“What’s wrong? What is it?” Margaret asked from the doorway. Braxton was at her side.
“Some jackass decided to burn a bag of dog shit on our porch.” Seething mad, Jamaica turned around and showed her mother her shoe and foot covered in shit.
“Oh my God.” Margaret tried hard to suppress her laughter, but it was no use. Within seconds she was riddled with giggles. Jamaica wanted to be upset, but she had to admit the shit was kind of funny. “I wonder who would pull such a prank.”
“Who knows?” Jamaica stepped out of the house shoes she had on and hopped into the house. She had so many enemies that the prankster could’ve been anyone.
* * *
After breakfast, Jamaica and Braxton got dressed. She called Fly but still got no answer. “Your sister isn’t answering. Do you want to roll with me or do you want to stay here?”
“I want to go with you.” Braxton didn’t want to spend his day watching old movies with Ms. Margaret like he usually did whenever she’d watch him.
“Okay, little man, let’s roll.” Jamaica grabbed her keys, and they headed out. “I need to get my hair done, but first I need some money.”
With a devious smile, she backed her car out of its parking spot and headed to Jay’s car wash on Greenfield. He was one of her special friends who laced her from time to time. Jay was married to a woman who’d lost her mobility in a car accident a few years ago. He loved his wife to death but needed wild sex from time to time. Jamaica provided that for him and more. She agreed to keep his secret, and he agreed to look out for her every now and then.
During the ride to the car wash, Jamaica unwillingly played a game of twenty questions with Braxton. “Why is your name Jamaica?” he asked two seconds into their journey.
“That’s what my mother named me,” Jamaica replied.
“Why did she name you that?”
“She named me after the place I was born.”
“Why were you born there?”
“That’s where my mom and dad are from. We lived there when they had me,” Jamaica answered.
“Where is your dad? I never seen’d him.”
“He’s in jail.”
“My teacher said that’s where bad people go.” Braxton paused. “Is your dad a bad guy?”
“I don’t think so, but it depends on who you ask.” Jamaica looked back at him through the rearview. “Not all bad people are in jail, and not all free people are good.”
“Yeah.” Brax nodded. “My dad is a bad guy, and he’s not in jail,” he said calmly.
“What makes you think your dad is a bad guy?” At first, she was annoyed by the multitude of questions and wanted to drown him out with her gangster rap music; but now she was glad they were talking.
“He did some bad things, but I’m not supposed to tell anybody.” Braxton began to look uncomfortable.
“We’re friends, aren’t we, Brax?” Jamaica wanted more information but didn’t want to alarm him.
“Yeah, I guess so.” He shrugged.
“Friends should be able to share anything.” Jamaica peered at him again through the mirror. “What bad things did your dad do?”
“I’m not supposed to tell anybody, not even Fly.” Braxton shifted in his seat.
“I promise I won’t tell.” There was a brief silence. “Brax, I cross my heart and hope to die.”
“Okay.” Braxton’s eyes met hers through the mirror. “My dad makes me take off my clothes and take pictures for him.”
“What?” Jamaica screamed then regained her composure. “Has your dad ever touched you?” She swallowed hard.
“No, but he did make me touch his thing a few times. And he’ll hit me if I don’t do what he asks me to do.” Braxton was now looking at the floor trying to decide if he should’ve told her.
“You’re right. Your dad is a bad man.” As soon as Jamaica stopped her car at the red light, she turned to face the little boy. “I promise I will never let that happen again. Does your mommy know?”
“I told her once, and we both got in trouble real bad.” Braxton’s eyes started to water. “He told her I was lying and whooped both of us, but my mommy was bleeding.” He wiped his little eyes, and Jamaica wiped hers. “That night he came into my room and told me that he would kill Fly if I told her what happened.” He looked up at Jamaica in sheer panic. “Please don’t tell her ’cause I don’t want my big sister to die.”
“Your dad is not going to kill Fly, I promise.” She held out a pinky, and he locked his with it. Car horns started blowing because the light was green, but she didn’t care. “He won’t be taking any more pictures of you, either.” She turned back around and pulled off.
“How do you know?” Braxton looked skeptical.
“Because I won’t allow it.” With a heavy heart, her mind went into overdrive thinking about when and how to tell Fly her little brother’s secret.
CHAPTER TWELVE
KALI
After checking in on Fly, who was still snoring in the guest bedroom, Kali grabbed Bird’s garbage bags and headed to the car.
“Good morning, Mrs. White.” She waved at her neighbor while placing the bags into the trunk. Every time they saw each other, Mrs. White made it a point to start a long conversation about this or that. Surprisingly, today she didn’t even make eye contact with her. Paying the minor detail no attention, Kali got into the burgundy Jeep Cherokee and pulled off.
Seconds later, the phone rang. It was Desmond. Her heart skipped two beats before she answered. “Hey, Desmond, thanks for calling me back.”
“Good morning, Kali.” Desmond’s voice was still as confident and smooth as Kali remembered. “I got your voice mail. What’s up?”
“Desmond, I need you to take on my fiancé’s case.”
“Oh, man, I wish I could be of assistance,” he said, “but my caseload is overflowing. I’ll call a few colleagues and see if I can find Mr. Harris representation.”
“No, Desmond, it has to be you,” Kali snapped. “You are the number three criminal defense attorney in the state of Michigan. Your record stands at fifty to seven. Please, Desmond, I need you.”
“I see someone has done her homework.” Desmond was elated that she knew his stats. He was flattered.
“We may not talk, Des, but I’ve studied your career ever since your first case.” She smiled. “You are a damn good lawyer. I aspire to be just like you, if not better one day.” Truth be told, Kali’s interest in becoming a lawyer only stemmed from watching Desmond be so damn good at it. She saw him making a difference in the community and wanted to do the same.
“While that’s flattering and all that, you should know with stats like mine, a lot of zeros come with my fee.” Desmond wasn’t one to mince words, especially not about money. “Can you afford my services?”
“No! Well, not yet anyway. But I promise I will pay you every penny,” Kali replied honestly.
“Kali, I don’t know too much about your boyfriend but, from what I do know, he is somewhat of a street businessman, isn’t he?” Desmond paused and was a bit hesitant in what he was going to say next. He didn’t want to offend Kali but, by the same token, he wanted to say what was on his mind. “Tell me how these thugs make all this money in the street and don’t think enough of their freedom to save a dime for lawyer fees? We all know when you live that life, you will eventually need a lawyer. I mean, that’s Street Knowledge 101. Even I know that.”
“Desmond, Bird is not who you think he is. Please don’t refer to him in that manner!” Kali was beginning to lose her cool. “He does what he has to do to help his family, and he could’ve saved money if he weren’t paying off my tuition. You and I both know how expensive law school can be.”
“Bird? Is that what his mother named him?” Desmond laughed. He couldn’t believe the woman he would have once died for had left his Ivy League ass for a nigga named Bird. “And, furthermore, I know you didn’t just tell me your law degree is being funded by drug money! Who are you, Kali?”
“Oh, my God, are you serious right now? You’re going to pick a time like this to come riding on your high horse?” Kali snapped. “People like you kill me talking about somebody living a lifestyle you don’t approve of; but how quick you are to forget the skeletons in your own damn closet. I’m sure the others partners at your firm would love to know about how you got a fifteen-year-old minor pregnant when you were twenty years old!”
“Oh, please, Kali! I was nineteen.”
“The point being, you were an adult, and I was a minor! In this state, that is statutory rape. And you knew what you were doing was wrong, but you kept fucking me anyway. In fact, if memory serves, you didn’t stop fucking me until you were twenty-two and I seventeen.” She was beyond pissed. “Anyway, I really don’t know what I was thinking calling you for help. I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out. I hope you have a good day.”
Without another word, she ended the call. Desmond called her phone three times after that, but she didn’t answer. She wished she hadn’t even called him in the first place.
Ten minutes later, Kali pulled her Jeep into a parking spot at her father’s church then got out and grabbed the garbage bags. The only other cars in the lot belonged to her father and Deacon Mason. She straightened her cream-colored dress then gave herself a once-over before heading into the two-story brick building that had over two dozen stained-glass windows. A gold statue of Christ met her at the door, and she took a minute to bow her head in prayer.
“Kali Ann?” He father, Bishop Thomas Franklin, smiled as he and Deacon Mason exited the church. “You see how fast the Lord works, Deac? We just prayed for her in my office.”
“Amen, Bishop.” Deacon Mason leaned back with his hands resting on his big belly.
“Hello, Deac. Hey, Daddy.” Kali wrapped her arms around her father, and he squeezed her back.
“What brings you by?” Bishop Franklin pointed at the garbage bags. “What do you have there?”
“These are some items I wanted to donate to the church store,” she lied quickly. “A few tops and jeans, that’s all.”
“Okay, baby. You know we appreciate all you’re willing to give.” He reached for the bags. “I’ll take them inside for you.”
“No, I’ll take them to the mission room, Daddy.” She tightened her grasp on the bags. Her stomach was doing backflips, and her palms were clammy. “Besides, it gives me a reason to wander around the old place and reminisce. I’ve really been missing the church lately.” Quickly she kissed her father’s cheek and went inside before he could dig any deeper.
“Well, look at God!” Bishop hollered as the door closed.
Kali smiled from cheek to cheek. She loved to see her father happy. Ever since she could remember she was always a daddy’s girl. Sometimes, she felt that her mother hated their bond and tried to force a wedge between them. Of course, if anyone ever asked First Lady Ilene if that was her intention, she would politely deny it.
Hastily, Kali flew through the vestibule, knocking down a stack of programs on her way. When she reached the end of the hallway, she opened the second door on the left and poked her head in. The coast was clear. She slipped inside and began searching for a place to stash the garbage bags. It didn’t dawn on her until that very moment that she was actually storing bricks of heroin inside the church: a sacred, holy place.
“I can’t do this,” she said aloud as her conscience kicked in. “I’ve got to find somewhere else.” Just as she put her hand on the doorknob to exit, she heard her mother’s voice in the hallway.
“Damn!” she cursed. “Oops, excuse me, Lord.” Frantically her eyes roamed the room trying to find somewhere to quickly stash the bags.
“Francine, the bishop said that child of mine was in the mission room. Can I call you back, girl?” Ilene Franklin stood at the door and opened it slightly.
Kali’s heart skipped two beats until her eyes stumbled on the vent. With ease, she pried the cover off then threw the bags inside. After putting the cover back on, she tossed a few boxes in front of it, then dropped down to her knees just as the door opened all the way.
“Kali Ann, what are you doing over there?” Ilene waltzed into the room wearing a pastel pink suit with matching shoes and purse. The silver LV scarf around her neck complemented the diamonds in her ears beautifully.
“Amen.” Kali stood from the floor then dusted her knees off. “Sorry, Momma, I was praying.”
“Um-hm. I’m sure you were.” Ilene rolled her eyes, already knowing better. “I’ll ask you again: what are you doing here, child?” Although she was happy to see her one and only daughter, she was feeling some type of way toward her at this time. Kali had been ignoring her phone calls for days, and she was not happy about it.
“You’ve been blowing up my phone about missing church, then I show up, and now you got an attitude.” Kali shook her head. “I can’t win for losing with you.”
“Excuse me, young lady, but you will not have that kind of attitude with me!” Ilene snapped. “Your father and I did not raise you to be this way, so please talk like you have some sense and manners.”
“As always, it’s nice to see you, Momma.” Irritated, Kali bypassed her mother and headed for the door.
“No, ma’am, you won’t be leaving here that easy.” Ilene turned on the balls of her pink suede Louboutin heels. “What is going on with that boy and his friend? Did they really commit murder?”
“I don’t know what happened. I haven’t seen or spoken to him, so I have no idea what is going on with all of that.” As Kali spoke, she could feel her cell phone vibrating in her pocket. She ignored the first call but then it started over.
“I warned you about being careful with who you spend your time with. And I know I told you not to go messing with people like that boy. They are nothing but trouble!” Ilene pushed open the mission room door and called for her husband. “Thomas, I’m going to need you to get in here and talk to Miss Thang over here before I hurt her.”
“Daddy, she’s asking me questions about what’s going on with Bird. I already told her I don’t know what happened. As soon as I know something I will let you know,” she said as she stood between both of her parents. “I don’t need a sermon right now, please.” Kali was beginning to feel emotionally drained. She took a deep breath and hoped to get out of there soon. Again, Kali’s phone started vibrating in her pocket.
“All of this happened for a reason, Kali. God is trying to get your attention!” Bishop Franklin started anyway. “See, we serve a jealous God! You been making that boy so much a priority that you forgot about your commitments. You forgot about the church. You forgot about God!” He raised his hand toward heaven. “But God said, ‘No, sir, not my child.’” He took a long, dramatic breath in true preaching fashion. “He had to remove the distraction so that He could regain your attention. Let that boy deal with the mess he made and come on home where you belong.”
“Daddy!” Kali snapped. “Please, not right now.”
“Kali, nobody like you should ever end up with a man like that! The life he lives ends in only one of two ways.” Bishop Franklin put his arm around his daughter. “Nothing good will ever come from selling dope! He’s poisoning our people, God’s people, and profiting from the blood money. Do you know how many families I’ve had to counsel about drug abuse?”
“Daddy, Bernard is not like that. He’s not like the rest of them. He has plans for his life. He had plans for our life.” Kali blinked back a few tears. “He proposed last night. He loves me.” She held up her hand to them.
“Baby, I love you, your mother loves you, and God loves you!” Bishop Franklin pulled his daughter in close. “If this man loves you so much, why on God’s green earth would he do something to jeopardize his freedom?” Bishop pulled back from his daughter. “Kali, I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m glad it happened. Now we can get you back on a spiritual track.”
“How can you say that?” Kali wiped her eyes. Once again, her p
hone started vibrating. “Never mind. You don’t have to answer that. I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” Without so much as a glance their way, Kali left her parents standing there.
“So we’re just going to let her leave, just like that?” Ilene hissed.
“She will be back, my dear. Don’t worry.” Bishop Franklin kissed his wife and retreated to his office.
Once outside, Kali answered the twelfth call with a little bit of an attitude. “Fly, what’s the emergency?”
“Bitch, these people are over here trying to put me out. I need you to come home quick!”
“What people?” Kali had delivered this month’s rent check personally five days ago.
“Your mother-in-law and her offspring.” Fly smacked her lips.
“Oh, shit. All right. I’m on my way.”
“Yes, you need to hurry before I go to jail for fucking a bitch up!” Click!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
FLY
“Why are you still standing there? I told you to leave!” Rochelle hollered. She was rummaging through the drawers in the kitchen while her mother went through the couch.
“And I told your fat ass I wasn’t moving until Kali got home.” Fly bucked. She wasn’t sure what ugly and uglier were looking for, but Fly wished they’d find it and get the fuck on.
“This is my son’s home, sweetie,” Lisa corrected her.
“I’m sure your son wouldn’t be too pleased with the way y’all going through his shit like you’re the fucking police.” Fly was irritated to the max. Not only had Lisa and Rochelle let themselves inside the apartment without knocking first, but they’d searched through every inch of the guest room where she was staying, including the mattress. They started searching it while she was sleeping on it.
“Ma, please put this bitch out.” Rochelle slammed a kitchen drawer then went for a cabinet.
“I’ll be back, Ro.” Wobbling and breathing heavy, Lisa walked out of the townhouse.
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