by Styles, Toy
I'm meetin' someone later."
"Parade, is that you? Awwwww shit. I'm all ready to lay down game and that's your fine ass? Damn, girl, you lookin' good as shit. Dayumm! "
"Thank you, Markee ... I think," I respond, wanting to unlock my door but hoping he's not on crud time and bust up in there with me.
"Girl, you gotta let me take you out!" he shouts.
In a way, I'm happy he is making so much noise because if something happens to me, someone might hear. That's one thing that's messed up about the Manor. If you have a conversation in the hallway, everyone can hear it because of the echo.
"Markee, you like five years old," I tell him, unenT. Styles
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thused by his compliments.
"Who the fuck you talkin' to, Joe? Don't ever fuckin' call me a kid again. I'm more man than any of them niggas you fuck wit', for real," he says as the killer I know exists emerges in his voice.
"Nobody, Markee. It's not that serious," I tell him.
"Take my number and call me when you get a chance," he continues, softening his face a little.
I'm scared of him and he knows everybody around this mothafucka is scared of him, especially girls. Plus, he just smacked a girl 'cuz she wouldn't give him her number. I consider myself lucky because he didn't ask for mine. I don't have no problems fighting a dude, but you can't win if he has a gun.
"Okay." I wait for him to give me his number so he can leave.
"I ain't got no pen, young. Get one out your purse," he tells me.
The look on my face displays what's on my mind. I don't feel comfortable reaching in my purse for anything while he's here. I ain't taking the chance of the money Jay gave me yesterday dropping out and getting robbed in my hallway.
"I ain't gonna fuck wit' you, young," he reassures me.
I reach in my purse and carefully pull out a pen, making sure not to rattle the loose bills.
"Wayne fuckin' wit' purses again?" he asks.
"What?"
"Is Wayne fuckin' wit' purses again?" he repeats, 134
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looking at the new Louis Vuitton that I am sportin'.
Yes, he is but no, I ain't gonna tell him. There is no way on Earth I'll tell this fool that Miss Wayne is doing something. He's my closest friend and the only one out the group who truly cares about how I feel. He gave me two purses the other day just 'cuz he likes me to have nice things.
"What?" he says with a devious look on his face.
"You think I robbed Wayne?" he continues telling on himself. "Don't believe that shit, man. That's just a rumor. Whoever broke in his house tried to set me up and shit by leaving my high school ID. What I look like droppin' that shit? That's just askin' to get caught." I'm not convinced, and I ain't buying it. I just hand him the pen and a napkin I had in my purse. He writes down his number, which will soon find my trash.
"No," I state, remembering to tie up loose ends before he tries to rob Miss Wayne again. "Wayne's not fuckin' with that shit no more. My new friend gave me this."
"You not talkin' about that nigga whose car been out front lately, are you?" he asks as he smiles like the joke is on me.
"Yeah, why?" I inquire, irritated with his short ass.
"Don't fall for that nigga, Parade. He's here on business," he continues as he hands me the napkin.
"Yeah, I know. He told me," I respond.
"He ain't tell you shit. Trust me. I know what I'm talkin' 'bout." He smirks.
"Okay, Markee." I wave my hand.
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"Look, put the number in your cell phone. You might lose that napkin," he commands. "I'll wait." I hurry up and put the right number in the phone and store it in case he wants to see it. At this point he can do whatever he desires 'cuz I'm tired of his shit. I don't want to hear anything he has to say about Cannon fuckin' with some girl around the neighborhood because that's not gonna stop me from messing with him.
"You think I'm playin'? You'll see. When that nigga finish doin' what need to be done, you call me. I know more shit than you think I do. I know everything around here."
"Alright, Markee." I approach my door. "I gotta go."
"Get at me lada," he responds, leaving the building.
I walk in the house and throw my purse on the kitchen counter. Markee makes me sick with his young ass. I'm tryin' to talk to Cannon, not waste time with him in the funky-ass hallway. I notice a note on a sticky piece of paper by the phone.
Parade,
Daffany is in PG County Hospital. She was hurt really badly.
Wayne and Sky said they'll meet you there.
Dad
What happened to my friend? I pick up the phone and call a cab. I'm so nervous. Is she okay? Did one of 136
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them niggas she fuck with hurt her? I want Daffany out of that life anyway. And when did Miss Wayne call?
I just hope I'm not too late.
The cab arrives. I grab my purse and run out the door.
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20
Sky
SEEING HOW BAD DAFFANY IS fucks me up. We have our problems, but I've never wanted to see her like this.
If I hadn't left my jacket the night they pissed me off, I'da never known she was there ... half dead. The slightly-opened door scared me and I knew immediately that something was up.
I walked up on a half-opened door when I was younger. I'll never forget what I saw.
~~~~
I was ten years old and was on my way to my favorite uncle's house. Unlike the rest of my mother's side of the family, Uncle Rickie always told me how pretty I was. Everybody else on my mother's side hated on me. They hated on both of us. They'd say shit like,
"Just 'cuz you light don't mean you pretty." See, they are brown-skinned and believe that if you are light-skinned, you think you're cute. It ain't my fault most light people are pretty. It's just the way it is.
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from the family because of their brown complexions.
But Uncle Rickie showed me the attention he knew I wasn't gettin' from them. He'd kiss me on my lips and tell me I was the prettiest niece he had. It wasn't nothin' for him to come home with a big-ass Toys "R" Us bag filled with stuff only for me. "Give Uncle Rickie a kiss," he'd tell me and I'd give him the biggest kiss I could.
Uncle Rickie was always affectionate like that but my mother, who if you asked me was just jealous, said it wasn't appropriate for him to kiss and hug me that way. What way? I used to cry because I didn't understand why she wouldn't let me show him how much I loved him. He never lifted my skirt or any of that other shit you hear about on TV. All he ever did was show me he cared about me. I would sit on his lap and he'd read me stories while telling me how I pretty I was in my ear.
I didn't know Uncle Rickie was into drugs. I just thought he was rich. It was through him that I was introduced to fashion. He'd give me any designer label I asked for and even the stuff I didn't. He kept me up on all the latest gear so every Saturday, like clockwork, I'd go to Uncle Rickie's. He lived in the same complex.
So, rushing to be with my favorite uncle on Saturday was very important to me, something that I always looked forward to doing. But one day I walked up on his building, eager to tell him about the beauty contest I won in school because I knew he'd be happy for me and give me a present. His door was slightly open.
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I pushed it farther and saw clear through a large, gaping hole in my uncle's head. I was terrified and couldn't stay by myself for months. My mom would pay Miss Wayne o
r Daffany's mom to let me stay with them until she made it home from work. I never got over how it felt to see my uncle that way. I still have nightmares now.
~~~~
Approaching Daffany's apartment gave me similar feelings. She was beaten so badly that I couldn't see her face because it was covered in her own blood. Daffany really needs to get protection if she's gonna stay in that game. She really needs to get someone to look after her when she's turning tricks, but she wants to do everything herself. She wouldn't even be open to the idea of working with someone. Maybe when she comes around she'll see that she needs me more than she thinks she does.
"Whoever laid her tracks did a damn good job," Jewel says as we look at the back of a girl who is talking to the hospital receptionist. Her hair moves every time she does. It's bouncy and it makes me wanna throw some long tracks up in mine.
Although I'm far from gay, I have to admit that she has a nice body, too - almost as sexy as mine. And I'm feeling that new Louis Vuitton purse she's sportin'. It's the same one I want. I will definitely have to tell Miss Wayne to cop that for me.
He's kinda stingy sometimes, though. I always figure since he's stealin' anyway, he should give me a good 140
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deal or maybe even throw in two purses for the price of one, but not him. He'll say they're special order and he's already giving them to me as cheap as he can. I know he's into me hard because of Jay. Sometimes he's more worried about what's in my man's pockets than I am.
"Ain't that the Manhattan GM by Louis she's rockin'?" Jewel asks.
"Yeah, girl," I tell her. "I need that purse in my life."
She turns and walks in our direction and I'm furi-ous when I see the girl we've been jocking for the past few minutes is Parade. Ooh! I'm heated. Her hair looks good and she's wearing a fresh pair of Evisu jeans with the matching fitted tee, topped off with the oversized belt and a new pair of Fendi boots. BITCH! Miss Wayne's a bitch, too. I bet he ain't charging Parade for none of that shit. I know she couldn't've gotten it from nowhere else.
"Hey, girl," Parade says as she walks over and hugs me, wearing the same perfume that now grosses me out. "How she doin'?"
I return a fake-ass hug and reply, "I don't know.
They won't let us in since we're not family."
"We are family!" she yells, looking like she's getting ready to cry. "What the fuck they mean? They don't have no idea how close we are," she says as she takes the seat right next to me. "Hey, Jewel." Silence.
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telling her I think Parade is after Jay, but I didn't tell her that I wasn't sure if he wanted her, too. It's too embarrassing to think the thought, let alone say the words. I mean ... Jay wanting stinky lil' Parade, who always jocked my style, is unbelievable to me.
"Okay ..." Parade says, ignoring Jewel's rudeness.
"Where's Miss Wayne?"
"He downstairs getting something to drink," I answer, still not trying to talk to her too much.
I'm still tryin' to figure what she told Miss Wayne and Daffany about the night of the murder. Even though the cops only asked me a few questions, I'm not sure if I can trust her.
"Who did your hair?" I ask.
"Carol," she responds, excited that I notice. "You like it?"
"It's okay. She shoulda tightened up the front a little more, but it's okay for you," I utter, trying to carry her.
She puts her head down and I can tell I got to her.
I need to keep Parade in her place. I don't want her thinking she's better than me because if she wants to be in my league, she will have a helluva lot of work to do.
"Good one," Jewel whispers real low. "That bitch still not better than you."
"What the fuck you just say?" Parade lifts her head up and looks at Jewel.
Jewel doesn't move. Her eyes grow two sizes too big because she didn't think Parade heard her. She's also scared to death of Parade, knowing all the stories I've 142
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told her about how she always has my back and is quick to stomp a bitch out.
"Nothing ... uh ... I ain't say nothing," Jewel states.
I don't want to say anything, but Jewel is embarrassing me a little. Now Parade will know that I roll with a punk-ass bitch.
"Oh you said somethin', bitch," Parade says as she takes off her earrings and puts them in the purse I'm hatin' her for. "Don't eat your words now, bitch. I ain't feed them to you yet."
I'm so happy to see Miss Wayne get off the elevators with his pink Capri set and matching heels that I don't know what to do.
"Miss Parade!" he yells, reaching out for her.
Parade takes her eyes off Jewel for one second to greet him and then coldly lays them back on her.
"You look beautiful, girl. My baby looks like a model, don't she, Sky?"
In my opinion she looks okay but she can't win no contest.
"Thanks, Miss Wayne," Parade says while looking back at Jewel. "Let me tell you somethin', bitch. I don't know what Sky's been tellin' you, but I take that shit from her 'cuz I love her. She's like family. But don't you think for one minute that I won't put my foot in your ass, quick. Believe that."
"Maybe I ought to leave," Jewel responds.
"Maybe you betta, chile," Miss Wayne adds.
"I'll call you later, Sky." Jewel rushes toward the elevator. I know she's happy it's open.
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"Miss Sky, I leave you for five minutes and you
'bout to have Miss Parade fightin' again. That chile is already funny lookin'. We don't want Miss Parade to make things worse, now do we?" He laughs. "Baby, you look fierce, and your face is beat," he says as he snaps his fingers, looking Parade over again. "Miss Sky, what happened anyway?" He has one hand on Parade's back, trying to calm her down. "What did you do to her?" He looks at me. "Fuck it. It don't even matter. I ain't seen you in days, Miss Parade. I miss you. I wanna see you, too, you know." He's giving her a lot. I haven't seen him in a while, either, and I ain't get none of that shit.
"Who been keeping you busy?" he asks as he gently touches her shoulder to sit her back down in the chair. "Tell me all about him and don't leave nothing out. I wanna hear dick size and all, honey. I ain't had none since yesterday so believe me, I'm long overdue." He laughs.
"Well, I do have a new friend. He's so handsome, Miss Wayne. I really can't wait for y'all to meet him. He drives a red BMW and since Tuesday, we've spent every day together," Parade explains.
I don't believe her. I mean ... she looks better, I'll give her that, but she ain't pullin' no ballin' ass nigga.
And whoever he is, he'll be gone the moment she fucks him. Please believe.
"Did you give him the goods, chile? And don't hold back," Miss Wayne inquires as he moves his hands. I swear he can't say a word without 'em.
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"Yes, and it is good. We've done it every night since I met him," Parade continues while looking at me for approval. "He looks like somebody who would want Sky, not me."
"Girl, please." I wave her off. "I'm sure he isn't my type."
"You're probably right." She smiles. "Let's not fight, Sky. I miss you. I miss not being able to talk to you and tell you about my life. Let's not keep this up no more."
Miss Wayne is looking at me like, You better accept my baby's apology. But, I'm not sure if I want to just yet. There are still a lot of unanswered questions. A whole lot. Before I can think about it anymore, the two officers who have hassled me ever since that bitch died show up.
"Oh my goodness, what are you two doing here?" Miss Wayne asks.
"We're here because this beating seems very suspicious. We figured you all could tell us if it's related to the m
urder the other night," Officer Oakley responds.
"Don't come here with that shit. We don't feel like it right now!" Parade yells.
I know then that they've been bothering them just as much as they've harassed me, and by the sound of her voice, Parade ain't told them nothing.
"Yes, boys. We're here to support our friend, not be harassed with the likes of you. Now, if you would, please excuse us. You two are in our way," Miss Wayne finishes.
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"We'll leave you alone for right now. Have a nice day," Officer Oakley says.
"You too!" Miss Wayne yells as he scans them with his eyes.
"Okay, which one of them you fucked?" Parade asks after they got on the elevator.
"Why would you say that?" he questions as he covers his mouth with his fingers appearing shocked.
"Because I could see somethin' in your eyes," Parade responds.
"Officer D. Hurts, baby." Miss Wayne laughs and he puts his hand on his chest. "And boy did it hurt. He was coming by tonight but after my baby got beat up, there was a change of plans," he continues as the laughter in his voice slowly diminishes.
"You think she looks bad now?" I say. "You shoulda seen her when I found her."
~~~~
After sitting in the waiting area for what seems like days, the doctor tells us that Daffany is fine and outside of the physical bruises, she suffered a minor con-cussion. He's keeping her overnight for further observation, but says she is conscious and asking for us. We walk in her room and don't say a word. The four of us just hold one another and cry.
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21
Daffany
COMING HOME FEELS EERIE AND uncomfortable, but I have to face my fears. I guess I can stay with Miss Wayne if I want to. He asked me five or six times, too.
I considered it because I'm terrified that Cliff will come back to hurt me some more or even finish me off.
Imagine living next door to the man who assaulted you, knowing your apartment will never be safe again.