by Shan
I knew that, if I didn't pull this off, then I might as well call the owner of Wet Dreams and tell him I would be down to do a show or maybe two that night.
"Quin? Quin?" he said, running the name through his head.
"Yeah from Dallas. I met you and your partner a few years ago before Quin got locked up. Think it was at Quin's birthday party," I said and left my bedroom, so I could speak in private.
"Okay! Yeah! Yeah! That's my dude right there. Bruh still locked up?" he asked.
"Yeah, he is but will be out soon. Look. There is something I need to holler at you about," I said, cutting straight to the point. "Quin left me dry out here, and I need some help maintaining."
"Is that right? Did Quin tell you to contact me?"
"I'm going to be honest with you. He doesn't know I'm calling you, and I'm honestly surprised that you still have the same number after all these years."
"Business line, but what can I do for you, lil ma? I mean, it’s been years since I spoke with Quin, and— Shit!— I really don't know if I should be speaking his name right now."
"I understand that, considering the circumstances, but, look, I need you to hear me out. I know it's only so much I can say over the phone, but I really need you to help me out. I promise you, it's not on no bullshit."
"I hear ya, but the reason I've been able to keep my freedom is because I don't trust nobody, especially not some nigga's bitch. Do me a favor and lose this number ma, a'ight?" he said, causing my heart to damn near leap from my chest.
"Please don't hang up! If we can just sit down and talk, then you will see that—"
I pulled the phone away from my ear and noticed that he had disconnected the call. I went back into my bedroom and crashed down on the pillow top mattress. I really, really needed to get dude to see me. It was the only for sure way I would be able to step foot in this game and make some real money. According to Imran, the kind of product that Quin had stored up all these years was unlike anything he'd seen in years. He said that niggas would have no choice but to let me eat only because they wanted in on what I had.
"What's wrong?" Imran asked.
"That was the dude, the connect. He just hung up on me. What am I gonna do? I gotta get Meka a lawyer and—Damn!— I really didn't wanna go back to that club."
"You’re not going back to the club. That ain't no place for my lady to be at. Hell, nah."
I looked over at Imran and couldn't help but smile at him. Hearing him call me his lady sort of intrigued me and scared me at the same damn time. I was still married, so it wasn't even possible for me to be someone else's lady.
"Don't worry about Meka. I have a lawyer, and I'll get in contact with him to see if he can help your girl out. This shit should be open and shut for her anyway. He attacked her, and it was obvious. I got you. Don't worry."
I couldn't open my mouth to say anything because I wondered just why Imran was doing this. A week and some pussy wasn't enough for this dude to just hire a lawyer for another bitch. The connect pretty much said "fuck you", so what was this dude's motive?
"I appreciate that, Imran, but why? You don't even know Meka, and you barely know me."
"Because it’s something about you that makes me wanna take care of you. A woman that’s as smart, beautiful, and sexy as you are deserves to be taken care of and more." Imran winked and flashed that goofy ass smile of his.
I didn't know what to take from all this. I'd never been the type to just fall at a man's feet just ‘cause he told me a few things that sounded good. With me, things had to be shown in order for it to be proven. I was about to lie back in bed with Imran when my phone vibrated a few times against the dresser. I got up to see who it was and noticed that I had a text from an unknown number.
Only because Quin is my dude, we can meet tomorrow morning. But don't ever call that number again.
A bright smile spread across my face, and I began to jump up and down for joy. All I needed was for dude to trust me, give me some work, and things would be on and popping for me and my girls. This was like our lifeline. Without this connect, it was either sink or swim.
My phone vibrated once again with another text message that held a Houston address. I frowned because I hadn’t been expecting to take a road trip, but I sent my reply anyway.
Ok. Thanks. See you then.
"What happened?" Imran asked as he slid to the end of the bed.
"He's gonna meet me! He told me to come see him tomorrow morning in Houston! Oh, my god, Imran! I need this," I yelled ecstatically.
Imran chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist. He kissed me on my forehead and then looked into my eyes.
"I'm going with you, and I'm not taking no for an answer," Imran said without a doubt.
"Imran, I didn't tell him about you. How is it going to look if I meet my husband's connect with my boyfriend on my arm?"
"Tell him… I'm your damn brother, cousin, uncle, or whatever. I have the money you need. That lil chump change you and Honey have isn't enough to convince that dude you know what you're doing. He will know, for sure, that you're a beginner and won't deal with you."
"How do you know that for certain?"
"Jah, I've been doing this for years. Trust me. The only way you deal with a connect is if you're moving big weight. No nickel and diming hustler will ever get to even see what the connect looks like. That's what you and Honey are. You have small change that doesn't have say in the big leagues, baby girl. I'm going to the house to pick the paper up that I’m going to give you. I'll be back soon, so we can roll out."
"Roll out? He said tomorrow morning."
"What time tomorrow morning?"
"Shit! Let me text him back and ask what time."
"And watch. He won't reply. He's not gonna tell you the time until he's ready to tell you the time. He could be ready to meet at three or four o'clock in the morning, so you need to already be there. Just be ready to go when I get back."
With that, Imran threw his shirt over his head, pulled his shorts on, and slid his feet into his shoes. I watched him, frozen in thought, wanting to argue with him, wanting to let him know that I felt like he was trying to play me, but I didn't do any of that. Part of me knew he was right. I didn't know the first thing about dealing drugs or what to say when I got out there. Maybe, I should look at Imran as a godsend and just be thankful he was in the club on the very night that he was. I left the bedroom behind Imran to lock the door, but, soon as he went out, Honey came in. I didn't miss the look Honey shot him as he struggled to get his belt buckled as he walked to his car.
"What's up, girl?" I said, reaching to hug Honey.
She pushed me away and looked at me with such displeasure that it almost made me slap the shit out of her. I crossed my arms over my chest defensively and waited for the slick comments to fly out of her mouth.
"So, you fucking niggas in your husband's house now?" Honey asked.
"Bitch, don't worry about what I do. Who I fuck is my own business. The connect came through, and I'm going to Houston to meet him."
"You're going to Houston to meet him? What about me?"
"Stay here and get rid of the rest of this shit. We gotta come up with the money to get Meka a lawyer," I said like it was the obvious.
"Wait a minute! We ain't gotta do shit. Didn't nobody tell her to go and cut that nigga up like she was Freddy Krueger. DeMarcus is awake and talking. Her ass is fucked, and I'm not wasting my money on that."
My mouth dropped open, and my heart raced like it had done earlier. This time, I wasn't nervous; I was fucking heated. Tomeka, Honey, and I had been friends since we were six and seven-years-old. We were supposed to have each other’s backs through thick and thin. This was one of the thicker moments. How the hell could she say what she just did and with a straight fuckin' face?
"Honey, I’mma act like I didn't hear you say what the fuck you just said. Tomeka is our girl. No matter—"
"I'm—"
She tried to talk but I cut her off
.
"No matter what she did! Whether it was justifiable or not, we’re supposed to have her back! If you're gonna sit here and tell me that you don't, then you need to get the fuck out!"
I pointed at the door that we were already standing close by. I felt like pushing her ass out onto the porch and slamming the door in her face.
"Look! All I'm saying is that I overheard DeMarcus talking to the laws, and he said Meka attacked him while he was sitting down watching the game. He admitted that they got into a lil’ fight and that he hit her, but he said the fight was over by then. He said, when he got up to get the knife out of her hands, Meka went to stabbing him with no mercy," Honey tried to explain, and I swear that I saw tears forming in the bitch's eyes.
"So, what's your point? She needs a lawyer, and I'm gonna get her one. You down to help me or not?"
"I don't have much, Jah, and you know that. I will give what I can, but don't expect me to give everything."
"Thank you! Soon as Imran and I return tomorrow, we can go and find her a lawyer. Right now, I need you to finish getting rid of the rest of the product."
"So you're taking him and not me? You taking trips with this nigga, but you gonna leave me here to do the grime work! Talk about having each other's backs, but you choosing a nigga over mine!"
"I'm not choosing anyone, Honey! Imran knows what he is doing and neither of us do. Hell! If I could stay and let him go, then I would. Don't think I'm leaving you out because it’s not like that. It's me and you all day. Believe that."
"That's not how I feel. Ever since he's been around I just…Siento que le pierdo!"
"English, Honey!"
"I feel like I'm losing you!" Honey said and allowed those tears I’d seen earlier to slide down her face.
"Bring your short ass here." I pulled Honey in for an embrace and knew all the animosity was from stress and lack of rest. Without Cedric, Honey was a mess, and it was beginning to show now more than ever. This was the first time that I actually felt like he wasn't coming back. "You will never lose me, bitch. We're sisters. Now, dry those eyes."
We shared a quick laugh before letting each other go.
"So, how was it?" Honey asked.
"How was what?" I questioned.
"Bitch, I saw Imran trying to fix his pants. How was the dick?"
"Oh, shit! All I have to say is Mandingo, and he definitely knows how to work it. Nigga had me climbing the walls and shit. Damn."
I shook my head, thinking about Imran eating my pussy better than my husband ever had, and he swung the dick even better, too. This was the first time I actually didn't feel the least bit worried that Quin was divorcing me. His loss… and Imran would be a helluva gain.
71
10 Tomeka
10
Tomeka
Shit has been mad crazy these past few days. The moment the doctors released me from the hospital, I was hauled off to Lew Sterret and booked on charges for attempted murder. Apparently, DeMarcus woke his ass up just in time to cry like the lil' bitch he was. He made sure to tell the police how he was watching the game on my sofa when I attacked him. Never mind the fact that he damn near beat me to death. No. They didn't care about that shit at all. All they kept saying was that I stabbed and damn near killed him. Kept saying how, if the knife would’ve went just another inch to the right, it could've done this or another inch to the left and it would've done that. All I had to say was “Fuck DeMarcus”. If I had to spend the rest of my life in jail for damn near killing him, then so be it. I bet, after the shit I did to him, he would never put his hands on another woman, and, right now, that was all that mattered. I wished the bitch before me had had the balls to do it then. Maybe, we would've been that Bonnie and Clyde duo like he’d always wanted.
I leaned forward on the hard ass bench and blew smoke out from a cigarette I had bummed from a white chick. My ass didn't even smoke, but it seemed so appropriate for the situation. Here I was, sitting on a bench that felt like it would break my ass at any moment, a broken rib that hurt practically every time I breathed in, with mad bitches that looked like they were too strong for their own good.
I was sure that I no longer had a job to return to and would soon be out of a place to stay, but, then, I thought, I won't even complain because shit could be worse. I could still be at home, miserable as hell, getting my ass beat every damn day of the week. I could be at home crying, hiding from the world, and living in shame. I actually like this life a lil' better than the last. I might not look free on the outside, but I damn sure feel like it on the inside.
I flicked the cancer stick to the floor and just stared at it as the fire sizzled against the ground. I thought about how I watched my mama get beat every day until she ended up in a coma. I never told anyone what really happened to my mom because I was so embarrassed at how weak she was. She had allowed a man to control her life until it was too late. She never once spoke up for herself, so, when the time came, I never once spoke up for her.
Her boyfriend at the time lied and said someone broke into the house and attacked her, and I didn't tell them any different. For years, she sat in that coma and not once did I say a word to protect her. Even in her death. A cold case yet to be solved because of me. Honey and Jahzara didn't even know the truth behind my mother's death.
For so long, I felt as if God stuck me with DeMarcus as part of my punishment. Made me suffer through all those beatings because I watched her suffer and didn't say anything. And nobody did anything to help me. My girls knew, and neither of them reached out a helping hand. I was starting to wonder if they were really my girls at all. I saw them the day the police bombarded my hospital room but hadn't seen them since. At my arraignment, I expected to see, at least, one of them but not a familiar face was in sight.
"Childs! Tomeka Childs!"
I stood up at the mention of my name and was met by a petite guard at the metal cell door. My eyes grew big when she stuck the key in and pulled the big door open to let me out. A slight smile spread across my face, and I almost took off running, but I kept myself grounded.
"I'm free to go?" I asked.
"For now. You made bail. Lucky for you. We were just about to put you in general population. Follow that line right there. Stop by the desk on your way out to sign your papers, and pick up your belongings," the guard said before locking the cell back and treading off in the other direction.
I followed the guard’s directions and signed myself out. The walk to the exit was long as hell, but I was grateful to be leaving. I know I said something different earlier, but— Hell!— that was before I knew I was going to be free.
Once I got outside, I spotted Jahzara across the street, waving, with a huge smile on her face. I jogged until I reached her, gave her a big hug, and almost didn't want to let her go. I thought they had turned their backs on me, but I should've known better. I should've known that it was just taking time and that I needed to be patient.
"Oh, my god! Thank you so much, Jahzara! I was starting to think I was one of those bitches up in there. How…where did you get the money?" I said all in one breath.
"Me and Honey came up with it, and… umm…Imran helped me out on the rest," she said, pointing her eyes in the direction of some fine ass man standing by a car. He was dressed in a plaid button up, crisp blue jeans, and a pair of red and black Jordans. He was cute as hell but looked a lil too young to be hanging around my girl.
"That's the same guy that was there the night I came over. Who is he?" I nosily asked.
"Just a friend. No worries. He's cool people. Let’s get out of here, girl. We've been waiting for hours for them to release you."
Jahzara pulled me towards the car where her friend stood and made quick introductions before we got inside the car. I could actually see Jahzara glowing and wondered if it had something to do with this man sitting on the side of her. If she was happy, then I damn sure was happy for her. I just hoped that she was doing the right thing because it hadn't been too long since she�
�d received the divorce papers from Quin. I hated for her to open one door when the other one hadn't been closed yet.
"So, we all pitched in and got you this bad ass lawyer. I heard he is like 32-1 for criminal cases. Imran said he is a beast with it, so I think you will be in good hands with him," Jahzara explained.
"How much is all this? How much do I owe y’all, Jahzara? I mean I know to bail me out cost ten thousand dollars… and now a lawyer...I gotta pay you all back," I said, shaking my head.
"Don't worry about it. I know, if it had been me, you would've done the same thing."
"Hell, nah! I gotta do something! I can't let y'all put yourselves out there like that. At least, let me join up with you and Honey and pay back what I can."
Jahzara turned around and looked at me like I'd lost my mind. At first, I was totally against selling drugs, like I was some nigga, but, now that I knew I was out of a job, I really didn't have a choice. I couldn't allow them to pay for my freedom while I just sat on my ass and watched. If they were willing to risk their lives, then I was going to do the same.
79
11 Honey
11
Honey
Two Weeks Later
I pulled my brand new Impala up to Jahzara's house and got out of the car. We were supposed to be meeting here to talk about some changes in how we were distributing the product we'd gotten from Quin's connect. Personally, I thought everything was fine and didn't see the need to change it. I'd made a nice stack of cash and couldn't wait to make more. My bills were paid for months in advance. I’d just bought my first car, and had a new fancy ass wardrobe. To me, wasn't shit broken, so there was no need to fix it.
I walked up to the house and grabbed the hidden key that sat under a rock near the porch. I went to open the door, but I noticed that it was already opened. I looked over at the driveway and saw that it was empty, meaning no one should've been home. Jahzara already told me that she was running behind, and, if I made it before she did, to go ahead and use the key to get in.