Wifey (12 page)

“Not too good.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, first of all, I’m looking for my husband. So, I was wondering if you’ve heard from him?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Okay. This is not good.”

“What’s going on?”

“Well, last night I noticed two white men who I ain’t never seen before, sitting outside watching my salon. And when I got in my car to leave, they started following me. But somehow, I got away.”

“How were they dressed?”

“I couldn’t tell. But they were driving a dark blue or black colored Ford.”

“Did they look like detectives?”

“Kind of. That’s why I tried calling Ricky to let him know what was going on. But, he never got back wit’ me.”

“Where are you now?”

“I was too scared to go home last night. So, I checked into the Wesleyan Hotel.”

“Okay. Sit tight and let me make a few phone calls. What room are you in?”

“312.”

“All right. Stay by the phone.”

“Okay.”

***

As I sat and waited for both phone calls, I picked up the menu from the table and ordered me some room service. I wasn’t all that hungry, but I knew I needed to put something on my stomach. I decided to try the seafood omelette with a cold glass of orange juice. It sounded good to me. And within fifteen minutes, that bad boy was there. After I tipped the room service guy, I sat down to eat. But before I could get into it real good, the telephone began to ring. My heart started beating real fast, but I didn’t let that stop me from answering it. “Hello,” I said.

“Hi, Kira. This is Mr. Shapiro.”

“What you find out?”

“Well I just got off the phone with one of my contacts over at the Federal Building. And I was informed that there are only three major drug investigations going on in this immediate area. Your salon was not listed as one of their hot spots.”

“So, who in the hell were those men sitting outside my shop watching me?”

“It could’ve been some local cops, or a couple DEA agents.”

“But why?”

“Can’t say.”

“Well, what you think I should do?”

“Are you doing anything illegal?”

“No. I mean, all I do is go to work every day and come home.”

“You say you’re married, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, what does your husband do for a living?” Mr. Shapiro asked me.

Now, how in the hell was I going to answer this question? Was I supposed to lie, or what? I mean, if I lied, then how was Glen going to help me and my problem? But, if I told the truth, then I could also be making matters worse. I elected not to answer his question altogether. “What does my husband have to do wit’ this?” I asked.

“Well, I’m only trying to help you figure out why these people are watching you. Because if you’re not doing anything illegal, then someone very close to you is. So, if this is the case, then that gives them leverage to investigate those around the person they’re trying to build a case against.”

“Do you think I should go home?”

“I don’t see what’s stopping you.”

“But, what if they arrest me?”

“They shouldn’t. Unless you’re doing something you’re not telling me.”

“Oh, trust me! I ain’t doing nothing!”

“Okay. Well, you got my number. Call me if something comes up.”

“Alright. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

I got off the phone with Mr. Shapiro, sat back on the bed and began to wonder all over again who those men were. Even though I was told it wasn’t the Feds, it still didn’t make me feel any better. As far as I knew, it could be anybody with a badge trying to lock my ass up, too. So, I still needed some answers.

Mr. Robinson called me back about an hour later. I damn near had a heart attack waiting for him to call. “So, what you hear?” I anxiously asked.

“I got some good news and some bad news. Now which one do you want to hear first?”

“Give me the bad news first.”

“Well, I haven’t been able to find out who was following you. But, I have spoken with your husband.”

My heart almost jumped out of my chest when Mr. Robinson told me he spoke to Ricky. I got happy as hell. “When?” I asked him.

“Just a few minutes ago.”

“Where is he? And what did he say?”

“Well, he said he’s out of the area. But, he’ll be back later on tonight.”

“How did you get in touch wit’ him?”

“I called his cellular phone.”

“I did, too, but, he didn’t answer any of my calls.”

“Well, he said he’s going to call you after he gets to where he’s going.”

“Did you tell him about what happened to me last night?”

“Yes, I did.”

“And what did he say?”

“He told me to tell you that those people are harmless, so there’s nothing to worry about. And he’ll be home later tonight to explain everything to you.”

“That’s it?” I asked in a sarcastic manner.

“I’m afraid so.”

“Okay. Thanks, Mr. Robinson.”

“The pleasure is all mines.”

After I got off the phone with Mr. Robinson, I started dialing Ricky’s cell number because I was furious. I could not believe that I was around here about to have a panic attack, and this bastard was out of town, having himself a fuckin’ ball. And then, on top of that, he refused to answer all my damn calls. As the phone started ringing, I got really anxious to curse his ass out. But again, this bastard refused to answer his phone.

I slammed the phone down because I was mad. I mean, really to a point where I could cut his throat if he came walking through my hotel door right now.

I thought of nothing else to do but gather my things and go home. So, home was where I went.

Married To Da’ Game

Driving up the street to my house felt kind of weird. I was somewhat scared that somebody might be watching me. But I didn’t see any unfamiliar cars parked near my house, so I felt kind of relieved. Ricky came home about eleven o’clock. And boy, was I in a foul mood. He must’ve sensed it, because he started explaining the minute he saw me watching TV in the den.

“I know you mad,” he started running off at the mouth. “But, I can explain everything.”

“I’m listening,” I said in a very low tone and giving him the nastiest grit I could come up with.

“Well, first of all, them guys that was watching you was just a couple of dudes who work for this Russian cat I be fucking wit’ from time to time.”

“Why were they watching my shop?”

“Because, it’s just something they do when I get fronted a big load of their shit. They just making sho’ they’re protecting their investment.”

“But, what the fuck I got to do wit’ it?”

“Look, Kira, they just making sure I ain’t gon’ run off wit’ their shit. That’s all.”

“That’s all?!” I screamed. “Ricky, do you know how petrified them muthafucka’s made me? And then, when I tried to call you about it, you don’t even answer your fucking phone. Now, what kind of shit you on? I mean, you’re carrying me like you do them niggas in the street.”

“Nah, baby it ain’t like that.”

“Then, how is it?” I asked as I stood up in front of him. “Tell me, ‘cause I need to know.”

“Look, a lot of shit is about to change. So, just bear wit’ me and I promise I’ll take you anywhere you wanna go when all this is over.”

“I don’t wanna go on a trip!”

“Then, what do you want?”

“I want outta this fuckin’ marriage. I want outta all this bullshit you keep dragging me through.”

“So, you telling me you want a divorce?”

“Yeah. That’s actually what I’m saying, ‘cause, you don’t give a damn about me. All you care about is what’s in them damn streets.”

Hearing me expressing myself and almost crying, Ricky grabbed me into his arms and held me really tight. “Get off me!” I yelled.

“I ain’t gon’ let you go until you stop talking crazy.”

“I ain’t talking crazy. Everything I’m saying is real.”

“Look Kira, I’m not divorcing you. So, you can let that idea go back where it came from. But, if you want me to give you some space, then I’ll leave for a few days.”

“And go where? To be wit’ that bitch, Cinnamon!”

“Let’s not go there again.”

“Why not? I mean, she was probably who you was wit’ last night. That’s why you ain’t answer none of my fuckin’ pages.”

“I didn’t even get your pages.”

“You’re a fuckin’ lie!” I snapped at him and broke away from his grip.

“I ain’t lying. My battery went dead last night. That’s why I ain’t get none of your text messages.”

“How fucking convenient!” I said and left him standing in the den, while I headed up to our bedroom.

As I began to walk up the steps, Ricky came running behind me. “Don’t come behind me!” I yelled.

But he refused to listen. He was on my heels. And the minute I tried closing our bedroom door, he pushed it back open. “Stop tripping, will ya?” he yelled back.

“Could you just leave me alone?” I screamed once again.

“I’m not. So, you might as well deal wit’ it.”

“Don’t you think I’m tired of dealing wit’ your shit?”

“Look, Ma, I know shit ain’t been going the way you want it. But, I promise you, it’s gon’ get better.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You been singing this same ole song since we been together.”

“But now shit is changing.”

“Yeah, for you it is.” I told Ricky and took a few steps backwards.

“Okay, I tell you what. Give me a week to handle everything that’s going on. And then, I want us to go somewhere in the mountains so we can try to work this thing out.”

“I’m not in the mood for that! Don’t you get it?”

“So, what you in the mood for?”

“Right now, I just want you to leave me alone.”

“A’ight. I’mma leave you alone. But, don’t go to sleep, ‘cause, I’m coming right back.”

After hearing this jackass tell me he was about to leave, I wanted so badly to ask him where was he about to go. But, I refused to let down my guard. I acted as if I didn’t care, even though I did. And on his way out, Ricky tried to kiss me on my forehead, but I moved my head away from him. He caught the hint and left.

I ain’t going to lie because the moment he left, I wanted to cry my heart out. But I couldn’t. I felt like I had to make myself be strong because it was becoming clearer by the day that this nigga wasn’t concerned about anybody but himself, his money, and his hoes. Those were the main reasons why our marriage wreaked so much havoc. And the fact that Ms. Janet came out of the blue and advised me to rid myself of the demons that controlled Ricky, was confirmation that I had to make some severe changes in my life. So, that’s what I was going to do.

***

The next day I went down to the jail to see Nikki. She was surprised to see me after what had happened on the last visit. She made the comment, “I can’t believe you came all the way down here to see me.”

“Is that why you ain’t been calling me?”

“Did you honestly think I was going to call you after that performance you put on the last time you came to see me?”

“Look, never mind that! I was on some ‘protect my man’ type of shit that day. But today, I’m going to set the record straight.”

“What’s up?”

“I came down here to tell you to do whatever you gotta do to get yourself up outta here.”

“What brought this on?” Nikki asked me, giving me a puzzled look.

“I’m just tired, Nikki, that’s all.”

“What done happened now?”

“Girl, just a whole bunch of mess. I don’t know where to begin.”

“I hope it ain’t behind another chickenhead this time.”

“Well, yeah, you know there’s always gotta be one of them in the picture. But it’s something deeper than that. That’s why it’s time for me to start doing me. And since you gotcha self tied up in all this bullshit behind my husband, I want you to start doing you, too.”

“But, do you realize when I tell them who stuff I had, they gon’ wanna know everything: from down to how I met him and who he’s working for?”

“I know that. But, you can’t tell them what you don’t know.”

“Yeah, you’re right. But, I know everything else, like where his spots are and whose running them.”

“Too late. He done already closed them down.”

“When did he do that?”

“He met up wit’ Brian right after you got locked up and told him to shut them down. And all I know is that they moved every last one of his spots somewhere else.”

“So, Brian is still his flunky, huh?”

“You know that ain’t gon’ change.”

“Well, he gon’ get some of this shit I’m getting ready to dish out, too. Since he wanna do for everybody else except me.”

Nikki and I continued talking about what was about to pop off. We knew shit was about to get ugly, and a lot of people weren’t going to be too happy about it either. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ricky got some of his henchmen to show their faces after the word got out. So, what I’d have to do was get a plan into motion for myself. According to rule number five in the
Hustler’s Manual,
whoever got caught dirty and had to do some time; no matter how much time it was, was forbidden to rat out anybody in the crew. Niggas got killed behind shit like that. And if the person snitching didn’t get dealt with, then somebody close to them would. That’s just how the game was. People say, if you live by the gun, you die by the gun!”

***

A couple of days later, I got up with Glen Shapiro to work out some last-minute details before he headed out of his office to meet with the U.S. Attorney.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked me.

“Yeah. I’m sure,” I replied after hesitating a little.

“I sense a bit of hesitation on your part.”

“Well, to be honest, I am having second thoughts. But that’s only because I’m afraid Ricky gon’ do something really stupid.”

“Like what?”

“Let’s just say that whatever he do ain’t gon’ be pretty.”

“Are you gon’ need some protection?”

“Damn right!”

“Well, if the federal government assists you with 24-hour protection, you’re gonna have to move out of your house.”

“I know that.”

“So, do you have any money put away?”

“Yeah. A little.”

“Good. Because you might need it.”