by Earl Sewell
“I beat her down for old and new. The entire time my leg was in the cast she purposely did stuff to annoy me.”
“I do remember you telling me that you guys were fighting more than usual.”
“It doesn’t take much for Anna and I to get into it. We still fight over who has the right to control the television,” I said as we walked through the doors of Old Navy.
“I know how that is because my brother, Mike, and I go at it all of the time. I swear, if that boy leaves the toilet seat up one more time, I’m going to drown him in toilet water.”
“Eww!” I said.
“I’m serious. I think he does stuff like that on purpose,” Keysha complained.
“Anna is the same way. The girl knows that I don’t like her in my bedroom, yet I keep catching her in my things. Like the other day. I really got ticked off when I noticed that she had a pair of my earrings on. I hate it when she goes on a scavenger hunt through my jewelry.”
“I’m glad I don’t have a little sister, but I’m not sure having a pea-brained brother is any better,” Keysha said as we made our way over to a clearance rack.
“It’s not, but thankfully my little brother doesn’t annoy me the way Anna does. Speaking of brothers, is Mike still dating Sabrina?” I asked.
“Yeah. I keep telling her that she can do so much better than Mike, but for some odd reason the girl worships the ground that fool walks on. The other day he told me, ‘Don’t hate the player, hate the game.’ I was like, Fool, you don’t have any game.”
I cracked up laughing as I pulled a cute button-down top off the rack. “Do you think Misalo would like me in something like this?” I held it up for Keysha to see.
“That’s cute but I don’t think Misalo would notice,” she said.
“Of course he would. Misalo is not like other guys, Keysha. He is so into me and notices everything about me,” I stated firmly.
“Well, I’m glad one of us has found true romance because Lord knows that I’m no good at it. What’s your secret, Maya? How do you keep Misalo happy?” Keysha’s question caused me to pause and think.
“I believe that Misalo and I were just made for each other. I think fate brought us together and our love, respect and trust will never be broken.”
“That is so sweet,” Keysha said, smiling at me. “Do you want that top?”
I looked at the article of clothing again and shook my head no before replacing the top on the rack. “Don’t worry, Keysha, I’m sure your Prince Charming will come along.”
“As long as he doesn’t come with an alcohol problem, an overinflated ego or a baby mama, I’ll welcome him with open arms,” Keysha said, making fun of all of her past relationships that had gone bad.
“I wish Misalo had a twin brother who could fall in love with you and treat you right,” I said.
“I’m cool, girl. Right now I don’t have a lot of drama in my life and I’m fine with that.” Keysha picked up a blue jean skirt from the same rack as where I’d picked up my top.
“Can I ask a personal question?”
“You know you can ask me anything, Maya.” Keysha assured me.
“You ever hear anything from your mother or your grandmother Rubylee?”
Keysha looked over at me. “Why would you ask that question?”
“I don’t know. It’s just a question,” I said, wanting to ease any fears that I was attempting to offend or upset her.
“I actually got a letter from my grandmother Rubylee but I haven’t read it yet. As far as my mom goes, I have no clue where she is and as far as I’m concerned she can stay gone.”
“And how are you getting along with Jordan and Barbara?” I asked about her dad and her stepmom.
“Good. As long as I don’t get into any more trouble, not that I’m looking for any, mind you,” Keysha said with a smile.
“I know that’s right because, Keysha, you have most certainly had to deal with a lot of drama.”
“I’m hungry. Do you want to get something to eat?” Keysha asked.
“Yes, I’m starving.” I laughed as Keysha and I placed the clothes we had in our hands back on the rack.
“We could catch the shuttle bus over to Navy Pier and get something to eat at the food court that’s over there,” Keysha suggested.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” I said as we exited the store. “Besides, maybe we’ll run into a really hot guy who’s perfect for you.”
four
VIVIANA
After the parade, Toya and I came back to the apartment where she lived with her elderly and blind grandmother. We went into her bedroom and emptied the backpack on top of her mattress. Since there was no chair in the room I sat on her bed, which squeaked loudly like birds arguing over a worm after a morning rain shower. The pack was filled with all types of merchandise. Cash, wallets, credit cards, cellular phones and watches. I was absolutely amazed by all of the stuff Toya was able to take from people without them realizing it. She definitely had a skill that I wanted to learn.
“You didn’t pocket any of the cash I gave you to hold, did you?” Toya asked while eyeing me suspiciously.
“No, why would I do a thing like that?” I answered, offended by her accusation.
“It’s not that I don’t really trust you, Viviana, it’s just that you may think about getting over on me.” Toya opened the drawer of a nearby desk. I watched as she pulled out what I thought was a flashlight and aimed it at me. In her hand she held the black object which was slightly larger than a digital camera.
“What’s that, a flashlight?” I asked.
“Yeah, it can be used as that, too,” Toya said as she turned on the light.
“What do you need a flashlight for?”
“This little thing here is more than a flashlight.” Toya flicked another switch on the device. It was then I heard the eerie crackling of an electric current.
Horrified, I asked, “What are you doing?”
“Making sure that we have a clear understanding,” Toya said, pressing the trigger on the device again, causing it to make another gruesome sound.
“A clear understanding about what?” I immediately rose to my feet, grabbed a pillow and backed away from her.
“When it comes to my money I don’t trust anyone, not even my blind grandmother.” Toya once again pulled the trigger on what I now realized was a stun gun. The sound echoed in the room like wood crackling in a fireplace.
“So you’re going to stun me?” I bravely stood my ground and prepared for our friendship to suddenly turn sour. I wasn’t about to turn and run away from her. My father taught me to never run away from a fight.
“Where did you get that?” I asked, positioning myself just out of the reach of her arm.
“This is Chicago. You can get anything you want on the streets for the right price.” Toya extended her arm toward me and once again pressed the trigger. “This baby carries a charge of two million volts and can—” Before she could finish her sentence, I stepped forward and slung the pillow as hard as I could at her hand that held the stun gun. Toya’s arm jerked away from her body. With my left hand I grabbed her wrist, planted my right leg behind her left one, and in one quick move swept one of her legs from beneath her.
“What the hell!” Toya cried out as she reached for my hair. I quickly jerked away so that she couldn’t pull it.
Toya easily went to the ground. I stepped on her wrist with my left foot, breaking her hold on the stun gun, and then dropped my right knee into her chest, knocking the breath out of her lungs. Gasping for air, Toya gave up easily.
“If you’re going to zap me, then do it, don’t waste time talking.” I stepped on Toya’s wrist a little harder. Her hand opened up and I took the weapon. Toya rolled over onto her side and started coughing. I glanced down at her, feeling very little pity. I pulled the trigger on the stun gun, and thought about zapping her with it and taking everything on the bed. I was just about to do it when I felt a little arm wrap around my leg. I looked do
wn and Toya’s son was balancing himself against my leg while sucking a blue pacifier.
“Toya, I know you’re in there. I heard you tumbling around. Did you trip or something? You need to take Junior. You know I can’t watch him for you now that he’s starting to crawl and walk.” I looked over my shoulder and saw Toya’s grandmother. She had on black glasses, a one-size-fits-all flower-print dress draped over her round body, and a pair of brown house slippers. She stood as still as a tree, with a broom in her hand, ready to use it as a weapon if need be. “Toya, are you okay? I heard you come in here with someone. Did that boy hit you again? How many times are you going to let him beat up on you before you realize he doesn’t love you?” I don’t know what happened to me in that moment. Maybe it was the fact that Toya’s blind grandmother was so concerned, or the fact that Toya’s boyfriend was beating her, something that I personally would not have put up with. I just know that for reasons I don’t fully understand, I felt a little sympathy for her.
“Toya’s okay,” I answered.
“Who are you?” Her grandmother looked in the direction of my voice. I put the stun gun down and helped Toya to her feet. She jerked her arm away from me as she massaged the spot where I’d planted my knee.
“I’m Viviana, from upstairs,” I answered.
“Oh, well, where is Toya? Did she leave you in here by yourself?” she asked, anxiety etched across her features.
“No, Grandma.” Toya finally spoke.
“Well, why didn’t you say something? I’ve told you about playing around like that with me. You know I only have one good nerve left,” her grandmother scolded.
“I know,” Toya answered. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention when you walked in. I have Junior.” Toya picked up her son and perched him on her left hip. She moved toward the doorway, took her grandmother’s hand and said, “Come on, tell me what show you want to listen to and I’ll turn the television to that channel.”
When Toya returned to the room a few minutes later, I’d once again picked up the stun gun and was toying around with it. She stood in the doorway and cleared her throat. I looked over at her and she still had her son perched on her hip.
“Your move. What now?” Toya asked, apparently humbled by the fact I’d rendered her completely helpless. I pressed the trigger on the stun gun again and then approached her. She took a deep breath, perhaps fearing that I was going to jolt her.
“You’re one twisted chick. Do you know that?” Toya looked me directly in the eyes but said nothing. “You need to use this on your boyfriend and not me,” I said as I turned the stun gun off, then handed it back to her.
“I’ll let myself out,” I said as I started to move past her.
“I wasn’t going to zap you, Viviana. I was just playing around. You didn’t have to jump me like that,” Toya griped.
“What do you mean, you weren’t going to do it?” I glared at her, confused by what she was saying.
“I wasn’t going to electrocute you. I only wanted to scare you into giving me any money that you may have taken,” Toya confessed as she walked back into the room. She opened up a closet door and removed a foldaway playpen for Junior. I went over and helped her set it up.
“Obviously, you didn’t take any of the cash. Other people I’ve worked with have always taken a little something for themselves. Whenever I pull out the stun gun and pull the trigger a few times, I get the money that they’ve taken from me.” Toya placed her son safely inside the playpen, then walked back over to her bed and sat down. “So, why didn’t you take any of the money?”
I shrugged and said, “The thought never crossed my mind. I’m sorry that you didn’t trust me.” I glanced down at my watch to see what time it was. “It’s getting late.” I turned and made my way toward the front door. As soon as I pulled it open, Toya’s palm landed flat against it and slammed it back shut. I looked at her.
“I’m sorry. I’ve always had a hard time making friends. I’ve been through a lot of stuff, okay? And the minute I feel like someone is trying to take advantage of me or disrespect me I have to handle my business. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I took a step back and chuckled. “Well, you’d better learn how to fight better than you just did in there.”
Toya sighed. “You caught me totally off guard. You fight like a guy. Where did you learn how to move like that?”
“My dad. He taught me a lot of stuff when I was younger,” I answered.
“Where is he now?” Toya asked, touching my shoulder.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I immediately replied.
“Okay,” Toya said, easily dropping the subject. She handed me one of the cell phones she’d lifted and asked me to hold it. I looked at it for a moment and was about to flip it open with my other hand, but Toya held on to my wrist and asked me a question.
“Do you think you can figure out the pass code to the phone?” she asked, directing my attention back to the phone.
I looked at it again and said, “I don’t know.”
“That’s okay. We don’t need to figure out the pass code in order to sell it. Let me have it back.” I handed the phone back and Toya draped her arm over my shoulder. “Do you think you can teach me some of those moves though?” she asked with pleading eyes.
I paused in thought for a moment and then smirked. “I can show you some stuff, but it’s not like I’m some kind of martial arts expert.”
“I don’t care. You know enough. I want you to teach me how to avoid getting all of my hair pulled out.” Toya looked in admiration at my hair and touched it briefly.
“I need to get it cut. I have a ton of split ends,” I said, running my fingers through it.
Toya took my hand into her own and began walking backward, tugging me along to come back to her room with her.
“Are you sure that we’re cool?” I asked her suspiciously.
“Yeah, I won’t mess with you unless I plan to really throw down.” Toya smiled. “I need someone like you. You can hold your own. Question is, can you keep your mouth shut if you get caught?”
“I’m not like that. I don’t snitch,” I proudly said.
“Okay. I believe you. Now, let’s just put this incident behind us. The Puerto Rican Day Parade is coming up. There is a lot you have to learn in a short period of time.” I walked back into Toya’s room and sat down on the bed again. I looked at all of the stuff piled up there and asked, “What are you going to do with all of these cell phones?”
“Sell them to shady pawn shops and crooked small-business owners who run cheap cell phone stores.”
“How much will you get for all of this stuff?” I asked.
“It depends on the condition they’re in and how recent the model is. Sometimes I lift phones that are more than five years old that don’t work well. Those phones I sell to this guy who strips them down for the gold, silver and platinum that’s in them. He somehow recycles it, but I’m not exactly sure of how he does it. If they’re new, like those two iPhones over there, I can get as much as two hundred dollars for them on the street.”
“Who is going to pay you that type of money?” I asked curiously.
“Come on, Viviana, I know you’re not that naive.” Toya looked at me condescendingly.
“I take it that people on the street place orders with you.”
“You got it.” She picked up the cash and started counting it. “How much do you have?” I asked once she was done.
“Nine hundred,” she said, pleased with the amount she’d gotten for her hard work.
“Man, I could do a few things with that type of money in my pocket,” I said, feeling a sense of greed come over me.
“Speaking of pockets, is this yours?” Toya held up a watch that belonged to me. I looked at my arm and, sure enough, she’d swiped it without my knowing it.
“How did you get that off of me without me feeling a thing?” I asked, completely amazed at how good she was.
Toya laughed. “It
’s not as hard as you think.” She reached into another one of her pockets and asked, “What about this cheap MP3 player and this state ID with an ugly photo of you?”
“Damn,” I said, checking all of my pockets to see what else I was missing.
“That’s all I have. You’re broke beyond belief,” Toya said, placing all the electronic equipment back in the backpack. I gathered my belongings from her and tried to figure out when and how she’d taken them from me.
Toya rose to her feet and moved to the center of her bedroom. “Junior’s father is into some of everything. He knows this old dude who used to be a magician.”
“A magician? Like a person who does magic tricks?” I asked.
“Yes. But doing magic shows for kids didn’t pay well, so the old dude used to make a killing by using card tricks as a way to distract people. He’d rip them off and hand their stuff to a second person who took them away. If a person would come back, he’d invite them to search his belongings and his pockets. But of course he wouldn’t have anything, which left people totally confused as to where they’d lost their belongings. He never saved up any money and now that he’s old and sickly, he’s doing just about anything to make extra money and keep a roof over his head and pay for his prescription drugs. Anyway, dude took the time to teach me and my baby’s daddy. I took all of your stuff from you while you stood at the front door. I kept you distracted with the other cell phone while I got close to you and searched your pockets. When I touched your hair with one hand, my other hand went into your pocket and pulled out your MP3 player and state ID. I tricked you and led you to believe I was truly interested in your hair. Misdirection is the key to doing it when you’re close to someone. Since I actually touched your hair and that’s where your focus was, you didn’t notice my hand in your pocket.”
“Dang,” I said, totally tripping out by what she’d done.
“Stand up,” Toya said. I did as she asked. Toya walked over to her closet and pulled out a fully dressed mannequin from the back of it. I started laughing.
“Where in the hell did you get that?” I asked as she pulled it up next to me. “And it’s an inflatable one—are you serious?”