Ghetto Girls IV

by Anthony Whyte

  “You’re looking really pretty Miss,” the driver said in between licking his lips.

  “Just drive and stop looking back!” Josephine hissed. “Ugh! Men!”

  Moments later she was strutting through the doors of the hospital. Men of all ages, race and color greeted her in every way possible. Josephine finally gave up and let them open doors for her. Even the hospital security was lending a hand and holding the elevator for her. If she had let them, she would’ve been carried to Coco’s room. Instead she sashayed out the elevator with two men gawking at her rear end.

  Josephine walked into Coco’s room to the sound of Dip-Set featuring Juelz Santana banging in the private room.

  Today’s a new day…

  Got the boo-Yeah up in the suitcase…

  Go uptown to Harlem tell that I sen you…

  Tell them it’s August I’m gone till September…

  She watched Coco for a few beats. Then Josephine walked over to the set and turned it down. Coco rose up from the bed. She directed her head to where the sound was coming from and heard the volume drop.

  “Jo, what you doing up in here fucking with my shit, yo?”

  “This a place for sick people. You up in here, pumping Dip-Set, listening to gangsta music. You gonna have all the other patients sick with this.”

  “That’s right. I sit alone in my four corner room minding my business and listening to gangsta music.” Coco sang along to the rhythm of Dip Set. “Anyway, what’re you doing up in here? You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

  “Why? Is there a problem if I come and visit my best friend in the hospital?”

  “No, I didn’t say that, Jo. I’m just saying you haven’t been here this early in the past three weeks since I’ve been up in this place, yo. You got issues, yo?”

  There was a long pause. Josephine glanced around the room and her eyes filled with tears when she looked at Coco. The injured teen’s eyes and head were wrapped in bandages but Josephine couldn’t hide her true feelings from Coco. They had known each other a long time. They performed as Da Crew, a dynamic dance, rapping, singing trio with immense potential. Most of all they were always best friends who got along like sisters.

  “You see through me all the time, huh Coco?”

  “You’re family, Josephine, and I just sense there’s sump’n up yo,” Coco answered.

  “Remember how we always used to get on Danielle, God bless her soul, because she used to love boys and stuff?” Josephine asked, moving closer to Coco.

  “Yeah, Dani was really crazy about her guys. She kept a list and the last one was her down fall,” Coco said grimly. “I remember when I first met Cory and they were drunk. Everything went down hill. I was studying at the library and she was outside drinking and smoking with him. It’s been a whole year now but it seemed only like a few days ago that she was here, yo…” Coco’s voice trailed as they reminisced over a friend they both lost. Coco’s thoughts turned to the evening a year and a half ago.

  “A-h-h-h,” Coco breathed as she sat down and pulled her calculus book from her knapsack. I could study and just fall asleep here, she thought This place is mad quiet. Wish I could take it home.

  After a couple of hours, her studying was over. Coco shouldered her knapsack and headed for the bus stop. On the way, she spotted Danielle and her new boyfriend.

  “Hi, Coco. What’re you doing around these parts?” Danielle asked, laughing. She already knew the answer but Coco played along.

  “Trying to set up one of these nice apartments, yo,” Coco said and smiled.

  “Be careful. There’re plenty private security round here. You don’t want to mess around and get caught,”the boyfriend said with a laugh.

  Coco stared at him wearing Danielle’s lipstick all over his mouth.. He seemed alright. And he was good looking.

  “Oh, Coco, this is Cory. Cory, this is Coco, my ace boon,” Danielle said, sounding a little giddy.

  “Hi, what’s popping, Cory,” Coco said, searching for her bus-pass. “I gotta bounce. Here comes my bus, yo.”

  “Wait-up Coco, I’ll give you a ride. I mean, Cory’s driving, and we just gotta go get another bottle of Alize. I’m sure—”

  “Nah, that’s all good, yo. You guys go ahead and do what y’all were gonna do. I’m gonna catch this bus. Nice to see ya, peace, yo.”

  “Danielle was soooo crazy,” Josephine said, her voice colliding with Coco’s trip down memory lane.

  “Yes, you’re soooo right about that, yo.”

  “But you know what?”

  “What, yo?”

  There was a long pause. Coco waited and hummed along to the song as Josephine tried to choose the right words.

  “You might as well be straight up with me, yo.”

  “Yeah, you’re right, Coco. I was just thinking that Danielle may have been right. She had a lot of men sweating her and she’d pick who she…” Josephine’s voice trailed.

  “Yeah and at the end of all it, some nigga fucked her over. Thank God he’s gladly departed, yo.”

  “I know,” Josephine said sounding sad. “I feel sometimes like I wanna join her…”

  “You’re going loca, like Danielle when she first started fucking with that nigga, yo.”

  “Yeah, you’re right, Coco. I remember when she wanted nothing to do with niggas like him and then all of sudden when Cory fucked up on her, bam, she was fucking with that knucklehead. I remember…”

  It was at the finals of a competition ran by Busta for unsigned artist when the girls first saw the trio approaching, Lil’ Long, Vulcha and a beautiful, statuesque woman in strapless suede dress that made even Danielle breathless. Vulcha was holding her at his side like a prize. It was obvious from her body language that she didn’t want to be with him, or perhaps to be there. Da Crew remained in their circle as the trio stood next to them.

  “Hey, Coco, Danielle and Jo. What’re y’all doing out here? Flipping, smoking that weed? Try some o’ this. This da shiznit,” Lil’ Long said. He offered a rolled cigarette.

  “Go ahead. Spark it,” Danielle said.

  “Oh yeah. You know Vulcha and his new thing, feel me?”

  “Hi. I’m Kamilla,” the beautiful woman said.

  “I’m Jo.”

  “I’m Coco.”

  “Hi. Did you take classes at the Ninety-Second Street Y? No, no, your face ... Well, anyway, I’m Danielle.”

  “Your face seems a bit familiar. Sixteenth Street dance classes?”

  “Yeah, that’s it. You taught there?” Danielle asked elatedly.

  “I was a student but not for long though.” Kamilla’s voice faded. She seemed uncomfortable.

  “Here you go,” Lil’ Long said, passing the joint to Danielle. She puffed and passed it to Josephine, who choked and quickly passed it to Coco. Coco declined and the joint found its way to Vulcha.

  “What will y’all be doing after you win?” The question hung momentarily in the air.

  “Oh, that’s still open,” Danielle had said.

  “Why don’t y’all hang wid us. Let me show y’all a mackadacious time,” Lil’ Long said, winking at Danielle.

  “Maybe,” Josephine answered.

  “That’s peace,” Lil’ Long said. He pulled Danielle away from the group and spoke to her one-on-one. She returned to the girls.

  “Who he think he be, trying to be on some kinda smooth talk?” Danielle asked.

  “Why don’t y’all chill wid me so I can show y’all a mackadacious time? Mackadacious, huh! Lil’ Long can’t even spell Mack,” Josephine said. The girls giggled.

  “Now he’s pimping, yo?” Coco asked with disdain.

  “Look at them wid that big, shapely woman. Who did they jack for her?” Josephine asked.

  “Let’s go get ready to tear this party up, yo.”

  “Yeah, do what we came here for,” Josephine said, sounding hyped.

  The girls walked into the club. Da Crew went backstage and took their position.

  “Are y
ou okay, Coco?” Josephine asked. “You look like you zoning out on me, girl. You know that Danielle got any man she wanted.”

  “Rah, rah, beat the drums. Look what it got her, yo.”

  “You might be right,” Josephine said, smiling, but her true thoughts had her frowning on the inside. Coco sensed her mood.

  “Is this about Danielle or you, yo?” Coco asked.

  Josephine heard Coco’s voice in her head. She had drifted off and returned with a smile. Josephine walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “I’m just saying, men ain’t shit, Coco. You know Eric and I told you we’ve been seeing each other and all that. Lately he’s been acting like I don’t even exist.”

  “So we finally back to that bullshit. It was like months now, that you told me you were pregnant and…”

  “That’s it, Coco. Wow! You said it, I’m pregnant. I am…”

  “Did you take a pregnancy test yet, yo?”

  “I don’t have to. I could tell that’s what it was. That explains why I’ve been having these mood swings. Even this morning I was thinking that my breasts look full and I’m not expecting my period anytime soon. Matter of fact, it’s been a while since I’ve seen my period.”

  “Are you taking your meds, yo?” Coco asked sarcastically.

  “It has been a while,” Josephine confirmed .

  “You mean a while and no meds, yo?”

  “Oh, about, ah at least two weeks overdue. I’m talking about my period, Coco. You know I don’t take no meds. I smoke a little weed and lately I’ve been drinking a little more than normal,” Josephine said thoughtfully. “I better stop drinking and smoking. The fetus could be harmed.”

  “I’m talking ‘bout you, fool. You’re already harmed, yo.”

  “I am. I’m sure…”

  “You should be in a sanitarium, yo. You’re crazy, girl.”

  “I’m gonna be Eric’s baby mother and it feels real good.”

  “Why are you allowed to roam the streets without your parents, yo?” Coco asked, throwing up her arms.

  “My parents are divorced and I’m gonna start my own family. I’m gonna live with Eric and our baby,” Josephine said dreamily.

  “Okay, I swear you need brain surgery. You’re sick, yo. You’re too young for him anyway, yo.”

  “Why is everyone running that line? Dammit! Age ain’t nothing but a number, you know?”

  “Experience says one person can’t be in love all alone. How does that sound, yo?”

  “I should give up, huh? I’ve been feeling that way, Coco. You’re like a sister to me and I miss not having you to talk sense into my ass…I mean, I miss how you, Danielle and me used sit around and smoke weed, drink a few brews and rehearse. Remember that, Coco?”

  “It’s very hard to forget anything like that. It happened only a few years ago, yo.”

  “Visiting you in the hospital makes me think about her even more for some reason.”

  “It’s kinda hard not to think about her.”

  “I remember the time before finals and we were in the parking lot.”

  “I remember. I’m not ever gonna forget anything about Danielle, yo…” Coco’s voice drifted as they both reminisced about the last time they both shared a blunt with Danielle.

  It was two years ago to the date and Danielle discovered her new boyfriend was cheating on her. This was also the last time Da Crew performed together at a talent competition.

  Coco went searching for Danielle and Josephine after she couldn’t find them in the parking lot across from the club as planned. She headed for the deli on the corner. Coco saw Danielle sitting on a fire hydrant, her arms around Josephine. They looked as if someone had just lost the family pet.

  “What’s up, yo?” Coco asked, seeing tears on both their faces.

  “It’s man trouble. Who’s doing who?” Josephine cleared her throat and nodded toward Danielle.

  “No, no, no. Don’t tell me Mr. Lover man is…”

  “That fucking bastard!” Danielle yelled. “I’m walking down da fucking street to find a phone to call his nasty ass and guess what? Da nigga was riding around with some other bitch. He wasn’t even answering da beep.”

  “Well, what? That doesn’t necessarily mean she’s anything to him,” Josephine said.

  “C’mon Jo. If she didn’t mean anything, why did he make a U-turn as soon as he saw us? Huh? Tell me, why?”

  “No he didn’t… He did, yo?” Coco asked in disbelief.

  “As soon as his eyes caught mine, he was out. The car bust an illegal U and almost caused a couple of accidents. He was up to no good,” Danielle said angrily.

  “Y’all know my steez, yo. Fuck a nigga! I don’t want one! Don’t need one!”

  “He’s cut off. Off like, ‘See ya, Cory.’ I still have some more of that ounce of da chronic he gave me.”

  “The one that smelled like cookies and cream, yo?”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Danielle said. “Girls, I say we break ourselves off a piece.”

  Danielle handed the bag of weed to Coco and she deftly rolled the spliff. Then all three girls took turns toking. Before long, the weed had all three mellow and chillin’.

  “Fuck a nigga. There be plenty more,” Josephine said puffing.

  “I ain’t sweatin’ that shit. That’s already behind me, Jo,” Danielle said, inhaling and holding the smoke.

  “That shit was like, pow! A knockout sis. I don’t want no more. I’m chilled, yo,” Coco said.

  “Damn. That’s the first time I hear you turn weed down, Coco,” Josephine said, taking another long puff.

  “Let’s go check out da competition,” Danielle said with determination.

  “Yeah, yeah, let’s start da show outside right here,” Josephine said, laughing.

  “You are absolutely bugging, girl. What you had for breakfast?” Danielle asked, laughing.

  “Danielle was soo real with her shit, Coco. She never pretended to be anything else. Every man who ever met her wanted to do her. I should’ve been more like her. I’d probably be better off. I’d know how to treat men and maybe I wouldn’t take them so seriously,” Josephine said.

  It was then that Deedee walked into the room. Josephine and Coco fell silent. Deedee smiled at Josephine and hugged Coco.

  “Hi girls. What’s going on?”

  “Sitting with Miss Sicko, here, yo,” Coco said.

  “Who’s laid out in a hospital bed? Exactly” Josephine asked, smiling at Deedee.

  “When are you getting these bandages taken off, Coco?” Deedee asked, touching Coco’s hand.

  “Oh, I don’t know. The nurses and doctors, they haven’t said anything. It’s like they don’t even know themselves, yo.”

  “How do you feel?”

  “I’m feeling a whole lot better than I did yesterday, yo.”

  “My uncle sent you all these flowers,’” Deedee said and a couple of delivery boys walked in carrying four huge bouquets.. They quickly placed them all over the small room, bowed and left.”

  “Oh my God. It smells like a garden, yo.”

  “You’re so right. It’s like a damn botanical garden up in here now,” Josephine said.

  “Tell him thank yo. Oh my God! I’m acting soo new. I’ve never had anyone send me flowers before, yo.”

  “Shoot, he needs to send my ass some flowers too,” Josephine quipped.

  “You see my uncle all the time. Tell him yourself,” Deedee said with a strained smile.

  “Tada! That’s what I mean Coco,” Josephine quipped.

  “That doesn’t mean nada, yo.”

  “What’re you talking about?” Deedee asked.

  “Ah Deedee, don’t listen to wacko. She’s been struck by lightening and think its cupid’s arrow.”

  “Watch what you say to me or I’ll have your ass put back up in the ICU,” Josephine warned.

  “Oh no, you didn’t. Get the doctor. This girl needs a straight-jacket.”

  “You guys are not serious,
right? Uncle E. can only afford one hospital bill for his artist,” Deedee smiled. “And she’s Coco.”

  “I’m not only an artist, I’m his—”

  “Remember when we first met him?” Coco asked, interrupting Josephine. “He was so cool. None of us believed you were related to him at first, yo.”

  “I did. Why wouldn’t I believe her?” Josephine said with attitude.

  “We all thought she’d stolen the car from jump-street. That’s why, yo.”

  “Then there he was, coming to pick you up from school. And when you introduced him to us? Oh man that was sump’n. I was impressed. Right Coco?”

  “I was impressed too, yo.”

  “Yes, I remember,” Deedee said. “Y’all were very surprised.”

  “You can say that again,” Josephine said. “But don’t y’all wish it was now like back then when we all you used to hang,” she continued sadly.

  Their minds rewound to a year and a half ago. It was the time when Eric rolled up at the school to get his niece. Everything was all good back then.

  It was late in the evening and Da Crew, Coco, Danielle and Josephine, were about to dive into their rehearsal. Deedee, along with the girls, waited outside the school’s auditorium hall.

  Coco reached for a cigarette, lit it and puffed. Danielle and Josephine cooled their heels on a bench. Coco handed the lit cigarette to Deedee. She inhaled smoothly and passed it back to Coco, who took a drag and passed it to Josephine. Josephine inhaled. Then it was Danielle’s turn, followed by Deedee’s.

  The cycle continued until the cigarette was finished. They all stood when the Range Rover pulled to a stop across the street. Eric poked his head out the window and waved.

  “There’s my uncle,” Deedee said. “Y’all wanna meet him? Maybe get a ride to somewhere?”

  “We’re gonna rehearse in the school auditorium. Thanks yo,” Coco said.

  “Thanks. That’s really good-looking out,” Danielle said, waving at Eric Ascot.

  “Yeah, thanks. You’re always looking out,” Josephine said, giving Coco a challenging look. Coco shook her head. Eric Ascot spun the vehicle around in front of the girls.