Still Sheisty

by T. N. Baker

  “Yeah, I remember you now, from Club Cream a while back. You were at the bar with K.C. and some other guy.”

  “Oh, yeah. Okay, right . . . right!” Smitty answered as he let out a deep sigh of relief. He didn’t know how he was gonna fuck with Epiphany without the torture of worrying about when, or if, she would ever remember how much she really hated him and why.

  As Epiphany left, Smitty waited for a few moments and then secretly followed her to her home for the hell of it.

  CHAPTER 48

  A couple weeks passed, and things were all good between Shana and K.C., especially since her test results came back negative. She even escorted him to the clinic to get tested. Since K.C. knew he was running around fucking everything in sight, he took it a step further and agreed to be tested for HIV. Shana still refused to take an HIV test, because she felt that since his results came back negative, then she was negative, and HIV was as simple as that.

  Shana was also able to relax more without the static from Raina. Maybe Raina wasn’t upset about having to stay in jail a couple of days and was just happy to be home, so she decided to let it go. K.C. and Smitty were still handling their business, and money would soon be straight for them.

  Now Smitty was all caught up in Epiphany; therefore K.C. and his friendship turned into more of just a business partnership. Of course, Shana was happy about that, because that meant K.C. ran the streets less and spent more time with her. They were finally starting to connect. They laid up for most of the day watching movies, making love, getting high, and even talking about one day having kids. It all seemed too good to be true, because in the three years that she’d been with him, all they ever seemed to do was fight, fuss, and fuck. Sure, he claimed to love her, but this was the first time since his bid that she actually felt his love for her.

  She felt the time was right to clear her conscience and pull all her skeletons out of the closet. She told him that she and C-God had had more than just a business relationship, but it was brief. She then went on to drop what she thought was going to be a bomb—her sexual experience with Chasity. To her surprise, K.C. already knew. He said he had gotten the word on all that when he was locked up.

  “How?” Shana questioned, anxious to know the answer and hoping it wasn’t Smitty that told.

  “Yo, don’t worry about it. Just know in jail a nigga hear everything!”

  “Well, was you mad when you heard?”

  “What I’ma be mad for? Baby girl, you was holding a nigga down, so how I’ma knock your hustle? The shit about you fucking with that bitch, man, I knew as soon as daddy came home that shit was gon’ be a wrap!” K.C. said.

  For the first time in a long time, Shana was able to exhale. She was glad to know that she didn’t have to stress over none of her secrets anymore, but she also was mad that Smitty put a twenty-thousand dollar dent in her pocket for nothing.

  K.C. caught Shana gazing off into a deep thought.

  “Yo, is there something else you gotta tell me?”

  “Nah, that’s it.” Shana smiled and snapped out of her trance.

  “A’ight then, climb up on daddy’s dick and give me some of that pussy,” K.C. ordered.

  Shana was more than happy to obey his order. Just as she was about to lay it down, there was a hard knock at the door.

  “Who the fuck is that knocking like they crazy? Oh, boy, I bet it’s Smitty’s stupid ass,” Shana said, slightly raising her voice as if her high was just blown. She got up out of bed and threw on something to go see.

  Swinging open the door, expecting to see Smitty, she was surprised to find four policemen standing there. Her heart dropped. She knew it would be only a matter of time before she was busted.

  “Shana Marie Scott, you’re under arrest for the intent to sell and distribute drugs. You have the right to remain silent. . . .” The arresting officer read her rights, handcuffed her, and hauled her off to jail.

  CHAPTER 49

  Keisha was working hard to get her life in order. She was granted weekly unsupervised visits with her son until her court date for custody. After enrolling back in school part-time, she got a job at a real estate office, working for commission. Lastly, she left Blackplanet.com alone. Everything was starting to come together once she became a believer in Christ.

  Going to church and reading the Bible with Mrs. Wright had helped Keisha develop a better understanding about what it meant to believe in God. She’d learned to stop blaming the Lord for her bad decisions and mess-ups, because “Although He is the Almighty,” her pastor would say, “sin is your choice.”

  Changes didn’t happen overnight, so when thoughts of killing Lea surfaced in her mind every so often, she just prayed for strength. Keisha refrained from having any kind of contact with Tucker, at least until the court hearing came. Momma D’s house was the location for the baby’s drop off and pick up. That way they never had to cross each other’s paths.

  When she was lonely and missed him, she’d press *67 before dialing his cell, just to hear him say hello. Oddly enough, she felt he was doing the same, because she had gotten quite a few crank calls herself. It was over between them, and she was almost ready to move on.

  Keisha had made amends with Loretta and started calling her Ma. The two of them talked on the phone every day, sometimes twice a day, establishing a tight-knit relationship, discussing any and everything on their minds. Loretta’s discussions were mainly about her mistakes and Keisha’s younger sisters.

  Keely, only sixteen, wasn’t going to school and hanging out ’til all times of the night with the local thugs. Kelly was a breath of fresh air, attending Clark University and doing exceedingly well. Keisha would always be her mother’s pride and joy, her firstborn, her lovechild, and she expressed that love to her every chance she got. Keisha had to admit she loved feeling her mother’s love and how blessed she was to have a second mom in Mrs. Wright.

  Keisha’s improvement made Mrs. Wright proud. Keisha gave Mrs. Wright hope that her own daughter, Epiphany, would make a change in her life as well.

  CHAPTER 50

  Tucker was finally adjusted to Lea being around. She was loving, caring, and very helpful with his little man, and he appreciated that more than anything else. Following his mother’s death, every woman his father would bring home despised him and didn’t want the responsibility of caring for another woman’s child, which led to abuse. His father’s need for women was much stronger than his need to be a dad, so he allowed the hateful behavior from them to go on without saying a word.

  Lea was such a good woman to him and his son that he decided to take their relationship a step further with a three-carat, emerald cut diamond and a marriage proposal. Yes, he was ready to take it there, but he didn’t want a big blow-out wedding like the one he and Keisha were planning. No, this time he wanted it to be simple without her feeling cheated, so he planned to take her to Montego Bay, Jamaica, to tie the knot.

  Sometimes he wondered if maybe he should’ve just married Keisha. Things might have turned out differently, and she would have been his wife. No matter how hard he tried to front, he missed what she was to him, and deep down inside, the love he had for her was still there. Clearly too much had happened to turn back.

  Tucker phoned his boys down South to tell them the latest.

  “Hey, what’s up, cuz? You all right, dawg ?” Peewee recognized the New York number.

  “Yo, I’m chilling, Pee. How you?”

  “Man, shit is all gravy thanks to you.”

  “Where my nigga Cornell at?”

  “Ay, T, man, since that nigga done got a little paper in his pocket, he stay fucking around with these scandalous-ass broads down here, man. I’m try’na get this paper, dawg!”

  “I hear that! But listen, man, don’t let no bullshit come between y’all niggas. You know what I’m saying?”

  “Nah, dawg, never that. That nigga just a little off track. That’s all it is. We good. But what up with that faggot-ass dude C-God, man? He surface yet
?”

  “Nah, he still hiding. But yo, I just called to let y’all niggas know, your boy gon’ go ’head and jump the fucking broom!”

  “Ay, T, man, that’s what’s up! Congrats on that, dawg. Make your baby momma your wife, cousin.”

  Tucker hadn’t been in touch with Pee and Cornell in weeks.

  “Nah, not me and Keish, dawg. Her name’s Leanne,” Tucker said realizing how awkward the conversation just became.

  “Ay, dawg, I ain’t even gon’ touch that, but whatever happened musta been fucked up, ’cause, dawg, you was in love with Keisha.”

  “Yeah, man, I had to move on from that. This one’s a nice one, though.”

  “Congratulations on that then, cuz. How Li’l Man doing?”

  “He’s good. Ay, that’s them coming in now. Listen, tell Corn to holla at me, and y’all niggas stay tight. I’ma kick it with you soon, a’ight?” Tucker hung up the phone in a hurry so he could build up the nerve to pop the question.

  Lea returned from the park with Li’l Man in her arms. As soon as he saw his daddy, the baby started squirming, crying, and fighting to get away from her. As soon as she put him down, he ran over and clutched onto Tucker like he was afraid of Lea.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Tucker picked up his son.

  “I don’t know. Maybe something scared him at the park.”

  Lea’s excuse didn’t sit well with Tucker. He never thought that Lea would do anything to hurt his son. Playing it safe, he chose to hold off on asking the question for a little while.

  CHAPTER 51

  Epiphany was spending a lot of time with Smitty. If she was still interested in niggas making small-time figures, he could’ve actually won her heart. He accommodated her need to be spoiled, but she wasn’t trying to get caught up with him and lose focus on the plan. He was friends with the nigga that tried to kill her, and more than likely, he knew about it.

  Epiphany didn’t know what it would take to persuade him to kill Ness for her, but she decided it was time to let Smitty sample her goodies when she overheard a discussion he was having with K.C., concerning some conflict with Ness. She knew he was ready to sever ties with him. Their beef would be the beginning of Ness’s end.

  Smitty started to develop strong feelings for Epiphany; however, he was growing impatient and tired of doing all the wining, dining, and spending for nothing. He never was that type of nigga to kick out cash for ass, but he was splurging like crazy, and even though he had already hit it once, he was thirsty to find out what it tasted like.

  Damn I guess you should never say never, but fuck it. I’m just gonna throw it out there and ask for some. Smitty picked up the phone and called to confirm their date.

  “Hey, boo,” Epiphany answered.

  “What up, ma? We still on for the night?”

  “Oh, no question. Why? Where you want me to meet you at this time?”

  “Yo, why you always gotta meet me? Why I can’t just come pick you up?”

  “Because.”

  “Because what? You don’t trust me?”

  “Smitty, it ain’t about that. You know what happened. I just don’t want to bring no bullshit to my parents’ house.”

  “Yeah, a’ ight, yo. I guess I gotta respect that. So meet me at the Holiday Inn at nine o’clock, a’ight.”

  “Ooooh, so does that mean I should bring something sexy to wear?” Epiphany said, giving him all the assurance he needed.

  Before he could respond, her other line beeped. It was Wild. She rushed him off. “Nine o’clock is good. I gotta take this call. Bye.” Epiphany switched over to Wild.

  “Damn, I miss you, baby,” she said seductively.

  “For real? I miss you too. I miss you so much I followed you today.” Epiphany’s heart pounded rapidly.

  “S–stop playing, baby!” she stuttered.

  “Yeah, I’m playing, but you saving that stuff for me, right?”

  “Oh, no doubt, daddy. This pussy belongs to only the wild one. When you coming for it?” she teased.

  “As a matter of fact, I’ma be back in town tomorrow afternoon. So what’s up? You packing your bags or what?”

  “Hell yeah. I can’t wait.”

  “A’ight, sweet sugar panties, I’ll pick you up soon as I touch down around noon.”

  “Okay, baby, as soon as you touch down,” Epiphany repeated.

  “I got you,” said Wild as he hung up the phone.

  CHAPTER 52

  K.C. rushed down to the precinct to see what was up with Shana. The arresting officers wouldn’t disclose any information other than that she was being brought up on felony charges. He took that little bit of info for what it was worth and immediately called his lawyer, Mr. Loboski, to explain the situation and ask if he’d take her case. His attorney agreed.

  K.C. considered calling Shana’s mom, Ms. Pat, but she hated him and would definitely use this situation as an opportunity to badger him. That was the last thing he needed right now, especially since he had nothing to do with this mess Shana had gotten herself into. The only thing left for him to do was go home and wait by the phone for Shana to call him.

  After hours of interrogation, name calling, and harsh threats, Shana managed to hold her head. She wasn’t confessing to nothing. The police had some solid evidence against her. Not only did Raina drop dime, but her supplier’s perverted ways finally caught up with him, and he sang like a bird when the feds nabbed him. Apparently, an underage girl accused him of drugging her and then trying to have his way with her. Raina also told the police that he was a big-time drug dealer, which they already suspected.

  Shana was not only concerned about her ties with her supplier, but the police confiscated several security tapes from his house, some with her on them. Still, Shana refused to talk. The only words she had for them were: “Can I make my phone call now?”

  CHAPTER 53

  C-God gave up on trying to get in touch with Reggie by phone. It was time to head back to the Big Apple and find his ass. C had already let shit ride long enough.

  Alpo was his number one supporter, and he really wanted C-God to stop getting high, get himself together, and take back what was rightfully his. Of course C-God loved the sound of that, so he was trying hard to stay clean, at least while handling business.

  They rented a utility van, loaded it up with rope, duct tape, guns, Alpo’s dog Venom, and Hassan, one of the few ride or die niggas from VA. Being back in New York made C-God realize how much he had missed it, but with the death of his parents, the end of his reign and everything else the city represented—greed, murder, and betrayal—he vowed to never live there again.

  Before hitting the hood, C-God stopped by the cemetery to ask his mom and pop for forgiveness. He was sorry for all the misery that he had caused them; their blood, sweat, tears, and death. Next to his parents’ plots were his brothers, Paul a.k.a “Pop” and Russell a.k.a “Black Russ” Hinderson. Dead for years, they never saw their baby brother’s rise to the top. C-God wasn’t religious, but he knew they had to be watching over him, and he asked that they guide him through his mission and make sure he kept it straight gangsta.

  Having made his peace with the family, it was time for revenge. Next stop, the hood!

  After scouting out the project and all of his former spots, there was no sign of Reggie. C-God had no choice but to go by the nigga’s crib. He carefully got out of the van, checking his surroundings, and instructed Alpo and his boy to do the same. He walked up to the front door and rang the bell.

  “Tanya, you back already?” Reggie’s elderly grandmother asked as she slowly approached the door.

  C was confused. Did she just say Tanya? Still focused on finding Reggie, he didn’t dwell on it.

  “Nah, Mrs. Mattie, it’s C. Is Reggie home?”

  “C who? Naw, he ain’t home.”

  C-God didn’t respond. He returned to the van, parked it two houses away, and waited. Minutes later, Tanya drove up with his son, a bag full of groceries, and a pot
belly, looking about three or four months pregnant. C-God shook his head in disgust and pulled off, realizing that was probably the reason why Reggie was avoiding him. To be honest about it, he knew he could never be what Tanya needed, even if he tried. He wouldn’t have been mad if they, especially Reg, came to him with the truth instead of being sneaky.

  But fuck it. What’s done is done, he thought.

  Taking one more loop around the area, they decided to stop and get a quick bite to eat at the Philly Cheesesteak spot on Linden Boulevard. While C-God sat in the van, waiting for Alpo and Hassan to come out of the restaurant, a pearly white Range Rover blasting “Lean Back” pulled up right in front of him. What do you know? Fuck finding Reggie, out jumped the head nigga in charge, Ness, who headed for the store next door to the eatery.

  C-God smiled. His brothers up in ghetto heaven must’ve been listening.

  “Yo, God, what the fuck you smiling at, man?” Alpo asked as he and Hassan got back in the van.

  “Yo, guess who just hopped the fuck out that truck, right in fucking front of me?” C-God asked.

  “Get the fuck out of here. You sure that’s that nigga?” Alpo questioned.

  “Hell yeah, that’s that muthafucka Ness. He in the store right now.”

  “Yo, Hassan, gimme my shit.”

  Hassan handed Alpo his gun.

  “Yo, I’ma go hop in that muthafucka’s backseat, a’ight! Ay, C-God, pull up in front of the nigga’s truck. I’ll make sure he follows you.” Alpo pulled his black hoodie over his head, crept up to Ness’s car, opened the back door, climbed in, and waited for him.

  CHAPTER 54

  Epiphany arrived at the Holiday Inn at 9:05 p.m. She pulled into a vacant parking spot and took a couple of minutes to apply a little more gloss to her already shiny lips in her rearview mirror. Before getting out of the car, she clutched down on the bottom of her Fendi bag to make sure she had her .22. She made it a priority to never leave the house without it after her near death experience. Normally, she would have had her nine, but it never turned up after that night. For her, having some protection was better than none at all. She would say, “A .22 might not kill a muthafucka, but it will definitely complicate their intentions to harm me.”