In Love with a Thug (3 page)

Friday, January 14, 2005

6:00 p.m.

“T
he most watched news around the Delaware Valley with your hosts—Lisa Thomas Laury and Rick Williams—here's Channel 6 Action news.”

“A fire erupted in a North Philadelphia home tonight, Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose, and author Reginald L. Hall is still continuing to sell millions of books all across the country. But the big story on Action News tonight is what started as a routine bank robbery that ended with three homicides. Denise James is live on the scene at the Commerce Bank at Eighteenth and Walnut with the full story. Denise.”

“Good evening, Rick, that is correct. I am down here at the Commerce Back at Eighteenth and Walnut where this branch was robbed earlier today. Not only is this a crime scene for a robbery but this is a scene where not one but three people were murdered during the robbery. The victims include bank security guard John McCants, a fifty-five-year-old from Chester, Pennsylvania; Darnell Rhodes, twenty-five of West Philadelphia, one of the said gunmen in this treacherous shootout; and branch manager Beverly Vaughn, fifty-four of Southwest Philadelphia.

“Some of the customers were taken to University Hospital for medical treatment. From my understanding there is still another gunman on the loose. Bank officials confirm that there is one suspect remaining at large—sources say that the gunman got away with about one hundred fifty-thousand dollars. Live from Commerce Bank at Eighteenth and Walnut streets, Denise James with Channel 6 Action News.”

Friday, May 27, 2005

10:55 p.m.

“I
hope that these bitches don't think they'll be dressed better than me at my grand opening of my muthafuckin' salon,” I said to Anthony on the phone as I laid my clothes on the bed that I'd bought earlier that day.

“Well, what are you going to wear? I hope that it's not gonna be nothing too feminine or flashy.”

“Bitch, I know your ass ain't talkin' 'bout nuffin' too feminine or flashy. Not as much as you be out there shaking your ass with those niggas from the Five Spot with those tight clothes on,” I spat as we both started to giggle.

“Whatever, you're jealous because I'm stunning and I'm gonna turn your own party out tonight when I come up in there with my Diesel jeans on and my Lucky fitted shirt only buttoned halfway. Muthafuckas is not even gonna know your name,” Anthony said, laughing.

Anthony and I had been friends for the past ten years. I met him when I was graduating from high school in Germantown. I knew he was gay from the first time I saw him. He thought he was fooling people because he was high-yellow with braids and a tight body and all the girls were on him. But when he came up to me and complimented me on my Prada man bag, I knew right then and there that he was a queen.

And ever since then we were close and, as the years went by, he became fruitier and fruitier, and the fruitier he got the wilder he would get. He never kept a steady boyfriend. He would have sex day in and day out but his heart would only beat for one man and that was this boy whom he loved named Darrell. Darrell was a straight guy that would only fuck around with Anthony behind his girl's back. Anthony did admit that he only liked him a lot because of his thug demeanor; not to mention his long curtain rod that was used for things other than hanging curtains. And even though Darrell would tell Anthony all the time that all he ever wanted was sex Anthony stayed at his beck and call.

There was nothing I could do but shake my head. Anthony was my dawg but I wished he didn't have sex with different people so damn much.

“We'll see, bitch. I gotta go because my ride will be here in a few to pick me up. I'll see you in the ride and your outfit better be fresh enough to walk the red carpet,” I said before the line went dead.

I placed the phone on its base with a lot of excitement that had been built up in me ever since I went to settlement on my own salon. I couldn't believe that this day was finally gonna come. Something that I had always dreamed about and now it was finally coming to reality.
Ché Mystic, it's about time.

Walking around my pink-colored room I hurried to my dresser to choose what scent of cologne I would wear tonight. This was the event of all events for Philadelphia. I made sure that I put all my networking skills to the test for tonight's event. The grand opening of Ché Mystic. Who'd have thought? It was a good thing that my uncle worked as Will Smith's agent so he was able to get me in touch with all the top heads in Philly. Most of them would be able to bless me with their presence this evening.

At first it was kind of hard getting a VIP area set up in a hair salon but I pulled it off. I had to make sure Mr. Smith and his lovely wife had somewhere to sit and sip their champagne. Tonight's event would be hosted by none other than Power 99's “Golden Girl” and Allen Iverson. My night would be set and I couldn't wait.

I hurried into the bathroom and readied my shower. As the steam from the hot water filled the bathroom I gently rubbed my body down with some body butter from Victoria's Secret before I knelt by my bedside to say my evening prayers.

Dear Lord,

I am coming to you at this time to say thank You. I want to thank You for all Your many blessings in life that You have provided me with. I also want to ask You to please forgive me for my sins. And dear Lord, can you please take care of Darnell and watch over him in Your kingdom. I know if it wasn't for him this all wouldn't be possible. Thank you. Amen.

I got up and went over to my dresser where my mirror sat with many pictures. I grabbed the picture of Darnell and closed my eyes and kissed the Polaroid as if I were kissing his soft lips. I removed the dead rose that sat on my dresser and sniffed it as if it were still new. I stood in the middle of my bedroom holding onto a picture that held so many memories of my life with Darnell. There would never be another who would take his place.

Many emotions built up inside of me as my eyes started to tear. The pain that his family felt during his passing would never gain the significance of any of the pain that I felt. Darnell was the Clyde to my Bonnie. Although technically I am not a female, I was his bitch and he was my nigga. The emotions continued to build as I pondered my thought of the countless nights that we made love and the early mornings when he would get me aroused in my sleep and break me off before he went back on the block.

Darnell was not merely my lover; he was my friend, my protector. I always knew that Darnell would take care of business and that there was no need for me to worry. He took care of me until his dying day and made sure that all was well with me before his heart stopped beating. He bled over my money and, for that, I would always appreciate him. The phone rang and snapped me out of my trance. I kissed the picture one last time before wiping my eyes clean.

“Hello,” I greeted.

“What are you doing?” Ieshia asked. “I hope you're gonna be ready by the time the limo gets there.”

“I'm trying to hurry up. I was about to get in the shower before you called. Are you gonna be ready?” I asked, walking down the hall and into my kitchen to fix myself a glass of wine to hold me over until the party.

“Yes, I'm already dressed. You know I've been excited. I got on my best whore's dress cuz me and Antwoine is gonna turn the place out,” she said, laughing.

“Oh, I didn't know you was bringing Antwoine. He doesn't have duty tonight?”

“Yeah, he did work today but he got off early. Now you know my man is not gonna pass up a night of free drinks,” she said as we both chuckled about her man.

“Well, you go ahead with your navy man. Look, I gotta go if I'm gonna be on time. I'll see you in the ride.”

“Okay.”

“Bye.”

I put the cordless back on the base and took another long sip of wine before I proceeded to the shower. After letting the water run for about fifteen minutes it was sweaty hot; just the way I like it.

I jumped in the shower and stood under the running water letting the steady stream drown out my troubles. Instead of my mind being filled with the excitement of finally opening my own hair salon, it was covered by the burden that wailed on my mind over Darnell's death. Oh, how I wished that we would have done something else that day instead of robbing that bank.

Things would have been so much different if we would have used our brains. My baby still would've been here and I would not be feeling the emptiness that lay in my heart.

After showering and lotioning my body with palm oil from my favorite place, Victoria's Secret, I greased my scalp thoroughly before giving my hair the extra twist I needed to make it look sharp for this occasion. I stood naked in the mirror running my fingers through my hair as it hung gracefully to my shoulders. I always admired my own smile, the same way Darnell would. For starters, I was very much in love with my body and knew how to work every inch of it to get the things I wanted.

I had worked very hard for my flat stomach. Well, you might as well say I worked hard for it. I had to actually work to find the right plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck. That's hard work. Chile, I was on it and once I had the finances to get it done, I was gone. I winked at my caramel complexion one last time before I dressed.

About a half-hour later the car was downstairs. Now the excitement was starting to set in. My outfit was on point. I had put the last coat of clear nail polish on my nails before the receptionist from downstairs called to let me know that my ride was waiting. I put the finishing touches on my outfit with a dirty-brown corduroy Armani blazer. added a little blush on my cheeks, and I was out the door.

I walked out of the building on Presidential Boulevard with stares from white people of all ages as the chauffeur opened the door for my entrance.

“Well, it's about time, bitch,” said Anthony who had already taken it upon himself to pop the Crissy before I got in.

“And whose party is it anyway?” I said, snatching his glass from him and placing it to my lips. “It's mine so I'll be the one to drink first.”

“Where am I going now, sir?” asked the Caucasian gentleman who drove the limo.

“You're gonna make a left at this next light. We need to pick up Ieshia,” I said, still trying to down my glass.

“How does it feel to be opening your hair salon finally?” asked Anthony. “I mean you don't look like you're that happy about it,” he continued.

“I'm happy. It's just that I wish Darnell could be here to share it with me, you know?” I said as I downed another sip of the Cris.

“You actin' as if y'all were together for a long time. You only knew him for about three months. Juan, how in the hell did you get hooked on him that fast?” he asked, talking with his hands.

“It's easy to fall in love with someone in three months. Don't act like you've never done it.”

“See, that's why I hate fucking with faggots. You meet someone one minute, then fall for them the next,” he spat. “This nigga didn't even care about you and now he's dead and you're walking around here all depressed and shit.”

“Excuse me for falling in love with a guy and not using him strictly for sex like you do,” I rebutted. “And what makes you so sure that he really didn't care for me, huh?”

“Well, I would think if he did, then he wouldn't have put you in danger by robbing a fuckin' bank, now would he?” he said, looking directly into my eyes as we both got silent. “I rest my case,” he continued as he began pouring himself another glass of Cristal.

“I can't believe you said that shit,” I spat, getting heated. “You were not supposed to ever throw that in my face.”

“Juan, the creep is dead and you're walking around here feeling sad, like that muthafucka was God's gift to a fuckin' faggot. He treated you like crap. Your ass could be in jail right now. Or better yet, dead, and not to mention he cheated on you with three of your friends and you acting like it was all love.”

“No, fuck that. We are gonna forget about him and go to your grand opening and I really don't want you to bring his name up no more this evening. Okay?”

I sat there feeling like a scolded child. “Okay, I guess you're right. This
is
my night and I should be happy.” I sat back and raised the glass to my lips.

“Now that's more like it,” he said, extending his arms for a hug.

I rolled the tinted window down halfway to get some of that night air as we pulled in front of Ieshia's door. Her mother stood in the doorway smiling as the car rode up and double-parked in the street.

“Hey, Juan,” she screamed from the door in an all-white terry-cloth robe. “I'm so sorry I can't be at your party tonight. I have a terrible cold.”

“That's okay, Ms. Jones,” I replied. “I'll have Ieshia bring you a plate.”

“Thanks,” she said as Ieshia slightly brushed past her sporting a black dress that stopped at her knees and showed much cleavage.

“Alright, girl,” yelled Anthony from the window. Ieshia then went into her black handbag and pulled out her Chanel glasses and placed them over her eyes.

“Now we can go,” she said, smiling ear to ear, showing off her voluptuous cocoa-colored body as the chauffeur got out and walked around to let her in. I had already begun to pour her a drink as she placed her rump comfortably on the seat.

“Where's Antwoine?” I asked, handing her the champagne glass.

“Oh, he says that he's gonna meet us there.” She reached over to Anthony and gave him a four-arm hug. “How are you doing, Baby?” she greeted. “Watch your hair. I don't wanna spill my drink.”

With the three of us in the back of the car, we shared love and drank the Cris and we were all the way live.

 

Chris Brown's song “Run It” was playing loud through the speakers of the limo when we turned the corner of Fifteenth and South streets near Broad. The stadium lights shone brightly as I sat by the tinted window and watched people walk into the salon. I reached into my man bag and pulled out my shades to hide my tipsy eyes.

“Are you ready?” Anthony asked, still sipping his drink. My emotions hurried around in the pit of my stomach as my eyes started to tear; not from the excitement of the situation at hand but from the emptiness that I felt inside. I watched men palm their ladies at the lower part of their backs and the happiness that dressed their faces.

Tonight's event was on and poppin.'

“I'm as ready as I'm ever gonna be,” I answered, not turning my face from the crowd. South Street was packed. There were cars that stood in the middle of the street that cost more than my salon. The town was settled and the music was mellow.