, jumping back in the fray.
“Yeah, you got a match, yo? I got a lighter right here,” Coco said with a smirk.
She smiled then removed a Bic lighter from her pocket. Taunting Tina and Kim, Coco sparked the lighter.
“Bitch your ghetto-ass be’s nobody and shyt…” Kim said, waving her arm.
“That’s real rap. You ain’t shit, will never be spit, and your mother is a crack-head bitch!” Tina said, laughing.
She was now standing directly in front of Coco, chuckling cruelly. Deedee watched keenly, flinching at their impious laughter, but she held back. Instead she glared at Kim and Tina. It was clear that Deedee had enough.
“Everyone just shut da ef up!” Deedee screamed waving her arms.
The verbal sparring came to an immediate halt. All the combatants glanced surreptitiously at each other. Coco would not back down. Brazen, she was on high alert and primed for whatever went down. A warrior, she was ready for battle.
All of a sudden, the loud sound of flesh colliding harshly with flesh violently rang. The smacking sound ripped out like quarters hitting an empty collection plate. Tina’s cheek stung. She tried lunging at Coco, but Deedee quickly tripped her. She fell in an embarrassed heap on the tiled floor.
“There’ll be no fighting here. This is a place of damn business and not some store in y’all’s hood!” she said.
Kim wanted to jump, but only harrumphed and helped Tina up. Deedee saw Tina was back on her feet and staring at Coco with blood in her eyes. Deedee stepped in front of Coco then addressed Tina and Kim.
“Look I know y’all don’t like each other. But for now y’all gonna have to learn to get along with each other. Comprende…?” Deedee barked and glared at both Tina and Kim.
Tina regained her composure and Kim backed down. The grimace on Coco’s face said she was still ready to go.
“Anytime any of you want it, yo just set it I’m ready!”
“Coco, please—” Deedee shouted to Coco.
“Please what…? They started this, Dee.”
“There’s no need for your outburst—just apologize now and end this ghetto squabble.”
“Ghetto what…? A’ight, yo! I’m out,” Coco said, walking away. “I came here to record. I ain’t gotta put with this shit! Later for this, yo!” she continued toward the exit.
“Coco, I didn’t mean to offend you, but we have work that needs to be done around here. And you know my uncle isn’t here and someone have to take charge.”
“A’ight, yo. Holla at me when your uncle get back up in here. I’m out.”
“Coco, look…”
The precocious teen ignored Deedee’s attempt to stop her. Coco was coasting to the lobby with her familiar bop, on her way. A young man, rushed in just as Coco was going out the door.
“Hi,” he said, and hurried to where Deedee, Tina and Kim were standing.
Coco’s outburst had left them dizzy, whirling in the aftershock and trying to comprehend how this had begun. Deedee was scolding Tina and Kim when she noticed the young man standing in front of her.
“What do you want?” Deedee asked, irate.
“Good morning, I’m Reggie Mills and I’m here for the studio engineer position,” he said calmly.
Reggie Mills pulled out a copy of his resume. Glancing at Kim and Tina as if he was seeking mercy, he sheepishly handed his resume to Deedee.
“I saw the ad in the new Vibe mag and decided to take a chance and—”
“Good for you! Listen I’m kinda busy. Give your resume to Kim and I’ll give you a call.”
With a glance, Deedee ushered Kim and Tina back to their positions at reception. She quickly started out the door. “Oh yes, and Reggie you can come with us,” Kim said.
> “Yes, she gotta run after her dyke girlfriend,” Tina added dryly. “Oh Coco, you’re such a star…”
“That was Coco? The rapper…?”
Tina and Kim stared at Reggie like he had just let out a loud fart. They made gas faces, before continuing.
“I heard about her. She’s dope…” he continued, looking around for some type of confirmation.
“Don’t get all excited, she ain’t all that…” Tina dryly said.
4
In the lobby, Deedee hopped off the elevator. She was racing by the doorman trying to get the door for her.
“Have a nice day,” he said.
Outside Deedee looked around and finally spotted Coco strolling down the busy midtown avenue.
“Coco!” she shouted. “Coco could be soo ghetto,” Deedee hissed under breath.
Walking quickly in her direction, Deedee watched Coco come to a stop and turn around. She smoked a cigarette as Deedee hurried to where she stood.
“Please spare me the lecture yo,” Coco hissed.
“I wasn’t planning on giving you a lecture—although you deserve it,” Deedee said, shaking her head.
“A’ight, so then what do you want, yo? I can’t fucking work with those bitches.”
“I wasn’t gonna talk about them bitches, or the fact that you can’t be slapping the employees either,” Deedee smiled. “I was gonna say what about breakfast? Are you still down?”
“A’ight, I’m hungry as a bitch in heat, yo.”
“When you’re hungry, you are a bitch in heat.”
“Who are you calling a bitch, yo?”
“You…”
“I guess you’re a friend. I’ll let you get away with that one, yo.”
“Yes, please don’t slap the taste out of my mouth. Here’s a café. They’re serving breakfast.”
“Let’s try here then. I’m mad hungry, yo.”
“Yes you are.”
“You don’t have to agree with everything I say just because you’re a friend.”
“Yes, I know…”
“You are impossible, yo.”
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