Let That Be the Reason

by Vickie M. Stringer

  I was impressed and felt a little embarrassed that I stereotyped him. “I feel you. People stereotype African Americans all the time. Is your wife Latina?”

  “Yes, she is. Her name is Daya and she’s from Brazil, but she looks like a white American. She has blue eyes and light hair, but once she speaks, you would know that she is Latina.”

  I continued, “So, what made you get your hustle on?”

  “I met the right person at the wrong time in my life. I was laid off from my job as an auditor. I had been married for about three months with my first child on the way and was the sole provider for my family. A childhood friend saw me at a bar having a drink and thinking about my problems. He was in the life and had built a reputation for selling a lot of coca. To make a long story short, he offered me an opportunity to make money. Like you, I wanted to do it just until I could find another job or get on my feet, but we became close, and he took me to make a buy with him. During that buy, the deal went bad, and he was killed. After his death, I was passed the scepter of his business, and now I am in too deep to turn around. “On this level, Carmen, out is death or the penitentiary. Can you understand this? It is not a hustle but a way of life.”

  I sipped on my lemonade and wanted nothing but to return to Ohio and be Pammy again.

  My pager went off, startling me.

  “Dragos, let me use your phone. Paul is paging me from Ohio, 911.”

  “No problem,” he said wearily, removing the phone from his hip.

  “Is this a burnout also?”

  “Yes, yours will be just like it.”

  I called the number from my pager.

  “U Next Barber Shop,” an unfamiliar voice bellowed.

  Damn, he’s at that slow-ass barber shop.

  “Speak to P.”

  “Who dis?”

  “Who dis?” I repeated disgustedly. “This is Carmen.”

  “Hold on… yo, P! You got a phone call.”

  “C?”

  “Yes.”

  “Carmen, I got a problem.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What kind of problem, P?”

  “I need some time. I took a loss, but it’s all good. I’m ready to work out. I mean, really work out. Just tell me it’s on.”

  “Yes, it’s on. We’ll work out. I’m out of town, but I’ll be back in the morning. I’ll call you then.”

  “Thanks, C.”

  “Bye, Paul.”

  “Peace.”

  “Carmen, is everything straight?” Dragos asked curiously as I ended the call.

  “Yes, it is.” I sighed. “And I think I’ll need that van.”

  “¡Bueno!” (Good!)

  I handed him back his phone, and he just sat there smiling.

  I was so glad to be back in Columbus that I could have done a cartwheel.

  When I got off the plane, Delano was there at my gate with two dozen beautiful yellow roses. He bent down and kissed me on the cheek.

  “D, you’re getting taller.”

  He laughed. “Am I really, or are you shrinking? Do you have any luggage?”

  “No, just this carry-on bag.”

  “Here, I’ll take that.” He placed my bag on his shoulder.

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you have plans tonight?”

  “No, not really. Maybe rest. I’m a little tired.”

  “Good,” he said, disregarding my statement. “I’ve made plans for us.”

  “What type of plans?”

  “Carmen, just relax and leave the evening to me.”

  Delano drove like a different person in the BMW versus the hooptie and I was just glad I didn’t have to fear for my life. We left the airport parking lot listening to jazz. When I noticed he was taking a detour, I got a little apprehensive. “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “How was your trip?”

  “Interesting.”

  “Interesting good or interesting, you’re still trying to digest it?”

  “It means I don’t know. D, I really don’t want to talk about my trip.”

  “Whenever and whatever you want to talk about, Carmen, my ear is always here for you.”

  “I know, D. So where are we going?”

  “You’ll see, Carmen, just relax.”

  We pulled into the parking lot of a very nice restaurant. We used valet parking and were escorted in. We both had on Karl Kani jean outfits with 40 Belows (Timbs), which was not suitable attire.

  “Delano, we’re underdressed.”

  “No, we’re kicking it. I come here all the time. Relax.”

  The maître d’ seated us in a secluded corner. Delano had made a reservation. All eyes were on us, but my eyes were on him. The room was dimly lit, and candles illuminated our table.

  “D, I’m so uncomfortable.”

  “Carmen, I’ve tried to tell you that I accept you just the way you are.” He reached out to hold my hand.

  “I love my roses.”

  “Good, I would have purchased more, but I couldn’t carry them… too heavy.”

  “I have always wanted someone to bring me flowers.”

  “Here I am. Anything else?”

  Ignoring his question and changing the subject, I turned my attention to the menu. “How’s the food here?”

  “It’s excellent. The chicken cacciatore is great. I know you like Italian food. The spaghetti is very good, too.”

  “I’ve been searching for some good Italian food,” I said optimistically.

  “I believe you found what you’ve been looking for.”

  “D, I think so, and I’m starting to believe I’ve found more than just food.”

  He came close to me, embraced and kissed me right there in the restaurant. I felt as if we were the only people there. His kiss was very succulent.

  “Excuse me,” said the waiter, interrupting our moment.

  “What’s up, Charles? This is my girl I told you about. I got her to check out our spot. We’re hungry so let’s start with some champagne. Give me some Cristal.”

  “This is a celebration?” the waiter asked.

  “Yes! She’s just agreed to marry me.”

  “Congratulations!” The waiter rushed off.

  “Delano, we are not getting married,” I replied curtly, rather put off by his remark.

  “Why not? Come here,” he told me. “There’s something on your cheek.” I leaned in and then he kissed me again. “Do you like my kisses?”

  Blushing, I answered, “Yes, but let’s just eat.”

  “Fine with me, but you will be my wife.”

  The waiter returned, and we shared a toast. We ate delicious appetizers, and then we ordered the spaghetti with Greek salads. It was simply delicious. We shared an ablaze bananas Foster for dessert. We conversed and playfully fed each other. Our dinner came to an end, but not the evening.

  We left the restaurant for the downtown Hyatt Regency. In the lobby sat a baby grand piano. As he checked into the hotel, I wandered over to the piano. Enchanted by its appearance, I took a seat, and I positioned my long, slender fingers over the keys as I had been taught from years of piano lessons. Something came over me, and I began to quietly play the melody from Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky,” which I had learned when I was nine.

  My parents wanted so much more for me. They invested in opportunities that would make me well-rounded so that I could become something in life. First and foremost, I was to be a law-abiding young lady.

  Delano stood behind me, moving my swing bob hairstyle to one side and kissing the nape of my neck. He then led me outside for a horse-drawn carriage ride around downtown.

  When we returned to the hotel room, he had a gift for me—a leather jacket. Matching leather jackets, his and hers. I loved it. We settled into a plush sofa to watch movies and cuddle. It was so simple, but it was the most special night of my life. This man made me feel safe.

  As we eased into the bedroom, Delano began to undress me, one laye
r of clothing at a time, until I stood before him with only a black thong on. He positioned himself comfortably on the bed and glanced up and down my body. As girls do, I got a little uncomfortable with the pouch of my midsection and did the suck-in-your-abs routine. Placing his hands around my waist, he pulled his face into my midsection and kissed above my navel. I placed my hands on his head and held him there.

  Slowly he kissed my stomach, the sides of my waist and then my breasts, circling my nipples with his tongue. Chills covered my body as my nipples became erect and his tongue danced over them. Grabbing me tightly, he held my body, thrust me onto the bed and began kissing my mouth with full kisses. The taste of his tongue caused me to soak my thong. As he kissed my neck, his hands roamed my butt and removed the thong. He began playing with my pussy while fingering me inside and out. I moaned with pleasure and wanted to taste him.

  I rolled on top of him, removed his shirt and revealed a chest with smooth hair. I began to kiss his neck, his nipples, and then I lowered my head to his pants to give him head. As I began to unzip his pants, he said, “Wait, baby, I want to take care of you first. Come up here and sit on my face. I want to taste you and watch you as I make you cum.”

  Those words were music to my ears. I assumed the position over his face with the inside of my thighs near his ears and felt his tongue between my legs. As he sucked on my clit with soft, even licks, I began to pulse with sensation. Playing with my own nipples while he sucked my clit, I threw my head back and forth and began a slow wind with the rhythm of his tongue as he gripped my ass. Reaching climax number one, I moaned his name over and over.

  Turning around to a 69 position, I opened his pants and was pleasantly pleased to see that his dick was long and thick. My mouth watered as I imagined how he would taste. I took in his length expertly, with slow even strokes. He felt like silk in my mouth. Once I tasted the precum, I was unable to wait any longer. I straddled his manhood and worked my hips like a hula hoop. Delano’s eyes rolled into the back of his head in pleasure as he attempted to speak, but the only words that came out were, “Ooh, baby, shit… work that pussy… yeah… just like that.”

  When he could take no more, D placed me on my back and pumped up and down with strong, steady strokes, working my pussy to the fullest. Yes, I was getting fucked, and right, and didn’t want this moment to end. We kissed each other deeply with the intensity of young love.

  Delano’s strokes became more intense, aiming for his intended target. A tingling feeling took over my pussy and the buildup of an orgasm was released. Just as I came, Delano came inside of me as well.

  “Baby,” he told me, “don’t move. Carmen, wait… ooh shit!”

  I was totally spent, overcome by ecstacy and pleasure. Delano felt around and grabbed the edge of the sheet and covered both of us. The room smelled like good sex and we dozed off into a comatose sleep. Hours later, I woke up in his arms. Remembering his unselfishness in making love to me, I moved my head underneath the covers to find his dick slightly erect and began bringing it to full attention with soft kisses. Delano woke up with a deep moan as my mouth made love to his dick. Sucking on his erection excited me so much that another orgasm burst from between my legs.

  Never before had I cum this way with a man. I knew there was something special about Delano. He began humming my name as I continued to deep-throat him. How many licks does it take to get to the prize inside of my Tootsie Pop? I thought. Twisting, squirming, moaning, he pulled my hair back from my face and pushed his dick deeper into my throat. The release of his slightly salty cum was the prize I had been waiting for. Tasting every drop of his cum was like savoring nectar. When I emerged from beneath the covers, he pulled me up to kiss him as we embraced each other tightly. Moments later, he began snoring softly and fell into a deep sleep.

  Now, how do I tell Delano the truth about me? How do I tell him about the escort service, my real role in this drug trade… my past? I mean, what will he do and say when he realizes who I am? Who am I? I haven’t even told him my real name. I know it’s selfish of me, and he’ll think I’ve been deceitful, but I don’t want this to end. Can I keep this fairy tale for just a little while longer?

  I just closed my eyes, inhaled the scent of his cologne, snuggled in close under his arm and drifted back to sleep.

  Twenty-six

  I woke up early on Friday morning, kissed my son goodbye and dropped him off at day care. No matter what, this was my last run. After my perfect night with Delano, I wanted to be truthful with him—to be my best self. I decided it was time for me to leave this life alone.

  Dragos’s boys were still following me but I didn’t care. I was still going to get out. I stopped by an apartment that I used to hold the heroin. I needed the extra apartment because heroin needs lots of refrigeration, also this apartment was used as a dummy address. I also entertained a few people there as if it were my actual home. In the streets, I never let people know where I rested my head, but when they thought they were there, they become more comfortable, and it strengthened my superficial trust in the streets. I picked up the heroin, and then I met with G-Money. I gave him two kilos, and he gave me a bag of money. Later, I met with Chino and gave him his kilos. Then I went to a travel agency in the mall to arrange a trip out of the city.

  I was in the process of arranging a vacation for Delano and me. I would reveal everything at that time. I felt a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders because I had a reason for my happiness. Someone to share what I had built but also someone who was with me because they loved me, not because of what I could do for them. Delano was real and for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone. With Delano by my side, I could conquer the world.

  The itinerary had us leaving on Sunday afternoon and I couldn’t wait. I walked back to my car, anticipating being with Delano thousands of miles away. After leaving the mall I got into my car, where I had packed all my money in a multicolored duffel bag, and for good measure I stuck two tennis rackets on the sides of the bag, so to any casual observer, it appeared to be filled with tennis gear. I was getting ready to make a power move out of the city. A sharp pain struck me in the forehead, a precursor to the headaches I had been getting lately. I rubbed my eyes vigorously, then started the car. I wanted to just go home and lie low. I didn’t plan on taking anyone’s calls with the exception of Delano’s.

  Pulling out of the shopping plaza listening to an R. Kelly CD, I noticed in my peripheral vision a swarm of cars. I looked to my right and two cars screeched to a stop. I quickly looked to my left—two more cars skidded up and blocked me in.

  Oh shit, a jack!

  I blinked repeatedly and two more cars were in front of me and one in back. The one in back tapped my bumper. This shit was straight up out of some gangsta movie.

  My first instinct was to try to memorize the drivers’ faces. Shit! Where were Dragos’s goons when I needed them? I thought they were following me. Bystanders came over to the scene for a better view.

  I recognized one of the drivers from yesterday’s breakfast at Bob Evans restaurant. If only my car could go into jet mode, I would be safe.

  My mind darted quickly to the possibilities. The raised guns indicated that any attempt to flee was sure suicide. My next thought gave me some relief—I didn’t have any drugs with me. Unfortunately, I still had more than half a million dollars in the trunk of the car, but without a search warrant, what could they do? It looked like I was about to catch a case, but what type?

  It wasn’t a jack. It was the feds—the federallies—an army of FBI agents with big-ass guns.

  “Slowly get out of the car with your hands behind your head and lay down on the ground!” An agent screamed in the bullhorn. It was over. “You are under arrest!” I was on my way to jail, and all I could think of was my son. The agent continued, “You have the right to remain silent…”

  My beautiful lil’ baby. Mommy is so sorry.

  The Feds rushed me and handcuffed my hands behind my back. “Anything you s
ay can and will be used against you in a court of law.” An agent jerked me up to my feet and began pushing me toward the car for transport.

  Mom, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry for lying to you.

  “You have the right to an attorney.”

  God, help me, I don’t want to be away from my baby. Father, please forgive me.

  “If you cannot afford legal counsel, one will be provided for you.”

  Who will take care of my son? Please, God, give me one more chance.

  “Have you understood your rights as they have been explained?” He didn’t wait for a response, he just shoved me head-first into the backseat of the car. They immediately went toward my trunk and they found the duffel bag with the cash in it. Right then, I realized I had been set up. That bitch-ass G set me up!

  I later found out that G’s story was that he had been set up for a kilo by Jay-Jay, who rolled on him because he had gotten caught selling to an undercover policewoman. One of Jay’s workers set him up, so Jay-Jay was going to set someone up. That someone happened to be G, but Jay gave him a way out. In order to save his own ass, G needed to bring me down and the trail of setups ends with me—on lockdown and with no phone calls.

  Once I arrived at the police station, I saw Chino, Rock, my brother Ty and Ramón. Turns out the feds had us all under surveillance. I’d had two sets of people following me, one set was with Dragos, and the other was the feds. I looked over at Chino, and he mouthed, “Don’t worry, Pooh. It will be all right.” Then he gave me a wink. All I could think of was my son.

  The feds picked my son up from day care immediately after my arrest and placed him in protective custody.

  We were all booked at the downtown Columbus police station. I later found out that my driver was stopped on the highway headed back to the house, and that he had drugs in the van. My brother was arrested on a humbug because I stopped by his apartment to make phone calls, and because of the lies that G told on him. The feds go on words, not evidence.