Project Queen

by Teresa D. Patterson

  “Oh shit. The Green Team. The Green Team,” someone yelled. Shae knew enough about drug dealing to know that if she got caught, she’d be going to jail. It wouldn’t matter that she hadn’t been selling any drugs and had never gotten into trouble before.

  Panic filled her chest. She couldn’t go to jail. No way would she be able to survive in lock down. She’d have to fight off women twice the size of Tia.

  Thumps sounded at the front door, and she heard the men stampeding out the back. No one even had the decency to warn her. They just left her to her to get caught up in their mess.

  She jumped off the toilet and pulled her clothes up. She didn’t have time to think about wiping herself or flushing, as she lifted the window. Amazingly, it was the only window in the house that didn’t have bars on it. Shae pulled herself through it and made it out just as officers crashed through the front door. She slid over the windowsill, dropped to the ground and looked around. Thick hedged trapped her, but at least they would conceal her from the police. She crawled and struggled through them. When she was finally free, she stood up and sprinted as fast as she could across someone’s yard. She was too afraid to look over her shoulder. Her chest pounded until it burned, but she dared not stop.

  Shae raced down Melrose Avenue, her shoes slapping on the pavement. She heard the squeal of tires behind her and knew that it was all over. She froze, preparing to throw her hands up in the air. Shit. She didn’t want to go to jail.

  “Shae, get in.” She breathed a sigh of relief when she recognized Wade’s voice. She turned around, ran over to the car, and hurried to open the door. They sped off. “Them motherfuckers came out of no where,” he exclaimed. “Thank God we was on guard and got out the secret way. We’re safe for now.” Shae still shook visibly. “I hope you understand that we had to get out of there.” She nodded as she took deep breaths to calm herself. “Anyway, that’s one house they got. We gotta move on. I’m headed to my other place. Dana will be there later to get you.” He continued to drive in silence. It wasn’t long before he pulled up to their destination.

  Wade’s other place resembled a small mansion. There was a gate that he controlled with a remote. Two Rottweilers stood on guard. They barked and growled at the stranger who’d come into their territory.

  “Heel, boys,” Wade commanded. They immediately grew quiet and sat still. Shae stuck close to Wade’s side. She stared at the dogs as they passed them. “They won’t bother you unless I say so,” Wade explained. The dogs didn’t move, but she was glad to get safely inside. She really didn’t trust dogs, especially ones with reputations for being vicious. She’d read stories about Rottweilers and Pit Bulls attacking innocent people and mauling them.

  “Make ya self at home. Just chill out,” Wade said, once they’d entered the house. Shae looked around the room living room. It was beautifully decorated in peach undertones, her favorite color.

  “Wow,” escaped her lips.

  Wade watched the expression on her face and smiled. He knew exactly how she felt. He’d felt the same way when she’d walked into his house, and he saw her up close for the first time.

  “If you want, I’ll show you around,” he offered.

  “Okay.” She let him lead the way since it was his place.

  The rest of the house was just as impressive as the living room, but her favorite was the room with the built-in Jacuzzi. She stared at the hot tub in amazement.

  “Maybe one day you can join me in that,” Wade said softly. Shae gave him an innocent look. She hadn’t known until then that he had an interest in her. She just smiled and said nothing. “Dana don’t know how to treat a lady,” Wade continued. “He’s gonna hurt you. If you break away from him now- you know, before y’all get intimate- then it’ll be easier on him.”

  Color rushed to Shae’s face. “It’s too late for that,” she said lowly.

  “Damn, man.” He stared at her closely, his regret evident. “You don’t look like the easy type to me.” His words held disappointment.

  Shae felt the need to defend her honor. She didn’t want Wade to think she was some slut who gave herself to the highest bidder. She hadn’t told anyone about what Dana had done and it ate away at her insides. It was a burden that she wanted to let go of. She could no longer carry it alone.

  “It’s not like that at all,” she told him.

  Wade stood about five feet eight. He had a nice physique and was fairly handsome, resembling the rapper, Ice Cube. He had light brown eyes that seemed to bore into her, reading her soul.

  “What you saying? You either slept with him or you didn’t.”

  “I didn’t,” she told him. “Well, I did, but-” she hesitated.

  “But?”

  “But I didn’t want to,” she finished.

  “So, what are you saying?” he repeated.

  “What I’m trying to say is that-well- Dana- he forced himself on me,” she blurted out.

  Wade stared deeply into her eyes for quite a while, and she didn’t look away. It was so important that he believed her.

  “Oh, I see,” he finally said. “That’s low. That’s real low. I never thought my boy would do something like that. A real man don’t force himself on a woman.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry that happened to you. It was probably because of what Sly told him the other night,” he added.

  “What did Sly say?” Shae wanted to know.

  “Dana had you watched. Sly told him that you were with some guy named Larry. I knew Dog was upset, but I didn’t know he’d rape you.”

  “That no good bastard Sly.” Shae fumed. She knew all about Sly the Crackhead. His sneaky, crooked ass, would still your drawers off the clothesline and try to sell them back to you, just for money to get a hit.

  “Don’t blame him. You know he’s strung out on that shit. He was just doing what Dana paid him to do,” Wade pointed out.

  “I know, but he gets on my nerves with his cracked out ass.” Shae sat on the couch once they returned to the living room. “I just wish it hadn’t happened,” she revealed. “I feel so- so dirty and used. I feel like I’ll never be clean again.”

  “That’s rough,” Wade consoled. “But Dana wasn’t ya first, was he? Had you been with other guys?”

  “Just Larry. He was the only one,” she admitted.

  “Damn. I guess you feel pretty fucked up inside?” Shae nodded. “You scared of him, ain’t you?” Their eyes met.

  “Shouldn’t I be?”

  “Yeah, and that’s why you need to leave that nigga alone,” Wade warned.

  “I wish I could, but I’m scared to leave. He said he’d kill me, and I believe him.”

  “I wish I could help you but Dog, he don’t play. He crazy just like his daddy, Dog Chain. You his property now and I’d be digging my own grave if I put my nose in where it don’t belong. I admit that I’m attracted to you. You a beautiful girl and shit, fine as hell and all that. But, I can’t risk my life for you. I wish I could, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”

  Shae sighed in frustration. No one had the nerve to go against Dana, so she’d never be free of him. She didn’t have a chance with Larry now, or anyone else for that matter. She wanted to put her head in her hands and bawl like a baby. Instead, she asked Wade for something to drink. When he offered her a wine cooler, she didn’t decline. She wasn’t of drinking age, but she opened the bottle and downed it anyway. If she were lucky, it would wash away her sorrows. For the first time in her life, she understood why her mother drank so much.

  Dana showed up several hours later. By then, she’d polished off two more of the wine coolers. Being tipsy was the only way she could look into his hateful face without spitting in it. As Dana took a seat next to her, she and Wade shared a look between them. She knew her secret would be safe with him.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  A week rushed by. Dana made sure that Shae stayed with him as much as possible. He took her out to dance clubs, treated her to fancy dinners, the movies- anything that she wanted to do. On
top of that, he gave her money. But as the saying goes, “Nothing comes for free.” Dana made sure that she slept with him every time he gave her something. He was always brutal and had begun demanding that she perform oral sex. She hated it when he’d skeet his jism in her face or forced her to swallow it. She usually felt sick and had to throw up afterwards.

  She couldn’t really complain about much because it was the lifestyle she thought she wanted. She got to play the role of project queen to the hilt. She had everything she’d ever dreamed of: jewelry, clothes, money, but she still wasn’t happy.

  Going out with Dana did help to keep her mind off her grandmother’s suspicious death. Even though she despised being with Dana, she hated being at home even more. She detested her mother. The woman seemed crazier than usual. Her temper erupted for no reason. She struck out at the twins constantly, and Shae seriously began to question her sanity.

  At first, she thought her mother was acting out because of Ma Violet’s death, but that was dispelled when she overheard Mrs. Byrts’s conversation.

  She’d gone next door to borrow some sugar from Mrs. Watts, not knowing her mother was there using the phone. Mrs. Watts sat outside trying to catch a breeze.

  “Help ya self, baby,” she told Shae. “I can’t get these tired bones moving as fast as you can. It’s in the kitchen cabinet.” She said, sending Shae into the house.

  Shae went inside and headed for the kitchen, but a loud voice halted her in her tracks.

  “I don’t give a fuck ‘bout that,” Mrs. Byrts said. “What the fuck y’all wanna chop her up for?” She yelled and cussed on the phone a while longer then slammed down the receiver. “I just wanna bury the old bitch and put this shit behind me.” Shae heard her mutter. “Hell, people die every damn day, and they don’t go ‘round cutting them up. Why this gotta be any different?”

  Shae ducked into the kitchen so her mother wouldn’t see her. There was no telling what Mrs. Byrts would do if she thought Shae had been eavesdropping. Shae watched, unobserved, as she charged from the room and went out the front door. She breathed a sigh of relief at not being discovered.

  She was confused. Why was her mama so mad because they wanted to perform the autopsy? What had she said: “I just want to bury the old bitch.” Why would she say something like that about her own mother?

  She got the sugar she came for, thanked Mrs. Watts, and headed home. She couldn’t erase the look of fury and pure evil that she’d seen on her mother’s face from her mind. What was Mrs. Byrts afraid an autopsy would reveal?

  From the kitchen, Shae heard the knock on the door. She thought it would be Dana so she pasted a fake smile on her face and went to answer.

  “I thought you weren’t-” Her words trailed off when she saw Larry standing there. He wasn’t smiling, and he appeared a lot thinner since she’d last seen him.

  “Hi,” he said. The two stared at each other awkwardly. “Can I come in?” he finally asked. She opened the door and he slid past, seeming to be extremely cautious not to touch her.

  “So-” She tried to think of something to say but failed. Larry had been so upset with her the last time they’d talked. She thought she’d never see him again.

  “How have you been?” he asked.

  “Fine,” she answered. “What about you?” she asked and immediately regretted the question. He gazed at her with so much hurt in his eyes.

  “Do you even need to ask?” he said with a sad smile. “I just came to say goodbye,” he told her. “I – I decided to leave a lil early to make sure things are in order,” he explained, not meeting her eyes. “You know how it is with financial aid and the living situation in the dorm and all.”

  “I – I wish you the best,” she managed to get past the lump in her throat.

  “I’ll miss you, Shae.” He took her hand and placed it to his lips. “I’ll miss you so much.” He held his arms out, needing to hold her close to him one last time.

  “I’ll miss you, too,” she whispered. She went into his outstretched arms. They stood like that for a while, just holding each other.

  “You know I didn’t mean what I said,” he told her. “I’m so sorry for going off like that.” He gently pushed her away then caressed her cheek as his eyes bore into hers. “Shae, I don’t believe for one minute that you don’t care.” Her eyes gave away everything she felt inside. He groaned, pulled her to him again, crushing her lips with his own. “But-” he said after a while. “I know you’re pushing me away because you think you have to. I can respect that. If you ever need me for anything, for any reason, don’t hesitate to call. I’ll be at this address. The number’s right there.” He handed her a card with the university’s address and phone number on it. “Don’t forget what we shared. I love you, no matter what,” he said thickly. “Don’t ever forget that.” He gently wiped away the tear that slipped down her face. “Goodbye, Shae.” His lips softly brushed against hers one last time.

  Her heart in her throat, she couldn’t even speak. She watched him walk out of her life. She wanted to call him back but couldn’t. It was best that she let him go. She couldn’t live with herself if Dana hurt him because of her.

  “I love you, too, Larry,” she finally whispered.

  “Shae, I don’t feel so good.” Chris’s weak mumble snapped her out of the daze she was in. She went over to the couch and placed the palm of her hand on his forehead.

  “You don’t feel hot,” she said. “Lie down and rest. You too, Charles.” She felt his forehead as well.

  The twins had stayed home from school due to being sick. Frankly, she was beginning to worry. They had been feeling badly for the past week. Maybe she’d have to take them to the Health Department for a check up. Mrs. Byrts sure as hell wasn’t going to do it. She watched as the two boys arranged themselves on opposite ends of the couch. They both looked grayish in coloring.

  “Do you want some orange juice?” she asked.

  “No,” Chris answered and Charles just weakly shook his head.

  Another knock sounded on the door. It had to be Dana. Fear leapt into her heart, paralyzing her. What if he saw Larry leave the apartment? No amount of explaining would appease him.

  Dana entered without waiting to be invited inside. He came over and grabbed a handful of Shae’s hair. “Didn’t I tell you to keep that nigga from ya house? What he doing here? Don’t deny it, because I saw him leave just now.” He brought his fist up and slammed it into her stomach, not giving her a chance to answer. Sinking to her knees, she cradled her belly. “What am I gonna hafta do to show you I mean business? Huh?” He backhand slapped her then jerked her by the hair, pulling her up from the floor. He threw several blows to her upper body and backhanded her again.

  “Leave my sister alone,” a small voice cried out. Little Charles tried to come to her aide but was so weak that he tumbled to the floor. His small body went into convulsions, causing Dana to stop his attack on Shae.

  “What the hell wrong with him?” Dana asked. Shae gazed over to see her brother jerking in a fit of some sort. She forgot all about her pain as she screamed for Dana to call an ambulance. With a nonchalant look on his face, he took out his cell phone and dialed 911. “I ain’t do nothing to him. So don’t try to blame this shit on me,” he hissed.

  She ignored him and ran to the kitchen to get a spoon. She needed to keep Charles from swallowing his tongue and had read somewhere that a spoon could be used.

  It seemed like an eternity before attendants rushed into the apartment. Shae had managed to keep her brother calm. The convulsions had stopped, but his breathing was shallow. He appeared to be in a comatose state. She prayed to God that he wouldn’t die.

  The professionals soon took over. Chris cried when they placed his twin brother on a stretcher. Shae went over and cradled him in her arms.

  “That little guy looks terrible. I think it’s best if he came along too,” one of the medics said. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll find out what exactly is wrong.”

  Shae
let him carry Chris to the ambulance. She didn’t know what else to do. As usual, their mother wasn’t around when needed and Toby wasn’t either.

  “I’ll drive you to the hospital,” Dana said, startling her. She hadn’t realized that he’d stuck around. She nodded and they headed out.

  Of course half the neighborhood had to be gathered out front. Black people were so damn nosey. Shae wanted to curse them out and ask them what the hell they were looking at. She hurried to Dana’s car and got in before anyone could ask questions.

  When Dana sped past the grocery store on the corner, Shae saw Toby come out.

  “Stop,” she yelled. “I have to tell my brother what happened.” Dana pulled over. Toby came up to the car when he saw Shae waving frantically to him.

  “Toby, get in,” Shae said.

  “Shae, I got things to do right now.” He edged away from the car, staring at Dana with a strange look on his face.

  “Toby, it’s the twins. Something’s wrong. They’re on their way to the hospital.” Even with that news, Toby refused to budge. He continued to back away.

  “I’ll be there, all right?” he said. “Just go. I’ll be there.” Shae didn’t understand. His brothers could be dying and all he thought about was selling some damn drugs. What was wrong with him? She decided to deal with Toby later. Her main concern was for Chris and Charles.

  “Just drive,” she told Dana, dismissing Toby’s behavior for the time being.

  “After we deal with this, we got some unfinished business to take care of,” Dana told her, pulling up to the hospital. He parked even though a sign indicated No Parking.

  Shae ignored him, got out the car and rushed inside the building.

  “My brothers, are they okay?” Shae asked the second she arrived at the front desk.

  “What are their names?” Shae told her and she looked them up in the computer.

  “There isn’t any news on their condition as of yet,” the woman said. “All I can tell you is that they’ve been admitted to the critical care unit on the third floor. We need for you to complete-”