No Mercy (18 page)

“What up, folk?” Rah says. Speak of the devil. Unfortunately he’s brought the witches of Westchester, Trish and Tasha, along for the ride. I guess my rejection was permission to invite his fake wifey after all.

“Nigel,” Tasha says, hugging her ex boo. “It’s nice to see you.”

“Yeah, girl. It’s nice to see you, too.” He gives Tasha a good once over admiring her tight fitting ensemble: classy yet sexy.

I hate to give the heffa props, but Mickey should take notes from Tasha if she wants to be a baller’s girl. From the looks of it, Tasha and Nigel might me back on again before the end of the night.

“Jayd,” Rah says, forcing me to address him. The mere sound of his voice makes me flustered. I’m not saying he was totally right in his accusations an hour ago but he gave me a lot to think about.

“Rah,” I say, attempting to ignore the fact that Trish’s arm has moved from by her side to the center of his back, staking her claim for all to see.

Now that everyone’s present I can read the card and get this shit over with. The music sounds good from out here but the line is moving at a snail’s pace. Most of the people waiting are college students repping their Greek organizations. We stick out like the high school students that we are.

I turn toward the growing crowd and pull out the spell.

“I am the Creator’s creation, purely divine. From my enemies I ask that you protect all that I love, all that is mine.” I whisper the words three times, ignoring the silence of my friends behind me. I hope that this works soon.

“Jayd, who are you talking to?” Mrs. Esop says, catching me completely off guard. What’s she doing at a college party?

“Oh, I was reciting a poem I have to memorize for my English class.” Quick lies always work best—I learned that from Rah. “How are you?” I ask, accepting her faux kisses on both of my cheeks.

“I am well,” she says. “Nigel, what are you and your friends doing standing outside? You know better than that, son.”

“We’re just enjoying the view,” Nigel says, still gawking at Tasha’s figure.

“Nigel, be serious,” Mrs. Esop says, taking her son’s hand. “The next starting quarterback for UCLA does not stand in line, and neither do his friends.” She ushers us through the crowd and around the back of the house where the party’s really happening. The food looks delicious, and a sistah is starving.

“Wait a minute.” Mrs. Esop does an about face and stops Mickey’s advance. “This party is for prospective members and guests only.”

“How do you know I ain’t going to college?” Mickey says, tugging at her booty shorts.

“Because you say things like ‘I ain’t’ on a regular basis,” Mrs. Esop says, unapologetically embarrassing my girl. She’s never liked Mickey and now that she’s no longer dating her son, whatever tolerance she may have perpetrated is out the door. “And this isn’t for simple college students, dear. This party is for prospective black Greeks. Trust me, you’re out of your element.”

Mickey looks at Nigel who simply smiles and stays silent. His days of defending Mickey are over.

“Mrs. Esop, she’s our guest,” I say, even if I’m also a guest. “Can you make an exception?”

Mrs. Esop signals for one of the younger sorority sisters to come over and escort us through the tented back yard, again halting Mickey at the gate. “You’re not welcomed here, Mickey. Go home.”

Mickey’s eyes fight to stay dry. She must feel as close to shit as one could ever feel, knowing this could’ve all been hers had she played her cards right. But like so many of us, Mickey has always been her own worst enemy.

“Welcome to our house,” the polite sistah says, handing us each a pink and red plastic wristband. “We represent the local and college chapters of Alpha Gamma Rho in Southern California.”

Mrs. Esop stares down Mickey unwavering in her decision. I wish I could intervene but this is between the two of them. It’ll really be on if Nigel makes good on his promise to sue Mickey for custody of Nickey.

“Who needs this bougie scene anyway,” Mickey says, reaching out for Nellie’s arm. “Let’s bounce.”

“But I don’t want to go,” Nellie says. She looks at me for sympathy but I’ve got nothing for her. If she thinks I’m giving her a ride back to Compton tonight she’s got another think coming. And Nellie knows that Chase is out of the question. He also happens to be Nigel’s ride. “Fine,” Nellie says, reluctantly following our exiled friend out.

“Damn, that was some cold shit,” Chase whispers into my ear.

“That’s Mrs. Esop for you,” I whisper back. “She’s as merciless as they come.”

“Will you all be applying to any local schools?” the same young woman asks, gesturing to a table filled with various brochures and other information. I just want to get to the food, damn the formalities.

“I’m thinking of applying to Morehouse or maybe Clark Atlanta,” Chase says. Chase is convinced he’s going to a historically black college or university to explore his newfound roots. At least his parents can afford to pay the expensive tuition.

“Oh,” the girl says, confused. “But those are black colleges.”

“I know that,” Chase says, a smile spreading across his face. “Where else would I be but with my people?”

“Can’t you tell my boy is that pure white chocolate?” Nigel asks, making the girl blush in embarrassment. “It’s cool, girl. Don’t sweat it.”

“Nigel, be good,” Mrs. Esop says, pleased that Mickey’s a distant distraction in her son’s otherwise bright future.

“Oh my goodness, Jayd! Look at you!”
a familiar voice screams at the top of her lungs. Me and this girl got into some serious shenanigans back in the day.

“Sam!” I say, returning the love.
I’ve missed her. I was sad when we lost contact after her dad died forcing her mother to move to Orange County. The daily commute to Caldwell Elementary was too much.

             
“OMG, you’re all grown up! And I see you met soror Delilah and our grad advisor, Soror Theresa,” Sam says, reintroducing us. “Put your number in my cell right now, girl. We have to catch up.”

I pass her my aging cell and we exchange information.

              “You know Sam, Jayd?” Mrs. Esop asks, pleased. “Well, isn’t this serendipitous. Jayd is one of our star debutantes. She actually won this year’s scholarship for partial college tuition and is considering the sisterhood.”

             
“I think my classes and work will keep me busy enough,” I say, attempting not to be rude but Mrs. Esop knows where I stand with all of this sorority bull. College is going to be challenging enough without the added social pressure.

“We’re not all bad, Jayd. You should check us out,” Delilah says, handing me a brochure with
their Greek letters on it. “We would love to invite you to our spring social. And if you have any AP credits on your transcripts, you might even be eligible to pledge your first year at UCLA.”

             
“Thank you,” I say, being gracious so as not to offend her. Delilah seems nice enough but I know how these sorority girls operate. It could all be a front. The true wench doesn’t come out until she gets me on line. “I’ll think about it.”

             
“You see, Jayd. I told you you’re college material,” Mrs. Esop says, satisfied with her work. “Ladies, we need to check on the girls inside. Enjoy the party.” She kisses her son on the cheek and retreats into the lavish home with Sam and Delilah in tow.

             
“What I miss?” Mickey says, sneaking up behind me.

             
“I thought you were exiled?” I say, making sure Mrs. Esop doesn’t see her. “And where’s Nellie?”

             
“She went to the bathroom to primp, as usual. Look what I found,” Mickey says, handing me a red plastic cup with alcohol in it.

             
“No, thank you,” I say, looking around. That’s when I notice the man I’ve been missing all week.

Keenan struts out of the house
with some Brazilian looking chick on his arm like he’s king of the world. He notices me and smiles big and bright.

“Oh shit,” I say, nervously.

“What? Did my former bitch-in-law see me?” Mickey asks like she’s hiding from the cops.

“No,” I say, sucking in my gut. “Keenan’s on his way over.”

“Jayd, you made it,” Keenan reaches for my right hand and brings it to his lips. “How are you?”

“Just fine, my brotha. Just fine.”

“Glad to hear it.” He turns toward the chick on his arm and introduces her to my crew. “This beautiful woman is Sadie, the president of the SC chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Sadie says, lying through her way too white grill. I can tell she’s disgusted by our young presence.

“Let me get you something to drink, Jayd,” Keenan asks, ever the polite host. “Mickey, you good?”

“Yeah, I’m cool.” Mickey takes a large swig from her cup and looks around the party. I can tell she’s ready to set it off.

“So, you’re the fresh meat of the week,” Keenan’s arm candy says, displaying her true colors.

I have no problem setting a college heffa straight
if need be, but Mickey takes the lead on this one.

“Jayd’s
not fresh meat but I can pound you like ground beef if you like.”

Sadie
looks at us like the hoodrats we seemingly are right now. The chick knows Mickey’s not playing.

Alcohol always brings out the worst in Mickey and she’s fiery enough as is.
Maybe Mickey should go on a twelve-step program like Jeremy was forced into as a part of his probation.

“Excuse me. I see someone I need to greet,” Sadie says, walking over to Nigel, Rah and their dates. She hugs Nigel who looks like he knows Sadie very well.

              “I’m tired of that nigga,” Mickey says, throwing her cup down on the ground.” He can kiss my ass.”

             
I roll my eyes at Mickey. “I think he already did.”

             
Mickey glares at me like I’m lying. She knows she messed up and has no one to blame but herself. “I’m going to find me something else to drink.”

             
Mickey walks toward the back of the sprawling yard where I spot Nellie. She checks her cell and I swear her face has turned three shades lighter. I wish she’d look up at me so that I can read her thoughts. I’d put all my money on those texts being from David.

“What are you doing here?” KJ asks
with some college broad on his arm, which is no surprise. If I were KJ I’d watch my step. Misty’s powers are growing and I’m assuming her jealous temper hasn’t cooled off a bit since we were friends. Speak of the devil, out walks Misty. Why the hell is everyone from the South Central side of South Bay High present at this party?

“I was invited, do you mind?”
I say, taking a step closer to Keenan.

“It’s just virgin punch,” Keenan says, handing me the cup. “I didn’t take you for a drinker.”

“I’m not, thank you,” I say, taking a sip. Maybe I’ve been too hard on Keenan. Compared to my track record, Keenan’s a winner.

“Everything about Jayd is virgin, my nigga,” KJ says, laughing at his crass joke.

Before Keenan can kick his ass my nemesis approaches her ex with enough hate to handle him for us all.

“KJ,” Misty says
, cutting her blue eyes at him and placing her hands on her full hips.

KJ smiles at Misty as she
takes his other arm without checking for the broad he’s already attached to. There must be something going on that I don’t know about, and I’m just fine being ignorant to Misty’s mysteries—she’s always full of surprises.

“Jayd, what a surprise,” Misty says, kissing her
ex-man on the cheek. “They’re just letting anyone into supposedly exclusive parties these days, aren’t they?”

“I’m sorry,” Keenan says, invading Misty’s space. “And you’re a guest of whom?”

Misty looks at KJ but he’s not falling for her games. He detaches himself from her and ignores her need for an escort. She dumped him for Emilio and eventhough I know Misty’s at the whim of Esmeralda, KJ doesn’t. All he feels is betrayed and—like Nigel—his days of including his ex in his new life are over.

“I was invited, trust that,” Misty says. She looks at me with pure hatred. I can’t help it that she showed up to a college party without the proper credentials.

The pretty chick Keenan strutted outside with walks over and lays down the law.

“KJ, is she on your guest list?” she asks, giving Misty the same look Mrs. Esop gave Mickey. KJ’s a prospective basketball recruit giving him free rein here much like he has at South Bay.

“Nope,” KJ says, hugging up on his new broad. “But my boys should be arriving soon.”

Sadie turns to Misty who doesn’t look the least bit intimidated. “If you’re not with an invited guest you have to leave.”

I wasn’t feeling this chick at first but now she’s my best friend.

“Keenan, we need to call the caterers and order more food. We’re way over capacity.”

“I’m on it.” Keenan begins to walk inside but not before handling Misty. “And I do hope you get home safely,” Keenan says, pointing toward the back gate.