Ghetto Girls Too

by Anthony Whyte

  “Why? Tell us why.” Kowalski was beside himself with excitement. “This is what we needed all along, Rightchus, you…”

  “Let him talk,” Hall said cautiously. “Rightchus, why did they wanna get even? Drug turf?”

  “Nah, it wasn’t even none o’ that. You know E-money just about da beats and the music. He not into no drug deals.”

  “So, what was the war about?” Hall asked.

  “It wasn’t no war. Nah, it started when Lil’ Long and Vulcha pushed they stinkin’ dicks up in my man’s niece’s guts. They raped her. They raped Deedee and that pissed off my man so much, he brought it to the wrong peeps. Deja, may his soul rest in peace, was killed on account of that bullshit.”

  “By who? Killed by who? Who did it?” Kowalski asked. He pulled out a bag filled with crack vials. “Look, you’re gonna be smiling all day for the rest of your life.” Kowalski threw the bag in Rightchus’ lap. It had to contain over five hundred crack vials. “Talk and we’ll let you live high off the hog, Rightchus,” Detective Kowalski said.

  “It’s all simple, guys. Eric’s niece was raped and he didn’t want to fuck wit y’all. Y’all did him and his brother wrong so he got his man, Busta, to do the dirty deed, you hear? That’s it, two bodies.”

  “So who shot da cops?”

  “Probably Lil’ Long. I know it wasn’t Vulcha cuz he was toe-tagged already. I feel it’s Lil’ Long.”

  “But it could’ve been Eric Ascot. Why couldn’t he have them murdered also? They could’ve pissed him off just the same.”

  “I don’t know. I ain’t sayin’ it couldn’t happen that way but I personally believe it was Lil” Long.”

  “Alright, we heard enough. Listen, you stick around and don’t go anywhere too far, alright? You’re our star witness, boy.” The car sped off and stopped in front of Rightchus’ building. “Okay, star witness, you take it easy, now.” They rode off leaving Rightchus feeling great. He snuck a look into the bag and grinned from ear to ear.

  “One man goes down and the other rises.” Rightchus pranced into the building where he was met by the super.

  “Hey, Rightchus, when you gonna pay me the rent for the past three months for that room of yours?” the super asked, blocking Rightchus’ entrance to the elevator.

  “Jose, my main man, what’s going on, papichulo? Listen, give me couple a weeks and I’ll pay you all that,” Rightchus said shifting from leg to leg.

  “You told me that last month. You told me that the month before that. When are you gonna come up with the damn rent? I’m gonna have to evict you.”

  “My word is my bond and my bond is my life. I’ll give my life before my word.”

  “Listen, Rightchus, save all that preaching for them people who don’t know no better. I want the rent. Money talks, bullshit walks.”

  “Ahight, my word will not fail, Jose. I’ll have all that rent for you, my man.”

  “I’ll believe it when it happens. But you will be out as soon as I get the eviction papers,” Jose said. As the elevator arrived, he got in and smiled. “It’ll happen,” he said and stepped off the elevator and into his apartment. He searched for a little until he found his pipe, sat back, and lit it. “Ah yesss,” Rightchus hissed as he exhaled.

  SEVENTY-ONE

  They lay on his bed, she on her back and he between her legs. She sucked his lip into her mouth while they made out. Their lips crushed each other’s, filling the room with the sounds of slurping and moaning. Josephine wrapped her legs around Geo and ground her body into his. She smiled when she felt his dick pressing harder against her thighs. The slurping continued as he held her tightly in his arms. They rocked back and forth then rolled around on his huge bed.

  “This bed is major. I mean, you can’t fall out,” Josephine slurred as the weed and alcohol served to relax her past the point of inebriation. Josephine giggled as she felt the tingling when he unbuttoned her shirt. She moaned loudly when Geo removed her bra and began licking her nipples. “Ohh, my…that feels so good. Yeah, Geo.”

  Josephine began sliding the tip her of tongue up and down Geo’s throat. Her tongue played with his Adam’s apple, sending crazy sensations through his entire body. She used her wet lips to rub against the hollow of his throat. He slowly licked her areola in a circular motion. Switching from side to side, his head traveled from nipple to nipple until both were rock hard and appeared on the verge of bursting at the seams. Geo cupped both breasts and moaned when he felt Josephine’s soft, moist mouth on his neck. He set her desire afire when he bit both her nipples hard. Her legs kicked uncontrollably and her toes curled.

  He got up out of the bed and slipped out of his pants. He was now fully naked with his spear ready for the plunging. With Geo on his back and Barry White humming softly in the background, Josephine caressed Geo’s full package. She licked and sucked his dick until the shiny head pointed rudely to the ceiling. She continued to rub the tip against her soft open lips. Josephine heard the moaning and saw the excitement crawling across Geo’s face. “Ah…ugh, yeah, yeah, ah… baby, you’re doing it right.” He groaned harder and louder then his face began contorting. She sucked harder and moved up and down. She felt his body bucking then Geo exploded, squirting cream over her face and hair. “Ahho-ooh, oh yes, Jo,” he yelled caressing her face gently as she slowly licked his dick, her fingers massaging his balls.

  “Oh no, your skeet messed up my hair,” she laughed after awhile.

  “Are you ready to give up da chocha, now?” he asked excitedly reaching underneath her skirt. Josephine held him against her. She could feel his dick pulsing against her and caressed it gently.

  “You got yours. I mean, do we really have to do the nasty?” she asked.

  “Baby, yeah, hell yeah, we got to do it. I got to get some of that now. You can’t leave a man like me hanging like this,” he said pointing to his hard on.

  “I… I got my period and all. You know how a woman is.”

  “Baby, I could hook it up anyway. A quick shower and bam, it’s over. Have you ever had it in da culo before?” Geo asked wishing.

  “In my ass? Hell no, we ain’t doing that. You too big. That shit would be too painful, Geo,” Josephine said with a frown. “Maybe another time.”

  “I’ll be real careful. It won’t hurt. I got some KY jelly and Vaseline,” he said, getting up and going to the bathroom while Josephine fidgeted with her hair. He returned with condoms and lubricants. Josephine glanced around the small studio big enough for a futon, a television, his electronic games, and his DJ equipment. She wanted to stall.

  “Where’s the bathroom?” she asked. Geo pointed and Josephine crawled out of the bed. “You’ve got towels ready for me that I can use?” Josephine asked. She figured she could take a warm shower and try to clean up her period for a couple minutes as she slammed the door shut.

  She busied herself wiping stains from her hair. She turned the water to the shower on and could not hear the commotion as it was going down outside. She was examining her hair and make-up in the bathroom mirror when she realized that there was loud talking going on in the other room. Josephine put her head closer to the door and it swung in, knocking her backwards onto the toilet seat.

  “What da fuck is going…?” Josephine started to scream when, all of a sudden, four girls descended on her. They came swinging fists and shoved her hard against the bathroom wall. She fell and hit her head. It was difficult for Josephine to fathom what happened next but she tried in vain to get back up. The tiles of the bathroom were slippery and every time she thought she would make it up, she would slip and felt everything from belts to shoes being used to beat her. There was blood coming from everywhere and although Josephine fought back, she was easily overpowered by these girls. They dragged her outside into the elevator and carried her to the lobby. A fist hit her real hard and she fell out cold.

  She recovered to find herself on the lobby floor wearing her jacket and skirt but no shirt or bra. She peered outside from beneath her swoll
en eyes. Her head hurt but she recognized the raindrops outside the front door and knew that it was pouring. What Josephine wasn’t aware of was the tremendous beating she had just suffered at the hands of four girls. She remembered seeing the faces and getting hit by Kim and Tina.

  There were two other girls with them, both Spanish. She did not know who they were but she was sure that one of them was a jealous girlfriend and she was sure that Geo had not told her the truth. He had not mentioned a girlfriend. Josephine’s head pounded and there was blood on her clothes coming from her lips. She struggled to her feet when she saw the patrol car and ran outside waving at the vehicle. The officers stopped and told her she had to go to the precinct to make a report then called an ambulance.

  Josephine couldn’t focus long enough to remember the apartment where the incident took place. The police told her there was nothing else that could be done at this time and left immediately when the ambulance came. A few minutes later, she passed out inside the speeding ambulance.

  SEVENTY-TWO

  The following morning at about nine, Josephine awoke and sobbed when she felt the bandages on her face and head. She had slept for hours and felt rested even though there was a light ringing in her head. Otherwise, she was able to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom. She peered out of her bloodshot eyes, which were still swollen. She heard footsteps and saw that a nurse had walked into the room.

  “Finally,” the nurse said. “You’re awake, sleeping beauty. How do you feel?” the nurse asked.

  “I feel okay. A little sore but I’m okay. How long have I been sleeping?”

  “Since you came in. What happened? Did you have a fight with your boyfriend?”

  “Nah,” said Josephine reflectively. She looked at the nurse.

  “Okay, we need to get some contact information from you. You’ve been in the hospital since early Saturday morning. You had multiple wounds around your eyes, earlobes, and swollen lips. What happened to you? Tell me if your boyfriend did this terrible thing to you. He should be punished to the fullest extent of the law if he did this to you,” the nurse said. Josephine stared at her for a second as if she did not comprehend. “You’re safe now. You can tell me, did your boyfriend…”

  “I heard you,” Josephine snapped recalling the beat down she suffered. “No, it wasn’t my boyfriend. He didn’t do anything,” Josephine said framing each syllable carefully. “I was jumped by some girls I don’t even know,” Josephine said looking at the nurse. She was met by the nurse’s astute stare.

  “There’re a lot of girls ganging up on other girls and really fighting like boys do,” the nurse said shaking her head. “Things getting real violent. Ah, what is your name?” the nurse asked.

  “Josephine, Josephine Johnson. Did you try to call my mother, nurse?”

  “You had no ID on you so I don’t think anyone has. Plus, you were sleeping for so long we wanted to let you get as much rest as possible,” the nurse continued and asked Josephine all the pertinent information. Josephine did not want her mother informed as to where she had spent most of her weekend.

  “You don’t have to call my mother, do you?”

  “Is your father here in the city?”

  “No, but I have got friends who…”

  “We’ll have to notify your relatives because you’re still a minor, not your friends. Hospital policy, Josephine,” the nurse said. “But we’ll also call your friends nonetheless and let them know where you are,” she said finally. Josephine grudgingly gave the nurse the required information then dialed Miss Katie. After a couple rings, she heard the familiar voice of Coco. Josephine was happy.

  “Coco, whassup? You gotta come and get me, girl,” she said immediately.

  “Oh thank goodness, we were tryin’ to find out what the hell happened to you all day yesterday. Oh, your mother called, yo. Where are you? You ahight?”

  “Yes, I’m ahight but I need you to come down here and get me now.”

  “Where?”

  “In this hospital at Twelfth Street and Seventh Ave. Come now, Coco please.”

  “Whatcha doing in a damn hospital? Don’t tell me that nigga had an accident or sump’n?”

  “Nah, nah, it wasn’t even that. Coco, come down now, please, and we’ll talk. Do me a solid and bring some clothes for me. I’ll see you in a little while.”

  “It’s done. Ahight yo,” Coco said and hung up the phone.

  The hospital provided little comfort to the fact that she had been beaten up. Josephine watched from her bed as nurses moved through the hallway. The shock of finding herself a patient was still coursing through Josephine. She lay back in her bed reassured with the fact that Coco was on her way. She looked in her pocketbook but it was empty except for her lipstick, a condom, and some gum.

  SEVENTY-THREE

  About an hour later, a nurse came in with Coco and Deedee nearly running in behind her.

  “Damn, Jo, what happened?” Coco asked when she saw her friend banged up with bruises all over the facial area. Josephine wore a weak smile that did nothing to conceal how angry she was.

  “Bitches jumped me,” Josephine said.

  “What? Get da fuck…” Coco started but her shouting brought the nurse back into the room. Coco realizing she was in the hospital, regrouped. “Hold up, Jo, who da fuck?”

  “If you’re going to scream and use profanity, I’m afraid I’m going to have to stop your visit at once,” the nurse said.

  “I’m sorry,” Coco started to apologize but the nurse walked out the room. “I brought you a pair of sweats,” Coco continued.

  “That’s good. Y’all could come a little closer. I promise I won’t break,” Josephine said with a grin.

  “Man, it’s so messed up that someone robbed you,” Deedee started to say.

  “I probably look a lot worse than I feel,” Josephine said then ushered her friends closer. “It was Kim and that bitch, Tina, and some of their friends,” she whispered. “Yo, it was like them bitches waited until I was in the bathroom and then…then they just jumped me,” Josephine continued with a strain in her voice.

  “So they must have seen you with Geo and then called his girl or sump’n. Man, no way that nigga shoulda played you like that,” Coco said, staring at Josephine with sympathy all over her face. They were close and it was sad to see Josephine beaten up like this for a guy. She could hear Josephine giving him pardon.

  “Nah, we went to his crib to fool around and after that, I went to use the bathroom. They came in when I went to the bathroom. They kicked the door in and then jumped me.” Josephine unveiled the salacious tale, often softening the details with a smile but there were tears beneath the scabs forming on the bruises around her eyes. Josephine, with help from Coco and Deedee, eventually got dressed just in time for Josephine’s mother’s arrival to the hospital room.

  “Oh, my God, Josephine, what happened?” Mrs. Johnson yelled. Josephine gave her a very curt look.

  “Mother, stop with the drama already. These are my friends. Coco and Deedee, this is my mother,” Josephine deadpanned.

  “I met Coco and Deedee earlier. I went to their homes looking for you. I want to know what happened to you, Josephine.”

  “I was coming from a party and got mugged and robbed, mother.”

  “But why? Why?” Mrs. Johnson asked.

  “I don’t know. They just felt like robbing me, that’s all. You should know. Shit happens in da city, mother.”

  “That’s why you’ve got to go back with me. You stay here in this city and you’ll die. I mean, I was worried about you.”

  “Mother, please stop it. Just because I got mugged don’t mean I changed my views,” Josephine started. “When did you begin worrying about me? Just leave me alone,” Josephine said and turned her head away from her mother. The woman broke down sobbing. Coco looked at Deedee with raised brows.

  “Drama,” she whispered then she spoke to Josephine. “Josephine, I know you done told everyone that you’re not going back but
I’m your friend and I think you should go back with her and stand by your mother,” Coco said. Josephine looked at Coco with a dumbfounded expression.

  “Coco, you out of everyone here ought to know, this is a stressful thing that I’m going through with my…”

  “I feel you but we only get one mother, Jo.”

  “Yeah, but you don’t have to suffer under her. I mean, I need to be me. I can survive on my own.”

  “Yeah, but you’re gonna need an education and a high school diploma and money.”

  “What about interning with Eric and making songs with you? Working on that album and doing videos and all the things we talked about, Coco? I could make it,” Josephine said. She was right. If Eric Ascot gave her a position as an intern and they worked on the album, maybe the money would not be a problem. Coco knew there was something wrong but she was stumped on what to say when she heard Deedee speaking.

  “Jo, you’ve got to go back with your mom. Please do as she sez because not only is Coco right that you’re gonna need all that stuff but Uncle Eric is not ready to take on any interns right now,” Deedee said and Josephine squinted to stare at her. “He told me personally that all that will be set up for the summer and that means after you’re out of school. Go back with your mom and in a couple of months, it’ll be summer and you’ll graduate. Then…”

  “And remember you told me what I could get my mother for Mother’s Day and I did it. Now, I’m telling you to do what we’re saying and it’ll still be all good, yo,” Coco said. Josephine stared at both Coco and Deedee then glanced at her mother.

  “Ahight, ahight, you guys. I heard y’all. I guess you’re right. Look, I wanna get away but I gotta be patient because in the end, like you said before Coco, ‘You only get one mom.’ So I’ll go back with mine and try to enjoy the southern hospitality while it lasts,” Josephine said and the girls all hugged. Josephine embraced her tearful mother and they both cried softly.

  “This is a great Mother’s Day gift,” Mrs. Johnson said. “Let’s go pack, Jo.”