Carl Weber's Kingpins

by Brandi Johnson

  Ke’yoko dialed Nadia’s number and told her to get the red wine on chill because she needed to talk and bad!

  * * *

  “Wa’mint, bitch,” Nadia said, before taking a long sip of her Château De Beaucastel.

  “Bitch, you heard me the first time,” Ke’yoko said, still in shock.

  “I’ve never even heard of dong quai or blue cohosh,” Nadia said, still trying to wrap her mind around what her best friend had just laid on her.

  “Dong quai and blue cohosh are abortifacient properties. They’re both herbs used for hormonal purposes. Midwives used to use it way back in the day to induce labor or to induce an abortion. Dong quai stimulates the uterus and helps strengthen contractions and blue cohosh helps open and relax the cervix. My grandfather tried to make my mom take it when she got raped by my real father,” Ke’yoko explained.

  Nadia shook her head in disbelief. She’d always known that Ka’yah was a shady, jealous bitch but you could have never made her believe she would do some foul shit like this. “I don’t know what to say, Ke,” Nadia said, speechless. “I know Ka’yah is your sister and all, but if I was you I would kill that bitch!” Nadia became angry.

  Ke’yoko broke down. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. She tried her best to stay strong, but the fact that her twin sister was the reason why she was losing all these babies tore her up on the inside. And for what reason? Possibly a man?

  “I could shoot that bitch right in the face and not think twice about it,” Ke’yoko said angrily. “Just like I did Bo.”

  Nadia’s mouth flew open.

  “Yeah, it was me. I’m the one who killed Bo,” Ke’yoko admitted, feeling no remorse at all while wiping her tears away.

  “Oh, my goodness! I swear to you I thought that.” Nadia smirked. “And I was gon’ ask you one day, but I didn’t.”

  “Yeah, I took that bitch-ass nigga out! I hated that nigga. He wasn’t about shit! How you gon’ be sellin’ me dope for the low and then gon’ try to triple the price on me? And then when I tell the nigga he had me fucked up, he told me if I didn’t buy it he was gon’ tell Ja’Rel what I had been doin’. So I had him thinkin’ he had my back against the wall. I had him meet me in Walmart’s parkin’ lot and shot the nigga, then robbed him for Ja’Rel’s dope.”

  Nadia began laughing. “That nigga was shady as hell!”

  “Shady ain’t even the word for that nigga. How you stealin’ dope from yo’ best friend and sellin’ it to his wife behind his back?’” Ke’yoko said, shaking her head. “And then when you tell him on me what you gon’ tell him about you, dumbass nigga?”

  “Wow.” Nadia shook her head again before finishing off her wine. “I’m sorry, sis, but I’m still on Ka’yah.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ma make her and Ja’Rel pay dearly,” Ke’yoko said with a sinister smile.

  “Cut me in.” Nadia smirked.

  “Naw, you know I do all my dirt by my lonely. ’Cause if anything goes down I don’t have to worry about nobody turnin’ on me. Not sayin’ you would ever snitch on me. I will never give you the chance to. Just know that once I get these two bitches out the way, me and you gon’ live like two fat rats,” Ke’yoko said.

  Nadia’s money-hungry ass couldn’t wait. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Just let me know what you need me to do and it’s done.”

  “You know I will.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “Say no more,” Ke’yoko said, standing up from the table, knocking her purse on the floor.

  “What’s this?” Nadia asked, picking up two of the four envelopes that Ke’yoko had in her purse.

  “Oh, shit. I gotta take these to the post office in the mornin’ and mail ’em off.” Ke’yoko took the envelopes from Nadia’s hand and put them back inside her purse.

  “What are they?” Nadia inquired.

  “Girl, you know how I was tellin’ you that Aiko look just like Ja’Rel?”

  Nadia shook her head yes. She too had thought Aiko looked like Ja’Rel but never said anything just to keep confusion down.

  “Well, I went to CVS today and bought a DNA test; well, two ’cause they were buy one get one fifty percent off. And you know I can’t pass up a sale.” Ke’yoko laughed. “Anyway, I went home and Ja’Rel was asleep, so I swabbed his mouth and Aiko’s so I’m about to send them in.”

  “Bitch! That’s why I fucks wit’ you,” Nadia said. “That’s some shit I woulda done.”

  “I know.” Ke’yoko smiled. “Oh, and I swabbed A’Niyah too.”

  “For what?” Nadia asked, confused, not knowing if she was offended.

  “Shit, ’cause she wanted to be swabbed. I was swabbin’ Aiko and she said, ‘Do it to me too,’ so I did it and, plus, I had to get rid of the evidence. You know I couldn’t have a DNA box just sittin’ around the house.”

  “That’s true. Well, let me know what A’Niyah’s test come back and say,” Nadia said jokingly.

  “Now you know I will.” Ke’yoko laughed.

  “Wouldn’t that be some shit if Aiko did come back as Ja’Rel’s?”

  “Nope,” Ke’yoko said. “I wouldn’t be surprised at all.”

  “You’re right,” Nadia agreed.

  “Oh, well, I’m about to head home.”

  “Okay. Call me and let me know you made it in,” Nadia said.

  “I will.”

  Ke’yoko, gave Nadia a hug for being her shoulder to cry on, and headed home with a huge smile on her face.

  Chapter Eighteen

  For the next couple of weeks Ke’yoko played it cool with Ka’yah and Ja’Rel as she waited impatiently for the DNA test to come back. She was finding it hard being around Ka’yah being that she was still bringing her a cup of tea every single day and Ja’Rel had started back staying out all night. Ke’yoko kept her cool because she knew it would only be a matter of time before she got some get back on both of them.

  As Ke’yoko was getting dressed for her doctor’s appointment her cell phone began to ring. She walked over and picked it up off the nightstand and checked the caller ID. PRIVATE flashed across the screen but she answered it anyway.

  “Hello?” she answered.

  “What you got on?”

  Ke’yoko looked around to make sure the room was clear. “What you want, fool?” Ke’yoko giggled.

  “I need to see you.”

  “What you wanna see me about?” Ke’yoko asked.

  “Just meet me at Nadia’s shop. I’ll come through the back because I know the shop is packed with a buncha gossipin’-ass women,” Ross said.

  “Always is,” Ke’yoko agreed.

  “A’iiiiight, I’ll be there in about a half.”

  “Oh, shit, that ain’t gon’ work,” Ke’yoko said, remembering she had a doctor’s appointment.

  “What you gotta do?”

  “I got a doctor’s appointment in like twenty minutes,” Ke’yoko said.

  “What you goin’ to the doctor for? You ain’t sick, are you?” Ross asked, concerned.

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, Ross, I’m sure. I’m pregnant,” Ke’yoko said hesitantly.

  “Oh, okay.” Ross was taken off guard by the news. He couldn’t believe Ke’yoko would still be trying to have this nigga’s baby after all he’d put her through in the past, not to mention the shit he was still doing to her. Even though he and Ja’Rel didn’t hang around each other anymore, the streets were ringing with his business. He didn’t know why but he felt a slight twinge of jealousy. “Well, congratulations,” he said. “I guess I’m gon’ have to get the baby a gift.”

  “I guess so.” Ke’yoko smiled.

  “Well, when do you think you’ll be done with your appointment?”

  “I’ll meet you about six,” Ke’yoko said, sliding her feet into her shoes.

  “Damn, where yo’ appointment at, in Kansas?” Ross joked.

  “Naw, fool, some of the crowd at the shop would have
died down by then.” Ke’yoko laughed.

  Ross loved Ke’yoko’s laugh. “Oh, okay. Say no more,” Ross said before ending his call.

  “Who was that?” Ja’Rel walked into the room, scaring Ke’yoko half to death.

  “Who was who?” Ke’yoko grimaced, hoping and praying Ja’Rel wasn’t listening in on her call.

  “On the phone, where else?”

  “Oh, that was Kailo,” she said nervously.

  “Ummmp.” Ja’Rel frowned while sorting through the stack of mail he got from the mailbox. “What that fag want? Some beauty tips?” Ja’Rel laughed.

  Ke’yoko instantly began to sweat as she watched Ja’Rel sort through the stack of mail. She couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten the mail out of the mailbox. Now that she was waiting for the DNA results he wanted to get it out.

  “Bills, bills, bills,” Ja’Rel said before tossing the mail onto the bed. “Where you ’bouta go?” he looked at Ke’yoko and asked.

  “I told you the other day I had a doctor’s appointment today. You supposed to be goin’ too,” Ke’yoko said.

  “I’ll go to the next one. I’m tired. Business been booming at the shop, and I been puttin’ it in out there.” Ja’Rel yawned while climbing in the bed. “Call Ka’yah and have her go wit’ you.”

  Ke’yoko looked at Ja’Rel and rolled her eyes before walking out of the room. She then grabbed her keys and headed out to her car. She was so mad at Ja’Rel she could have cried. He knew he was supposed to be there for her. Typical nigga; one day they all sentimental and family oriented and the next they all about self. Who would console her if they told her the same thing they told her the last four times? Who would drive her home? Who would be there to hold her hand while they gave her her first ultrasound? A light went off in Ke’yoko’s head and even though she knew she was dead wrong for what she was about to do, she didn’t care at all. She pulled out her phone and dialed the number of the only person who she knew would have her back other than Nadia.

  “Damn, that was a quick appointment,” Ross said, answering the phone.

  “I haven’t gone yet. I’m on my way now.” Ke’yoko laughed.

  “Oh, well, wassup?”

  “I know this might be kind of an odd request but . . .” Ke’yoko started.

  “Wassup, beautiful?”

  Ke’yoko loved when Ross called her that. “Ummm, well, I don’t have nobody to go to my appointment wit’ me. I’m kinda scared to go by myself just in case they say . . . you know . . . and Nadia is at the shop, Ja’Rel ’sleep, and I don’t want Ka’yah to go so I was wonderin’—”

  “Say no more,” Ross said, cutting Ke’yoko off. “What doctor do you go to?”

  Ke’yoko gave Ross the name and address to her new doctor’s office.

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  “Thanks.” Ke’yoko smiled.

  “My pleasure.”

  Fifteen minutes later Ke’yoko and Ross both pulled up in front of the office at the same time. Ke’yoko smiled as she got out of the car. Ross shared the same smile on his face. Ross was looking good as ever.

  “Wassup, beautiful?” he asked, walking over to Ke’yoko and wrapping his arms around her.

  “Hey, Ross,” she said, hugging him back, getting a whiff of his Tom Ford Neroli Portofino cologne. Damn, this is what heaven has to smell like.

  “You ready?”

  “Yep.” Ke’yoko was nervous. She didn’t know what she would do if the doctor told her she was having another miscarriage. She didn’t know if she would be able to survive another one. All she could do was hope and pray for the best.

  Ke’yoko and Ross sat in the waiting room laughing and talking. Ross tried his best to keep Ke’yoko calm.

  “Ke’yoko,” the medical assistant opened up the door and called out.

  Ke’yoko felt like she had bricks tied to her legs. It was like she couldn’t move.

  Ross noticed the unsure look on Ke’yoko’s face and her hesitation. “It’s gon’ be okay,” he said with a warm smile.

  Ke’yoko smiled without saying a word. She stood up and took a couple of steps.

  “Is the father coming?” the medical assistant asked Ke’yoko.

  “Naw, I’m good.” Ross smiled.

  “Come on, Ross,” Ke’yoko said, turning back around, grabbing him by the hand, wanting him to be a part of her big day; plus, she needed him just in case the news was bad.

  The medical assistant took Ke’yoko through the necessary protocols before bringing her and Ross to a room. Ke’yoko sat up on the table while Ross sat in the chair next to the bed.

  “I’m so scared,” Ke’yoko said as they waited for the doctor to come in the room.

  “Don’t be. Everything is gon’ be a’iiiight,” Ross said, grabbing Ke’yoko’s sweaty hand.

  Even though they knew it was wrong the way Ross lovingly rubbed her hand, it felt so right to the both of them.

  The doctor tapped lightly on the door before walking in. Ross let go of Ke’yoko’s hand and sat up straight in the chair.

  “I’m Dr. Vyas,” he said, sticking out his hand for Ke’yoko to shake before shaking Ross’s hand.

  “Where’s Dr. Confalone?” Ke’yoko asked. She’d never seen this doctor before a day in her life and didn’t want to now.

  “Sorry, he’s at the hospital. I’m goin’ to be givin’ you your ultrasound today,” Dr. Vyas said.

  Ke’yoko was more nervous than before. She didn’t know the first thing about this doctor and he didn’t know anything about her either.

  “Okay, young lady, lie back,” Dr. Vyas said.

  Ke’yoko did as she was told. He lifted up her shirt and pressed around on her small belly for a few seconds. She watched closely as he walked over and hit the light switch. He walked back over to her, grabbed the petroleum jelly, and spread the cold substance all over her stomach. Ke’yoko squirmed.

  “Cold, isn’t it?” Dr. Vyas asked rhetorically.

  Ke’yoko shook her head yes.

  Dr. Vyas took the probe and rubbed it across her stomach. Ke’yoko looked back and forth at the monitor and the doctor. The anxious look on his face let Ke’yoko know everything was all bad. She laid her head back and shook it.

  “There we go. You were hiding,” the doctor said to the baby’s picture on the machine.

  Ke’yoko lifted her head back up and looked at the machine. The loud sound of the heartbeat let Ke’yoko know that her baby was still alive.

  She closed her eyes and said, Thank you, Jesus. Ke’yoko looked over at Ross and he had a smile on his face as if the baby belonged to him.

  After a few more minutes of fiddling around, the doctor turned the lights back on.

  “Well, everything looks good. Y’all are about to be proud parents of a healthy baby,” Dr. Vyas looked at Ke’yoko and then over at Ross and said while wiping the cold jelly off of Ke’yoko’s small stomach.

  “Oh, no, he’s not the father,” Ke’yoko said, smiling.

  “Oh,” Dr. Vyas said, not knowing how to respond.

  “I’m the godfather,” Ross interjected.

  “Oh, okay,” Dr. Vyas said, shaking his head. “Well, Dr. Confalone will be here at your next appointment. Nice meetin’ you guys.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Vyas,” Ke’yoko said happily.

  “No problem. Check out at the front when you get ready,” the doctor said before exiting to see his next patient.

  “See, I told you everything was goin’ to be all right,” Ross said, smiling.

  “Thank you so much, Ross, for bein’ here for me. I owe you.” Ke’yoko smiled as well as she climbed down from the table.

  “Let me tell you how you can pay me back,” Ross said.

  Ke’yoko hoped Ross wasn’t about to ask for some ass. As bad as she would have loved to give him some, she took her vows seriously even though Ja’Rel treated them as a joke.

  “Let’s go outside and talk,” he said, not feeling comfortable enough to talk inside of the
doctor’s office.

  “Okay.”

  Ke’yoko checked out, made her next appointment, and walked outside to where Ross was leaned up against his car. Ross walked over to the passenger’s side and opened the door.

  “Get in,” he said.

  Ke’yoko got in the car and waited for him to walk around to the driver’s side and get in too.

  “Wassup?” Ke’yoko asked.

  “Look, I ain’t gon’ beat around the bush wit’ you,” Ross said. “My connect is hot. He thinks the feds is on him. I think he’s just bein’ paranoid, but I ain’t tryin’a take no chances on gettin’ hemmed up and I would never come to you if I didn’t need you.”

  “Say no more,” Ke’yoko said. “Whatever you want, I got’chu.”

  Ross had a huge smile on his face. “I could kiss you right about now.”

  “Please don’t, ’cause if you do you gon’ hafta take me home and help me explain to Ja’Rel why I’m leavin’ him for his enemy,” Ke’yoko joked.

  “I don’t have a problem wit’ that,” Ross said in a joking manner but meant every word.

  “Whooo, it’s gettin’ hot in here,” Ke’yoko said, fanning herself.

  “I bet.” Ross smiled. “Look, when can I come get that? I’m kinda in a desperate situation. I got so many sales on the table.”

  “I’ll meet you at Nadia’s shop around nine o’clock tonight.”

  “Say no more.” Ross leaned over and gave Ke’yoko a kiss on the cheek.

  “Whooo, I gotta go.” Ke’yoko laughed while opening the door and getting out.

  “You silly.” Ross laughed too. He watched as Ke’yoko got into her car.

  Ke’yoko looked over at Ross and waved. She giggled when he blew her a kiss. She continued watching him as he started up his car and pulled off. Ke’yoko then turned her attention back to what was more important. She closed her eyes, placed her hands on her stomach, and exhaled. She thanked God over and over for letting her baby have a heartbeat. It may have not been a strong one, but it was one. Ke’yoko also thanked God for Aiko because if it weren’t for him being so smart and attentive, her baby wouldn’t have stood a chance. She owed her nephew more than he would ever know and she would repay him tenfold; and she put that on her unborn child!