Crazy In Love With A Thug: Bari and Seven (14 page)

Chapter 29

"Do you think Seven would like this?" I asked, holding up a bra and thong by Dolce & Gabana.

"It looks too small for him."

"Ha. Ha."

"Hell yes, I think I'll get one, too."

"And this!" I said excitedly.

It was a plaid bra with matching boy shorts by Agent Provocateur.

"Me too then!"

We tore the mall apart. I bought Seven a pair of silk pajamas and an oversized black Leather Jordan jacket.

"Gucci! Look, I think I'm in love."

"Me too then," she agreed, as her eyes settled on the pair of black suede Giuseppe Zanetti boots that were above the knee and had crisscrossing straps that wrapped around the thighs. They had a five inch stiletto heel. I was terrified to look at the price tag. "You look."

''No, you look, Gucci, please."

"Ain't no way I'm looking at that tag. I'll probably lose my eyesight, and I don't want to be blind. I'm scared of the dark," she said dramatically. I tentatively reached out and picked up the tag. "Don't look directly at it, Bari!"

"Gucci."

"I don't even wanna know. Won't nobody understand why I'm standing in the middle of this store crying like somebody just told me dick is going out of style."

"Gucci!"

"Okay, tell me. I'm ready."

"Four thousand ..."

"Don't do it!"

"Three hundred ..."

"Shut up!"

"And fifty-four dollars."

"Bitch, I said don't tell me, and I know you ain't even thinking about it."

"Do you have a size seven?" I asked the woman that passed by, looking like she should be walking a runway in Paris.

"Sure do," she smiled.

"Bari."

"I just want to try it on. And look at this mini! I have to try it on."

"Has Seven ever laid hands on you? 'Cause you ain't gon' have no understanding as to why he's beating your ass like Ike did Tina."

"Thank you," I told the lady, whose name was Michelle, and headed to the dressing room.

"You gon' stay in there forever?” Gucci asked impatiently. "Bari? Did the body snatchers get you?" She opened the door and stepped inside. "Bitch, that shit is bangin'!" She whispered loudly, seeing that I was on my phone.

"I love you too, baby. Okay."

I hung up with a huge smile on my face.

"That fool is whipped, and I mean whipped like a runaway slave.”

"I know Jango didn't say yes." I nodded. "Why didn't you tell him to go ask Six if I could get a pair too?"

Six was Seven's right hand man at the Seventh Sign.

"You call and ask him. What would my baby look like barging in on a meeting and asking the manager if his girl can buy a pair of boots?" I laughed. She stared longingly at the boots. "Call him, Gucci. All he can say is 'bitch hell naw, and I don't want you no more ‘cause you just disrespected me by asking me something like that’."

"That is not funny!" I held out my phone for her. "I don't want to use your stankin' ass phone! You could have asked for me! I'll use my own phone." She skeptically dialed the number. "Hi, baby ...huh? Thank You! I love you so much, Six!"

She hung up the phone, and we hugged each other while jumping up and down.

"But I didn't hear you ask," I said.

"I didn't have to. Seven told him that you had just called and asked and to prepare himself 'cause I would probably be calling soon after."

"That is so cool! Let's go."

As we exited the dressing room, the lady, Michelle, was standing with another sales lady and looking at us very strangely. We fell out laughing. All was forgotten by both of them as we made our purchases and were told to come again.

"Did you have fun today, Milkshake?"

"I had a ball!" I said.

I enjoyed my day off from school very much, even though the malls were packed because all the kids were off. It was called Free Day for the teachers, but I knew it was because they closed the school and searched for drugs in the lockers. I was so happy to be back at the private school.

"This is for you," I said, handing him a large bag.

He started pulling the items out and commenting on them.

"This shit is tight as hell, Milkshake," he said, holding up the Jordan hooded jacket.

"You like it?"

"Aw, hell yeah! Did Gucci get Six one?" I shook my head. "Maybe we can get him one for his birthday," he suggested. "It's only a couple of weeks away."

"Sounds good to me. I'll tell Gucci."

"Now, where's these boots that set me back four g's?"

"You can't see them yet."

"Why the hell not?"

"You have to wait until I wear them."

"Wear 'em now," he said.

“Nope.”

"That's cold, Milkshake. Before I forget, Six, Teddy and Benji are meeting me Saturday at the Shake."

He went on to explain that a childhood friend of Six and himself was in town, and they were taking him out. The Shake, as Seven called it, is a club. A bomb ass club, complete with a huge dance floor, circular bar and VIP room where exotic dancers perform. The club was previously called Raspberry's. That was when it was owned by my daddy. Now it was mine, unbeknownst to Seven. The name had been changed, and the club had been modernized, with the help of the manager, who was a friend of Daddy's. Seven thought it was merely a coincidence that his favorite club had been renamed The Milkshake and was excited to tell me that it was a sign that we were meant to be together. · I smiled and hugged him, but didn't lead on that it was my doing.

I spoke to Matty, my father's friend who ran the club, and told him that we would get more money if we made several changes. It was already the shit and got even better. I had only been there one time and had big problems getting in. I was refused admission and had to call Matty on my cell phone to let him know that I was outside and to please come get me. That was the whole plan. My daddy had a strict rule that no one under eighteen be permitted inside, and I wanted to ensure that was still being enforced. Matty had no idea that I would show up that night with Gucci in tow, so he had no way to make it look good just for me. I knew then that things were still the way they were supposed to be, and that security wasn't slacking off when they felt Matty wasn't watching. Gucci and I had a ball that night. She sat at the bar nursing a Pina Colada, and I sat inside Marty's office with him exchanging stories about my father. When Seven went upstairs to shower, I picked up the phone and called Matty and told him I would be there Saturday night. He said that he wouldn't be there, but he would leave word with the assistant manager.

"Bitch, I can’t talk right now. I'm modeling my boots for Six," Gucci said, all out of breath.

I laughed and hung up the phone. She called back about two minutes later.

"Okay. What's going on?"

I shook my head and told her about our plans for Saturday night.

"You really ain't gon' let me see?" Seven asked, coming into the kitchen.

"I'm really not."

"That's cold. You been to Blackbarry's?" He asked, looking at the food on the table.

"Gucci and I stopped by there on the way home. I needed to anyway. I wanted to check on some things. Besides, I wanted to talk to Leon."

"Bari, are you sure you want to work there?”

I nodded.

"I've known Leon since I was a little girl, Seven. He's like an uncle or something to me. I'll be fine."

"School and work? That's a little much, Bari. And besides, we'll never see each other. You'll be leaving for work right after school, and I won't see you until eleven. You'll be exhausted all the time. School and work is like working two jobs."

"You did it."

"I know, but ...just give it some more thought. Okay? That ain't some little hole in the wall place. It's a real restaurant, and it's a lot of work."

"I know, baby. I'll think about it some more. Maybe one day I'll just go spend the day there and see what goes on.”

“Oh, did you listen to the messages?"

"Yes, and I was very disappointed, but it's only one more week. I just hope he doesn't cancel again. I really want to see him."

"You will, baby."

We ate smothered pork chops, potatoes and fried green tomatoes.

"You know what, Seven? I think I do want to work there."

I watched his expression change.

“Bari…”

"In the summertime, Seven. It'll give me something to do while you're at work."

He looked thoughtful for a moment then asked, "How would you feel about working with me in the summer?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Set up."

"You're crazy," he laughed. "Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true. You wouldn't even be able to get any work done because you'd be worried about whose looking and talking to your Milkshake," I said, and imitated his voice. He started laughing. "For real though, baby, I appreciate it, but no thank you. I love to cook, and that's where I want to be."

"Hey!" He said excitedly. "You don't have no license to cook!"

"Hey! You don't have no license to cook either, but Major had you melting butter like you were Fabio or some damn body."

I laughed so hard, and then even harder when I saw that he hadn't cracked a smile.

"You gon' pay for that."

"Promise?"

"Promise. Speaking of..."

I am a pirate, sailing the waves of the sea. Although my ship teeters on the tip of the highest wave, it does not topple over. I anticipate the wave that will be strong enough to take my ship all the way to shore. I look through my telescope, and there, still a little ways away, I see sand. Where there is sand, there is shore. I use my oars to row the boat faster. The wind alone isn't getting me there fast enough. I slow down my paddling as the shore seems to be a little too close now. I ride the waves and go with the current, drifting, floating, sailing on the breeze, and now, the shore is so close I could get out and walk to it. So, I roll up my pants and begin to jump into the water. Just a few more steps, a couple more, one more. Yes! I made it! I made it to the shore! Call me Skipper 'cause I sailed the hell outta that boat.

Chapter 30

"Are you sure you know what you're doing? You're gonna get yourself killed, Bari."

"Gucci, please! I'm already nervous. Don't make it worse."

"Look at all these people! There's like millions of them!"

"Will you shut up? Please, shut the hell up."

"Did you hear that? You're next! Bitch, I'm leaving. I can't watch. I love you too much to stand by and watch you be murdered. Let me know how it goes."

"How am I going to let you know if I'm dead, dummy?" I snapped sarcastically.

"I love you, Bari," Gucci said dramatically and swept out the door. She came right back. "I can't leave you. They'll know I was in on it anyway. I might as well stay and face the wrath. You look good, Bitch."

"You think so?"

"Hell yeah. Oooo, they're calling you! Bitch, don't make us look bad! I don't want to be embarrassed."

I glanced in the floor length mirror one last time, waited for the announcement and made my way out onto the stage. I barely recognized myself, so I knew Seven wouldn't know who I was. Not to mention the Cat Woman mask I was wearing with the short black dress and my boots that Seven hadn't seen yet was a good disguise. I had never done anything like this in my life, and I was scared as hell. I swayed to the beat of Ashanti's 'Rain On Me' with my eyes on my baby the whole time. He sat at the table and watched as his silly ass boys approached the stage with Benjamin's held out before them. I wasn't about to take off not one stitch of clothing, so they could put their little money right back in their piggy banks. I pointed at Seven and moved my finger in a 'come hither' motion. He didn't move. His boys were yelling at him to get up, all except Six, who was giving him a look of warning and shaking his head. That's right, Six, I thought to myself. Always got my back.

Since he wasn't coming to me, I would have to go to him. I swerved my way down the steps and approached Seven's table. I turned around and dropped my ass to give him a lap dance and almost laughed out loud when he scooted his chair back. I moved closer to him, then reached into the front of the dress and pulled out the paper that was inside. I didn't pull it out all the way. That was for him to do, but he wasn't really cooperating. I straddled his legs and pushed my breasts into his face, indicating to him to take the paper. He wouldn't take it. What the hell did he even come here for? I moved over to Six and got close enough to him to whisper in his ear.

"Are you for real?" He asked loudly, then caught himself.

"Get Seven to take this paper," I instructed.

"He ain't gon' do it."

"You have to get him to do it, Six. Just try."

I was starting to panic. My song was almost over. I danced back over to Seven, who was watching me intently. Six was pointing at the paper, trying to get Seven to take it, and Seven did and tried to hand it to Six. He was pissing me off.

"What is it?" Six yelled to him over the music.

Seven threw the paper on the middle of the table. I picked it up and handed it back to him. He looked confused, then glanced at Six, who nodded at him to open it. At the same time, my song went off.

"If he don't want it, I'll take it." Some dude with a head shaped like a watermelon said.

"You are fine, baby!"

"Hell yeah, that bitch is fine!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Six demanded.

Seven looked at him strangely. I glanced to the left and saw Gucci peeking around the edge of a newspaper. She snapped it up when I spotted her.

"Will you open the damn paper?" I yelled.

His head snapped up.

"Bari?''

I pulled the mask off and shook my hair out.

"Seven, damn, you ruined my plan," I complained.

"That's Bari, y’all!" One of his friends informed the whole room.

"Damn, she looks good," somebody said.

"Thank you," I said shyly.

"Fuck all that!" Seven yelled. "What the fuck are you doing in here?"

He put his coat over my shoulders, more like threw it, and that was where it landed.

"Seven, let me explain."

"I don't even want to know. I'm so mad at yo' mutha fuckin' ass right now..."

"It's not what you think. Would you just open the paper?"

"Fuck the paper!" He yelled.

People were being so nosy, straining to hear our conversation that they weren't even paying attention to the girl up on the stage. Six looked at me helplessly. I jabbed a finger in Gucci's direction. Six walked over and slowly pushed down the top of her paper. She gave him a weak smile. I hadn't seen Seven so mad since the night he beat up Trim. I didn't want to have that in common with Trim.

"Seven. . . "

"Shut the fuck up, Bari, and let's go."

"No!" I yelled. "I didn't do all this shit for my fuckin' health, Seven! Shakin' my ass in front of a room full of strangers and shit! I came here to do something, and you're messing it up so open the damn paper."

"Bari. . ." He was losing his patience, and I could tell, but I didn't care.

"Bari, just come on," Six said, holding onto Gucci's arm like she might escape if he didn't.

"Ho," I said stubbornly.

Seven glared at me for a long time.

"Gucci, you better get your friend if you don't want her to get fucked up," Seven said.

"Bari, let's just go. He can see it at home."

I shook my head. I was pissed off. I was embarrassed. I was scared.

"I'm not leaving."

"Does that mean you gon' hit the stage again?" Some man asked excitedly from the next table.

Seven stared him down until he turned his head.

"I'm leaving," Seven informed me, "and if I turn around and you're not behind me you're gonna be sorry."

"Call me sorry then," I said to his back, which was already headed for the door.

I thought better of it and began to follow him out. I turned around and looked at Six. He understood and followed with Gucci in tow. When Seven turned around, I was right there. He gave me a knowing look. I might be a lot of things, but stupid ain't one of them.

. "Sev!" Six called out, then spoke confidentially to Seven.

Seven nodded, hugged Six, then got in behind the wheel.

"Get in the truck, Bari."

I knew he was pissed. He usually held the door for me. I got in and closed the door, staring out the window. We didn't speak one word to each other on the way home, or even after we got home for that matter. Seven went straight to the room, stripped off his clothes and stayed in the shower for a good forty-five minutes. I used the shower down the hall, then went and climbed in on my side of the bed. I waited for Seven, who never came. I didn't sleep at all, just watched movie after movie while I laid there feeling sorry for myself and wiping my tears. The movie ended at five am, and I put my robe on and walked down the stairs. Seven was on the couch. He wasn't asleep either. I was wondering why he would sleep on the couch when he had six other rooms to choose from, but didn't dare ask. He got up and walked past me, went upstairs and showered, then came back down about two hours later. I wiped my hands on a towel and was about to go to the living room and demand that we talk about it when I heard the front door slam.