Champagne left a couple of messages saying, “Call me back. I saw that you had called. Where are you? What’s going on? Okay now I’m starting to worry.”
Alexis dialed Champagne’s number. The phone was picked up on the first ring.
“Girl, it’s after midnight and you’re just now calling me back. Where the hell have you been?”
Alexis almost told her but for some reason stopped. “I was out and about, doing what I do.”
“What does that mean?”
Alexis laughed. “Girl, I don’t know, it’s something kids say all the time. I went and ran some errands and then came home and fell asleep. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“Well, you did.”
“I apologize.”
Alexis heard Champagne yawn. “You go back to bed. Let’s talk tomorrow.”
Not one to argue, Champagne said, “Okay.”
* * *
Zyair, whose back was facing Champagne, turned over and asked, “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, it was Alexis.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Something is going on with her,” Champagne said.
“Oh, here you go with that shit again.”
Champagne nudged him, “What shit?”
She didn’t even have to ask, because she knew what shit he was talking about. He was talking about her being up in Alexis’ business but shit, if she wasn’t she’d still be with that married asshole Khalil.
Zyair gave her a look that said, “do you really have to ask.” He then turned back over. “Let that girl live her life how she sees fit, Champagne, you can’t keep interfering.”
“I’m not interfering. I’m being concerned.”
If she wanted to mistake the whole thing about her investigating Khalil with being concerned instead of interfering, he’d let her, so he didn’t say a word because he knew better.
Chapter Forty-eight
Everyone that comes to your door should not be welcomed in.
Thomas was sitting across from his secretary, Lisa, giving her instructions on what needed to be done for the gathering he was having. It was something he did every year for his clients to show his appreciation and for morale.
“Please make sure the caterer is there on time.”
“I know, I know,” Lisa told him. They went through this every year. He’d repeat himself over and over and Lisa would just sit and nod her head or say I know, I know.
“Oh, and close the door behind you. I’m not to be disturbed for a couple of hours.” Thomas had some contracts he needed to review before discussing them with his clients. Prior to him getting settled, he wanted to call Alexis and see what was up with her. Before he even had a chance to do that, Lisa came running into his office.
“Didn’t I tell you I don’t want to be disturbed?”
“You did Thomas but the car attendant called and said someone damaged your car.”
Thomas was out of his seat in less than a second. His car was his baby and one of his favorite vehicles. It was a midnight-black Jaguar and it was one of his pride and joys. He spent a great deal of money on getting it suped-up.
Thomas brushed past Lisa who decided to follow behind him to see what was going on. He was so focused that he didn’t say a word. Once in the hallway, Thomas hit the elevator button and didn’t give it any time to hit his floor. He decided to take the stairs. It was only six flights and with the shape he was in he’d get there sooner. That’s where Lisa drew the line though. She and stairs did not get along.
Once Thomas entered the parking garage, he could hear his car alarm going off. What the fuck happened?
When he finally reached his car, all he could do was stand there with his hands on his head, like it was about to explode. He looked around to spot the attendant, Jimmy, who was nowhere in sight. Instead some young boy who didn’t look over twenty was standing there watching him, looking scared as hell in an attendant’s shirt.
“Who the fuck are you?” Thomas was so angry he was trembling.
“I’m Sean the new attendant?” The boy answered with fear in his eyes and fake bravado.
“How old are you?” Thomas couldn’t believe the garage was hiring kids to look after his shit.
“Eighteen.”
“Where the fuck is Jimmy?” Thomas asked, looking around.
“He’s on vacation.”
Thomas started pacing. “Vacation? Vacation? I don’t believe this shit. You didn’t see this happen?”
The boy opened his mouth to speak but Thomas cut him off. “You didn’t see this shit happening? Where were you when it was happening?”
By now Thomas was up in the boy’s face, who kept backing up.
“I . . . I . . . I–”
“You what? Do you know how much this car cost?”
Thomas walked around the car touching it. The windows were broken out and there were several dents on each side of the car as though someone kept hitting it with a bat.
“Where were you?”
Sean felt Thomas’ anger and knew there was no way he could tell this man where he was and that was getting his dick sucked.
Sean was sitting in the booth, chilling and thanking God for this easy-ass job. He’d just gotten fired from a fast food joint because he cursed out one of the customers. He had his music playing, his feet up and was considering smoking some weed, wondering if he could get away with it when this cherry red Benz with tinted windows pulled up. The driver rolled the window down and it was the finest female Sean had seen in a long time. He was ready to spit his best game.
“What’s up beautiful?” he asked as he tried to see who was on the passenger’s side. He didn’t have to try too hard because the other female who was just as fine as the first leaned over and said, “Hey handsome, can we park in here for a little while?”
“It’s twenty-five dollars.”
“What if we don’t have it?”
Everything in him wanted to just tell them to go ahead but he didn’t want to lose this job as well.
“Listen,” the driver said, “I have to run inside this building for a brief meeting. If you let us park for free my girl here will take care of you.
Sean could not believe what he was hearing, shit like this never happened to him. There had to be a catch to it but he couldn’t stop himself from wondering just what would she be willing to do.
“How about give you the best head in town.”
The next thing Sean knew the girl was climbing out the car. Not only was she fine, but she had some big ass titties too.
“Come on, let’s go in your booth.”
Sean led the way and the driver pulled off.
They went inside the booth where Sean sat down on the chair and the girl got on her knees. “You’re really going to do this?” Sean could not believe his luck, his boys would not believe this shit.
“Yes, now shut up.”
Sean prayed in his head that no one would show up to park.
She pulled his pants down and knowing that she wasn’t going to have that much time because they came there to do a favor for a friend, she immediately started sucking his dick. She moved her tongue back and forth over the head of it and she went up and down his shaft. She placed her right hand on the base and as she moved her hand up she squeezed and she did the same thing as she moved down, while making sure her mouth was moist.
She could tell he was enjoying it because he grabbed the back of her head and kept saying over and over, “I don’t believe this shit, I don’t believe this shit. I’m going to cum soon. I’m going to come soon.”
It was a good thing to, because less than a second later she heard a car alarm going off and she knew her job was just about done.
She started sucking faster and squeezing harder and right when she could tell that he was going to explode she moved her mouth and grabbed the towel she saw on the counter to catch his cum.
By the time he caught his breath and got himself together the car was pulling up.
“Somebody’s alarm is going off,” the female who was driving said as the other one got in the car and waved.
Before he could get a number or say anything more they drove off.
It was after they pulled off that he went to check on the car to see whose parking spot it was. When he saw how busted up it was and while he waited for Thomas and the police, he knew his ass was fired from yet another job.
* * *
“Where were you?” Thomas asked again.
“I was in the bathroom.”
Thomas looked him up and down and noticed his zipper was down.
“Zip up your fucking pants and call the cops.”
Sean zipped up his pants and told him, “The police are already on their way.”
While Thomas waited for the police to arrive, he called Zyair up to tell him what happened.
“And you mean to tell me the attendant didn’t see a thing or see anyone come in and out?” Zyair wanted to know.
“He claims he was in the bathroom.”
“What about cameras?”
Thomas hadn’t thought about that but you best believe he was going to do his own investigating. If he had to go around and ask every street hustler he knew that’s what he was going to do. Between him, the cops, a private investigator, and the street, he would find out who did this shit.
Chapter Forty-nine
Charity can come in many forms; two of them are time and money.
How she put herself in this position, she didn’t know. Maybe it was because Victoria kept coming to her. Maybe it was because she was cutting classes and when Alexis asked her why, she told her she had to go home and check on her mother. Or maybe it was in the plan all along and she just wasn’t listening. Nonetheless, here she was a week later pulling up in front of Victoria’s house with her in the passenger’s seat.
Neither of them said a word. What was there to say? Alexis couldn’t make any promises. She couldn’t say I’m going to save your mother’s life and she couldn’t make a guarantee to Victoria that everything would be all right.
Once the car was parked and the engine off, Victoria reached over and took Alexis’ hand. “You don’t know how much I appreciate this. It means a lot to me.”
Alexis moved her hand. “That’s okay sweetie.”
“And I’m sorry I called you a bitch.”
Alexis looked at her. “You should be.”
When they got to the porch, Victoria took out her key and unlocked the door. She peeked inside first to see if the house was a mess. It wasn’t, so she opened the door wider and stepped through with Alexis following behind her.
“Ma!” she called out.
She didn’t get any response. “Ma!” she called out again with panic setting in.
“Girl, what the hell are you yelling for? I was in my room.”
The woman walking toward them didn’t look suicidal to Alexis. As a matter-of-fact she looked saner than Alexis felt sometimes. Her hair was cut short; almost pixie style and she looked to be in her twenties, although Alexis knew they were around the same age. Alexis also noticed that she was very attractive. Her skin was flawless, her breasts had to be a D-cup, and she had ass for days.
Victoria was standing in front of her mother with her mouth wide open. She was expecting her mother to look unkempt.
Her mother placed her hand under her chin. “Close your damn mouth girl, and who is this?” She nodded toward Alexis.
“I’m Alexis, the school therapist.”
“I’m Shondell, Vicky’s mom.” She looked at Victoria. “What the hell have you done?”
“Actually Ma, I brought her here for you.”
“For me? Girl, ain’t nothing wrong with me. I was just going through a little something and now I’m over it. Shit, I’m past that motherfucker. Well, I’ll be past him when I fuck up his life and take all his money when he finds out I’m having his baby. When he realizes that this good ass. . . .”
The more Shondell spoke, the more Alexis realized that her initial impression of sanity may have been incorrect.
“Maybe I should leave,” Alexis said.
Shondell grabbed her arm. “You don’t have to leave. I haven’t had company in weeks. It’ll be nice to have some company.”
Alexis looked at Victoria who was mouthing the word, “Please.”
“Come on. Let me get you something to drink.”
Alexis followed her into the kitchen.
Victoria wasn’t far behind. As they walked down the hall, she noticed that her mom must have been cleaning all day. When she left for school that day, the house was a mess. But now, nothing was out of place, the floors had been swept and even had the appearance of being waxed or mopped. No dishes were anywhere, not even in the dish strainer. There was even the smell of Pinesol about the house. Maybe she was getting better. Normally when Victoria came home, she’d have to put some order to the house.
When they stepped in the kitchen, Alexis noticed pictures on the table ripped up. Shondell walked over to the refrigerator and took out a gallon of water.
“You know, I loved that man with all my heart, with my everything and he just used me. Fucked me all he wanted to and then all of a sudden he’s telling me he don’t want me no more. Me!” Shondell put the gallon of water on the counter. “Okay, maybe just maybe, I should have listened when he told me he wasn’t ready for a relationship, but he sure acted like he was.”
Alexis looked over at Victoria who was just sitting there taking it all in with a look of pity.
Shondell went on. “You see that’s what men do, use you and I got tired of being used. I was like, is this it? Is this what I have to live for? I was ready to go hurt that motherfucker but then this morning after my baby. . . .” She stood up and walked over to Victoria and kissed her on the cheek. “This morning when my precious baby left for school, it hit me. I have her to live for and I have this baby inside of me to live for and you best believe that motherfucker will pay some child support.”
Shondell walked over to the table, forgetting all about the water she was supposed to be pouring. She picked up one of the pictures that wasn’t cut yet. “Yeah, and it’s going to be a pretty baby too.”
When Shondell flashed the picture in front of Alexis she could have sworn . . . No, it couldn’t be.
Alexis put her hand out. “Can I see the picture?”
Shondell handed it to her. When Alexis looked at the picture she couldn’t believe it. The motherfucker this crazy-ass woman was talking about was Thomas. He was looking good as usual. He was standing by himself, distracted, as though he was unaware that there was a picture being taken.
Chapter Fifty
Sometimes things get worse before they get better, just hold on and learn the lesson.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Zyair said.
“Man, I wish I was. That young motherfucker was getting his dick sucked while my car was being vandalized. What’s real crazy is that my car was the only one damaged which basically means I was targeted, that this whole thing was a set-up. Even when we tried to look at the video, I couldn’t see shit. It’s like the motherfuckers had their backs turned the whole time. Whoever did this had obviously been to the garage and knew where the cameras were located.”
“Who would do some shit like that?”
“I don’t know. Even when the police pulled the video and tried to enhance it, we couldn’t make out faces and there was no license plate on the car.”
“And it was two women?”
“Yeah.” Thomas slammed his hand down on the table. They were in his den. “I still can’t believe this shit.”
“You see man, I told you not to be fucking with those money-hungry females you meet at the games and shit.”
Thomas looked at him like that was the last thing he wanted to hear. He pulled out a chair and sat down.
Zyair stepped to the side of him and placed his hand on Thomas’ shoulder. “Come on, get up and get ready for your party.”
/> Thomas shook his head. “I don’t even feel like having that shit.”
“And that’s what whoever did this wants. They want to fuck up your day. Shit man, a car is a material thing, you can always get. . . .”
Zyair knew when he’d said enough by the way Thomas looked up at him. “All right, all right, I’ll shut up, but know this man, I got your back.”
“I know you do.”
They gave each other daps.
“But damn,” Thomas said, “I wish I knew who it was.”
“You need to figure that shit out later. Right now, you need to get ready for tonight.”
Thomas stood up and looked at his watch. “You know what, you’re right. Let me go get ready for tonight and I’ll deal with this shit tomorrow.” He knew it was easier said than done, but he had a houseful coming and needed to be prepared.
They half hugged one another and Thomas walked Zyair to the front door. “Don’t be late.”
“Tell that to the little lady,” Zyair said, talking about Champagne. “Shit, you know how women are.”
That Thomas did.
“Did you invite Alexis?” Zyair asked.
“You know it. At least that’s something to look forward to.”
“All right man, I’m out.”
* * *
Once Zyair was gone, Thomas went to make a couple of phone calls. He’d had his car towed before coming home and needed to let his insurance company know what happened. He also needed to get a referral for an investigator to find out who fucked up his car.
Thomas knew that Zyair was right when he talked about his past choices of women. He usually picked the ones that were out for a party. The ones that just wanted to have a good time, sex, and money. Yes, he knew that most of them were all about the dollar. That didn’t really bother him much because money came and went. If a few hundred dollars meant less of a headache, than so be it.
He went into his room and pulled out his phone book and his photo album. He went through them both trying to decide which one of these women were out to get him. This one female, named Shondell, he’d dealt with some time ago had taken to calling him, cursing him out and leaving obscene messages on his phone. He wondered if it was her. He doubted it because he could tell she was all talk. However, one could never be sure. He was going to have someone pay her a visit. Better yet, he was going to pay her one himself.
Turned Out Saga Page 33