by Nicety
Kojack knew it would not be easy but he had to forget her. He had to block the erotic nights and sensational mornings out of his mind. He needed to get her sweet watermelon smell out of his head and her angelic touch off of his skin. Lexi had made her mark on him like a dog marked a tree. She was his and he knew it but the smart thing to do was the right thing to do. Kojack pulled up in the Northwestern Memorial Hospital parking garage. As he pulled his ticket out of the machine and drove under the raised partition, he began to fear knowing the results of the test he had taken this morning. Truth was, he was far past scared of even taking the test but he had to know. As he exited his Lexus truck headed for the elevator, he felt lumps of coal develop in his heart. He could not decipher if it was love or lust for her that he felt, he just wanted whatever it was to go away so the hurt would not bleed out of his veins.
****
“What the fuck just happened in here? I was only gone for a minute,” Diamond asked stepping over the debris of Lexi’s storm with her black suitcase in hand.
She walked up to a balling, wet faced Lexi sitting in front of the sofa on the floor and sat down stroking her hair gently for comfort. The whole house was a mess, riddled with broken glass and apparently a broken heart. Much like Lexi, Diamond knew it was only a matter of time before the shit hit the fan. Kojack was obviously more man than she could handle anyway. It was just sad that everyone knew it but her.
“You were gone for four hours Diamond. You’re so full of shit,” Lexi sobbed as she shook her head at her sister’s previous lie.
“Okay but what’s wrong, Lex?” Diamond inquired worried that a burglar might have come in and raped her.
“He broke up with me,” Lexi stumbled through her cries. “I never knew I could be in love with somebody like that until I met him.”
“Awe baby, you can’t break up with someone you were never with,” The words flew from Diamond’s mouth without haste and once they did she instantly felt that they came out the wrong way.
“Huh?” Lexi used the back of her hand to wipe the drippings from her nose, “If this is your fucking way of cheering me up then you are failing, miserably.”
“Lex, all I’m trying to get you to understand is that you both knew what this was, sex. So for you to try and make this arrangement more is crazy, especially when you both knew you weren’t supposed to be fucking in the first place.”
“I just thought he would be the one person to look past all that shit, D.”
“He can’t look past it because if he does he risks going to jail for you. This is Illinois baby. They ain’t playing that shit here. Your homey, lover friend will get locked up in a heartbeat.”
“But I want him. We are soul mates. We’re meant to fucking be!” Lexi yelled as she banged on the coffee table hoping to break it.
“Stop!” Diamond shouted grabbing her sister’s arms and holding them close, “Honey, you are so young and beautiful. You can have any man out here or woman for that matter; just choose someone your age.”
“But I don’t want anyone my age. I want him, Diamond, just him.”
Diamond knew that no matter what she said to try and break her thoughts of being with him, Lexi was adamant on loving only him. Having been there and done that before, she knew exactly what her young sister was going through. She realized that stubbornness was a trait that ran in their family. They were relentless women who never stopped until they got what they wanted. Checking the room for its disaster once more, she felt it was best she just changed the subject.
“Pandora called me this morning,” Diamond said wiping the tears from her sister’s eyes.
“What? She’s out of jail?”
“I don’t know. She claimed she wasn’t using a jail phone so I’m thinking that someone probably posted bail for the bitch.”
“Well…what did she say?”
“She knows about the money…” Diamond sighed leaning back on the sofa, locking her eyes with the ceiling, “And she threatened us. She said she wants to kill us. I think she thinks that will keep us from testifying against her. Either way, I know she wants revenge.”
“Ugh, now this shit. What the fuck are we gonna do? We ain’t got fucking heat and I know that bitch gon’ cop her something. She ain’t gon’ bring just a knife to fight,” Lexi stood walking around in circles.
“Calm down. That bitch ain’t gon’ make her presence known til she’s ready. The fact that she called let me know that she’s looking for a battle. That bitch thinks she’s an army or something. So we got the money to do what we need to do.”
“That’s still not telling me shit, D., and how the fuck did she find out that we stole the money? It could’ve been anybody.”
“She thinks she knows we did it but I gave her no info. I guess she thinks we’re the only ones capable of doing it. We’re just gonna gear up and be ready for that bitch, simple as that,” Diamond smirked, “If we go down, we damn sure will do it swinging.”
“Man, I ain’t got time to be going to war with this bitch,” Lexi replied picking up broken pieces of glass to throw in the trash.
“Huh? Awe, come on now. Shit, I’m glad this nigga broke up with you. He’s makin’ you soft as hell. Girl you need to get up out of that shit.”
“What the fuck you mean, Diamond? This shit was always between you and Pandora. I was never in that shit; y’all just put me in it.”
“Alexis Burden, you were in it the minute you decided to keep Kojack for yourself. Don’t you see, kitten. He’s the root to all evil,” Diamond said shaking her head in disbelief at how naïve Lexi really was.
“No. No I won’t believe that. Pandora’s just a crazy bitch who needs to be stopped.”
“And none of us had any problems until he came into the picture. We were a team.”
“Diamond you need to get it together. Pandora never cared shit about us after that night. The night she tasted blood for the first time, you said it yourself. It’s all about money; it was always just about the money,” Lexi grabbed the broom and began sweeping up the broken pieces of her relationship, “Get a clue.”
“Ugh, whatever bitch, just take that fucking suitcase and put it under the kitchen sink for me, would ya?” Diamond snapped as she headed for the staircase beginning to mumble. “And shut the fuck up. Damn.”
Diamond ran upstairs heated from their discussion while Lexi did what was asked of her. No matter how naïve Lexi seemed, she sure had a way with words. She headed into Kojack’s room looking at the unkempt king sized waterbed in the middle of the room thinking about all the wild nights they could have had. As quickly as those thoughts ran through her head, soon did ones of despair from the reality of the life threatening disease that she could not get rid of. With that thought she began to think of everyone else she could have passed it to as well. It only fueled the anger inside of her more to want to get rid of the problem once and for all so that he could not destroy any more lives with his infection.
She went over to his dresser where he held a collection of colognes and grooming products. It was nice to know that he was indeed the well-groomed stud she had always believed he was. As she walked away she saw something using the sun to make a shiny reflection. It was very small but with the sun’s rays it shone brightly. She kneeled down reaching her hand behind the dresser where the shine was coming from and pulled out a clean silver Revolver. It was small but a gun nonetheless. Diamond felt like she hit the jackpot, just in case she was unable to get one before Pandora caught up with them. She quickly stuffed it in the back of her jeans and left the room sight unseen.
Chapter 6
“I meant it when I told you I could give you anything.”— Oxy
“I spoke to my dad today.” Oxy said taking a sip from her juice carton.
“Yeah, yeah, he calls to check up on you blah, blah. What are you telling me that for?” Pandora snapped back ripping a small peel from her orange.
“Yeah,” Oxy sighed bowing her head. “But what I never told you is hi
s name.”
“Huh? What the fuck does his name have to do with anything? You know, I’m getting tired of this shit Ox. If you can’t deliver just say you can’t instead of stringing me along.”
Pandora stormed off dumping her tray before heading to the second tier to their cell. She wanted to cry, being mad at herself that her plan was not working but before she could muscle out a single tear, Oxy came bursting into the cell faster than a speeding bullet. The look on her face could have burned a whole through a thick brick wall as she stared down upon Pandora’s head. She knew it had been a couple of days since she told her she would help her get out but it took her that much time to muscle up the courage to use her only sure fire resource.
“Before you storm off and lose your mind you need to learn to listen. I wasn’t done yet,” Oxy blurted lifting her head up, grabbing her cheeks and squeezing them together forcefully.
Pandora batted her hands away angrily. “What is it that I need to listen to? You obviously don’t wanna marry me, because if you did we wouldn’t be here. You’re not trying hard enough, Ox!”
“Will you shut the fuck up and just listen?”
“Alright,” Pandora exhaled. “I’m listening.”
“My dad’s name is Ivan Smear, the State’s Attorney,” Oxy replied lowering her head.
The shock in her eyes was something she could not hide. She could not deny that she knew that name. In fact, everyone in the county waiting on their court dates knew his name. He was only the very State’s Attorney who headed all of the Assistant State’s Attorneys in the county. His name was on everything in the state against violence and upholding the law. His name was in every newspaper and on every news station whenever there was a crime, so denying she knew who he was would be senseless.
“Your daddy’s name is what? That is truly a fact you neglected to tell me while you were pillow talking everything else to me,” Pandora retorted pacing the concrete cell floor in deep thought.
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to judge me.”
“Judge you?” Pandora felt her voice grow louder and calmed herself so as to not cause a scene. “How could you think I would judge you? You didn’t even give me a chance, sugar.”
“When people find out who my dad is they immediately write me off like I’m some spoiled little rich kid and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not to mention they try to use me.”
“Yeah, just you talking about your dad you talk differently.”
“See. Ugh, I am who I am and I can’t change that, Pandora. But if you want to get out of here he’s the only one who can help us.”
“Ox, you might be able to skate on outta here with a slap on the wrist but I’m in here for murder. That shit ain’t going away easily.”
“No, but he can at least get your bail dropped until your court date.”
“Huh? You think a man like that is going to be willing to help somebody like me just because I’m fucking his precious baby girl.”
Oxy laughed briefly. “You have no idea what kind of man my dad is. He’s not as innocent as the media makes him out to be. People think he’s some kind of God but in actuality he’s just like you or me. He’s just smart enough not to get caught with it. That’s all.”
“Hmm. So…you told him about me?”
“Yep, he says we should be outta here by tomorrow.”
“Damn that quick, huh? Shit I can’t wait!” Pandora exclaimed cheesing from ear to ear. “Wait, what did you say to him? I thought you weren’t ready to be back with him?”
“I told him I’d straighten up my ways if he got my case dropped and help you post bail. I’ve never told him that I wanted to change my life before so it just melted his heart,” Oxy laughed sarcastically.
“Is that what you want to do, change your life?”
“Well I was thinking since we’re getting married, we could settle down and create a family. I could get a job working under the table on cars or something and you can stay at home with the kids. You know, once you beat your case and all.”
“Kids?” Pandora sneered. “Who said anything about kids?”
“You don’t want kids? That’s what married people do once they settle down right?”
“Okay, um, first thing’s first. We need to get out and once we’re out I need to go get my money.”
“How much money are you worried about, Pandora? Cause I got money. I come from money,” Oxy declared popping her collar.
“Close to fifty grand.”
“Fifty grand, that’s it? Girl my trust fund is worth more than that boo-boo,” Oxy chuckled before looking up into the scorned eyes of her fiancé.
“It don’t matter how much money it is. I earned it with blood, sweat and tears and the shit is fucking mine and I want it back. Okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. No problem baby. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just saying I can give you fifty grand if you want it,” Oxy digressed sliding her foot out of her mouth. “I meant it when I told you I could give you anything.”
Pandora read in Oxy’s eyes that she meant what she said. For a moment she felt bad about playing her. She had a good head game but she had to admit it was nowhere near comparable to Lexi’s. There was something about the flutter of her tongue against her pearl that made her weak at the knees. It was the sweet caress of her smooth skin that made her body liquefy like putty on a warm summer day. As a tingly feeling overcame her she tore her gaze away from Oxy so as not to alert her that she was thinking of someone else. She licked her lips before gaining her composure to face her again.
“I know you meant it, Ox. But I ain’t letting that shit go, not for a second. Those bitches played hardball when they took my money. I ain’t just skipping town and forgetting about that shit,” Pandora argued.
“Skip town? What you mean?”
“I don’t think I’m gonna beat this case, Ox. If you are down for me then you gotta be down for whatever I’m doing.”
“But I told my dad that—“
“But I love you baby,” Pandora lied. “Don’t you love me?”
“I know you don’t love me Pandora. I may be gullible when it comes to sweet, pretty pussy like yours but I’m not stupid.”
Pandora walked over standing in front of Oxy allowing her stomach to brush up against her lips. She raised her prison blue shirt revealing a smooth surface belly that made Oxy salivate. The water filled up in her mouth faster than she could swallow it as she yearned for the need to devour her right then and there. Pandora grabbed and rubbed her hand around to the back of her head then smashed her face into her belly permitting Oxy to get a brief whiff of her bodily essence. Oxy stuck her tongue out tasting her salty flesh wanting to rip her clothes off and spread her open so badly.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
“Hey! What are you two doing in there?” A female officer said tapping their cell window with her black baton.
“Nothing, she was crying and I was just giving her a hug,” Pandora was good at lying. It was so second nature to her that it just rolled off her tongue effortlessly.
“Yeah well separate before somebody thinks it’s more than that,” the officer yelled through the door before double checking then walking off.
Pandora backed off Oxy leaning against the wall to satisfy those who spied on them for a living. She was beyond tired of the whole surveillance life and could not wait for the moment she was able to walk out of there a free woman. It was hard for her to fathom a life inside of those prison walls and thought it stupid for someone like Oxy to have chosen to be a career criminal. She had the good life, not like the upbringing Pandora and her sisters had. Oxy had it good and she was dumping it all in the trash for a chance to look cool to the people she used to run with. She envied her and considered her a disgrace all at the same time.
“I swear we can’t leave here soon enough. I hate this place with a passion,” Pandora sighed shaking her head.
“It’s not so bad once you learn the rules.”
/> “You shouldn’t even be learning the rules. You are rich and your daddy is powerful. You’re just crazy.”
“Like I said, my dad is not all that people make him out to be alright. We don’t even get along much. We’re always butting heads but he just pacifies me so I’ll be his prize child,” Oxy spoke as she lowered her head.
“Shit, I wish someone would baby me so I would do right or go to college and buy me whatever I want. A trust fund, if I was a trust fund, baby trust that I wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like this,” Pandora recited snootily.
“Yeah well if you want my life so badly then take it.”
“If only it was that damn simple,” Pandora rolled her eyes. “Anyway when is he coming to get us?”
“He’s not.”
“What? Please don’t tell me you fucking lied to me Oxy, I swear I will kill you dead right here.”
“Is that a threat from the murderess, Pandora?” Oxy stood getting back on her thug stance. I don’t take too kindly to idle threats.”
“It ain’t idle. But it wasn’t a threat either. I’m just saying.”
“Hmm. He’s going to send a car for us in the morning. Said we should be released around dawn,”
“Cool. Well we’d better pack up our shit so we’ll be ready. I can’t wait.”
“Uh, Pandora, there’s just one more thing,” Oxy turned grabbing her hand to slow her excitement. “We have to live with him until your case is closed.”
“What? Why?”
“Because he wants to keep an eye on us and make sure we don’t get into any more trouble. He’s putting his rep on the line for us so he’s not gonna tarnish that just cause I called in for him to rescue me.”