2 Timers

by Amaleka McCall

  She missed him. There. She admitted it to herself.

  “It’s Lyric. She left a text. Says it’s an emergency,” Ron called from the bedroom, interrupting her pity party. Melody exhaled and swiped at the remnants of tears. Her patience was all but gone. Ron had to go. She’d come up with another master plan to get rid of him.

  Ava used to say, “You only think you want something until you actually get it.” Truer words were never spoken.

  Melody snatched the bathroom door open and prepared to curse Ron out.

  “Find out if Harmony and Aubrey are okay,” he urged, pushing the phone into Melody’s face. She grabbed her phone and narrowed her eyes at him.

  “If you were home with them, instead of being here on a weeklong drug bender, you’d know if they were okay, now, wouldn’t you?”

  Ron threw his hands up in frustration.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Now please move out of my way.”

  Melody scanned her phone. There were six missed calls from Lyric and four text messages. She sucked her teeth. Lyric’s definition of an “emergency” was much broader than the average person’s. Lyric was a pesky, opportunistic, drug-addicted baby sister that always needed money to get high.

  Melody thought about ignoring her sister, but something told her to go ahead and call her back. Lyric knew something about Melody that she wasn’t proud of at the moment. If the price was right, she knew Lyric could remain quiet. Melody couldn’t afford for any salacious information to get out in the media about her.

  Melody’s fans had no idea that she lived a double life. When she was performing and in the public eye, she made sure her reputation was pristine. Whatever the price, Melody wouldn’t let her image be marred with scandal. The Sly and Terikka baby announcement would drop soon and Melody already had her PR team working overtime on casting her as the victim of a two-timing boyfriend and home-wrecking whore.

  When her team was done, Melody hoped her album would go double platinum. In the meantime, she would completely destroy Terikka’s image and, hopefully, her singing career. Melody didn’t like to lose in any aspect of her life, love life included.

  She dialed her sister’s number and waited for her to answer.

  The words came out faster than her mind could process.

  “Homicide? What? How? I’m . . . coming.”

  Melody’s phone dropped to the floor. Her entire body grew cold.

  Chapter 2

  Lyric

  “Shit,” Lyric grumbled as she stumbled, nearly twisting her ankle. She paced in front of the building that housed New York City Police Department’s Brooklyn North Homicide squad.

  She folded down the top of the brown paper bag that concealed her Olde English 40 Ounce. A good old forty—the old-school way to get buzzed. It was the easiest and quickest medicine she could afford. She had to get her mind off of what was going on. Lyric wished she could forget everything she’d seen in the past two weeks. She wanted to call her boyfriend Rebel and beg him to come back to her. She missed him so badly. She replayed in her mind the last time she saw him. She wished she had fought harder to make him stay. Lyric blamed herself for losing him. Just like everyone else in her life, he had left her when she needed him the most. Another sip of beer and it didn’t hurt as much.

  * * *

  Rebel visited Lyric in the hospital after her overdose in the club. She was so happy to wake up and find him at her bedside that numbers on her heart monitor almost doubled. Within no time, things were like old times with them.

  “Come on. Open up for the airplane,” Rebel joked, making airplane noises and waving a spoonful of applesauce in front of her mouth.

  “Get out of here,” Lyric giggled and turned her head away. They both laughed. He usually put up a hard, tough-guy act, but Lyric knew he had a softer side, which few had witnessed.

  “Yo, you scared the shit out of me,” Rebel confessed, putting the spoon on the hospital tray.

  Lyric lowered her eyes, embarrassed by her actions.

  “I know. I scared the hell out of myself too,” she confided. “But I remember that high, yo. It was like nothing I ever had before, Reb. I was wishing I could share that shit with you the whole time. I mean, I was flying so fucking high,” she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

  Rebel reached out and squeezed Lyric’s hand, halting her words. Lyric looked down at the skull and crossbones tattoo on the top of his hand, and then at his face.

  “What?” she asked softly.

  “I want you to kick, Lyric,” Rebel said seriously. “This is the end of the line for you and the life. You gotta get yourself clean.”

  Lyric pulled her hand away, put her head back on the pillow, and stared up at the ceiling.

  “Not you too. I don’t know how many lectures I can fucking take,” she groaned. “My sisters are going to be on that rehab shit. I already know . . .”

  “This shit ain’t for you, Lyric. You almost died, and for what? Going on tour with your sisters, singing and dancing, being a beautiful young girl, and living, enjoying life . . . that’s for you. That’s what you been trying to get back to all this time. You got the support right here.” Rebel opened his hands, driving home his point.

  Lyric sucked her teeth and closed her eyes. She wasn’t a child, but she felt so helpless in life.

  “I’m serious, Lyric. Your sisters are in your corner . . . for once. You should’ve seen how Harmony was ready to kick my ass when she thought I was the reason you overdosed. Man, she was ready to rip me apart with her bare hands. That means something, Lyric. That means you’re loved, even more than you know. Don’t blow it,” Rebel said with more feeling than she’d expected. Lyric swiped at the tears leaking from her eyes. Thinking about rehab and having nothing to help ease her pain made her stomach knotty. She couldn’t imagine life without getting high.

  “I don’t want to lose you,” she said honestly. “So if kicking means I can’t be around you, then I’m not going to fucking do it,” she said firmly, squaring her jaw.

  Rebel sighed loudly. “Look at me,” he demanded.

  She reluctantly met his gaze.

  “Did I ever tell you how I got hooked on this shit, Lyric?”

  “No,” she murmured.

  “I was a kid when I took my first hit. I was just a twelve-year-old child. My pops gave me my first one,” Rebel said, swallowing hard.

  Lyric’s shoulders quaked with emotion. She didn’t know if she was capable of handling her own pain, let alone his.

  “That fucking coward told me it was for my own good. But, really, he forced it on me because he was afraid. He was afraid to be alone in his fucked-up, miserable world. When my moms overdosed and died, he didn’t have nobody else to get high with. So, I was the next best thing. I had just started dabbling in music with a couple of my friends at school. My pops told me the smack would make me better at my music. I was too curious to say no to that kind of promise.” Rebel’s voice cracked. He blew out a long, hard breath, like he was trying hard not to cry. Lyric noticed the dagger tattoo on Rebel’s neck moving in and out with the pulsing of his heart.

  “It did, for a while, you know? I was flying high all of the time. I could perform for a couple days straight, nonstop. The record label and my pops benefited off that shit. Everybody was collecting checks. I would get high and go like the Energizer Bunny, show after show. My pops kept the drugs coming, and I kept going. When my single blew up, I was riding fucking high, literally. But then, I started crashing. My body needed the smack to stay regular and not just for performances. I needed to hit it more and more often. I didn’t care about shit else but a hit. I started seeing the little bit of money they gave me disappear faster than I could blink. My brain got all fuzzy. I couldn’t write rhymes. I couldn’t go onstage. I couldn’t get into the studio. Fuck, I couldn’t even remember where the studio was half of the time. All I wanted to do was chase the high and keep myself from being sick. Then that stupid fuck-head pops of mine up and dies. E
ndocarditis the doctors said.” Rebel shook his bald head, lowering his tattooed skull into his hands.

  Lyric cried hard for him. She had no idea that he had been through this before. She was genuinely sorry to have reawakened his demons.

  He lifted his head abruptly and parted an awkward smile. “Then, I met you. From the gate, you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I know I did some foul shit to you, Lyric. It was because I’m sick. It was because I didn’t know how to fucking love someone as innocent and pure as you. I grew up around shitheads all my life. But, you, Lyric, I have loved you from the day we met. It’s so fucked up that the only way I learned to express love was to get a person high. I thought by giving you that first hit I was showing you what my father showed me . . . love. I know it sounds like pure bullshit.”

  Rebel’s resolve finally broke. His bottom lip quivered, and hot, angry tears danced down his face.

  “I know you love me, Rebel,” Lyric offered, extending her hand to him.

  “Don’t you ever believe that me fucking up your life with this poison meant that I loved you,” he said through his teeth.

  Lyric could see that he was angry at himself, not her. She looked down at the big, silver skull head ring on Rebel’s left ring finger.

  “I love you, Rebel.”

  “I want you to kick, Lyric. I want you to know real love . . . but it can’t be with me. I’m not capable of giving that to you,” he said, pulling his hand away.

  Lyric’s eyes went wide with surprise. Her heart beat erratically, sending off the monitor. He wasn’t serious, was he?

  “We can do it together. I’ll only do it if you do it with me,” Lyric said, anxiety lacing her words.

  Rebel stood, shaking his head.

  “I’m never going to get better. But, you have to, Lyric.” Rebel backed away from Lyric’s bed, his mouth turned down. The jingling from the chains hanging from his pants pockets sounded ominous. Like a prisoner walking to his execution.

  He couldn’t leave her like this. Alone. Afraid.

  “Rebel. Don’t leave me,” Lyric begged, trying to muster enough strength to go after him. “I won’t stay here. I won’t kick. I’ll find you. I’ll fucking hunt you down,” she screamed, her face flushed.

  “You have to stay and get the help you need. I can’t help you. I can only hurt you,” he said with finality.

  Lyric threw back her hospital blanket and tried to disconnect her IV. The monitors next to her bed began to chirp loudly. Her heart was pounding so hard, she felt light-headed and weak. She was going to vomit on the sheets.

  “Rebel,” Lyric cried, her arms tangled in the tubes and wires as she fought to free herself.

  “I’m no good for you,” Rebel said through his tears as he quietly closed the door to her room.

  “Reb! Reb! Don’t do this to me! Please, Rebel!” Lyric sobbed as the nurses rushed to her bedside.

  * * *

  Lyric scrubbed roughly at her tears. “Oh my God. I fucking hate these flashbacks,” she grunted under her alcohol-laden breath. She took another swig of her forty. Her sister needed to get her ass here soon, or she wouldn’t be responsible for what happened next.

  “Lyric. Lyric, what’s going on?”

  For a minute, the shrill voice sounded eerily like her dead mother’s. Angry and judgmental.

  Her sister, Melody, was the next worst thing to their mother.

  “Thank goodness you’re out here. What the hell is going on?” Melody rushed over, fake concern creasing her brow. As usual, Melody was flanked by a phalanx of goon-squad-looking security guards.

  Lyric shook her head. She was finally feeling the effects of her libation.

  “Damn, need security much?” she slurred a little, rolling her eyes at Melody. Thank God Lyric had enough foresight to run to the bodega and grab that beer before Melody arrived. There was no way Lyric could ever deal with her sober. In fact, Lyric still wanted to tear Melody apart with her bare hands for what she’d done to Harmony. The bitch had no moral compass.

  “You’re drunk,” Melody declared, waving her hand in front of her face and scrunching her nose.

  “And, you are correct,” Lyric said, simulating an ovation clap with her hands. “You should probably have a drink too. I mean, it’s what I would do if I was evil like you.” Lyric raised her brown paper bag to her lips again.

  “Is there ever a time you don’t find yourself escaping into a bottle of booze or a baggie of drugs?” Melody asked with her arms crossed.

  “Do . . . do . . . not start that bullshit, Mel-o-dee,” Lyric slurred, pointing a wavering finger at her.

  “Where’s Harmony?” Melody cut to the chase.

  “Talking to the DTs. It’s been almost twenty-four hours now,” Lyric hiccupped. “First, they spoke to her, then me, then her. I . . . I . . . guess they think one of us murdered the great Av . . . Ava . . . lub,” Lyric garbled, raising her drink. “I should pour some out for our good ol’ mother. Yeah, pour some out for the wicked bitch.”

  Melody jumped back as some of the frothy malt liquor splashed on the ground and splattered on her shoes.

  “Damn shame, girl. You’re a hot mess. So embarrassing,” Melody shook her head in disgust.

  “Take her into the car before it becomes a paparazzi zoo out here,” Melody instructed, nodding at Virgil, her head of security.

  A few members of Melody’s security team moved to escort Lyric to the waiting Range Rover with dark tinted windows.

  “I . . . I . . . can walk on my own,” Lyric garbled, snatching her arm away from the goons.

  “Melody,” Lyric called out, somewhat coherently.

  Melody stopped in her tracks, pivoting toward her sister.

  “Harmony doesn’t know. I didn’t have the heart or the chance to fucking tell her,” Lyric spat.

  “Well, maybe you shouldn’t,” Melody said matter-of-factly.

  Lyric squinted her eyes, her jaw rocking feverishly. She had some nerve to tell her what to do. She was in no position to negotiate.

  * * *

  Lyric had frozen in place, her mouth agape. “Ron?”

  “Shit,” Ron gasped like he’d seen a ghost. “Lyric, listen to me.” He put his hands up, pleadingly. “Let me just explain.”

  Melody rushed out of her bedroom, just in time to see Lyric and Ron standing face-to-face like they were getting ready to name their seconds in a duel.

  “What are you doing here? Didn’t we leave you in a rehab in Pennsylvania?” Melody asked, clutching the material of her gown trying to cover her naked body.

  “I can’t believe you. I can’t believe either of you,” Lyric gritted, shaking her head. She was sick to her stomach. “Y’all are both fucking disgusting,” she growled, her hands curling into fists.

  “Just listen to me, Lyric.” Ron reached his hand out toward her. Lyric slapped it away.

  “Don’t you fucking touch me with those dirty hands!” Lyric screamed, pushing at his chest with all of her strength. “I can’t believe that you’re such a lowlife. After all Harmony has done for you? This is how you fucking repay her, you bastard?” She jabbed her finger in his chest.

  “It was a one-night stand. It happened so fast. I didn’t mean for it—” Ron rambled, stumbling backward.

  Melody chortled and stepped closer to Lyric. “How much? What’s your price to keep this quiet?”

  Lyric jerked back as if she’d been slapped. Her sister was one dirty bitch.

  “What? What did you just ask me?” Lyric asked through clenched teeth.

  “Let’s face it, Lyric. You didn’t leave rehab because you felt like it. You left because the urge to get high was too much to handle. Everybody has a price,” Melody said flatly.

  Ron frowned and lowered his head in shame.

  “You selfish, conniving bitch. You disgust me,” Lyric said, her voice trembling. “Fuck you and your money. I hope that money and this no-good addict bring you all of the happiness you think your money can buy.” She tur
ned her back on them both, ready to leave.

  “Lyric,” Ron called after her. Lyric paused but didn’t turn around.

  “Please, don’t tell Harmony. This would destroy her. Let me do it. Let me be the one,” he pleaded.

  Lyric would not let Harmony be made a fool. She owed her sister that much.

  * * *

  Lyric shook her head now, recalling the anxiety that plagued her as she took the long cab ride to Harmony’s place in New Jersey, contemplating how she would tell Harmony that their evil sister had slept with her husband. Lyric’s stomach cramped up now, the same way it had that day.

  * * *

  Lyric had entered Harmony’s dance studio and went straight to the office, where she knew she would find her sister hard at work.

  “I . . . I . . . need to talk to you, Harm. It’s real important.” Lyric’s lips trembled.

  The chimes over the front doors sounded off just as Lyric sat in the chair opposite the desk. She paused, glancing at the intruder.

  “Good afternoon, ladies. I’m Detective Brice Simpson, NYPD, Homicide.” A tall, handsome man stepped forward, while his trench coat-clad partner remained a few steps behind.

  “Homicide?” Harmony repeated.

  “What’s this about?” Lyric dropped her bag at her feet.

  “Are you the daughters of Ava Love?” Detective Simpson asked.

  “Yes,” Harmony and Lyric answered in surprised unison.

  “Why are you asking about Ava? What is this really about?” Harmony asked suspiciously, concern creasing her brow.

  Detective Simpson cleared his throat. The other detective looked uncomfortably at his black, shiny, wingtip shoes.

  “Your mother’s death has been ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.”

  * * *

  “Is that all, Lyric?” Melody’s question brought her back to the present.