by Saundra
I sighed as I watched Keisha’s name light up. She had invited me to attend a party that she was having for Quincy. Now I had to tell her that I just couldn’t make it. Initially I thought I might be able to swing it, and study, and honestly I really wanted to. Fun was something I needed in my life, but there was just no way.
“What’s up, Keisha?” I answered reluctantly, because from what I learned from my friendship with Keisha, she was not going to make this easy. She hated the word no.
“Precious, what the hell are you doing over there? I ain’t heard from you all week. You got a nigga over there or some?”
At that, I laughed. “Keisha, you are funny. I think you know better than that. It’s school, I been preparing for finals. And on top of that I have two papers due in a couple of days. I told you school was a beast.” I hoped she understood. But who was I kidding, she never did.
“Bitch, don’t give me that. Quincy’s party’s tonight and you supposed to come through. What’s up? You my girl, so you can’t leave me hangin’.”
“I know. And I want to come. But . . .”
“Yo, stop with the excuses, you can do both. It’s going down tonight. Come on,” Keisha begged. But I had set myself up for this one, because I knew when I answered the phone, Keisha would eat me alive. I wanted to hang up, but she might come over to get me.
“Keisha, you my girl, but I’m tired. I’m not sure I can even drive over there; I might fall asleep at the wheel.” I pouted, not that it would help.
“Fuck them lame excuses, you need to have some fun. I ain’t hearing nothin’. Get dressed. I will be there to pick you up.”
“I don’t know.” I was still undecided. I sighed. “Well, I did buy an outfit to wear. I might as well rock it.” I gave in.
“Yes, see how easy that was? I’ll be there around eleven.”
“Eleven?” I repeated, shocked. “Damn, Keisha, now that is late.” If I stayed out that late I would never get home in time to study.
“Eleven ain’t that late. Hell, actually that’s early. Now would you stop actin’ like an old lady and be ready?”
I would have responded but Keisha hung up before I could. I swear I was gone fail, dealing with her. This had better be worth it. Shutting down my laptop and pushing my books to the side, I headed for the shower.
* * *
We pulled up to Club Shade, a hot spot club that Keisha had rented out for the party. The club was lit already when we stepped inside. “See, didn’t I tell you this spot was the shit?” Keisha talked loudly in order to be heard over the music.
“It is.” I admired the club; there were dancers in cages in the air, dancers swinging from shiny disco balls, the whole nine yards.
“There go Buffy.” I pointed. She was already on the dance floor, twerking. We made our way over to her.
“Bitch, why I always got to see your ass first?” Keisha playfully grabbed Buffy by the butt.
“’Cause that’s the best side of me.” Buffy laughed. “What’s up, bitch? I was wondering when you was gone get here. How you gone be late to the party you throwing?”
“I ain’t never late. I’m a showstopper, remember?” A few people stepped up and spoke to Keisha, giving her hugs and what’s-ups. She was like a ghetto superstar. “See, I told ya ho ass.” Keisha laughed. “For real though, I had to scoop Precious.”
“What’s up, Precious? It’s cool you came through,” Buffy said while tugging at her tight dress.
“No doubt.” I smiled and almost yawned at the same time. The music was on fire, but I was sleepy.
“Aye, you seen Quincy’s ass yet? Have you been watchin’ the door?” Keisha looked over her shoulder.
“I ain’t seen that nigga yet and yes, I been watchin’ out like you told me.”
“Good, he ain’t arrived yet then. Let’s grab a drink. I need to sip.” Keisha signaled a waitress over and ordered a shot.
“I’ll take a martini, dry. And please, light on the vodka.” I was definitely ready for a drink, and I silently prayed it would give me the boost I needed to wake up.
“Let me get that gin.” Buffy went for the hard liquor.
“That’s a strong one,” I commented.
“Shit, you know I gets it in.” Buffy twerked for good measure.
“See, Precious, that is a drunk ho talkin’.” We all laughed. Keisha and Buffy were always taking shots at each other. But their friendship seemed to survive it. I liked Buffy, she was fun the few times I had hung around her. Sometimes, though, her behavior had me a little skeptical. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Well, I guess I could say the girl was wild and super ghetto, but I didn’t want to judge her so I didn’t.
“Bitch, there go Quincy, get on your feet,” Buffy announced, still dancing.
Keisha jumped to her feet and grabbed a bottle along with the four waitresses in VIP. They all popped bottles at the same time as he entered, and everyone started singing happy birthday. Quincy had been escorted to VIP with three of the baddest strippers LA had to offer and he was all smiles. They would be his private dancers all night. Keisha smiled, loving the enjoyment on his face from her gift.
“You did good,” Quincy said loudly over the music, then kissed Keisha. His entourage stood back. The waitresses stepped forward with bottles. Then one of the strippers handed Quincy an unopened bottle and he popped it. “Pour the fuck up!” he yelled with his bottle in the air.
From that point on, drinks start flowing and everybody was having a good time. A few drinks later I was having so much fun that I had forgotten all about sleep. Not that I could sleep anyway. Buffy was bouncing off all our laps one by one, attempting to give us lap dances. I pushed her off me and she nearly fell to the floor. She jumped in Keisha’s lap next and got the same result. Their friend Nicole, on the other hand, played along, smacking Buffy on the butt. They both worked together at the same strip club, so they were in their element.
Keisha looked at them and laughed. “I swear, you hos don’t never take time off from work. But I ain’t throwing my money atcha asses. My bands ain’t gone make yo’ ass dance.”
“Don’t be so sure. Ayee!” Buffy laughed then bounced her butt up and down. “Precious, if you still thinkin’ about getting a part-time job, they hiring down at the club. That body look tight to me. You could get them coins. And check this, that shit easy; them thirsty niggas will spend all they bitches’ rent money up there.” I was surprised by her offer, but she was tripping at best. This was one option I didn’t have to think about. My dad would turn over in his grave.
“No, thanks. I’m gone pass on this one. Trust me, I’m cool.” I kept my reply simple. It was best that way. If I elaborated any more, it might come out offensive.
“Stop inviting people down there. Don’t nobody want to shake they ass up in Shake That.” Keisha referred to the club Buffy and Nicole danced at. “That shithole is dangerous. They down there stickin’ niggas up and shootin’ at least two times a week.”
Buffy covered her mouth and laughed. “Bitch, I can’t even front, you ain’t lyin’.”
“I swear she ain’t. Them niggas gettin’ worse too.” Nicole threw in her two cents. “But yo, I gots to get paid.” Nicole started twerking and we all laughed.
My laughing turned to apprehension as I watched Quincy’s friend DaVon approach us. Quincy, standing a few steps away from him, met DaVon halfway. They did a handshake. DaVon’s presence grabbed everyone’s attention. We observed him hand off a bottle of champagne to Quincy.
“Damn, I swear DaVon’s ass always ballin’. That’s a bottle of that Krug, that shit is like twenty-five hundred a bottle.”
My eyes almost popped out of my head. I could not believe what I had just heard. I tried to zone in on the bottle, because for that kind of money it had to be special. I could remember Dad complaining about buying a cheap bottle of wine to go with his dinner.
“Girl, you know DaVon got it like that. He need to come on down to Shake That and spread them coins
around,” Nicole said.
“I second that.” Buffy raised her right hand and giggled. “With his fine ass.” She eyed him up and down, then seductively licked her lips.
“Now, bitch, I think you and I both know that DaVon don’t fuck around in that shithole y’all call a strip club.”
I almost laughed until I caught DaVon eyeing me. I gave him a shy glance before looking away. I was caught off guard as Keisha grabbed ahold of my right arm and pulled me up as T.I. and Iggy’s “No Mediocre” blasted out of the speakers. “Let’s dance, this my shit.”
I was no dancer, but those drinks had me feeling good so I gave it all I got and it didn’t seem like I was doing too bad. But one thing was for sure, those drinks were coming down on me because my dance confidence was on boost.
“Bitch, I don’t know what’s up, but ya boy DaVon got his eyes glued to you,” Keisha leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“Nonsense.” I sighed and kept dancing. I would have sat down, but the next song was a banger too, so I kept dancing. Usher’s old-school song “Slow Jam” came on next and forced me to move toward my seat. Quincy was in Keisha’s face within seconds of the song coming on. She wasted no time wrapping her arms around his neck as he gripped her butt. I couldn’t help but smile at them.
I saw Buffy and Nicole each grinding on a dude. I wondered if they knew who they were. But knowing those girls, I didn’t waste no time betting on it. On my way to sit I asked a waitress to deliver me a martini, this time with an extra shot. No sooner had I sat than the waitress was standing in front of me.
I took two sips of my drink, then watched DaVon take even steps in my direction. The thought of him being close had me feeling nervous. I gazed downward with the hope that he was not headed for me, but my prayers went unanswered. I looked up in time to read his lips. “Can I sit down?” He pointed to the empty space next to me.
“Well, it is a free country.” I tried to sound bold. But on the inside my heart was pounding so hard I wondered if it was possible he could hear it over the music.
“Precious, right?” he said as if he was trying to verify my name. But I had to admit I was surprised that he even remembered.
“You have a good memory.” Impressed, I had to fight to hold back my smile.
“Ain’t no way I would forget that.” He returned my smile. “So you live around here?” He wasted no time jumping to the next question.
“No, I’m from South Central,” I shared proudly. I was never embarrassed about where I came from.
“Me too.” He nodded his head. Knowing he was from South Central helped me loosen up. It made me feel as if we had something in common. I was glad for it. We conversed while I finished my drink. And he didn’t hesitate when it came to making it clear that he was interested in me. I didn’t know what to think about that, so I chose not to speak on it. But I did like his vibe; he seemed to be cool.
“Yo, DaVon.” Quincy yelled over the music to get DaVon’s attention. He waved him over to where he was standing with a short, stocky dude.
Keisha stepped in out of nowhere, grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me to the side. I didn’t know what was so urgent she couldn’t wait. “See, I told you that nigga was feelin’ you.”
“I wouldn’t take it that far. He’s just being nice.” I tried to downplay it.
“Precious, do not play wit’ me. I know that you know better than that.”
“I see you, Precious.” Buffy sucked her teeth and grinned at me. “Umm-hmm, over here puttin’ your hooks into DaVon.” She twisted up her lips and smacked them at the same time.
I had to look at them both; they were really feeding into whatever they thought they had seen. “It’s not like that.” I smiled at their assumption, but I was serious.
“Is that all he was doing, huh?” I took Buffy’s tone to be sarcastic but she laughed. “Well you might want to watch out, I been tryin’ to sit on that nigga face for a long time now,” Buffy declared. I glared at her, hoping to understand her reasoning for putting her business out like that.
“Bitch, please. I think you also know DaVon ain’t fuckin’ wit’ you like that,” Keisha added.
“How da fuck you know with yo’ hating ass?” Buffy wasted no time gathering a quick comeback.
Keisha reached out her hand and gently grabbed a waitress’s arm. “Bring this bitch a shot of Hennessy, she is delusional.”
Nicole burst out laughing. I followed suit, it was just too funny not to.
“Well, at least you are honest,” Nicole added.
Buffy looked at us all, one by one, and playfully rolled her eyes. “I swear y’all bitches don’t give me a break.” She turned around and started bouncing her ass up and down to Young Jeezy’s “SupaFreak.” “Come on Precious, let’s fuck up the dance floor.”
“That’s my song so let’s do it.” I stood up and bounced my booty like Buffy.
“Ayee,” Keisha chanted.
We all made our way to the dance floor and Quincy approached Keisha from behind. She bent over and grinded on him.
Keisha walked over to us as the song ended. “Hey, Quincy’s ready to bounce.”
“Me too. I’m tired,” I threw in. I was surprised I had made it this far.
“It’s still early. I swear y’all wack. But whatever.” Buffy popped her mouth. “Nicole, you feel like hittin’ up another spot?”
“Nah, I’m good. The bed sounds nice.” Nicole’s eyes were looking droopy.
We all headed outside. Keisha was clearly drunk because she staggered several times and held on to Quincy. Buffy said, “Bitch, how yo’ lightweight drunk ass gone drive home? Precious, I’m tellin’ you, she gone kill both of y’all. Quincy, you better wake yo’ drunk ass up cause you gone be dead in a minute.” Buffy went on and on.
“Shut the hell up, Buffy. I got this.” Keisha attempted to stand straight on her own. But she still showed signs of being wobbly.
“Hey, I can take you home.” DaVon stepped in beside me. I looked at Keisha and Quincy. A blind man could see that Keisha was indeed drunk and did not need to be driving, but I could not ride with a stranger.
“No thanks, I’ll be good, but Keisha, you shouldn’t be driving. You two just go on home and I’ll take a cab.”
“Nah, not cool, anything could go wrong. My man will get you home.” Quincy spoke up and pointed at DaVon. I gave Quincy an iffy look then fixed my eyes on DaVon. I could tell he was enjoying his friend having his back.
“You can trust me.” He smiled at me.
Keisha stepped in front of DaVon with her hands on both her hips. “She sure can, cause I’ll fuck you up on sight about my friend, DaVon.”
“Mane, come yo’ ass on here, Keisha. Always pullin’ gangsta-ass moves.” Quincy chuckled. DaVon laughed.
“Nigga, shut up.” Keisha playfully rolled her eyes then smiled at me.
“Aye, follow me to the crib in Keisha’s ride,” Quincy yelled to one of his peons, then tossed the keys over to him.
DaVon grabbed my attention. “Precious, my ride is right over this way.” He pointed in the direction of his car.
Briefly, I considered sticking to my guns about the cab, but I no longer felt like the hassle was worth it. “Keisha, I will call you tomorrow.” I gave in.
“A’ight.” Keisha leaned in closer to Quincy. I fell into step next to DaVon and headed toward his car.
Buffy yelled out, “Don’t do nothing I wouldn’t do.” I slowed my stride and glanced at her. I could have been overthinking it, but her tone seemed to have a bit of jealousy in it. I didn’t respond though, I smiled and kept stepping. Soon we were standing in front of a Maybach. A bulky white guy stepped out and opened the back door. DaVon instructed me to climb inside. I looked at him to be sure he was telling me to climb into the Maybach. The bulky white guy smiled. DaVon noticed my apprehension. “This is my car,” he clarified. “Go ahead and get inside.” I was confused because I was under the impression that he would be driving me home. He never said there
would be a driver. Once inside, DaVon looked at me and grinned. I guess my question was written all over my face.
“I guess I should have told you I had my driver with me tonight. See, sometimes when I know I’m going to turn up I bring him along. This way I don’t have to worry about unnecessary hassle from LA’s finest.”
He didn’t need to say anymore on that matter. Because it was no secret to anyone that LA cops were known for their petty harassment. Especially of black men. But I didn’t bother to comment on that. “Okay,” was my only reply. The ride home was quiet, besides me giving his driver my address. DaVon tried making conversation, but once I sat down in that luxury car, sleep came down all over me. I could barely keep my eyes open, and at some point I must have dozed off. When I opened my eyes, we were sitting in front of my house. I felt bad for going to sleep, but my reason was legit. DaVon insisted that he walk me to my door. I tried to decline, but of course he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Once at the door, he requested my number. I didn’t have the energy to explain why I didn’t want him to have it. So I gave it to him.
Chapter 9
It had been about two weeks since Quincy’s party. Even though I had been exhausted from partying, the fun had helped me relax during my exams. I passed all my exams with flying colors. Studying and dedication had paid off.
I still couldn’t believe I had accepted DaVon’s offer to give me a ride home and had given him my number. He had called me twice trying to get me to go out with him. But each time I had turned him down. Deep down I wanted to go, but I just didn’t have the time. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for dating. If I dated, what should I expect? But I also wanted to have some fun sometimes. Or maybe just more fun besides hanging with Keisha and crazy-ass Buffy. That’s why when DaVon called me up for the third time and asked what I liked to do, I told him bowling. And when he offered to take me to do just that, I agreed. He wanted to pick me up, but I assured him I would get there on my own.
