by Gloria Obizu
Don’t worry about it, okay? How is the treatment working for you? Carissa said.
I guess they are all doing what they can, but it’s too late now.
And how do you feel?
Bad! There is a feeling of fatigue that bugs me down constantly. I can’t eat much anymore and find it hard to sleep. My body just aches with pain all the time and I don’t know how long this gonna last. Look at how much weight I’ve lost. Look! You know me Carissa before I’ turned to this. So thin her hand can go round her waist two times, that’s not the Isabel you once knew. I don’t even want to continue to live like this, get what I’m saying? ‘Cause I don’t understand the meaning of a life that depends on medications for survival. All these drugs I take give me their own problems too but what else can I do.
It’s ok babe! Things happen to people, understand? What you need right now is courage like you have always been.
I’m doing the best I can under a bad situation. Anyways, Carissa, I know I disappointed you by my actions and must have brought so much hardship on you whit the way I left suddenly. Don’t think it didn’t bother me, ‘cause I thought about you all the time but the thing is there was no way I could have stopped what happened. I apologize to you for that! Baby I’m so sorry!
I accept that whole heartedly babe but I still wanna know what really happened? What on earth could have made you leave without saying bye?
Okay! Listen! What I’ m about to say now will probably be a little hard on you but please show understanding and do forgive me!
Everything is now in the past, isn’t it? So nothing really matters any more. Actually what I seek is some sort of closure. That’s all!
Okay! It’s not so easy for me to do this but you’ve got the right to know. I shot Teri! Isabel said.
No! You didn’t! Carissa reacted.
Yes! I did it!
How Isabel?
It was at the party and he walked in uninvited with gun in his hands. I know you didn’t see any of the things that happened that night, but he was at my show.
I know that for sure ‘cause that’s where he was killed, continued Carissa.
Yeah! Then he just walked in and started shooting everywhere and I’m like he is here to get me because I was thinking about all that shit he was saying when we asked him to leave the last time he was in our apartment, you remember?
Yeah! I remember everything!
So I came from behind and shot him.
And why didn’t you tell me this then Isabel? Why? I tried to talk to you about it all but you held back. Why? You should have told me the truth from start and we could have worked out something and nobody would have known what happened. You know I was ready to do anything for you. I mean, I’m truly sorry for Teri but there was nothing I could have done to help a dead man, but you, I could’ve still helped. Baby I thought we trusted each order enough to confine in each other or was I wrong? Come to think of it in a more realistic way, it was actually his fault, understand? He chose to come to a place he wasn’t supposed to be ‘cause no one invited him to the party so he came on his own and he came with a gun and actually used it because he wanted to spoil. That for sure was recipe for disaster. Teri caused his death by himself ‘cause the way I’m seeing it, you did what you’ve got to do to protect your own so he deserved what he got. To be honest to you, I probably would have done the same in your shoes.
I’m happy the way you took the whole thing. In a way I was also trying to protect you, understand? I didn’t want to bring you into all the mess ‘cause I understood how bad it was. What if I told you and the Police found out you knew something, you would be in the same shit as I was and I didn’t want all that happen to you.
Is that why you left without saying goodbye?
You know the Police started asking a whole lot of questions and they got really nosey and when they put out the reward money I panicked.
The money and all that didn’t mean anything unless there was someone who saw you did it.
Someone saw me alright.
Who?
Gary! Isabel continued. He saw it all and then he was gonna join the LAPD. I couldn’t imagine how he was gonna be in the Police and wouldn’t say some, understand? I was really scared, so I chose to bolt ‘cause the idea of going to jail that early in my life was unthinkable.
No wonder the guy came looking for you at my place some years back. He showed me a gun that looked exactly like that one you threatened Teri with that night and wanted to know if it belongs to you.
Yeah! That’s my gun ‘cause I hid it in his place. I didn’t know where else to keep it since I couldn’t carry it around with me all the time especially as I and Wallis planned to move to another country.
Is that what happened. I was surprised he had the gun at all! And where were you and Wallis all this time?
We went to some country in Africa.
Africa?
Yeah!
Wow! How was life like over there?
Awesome! I never saw any place so beautiful. It’s a little bit more quite than what we have in LA but as lovely. It was a wonderful experience for me out there and I’m so, thankful to Wallis for that. Anyways we were living in a country called South Africa all these years.
Wow! Tell me something! How did you guys get the money for all that? I know we were struggling at the time so where did all the money for all the travel come from? Wallis himself had nothing! Remember we used to help him out with food and stuff sometimes, so how did you guys manage?
He did’ it! I mean Wallis did it all. Surprised, ha?
You mean he had money and we didn’t know? Carissa asked.
May be its better we don’t talk about that part, Isabel reacted.
Ok! Ok! Carissa conceded.
Anyways, I and Wallis eventually got married and all that but it didn’t work out so we divorced. Then I moved in with this guy who turned out a mean and abusive sort of a guy and that too wasn’t working either. And then all of a sudden something really bad happened!
Sorry to cut you short. Where is Wallis now?
He is here in LA too ‘cause they got him the same time I was taken but he is fine. Oh! He’s doing so well for himself over there. He opened up this huge super store that is well stocked with everything you can imagine and is doing really fantastic. He got involved in all sorts of charity work through a church also and I heard they built some orphanages and are continuing to do a lot of other good stuff. He is done really great for himself! He even got himself another wife in a South African girl. Actually both of them are in the US right now.
So he’s been here to see you, ha?
Yeah. He was here last week.
He wasn’t arrested or something?
Initially he was arrested and according to him, he got slammed with two charges; leaving the US with forged document and some crime he did years back.
Crime? Carissa reacted. Wallis did a crime? What kind of crime could that be? He doesn’t look like he could do that sort of a thing!
He refused to tell me exactly what happed and I didn’t push it. Anyways, is like the Police are talking about cutting him some kind of a deal. All those people he labored for over there in South Africa came out in his support after his arrest. They’ve all put out all kinds of pleas on his behalf and I hear they mean business. I also heard everyone in his wife’s family is an attorney and they are all rooting for him. Then the churches over there are also pleading he gets a second chance because of all the good stuff he is doing over there. The thing is huge.
What kind of deal is he gonna get? Did he tell you?
He said something about a two years suspended sentence or something and some sort of restitution. I didn’t really understand the whole story. But is like he is gonna return some money to some folks.
Wow! I hope eve
rything works well for him!
I hope so too. You know how hard it is for me to cry, right?
Yeah! I know the kind of stuff you are made of Isabel!
But when Wallis was here and I saw him cry, babe, I didn’t know how it happened but I felt it, tears trickling down my chicks and I just let it flow. Even when this thing happened to me, I mean when the Doctor told me that I I’m down with AIDS, my world came crashing on me yet I didn’t cry but felt like someone who has been sleeping for years but woke up so suddenly. Or a large piece of wood was taken off my eyes that day and I could see everything just the way they are meant to be. I’ve gone through grieving, denial, anger and all that but now I accept my faith ‘cause nothing I do will change anything. As for Wallis, I pray for him every day for some reasons. Anyways, it’s all too late now.
No Isabel. One thing I learnt is this; it is never too late to make a turnaround! And you know what comes with that? Peace of mind. You can even make a baby if you really want. There are spam banks all over the places these days you know. All you need is get the right kind of help. Wallis is ok ha? I mean he is not HIV positive too?
Yes! I didn’t give it to him and I didn’t get it from him for sure. I’m sure we already separated before I got this and I know it came from all that wild parties we used to have. With needles and drugs flying around and all the nasty things we did, I tell you anything was possible. Babe that was one hell of a crazy time!
What about the guy Billy. Love caught up with you there ha?
Not really! I kind of liked him a lot, get what I ‘m saying? But wasn’t in love, understand? He was rich beyond measure so I had just about anything I wanted. I got to drive in really good cars and enjoyed a cozy home. There was this Benz convertible I got form him, girl I tell you some, it’s one of the world’s best and the best that ever happened to me. The luxury in it sipped right through my entire being and left a kind of taste that lingers a life time. He was the lord Baron in a drug cartel so we really had some good stuff too. When it comes to getting high Billy was a pro and supplied me with real good quality stuff, the kinds I only tasted with Billy. And the parties, my goodness! We had so many that I lost count and every one of them lavishing! I had it good with him in some ways while it lasted. Oh yes, it was let’s say, bitter sweet!
Wow! Girl you’ve been around ha? How did you meet Billy?
I met this lady named Penney at a restaurant and we started talking and she invited me to her house for a party and Billy was there. Girl, some babe sure know how to leave the life and I can say that for Penney. Carissa, you need to see that babe’s place, is like a world on its own. Anyways talking about Penney will make another book so let’s leave that for now.
You and Billy been talking since you came back, ha?
No! He is dead! That’s what the Police told me, Isabel said.
For real! What happened?
He didn’t die of AIDS though, ‘cause he got shot by the Police, understand? And for that I think he was more lucky than me, get what I am saying? It was the day I myself got shot too and the whole thing that brought me here happened that he too got shot and killed. But what I think he just wanted out. The guy had a whole army in his house and when the Police came calling he with his men fought back and he did it knowing he was gonna get shot anyways ‘cause that’s the way he wanted it. I know he wouldn’t like to live and face up with a life where he couldn’t call shorts like he was used to! Oh no! Either AIDS or jail would have been too humiliating for Billy so he chose the easy way, the devil, rather than jump into the deep blue sea.
You got shot too?
Yeah! Right here on my leg! But is all healed now! Look! I can wriggle me toes now, before that was impossible. Carissa had to move closer to watch that. Wow! She exclaimed. What about all your stuff in Billy’s place? Could you get them out? She continued
No chance! Everything happened so fast, understand? The Police, I passed out, woke up in a hospital and everything. Suddenly, all this talk about bringing me back to the States started and I thought it wasn’t gonna happen but then I found myself on the airplane and here I am. But I talked to Wallis about my stuff though. What I don’t know is how he can help.
No! That’s the wrong way to go about it, Carissa said. You need to keep Wallis out of this, understand? What you need is talk to the Police. Tell them the whole truth about this Billy of a guy and all the things you left in his place. I’m sure they have a way with this kind of thing.
I already did but I’m not so hopeful. My main thing is my money. I and the guy opened this joint account and I had a whole lot of money put into it. Anyways, the money is no use to either of us anymore. Billy is dead and I don’t think I have much long to live, Isabel continued.
No! Don’t say that! You don’t know what tomorrow brings. By some kind of miracle someone might find a cure for AIDS anytime. It could happen today, tomorrow, next week, you don’t know. So don’t you ever give up, okay?
I don’t really care anymore.
The reason is you’re not being positive and that’s not how you survive a storm!
It’s not all hopeless though ‘cause something good still came out of all we did, don’t you think so? Look at you and how you turned out Carissa. That goes to say we were not wrong in every way. You made it!
Babe it wasn’t always easy for me ‘cause I went through hell! It was really tough out there, Carissa said. You see, when you left I was confused and didn’t know where to turn. And then I lost my job too ‘cause you know what my boss Hela Gupter is like, right? Then I had no choice but go in search of my Aunt but she already sold her house and moved.
Are you serious?
Yeah! Worse still, those that bought the house didn’t even know where she moved. And I tell you some babe that was one of the worst days of my life. Anyways, eventually I talked to Tasha and with her help I got me some two brand new roommates. When I got hooked up with those girls, they kind of talked me into this brothel job and I had to do it. I needed to survive somehow you know since there was nothing else I did that made ends meet, so I joined them.
And how did it work for you?
I thought it was the easy way out, but was it? No it wasn’t! It gave me the money but by all the wrong means. Then a lot of wired things began to happen. In that kind of business you meet a lot of bad girls and surprisingly angels too. Anyways, I was on this job for a long time until real bad stuff that could have caused me my life started happening so I began plotting my exit. And when Tasha died I knew I was done for good.
Tasha died?
Yeah! She is been long gone.
What happened?
One of those weird stories that have to do with the kind of job we were doing. It’s a complex thing that only those in that sort of business will understand.
Wow! Poor Tasha! She was a real cool babe! I remember how she helped out with everything at that bath day party that ruined everything.
Let’s not talk about her anymore, okay? Anyway, because of all the wired things happening to me at that time, I got into this serious depressive mood that refused to yield. And to make me feel better a new girl I met at the club, Angela, invited me along with two guys to go dancing at a night club you know. One of those guys we went dancing with that night became my husband.
Are you serious? Did you guys have a wedding and all that?
Ehen! It was a church thing! But that was the day I truly missed you Isabel. I wished you were there, get what I’m saying? Even my Aunt surprised me and showed up ‘cause my husband worked so hard until we found her, sent the invitation and forgot it but she came. She has aged a lot but she managed and came with her Care-Taker. You know the way I used to say that I’m never lucky with things and stuff? You know what I am talking about ha?
Yeah! ‘Cause you’ll be scared all the time and shit! I understood your fears though ‘cause th
ey were justified.
I Know! I guess God piled up my goodies and gave them all to me in one whole piece. Ray is a gift from heaven and I thank God for that.
What about your mom? Was she at the wedding!
We couldn’t find her but we are still looking. I haven’t given up though, in spite of all. Ray is working so hard on it and I know we shall find her one day. We are getting close. Carissa continued.
Carissa you did great! Isabel continued. I myself have learnt so much in months since this thing started than I have known in my entire life. I guess you get to a stage where all that matter is family and stuff, ha? How many kids do you have?
Two! Christiana and her brother Felix!
Pay special attention to the girl though. Have your eyes on her at all times.
I understand but I think both of my kids need special attention. I and my husband make sure they get the best we can afford.
You stepped up in a lot of ways you know. I remembered you couldn’t even spell my name in those days Carissa but all that has changed.
Carissa chuckled before she said; my schooling did it for me! First, I went, got me my GED and then went for CNA. And she laughs again. Isabel managed a laugh also. And now I’m working on my RN.
Go girl! How is the program working for you?
Not bad at all. My husband helps with that too. And guess who’s been teaching me math in school?
Who?
Denyse Goldman! Now Denyse Jacobs!
No, she is not? You mean the same Denyse we used to hang out with?
Yeah! The same Denyse Goldman you know! I kind of wasn’t sure it was her initially ‘cause she completely changed. She turned out with this sophistication thing that kind of threw me off balance because we didn’t know her like that. She was nothing but a girl we benched for side attractions in those days, you remember?
Yeah?
And now, boom, here comes this very sophisticated pretty lady with high class manners and all that and I’m like, wait a minute! This dame reminds me of someone from the past. I checked her out and I was right. Then we started talking and we’ve been talking since then. She remembers everything.