by BlaQue
“Hey Shorty, wassup?” I said trying to make him relax a little. He found a clear spot on my bed and took a seat.
“Nothing. Where’s Momma?” he asked. For the first time, it dawned on me that I hadn’t really thought what my explanation was going to be about her whereabouts.
“Neko, she is gone and it is better that way anyway. You get to stay with me and Daddy.” I saw his eyes perk up at that sound of that.
“Neko, she wanted me to take care of you. You will like it here with us.”
I watched as Neko lay back on the bed like he was buying the whole story. I knew I would have a tougher time explaining what happened to Christa to my Dad, but that was something I would try and think about when the time came. The clock read midnight, and Neko was balled up in my bed. I couldn’t sleep. Instead of the weed I had just smoked making me sleepy, it had me on edge and I needed to find something to do. I decided a game of pool would calm me. I left my room and ran straight into Daddy.
“Where’s Christa?” he asked.
I motioned for him to join me downstairs. Once we were seated at the dining room table, I contemplated on how to tell him she was gone and wasn’t gonna’ come back. “Daddy, she’s gone.” I said trying to sound like I didn’t know what had happened to her.
Daddy eyed me suspiciously. "Gone! She just left? I checked her room and all of her shit is still in there.”
“She and I had a fight in front of Neko, and she said she was leaving with or without him." I started to sob hoping he wouldn’t pry too much.
“YaYa, what is with all of the water works? You don’t give a fuck ‘bout her. When did you start caring about her leaving? For the past two months you tried to do everything in your power to get the bitch out!”
I knew my father could see right through my lies and I wanted to come clean. I started to crack my knuckles. That is what I do when I am nervous. Daddy picked up on that instantly.
“YaSheema, would you like to tell me what really happened that made Christa leave? I know there’s no way she was just gonna’ pick up and leave and not take anything with her.” He said calmly.
I knew I had better tell him or continue to get drilled. “Daddy…” I started slowly. “I never meant for it to happen. It just did. Christa and I got into another argument and she tried to put her hands on me and I don’t know what happened. I just reacted. I reached for my blade and I…” My voice cracked. I stopped to look up at my father who stood emotionless. I was hoping he wasn’t gonna make me tell the whole story but the look in his eyes said he wanted details.
“I slit her throat and dumped her.” I blurted out.
Daddy slid his chair out and walked to where I was sitting. He looked at me with so much love that it confused me. I had just confessed to killing my mother, and my father had the nerve to act as though I had just told him I had gotten accepted to Harvard.
“Sometimes we do things we don’t wanna do and we have to live with it for the rest of our lives. Sometimes, we do things to protect the ones we love the most. Whatever the reason, never regret it. Regret will get you caught up. In time, you will learn how to handle shit like this. You will eventually learn how to turn your feelings off altogether. The best warriors were cold blooded. They made themselves numb to feelings and emotions.”
I shuddered at the lesson my father was teaching me. Yeah, I had done some devious shit in my lifetime, but nothing could compare to what I had just done. Yet my father was sitting there nonchalantly; explaining that killing my mother was ok and that she was simply a casualty of war.
“I know I've done some shit that if the Feds knew about it, I would've been knocked a long time ago. This is just the beginning. You will end up taking my place YaYa, and there will be people who will try and stop you. You always have to think on your feet, and if it comes down to you or them, you better make sure it’s the other nigga. Fuck everyone else because no one else cares about us. This family should always protect itself no matter who gets in the way. If we cannot hold strong as a family, any muthafucka’ on the streets will succeed in taking us down.
You know I wondered if you would ever be ready to see what I am about and now I know it is time to get you ready to get this money out here. We will talk about all of this later.” He said as he turned to leave the dining room. “Oh, and YaYa…you did take care of all of the particulars concerning Christa didn’t you?” I looked at him confused. I wasn’t sure what he was asking me.
“Has everything been disposed of?” He asked me as though he were inside my head. I nodded my head up and down. “Good. I take it Neko knows nothing of this?” He questioned. I finally found the courage to speak.
“Yes, I took care of letting him know Christa was gone and she wanted us to take care of him.” I said.
“Good.” That was all my father said as he left the room. I felt relieved that my father was in my corner about everything. I knew if Daddy could forgive and forget, so could God.
Chapter 7
Anacostia Park
SE Washington, D.C.
Three days later, NiQue and I were cruising through Anacostia Park. It was Memorial Day and Ana was on point. There were people cooking out and music was thumping from the cars that were riding the strip. We rode through the park twice before we found a place to park near where the rest of our folks were partying. We were not too far from the spot where only three nights before we had dumped Christa. I was on a mission to find someone that could help me relieve some of the sexual tension I had been feeling. We pulled in the spot next to Sheik's Chrysler 300 with the custom paint and deep dish rims. Sheik was definitely a catch, and his money was long.
NiQue and I stepped out of the truck looking like we were royalty and all eyes were on us. We commanded attention and we knew it. I pulled my shades down over my eyes, waiving at a few of the girls we came up with while I focused in on my prey. NiQue went off to be the social butterfly that she was known to be. I had one goal in mind, and that was posting up on Sheik.
Sheik was a chocolate drop sent from the heavens. He stood 6’2” and his body was rock hard. Just the way I liked it. He had long, thick locks that hung well past his shoulders. When he smiled, he displayed thirty-two white teeth. His demeanor was thug. He ate, slept, and breathed the streets. He was the one. I had to have him. He was absolutely delicious looking, dressed in a white tee and a pair of cargo shorts with fresh Airforce Ones. Nigga was fly by design and he knew it.
I sashayed over to where he and a few other niggas from around the way were engaged in a debate over who had the best track record with the ladies. They quieted the conversation once I spread my blanket out on the grass under the shade of one of the trees that lined the park. Once I knew all eyes were watching me, I bent over in my mini skirt just enough for them to see the one good thing my momma gave me. I sat the cooler down and stretched out on the blanket and acted as though I could care less that they were watching me. Actually, I didn’t care if they did, just as long as the right person had his eyes on the prize.
Domo, a grimy, no money getting ass nigga was the first one to speak. “Wassup YaYa? Ma’ you looking good over there. What you got in that cooler?”
Pulling my shades down to the tip of my nose and sucking my teeth. I uttered a tired “Wassup Domo, ain’t nothing in there but some Corona’s.” That tired ass nigga was already getting on my nerves and he hadn’t even said much yet. The entire time I was eyeing Sheik who simply glanced at me and went back to cooking the food he had on the grill. He acted as if I didn’t turn him on and that pissed me off. I got up and sauntered over to where Sheik was manning the grill.
“Wha’ chu’ got going on over here?” I asked him seductively.
“Nuthin’ Ma’, just some burgers, chicken, some ribs and some other stuff. You know how we do. Why? What you want?” He asked.
I took off my shades and swung my freshly done wrap. I looked him up and down and simply said, “You.”
“Go ahead Shorty,” He laughed. “I
ain’t got time to play games with you.”
I was angry that he had shot me down, but I couldn’t front, he turned me on . No man had ever turned me down, and I wasn’t about to start letting the niggas out here carry me. “I am a grown ass woman and I damn sure don’t play kiddy ass games. You just let the best thing to ever grace your presence get away.” With that, I dipped off before he could see I was angry about him shooting me down in front of his homeboys. I heard his boys telling him he was stupid, and calling him a “lame” for not trying to get up with me. Domo’s nasty ass even went as far as to say he thought Sheik was a faggot for turning me down.
I walked through the park to see if I could catch up with NiQue. I was nursing a slightly bruised ego and needed my friend for backup. Hearing a familiar voice, I turned to see who was trying to get my attention. It was a dude from Saratoga named Papi, and he was waving for me to come to him. Papi wasn’t doing as much as he thought he was, but he was making moves. Originally from Baltimore, he was moving weight between Up top and NW Baltimore, including a few places in between. He was known to be a lover, and the chicks dug him because he spent that cash. The bitches liked him because he was a trick. I had heard he had a few folks under his belt and was a shiesty ass nigga.
“What it do Papi?” I asked.
Papi wasn’t all that easy on the eyes, but he could be good for a few dollars in the pockets. Being part Cuban and part Nigerian, I had to admit, he had a lot of natural born swagger. As I walked towards him, Papi licked his thick lips and began laying his game down. He looked like he was hungry, and I was going to be his last meal before going to prison.
“Why are you out here alone?” He asked, trying to see if I had come with someone or not.
“I’m not alone. My girl NiQue is out here somewhere and the rest of my folks are over there on the grill.” I said pointing in the direction of Sheik and Domo. Papi looked like he had seen a ghost when he locked eyes with Sheik. He quickly regained his composure and tried rapping me up again.
“Oh, so you over there with your man and his lame ass friends huh?” He said trying to make himself feel like a hood star. I figured if Sheik didn’t want me I would make him feel like he was missing something special.
“Naw, those are just my friends.” I said nonchalantly.
“Well YaYa, you are here with me now.” He pulled me into him like we were lovers.
I had gotten so wrapped up in making a public scene with Papi that I had totally forgotten about NiQue. He had me sitting under a shelter with him, his boys, and some bitches who were giving me the evil eye.
“Papi, I really have to go and find my friend. She is probably looking for me.” I said as I tried to leave.
He wasn’t happy about me trying to leave the little party he and his boys were throwing; but the truth of the matter was that I hadn’t seen NiQue in over forty-five minutes. Our rule was if we come together, we leave together, unless we mutually agree to split up.
“I’ll see you later tonight. Make sure you make yourself available. Don’t keep a nigga waiting!” He said.
He walked over to his car and started blasting “Hood Star” by Coogi Ty. The females who were in our immediate vicinity started to party. One girl dropped low to the ground in front of Papi and was simulating riding dick. He didn’t even look back to make sure I was gone before he had the trick bent over the hood of his car grinding his dick on her to the beat of the music. I was glad they were helping me make it easy to get away from him.
I headed towards the spot where everyone else was still drunk and partying. My blanket and cooler were just where I left them and Sheik and Domo were still listening to music and talking shit. I re-joined the group and their conversation. Sheik was the first to ask me about Papi.
“Aye Yo YaYa, wassup with that fake ass nigga you were with? That nigga be out here on the streets faking. You need to leave his dirty ass alone. That nigga will rob your young ass blind and we know Pops will light into you.” They all laughed.
“I can handle myself. I got this.” I went to my cooler and pulled out two fifths of Patron Anejo.
“Shots anyone?” I asked the whole group. Half of those thirsty niggas was with it. We all set up for shots. Domo eyed the Patron. “I thought you didn’t have anything in there but beer. I knew your ass was lying.” Domo said holding his cup up. Ten or so shots later I was busted. Sheik and company looked as if they were done too.
NiQue finally showed up as I was getting into Sheik’s grill about not wanting to taste me. Sheik was dusted, but he was still holding strong about not fucking with me and I was tired of trying. As she walked towards me, there was a glow about NiQue, and she wasn’t alone. She had Shawnna and Twan with her. Looking at her, I immediately know why I hadn’t seen her in over an hour. She had probably rolled out to meet up with Twan so he could get his rocks off before moving on to his next pussy mission.
Shawnna was the chick that Sheik was dealing with, and at the sight of her I wasn’t in a partying mood anymore. The bitch was my competition and I wasn’t in the mood to act like I wasn’t aware of that fact. Just as I was thinking of how to get out of their presence, NiQue announced that we needed to get moving to make sure we hit all of the Memorial Day party spots. I was glad my friend was ready to roll because I sure wasn’t in the mood to watch Sheik and Shawnna engage in their love affair. Call me naïve, but I always got what I wanted. Even if that meant I had to act childish or whorish to get it and I was going to get a piece of Sheik.
Chapter 8
Ben’s Chili Bowl
U Street
NW Washington, DC
Just as I had packed up my things into the back of NiQue’s truck my cell phone started ringing. The number was one I didn’t recognize. Against my better judgment I answered it. On the other end of the line was Papi. For the life of me I didn’t remember giving him my number.
“Wassup Ma?” He slurred. I knew he was just as dusted as I was.
“Wassup Papi?” I responded, not really wanting to talk to him.
“I was trying to see what was up with you for the rest of the night. Maybe we can go out and maybe in the morning we can go shopping or something.
I perked up at the sound of shopping. It wasn’t like I was hurting for cash, I just wasn’t turning down spending that nigga’s money. Papi snapped me out of my thoughts of those new Baby Phat sandals I wanted.
“Ma, where did you say you were again?”
“I am headed towards NiQue’s. How did you get my number? I don’t remember giving it to you.” I asked.
“Bet, I will meet you over there.” He said and hung up the phone before I could even tell him I had other plans. An hour went by before I heard a loud horn honking in front of NiQue’s house. I had just adjusted my make-up and ran my fingers through my hair. I peered out of the master bedroom window.
“Shit. I forgot that nigga said he was gonna slide through. NiQue, who had just stepped out of her bathroom with a towel wrapped tightly around her body, looked confused.
“Who is that outside leaning on their horn like that? Where are you going? I thought we were going to the club.”
“Girl we are! That’s Papi. He decided to come through here. I told him I was headed this way and he must have just dropped pass.”
I gave her the “trust me we are going out” spiel and headed towards the door to handle that nigga.
When I got to his car I could tell he had sobered up a bit. He had changed his clothes and looked better in the cover of night. He was tall and muscular which made him fuckable. He had the body of a God! The way he leaned on the side of his car watching me made my panties moist. His presence demanded respect. Money, power, and respect; that’s what it took to make me weak. I stepped into an embrace that Papi offered.
“Ma, you looking good. Aye let’s bounce.” It dawned on me that he wasn’t asking.
I figured I better speak up and let it be known I had other plans. “Papi, I was on my way out to the club with NiQu
e. You never gave me time to hip you to that.”
“The club?” He laughed. “YaYa, you got me fucked up if you are thinking about going to the club when I drove all the way over here.” He growled.
My face began to get warm and I could feel my temper rising. “Yeah, you never said we were going anywhere and I made plans with my girl.” I tried to explain rationally.
“Your girl probably ain’t even ready to roll yet. Ya’ll always take forever getting ready.” His tone changed and he settled down a bit. He was right though, NiQue was barely out of the shower. An hour wouldn’t hurt.
“She will be ready to go in an hour so that is all you’re going to get.” I said turning to head back in the house. I knew I had better think of something to tell NiQue, and I’d better think fast. After a good cursing out, I was in Papi’s SC 430 Lexus heading towards God knows where with him. We hit up Ben’s Chili Bowl and Papi started making his way to I-495.
“You know it’s been over an hour. I really need to be getting back to NiQue.”
“I already told her she can go out without you.” He said never taking his eyes off of the road. I looked at Papi confused. How had he gotten NiQue’s number to tell her that? I looked at him full of curiosity. That was the second time tonight he had gotten info on me that I hadn’t given.
“How did you get her number? As a matter of fact, how did you get mine?” I questioned.
Papi kept his eyes on the road and tried to act as though he hadn’t heard my questions. I couldn’t believe he was just going to ignore anything I said that he didn’t want to hear. We pulled into a driveway to a moderate home close to the outskirts of Baltimore. From the outside the house was average, but once inside I was amazed at how beautiful the house was. He had very good taste.
“Go and check out the rest of the house. Wha’ cha’ sippin’ on?” Papi seemed anxious for me to look around. Nigga wanted me to be impressed.