The Light In the Dark

by Craig A. Smith

  “Who is your friend?” Stacy asks as she points to the Camaro.

  “Oh, that’s my friend Hiram,” Tyrone says.

  “Is he from Cali too?” Stacy asks.

  “Yeah,” Tyrone says.

  “How old are you?” Stacy asks.

  “Damn, you ask a lot of questions girl,” Tyrone says flirtatiously, “are you the police?”

  “Nope, but my daddy is a lawyer, and I ask a lot of questions too… so you’d better get used to it,” Stacy says with a smile.

  “Well, if you need to know, we’re eighteen,” Tyrone says.

  “Us too,” Stacy says, “do you all wanna come to a party with us? It’ll be fun; we have weed and some X.”

  “Let me check with my boy real quick,” Tyrone says as he sprints back to the Camaro and jumps in. He looks over to Hiram, who still doesn’t seem to be too happy.

  “You wanna go to a party?” Tyrone asks giddily.

  “Hell no I don’t want to go to a stupid party,” Hiram says, “dude, we’ve got to get back.”

  “Fuck Kris and Drake man,” Tyrone says, “I don’t even really know them motherfuckers. Come on Hiram, we’ve got some bomb ass ladies over there wanting to get fucked up. Check it out; they think we’re eighteen.” Hiram looks over at the girls, but can only think about getting away from town. He has had enough adventure.

  “No dude, we go now,” Hiram says.

  “What are you gay or something, do you not like women?” Tyrone asks.

  “I’m not going,” Hiram responds, “say whatever you want to say but nothing is going to change that.”

  “They got drugs man, herb and X,” Tyrone pleads.

  “Get the drugs and let’s go then,” Hiram says, “ask them to come with us.”

  “Hell no, I ain’t adding more dudes into the mix,” Tyrone says with conviction.

  “Fuck it then, you leave with them and I’ll just head back alone,” Hiram says.

  “Alright,” Tyrone says, “I’ll go with them, just give me some shit from the back of the car to party with.”

  “You’ll have to trade,” Hiram says.

  “Fuck you man,” Tyrone yells, “I stole some of that shit and I stole this ride, give me what’s mine.”

  “Or we can create a disturbance here and go back to jail,” Hiram says, “I don’t really care.”

  “You lil’ bitch,” Tyrone says, “You wouldn’t do that.”

  “Try me,” Hiram says as he lights a cigarette and looks at Tyrone sternly. Tyrone sizes Hiram up with his eyes and realizes that he is not bluffing. He changes his tone with him.

  “Aight then,” Tyrone says, “I’ll ask them if they will trade some shit. What do you want?”

  “Just some herb,” Hiram says, “that’s it.”

  They both get out of the car and Hiram switches to the drivers seat. Tyrone walks back to the girls in disappointment.

  “So what’s up?” Stacy asks.

  “My boy’s out, says he’ll trade some weed for alcohol,” Tyrone says, “but I’m down for whatever.”

  “I’ve only got a quarter on me,” Stacy says.

  “A dime should do,” Tyrone says.

  “Tell him to hook us up with some whiskey if he’s got some,” Stacy says as she takes the weed out of her purse and puts it in an empty pack of Marlboro Lights. She hands him the pack and he walks back to the car and leans through the driver’s side door. He drops the cigarette box in Hiram’s lap.

  “Check it,” Tyrone says. Hiram looks inside the box and sees marijuana wrapped in cellophane.

  “A dime bag, that’s it?” Hiram asks.

  “Man, they only got a quarter and we are headed out to that party,” Tyrone says.

  “Shit,” Hiram says, “What do they want?”

  “They were talking bout hitting up some whiskey,” Tyrone says. Hiram shakes his head in disappointment. He puts the weed in the center console and leans into the backseat and begins sifting through the mountain of cigarettes and booze.

  “Jack Daniels or Jim Beam?” Hiram asks.

  “Both,” Tyrone says.

  “What else do you want?” Hiram asks.

  “Get me some gin and a carton of Kool’s,” Tyrone says as Hiram grabs everything and puts it down in the passenger floorboard.

  “How are we gonna do this in front of everybody?” Hiram asks. Tyrone motions for the girls to come to the car. The girls trot over and stand next to Tyrone.

  “What ya want?” Stacy asks.

  “You lean in the car and my boy will slip some shit in your purse,” Tyrone whispers. Stacy leans forward and Hiram drops a fifth of Jim Beam and a fifth of Jack Daniels into her oversized purse. Tyrone walks to the other side of the car and jumps into the passenger seat, where he slides the carton of cigarettes down the backside of his pants and puts the pint of gin in his belt line. He looks at Hiram and extends his hand; Hiram grabs his hand and they bump shoulders.

  “I guess this is it man, you sure you don’t wanna roll?” Tyrone asks.

  “No man, have fun,” Hiram says, “are you going to have them bring you back when you’re done?”

  “We’ll see what the night brings bro,” Tyrone says with a wink, “it’s been real man, catch you on the other side playa,” Tyrone says.

  “Peace,” Hiram says as he watches Tyrone get out of the car and walk away with the girls. Hiram thinks for a minute about what he might be missing, but then he starts the car and drives off anyway. Tyrone watches the taillights disappear and then he returns his attention back to Stacy.

  “You got a light?” he asks.

  “I have an extra one right here,” Stacy says as she pulls the lighter out of her purse and hands it to him. They make their way to a new Jeep Wrangler parked on the side of the street. Becca hops into the passenger seat and lights a cigarette. Tyrone looks at the cherry red Jeep before he jumps into the back. They pull onto the street and begin cruising. Tyrone leans back in his seat and lights a Kool, the brand his uncle used to smoke and the one he started on. He closes his eyes and enjoys the wind blowing in his face. He has never ridden in a Jeep before; he enjoys the sense of the wind whipping around him. It almost feels like he is flying.

  “Hey Tyrone,” Stacy yells. Tyrone doesn’t hear her; he sits there motionless enjoying his cigarette and the ride.

  “Tyrone!” she yells again, this time getting his attention.

  He smoothly replies, “What’s up beautiful?”

  “We’re gonna swing by the gas station to pick up some cokes,” she says.

  “For what?” he asks.

  “To mix with our whiskey silly,” she says. The girls giggle, high on God knows what. Tyrone rolls his eyes and leans back again.

  “That’s cool, whatever,” he says as she pulls the Jeep into the gas station.

  “While we’re in here, do you want anything?” she asks as she puts the Jeep in park.

  “Nope, I’m aight,” Tyrone says as the girls jump out of the Jeep and go inside. Tyrone notices a patrol car pull up next to him. His heart races as he sees a deputy walk by the Jeep. Tyrone stares at the shiny name plate that reads JONES as the deputy gives a friendly nod to Tyrone. Tyrone nervously nods back. The deputy walks into the gas station and out of sight. Tyrone leans back in his seat and continues to enjoy his cigarette. The girls come out of the gas station with two fountain drinks. Both get into the Jeep. Tyrone still has not moved, spread out in the backseat enjoying his cigarette. Stacy leans over the seat and pulls a pack of Marlboro Lights out of her purse. She throws the pack into Tyrone’s lap.

  “I don’t smoke cowboy killer’s girl,” he says.

  “Look inside,” Stacy says, “you need to catch up.” Tyrone opens the cigarette box and sees three gel cap hits of acid and four hits of ecstasy. He’s smoked weed before, but the idea of eating acid or X freaks him out a bit.

  “Have you already hit this?” he asks.

  “We dosed right before we met you,” Stacy says.

  “F
or real, how y’all feeling?” Tyrone asks. Stacy leans back and slides her hand up Tyrone’s inner thigh.

  “I feel really, really good,” she says with an orgasmic tone. Tyrone throws his cigarette out of the Jeep and eats one hit of acid and one hit of ecstasy. Stacy starts the Jeep and backs out. She turns the Jeep off the main road and begins driving down a windy, woodsy highway. It seems as if the trees are once again insulating them from the night’s sky and nothing could possibly go wrong.

  “What time is it Stace?” Becca asks.

  “It is 12:45,” Stacy says, “we’d better hurry.”

  “Where’s the party at?” Tyrone asks.

  “We are going to a friend of mine’s,” Stacy says, “you are going to fucking love it!”

  “Bet,” Tyrone says as Stacy pulls in front of a large house and parks. Everyone gets out of the Jeep and follows Stacy.

  “This is my house,” Stacy tells Tyrone as she unlocks the door, “we’re going to run inside and get some bathing suits.” Tyrone stays on the porch as the girls go inside. Stacy looks back and asks Tyrone, “Well, are you coming?”

  “Sure, Tyrone says as he walks into the house, which is more of a small mansion. Tyrone explores the house and its excessive wealth; it feels like he is on another planet. The girls run upstairs and Tyrone notices a Rolex sitting on the coffee table. He picks it up and looks at it.

  “Damn,” he mutters as he admires the fine craftsmanship. He puts the watch in his pocket as the girls come running down the stairs. Stacy motions for Tyrone to follow her out the backdoor. He obliges and they exit out of the back of the house. The girls walk down to a dock on the lake where there are four Sea Doo’s parked on the dock. The girls slam their drinks and begin laughing and pointing at each other in a drunken and drug-induced haze. Tyrone stops at the front of the dock, hesitant to proceed any further. The girls hop on two of the Sea Doo’s. Stacy points at another one.

  “Come on Tyrone,” she says, “hop on and let’s go.”

  Tyrone stares at the Sea Doo, “What the fuck is that thing?” he asks, “and where is this motherfuckin’ party supposed to be at?”

  “On the other side of the lake,” Becca says, “come on, you have to ride one of these to get out there.”

  Tyrone shakes his head in fear, “Fuck that shit man. You got a life preserver or something girl? A nigga ain’t fucking around no deep water without a life preserver.”

  “Come on, you’ll be okay,” Stacy says as she laughs, “these things are super safe, they are my dads; my family rides on them every weekend.” This does not ease Tyrone’s confidence.

  “Have you ever heard of a black man drowning in a lake? Bet you haven’t,” Tyrone says. “You know why? Because we hear stories about crazy ass white people drowning because they be fuckin’ around on the water without a life preserver.”

  “You can ride on mine,” Stacy says as she slaps the back, “come on.”

  Tyrone shakes his head, “I ain’t getting on that thing girl,” he says.

  “Then you will be all alone tonight,” Stacy says with a cute, yet sarcastic grin, “wondering what I look like naked.”

  “Shit, girl more like you’ll be at the party wondering what I look like naked,” Tyrone says with a confident smile.

  “There will be other guys there to scratch my itch,” Stacy says, “and you’ll be stuck here, left to scratch your own.” Stacy and Becca turn on their Sea Doo’s and begin pushing out from the dock.

  “Hold up,” Tyrone says, walking further onto the dock. His confident look is negated by his quivering legs as he gingerly climbs on to the back of the vessel. He grabs Stacy tightly as she slowly throttles out of the sound. She looks back at him with an evil smile, accelerating to maximum speed. As Tyrone is holding on for dear life, the drugs begin to kick in.

  “What the fuck,” he screams over the sound of the engine, “I feel like my heart is about to explode, you need to pull over or something.”

  “It’s cool,” Stacy says, intermittently giggling, “it’s just the acid and ex kicking in. You just need to relax and go with it; you are in for one hell of a trip.” Tyrone is terrified to complain anymore, fully aware of the fact that these girls are much older than he is. Showing his fear any further may cost him a night he is sure to remember. The trio pulls into a cove to find a series of large houseboats and yachts. Stacy rides up to one of the yachts called The Nasty, which is docked in front of a massive mansion. A tan college-aged white boy wearing an open white dress shirt and khakis walks onto the hull and waves.

  “Stacy, Becca what’s up?” he yells, “Hold up, I’ll grab a line so you can dock.” Eric walks up to the rear of the boat and throws a line to Stacy, which she pulls until she is next to the ladder. She ties her Sea Doo down and ties her Sea Doo to Becca’s, securing it as well. All three climb up the ladder onto the deck of the large boat. Rap music is blaring and everyone is drinking and smoking. There are about forty people on the boat, all of which are either teenagers or college kids. The rest of the kids are partying in Eric’s backyard. The scene reminds Tyrone of a music video; girls giving guys lap dances and people drinking expensive alcohol while dancing and grinding.

  “Man, this party is da grits!” Tyrone says to Eric.

  “Yeah buddy,” Eric says with a stoners draw, “we know how to do it right around here. You wanna beer or something?”

  “Nope,” Tyrone says, “I’m fittin’ to hit up this gin,” as he pulls the gin out of his belt-line and takes a hard swig. Stacy and Becca walk inside the boat, he follows. The party is just as wild on the inside of the boat as it is on the outside. He laughs as he sees a skinny emo kid pass out half of the way through funneling a beer. Eric and Becca separate from the group and begin mingling with guests. Stacy and Tyrone make their way into a flock of dancing partygoers and begin to grind. Stacy grinds her hips into his, matching the fast-paced rhythm of the music. Kissing her neck, he slides his hand up her inner-thigh.

  “You’re getting me wet,” she whispers as she runs her fingers across the back of his head, still grinding away on him.

  “You ain’t seen nothing yet girl,” he responds as he extends his hand and they make their way to a bedroom. A mountain of a man in a letterman’s jacket obstructs their pathway just as they reach the door.

  “What’s up Stace?” the man says.

  “What the fuck are you doing here Todd?” she snidely asks, “If I knew you were going to be here I never would’ve shown up.”

  “Who is your little friend here?” Todd asks as he looks up and down at Tyrone in a condescending fashion.

  “This is Tyrone,” she remarks, “and he is more of a man than you ever could be.”

  “Really,” Todd says, “well congratulations, it’s nice to see that you’ve moved on so quickly.” Tyrone motions to the bedroom door.

  “Yo Stacy, we need to get our drink on,” Tyrone says.

  “No problem,” Todd says sarcastically, “Go get yo drink on!”

  Todd moves out of the way and lets Stacy and Tyrone pass. Stacy gives Todd a glare as she and Tyrone make their way into the bedroom and close the door. They start passionately kissing, stumbling over to the bed. They fall on the bed and Stacy turns off the lamp next to the bed, which is the only light on in the room. Tyrone takes off his pants and the Rolex falls out of his pocket and onto the floor. Stacy picks it up and turns the light back on.

  “This is my dad’s,” she says as she examines it. Tyrone looks down at the floor in embarrassment. Stacy turns the light back off and rolls on top of him.

  “Ooh, you are such a bad boy Tyrone,” she says, “What am I going to do with you?” They begin having sex, just a few seconds in Tyrone climaxes and stops cold. Stacy looks down at him.

  “Sorry,” he says with a rattled look.

  “Wow, that was quick,” she says as she rolls off of him unsatisfied. He wonders if he should tell her that it was his first time, but decides against it.

  “I think it’s
the ecstasy,” he explains.

  “Oh,” she says as she puts her pants back on, “don’t worry about it, you can make it up to me in about an hour.”

  Tyrone smiles as he glances over at her. He begins putting his clothes back on. “So who was that big dude?” he asks.

  “Oh,” she says with a pained look, “that was my ex-boyfriend Todd.”

  “How ex?” he asks.

  “We broke up a couple of months ago when I went up to EKU to visit him and found him in bed with another girl,” she says.

  “Damn,” Tyrone says as he sits down next to her on the bed, “were you in love with him or whatever?”

  She pauses as she looks at him, “Yeah,” she responds, “we were together for three years, and then he got a scholarship to play football at Eastern and then he went from calling every day to every other day and then every week… every month… you get the point.”

  “Yeah,” he says, “do you still have a thing for him?”

  “Fuck no,” she says, “after I broke up with him he started telling everybody that he dumped me because he caught me having sex with two of his roommates. That pretty much ended any chance he had of getting back with me, I heard whispers in the hallways all through my senior year.”

  “That’s messed up,” Tyrone says.

  “He is such a tool,” Stacy says, “let’s not waste anymore time talking about it.”

  “Aight,” Tyrone says as he gets up, “I’m going to go see if they have any food up in here, I’m hungry as a motherfucker.”

  “And how hungry is a motherfucker?” Stacy asks as she chuckles.

  “Pretty damn hungry,” Tyrone says as he rubs his stomach, “Do you want anything?”

  “Nope, I’m good,” she says, “hurry back.”

  Tyrone nods as he opens the bedroom door. He sees a couple of white kids sitting on a couch watching an Ultimate Fighting Championship DVD. The party has really died down in the short time they were in the room, now dwindled down to only about twenty people. Tyrone walks to the refrigerator, rubbing his stomach. Stacy sneaks behind him and wraps her arms around him. He stares at a pack of lunch meat, which begins throbbing and beating like a heart. He blinks his eyes and is overcome with the image. He begins to shake.