Lipstick Diaries Part 2

by Anthony Whyte

  Sid walked into the house and closed the front door. “He’s pulling up.”

  “Who’s pulling up?” Cyrus said.

  “Shhh...” Jamie said pointing her shotgun at his chest.

  “Cyrus?” the sheriff called out as he stepped onto the porch.

  Sid opened the door and snatched the old man off his feet. The sheriff landed on his back in the center of the living room. He reached for his pistol. Mimi stomped on his hand before he could get to it.

  “What the hell is this?” he asked looking up at the women.

  “Justice,” Paris said, snatching his pistol out of its holster. “You’re a hero, sheriff.”

  “A hero?”

  “Yes, you came here and took out these two drug dealing thugs all by yourself. You busted in and shot Ramel twice.” Paris shot Ramel twice in the chest with the sheriff’s gun.

  “But then, Cyrus got to Ramel’s gun and shot you in the stomach,” Precious said, shooting the sheriff in the gut with Ramel’s gun.

  Cyrus jumped off the couch. Paris shot him three times in the chest with the sheriff’s gun. “You were able to shoot Cyrus three times before dying from the two bullet wounds you took in the stomach.”

  “Wait -”

  Precious shot him again in the stomach. Everyone looked toward the top of the stairs.

  “I found her hiding in the closet,” Jamie said.

  “That’s Ramel’s girl,” Paris said.

  “Get out of here,” Sid said to Paris. “You can’t be seen here. Remember, stick to the plan.”

  Two months later, Paris rode her bike onto the sidewalk and stopped in front of the bookstore. She climbed off and walked in.

  Neal looked up from the book he was reading. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” Paris looked around. “How’s business?”

  “Business has dropped two hundred percent since you left.”

  “Don’t try and make me feel guilty.”

  “Would it make you come back?”

  “No. The kids need me.”

  “I need you.”

  Paris walked behind the counter and kissed him. “And you have me.”

  “Since you opened that youth center in memory of Scratch, I’m seeing less and less of you.”

  “Tonight, you’re going to see a lot of me,” she said kissing him again.

  He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.” You are so beautiful.”

  “You’re getting some pussy tonight, so you don’t have to gas me up.”

  “Are we going to have the house to ourselves? You know I can’t…do my thing with Sid and them around.”

  “They intimidate you?”

  “Hell yeah…!”

  Paris started laughing.

  “And I’m not ashamed to admit it. When I’m around them, I feel like a goldfish in a tank with piranhas.”

  “They love you.”

  “Like cat loves mice.”

  “Well, you will be pleased to know that Sid told me that they are going back to the city this weekend.”

  “Thank you God.”

  Paris punched him in the arm. “Don’t say that. It was because of them that this town is back to normal.”

  Neal nodded. “You’re right. I can’t take that away from them. We owe them big time.”

  “And don’t you forget that.”

  On the outskirts of town, a black Yukon pulled into a barn. Precious and three females from the clique got out.

  Sid walked into the barn. “Talk to me.”

  Precious opened the cargo area of the Yukon. “According to Ramel’s bitch, we just hit the last of Cyrus’s stash houses in Albany.”

  Sid looked at the kilos of dope and nodded.

  “So what’s the plan?” Precious asked. “We got a whole lot of coke and dope.”

  “We’re setting up shop.”

  “Where…?”

  “Right here.”

  “In Paris’s town…?”

  “What better place? We have no competition.”

  “I don’t think Paris will approve.”

  “Paris is going to do what the fuck I tell her to do.”

  “And if she doesn’t?”

  “Then, she goes into the ground like the sheriff, Ramel and Cyrus.”

  “That’s cold, Sid.

  “No, bitch, that’s COLD BLOODED.”

  Find Me An Angel

  KATRINA JONES

  I was scared to turn around. I could feel the anger all in his voice.

  “Angela you better turn around and answer me,” Tony said.

  Though I knew that this would exasperate him even further, I couldn’t fix myself to turn around. I stared at the wall, “My sister…” I answered in a low voice.

  “Bitch!” he said and my face hit the wall.

  Pain surged through my entire body. Holding me firmly with one hand wrapped around my head, and the rest of me almost part of the wall, he breathed heavily into my ear. She was predicting things were about to get worse as they normally did.

  He locked his arm around my neck and pulled me back with such force, that when my head hit the floor it split. I laid there dazed with blood running from my dome. My throat burned with such intensity, it was hard for me to catch my breath. I couldn’t utter a word if I wanted to.

  What he didn’t know was I was ready to die. The only thing that kept me here were my two kids, but maybe this is how it was suppose to be from the beginning. Take me out of my misery I thought, and with that I smiled.

  Taking the smile as a form of disrespect, Tony kicked me twice in my ribs.

  “You wanna be a disrespectful, bitch, huh?” he said.

  I was already in so much pain I didn’t think it could get any worse. Tony climbed over me, bent down and punched me in the nose. Every thing went black after that.

  When I finally came to, I was in bed with a bandage over my head and a headache the size of Queens. My body did not seem functional at all. All I could do was lay there. I heard footsteps coming from down the hall. I knew that it could only be one person, the man responsible for my current condition. I didn’t know what to expect but I prayed that this meant the beating was over.

  Tony was the love of my life and father of my two children. We were married a year ago and things were wonderful. After about nine months into the marriage and our second child he started changing. Staying out some nights, he sarted talking to me very disrespectful, and would occasionally slap me. I always rationalize it to be caused from stress, and never really said much about it.

  When his six foot frame entered the room he had a glass of water in his hand and what I hoped were pain killers in the other. He walked up to the side of the bed that I was occupying and smiled. I didn’t want to upset him again so I just smiled back.

  “Here take this,” Tony said, bending down to give me the pills.

  I was very skeptical and allowed him to drop the pills into my opened mouth. He gave me some water to swallow.

  “Being that you’re in no condition to pick the kids up from school, I will get them, and don’t worry about dinner, I will pick something up on the way home,” he said then turned and walked out the door.

  I couldn’t believe he had the audacity to even say that to me, when he was the reason I couldn’t pick up my kids, or make dinner. I looked up toward the ceiling and closed my eyes.

  “Lord, why didn’t you take my life?” I silently prayed. “It would’ve been so much easier if Iwas gone. Now look at what I’ve gotten myself into. If I would’ve turned around then this wouldn’t have happened. I don’t know why I can’t do anything right. How good am I if I can’t even please my husband and all I do is make matters worse. Lord, please forgive my husband, he’s just going through a lot and I’m just putting more pressure on him. Please help my marriage. I don’t want to lose my husband, I love him too much.”

  Before I knew it, I was fast asleep. I woke up from the aroma I knew all to well, Soul food from Amy Ruth’s. I looked up at
the clock it was already five in the evening. I heard little voices coming from the kids’ room. How I wish I could just get up, walk in their room, and hug my kids. I was still too tired to get out of bed.

  Lying there in my dense state, I started to think of my life. How I felt when I graduated from high school, the things that I accomplished when everything was stacked against me. My dream wasn’t to be a lawyer but that was where I was heading. It gave me a sense of power. In reality, my life consists of insecurities and loneliness. The first time I met my husband was when I thought I had a chance for happiness.

  He understood me, accepted my flaws, and loved me for me. Now I feel the distance widening between us. I know he loves me and as usual I find a way to mess things up.

  “Mommy, you’re up.”

  I heard the voice and looked toward the door. A little startled Michael and Michelle were there.

  “Yes babies, mommy’s up.”

  “Mommy, daddy said you hurt yourself,” Michael said.

  “Are you okay?” Michelle asked.

  “Yes, mommy did hurt herself, and yes, mommy will be fine. I just need to rest, okay? So that means not too much noise.”

  “Okay mommy,” they chimed with innocence.

  I looked at my children and had to hold back the tears. I loved them both dearly and felt like I disappointed them too. Michelle, the younger of the two asked me if she could get on my bed and brush my hair. All I could do was smile.

  It was something in her that rang when people are sad. She always tried within all her power to make the person feel better. Tony appeared in the doorway. Our eyes met and I could tell by his expression that he wanted to say something. I gave him a look of disadin letting him know I expected an apology.

  “Alright y’all, it’s time to eat. Go take your places at the table,” Tony said to the children.

  “Can I eat here with mommy?” Michelle asked.

  “No, you know you gotta eat at the table,” Tony replied.

  I didn’t mind if she ate in here with me, but didn’t want to say anything to piss him off. I remained quiet and watched the kids leave the room on their way downstairs to the kitchen.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked me.

  I was very hungry but I was too sore to help myself. So I said, “I’m fine.”

  He walked out leaving me with my thoughts. The struggles I had to bear, sacrifices that had to be made, tears came. I was feeling too sorry for myself. .

  “You need to get yourself together,” he said.

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I tried to sit up in the bed and felt a pain shooting through my spine, so severe my eyes started to tear. The nerve of this man damn near beat me dead.

  Again not wanting to piss him off I agreed and he walked out the room. I knew I was in bad shape but I knew I had to find a way to get out of bed, before this man finds another reason to use me as a punching bag. I laid there another minute trying to gather up my strength.

  Once I felt I could get up I held my breath and heaved myself up. It hurt like hell but I did it. My feet felt wobbly. As I stood it felt like I was going to faint. I held on to the bed post until the feeling passed. I heard the front door slam. Tony had just walked out the door. I slowly made my way to the bathroom, scared of what I would see in the mirror.

  When I reached the bathroom I went directly to the toilet, sat on it for five minutes releasing my full bladder. I was too afraid to look in the mirror, so I kept just sitting on the toilet until I got up enough courage. Tears ran down my bruised face when I looked. It was not unbearable but it was not me. My body on the other hand had all kinds of bruises and swelling.

  I felt better enough to make my way downstairs. I wanted to check on Michael and Michelle. They were in the living room watching Dora. Before disturbing them, I stood there watching them, so innocent and unaware of life. How could I do right by them if things aren’t right with me, or the home that they live in? I had to ask myself. I felt like I don’t deserve them, but looking at their little faces always light up my day.

  “Okay guys, let’s go. It’s time to take a bath. Michelle it’s your turn to go first Michael went yesterday,” I said to them.

  “Alright mommy,” Michelle said.

  It took all I had to get the kids bathed and into bed. It was now time to clean up. I cleared the table, and washed the dishes, thinking of how unfair life had been to me. The things I didn’t have when I was younger, turning out to be the same things I can’t get now. I couldn’t blame Tony for hitting on me. Something about me probably needed to be fixed.

  After all the cleaning was done I decided to take a bath. I wanted to soak my aching body. I turned on the water and watched the tub filling up. I reluctantly removed all of my clothing and stared at my body in the mirror. Despite the swelling and bruises, it was still in good shape. I stepped into the tub and let my body disappear under the water.

  A relaxing feeling came over me. I closed my eyes and let my mind take me to another place.

  I don’t know what’s going on with me. I have a wife and two beautiful children. My wife once meant the world to me. I could never forget how beautiful I thought she was when I first seen her. When she spoke to me, her voice was soft, and to the point. We spoke about a legal matter that a mutual friend was having. She blew me away, once she told me she was only nineteen and already a paralegal wanting to further her career and become a lawyer. Still, I knew her experience was still inexperienced and I wanted to add to her knowledge, I had to have her.

  I was a manager in a McDonald’s restaurant. I let her know that from the beginning of our conversation. I was twenty-two at the time and was kinda proud of my own success. Everything was beautiful in the beginning. I wasn’t mad that Angela made more than me, or that her circle of friends was so much different than mine. After awhile it bothered me when we had to go to one of her little functions and I had to make small talk with a bunch of lawyers, and the up and comings.

  Even though no one has ever said anything about what I do for a living I could feel them looking down on me. Angela never said or showed that she was embarrassed by me, and if anyone said anything about it she never let on to me. I pretended until I couldn’t any more.

  I promised myself that I would do better so she wouldn’t have to work. The vibration of Tony’s cellphone broke him out of his trance. He retrieved his phone from his pocket and looked at the screen.

  Shalone calling... Tony answered the phone.

  “Hello,” he said.

  “Baby, where you at?” the person on the other end of the phone whined.

  “I’m downstairs. I’ll be up in a minute,” Tony said.

  After hanging up the phone, he cut off the car and got out. He knew what he was doing was wrong but circumstances taught him how to control his wife, and in return he could do whatever he liked.

  When he walked in the building he spoke to the security guard and went to the back where the elevators were located. Once the doors opened he walked inside and pressed eleven. The ride up was fast as usual. He exited the elevator made a right and went to room 1101. Before he could knock on the door it flung wide open. Shalone came out wearing a red see through gown and nothing under. She jumped into Tony’s arms and wrapped her legs around him. Kissing him passionately she made sure he knew just how much she’s missed him. Carrying her inside, Tony kicked the door shut and brought her over to the bed.

  Placing her down on the bed, he never let her go. The two continued kissing passionately. He moved his hand up her leg, caressing her soft thick thighs. Shalone moaned. She removed her hands from around his neck ready for him to explore her body. Tony moved down to her neck, his kisses sending chills racing down her spine. She always loved how attentive he was when it came to pleasing her.

  Shalone was ready for him. He stuck his ten inch thickness inside her inviting love box, she moaned from pure pleasure. She continued meeting his thrust perfectly, she felt herself about to climax. Shalone wrapped her legs
around Tony and made him dig deeper inside so he could feel all that she had.

  He could not hold on any longer, and started to pump faster and faster until he released inside her. He lay on the bed next to her, both breathing heavily with nothing left to say for the moment. Then they both fell asleep.

  I woke up from the chill of the water. What time is it how long have I been in here? Sitting up, I let the cold water out and turned on the faucet, runing some warm water. I must’ve been very relaxed.

  While hot water poured into the tub, I grabbed the washcloth and body scrub, lathering. I was trying to do it as softly as possible, being careful not to scrub the parts with bruises too hard. Later, I wraped a large towel around my body, walked into the bedroom, to see if it was still the way I’d left it.

  I could feel an unusual queasy feeling in my gut. My husband was doing something wrong. I don’t know what to do with that man. As I was putting lotion on my body, I turned my head up to the ceiling and started to pray.

  “Dear Lord,” I began. “I come to you as a willing servant, and ask you to help my husband. When I took my vows it was for better or worse. Right now things don’t feel as if they can get any worse but I know they can be. I ask you to forgive his life of adultery. I have no proof but I do know what is right. Please Lord, I also pray for strength. If he cannot overcome that devil, then please give me the strength to do what’s right for my kids. I know that I’m not the best, Lord, and I blame myself for the things that he does. Please help me to better myself. Maybe it’s something wrong with me—”

  “Mommy,” it was Michelle’s voice interrupting.

  I opened my eyes and looked at my daughter, standing in the door way with sleep filled eyes.

  “Yes baby,” I answered.

  “I had a bad dream. Can I lay here with you?” Michelle asked her mother.

  I could tell that she was frightened.

  “Of course, honey.”

  Michelle climbed into the bed with me.

  “Amen…” I said finishing the prayer.

  “Mommy, what were you doing when I came into the room?” Michelle asked.