* * *
"When did you move to Albuquerque? I thought you're living in LA?" Camryn asked.
* * *
"I had to get out of Los Angeles, girl. Cost of living is too damn high. Now the ongoing problem where ever Californians move they take the high prices and crime with them. You think they get it and stay in California instead of spreading their disease everywhere." Anna said.
* * *
"Native Texans in California, for some reason it's a common pathway between the two states." Camryn stated.
* * *
"What are you a size 38?" Anna asked.
* * *
"22." Camryn said.
* * *
"I wish I was that size. I think I'm a size 4. Black men like the curves. It's a damn shame a Black woman with no ass...were famous for it." Anna said.
* * *
"Yea, but it's not considered an asset until some famous white girls started having an ass." Camryn said.
* * *
"Asset... ass... ha! Come on let's go." Anna said.
* * *
Camryn notices something peculiar about Anna.
* * *
"You can't be dating white guys. Their crazy and have little dicks." Anna said.
* * *
"Being crazy, having little dicks is hardly exclusive to white men. I know it's popular to say but not all white guys are cursed with tiny dicks. Andrew wasn't. I saw this black guy in Playgirl and he had shortcomings. ." Camryn laughs.
* * *
"Andrew didn't?" Anna asked sounding like she couldn't believe the statement. "The black dude in Playgirl was probably mixed. Got the tiny dick from the white side." Anna said.
* * *
Camryn laughs. She's not going to argue with Anna about this ...matter. Someone's willing to fight for limitations she's not going to argue with the person.
* * *
"Playgirl? I though only gay guys looked at Playgirl?" Anna said.
* * *
"I was curious. I wasn't surprised when it stopped being published. A man in shape...my god he's like a work of art. Playgirl had no artistry. "Camryn stated.
* * *
"I went on a date with an Italian guy once. He put his arm across my shoulders and the acid from his skin burned me. Something about white folk's skin is acidic. I'm letting you know now I'm actively looking to relocate. Atlanta, Chicago or New York are now the best cities to meet single brothers." Anna said.
* * *
Camryn sighs. Anna is a bigot. She's conflicted about Alison. When she was eight Alison slapped her. When she was ten Alison held her down and burned her with a curling iron. She lost count of the number of times Alison placed something in her food like cement or bleach. Alison put a garden snake in her bed once... it back fired because she thought it was cute.
After Alison shoved her downstairs, she's sent away and when she returned she was quiet- the quiet that precedes a storm. Camryn learned to fear Alison. She would find Alison sneaking around watching her. At 16 Alison ran away and the grandparents couldn't find her. People always gave Alison excuses for her behavior because their parents died.
* * *
"I have an interview on Wednesday". Camryn said.
* * *
"Already?" She said. Anna scratches her crotch as she drove.
* * *
"Albuquerque is hiring. I started applying for work a few days ago, did a few phone interviews and now two job interviews. I need my own place as soon as possible. I'm moving it. "Camryn said.
* * *
"Well you need to burn some calories." Anna laughs, "Kidding. I thought about our arrangement and I decided you don't pay me any rent. Buy your own food and pitch in $100 for the electric. I'm close enough to work to bike a few days so let me know when you need to borrow the car. "Anna said.
* * *
"Ah thank you but I can take the bus." Camryn said.
* * *
"Girl please, you're looking for a job and apartment in a new city. Oh when you use the car put some more gas in please. I have a date tonight. Stick with me I will help you find a brother." Anna said.
* * *
"Anna, brothers are not interested in me. I'm hit on once every five years. I broke up with Andrew like two- three weeks ago so I think I'm going to take a break from men." Camryn said.
* * *
"No, you need to screw now. You think Andrew hasn't? He's a man you bet your sweet ass the night you broke up he was fucking someone the same evening." Anna said.
* * *
"Maybe but I need to wait." Camryn said.
* * *
"I don’t understand how you could fuck a cracker." Said Anna. She stopped at the red light she spits out the window. Camryn turned her head away hoping Anna missed the disgusted look on her face. Wow, she thought her femininity been misplaced compared to Anna she's one of those foo foo girly girls.
* * *
"You had two boyfriends on the DL and mine was abusive... you know what I don’t want to talk about this." Camryn said.
* * *
Anna sucks her teeth and this made Camryn nervous. It is something Andrew does before slapping her. Anna's only 20 minutes from the motel so the ride to her apartment short...but it seemed long.
* * *
Anna opens the apartment door. "There's only a neighbor on the left side." She said.
* * *
Camryn walks into the apartment and immediately wants to leave. Camryn thought she's back in a New York City viewing an east side apartment---it was tiny!
* * *
"Traffic is now a nightmare in certain parts of the city. Fuck Californians everywhere they roam equals doom for the area. The couch pulls out into a bed. I'm going to be out this weekend." Anna said.
* * *
"All weekend? We'll have fun" Camryn said. She smiled.
Anna snaps a photo of Camryn.
* * *
"Why did you take my picture?" Camryn asked.
* * *
"Security guards need a picture of you." Anna said. This sounded like a lie to Camryn.
* * *
Anna smiles. She tosses Camryn her keys. "My ride will be here." Anna said.
Alison walked through the flat. It is huge!
* * *
"Ms. Scott bought two apartments and had walls removed." Estelle, Minerva's assistant said.
* * *
"What's the market value for this place?" Alison asked.
* * *
"1.8 million." Estelle said.
* * *
"What!" Alison said. "And she gave it to me? What's wrong with it? Bed bugs? Rats? What?" She asked.
* * *
"Nothing." Estelle said. She wants this insipid woman to sign the paperwork so she could leave. "I need you to sign off the keys been delivered and your first payment." Estelle said. She extended a pen to Alison but Alison walks past her and continues inspecting the flat.
* * *
Alison looks over the polished looking Estelle. She bet she's been a kept woman. She has the look all over her cheap with floosy glam.
* * *
"How rich is this Scott woman?" Alison asked.
* * *
Estelle sighs, "She's wealthy for New York which means she's wealthy period. You go online and complete your direct deposit information and it starts immediately. Please sign the paperwork." Estelle said.
* * *
"What could my sister have this woman can't buy? Camryn have sex with her husband or something?" Alison asked.
* * *
"I have no idea." Estelle said.
* * *
"And even if you did you wouldn't tell me. You don't like me do you?" Alison asked.
* * *
Estelle sighs. She places an envelope on the kitchen counter. "Your check. Going forward the money is direct deposited. Minerva expects your status reports weekly on Friday and don't be late. For every day you're late your check will be delayed by one wee
k. Do you understand?" She said.
* * *
"Oh, I understand. You’re just an assistant so you should dial back the attitude." Alison said.
* * *
"You’re a means to an end." Estelle said.
* * *
"One that is worth giving me two million dollar property so the very least you could fake being polite. Women like you are experts at faking it." Alison smiled.
* * *
Estelle rolls her eyes and leaves. She's not wasting anymore of her life on Alison.
* * *
The place had only a bed and a table but Alison didn't care she had a flat in a great part of the city. She owned New York City real estate. An asset.
Camryn had the tiny apartment to herself. She sat in the dark near an opened window and listening to the steady rain fall. She loves the rain. Camryn habit of isolating herself so she's actively choosing another option. She searches events around town.
* * *
Camryn sits on the couch and with her cousin gone she found some internet porn to entertain herself. She scanned a few of her favorite sites. She stopped one video when the guy slapped the girl's ass. Camryn wonders what woman found ass slapping sexy. She stops one video when the guy said he didn't need to see the girls face. He needed her hole. It sounded like something Andrew said to her a few weeks ago. Ah, bank robber finding the time to have sex in the vault with a fake employee. She wanted the guy in the video to be decent looking she wasn't a guy rubbing one out to fake cans.
* * *
She licks her fingers and gently massages around her clit, direct stimulation hurt. She uses her other hand to pinch her nipples. After a few minutes she could feel herself getting warm she moans. She watches the "bank robber" thrusting into the "employee".
Frantic banging against the wall... it stops as quick was it started.
She stops the video.
She waits.
She's been sitting in the dark no one knows she's in the apartment. She hopes.
* * *
Camryn slides down the couch when a light from a flashlight shines through the curtains. A knock at the door. She laid still while holding her breathe. She waited and listened. She could hear footsteps moving away from the door.
* * *
She listens. She hears knocking next door. She looks through the peek hole. She thinks the manager said he was squatting.
* * *
"This made me lose my orgasm", Camryn said.
Richard glances at his watch. He glances around him. He knew being a guy he is supposed to be impervious to fear but standing in a cemetery at 1 am...he is afraid. Two women approach him, he has mixed feelings he wasn't sure if he should be happy they finally arrived or continue to feel afraid.
* * *
"Zeina. Holly. Why this place?" Richard asked.
* * *
"Why not?" Zeina said.
* * *
"It's a cliché don't you think?" He said.
* * *
"You want to complain or talk?" Holly asked.
* * *
"I'm multi-tasking." Richard said.
* * *
"What about the girl?" Zeina asked.
* * *
"She's staying with her cousin." Richard said.
* * *
"The ex?" Holly asked.
* * *
"Hasn't made a move yet. One of you want to tell me what's going on?" He asked.
* * *
"Want to...no" Zeina said.
* * *
"She's like a ghost orchid. She's rare." Holly said.
* * *
"She's a powerful witch?" Richard said.
* * *
Zeina and Holly laugh. "She may not have a name for it. She knows she’s different and has tried to hide it. When people don’t understand their gifts they often believe it’s a curse." Holly said.
“You don’t believe us?” Zeina asked.
* * *
"No. She’s goofy and unassuming. "He stated.
“What does a witch look like Richard? That stupid wart, green skin with a broom? Come on!” Zeina said.
* * *
"Don’t forget the horrible long black shapeless dress. It's been over 30 years and we are not any older. "Holly said.
* * *
"I never believed you were human." Richard stated.
* * *
"But yet here you are at 2am in a cemetery chatting to us. Maybe we don't actually exist and to someone passing by your some stoned guy talking to yourself." Zeina said. She giggles.
* * *
"Zeina!" Holly scolds her.
* * *
The women walk away from Richard. "You will be rewarded greatly for bringing the girl to us." Holly said. They disappeared into the darkness. Richard hurries back to his car and leaves.
Camryn squints she couldn't see through the thick smoke. She crawls along the floor. The ceiling is on fire. A medium sized black dog barks at her.
* * *
"Wake up." The dog said.
* * *
"What?" She said
* * *
"Wake up now!" He shouts.
* * *
Camryn jerks out of her sleep. Anna is standing over her. She screams.
* * *
"Why are you standing over me?" She asked.
* * *
"I was about to wake you up." Anna replied. This sounded like a lie to Camryn.
* * *
"I thought you were gone all weekend?" Camryn said.
* * *
"I got done sooner than I thought." Anna shrugs. "Girl, I got fucked really good." She said.
* * *
"Congratulations." Camryn said.
* * *
"Some squatter was murdered next door. I wonder if I can use it for a discount on the rent." Anna smiles.
* * *
"Murdered?" Camryn said.
* * *
"Isn't that creepy. You're sleeping and someone's murdered five feet from you." Anna smiles. She undresses as she walks into the bathroom and closes the door.
Alison frowns. She works on her taxes. It's no wonder she's struggling. She spent 80% of her income on rent. Freaking expensive New York City! She's happy to say good bye to this sad little room. There were some weird ass women living at the Y.
* * *
She had to figure a way to continue getting money from Minerva and she needed to figure out how to use the money to invest in something to grow. She closes her computer and leaves.
* * *
Alison is not happy to find the first floor filled with people. An AA meeting starting and she wants to avoid this group. Down town in 20 minutes, her church's growth group, food and then over to the law office to proofread.
* * *
Alison hopes Minerva isn't blowing smoke up her ass. She wants money! Alison watches her church group arriving. Deborah waddles. Alison didn't understand why she wouldn't go to the Bariatric Surgery seminar. She is 150 pound over her weight for her height. No she waddles around New York City and make excuses. Alison hated people that always made excuses for their lives. As each member shows up to the meeting Alison visualizes shooting them in the face...the idea makes her smile.
* * *
"You had a good day." Deborah said.
* * *
"I had a good day. I got a real coat and gloves." Alison said. Alison went to church. She didn't know why but that's what normal people do in America. She found no comfort at church. When she was in therapy she's told she would feel normal from a routine. It's normal for her family to go to church on Sunday and attend bible study on Wednesday. She learned long ago if she looked okay no one asks questions.
IF: Nowhere To Run (Camryn Morgan Series Book 1) Page 2