Ghetto Girls 3

by Anthony Whyte

  “I’m tryin to find Miss Katie Patterson… ah… she’s…”

  “Patterson? Hmm I don’t think she’s able to have visitors yet. Are you a family member? We could make an exception, but I know she’s still in intensive care…”

  “Coco what’s going on?”

  Both Coco and the nurse turned and saw Rachel Harvey. The immediate smell of alcohol let Coco know that her mother had been drinking. Coco quickly tugged at her mother’s arm and dragged her away.

  “Thank you,” she said to the nurse.

  “Mommy you’re such an embarrassment.” Coco started to speak but went silent when she saw a group of doctors and nurses. They reached the elevator landing and waited.

  “But Coco they had me waitin’ what was I supposed to do?” Rachel Harvey said in hushed tones.

  “Wait…”

  “It made me a lil’ unbalance when they told me that Miss Katie might not make it. Coco, I couldn’t take it. I had to go and get a lil’ nip of sump’n… that’s all.”

  “Shush, ahight… what d’ya mean Miss Katie may not make it?”

  “When I got here it was about one o’ clock and I had a chance to conversate with the doctors an’ all…”

  “And what?” Coco asked when an elevator came and her mother stepped inside. “This one’s going up. We’re waiting to go down.”

  “What goes up must come down,” Rachel Harvey said. Most of the other riders laughed.

  FIFTEEN

  It was much later when Coco reached her block. She immediately spotted her mother parlaying with street hustlers of the hood. The crowd was about a stone’s throw away from the corner store. It was the crack spot. Rightchus was in the center of the mix. Coco boldly walked over to the abandoned building where they were scrambling and yanked on her mother’s arm.

  “What da hell…” Rachel Harvey spun around still furiously sucking on the glass stem. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. The veins in her face protruded as if someone had a vice grip on her neck, choking her, cutting her circulation. Her eyes rolled back in her head when she realized it was her daughter. Coco smacked the pipe from her mother’s ashy lips and hauled her away from the group.

  She led her mother across the street and away from the disciples of crack. They entered the building and got on the elevator.

  “Ya gotta enjoy life before you go six foot under. Life’s short ‘fore you know it, you da next one dead,” Rachel Harvey drawled.

  Coco looked at her mother’s face, which was completely powdered from by her high. They got off the elevator and Coco half carried, her half dragged her, through the door and into the apartment.

  “Mom, is it fear that makes you go get high?”

  “Coco,” she slurred. “I don’t get high, girl. That’s your thing.”

  “So what d’ya call what you were doin’ just now?”

  “I was only buggin’ with Rightchus an’ them. They the ones gettin’ all high an shit. They droppin’ purple pills, blue ones and all kind a shit…”

  “And poor ol’ you weren’t doin’ anything right, ma?”

  “I wuz lookin’ out, you know Rightchus, he big timin’ an’ such. He got a lot of connections and his connections gave him much, much crack… real good stock too…”

  “Ma, I’m warning you, you better stay away from that damn crack head cuz he’s gonna take all your money.”

  Her mother chuckled.

  “Yes, house warden. I’m alright. No need for you to get yourself all excited…” Rachel offered and closed her eyes. Coco sat next to her and clicked on the television. Rachel Harvey watched and laughed for a moment. Before long, her mother was snoring. Later Coco heard her mother rise and in zombie-like fashion roamed the apartment, going from room to room. Coco kept a keen eye as her mother drank glass after glass of water. Mrs. Harvey’s journey ended in the bathroom.

  “Ma, you okay in there, yo?”

  “Coco what did I tell you about using ‘yo’- when you conversatin’ wit me? Ain’t you supposed to be asleep already? It’s way pass your bedtime.”

  “I’m staying up to keep you company.”

  “Don’t do me any favors. Now take your ass to sleep. You know you gotta go to school early in the morning.”

  SIXTEEN

  Eric Ascot sat in a booth with Maruichi and his sons. They were sipping champagne and laughing up a storm. Maruichi was in his stylish couture dapper and played with a huge diamond on his right pinky. Eric mentioned the idea of a beautiful vacation and Maruichi unveiled his lethal charm.

  “Don’t think I don’t understand your dilemma Eric, fugheddabout it. A woman wants to be pleased and I think taking her to San Tropez will be great for the both of you. Here’s to great living,” Maruichi said and raised his glass. The others at the table did likewise.

  “May I suggest also that the south of Italy very romantic and there are some great resorts there…” Maruichi said kissing his own fingers.

  Eric handed over a roll of twenty thousand dollars. Maruichi’s sons counted it.

  “Shame on you guys.” Maruichi said with a slap to his son’s hand. “I’m sorry Eric but I’m afraid my boys are raised by myself. I have always taught them not to trust anyone. This a mere formality but it’s all worthwhile. Ah… my security boys that went with your niece reported there was a minor problem. Apparently, on Sunday evening a fight broke out in this Harlem apartment complex where a friend of your niece resides.”

  “A fight? My niece was involved in a fight in Harlem. That’s crazy. What happened?”

  “Well not much but a friend of your niece was fighting. We were able to squash it. But you know, that kind of protection we offer to rap groups because of gunplay, there are usually extra charges. This one we handled for you. Eric you understand don’t you? If this type of scenario happens again it gets added as business charges. I can’t control that, only you can.”

  “You sure it was Sunday huh? Friends of my niece were fighting, huh?” Eric asked in disbelief. “And Dee was there? She didn’t…” Eric started and let his voice trailed off

  “You met my girl? Of course you have,” Maruichi said Eric nodded.

  “Maybe, I might have…”

  “Anyway she’s got these ah… plans to become another MTV superstar…”

  “And you want me to…?”

  “If you could, please it would be a tremendous favor. Maybe we could talk about excusing tributes in exchange for a record deal. If you get a chance, think about it. Let me know, in a day or so,” Maruichi said and sipped.

  “Hey dad, did you mention yet how them fucking cops trying to get that no good bastard out?”

  “Yeah, Johnny here made some news. He found out that our man wants to sing for the government in order to be sprung from the can. The fucking bastard got some nerves, uh? Fugeddaboutit. We got our people to handle that thing with kids’ gloves. You follow me, Eric? That should be of no concern of yours, you got me?” Maruichi leaned over and patted Eric’s shoulder.

  “Excuse me a second,” he said and walked away from the booth. Eric walked to the bar and dialed from his cell phone. He listened to the ring then after the outgoing message played, he spoke. “Soph, give me a call please.” He closed the phone and walked back to the booth where Maruichi was holding court.

  “Oh Eric I was just telling the boys here, how important it is to have right people around you and that applies to marriage, even…”

  “Absolutely,” Eric nodded approvingly. He saw another bottle of expensive champagne on the table. Knowing it was already on his tab, Eric poured another glass of the bubbly.

  “Me, I believe in the law of omerti,” Maruichi said while sipping.

  “What exactly is that?” Eric asked.

  “It’s a code of silence established way back in da early times in Sicily,” Maruichi answered drinking the last of bubbly in the glass. “Here stateside, I’m afraid not too many people honor the code. Everybody from your wife, the mistress, friends, they all wanna be
long to a choir. No honor…”

  Eric wandered out the bar and into a waiting limo.

  “Where to boss?” The chauffer asked.

  “Drop me at the studio B. I’ve got some work to do.” Eric calmly said.

  It was late and her eyes burned from the strain of a tense day, Sophia checked the message and decided to return Eric’s call right away. She did not want him to know that she had been dodging him. All he does is stay in the studio, she thought as she dialed his number.

  “I’m returning your call,” she said desperately holding down the thrill she felt after hearing his voice. “Eric, what is it? What’s wrong? I’ve been working all day, but I’m all ears… I’m here,” she said after awhile. I can’t give you a complete answer right now. Maybe I’ll have to work or you know… I’ve got couple trials that I’ve got to prep for and… Not that it’ll cost me my job. It’s, it’s just that… I’ll call and let you know, all right Eric. I must get some rest, so goodnight, Eric. I’ll call and confirm, all right.”

  Eyes closed, yet wide awake while resting on her back, Sophia kept on asking herself repeatedly: ‘Why did I answer his call?’ The answer never materialized and the question nagged and kept her up most of the night. She analyzed her situation and made the call at about three in the morning. By then there was no one else in the studio but Eric. Sophia knew that he relished working on his music alone. The phone rang once then twice.

  “Eric, Eric,” she said hurriedly afraid to be stopped. “I’ll meet with you over the weekend,” she hung up without waiting for an answer.

  SEVENTEEN

  Next morning, school was not the same for Coco. She did not show-up for any of her classes. She hung in the hallway smoking. A the end of the day, she spotted Deedee waiting outside school.

  “What’s poppin’ Dee?” She asked greeting the girl.

  “Coco I haven’t seen you all day. What’s up?” Deedee queried and gave Coco a hug. “You don’t like your classes anymore, girl?”

  “Yeah, I still like learning and shit. But...”

  “But what, Coco? You used to be all about school and then all of a sudden you’re not attending classes. You’re busy letting what some folks say affect yor behavior, you’ve gotta be you…”

  The blast from a Benz’s horn interrupted Deedee. She turned and saw the driver signaling her. “Coco, do you want a ride? Take us to one tenth and Lenox and then to the hospital.” Deedee requested. The chauffer waved his index finger several times.

  “No can do, Miss.”

  “What’re you talking about? You did yesterday?”

  “Yeah, but this is today and I got orders from the boss.”

  “What boss? Who’s your boss?”

  “You can call your Uncle alright. I told you we’re not going there…”

  “Dee, it’s cool girlfriend. I got a bus pass, yo. I’ll use it, ahight?”

  “Are you sure, Coco? I mean I could call my uncle and clean up this mess…”

  “Nah ain’t no use for all the dramas. I’m good. I’ll hop on da bus. See you again, Dee.”

  Coco lit a cigarette, waved and was in her bop as she made her way to the bus stop. Coco threw the cigarette away and hopped aboard when the bus arrived. She quickly found a seat and fixed her headphones in place.

  She arrived at the hospital and saw her mother waiting with flowers.

  “Ma, is everything okay?” She asked and stopped in front of her mother, eagerly she awaited an answer.

  Mrs. Harvey peered from beneath tired lids.

  “Coco, why you just be bum rushing all the time? What da hell’s wrong wit ‘cha? You could scare the shit out of somebody. One o’ these days you gonna get it runnin’ up on me like that…”

  “I saw you sitting here and…”

  “And what, girl? This where you s’pose to sit till they let you upstairs. That’s why it sez ‘waitin area’ out front. You can read can’t you? Speakin’ of readin’, got a letter from da school today. Why you ain’t say nuthin’ bout them bootin’ you out da scholarship program, Coco?”

  “Huh, ah… I was gonna mention but…”

  “But you wanted to hide it from me. Things you try to hide is comin’ to light, Coco,” Rachel Harvey said while staring down her daughter.

  “First of all lemme drop this on ya, can’t nobody put a limit to the knowledge you can attain. If you want it, you can get it. That’s the American way. But by you not goin’ to all these classes, you doin’ them a huge favor. That’s what they want you to do. They want you to give up, to surrender. Then they beat you Coco. You’ll be the loser without a high school degree. Ha, I even got mine…” Mrs. Harvey said looking at her daughter.

  “Not when I gotta worry that you gonna be goin’ an’ doin’ all tha…”

  “Watch your mouth ‘fore I split it open. You need to worry about Coco and stop sweatin’ urrh-one else.” Rachel Harvey said.

  “You may go and visit the patient. Visiting hours started,” the hospital police announced. Coco signed in and rode the elevator in silence with her mother standing close by. They were shown to the room and both went inside. There was a nurse leaving.

  “You can only see her for a few minutes. I’ll take the flowers. She may or may not respond. She will be able to sense your presence.”

  “How long before she can go…”

  “Go home? Hmm, it may not be for a while. She’s had a stroke and a heart attack. The result is a coma. Although she’s more stable, she still has a long way to go, sweetheart. You can speak to her and maybe she may or may not respond.” The nurse took the flowers and placed them in a vase with the others.

  Coco felt sadness as she sat next to the bed and watched the respirator system moving up and down.

  “They got her on life support,” Rachel Harvey said with tears streaming down her eyes. “Oh God bless you Miss Katie.” She said and fidgeted with her handbag. After a couple minutes of uneasiness, she addressed Coco. “I can’t stand all this. I’ll be downstairs in the waiting area when you’re done. I just cannot stand to see this poor lady hooked up to all this machinery.”

  “Hi Miss Katie, I know you can hear me. This Coco, since you got your eyes shut. I miss you. I’m so sorry I got into that fight. Those girls they been tryin’ to jump me every time they see me. And it led to all this. I was arrested Miss Katie. They claim I know shi… I mean info on police murder and all this sh… ah… stuff.” Coco stood in shock when an alarm sounded. Couple of nurses came charging into the room. She watched in horror as they checked Miss Katie.

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to leave…” One of them said. Coco backed out slowly as they drew the curtain around Miss Katie. With tears in her eyes, Coco left the room and headed for the elevator.

  EIGHTEEN

  Eric was working in his usual electronic trance. Lately all the head honchos of every major label were in touch with him. These opportunities only came knocking so often. He divided his day so that he could spend time working on his music. Eric sat at the controls fidgeting with backing tracks. He adjusted the volume when he heard the phone ringing.

  “What’s going on, Dee?”

  “Uncle, Uncle E., I’ve been trying to reach you all evening.”

  “What’s the matter, Dee?”

  “Uncle, why did the driver refuse to take Coco home? She doesn’t live far from the school. It wasn’t like it was that far, uncle. I mean, they all lazy and you paying them and they come off like they the boss…”

  “Well, I told him not to. See, whenever Coco is around, bullets flying and you gotta break out the bulletproof vest…”

  “But Uncle…”

  “Dee, why didn’t you tell me about the fight on Sunday?”

  “But it wasn’t Coco’s fault these girls…”

  “It doesn’t matter whose fault it is Dee, I don’t want you around violence all day. I mean, you’ve got to be careful and I just don’t wanna lose you. That would kill me, you understand?”

  “Yes, Uncle
E., I understand.”

  “But for now, do me a favor and just stay away from Coco and her problems.”

  “But she’s my friend…”

  “Ain’t nothing wrong with talking with her on the telephone and you see her at school, but as far as hanging-out with her, leave all of that out, at least for now, okay.”

  “All right, but uncle when the cops…”

  “Dee, that doesn’t require any further discussion.”

  Eric ended the call and sat back listening to the same track. The phone rang again. Shaking his head, Eric stared at the phone a beat before picking it up.

  “Yeah, Dee, go ahead,” he said.

  “Whassup muthafucka?”

  “Who this?”

  “This me bitch ass. Your worse muthafucking nightmare. What’s up?” Lil’ Long responded. Eric began to record the call. “I’m coming for ya. Go ahead and report this to the DA pussy ass nigga and I got some extra slugs for your fat ass. Fuck you!”

  The call ended abruptly and Eric checked the security monitors. He walked out the studio and got a cigarette. Eric reflected, took a drag then dialed Maruichi.

  NINETEEN

  Dusk fell when Coco and her mother made their way back to the neighborhood. A short, dark skinned man wearing a black turban was attracting a small crowd.

  “There goes that nigga Rightchus, always using some kind of happening to make his cheddar. That lil’ nigga is king crack head he stays busy, yo,” Coco said.

  “… This is just another sign o’ the times. Give to the Rightchus brothers and sisters the end is on us…”

  “People are actually reaching for their wallets,” Coco noted.

  “He be doin’ his damn thing. Can’t knock his hustle,” Mrs. Harvey said reflectively.