Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry

by Brittani Williams

  “Maybe he suspects something’s going on between us, but he’s a cop; that’s his job,” Nancy said while taking off her bra.

  “What about Ricky? He knows a lot. Do you think he’ll ever blow the whistle?” Flex continued to ask.

  “Flex, no one knows the whole truth about you and me. Ricky is old news. Our little affair ended right before my daughter graduated from college and my husband’s untimely death. I’m sure he’s probably put the pieces together, but Ricky has moved on. Plus, he knows that he’ll be as much of a suspect as you and I. He don’t want no drama in his life. That little daughter of his is his world. Ricky don’t want to bring no unnecessary trouble his or her way,” Nancy assured him as she walked up to Flex, naked.

  “So what about that number one dance spot? When can I finally get it? Since we’ve been messing around, I’ve done everything you asked me to. This club is yours because of me, Nancy,” Flex said seriously.

  Nancy looked into his light hazel eyes and said softly, “Flex, baby, what did I tell you before? You’ll get the number one spot when the time is right. Right now, baby, Ricky is bringing in a lot of money to the club, and because of him, we are the number one exotic dance club on the East Coast. He’s my money right now. I’m bringing in over $25,000 every Monday and Wednesday night with Ricky being the headlining act. You remember what happened when he got sick that time? The club wasn’t even half packed,” Nancy reminded him while putting her arms around his waist.

  “Just be patient, give me some more time. Soon, my husband’s death will be forgotten, and Ricky will be played out. Then, baby, you’ll have the number one spot,” Nancy assured him, kissing all over his chest. “Now, handsome, I’m tired of talking about Ricky and my late husband. I need my daily fix. I have been feening all day like a crackhead,” she said, walking over to her desk and spreading her legs apart.

  “So how do you want it?” he smiled.

  “I want you to fuck the shit out of me. Just like you did Sunday night in the hotel. But this time when you smack my ass, don’t be so damn hard,” Nancy teased seductively.

  * * *

  Big Nook pulled his grey Crown Victoria into the Kentucky Fried Chicken parking lot and parked. Moments later, a blue Ford Taurus pulled up beside him. A short, dark-skinned man quickly got out of his car and got inside of Big Nook’s.

  “What’s up, Nook? Find out anything yet?” he asked.

  “Nothing. If she did have anything to do with killing her husband, she ain’t showing it,” Big Nook responded.

  “What’s up with her young lovers?”

  “Nancy and Ricky’s affair didn’t last long. When he was fucking her, her husband was still alive. I’m almost positive that Ricky had nothing to do with her husband being murdered. He’s a good kid; something scared him away from Nancy. Now they barely talk, because she can’t stand him for some strange, unknown reason. The only reason she puts up with him is because of all the money he brings to the club. So scratch him off your suspect list. He’s clean, believe me,” Big Nook said.

  “What about the guy Flex? As soon as lover boy pops up on the scene, her husband suddenly dies. This has ‘Hollywood True Story’ written all over it. Greed, lust, sex, and murder!” the man said.

  “Well, right now, I don’t know too much about their sexual relationship, Detective Hightower. I was hired a week before the murder happened. Maybe Nancy wanted it that way. But the day her husband Richard was murdered, I didn’t work. Nancy’s a sharp woman. She’s no fool. Whatever is going on with her and Flex, they keep it very secret. I know what’s going on because I pay a lot of attention. That’s what I get paid for. Maybe Ricky knows as well, but I’m sure that no one else at the club has a clue that Nancy and Flex have been having an affair right under our noses,” Big Nook said.

  “Maybe you’re right, but I followed them Sunday night to the Sheraton Hotel out by the airport. I waited inside my car for over two hours,” Hightower laughed.

  “Do you think her daughter knows?” Hightower asked.

  “I seriously doubt it. India is too busy running the day-to-day operations and yearning for Ricky’s attention.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “To be honest, I think they both want each other but are afraid to cross that line. Ricky tries not to show it, but he wants her just as much as India wants him,” Big Nook said.

  Hightower went inside his jacket pocket and took out a small minitape recorder. “Here,” he said, passing it to Big Nook. “When you get a chance, just hit the red recorder button and hide it somewhere. This baby will pick up everything up to twenty feet away. You said that Nancy only allows you and her daughter into her office. So the next time you get a chance, make sure you hide it inside the office somewhere. The recorder has a magnet on the back that will stick to any metal. It can record up to four hours. Sooner or later, Nancy will say something she’s gonna regret. If she did plot her husband’s murder, then most likely she’ll tell on herself. Maybe her young lover will say something incriminating. Tell the boys to keep their eyes and ears open. If Nancy’s the woman that I think she is, I don’t want her to get away with murder. Her type is the worst! After the rich husband gets old and needs Viagra to boost him up, they go find a young lover to get rid of him and take his place. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re inside her office fucking right now. On my way over here, I saw both of their cars still parked outside,” Hightower revealed zipping up his jacket.

  “Yeah, I just left them before I came here to meet you,” Big Nook said.

  “Like I said, big fella, this has ‘Hollywood True Story’ written all over it,” Hightower said shaking his hand and getting out of the car. Exhaling, Big Nook pulled out of the parking lot and drove off.

  Chapter Nine

  The Conscience of Love

  After Ricky dropped Twist off at his house, he went to pick up Asia. He was always excited to spend some quality time with his daughter. His life was so fast paced that he enjoyed the time he got to slow down. His daughter was one of the smartest children he knew. He loved how he could sit and have conversations with her that most would assume were beyond her years. Her personality was special. There were nights that she kept him laughing well into her bedtime. He cherished those moments with her, and he made sure that she knew it.

  After he and his daughter got to his parents’ house, Ricky helped Asia with her homework. It was something he would do every day. Once they had finished her homework, he sat around talking to Asia. He would play games with her or whatever else she wanted to do before dinner. His mother would always throw down in the kitchen, so he looked forward to that meal as well as the family time.

  This particular day, the two of them played a quick game of jacks before going downstairs inside the kitchen and enjoyed a delicious chicken dinner with his parents and his sister Nicole. After dinner, as they did every night, Ricky and Asia went back upstairs to her bedroom and watched her favorite cartoon on the Nickelodeon channel. Before Ricky left, he kissed her on her lips and said, “Sweetie, if you want to talk to me later, call me on my cell phone like you did before.”

  “Okay, Daddy, I will,” she said. “Daddy, did you see Ms. India today?” she asked innocently.

  “Yes, sweetie, I told her what you said. Maybe next time we can all go to the zoo together,” Ricky said, sitting on the edge of Asia’s bed while rubbing his hands through her long, silky hair.

  “Thank you, Daddy, I love you,” Asia said, wrapping her arms around Ricky’s waist and giving him a big hug.

  “I love you too, sweetie. Now don’t forget, whenever you want to talk to Daddy, just call me,” he said, kissing her forehead.

  “I will, Daddy,” Asia said softly.

  When Ricky walked downstairs, his parents were sitting on the couch watching TV. He walked over and sat down between them. His parents had both retired from their city jobs. Now they spent their days taking care of Asia and living a good life off of their hard earned pensions.

  “H
ave you found her yet?” his father asked.

  “Not yet, Dad, still looking,” Ricky grinned.

  “I keep telling you, Ricky, that you can’t be a playboy all your life. Ain’t nothing like having that one special woman that can cure all your pains and help heal your soul,” his father said, winking at his blushing wife.

  “Dad, it ain’t as easy as you think it is. Most of the good women is already taken, and I just don’t want to settle for anybody. I want a woman who will love both me and Asia unconditionally,” Ricky said seriously. His mother leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Don’t worry, I have faith in you. You’ll find the right one. Now, I ’ma let you men talk. I have some laundry to take care of,” she said, standing up and walking away.

  “Ricky, all I’m saying is, you can’t keep holding onto the past. Cheryl is gone, but she left you a beautiful daughter. A daughter who needs a motherly woman in her life,” he said.

  “She has Mom.”

  “No, Ricky, that’s her grandmother. You and Asia both need another piece to complete your triangle of love. No matter how much your mother does for Asia, she’s still just her grandmother. We are both nearing sixty. Asia needs a younger woman in her life; someone who will be a positive role model to look up to. Ricky, I know you’re having a lot of fun right now, and things are going pretty well. But just think about your beautiful daughter that’s upstairs inside her bedroom playing all alone with her dolls. Think about that for a second,” his father said.

  “But, Dad, I’m here for Asia if she ever needs anything,” Ricky protested as tears welled up in his eyes.

  “Son, you are a wonderful father, but your daughter needs a father and a mother. That’s why the black family is so messed up right now. There’s too much of one and not enough of the other. You might never find yourself another Cheryl, but if you continue to keep that door shut and that shield up, you might miss out on someone just as special,” he said putting his arm around Ricky’s shoulder.

  “Dad, it’s hard. Women are like vultures out there.”

  “What about that pretty young lady that came over here and took Asia to the zoo? She seemed really nice.”

  “Oh, India. We’re just friends. She’s the manager down at the club,” Ricky said.

  “Well, I saw the way she looks at you, and I’m telling you, son, the last time I saw a look like that in a woman’s eyes, I ended up marrying her and having you,” his father said with a proud smile.

  They both stood up from the couch and walked over to the front door. After his father gave him a warm hug, he looked at Ricky and said, “While you’re out there having fun, being young and energetic, don’t lose sight of the big picture and never stop searching for your true soul mate.”

  As Ricky got into his car and drove off, he let his father’s poignant words linger in his thoughts. He thought about all the women he was having sexual relationships with. The sex was good, and the money they paid him made the sex so much better. Still, deep down inside Ricky’s soul, he knew something was missing.

  After Ricky had gone by the gym and worked out for an hour, he took a long, warm, relieving shower and left the gym. As he drove his BMW down Walnut Street, his cell phone started ringing. He looked at the number on the caller ID.

  “Hello, Gloria. What’s up?” he answered.

  “You, handsome!” a soft female voice said. “I miss you. What’s it been, about a month now?”

  “Thirty-nine days,” Ricky playfully corrected her.

  “Keeping count, huh?” she said.

  “How can I ever forget you?” Ricky said, maneuvering his car through traffic. “You won’t let me, and besides, every time we’re together, it becomes a memorable occasion,” he laughed.

  “I’m glad you think so, because I’ll be by there tomorrow morning around 10:00 o’clock. I’m bringing another bag of goodies with me,” she said. “I stopped by the sex toy shop and made a few purchases.”

  “In that car?” he asked, shocked.

  “No, I used the Mercedes,” she said. “Do you like the new watch?”

  “Love it; I can’t thank you enough for it,” Ricky said, looking at his new gold Yacht-Master Rolex watch.

  “Oh yes, you can, handsome. You’ve thanked me way more than enough,” Gloria laughed.

  “Where’s your husband?” Ricky said changing the subject quickly.

  “His good friend Donald Trump and he took a three-day trip down to Florida early this morning.”

  “So when the dog goes away, the cat comes out to play, huh?” he laughed.

  “Yup, especially when the cat gets to play with a younger, stronger, longer, darker dog,” Gloria replied laughing. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning; rest up,” she said, hanging up the phone.

  Ricky closed his cell phone. He set it down on the empty passenger seat. As he drove home, a big smile was on his face.

  “Gloria . . . Gloria . . . Gloria . . .” he said to himself.

  * * *

  When Nancy had finally come home, she was so tired from her afternoon sex workout with Flex that she walked upstairs into her elegant bedroom and fell right asleep. For one intense hour, Flex had fucked Nancy all over her office. He was her young, handsome stallion. The only thing that Nancy liked old was her money. Deep down, she still wanted Ricky. Ricky was a much-better lover than Flex could ever be, but Ricky couldn’t be bought or manipulated. Flex could. When Ricky realized that his affair with Nancy was wrong and deceitful, he decided to end it, leaving Nancy with unfulfilled high hopes and a wet pussy. After Ricky had abandoned the affair, Nancy became very angry and vindictive. Her love-lust romance instantly turned to one of hate and revenge. She knew that India and Ricky were very attracted to each other. If she couldn’t have the wonderful “Mr. Orgasm” anymore, then neither could her daughter.

  * * *

  Inside her bedroom, India was lying across her bed staring at the ceiling. A few scented candles were her only source of light. She heard when her mother had walked through the door, but she didn’t bother to go talk to her. India looked over at her cell phone and thought about calling Ricky. Halfway through dialing his number, she changed her mind. She thought about all the fun she and Asia had enjoyed at the Philadelphia zoo. How surprised she was when Ricky let her take Asia. India was the only woman that Ricky had ever let Asia go with. The only other females that were involved in Asia’s life were his mother and his younger sister Nicole.

  India stood up from her bed and walked over to the stereo wall unit. After she pressed the CD player button, she got back in bed and lay across her silk sheets. As the smooth, soulful voice of Toni Braxton flowed out of the speakers, she reached under her pillow and grabbed the photo of her late father. She missed her father so much, wishing he was still around to take away some of her pain. When he was alive, he always did. India kissed the photo, then put it back under her pillow. Inside her cozy bedroom, she peacefully cried herself to sleep.

  Chapter Ten

  Trouble in the Air

  Late Tuesday night

  The big black Cadillac Escalade was parked right across the street from Club Chances. Roscoe and Damon sat inside the truck watching as people walked in and out of the club. Then Roscoe saw Flex walk out of the club and start walking toward his truck. When Flex approached the truck, Roscoe rolled down the window and said, “You finished already?”

  “Yeah, man. They ate up those Ecstasy pills in there. I sold the whole bag!” Flex said excitedly. He went into his leather jacket pocket and took out a large stack of bills.

  “That’s $1,700. You got some more?”

  “Plenty!” Roscoe said, going under his seat and taking out a similar brown paper bag. Flex took the bag and put it inside his jacket pocket.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Roscoe. Just remember, this is between us. I don’t want Nancy or Big Nook to find out. And I don’t want Ricky to find out either,” Flex said.

  “Fuck Ricky! Don’t you worry about that fake
-ass lover boy; you just keep doing what you do, and I’ll worry about the rest,” Roscoe said.

  “See you tomorrow,” Flex said before walking back across the street.

  Roscoe rolled up the window and pulled off down the road.

  “I don’t trust that nigga!” Damon said, passing the Haze-filled blunt to Roscoe.

  “Why’s that?” Roscoe asked, blowing smoke out of his nose.

  “Because he knows too much. We sold him that 9 mm, and the next thing you know, Nancy’s husband gets shot four times with the same kind of gun.”

  “So what? We ain’t got nothing to do with that. If he smoked the guy, that’s his business,” Roscoe said, passing the blunt back to Damon.

  “What if he ever told the cops that he got the gun from us?”

  “His word against ours.”

  “What about the X-pills?” Damon asked.

  “What about them? He’s making us and himself a killing,” Roscoe said, driving his truck down Parkside Avenue.

  “What if he gets caught? That soft-ass pretty nigga would turn us in without even blinking!” Damon said seriously.

  “Damon, you worry too much. Flex is a hustler just like us. He knows what will happen to him if he ever crosses us. This Desert Eagle on my waist will be the last thing his pretty face will ever see,” Roscoe laughed. “Like I said, Damon, you don’t have to worry about Flex. The motherfucker I can’t stand is Ricky! He thinks the marines done made him a new man. He will always be that punk motherfucker we used to chase home from school!” Roscoe said as they both started laughing while they continued to drive to their next destination. The thick smoke from the blunt filled the air.

  * * *

  Tori and Malinda were standing out front of the Misericordia Hospital, where they both worked. They were waiting for Roscoe to come pick them up and drop them off at home.

  “What are you wearing to the show tomorrow night?” Malinda asked, turning off her iPod.

  “Maybe my white DKNY blouse, a pair of DKNY jeans, and my new leather ankle boots,” Tori said, looking up the street for Roscoe’s truck to appear.