PPP Box Set

by Charmanie Saquea

  She nodded her head up and down. “Of course girl, and I won’t tell anyone. I think the Christmas announcement is a good idea.”

  I hugged her “Thank you.”

  ****

  My intentions were to lie down for a little while until I got my second wind, but I ended up falling asleep.

  “Wake up baby.” I heard Cameron say as I was opening my eyes.

  “What time is it?”

  He looked at his watch and said “9:30.”

  Damn I slept the whole day away.

  “I would have left you sleeping, but I wanted you to get some food in your system.”

  Him mentioning food make my stomach turn. “I’m not really hungry baby. I’m going to get in the shower. Are you coming?”

  Cameron leaned over and kissed my forehead. “Nah, I’m going to finish helping my mom’s but when you done showering, come eat.”

  I brushed him off, climbed out the bed, and went to shower. I didn’t know if it was the shower head, the water pressure, or a combination of both but that shit felt like sex every time I got in. After I was finished washing up, I wanted to stay there and enjoy the water massage, but I knew Cameron would come get me out the shower so I could stuff my face. It made me smile though, because he really cared about my well-being. I imagined how he was gonna act when I told him about the baby.

  I stepped out of the shower and after drying off, I stepped my feet into my fuzzy slippers and put my robe on. As soon as I walked in the room, I saw a salad and a bottle of water on the nightstand. Cameron must have known that I was getting right back on the bed. I guess since he went out his way to bring it up I would try to eat the salad. I prayed that it sat right with me because that throwing up shit is for the birds.

  Surprisingly, that salad hit the spot, and it stayed down so that was a plus. I took the garbage downstairs and climbed right back in the bed. Cameron, Mariah, and Victoria were in the kitchen slaving and I was in the bed watching Lifetime movies. I felt myself getting sleepy so I texted Cameron.

  I’m getting sleepy and I want to lie in your arms. Can you come to bed?

  He didn’t text me back, but was upstairs in a minute flat. I waited up while he took a shower and as soon as he joined me in bed and cuddled me, I was out.

  ****

  “Merry Christmas Chica!”

  I knew that was Ariana’s voice but why was I dreaming about her. I felt someone shake me softly and I slowly opened my eyes, and laughed.

  “Merry Christmas, Ari. I thought I was dreaming girl. Y’all here early.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed, “I know, your mother and my mother wanted to be here early to help Mariah cook and stuff.”

  I loved that our mothers got along so well. We had really become one big family; which would be really official once the baby was born. I smiled and rubbed my tiny belly.

  “Ty here already too?”

  She nodded up and down. “Yup. Him, your dad, and Cameron outside playing basketball.”

  Now when my father came in complaining about knee pain and shit, he was on his own.

  “Oh and Mariah said we doing gifts after breakfast, so get up and get your life chica.”

  When Ariana left the room, I got up out the bed feeling refreshed, and got myself together before heading downstairs and having breakfast with the family. When I walked into the dining room, everyone was there except me. Even the guys had wrapped up their basketball game. I spoke to everyone before sitting in the empty seat next to Cameron. There was so much breakfast foods on the table, I was silently praying that the smells didn’t make me sick. So far I was good.

  Everyone made their plates, then Mariah said grace and we dug in. After breakfast, we all gathered in the family room and exchanged the gifts. Victoria got all teary eyed when she opened the Hermes bag and belt I got her. I was happy to see her smile, because she deserved it. Everyone else received extremely nice gifts as well, and was happy. Once everyone opened all of their gifts, I was ready to make my announcement. I stood up and placed my things on the floor and on the couch next to me.

  “I have a gift for the entire family; one that we can all share for years to come.”

  I started laughing because they were all confused; except Ariana and Victoria of course.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Whoa… everyone was more excited than I was, and it was my baby. The amount of support and encouraging words I received from everyone was overwhelming. I even started tearing up, but I blamed that on hormones.

  “Mariah, we’re going to be grandmas!” I heard my mom saying she hugged Mariah.

  Cameron hugged me and didn’t want to let me go. The rest of the day was so awesome. It was good for everyone as we played family feud, Pictionary, ate some more and just enjoyed each other’s company. It was truly what we all needed.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ty

  Wow, Skye really pregnant. I was happy for my niggas Cam and Skye. Becoming parents has to be about the best thing that could happen to you in your lifetime. I was not a father yet, but when I became one I knew it was going to be the best shit I ever experienced. Their baby was coming at a good time because they needed the joy in their life right now; well, Cam definitely did.

  Sin City was having a Christmas bash and it took a lot, but I convinced Cam to go with me and Ari that night since we spent the whole day with the family. He needed to get out the house because you could see stress and worry all over his face, and that wasn’t like my nigga at all. A nice not outing around bad bitches and fat asses should do the trick. Of course we couldn’t touch the hoes, but we could watch and spend a little money.

  ****

  When we pulled up to Sin City, the lines were long as fuck. Good thing we knew the niggas throwing the shit because we didn’t do lines. We walked into the spot like we owned the shit. It felt good to be out on the scene with my right hand and my girl. It was a much deserving night out. Even though Cam wasn’t trying to leave Skye home, I was glad he decided to come out. He going to be a father, which definitely called for celebration. What was a better way to celebrate than to ball the fuck out at the strip club?

  The spot was packed with wall to wall people. We were barely able to get through to get to our table in V.I.P. In addition to it being crowded, people were stopping Cam left and right, giving him condolences for his pops, or praising his pops. It was appreciated but it wasn’t the time or the place. My nigga just wanted to chill and celebrate the journey he was about to embark on. As his right hand man I was gonna make sure he had a good time.

  “Son, what bottles you want?” I yelled in his ear as we settled in our section.

  “Get whatever.”

  I could tell in his voice he wasn’t really feeling being out. He was on edge since we now had beef with the Mexicans. I understood that and shit, but you can’t stop living. I tried to tell him we were gonna see them Mexicans. We were going to see Man and Matthew too. Them niggas were gonna get theirs, but in the meantime we were celebrating the creation of life. Fuck it. YOLO!

  “Baby I’ll be right back.” Ariana yelled as she walked down to the other section of the club.

  I watched her every move until she caught up when some chick. I assumed she knew her by the way they hugged and were laughing. I tapped my pockets and remembered that I had a pound of Kush and was ready to roll up. Time to get high this nigga needed to cheer up.

  “Yo, Cam roll up. I’mma go to the bar.” I said as I handed him the fronto leaf and the bud so he could roll up while I went to order bottles.

  I intended on going straight to the bar, but French Montana’s “Freaks” came on and made me wanna rub up on some ass, so I set out in search of Ari. When I found her, she already knew what I was coming for. She walked over to me, turned around and started grinding her ass on me. My dick got hard.

  “Damn Ari.”

  She was lucky we was in the club because I feel like fucking her pussy up. When the song ended, I gave my shorty a kiss and le
ft her chilling with her friend. As I got closer to the bar I noticed six niggas who stood out like sore thumbs.

  “Mexicans?” I said out loud to myself in disbelief.

  Suddenly, a burst of gunfire erupted and the club went bananas. I pulled out my piece, ready to bust back when suddenly it felt like the time had stopped, and everything was moving slowly. I looked toward the V.I.P section where I left Cam, then to the dance floor where I left Ariana. I had a choice to make; go have my brothers back and make sure he was straight, or get Ariana to safety.

  I said a short prayer for Ariana as I maneuvered through the frantic crowd trying to get to Cam. It was a hell of a task dodging bullets and pushing through the crowd, but I had to make sure my brother was good. I ran backwards, letting off shots in the direction of the Mexican niggas.

  “The fuck man?” I yelled as if someone could hear me over the screams and cries.

  These niggas weren’t letting up. I had to take cover for a second behind one of the booths to switch the clip for a fresh one. Once I was good, I was up and on the move again.

  “Cam where are you?” I kept saying to myself.

  Suddenly, the gun fire ceased, and the Mexicans ran out of the club as quickly as they came in. I had finally made it to the V.I.P section.

  “Nooooo!” I yelled out as I watched Cam choke on his own blood.

  I fell to my knees next to him trying to see where he was hit. I tried to stop the bleeding, but it was too much; he was hit at least six times.

  “Stay with me fam. We going to get you out of here.”

  Fuck the not crying thing, that be strong shit went out the window. I rocked my nigga back and forth and cried.

  “You gonna be good, Cam.”

  It was not supposed to happen like that. I rarely called on God because I felt I wasn’t deserving after the shit I’d done, but I had to.

  “God, not him. He got a family he has to be here for and a baby on the way. Not Cam! Please.”

  I hoped God would help me out. Do me this one solid! I couldn’t sit there waiting and hoping any longer. I got up and held Cam up by putting one of his arms around my shoulder.

  “I got you bro. Just stay with me.”

  I didn’t know if he was conscious, but I wasn’t giving up hope. By then, the club had cleared out drastically so I was able to get around. Cam wasn’t light, so I wasn’t able to move as fast as I hoped, but I was moving. I spotted Ariana sitting on the floor covered in blood and crying.

  “Ariana!” I called out to her.

  I watched as she tried to stand, but something wasn’t right. Ari was holding her stomach and blood was just leaking. Fuck she was hit too. I couldn’t just leave her. I made my way over to her, still holding Cam up and held her the same way on the other side of me.

  “Y’all stay with me. I’m going to get y’all to the hospital, just stay with me.”

  I heard Ariana’s breaths. They were short and faint, but I heard them, and that’s what mattered. Cam…not so much. I didn’t care though; I was getting them to the hospital. We finally made it to where I parked my truck and I put them in the backseat the best way I could without causing more injuries. Ariana was alert she was crying out in pain.

  “Relax baby you going to be okay. Do me a favor, talk to Cam. It doesn’t matter what you say, just talk to him and keep yourself alert for me ma.”

  Ari did as I told her. I jumped in the front seat and sped off. I didn’t give a fuck about getting pulled over; this was life or death.

  ****

  I swerved into a parking spot in front the emergency room entrance of Bronx Lebanon hospital. My car was crooked, but that shit didn’t matter. I jumped out the car and rushed inside, returning with doctors, and got Ariana and Cam on gurneys and rushed them inside. I tapped my pockets looking for my phone, but the shit wasn’t there. I walked over to my whip and looked for it, but it wasn’t there either. Fuck man I needed to call Skye.

  I walked into the emergency room hoping that the nurse at the nurse stations would let me use the phone. After explaining to her that I needed to contact their family, she let me. I called Ariana’s parents’ house; luckily the number was easy as fuck, and I was able to remember it. After speaking to them, I had to call Skye.

  Matt

  Niggas got lucky tonight. My little homie Chris hit my jack when he spotted Cam and Ty pulling up to Sin City. I was happy as fuck. I’d been keeping it low ever since I found out Cam put a price tag on my head. I didn’t even know how those niggas found out about me. Miguel had me staying at one of his spots in the city until the Cam situation was handled. But after those niggas rushed out there with all that heat, I was sure the situation would be handled. It was my time, and I was ready to claim what was rightfully mine from the beginning. Only thing is that now I planned taking everything; even his bitch.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Skye

  I was on my way back to bed after waking up to use the bathroom for the fourth time, when my phone started ringing. I knew it had to be Cameron or my parents, because no one else would be brave enough to call me at that hour. I sat on the edge of the bed and answered the phone.

  “He-llo” I answered, clearing my voice a little.

  I removed the phone from my ear and looked at it strange. First of all it came from a number not associated with anyone in my phonebook, and the background was loud as fuck. I was pregnant, aggravated, and tired! I was in no mood for the bullshit.

  “Hello!” This time I shouted.

  “Sis…”

  It sounded like Ty but I couldn’t really hear through the noise.

  “Ty?” I questioned.

  I listened as the guy breathed heavy in the phone sounding, as if he was jogging. The noise seemed to decrease as well. I figured the caller was going to a place where we could hear each other.

  “Sis!”

  It was clear that it was Ty.

  Why the hell was he calling me? Probably from the club that’s why it was so damn noisy.

  “Yes, Ty. What happened?”

  The line went quiet. It seemed as if the longer we sat on the phone in silence, the more I began to panic.

  “Tyquan!” I barked at him.

  “They shot them sis. They fucking shot them. This is bad. Ariana will be okay, but I don’t think he’s going to make it. They shot my brother, sis. They fucking shot him!”

  I knew that Ty was speaking because I heard him, but as far as knowing what he was saying, I didn’t have a clue. The moment he said they shot them, everything went numb and my senses went blank.

  Why was this happening? As if enough bad shit hadn’t happened recently. I had to get to the hospital. I needed to see him. This had to be a dream.

  “Skye are you there?”

  Physically I was, but emotionally I was somewhere else. I’d say in limbo because if I lost Cameron…

  “What hospital?” I tried to keep it together. For the sake of my child, I had to.

  “Bronx Lebanon.”

  I hung up the phone. My brain was saying get up and put on clothes, but my body wouldn’t listen. I could no longer suppress the urge to cry and I exploded. I let out a piercing scream.

  “Why is this happening?” What am I being punished for?” I yelled out loud, not taking into account that Victoria and Mariah were sleeping.

  I cried, and I cried hard. In between sobs I prayed, he had to make it. The thought of bringing our baby in the world without Cameron made me breakdown. Mariah and Victoria walked through the door and rushed to my side. At that point I was crying and repeating “Why Cameron?” Mariah began to panic as she tried to calm me down so that I could tell her what was going on. The thing was that I didn’t know what had happened. All I knew was that, we had to get to Bronx Lebanon!

  Victoria walked into Cameron’s closet and came out with a pair of his sweats for me. I was still unable to move but she did the best she could at helping me put them on. Everything was moving fast, I was dizzy and couldn’t really foc
us. I fought with myself to get it together, and told myself that I could do this. If I learned anything from Cameron, I learned how to be strong. In that moment something hit me, whether Cameron made it through this or not, I would never be the same. In addition to that, whoever was responsible for causing all the havoc in our lives lately now had to deal with me. I stopped crying and got strength in knowing that I had to protect my baby, this family, and my man’s organization by any means necessary.

  ****

  After I got myself together, Mariah and Victoria threw on clothes and we headed to the hospital. When we walked into the emergency room, a feeling came over me. I felt it right there; Cameron was gone. Although I had that feeling, I still found myself walking over to the nurse’s station demanding to see him.

  “I need to see Cameron Carter!” I yelled at the nurse.

  I felt a little bad for being nasty with her because this wasn’t her fault but I was in no mood to be apologizing, fuck that.

  “Ma’am, are you family?”

  Was that bitch serious? Would I be in the emergency room at three in the morning trynna see a nigga who didn’t mean shit to me?

  “What room?” I asked, completely ignoring her question.

  The Nurse sighed. I’m sure she dealt with shit like that on a daily basis, and you would think she would be a bit more compassionate.

  “I’ll get his doctor.”

  I watched as the ugly ass nurse went to get the doctor. I looked around for Mariah and Victoria, and saw them sitting with Ty who was covered in blood.

  I began to move my feet and head in their direction until I heard someone call my name.

  “Skye!”

  I turned in the direction of the voice and saw Ariana’s parents. I felt like shit. There I was, so worried about Cameron that I didn’t even ask about my best friend; not even once. I justified it by telling myself I didn’t ask because Ty said she was going to be alright. Deep down, I knew it was still fucked up. I walked over to them and hugged her mom. She looked as if she’d been crying for days. Ari’s mom’s eyes were so puffy, they looked to be swollen shut. Her father looked as if he was hurting, but he was barely keeping it together for his wife’s sake.