by Saundra
Chapter 10
Isis
It had been the longest two weeks I could remember since I had laid eyes on Bobbi. I did everything in my power to rid my mind of him. But it was hard; I was literally fighting to keep the whole incident from replaying over in my head. And it was bothering me. No good could come of it. I wondered why he was here. How did he have the nerve to approach me? I had so many questions, but they were not for him. I didn’t have anything to say to him; I never wanted to lay eyes on him again. The questions were the burning curiosity that I guessed anyone would have.
The confusion set off something in me that I could not calm. I wanted to speak to Secret about it so badly, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. During our early-morning shopping spree, I had really considered it. But I just couldn’t.
It was time for me to see my mother, Felicia. It had been a while since I had been down. I had just been too busy. We still spoke on the phone, and I sent her money monthly for her needs. I always made sure she had whatever she desired that was in prison’s reach. So right after leaving Secret, I decided to make the drive down to the prison to make visiting hours.
“I’m glad you made it down.” Felicia sat down in front of me with a grin. No matter how long it took me to come see her, she was always smiling and full of joy when I showed up.
“I know. I been wanting to come up for the past couple of weeks, but work has been keeping me busy.”
“Are you eating? You look like you lost a couple of pounds.”
I wasn’t surprised she noticed I had lost weight; she always noticed everything about me. “Yeah, I lost about five pounds. I eat, but sometimes I get busy and don’t eat as much as I should,” I admitted. “But I’m trying to get better about that.”
“Yes, don’t neglect yourself. But you still have your shape I just don’t want you looking skinny.”
I chuckled. “I know. What have you been up to? Keeping busy in here?”
“Remember I told you that I wanted to get into those business classes they had that were overcrowded? Well, a few people dropped out, and I finally got in. I’m really enjoying them. It’s an accredited college course, so if I complete it, I will get a certificate from the college.”
I was glad to hear she was doing something constructive that she actually enjoyed doing. I couldn’t imagine being locked away in the same place for years as she was, with nothing to do but wake up, eat, see the same people, and go back to bed with the same thing to look forward to the next day. But I guessed that’s why they called it prison. Nothing but plain old misery.
“That’s good. I hoped you got in.”
“So how is Penny doing?” she asked. She was always concerned about Penny and Secret; they were almost like her daughters when she got locked up. And since Penny’s rape, she had been extremely worried about her. Secret and Penny had come down a couple times to visit her, and she was always glad to see them.
“Good. She even moved out a while ago, into her own apartment.”
“Say what?” She smiled. “What does Secret say about that?” It was a secret to no one how protective Secret was when it came to Penny.
I laughed. “You already know she tripped. It took a crane to pull the stubborn up outta her. But eventually she gave in, after I told her that she had to give Penny her independence.”
“And it’s a good thing that she even wanted to move out. That’s a sign that she might be movin’ on and getting over what happened to her.”
“That’s what I told her. Not only that, she had said that Penny basically gave her an ultimatum that she was going either way. Whether she supported her or not.” I smiled again when I thought back to Secret saying that Penny had the nerve to give her an ultimatum.
“Right on, Penny.” Felicia laughed. “She is growing up. It’s amazing how all three of y’all grew up so fast.”
“Happens quick, huh?” I looked off into the distance, but I could feel Felicia’s eyes on me.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Oh, me, same ol’.” I tried to play it down.
“No, something is bothering you?” She could always tell when something was up with me. It amazed me every time that she could see it, because I always had a smile on my face when she saw me.
“I’m fine. You worry too much,” I continued to deny.
“We have an hour left, so if you want to keep sitting here denying it, I’ll wait.” She looked into my eyes, and I could see all the love there that she held for me. A tear almost slid from my left eye socket, but I blinked it back. I was about to cry over some bullshit with Bobbi’s punk ass. But I did need my mother’s shoulder.
I looked away and around the room at all the strangers that I didn’t know but saw from time to time when I visited. And every now and again there was a new face. That always made me sad, because I knew they would be here for a while. Then my heart would break when I saw their small children sitting across from them. Hopefully, they would be able to overcome their obstacles and still see their mother just as that. It had taken me a long time, but now I was able to appreciate mine. I looked at her.
“Bobbi is back. And I think he is following me,” I released.
I don’t know which part of my statement shocked her more, the part about him being back or the part about him following me, because her mouth dropped wide open and her eyes bulged at the mention of his name. But the way her entire face shifted, it was clear she was upset.
“What the fuck? Where did you see him?”
“Well, I thought I saw him one night while Secret and I were out at the club; I just wasn’t sure. Then I was at Starbucks a few weeks back. I look up and he is standing directly behind me.”
“That’s some bullshit. You need to go to the cops and get a protective order. You don’t know what to expect from his sneaky ass. Damn, I wish I was not in here. I would fuck him up myself.”
“I don’t know if I want to go to the cops. Besides, I haven’t seen him since . . . And I went out and bought a gun just in case,” I admitted in a whisper.
“I don’t know, Isis. Who knows what he is capable of? And what I don’t get is why he is making himself seen? What is he thinking? Dude got some fuckin’ nerve.”
“I know. But I don’t think he’ll try anything.”
“What does Secret think? I know she hates him.”
Again I looked around the room for a minute to avoid answering the question, but I had no choice. “I didn’t tell Secret yet,” I admitted, feeling a little ashamed of myself for not having done so.
“What do you mean you didn’t tell her? Why not? I thought you said you saw him while you all were at the club?”
“She didn’t see him at the club. I saw him, or at least I think I did. After the club was packed, Secret and I got separated for a minute, and I thought I saw him. The only reason I didn’t tell her, and still have not, is for fear of what she might do. You know how impulsive Secret is, and I don’t want her to do something crazy and get locked up.”
Felicia softened a bit when I said that. “I guess you’re right. She don’t need to be in trouble. But you need to tell her, especially if you ain’t gone put no protective order on him. I just don’t think it’s a good idea to keep it to yourself. I would feel a lot better knowing that Secret knows.”
I knew she was right, and I didn’t want her in her cell worrying about me and my safety. “I’ll tell her,” I agreed.
Chapter 11
Isis
After leaving the prison, I felt at ease on the drive home to the city. Telling Felicia about Bobbi had been a huge help. And I knew she was right about telling Secret about Bobbi. I should never have kept it from her in the first place. I still braced myself for when I laid the news on her. Soon as I got back to the city, I drove straight to Hot Rides.
I was tired from the drive, so I headed straight to the office and fell straight into my chair and sighed. I sat in a daze for a while as I replayed the conversation with Felicia. Suddenly
I wasn’t feeling as confident about telling Secret.
Secret stunned me and interrupted my thoughts as she busted into the office with force. One glance at the scowl on her face, and I knew she was pissed. The question was, what about. But I didn’t have to wait long for the answer.
“I’m pissed to the fuckin’ max,” Secret announced.
“What up? What happened?” I threw at her. I had seen her hours earlier, and she had been in the best mood ever. I couldn’t imagine what had made her so mad.
“So I told you earlier that I was going to take Penny the bag.”
“Yes.” I shook my head in agreement, ready for her to get to the point.
“Well, I get over there, and Jackie answers the fuckin’ door.” Now that was a total surprise, but it definitely explained Secret’s anger. “So I immediately tell her she had to get the fuck out, of course. Then Penny explains to me that she asked her to stay for a while because she hungry, penniless, and homeless. As if I give two fucks,” Secret barked.
“Wow,” was all I managed to say.
“Like I’m shocked that her drunk ass is in this situation and ain’t got shit. A pot or window.”
“Where the hell did she come from? It’s been a while since y’all even heard from her,” I said, thinking out loud.
“That’s what the fuck I want to know. Penny talkin’ ’bout Jackie called her. Girl, you know I hit the fuckin’ roof on both their asses. I told Jackie to get her ass out ’cause I pay the damn bill up there.”
“This whole thing is crazy.” I wasn’t the least bit shocked about Secret’s reaction to Jackie. “What about Penny?”
“Fell on her knees begging me to let Jackie stay.” Secret shook her head, and I could see her eyes filling up with water, but she blinked it back. “But, Isis, I can’t allow that. That bitch gotta go . . . I want her ass out. I don’t even trust her with Penny . . . Hell, she might ruin her,” Secret said, full of anger and emotion. Water refilled her eyes. “And for the life of me, I just don’t understand the hold Jackie has on Penny, and why Penny can’t just forget about her. She knows what our life was like.” Secret looked totally lost. I felt so bad for my friend.
“I can’t, either.” I paused for a minute, because what I had to say next was hard, but it needed to be said. I loved Secret and Penny, like I always said, they were my family, and I always had to be honest when it came to them. “But pushing Jackie away from Penny may set her back . . . Maybe . . . maybe Penny needs this.”
I could see the hurt still building in Secret from the way her chest rose and fell. “She has me and—” She was cut off when we heard Kirk’s voice booming through the building. Kirk was arguing with someone. Secret and I looked at each other and rushed out of the office toward the front where the voices were coming from. There we found a few of the dudes from Kirk’s crew pushing some unknown muscular black dude with a flattop out the door. All the while, they were kicking and punching him, and blood was on his shirt.
Kirk looked up to see Secret and me watching the commotion. “Y’all get back in the office,” he yelled at us. Before turning, I glanced at the front desk, but I didn’t see Courtney. “Get in the office,” Kirk yelled again. This time I made a beeline for the office, almost running into Secret.
“What the fuck!” Secret said as we eyed each other with confusion.
“Hey, I didn’t see Courtney out there. Did you?” I asked. Before Secret could respond, Kirk burst through the office door. “What’s going on?” I wasted no time asking him. I had never seen this type of unexplainable drama at Custom Hot Rides during business hours. “And where is Courtney?”
“She straight. I sent her out to make a run for me just before that crazy-ass dude came in,” Kirk answered, never addressing the incident.
“But what the fuck was that? Why he up in here trippin’?” Secret asked this time.
“Man, this dude came in claiming they damaged his car, so he was refusing to pay. I tried to explain to him that Custom Hot Rides stands one hundred and ten percent behind its product. And we ain’t damaged shit on his whip. This weak-ass nigga done took a swing at me, so I had his ass escorted up outta here properly.”
“What about his car?” I inquired.
“What you mean?” Kirk glared at me. “He will pay what his ass owe, or he won’t ever see that piece of shit again,” Kirk spat. And I knew he was serious.
Secret laughed out loud. “Kirk, you cold as hell. Calling that dude’s whip a piece of shit.”
“Fuck that punk-ass nigga. He betta’ be glad he still breathin’. It was almost nighttime for his ass.”
And I had to agree. I had heard stories of Kirk and what he was capable of doing or had done. Thankfully, we never saw that part of him, but I felt safe knowing that he was always on our side and had our back one hundred percent. As for that dude, he better count his blessings and remember not to pull that stunt ever again, because the next time he might come out on the other side. And ain’t no coming back from death.
Chapter 12
Secret
That incident at Custom Hot Rides with Kirk a few days back had been dead-ass. Just another reminder that Kirk was not with the bullshit. And just another reason why he was my nigga, I fucked with him the long way. There was no questioning that. But since business had been booming, we didn’t kick it as much as we used to. Sometimes I missed that. So when he called me up this morning saying he wanted me to swing by his crib, I was geeked. ’Cause the one thing I knew for sure, he was about to roll up. And everybody knew Kirk had that fire.
“What’s up ghost-ass nigga?” I teased Kirk when he answered the door.
“You got jokes.”
“Listen, I call it like I see it. You ain’t never got time for us small people no more.”
“Nah, you know it even like that. Bring yo’ ass up in, and stop trippin’ off yo’ boy.”
I followed him through his huge-ass mansion into his den. “Where that housekeeper lady at? She usually answer the door.” I nosed around as usual whenever I did come over.
“Shi’d, I gave her the day off. Sometimes I feel like I see her too damn much. Hell, all they ask to be serious. You know I got a cook, too, now. I gave all they ass a few days off. I need to be alone sometimes when I’m in this bitch.” He giggled. “A nigga want to walk around naked sometimes.” He continued to smile.
“Whatever, I hope not.” I laughed. Then I took a seat on the sectional. “But next time let the chef be here when I come over. You know a sister like to smash.”
“Don’t worry, I got you. One thing I know about you is how greedy you are. So I ordered Chinese takeout.” I playfully looked at him and rolled my eyes at his “greedy” comment.
“That’s what’s up. But call me greedy again and I’ma smack yo’ black ass.” We continued to play around.
“Nah, you won’t. ’Cause look what I got.” He pulled out a fat rolled-up swisher full of that good weed.
I licked my lips at the sight of the blunt. “Yeah, you probably right. Now fire it up.” I was ready. Kirk never disappointed. He lit up and passed it to me for the first hit. I was cool, calm, and collected. “So to what do I owe this honor of being invited out here?”
“Girl, don’t do that. You know you always invited. Hell, I told you, you can have a key whenever you want it. All you gotta do is ask.”
“So you say.” I hit the blunt one more time then passed it to him.
“A’ight, but don’t say I didn’t offer.” He hit the blunt and exhaled. “On some real shit, though. A nigga need you to come through.”
And there it was: the reason I had been summoned out to his crib out of the clear blue. I hit the blunt and waited.
“I got some shit going down, and I need you to sit in to be sure it goes off smoothly.”
“Listen, you gone beat the drum or spit it out.” I was growing impatient.
Kirk sighed. “Got this hit I gotta make on this dealer. This weak-ass nigga tryin’ to move in on my
territory. He beat in the street, so his goons strong. So I gotta set him up. And if it all goes right, I can walk away with his full delivery of kilos and his breath.” Kirk’s last few words rang loud and clear. Dude had tried stepping on the wrong man’s territory, he was for sure a dead man walking. “Only way I can see myself making this shit go off smooth is if you back me up.”
With a job like he was contemplating, I could hardly see what I had to bring to the table. Surely he didn’t need me as a trigger finger. “Why you need me?”
“I need you to do a private dance for the nigga.”
“Private dance,” I repeated. “How the fuck that’s gone help?” I was confused.
“Shi’d, trust it’s gone seal the deal. That nigga into that kinda shit. He lives in strip clubs.”
“Kirk, what nigga don’t. Shi’d, you strip club hoe, too,” I reminded him.
Kirk smiled. “You right. But this nigga’s addicted, trust me. One peak at that red ass of yours, that nigga will be whipped and lose all brain thought. I can move in and make my move wit’ no problem . . . All I need for you to say is that you in. And I will set it up.”
Once again here he was asking me to do something risky. To private dance meant to be alone with a stranger—and in all cases a dangerous stranger. Why did Kirk’s favors always have to be so risky? Yet, in any case, he was my nigga; if he needed me I was there. “I’m in,” I said with a nod.
“No doubt. I knew you would have my back.”
“Always,” I assured him. “Now give me the black blunt back.” I craved more puffs than ever now to calm my nerves.
“My bad.” He passed it back. “Oh, and this stays between us. Isis can’t know about it. But I guess I don’t have to tell you that.”
“Aye, I already know.” I inhaled deeply. That he did not have to worry about, because if Isis found out I was private dancing for any reason, she would be pissed. I had to keep it under wraps for sure. But I had enough shit to worry about, so slipping up with the extra I had going on with Kirk was the least of my worries. Kirk’s secret was safe from Isis unless I ended up shot or something if shit went bad. I exhaled the smoke and thought, Fuck it.