Childhood Sweethearts

by Jacob Spears

  “I don’t know. You never told me you were bringing that dog.”

  “I forgot. Can you check to see if they’re pet friendly? If not, we’ll have to make reservations someplace else.”

  Roxy picked up her phone and called the hotel.

  “We’re good,” was all she said, after putting her phone in the cup holder.

  “I need a small favor, Roxy.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I think it’ll be best if we don’t tell China when she’ll be getting out.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because she’ll be overexcited and if all doesn’t go well, she’ll be overly disappointed. I don’t want that.”

  “I agree,” Roxy nodded her head.

  Smooth looked at his watch. It was 10:42. Before getting on the highway, he stopped at the gas station to fill up. With a full tank and stops in between, he was sure he’d make it to north Florida in less than five hours. The drive was smooth and uneventful. When he arrived, he shook Roxy’s shoulder lightly to wake her up.

  “Damn!” Roxy said, as she looked around. “We here already?”

  “Come on, Zorro,” Smooth ordered the dog, ignoring Roxy’s question. Smooth listened as Roxy gave the receptionist her name. He wasn’t surprised that she’d only reserved one room. He would’ve been surprised if she’d reserved two.

  Smooth carried their overnight bags in one hand, while holding Zorro’s leash in the other.

  “This place sure smells pet friendly,” Roxy said, turning up her nose.

  “We’re only here for a night. You can handle it,” he laughed.

  The room was better than what Roxy expected. And she could no longer smell the animal odor that hung in the hallway.

  “I’m showering first,” she said, as she took her bag from Smooth’s hand.

  They were in Jacksonville and had nothing to do until the following day. He unhooked Zorro’s leash, pulled out his phone, and sat on the edge of the bed on which he’d be sleeping.

  “That shit felt so good,” Roxy said, as she exited the bathroom.

  Smooth took that as his cue. He stripped down to his boxers and then headed to the shower.

  “Roxy was right,” he thought, as the water ran down his body.

  “YOU HUNGRY?” she yelled through the door.

  He turned off the water and then quickly toweled off.

  “Let’s go out to eat,” he said to Roxy, as he dried his hair.

  “Okay,” she hung up the phone.

  * * *

  China held up three fingers to her partner. She learned how to play the game on her second day and was already one of the better players on the cellblock.

  China’s partner was a girl also from Miami. Her name was Tangy. She’d been arrested for fraud charges. Tangy’s bond was set at $50,000, but she was unable to bond out. She’d been a part of a group that traveled throughout Florida cashing counterfeit checks at different places. She was arrested coming out of a check-cashing store after the clerk recognized the check to be counterfeit.

  While the police blocked her path, the other three girls drove away and left her. She hadn’t heard from them since.

  China had promised to bond her out as soon as possible.

  Tangy liked China. Not because she’d promised to bond her out but because it was obvious to her that China had money. Yet she wasn’t stuck up. She was down to earth.

  The girls played until they finally lost a game, and then it was time to get up.

  “Listen up for your names,” the guard announced, after stepping through the door. Tangy and China stepped away from the card table.

  “PRESTON!” China was surprised to hear her name called.

  She took the large envelope that was handed to her. She noticed that the envelope was from her private investigator and wondered why he’d sent her an envelope.

  She walked to her cell and opened it. As far as she could tell, there wasn’t much in it. Rather than sticking her hand in it, she dumped the contents onto her bunk.

  The pictures fell out face down. She picked them up and looked. China’s hands began shaking, and her knees went weak. She could hear her heartbeat.

  The first picture was of Smooth dressed as he was the last time she’d seen him. He was standing in front of a door with a female’s hand on his wrist. The second picture was of Smooth stepping off the elevator with Zorro. What China noticed more than anything was the female just beside and slightly in front of him. She was clearly enjoying his company from the smile on her face.

  China wanted to vomit.

  He’d promised her that he wouldn’t see her anymore; and as soon as she’d driven away, he had gone to see his side chick.

  China stared at the pictures for a while before ripping them to pieces and wishing it was Smooth she was ripping apart.

  The thoughts began flooding her mind.

  She was determined to stay focused on her legal situation and she tried her best to push Smooth out of her mind.

  It was useless. Everything made her think about him.

  But why, she wondered. It was obvious that she was the furthest thing from his mind.

  She began to cry again.

  “You playing, China? It’s your ...” Pumpkin stopped talking when she saw the tears rolling down China’s cheeks.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” China sniffled, trying to gain control of herself.

  “I know it’s hard, but trust me, you’ll be okay. Everybody’s already talking about how much they like you. Don’t let it get to you, girl.”

  Pumpkin had no idea what was bothering China; and rather than telling her, China allowed her to continue assuming what she wanted.

  “I’m cool,” China wiped her face. “I got to write a letter.”

  Pumpkin got up and walked to the door. Before walking out, she looked one last time at her cellmate. She smiled and walked out.

  Feeling defeated, China sat on her bunk with her head in her hands.

  “Mentally, she ticked off everything that was wrong.

  She’d just taken a big loss.

  She owed Jefe.

  Smooth was cheating on her.

  She was facing prison time.

  She wondered what else could go wrong.

  Chapter 17

  Monica opened her eyes from a long fitful sleep. Through the slits in the blinds, she could see it was a beautiful day. She continued staring beyond the blinds for several minutes. Looking out at the sunny day brightened her mood. She removed the covers from her, walked over to the blinds, and opened them all the way. From where she stood, she was able to view the pool area. She saw couples everywhere she looked. Some were holding hands while they reclined in lounge chairs next to each other. Some were talking, and some were simply taking in the sun. Yet all the faces Monica saw looked happy and relaxed, as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Her world was worlds away from theirs.

  In her world, there was a safe full of money that she’d stolen from someone who had always had her back. It was money that could get her best friend killed—or worst: herself. It was money she felt better off without. She wished that she could return the money; and had it not been for her family’s needs, she would’ve done just that. At least that’s what she told herself. Forcing the thoughts out of her mind, she decided to get dressed and check out of the hotel.

  While in the shower, Monica realized that she only had two choices: keep the money or return it. Returning the money was out of the question. With her mind firmly made up, she decided it was time to start doing what she’d always wanted to do.

  Saving the safe for last, Monica packed her bags. When she finished packing her clothing, she stood in front of the opened safe.

  She wasn’t exactly sure why, but the tears were uncontrollable. The sobs racked her body.

  She fought to gain control of herself. After she finally did, she began removing the stacks of cash from the safe. Each stack felt like a hundred poun
ds in her hand.

  At the front desk, Monica was informed that she still had a few nights’ credit at the hotel.

  After answering a barrage of questions about the service and staff of the hotel, she finally left.

  Monica was on an emotional rollercoaster and wanted off. She was fed up with feeling happy about having the money and the next moment depressed about China. She told herself that China was no longer her friend and that she’d look at her that way from that moment forward.

  Monica drove to her aunt’s new house, which was located in a cul de sac in an upper-middle class neighborhood in south Miami. She pulled into the driveway feeling at ease after the long talk she had with herself as she drove to the house.

  The money wasn’t China’s because she didn’t work for it. She more than likely stole it from somewhere, so she couldn’t be that mad that it was stolen from her.

  She used her key to gain access to the house. The house was completely empty. She gave herself a tour, moving from room to room. Monica placed her bags into the closet of the second largest of the five bedrooms.

  Monica had carried the bag containing the money into the house with her, but now carried it back to the car as she prepared to leave. She had to do something about the money. She couldn’t walk around with the money in a bag forever.

  She pulled the investment broker’s card from her purse and placed a call to the firm.

  After making an appointment, she called her aunt.

  Donna was on her way to the house, so that she’d be present when the delivery guys from the furniture company arrived.

  Monica thought about having her aunt do one of several things for her, but she decided against any of the ideas. She didn’t want to relinquish control of the money to anyone, her aunt included.

  Monica’s plan was simple. She would invest handsomely in a few large, well-established Fortune 500 companies as well as in several up-and-coming, promising companies.

  * * *

  “Come on, boy. I want to get something to eat,” Roxy told Smooth.

  “Chill! I want my baby to be unable to take her eyes off me.”

  “Yeah, whatever. Can we go now?”

  Smooth picked up his keys and headed for the door.

  Before driving to the jail, they stopped at a local soul food restaurant where Roxy ordered more food than Smooth thought she’d eat. He ordered a sandwich and a large drink.

  Driving to the jail now, he looked at her from the corner of his eyes. He laughed to himself because he knew she wasn’t going to eat all of the food.

  “This is good stuff,” she mumbled with her mouth full.

  “Shit!” Smooth said, after making a wrong turn.

  He had made the turn on purpose, but he wanted Roxy to think it was as mistake. He was trying to give her time to finish the food.

  He was curious.

  After finally being able to make a U-turn, Smooth did so. He looked over at the Styrofoam container in Roxy’s lap just before she closed it. There was nothing but bones in it.

  “You a lil’ pig, yo!”

  “Whatever, boy. That shit was good. We got to stop there before we leave. Damn!”

  Roxy drank some of her soda and then let out a huge belch.

  “Pig,” Smooth laughed.

  They both laughed. It was obvious they didn’t mind being around each other. They always cracked jokes on each other, just as they did now.

  However, Smooth’s attitude darkened as they approached the jail, just as it did each time he got locked up. Today, he felt as if he was locked up again, at least a part of him was—a big part.

  Every time he was in juvenile lock-up and China came to visit him, he always noted how good she looked. Now, for the first time, he wondered if he looked good enough for her. He quickly dismissed the thought.

  They had far more important issues to discuss.

  After signing in to see China, Roxy and Smooth sat down to wait. They were told that she’d be out in 15 minutes. While they waited, they watched several young females step from behind a closed door into the arms of their waiting loved ones.

  Every time the door opened, Smooth and Roxy would both look at the door to see if it was China coming out.

  Smooth thought about how much things had turned around in the last six months. He was the one visiting China now. Who would have thought? He was excited to see her, but it felt awkward.

  He turned to Roxy.

  “I need you to do me a favor.”

  “What’s that?” Roxy answered.

  “China and I got some real heavy shit to discuss. When I ask you, can you give us some time alone?”

  “You really think you had to ask me that?” Roxy said sarcastically.

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  He was growing impatient waiting. He got up from his seat and began pacing back and forth.

  Roxy looked at him as he paced. There was concern etched all upon his face.

  Roxy walked over to the check-in counter to find out what was taking China so long.

  She was told that China was called for already.

  She walked back to her table and pulled Smooth over by the arm as he walked by.

  “Sit down,” she ordered.

  They picked up the deck of cards and started playing.

  * * *

  “PRESTON, PRESTON. YOU HAVE A VISITOR!” the guard screamed over the intercom.

  China didn’t tell anyone when her visits were and she was somewhat surprised to hear her name being called.

  She had been waiting to confront Smooth about the pictures, and hoped that it was he who came to visit her. She checked her appearance in the mirror and then called Pumpkin.

  “What am I supposed to do?” China asked the girl, as she came into the cell.

  “Just wait and ...”

  “Preston,” the guard called China’s name.

  “She’s going to take you to the visiting area.”

  China followed the guard out of the housing area to the section designated for visitation. When the guard opened the door, China stepped in. Smooth’s back was turned to China when she walked in.

  Roxy rose from her seat and ran over to her younger sister, pulling her close into her arms. With tears freely falling, they held each other tightly. Smooth walked over to where they stood and waited for them to release each other. While he waited, he appraised China.

  She looked the same, he thought.

  Finally, she and Roxy pulled away from each other.

  Ignoring her own tear-streaked face, Roxy wiped China’s tears away.

  “I don’t get any love?” Smooth asked, as she stood behind China with his arms open and with a big smile on his face.

  China’s only response was to glare in his eyes. She turned away from him and followed her sister who was headed to a table. Smooth stood there dumbfounded, staring at China’s back and watching as she pulled out the chair next to Roxy.

  He brushed her actions off, thinking that she was behaving that way towards him because of her situation.

  He took a seat at the table facing China.

  After watching Roxy and China talk for 30 minutes, he noticed that she was purposely avoiding looking at him.

  He walked around the table and tapped Roxy on the shoulder. After she left, Smooth took her seat.

  “You ready to talk to me?” he asked.

  There was no response.

  He took her hand in his and felt her tense.

  “What’s going on, boo?”

  China heard the pleading in his voice. Her tears began again.

  “Why Smooth?”

  “Why what?” he asked.

  “Wh ...” She was unable to get the words out.

  China was facing Smooth, but what she was seeing was Miranda with a huge smile on her face. She was seeing Miranda’s hand pulling him into her apartment. But what she saw most clearly was Smooth’s betrayal. It was hard for her to look at him.

  “Do you have anything you need to te
ll me?” she asked, just above a whisper.

  “Yeah I do, but I need to know how you’re holding up in here first.”

  “I’m fine, Smooth,” she pulled her hand away from his. “I’m fine,” she repeated.

  “Your lawyer’s name is Mr. Hevralesky. He assured me that you’ll be out of here on Monday.”

  China listened as Smooth spoke. She listened as he told her about Jefe and then about Monica.

  She waited until he got through talking before she said anything.

  “So, Monica stole my money, huh?” China asked sarcastically.

  “That’s what I just told you, right?” Smooth snapped. “You acting like you don’t believe what the fuck I’m telling you. I’m losing sleep with you being in this fucking place and now you’re brushing me off as if I’m nothing to you. What the fuck have I done wrong? Just tell me that. Please!”

  She stared at him for a long time before answering.

  “You lied to me.”

  “Lied to you about what?” he asked.

  No response.

  “So you’re not going to answer me?”

  “You lied to me, Smooth. You fucking lied to me!”

  “I didn’t lie to you and I’m not going to sit here and listen to you make me out to be a liar. You know how to reach me!” With that, he got up and headed toward the door.

  “I’ll be in the car,” he said, as he passed Roxy.

  “What’s his problem?”

  “Fuck Smooth!” China said.

  Roxy raised her eyebrow as if to say, “What did you say?”

  “How’s Ga Ga?” China asked, not wanting to talk about Smooth any further.

  Visitation was over, and China made it back to her housing unit, just as the guard announced count time.

  She was hoping to make it back in time to make a phone call.

  She went to her cell and closed the door.

  “How was your visit?” Pumpkin asked, once the lights went out.

  “It was okay. Thanks for asking.”

  For a while, neither girl spoke.

  It was China who finally broke the silence.