JB looked at his watch. It was almost two in the morning and he was getting tired. Pam had started dancing with some older cat who looked old enough to be both their grandpas. JB walked over and whispered that he would be ready to leave when she was done with that dance. As he turned to walk back over to his seat, he noticed a guy staring at Pam. Dude’s disposition read cop all over him. It was something about the way he looked that made him want to bounce right then and there. He walked over and grabbed Pam by the arm.
“Let’s go.”
JB seemed edgy. She didn’t know what was going on, but she followed suit.
Detective F discreetly watched as the young thug grabbed the woman, whom he thought looked very familiar, and leave the bar. He wasn’t one hundred percent sure by looking at her, the hat and the shades threw him off, but the lady that was with the thug sure looked like somebody he was looking for. When they exited the bar, he watched out of the window as they hopped in a blue narc looking car and pulled off. He ran outside, jumped in his Dodge Charger, and followed behind them. He watched as they turned into the parking lot of Super K. He kept driving.
In the car, Pam thought not to ask JB what was up with the way he was ready to leave so quick. She noticed him looking through his rearview mirror every so often and began to get a little nervous.
“Are we going back to the hotel?” she asked when they didn’t get on the freeway.
“In a minute. Let’s go up in the store and find a hot plate so you can cook me a good meal.”
“Excuse you.” Pam looked at him as they turned into the parking lot.
“I mean, I have been like a little brother to you. You claim you can cook. A hot plate is just as good as a stove.” He pulled into a parking space next to a black Yukon. He turned the car off and looked at Pam.
“Are you going to cook for me or what? I ain’t good for it?” He smiled.
“Sure, brother.” Pam punched him on the shoulder.
“Maybe over dinner you can share your story and I can share mine.” They stared into each other’s eyes. She gave him a half smile and a head nod. She was ready to talk about it. She was so tired of dealing with it alone and, plus, she had grown to trust JB in just that short period of time.
“I don’t mind.” She turned, opened the door, and got out. He met her at the back of the car. She grabbed his hand and he offered her a warm smile. “Thank you for being a friend.” He gave her a wink.
“That’s what brothers are for.” He looked at the ground and thought of Paris. He chuckled to himself before walking off and Pam followed.
In the store, JB and Pam hit a few aisles together, picking up different stuff.
“I need to use their restroom,” she told him.
“Alright.” Pam walked away and JB continued to compare the different electric hot plates.
****
Yay took her time in the store. She wanted to stay away from Wack as long as possible. She wished she could plan the great escape, but who was she kidding? That nigga would find her. She roamed the book section, the food section, and then decided to go to the liquor section to get a bottle or two. But first, she needed to stop by the restroom. She wanted to make sure she hadn't messed up her clothes. It sure felt like it and she was known to bleed heavy. Yay parked her basket by the frozen food freezer and walked across the way to the restroom. She frowned her nose at the smell. She walked in the stall. "Where's the tissue?" she fussed.
Pam heard a voice in the stall next to her. "I have some." Pam rolled some tissue off the roll and reached her hand under the stall. "Here you go, sweetie." Yay took it. Pam then flushed the toilet, washed her hands, and left out, heading back over to where she left JB.
JB had left that section and was now by the frozen food area. As he looked through the freezer to see if there was anything he wanted, he kept his eye on the restroom door. Pam took a long damn time. He looked to his left. The blue, polyester coat and Dodgers cap looked familiar. He didn't get a glimpse of dude’s face because he hit the corner too quick, but he knew who it was. That nigga slick, he thought.
Who he saw was old boy that was staring at Pam at the bar. He didn't know what the fuck was going on, but he thought he'd better get Pam and get the fuck up out of there. He was determined to protect her. He left his basket and rushed over to the restroom. He put his hand on his waist, ready to pull his strap if he had to. He looked at the sign that read women's. He then looked back to see if he saw old dude. He didn't. He turned to run up in the restroom for Pam and ran smack into Yay Yay. They literally bumped heads. Yay stumbled back and held her head. JB shook it off.
"Aye, we need to go" he said to who he thought was Pam.
Yay’s eyes bucked. Her heart had disappeared. Just that quick, Karma had caught up with her and her life was over. She couldn’t believe that it was him. She hadn't seen him since they were in their teens. The look he held was so hardcore.
“Yay Yay, I've been looking for you." JB stared dead into her eyes. She wanted to run, but she couldn't. She was stuck. He grabbed her by the arm. "We need to talk. Come on." He took her by the hand. She tried snatching her hand, but he held it too tight.
"I can't go with you." She spoke nervously.
"Yes, you are. You're going to tell me who killed my sister.” He was adamant. Unknown to them, Wack had walked up on them.
"Who the fuck you talking to? Bitch, bring your ass over here." Wack was heated seeing Yay Yay with that nigga. "That's what the fuck took you so long? Bitch, get over here." Ya was almost happy to see Wack. But, then she thought, could he save her?
“I gotta go." She said to JB while looking at Wack, who grabbed her by the back of her neck.
“This my bitch. You go through me. If your money right, then just maybe.” He chuckled, but still had that serious demeanor that intimidated most.
"Naw, fuck that." JB pulled his gun from his paints. “Nigga, you better get the fuck back, me and her got business. And, unless you want it, nigga,” he cocked his gun, “you better get your punk ass up out of here.” He looked at Yay. “Who in the fuck killed my sister?” He stepped back and aimed his gun on both of them. “You making me wonder about you. I’ll murk you, bitch.” Wack had now realized that old dude must’ve been talking about Paris. He looked at Yay. He couldn’t even think of what to say to help her out, he wondered what excuse she would give. She was quick wit her response. Too quick for Wack.
"Please, don't kill me. Please." She yanked away from Wack. "It was him. He killed Paris.” She pointed and that man she once loved. Before it could register what she had said, JB grabbed her out the way. Being a hood nigga Wack already knew what time it was. He pushed Yay into old boy and they fell into a display of chips. Wack took off running.
*****
Detective F rushed up and down each aisle until he found her. There she was standing over by the baby clothes. He shook his head. He couldn’t believe she had the nerve to be out and about, and with such a weak disguise. F watched her for a minute to see if she’d pay attention to her surroundings, being that she was on the run. He couldn’t wait to see her face when she looked up and saw him standing there. He placed both hands on each side of his waist.
“Times up!” His voice was loud and stern. Pam looked up. She thought she had saw a ghost. F walked her way. Quick on her toes, Pam picked up a pile of clothes off the table and threw them toward him. She knocked down the pajama wrack and made a dash for it.
“Help! Help!” she screamed, hoping that JB would hear her and come rescue her. “Help, help!” she continued to scream as she ran toward the front of the store. Detective F was on her heels.
Boc, boc, boc. Gun shots rang out. He was being shot at. F pulled his gun out. Within seconds, he debated if he should go after Pam or go to war with the shooter. Boc, boc, boc. JB jumped from the floor and fired shots at Wack. Wack dived on the floor and, out of habit, reached for his waist, but he was naked. He’d left his gun in the car. Still firing, JB dragged Yay Yay by the arm as
he went after Wack.
“Ahhhhhh, ahhhhhh!” people screamed. “Call the police. Every one duck, he’s got a gun,” a store associate screamed.
Pam ran like a track star. She couldn’t believe F was shooting at her. She hoped she made it out the door without being shot in the back.
Yay yanked away from JB and ran to the left just in time. Detective F had fired two shots, hitting him in the arm and shoulder, causing him to fly back a few steps. He wasn’t giving up. He shot back and ran down an aisle, making his way closer to the front of the store.
Pam had made it out of the door and was running through the parking lot. She was stuck like a truck. Where would she go? Her first thought was to make it to one of the parked diesel trucks and hide in there. She took off running toward the parked trucks.
Wack made it to his car with one thing on his mind and that was getting his heat. He fumbled for his keys, popped the door open, and reached inside under his seat.
Detective F walked out the store and saw Wack. “Freeze, police.” F shot at Wack. Wack ducked behind his car. With blood all over his left side, JB came out busting. Before F had time to react, two of JB’s bullets caught him in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Wack shot at JB and struck him in the chest. He then jumped in his ride and burnt rubber. He wasn’t going down for killing no cop.
JB made his way to his car. He was a little weak and in much pain from the gunshot wounds, but he refused to give up.
From the driver seat of the big rig, Pam saw everything. When she saw Detective F go down, she thought that she better go and save JB. She started the truck and pulled off. Loud noise came from the truck and she could see sparks flying. She had no idea what was going on, but she had to help her new friend, her brother. She pulled up as close as she could and jumped out.
“JB, JB, are you alright? We gotta get out of here.” She ran toward him.
“Get the keys out of my pocket,” he told her. Pam was shaking because blood was everywhere. She took the keys from his pocket and helped him in the car. She then ran on the driver side and took off. Sirens and helicopters could be heard from a distance. “Get out, run, and just go.” JB grabbed the steering wheel.
“No, I can’t leave you. No, we are in this together.” She knew that he and F didn’t have any beef. Detective F was after her. She was the cause of the shootout.
“Pam, they catch you with me, you’re going to jail for a long time. Get on.” He laid his head back on the seat. His mouth was getting dry. “I tired. All I can do is tell her when I get there that I tried.” Pam hit a left in the alley. She looked through her rearview and saw several police cars speeding by. “Don’t let Jazz down. Fuccccccccckkkkkk!” Pam jumped. “This shit hurt, man. I be glad when it’s over with. Pull this muthafucka over,” JB said all in one breathe. Pam was teary eyed. It was too much going on for her. “You gotta save Jazz.” He closed his eyes.
“Jazz, what do you know about her?” Pam was a bit alarmed. Was he another angel God sent to help her? How did he know about Jazz?
“I heard you telling her you loved her and momma will save her. I heard you in your sleep.”
“You are going to be alright. I am taking you to the hospital. The video will see that I am innocent. I gotta help you.” She thought that she was innocent when it came to killing a cop, but she knew that her story had more to it. But, how would she let her friend die alone? She couldn’t.
“My sister. They killed her. They killed my sister. Tonight, in the store, I finally saw the nigga. I tried. I tried ...” He coughed. “I tried to revenge her, but I failed.”
“I’m sorry about your sister, I didn’t know.”
“I am, too. Paris was all I had. She was my little sister who held me down like a big sister. My main reason was to get out and save her. I had been on a hunt to find her best friend, she would be the only one to help me. When I saw Yay tonight.”
“Yay Yay, Paris?” Pam was confused. JB coughed and nodded his head. Blood came out of his mouth. Pam looked over at him and saw that he was gone. She pulled over and jumped out of the car. She cried as she ran.
Chapter 19- Blow the Whistle
It was four 'o clock in the morning when the police kicked Wack’s door down and dragging him out of the house in boxers and a shirt. It didn't take anything for the police to ID Wack from the store camera. Two down and two to go. JB was found dead. The cops were looking for the two unidentified women that were involved. They had a clear view of Yay and was sure that with the reward they had on her head, somebody would turn her in. Pam, they couldn't ID her, but they hoped Yay or Wack would lead them to her.
*****
Mrs. K sat at the foot of her bed. She had been in a bad mood since her daughter was kidnapped and quit edgy, being that she was out of crack. Calvin, she hadn't heard from him and that pissed her off more. It started to become a pattern that every time she needed him, he was MIA. Mrs. K turned on the television. She sniffed as she wiped her nose with the back of her hand. She scratched her scalp and stared in disbelief. There was a picture of Detective F and the news reported that he was gunned down. "Wow." she stood from the bed and rubbed her arms together as if she was cold. The unnecessary sniffing, the wiping of the nose, and scratching had been a recent habit she picked up since she had been using drugs. She walked in her bathroom and took a shower. When she got out, she would call Laurie phone to let them know that she would be having Ken released by ten a.m.
Rosa couldn't wait until Dena left the house. She did want to go with her to make sure that everything was taken care of for Laurie's sake, but Mrs. K refused her company. It was ok because she'd have a chance to go in her closet. When Mrs. K was in the bathroom, Rosa snuck the key to her closet off her ring. The week Calvin moved in, she thought it was strange that she all of a sudden put locks on the closets. She never questioned her, but always knew something was fishy. She was about to find out what. She rushed over the closet, and unlocked the top and bottom locks. She slid the closet open and walked inside. Upon seeing Calvin’s things hanging up, she frowned. She hated him that much. Rosa took her time to search each piece of his clothes and bags, she needed something, anything, to find out who he really was and what he was all about.
****
Dena sat inside of Judge Gramble’s chambers with one leg folded over the other. She became inpatient watching the fat hog take his time eating his bowl of oatmeal and pork links. He just let himself-go. She thought of how nice and fit he was back in the day.
Judge Gramble and her husband used to be good friends. So was she and his wife until she had to show her the hood side of her one day. It was a night that they all went out of town. Gramble and his wife sat on the beach when Dena and her husband came out to join them. Dena always had a nice body and during the right time, she liked to show it off. Plus, her husband thought it was sexy and felt good when she did. That night, Dena had on a one piece that crossed in the front, the entire midsection was out, and her back was out. She had a sheer wrap tied around her and a nice summer hat. Everyone sat on the beach enjoying their cocktails, laughing, and talking. Dena and her husband began to whisper. He challenged her to a dare and Dena thought it was funny.
"What are you two over there giggling about? Gramble asked.
"Oh, nothing, we’re about to hit the water." Mr. K winked at his wife. Dena stood up and took his hand.
"Goddamn, girl, you're hotter than Pamela Anderson," Gramble complimented. His wife was used to her husband being a big flirt.
"She's not all that." She rolled her eyes. Dena looked at her and laughed. "Well, you're not." She adjusted her boobs in her top. Dena was ready to jump at her throat, but her husband pulled her on to the water.
When they stepped foot into the warm water, Dena took off her clothes. She then took off running into the water. Her husband dropped his shorts and ran after her. From afar, Gramble and his wife saw what was going on. His wife wasn't too fond of the idea, but she went ahead to please her man. The Gram
ble’s undressed and headed for the water.
"Nice of you guys to join us," said Mr. K.
Gramble’s eyes were so focused on Dena. He hadn't heard anything his friend said. The way he kept staring at Dena, his wife got pissed. She looked just as good, if not better, and hers sat perfect.
"How much did that ass cost you?" Gramble asked Mr. K. His eyes were glued on Dena.
"You know that's all my baby. Her boobs and all." He pulled Dena into his embrace and squeezed her apple bottom.
"Humph, she needs to get it tightened, and those boobs needs a lift. I'll make sure to give you the number to my surgeon," said Mrs. Gramble. With a smile on her face, Dena walked over to Mrs. Gramble,
"Let me tell you something, you fake bitch. While you’re paying for ass, tits, and a bad ass tan, mine comes natural. You, my dear, need to fire your surgeon and try going natural, it looks better because the job they did on you have you looking all fucked up." Mrs. Gramble stood with her mouth agape. Dena continued. “Let me not get started on those lips, who did them? Sue their ass, wasting all that money and still looked messed up." Dena placed her hands on her hips.
"Dena, baby, that's your friend." Mr. K grabbed her.
"No, I was her friend. The way she just talked to me, I will never deal with her again,” said Mrs. Gramble as she walked away. "Come on, John," she called out to her husband.
Mr. Gramble shook his head. He knew he wouldn't hear the end of it. That night, his wife requested he cut all ties with Dena and her husband. He didn't do either, but he did make sure never to mention them around her. Dena and Gramble did several favors involving legal matters. Her being a big time attorney and he being a well-respected judge, and their secret friendship, they often scratched the other’s back.
Too Salty: Ain't a Damn Thang Changed (Part 6) Page 15