by T. Styles
To get a little more comfortable, she trudged into her ex-roommate Lesa’s room. Farah put her out after she failed to pay rent and discovered that she drank blood. Although it had been months since she’d been gone, no one had bothered to properly clean it. The room wasn’t the freshest because of all the nasty shit they did to get her out of the house, including Shadow pissing over her bathroom floors. It was the one place she knew her siblings wouldn’t bother her. Once inside, she changed into the brown velour tracksuit she kept in the closet, and examined her figure in the mirror on the door. Her body was still tight, and despite a few sores on her yellow skin, she looked slightly bronzed.
Before leaving the room, she grabbed from under the bed the metal lockbox she purchased some time back. She bought it after Shadow and Mia threatened her life if she didn’t stop writing down in her journal the illegal things she did. She entered the code and pulled out her recent book, which was made of red leather. Although she knew she shouldn’t keep them, something about writing every day relaxed her mind.
Flopping on the edge of the bed, she opened the journal and a list floated in her lap. When she picked it up, she saw the names of those she believed to be responsible for sending the picture of her trying to kill Knox. They were Eleanor McClendon, Lesa Carmine, Nadia Gibson, and her friend Rhonda. Her reasons for thinking they could be involved varied.
Eleanor probably wanted her arrested so she wouldn’t hunt her down and kill her. Besides, her apartment was right next to the scene of the accident. Then there was Lesa. Although she could see easily why Lesa would want her head, considering how they ripped her clothes, poisoned her drink, and threw her out on the streets, she didn’t know her at the time the picture was taken. Nadia also had motive, considering she denied her application as a roommate when she applied to live with her, but she didn’t know her at the time the picture was taken either. Finally there was Rhonda. Although Rhonda was in the car at the time of the accident and could not possibly have taken the picture from that angle, she did mention the picture at the restaurant.
With no more answers to who was trying to ruin her life than when she started, she locked her journals back up and left the room. With her coffee out of the microwave, she strolled back into the living room. She was about to sit down when there was a knock at the door. I knew this shit was too good to be true. She placed her coffee down and yelled, “I don’t know who you are, but whoever it is, can you please go away? I don’t feel like company right now.” She slumped into the sofa and grabbed her coffee cup.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Fuck! She focused on the door in frustration. “Who is it?” she screamed, placing her cup down and sliding out of her shoes.
“It’s Vivian James. Open the door, Farah. We have to talk.”
If there was one person she hated more than anything in the world, it was the property manager, Vivian. For one she never wanted Farah to live in the apartment to begin with, even when she shared it with her boyfriend Zone, before she pushed him out of the window. For two Vivian had suspicions that Farah had something to do with her son being missing, but since she couldn’t prove it, she took to stalking her instead.
From the couch she said, “Vivian, I’m kind of busy right now.” She focused on the door, hoping she’d walk away. “Can you come back later?”
“This is about business.” She paused. “I need you to open the door now, Farah. It can’t wait.”
Farah trudged toward the door and flung it open. “What’s so fucking important that it couldn’t wait, Vivian?” She looked out into the hallway. “Is the building on fire or something?”
Vivian was about to give the sassy-mouth tenant a piece of her mind, until she spotted something dried and burgundy on her chin. “What’s that stuff on your face? It looks like . . . blood.”
Goosebumps rose on Farah’s skin and she spit on her finger, rubbed her chin, and said, “I . . . I ate some candy or something earlier.” She appeared nervous and her lips trembled. “Now, I know that’s not what you wanted with me. So what’s up?”
She exhaled and shook her head. “Okay, as you know I’ve tried to honor the fact that your sister died. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to do that much longer.”
“What the fuck do you mean you tried to honor the fact that Chloe died? Bitch, she’s not here anymore. There’s nothing to honor about that.”
Vivian stepped back. “You know what I mean.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you talking about. How about you explain yourself?”
Vivian took two deep breaths. “Maybe that was the wrong choice of words, and I’m sorry if you took it the wrong way. It’s just that . . . well . . . unfortunately you aren’t the only one who has lost someone, and recently at that. Let us not forget that my son is still missing and I still don’t know where he is.” She gave her a knowing look. An accusatory look. “My loving son is out there and anything could be happening to him right now, so trust me when I say I know what you’re going through.”
“And I told you I didn’t have anything to do with that, Vivian,” she lied. “If I knew anything about your son, I would’ve told you. You’re forgetting one thing, my sister was killed and your son could still be out there somewhere. With all that said, what do you want with me right now?”
Vivian shook her head. “Farah, where is your rent for the month? It’s beyond late, and I can’t wait for it any longer.”
She sighed. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the rent is due the first of the month.” She looked at the yellow chart in her hand. “And we’re beyond that period right now. Every month I have to collect personally with you. You’re the only one who can’t seem to understand the importance of paying on time.”
“I doubt that very seriously. I know for a fact that before Lucia and them moved, they paid when they wanted. Anyway, how come everybody but me gets a fifteen-day grace period?”
“Because you have been known to take the grace period and some more, Farah. And just when the paperwork goes in to have you evicted, you come up with the money. It’s always an excuse with you. ‘I can’t pay my rent now because I have a hair appointment,’ ‘I can’t pay my rent now because I gotta pay my light bill.’ It’s annoying at best.” She paused. “And to be honest, since Zone was murdered—”
“Zone wasn’t murdered,” she interrupted. “My man fell out of the window in this building due to it not being up to code, remember? Because of that shit his family was paid millions. So if you gonna tell the story, tell it right.”
“You know what? Sometimes I think you escaped from Crescent Falls.”
Farah tilted her head. She didn’t know what Crescent Falls was. “What is that?”
“It doesn’t matter.” She laughed. “Because the bottom line is this, since you lived here alone, you’ve had nothing but weird people in and out of this apartment. I’ve let the leasing company know, but they don’t seem to care right now. But I do, and you should be aware that I am keeping my eyes on you.”
“I’m not allowed to have company? If that’s the case, why am I paying rent? I mean, if you clocking who comes in and out of my apartment, shouldn’t you be paying my bills for me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“No, you don’t be ridiculous! I said I’ll pay the rent, and for real, unless you can do something now, all you can do is wait. Now, is there anything else? Because my coffee is getting cold.”
“Nothing for now, Farah. I’m just here to let you know that I’m watching you, and from what I learned recently, some other people are too.” She grinned.
Farah’s eyebrows pulled together. “What does that mean?”
Vivian wore a look of satisfaction. “Don’t mind me. Oh . . . I almost forgot to tell you that Lesa and her friends said hi.”
Farah tried to remain calm, although her body trembled. “So you talk to her now?”
“Sometimes, but they have such vivid imaginations. Can you
believe that they told me you drink blood?” She shook her head. “Young people these days will say anything.”
It’s settled. Lesa and them bitches she rolls with gotta go. “I’m not worried about shit you saying, because everything you speak is lies.”
“I guess we’ll find out. Just know that the countdown has started for your rent. I won’t wait a day past the fifteenth to file for an eviction. That much I promise.”
When she left, Farah slammed and kicked the door. “Dumb-ass bitch! Always in my fucking business! I’m not going to take you fucking with me much longer. Be careful. Be really careful.”
She paced around the kitchen until the house phone rang. Her temples thumped and she wanted to do something to make her feel better. The last thing she wanted was to speak on the phone. Still, she snatched it off the wall and said, “Whoever this is, now is not the time.”
“Farah, how are you?” Randy asked calmly. “It’s been a long time.”
Scared, she stumbled back into the stove. She hadn’t heard his voice since she went to his house the day Slade and his father set him up and robbed his stash houses. Even then they had a few choice words, and she hoped that she wouldn’t hear from him again. She was wrong.
“What do you want with me, Randy?” She stood up straight and looked at the tiles on the floor. “I’m kind of busy right now.”
“Come on, is that some way to treat somebody who looked out for you since you were too young to fuck? Who gave you money for your rent, apartment, and clothes? Who put you in your first car?” He chuckled. “And looked out for you when that punk-ass nigga you fucked with couldn’t afford to take care of you? Come on, Farah, I deserve more respect than that.”
She opened the refrigerator and grabbed a beer. Fuck coffee. “I don’t have time for this shit right now, Randy,” she said, although she knew he didn’t care. “My sister died, I don’t feel good, and I’m really tired. So if you gonna kill me, do it already, but please don’t call my fucking house again.”
“You talk to me like I didn’t understand your sister died already. Don’t you understand that that’s the only reason you still alive? I deserve a little more credit than that, bitch.”
While he was talking, it dawned on her that he could have sent the picture. Since she’d known him, he’d done everything in his power to stalk her. Maybe this was his way of fucking with her mind. “Randy, can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Did you send that shit to my house?”
Silence.
“Randy, did you send a picture to my house? If you did, it’s fucked up that you trying to ruin me like that. All I ever did was love you.”
He laughed. “You always got some shit going on, don’t you? No matter what, you just can’t just live a normal life.”
“Whatever, Randy.”
He laughed. “I just wanted you to know that you’re still on my radar. You and that nigga you deal with.”
“And my father too?” She paused.
“Hey, whatever Tank does to that man while he’s in jail is on him.”
“You should know Ashur is stronger than you know.” She tried to convince herself. “If anything, I’m afraid for Tank.”
“If that’s true, I guess we’ll see. I just hope you’re having a good time with life, Farah, because it won’t be yours much longer.”
Farah was preparing to respond when someone in the background on Randy’s end said, “Welcome to Serenity Meadows! How can we help you?”
“Hello?” Farah said into the phone. “Hello.”
When she looked at the phone, Randy was gone. But why? Farah snatched her purse off the counter and stomped toward her bedroom. The only thing she was interested in at the moment was relaxing and taking a nap, but when she opened the door to her room, she wanted to jump out of her skin when she saw Shadow in her bed with Kindle and Raven, two girls from down the hall.
Kindle’s hair was wrapped around Shadow’s fist as he pumped into her from behind, while her cousin Raven was face up, under Shadow’s nut sack as she licked his balls.
Farah couldn’t stand either of them, mainly because they were loud, ridiculous, and always fighting in the hallway. Although someone would probably say the same thing about her, she would dispute it to the fullest.
“Hold up. What the fuck are y’all doing in my house?” she screamed. That was one of the things she hated about her apartment. There had been many times when she thought she was alone and almost got caught talking on the phone about private matters. “And why didn’t you go in your room, Shadow?” She stepped farther into the room and was angry when she stepped on one of their panties with her bare foot. “Yuck!” She kicked it away.
“My bad, Farah,” Shadow said, covering up his dick with the edge of the sheet, leaving the girls naked. “I heard you out there, so I tried to keep the girls quiet. We almost done. Check back in a minute.”
“You not answering my question.” She placed her hands on her hips. “How come you in my room? What’s wrong with yours?”
“Because my room ain’t got no TV, and your ex-roommate’s room stinks.” He grinned as if shit was funny. “Don’t worry. We about to bounce.”
“You know what, I want both of these bitches out of my house in the next fifteen minutes. If they not gone, I’m gonna start swinging.”
“Wait, who the fuck is you talking to?” Raven said, covering her body with Farah’s robe. “You don’t have to be all wild and shit just because this your house.”
“Shawty, you don’t know my sister,” Shadow said, snatching the robe from her. “On second thought, get your shit and get the fuck out, both of y’all bitches. I already bust anyway.”
When she remembered she had asked him to get something for her, she said, “Did you at least get the medicine I asked you for?”
He looked at her strangely. She guessed he didn’t want her to say it in front of them. “Yeah, it’s in my room. On my dresser. I don’t know what you want with it, but be careful.”
Farah stormed out of her room, grabbed the meds, and called the one person she thought she wouldn’t talk to in a while.
Coconut’s new apartment had Farah jealous the moment she stepped inside. The latest technology, from flat-screen TVs to expensive surround systems, was everywhere. The couch was made of expensive cream leather, and the carpet was nice and plush. There was even a picture of Coconut and Jake on the wall like they were a married couple, and she wanted to throw up at how happy they looked. It seemed like everything around her reminded her that Slade dumped her and she felt worthless.
Originally Coconut and Farah were supposed to share an apartment together in Platinum Lofts, but Jake, Coconut’s boyfriend, decided that he wanted her to himself. And since Jake was a dope boy with heavy money and Farah was always broke, there was no competition. As far as Farah knew, Jake didn’t fuck with her, so she was surprised she was allowed into their house. Something was off.
A few drinks later, Farah was relaxed and surprised because Jake seemed to be really cool. His tall, lanky body resembled a ball player’s physique, and his dope boy swag made him even more appealing. It was easy to see why Coconut chose him.
They were sitting in the living room watching TV when Coconut said, “So you been holding up okay? With Chloe being gone and all? Because I know even though y’all fought so much, she loved you and you loved her.”
Farah sighed. “I’m holding up as best I can.” She focused back on the movie and grabbed her drink. “I just got a lot I’m trying to sort out. A lot of shit is catching up with me.”
“What you mean?”
“It’s a long story, but I do appreciate you having me over.” Farah’s mind floated to Eleanor. “Hey, you remember that white lady Eleanor? I think you call her The Clapper?”
“Yeah, I get my weed from her. Why?”
Farah tried to remain calm. Coconut told her that she copped weed from her before, but it totally slipped her mind. “Uh . . . do you stil
l see her?”
“Yeah, I saw her earlier today.” She reached in the ashtray and pulled out the blunt they just smoked. “You just helped me smoke her shit. She got the best.”
“Where she gets it?”
“I think she get it from Willie, Randy’s father.” She shrugged. “But who knows.”
Farah was breathing so heavily she was hyperventilating. “Uh . . . when is . . . I mean, when you gonna see her again?”
Coconut looked at her worriedly. “I’m not sure. She told me she’ll get in contact with me because she has to get out of town. Sounded pretty scared for some reason.” She touched her hand. “Are you okay? Because you look flushed.”
“I’m fine,” she lied, trying to calm down. “But thanks anyway.” Farah didn’t want to press the issue, but she had to revisit the Eleanor topic soon. Asking too much might send Coconut’s antennae through the roof. “I still can’t believe Shadow had them bitches from down the hall in my bed, girl. I almost murdered all three of them! What the fuck type shit was that?”
Coconut laughed. “Girl, he did just come home from jail, you know.” She laughed. “I’m surprised his fine ass hadn’t kicked the freak party off a long time ago.” She shook her head. Secretly she was crushing on Shadow, but had no intention of letting him know.
As the girls were in mid-conversation, Jake walked back into the living room, holding a beer. “Farah, you ever talked to my man Park again?”
Park was Farah’s ex-boyfriend, who she met in high school. In fact, she and Coconut met Jake and Park at the same time, but Farah couldn’t get with him after a while because he was too weird in the bedroom. For instance, he got off when she stuck her finger up his ass and coughed on his dick. In the end, she always felt weird around him, so she decided to leave him alone.