Like her mother, Earth was tall and panther black, though her body had yet to develop. Earth was considered around her projects to be one of the fellas, due to her tomboyish ways, indulging in sports and even fights with not only girls but also boys when the occasion arose, but at age fourteen, Earth’s body made a drastic transformation, developing in places little boys and even older ones began to notice. But not only had the boys started to notice, the girls had also; one in particular. A young, attractive, nineteen-year-old girl Earth’s mother let move in with them. She had been Earth’s mother’s latest lover.
On a few occasions, Earth had noticed the girl everyone referred to as Honey, looking at her strangely, but never paid the stares any mind. Instead, she brushed them off as meaningless, in spite of the fact that she was aware of Honey’s sexual preference. That is, until one day while she was taking a shower. Honey had climbed in with her. Growing up with the type of mother she had, Earth was not afraid of the sudden intrusion but was somewhat surprised—not behind Honey’s actions, but her boldness. Everyone in the projects and almost the whole Plainfield knew the reputation of Earth’s mother. She was known for being violent, with a bad temper to match. Earth knew that if her mother had caught Honey in the shower with her daughter that day, Honey would have died where she stood, but Earth did not intend to tell her mother, or anyone else, for that matter. She herself had become bicurious, struggling with her own sexual identity, and Honey had sparked something inside of her that day. She was actually mesmerized by the beauty of Honey’s nakedness. It was the first time she had paid close attention to a naked woman’s body.
While Earth stood there motionless admiring Honey’s curvaceous physique, with washcloth still in hand, Honey approached her. As their eyes connected, Honey moved in and pressed her lips up against Earth’s. The combination of the softness and wetness of her lips sent chills through Earth’s entire young body, and the electricity of Honey’s erect nipples pressed up against her own breasts, causing her inner thighs to moisten. Although the feeling was foreign to Earth, it also felt nice. Earth had kissed boys on occasions and let them touch her in sacred places, but none of it had ever felt like what she was feeling at that particular moment. While their kisses and touches were rough, Honey’s lips and touch were soft and smooth. Honey continued to kiss Earth gently, parting her mouth open with her tongue while she fondled and caressed her virgin clit. She knew just where and how to touch her in order to send her young and tender flesh to a place it had never been before. After bringing Earth to what became her first real orgasm, Honey took the washcloth out of her hands and bathed her while licking every inch of her that the cloth came in contact with. It was from that day forward that Earth discovered that she preferred the touch of a woman to a man’s.
Later, when Earth was twenty-one, she caught an attempted murder charge for shooting her boyfriend in the chest with his own gun after he had caught her in bed with another woman and tried to kill them both. She received seven years for that.
Earth already had four years in the system when she and Heaven met. Their friendship had been a blessing in disguise for Earth, being as though she did not want to reside in Plainfield once she was released. Five months out of prison and before Heaven’s release, with the money she had saved, Earth was able to purchase an apartment in the Ville section of New Brunswick and waited for her road dawg to come home. The moment Heaven’s feet touched free soil, they began to take steps to execute the plans they had discussed back at Edna Mahan. That was seven and a half years ago, and since then, the two had been rolling together like the black Thelma and Louise.
“Le Le, turn down Townsend,” Heaven instructed once Earth had finished giving their worker the third degree. “Then hook a right on Commercial. We gotta get the hell outta this Jeep.”
“Yeah, no doubt. I know this shit full of bullet holes,” Earth added. “That bitch-ass nigga who was in the middle of the street was shootin’ a fuckin’ cannon.”
“I know, right?” Le Le joined. “That shit scared the fuck outta me.”
“Anything scare ya ass,” Earth retorted dryly. She still refused to let up off of Le Le.
“Just do like Heaven said.”
Le Le didn’t say another word. Instead, she did as she was told. Once she came up on the intended street, she turned onto Commercial Avenue until she reached George’s Road, and then veered to the right.
“Pull over,” Earth commanded just as they came up on a silver Cadillac CTS.
Earth jumped out with the jimmy to her side and made her way over to the parked luxury car.
“Le Le, wipe down the front,” Heaven said as she began wiping down the backseat area of the stolen Cherokee.
The sound of the CTS’s engine caught both Heaven and Le Le’s attention. Earth started the new getaway car in record-breaking time. They both exited the Cherokee and hopped into the Caddy.
“Take the bridge and jump on Route 1,” Heaven told Earth. Instantly, Earth knew the intended destination. On many occasions, they had taken Route 1 after an altercation or caper that required their burners. They normally disposed of their weapons before heading to Heaven’s place. Despite Heaven and her both having cribs in the heart of New Brunswick, they both had main houses out of town as well. Earth’s was in Piscataway Heights, while Heaven’s was in a suburban area in Franklin Township.
Earth turned on the car radio and found her favorite station, Power 105.1.
“I’ll bust ya head, boy,” were the lyrics from 50 Cent that came blaring out of the speakers as Earth navigated the Cadillac out of the parking space.
Chapter Five
Chill drove around town aimlessly in search of the Cherokee that had just lit his block up like the New Year’s ball in Times Square. He was still heated behind the fact that someone had come into his hood and violated. Not only by shooting up the strip but also slaying one of his comrades in the process. Though he and Twan were feuding moments prior to his demise, Chill still had love for his childhood friend and fellow hustler and would ride with him against all others outside of their hood, which was exactly the reason why he was on the hunt for the shooters.
After the shooting and realizing that Twan was dead, the majority of the crowd quickly began to thin out, leaving Twan where he lay. No one wanted to be around when the police arrived on the scene out of fear of being labeled a snitch or implicated in the incident. As the crowd of hustlers, friends, and innocent bystanders began to disperse, Chill hopped in his silver BMW and peeled off.
Five minutes later, Chill noticed what appeared to be a navy-blue SUV resembling the one he was looking for parked on George’s Road as he turned onto the street. As he slowly rode past the SUV, the .45 caliber bullet holes on the side of the truck confirmed that it was, in fact, the navy-blue Cherokee he had been looking for, causing him to reach under his seat and retrieve his fully loaded Glock 9. Chill then pulled past the Cherokee and made a U-turn in order to park four car lengths ahead of the Cherokee on the opposite side of the street. Exiting his BMW, he tucked his Glock in his waistband and concealed it under his butter soft leather. Looking around for any indications that there was danger near or any sight of the occupants of the Cherokee, Chill cautiously approached the Jeep. Once he came close enough to the SUV, it was obvious to him that the Cherokee had been abandoned.
Chill moved in for a closer look inside the vehicle. He put his hands up to the front passenger’s window and peered in. The first thing he noticed was the altered steering column and instantly drew the conclusion that the Cherokee had been stolen, and most likely, the assailants were long gone by now, but there was no doubt in Chill’s mind that whoever had committed the shooting was from New Brunswick and couldn’t have gone but so far.
Since New Brunswick was small, Chill had either hustled or had people all throughout the city and had ways of finding out things. So, it was just a matter of time before he got the scoop on the violators, and when he did, Chill promised himself that he’d see to it th
at someone stood accountable for both the murder of his man Twan and the violation of his hood.
Chapter Six
“I’m a movement by myself/but I’m a force when we’re together/Mami, I’m good all by myself/but, baby, you make me better/you make me better . . .”
Keya slithered down, and then off, the pole in the middle of Earth’s bedroom and made her way onto the king-size bed after displaying a sexual acrobatic performance. She began to dance provocatively over the top of Earth while staring into her eyes as the fabulous track featuring Ne-Yo filled the dimly lit, surround sound bedroom. Earth used the stereo’s remote to increase the volume of her Panasonic 51 disc CD changer while she puffed on a stick of Sour Diesel as she lay back enjoying the performance. She stuffed some of the remaining $200 in singles into the front part of her lover’s thong that she hadn’t used to make it rain while Keya was performing her pole dance. Keya stuck her middle finger in her mouth, then slid it into her thong and began playing with herself. Earth could see her knuckle prints protruding through the thong’s fabric as Keya fondled her sex as she continued her dance. The way she was gyrating her entire body to the lyrics and beat of the song was making Earth horny. Each time Keya dropped down over her in a straddling position caused Earth to become more and more aroused.
Keya was a hell of a dancer and knew how to shake her moneymaker. Her specialty was making both of her ass cheeks clap, and then pop them individually. It was a sight to see and the same moves that had caught Earth’s attention six months ago at a local establishment not too far from her hometown called Liquid Assets in South Plainfield. As Earth continued to blow on the high-powered weed watching Keya in a lust-filled and intoxicated daze, she reflected back on the night she and Keya had made each other’s acquaintance.
Liquid Assets strip club always had something going on, but Lollipop Thursdays with DJ Rit Rat and Melle Mel was a definite night to be in the building. It was the closest Earth had come to visiting where she was from in many years. She was attracted to women with voluptuous bodies and believed this to be one of the best places to find them. Some of the hottest chicks in the tristate area and beyond came out either to perform on stage or to watch the show, while hustlers popped bottles, sipped Hennessey, Rémy Martin, and tipped big.
That particular night, Earth had stumbled across a locked doors party full of money shakers, sponsored by a known adult magazine. It was apparent to Earth when she pulled up to the hot spot that the place was flooded with local ballers judging by the rides parked outside. She recognized a few cars from New Brunswick and couldn’t help but smirk seeing how they got around. One of the whips she spotted was a drop-top 6 series BMW that belonged to an acquaintance of hers by the name of Sup from the projects, and she knew the owners of the black 500 SL and the pearl-black Dodge Magnum from uptown. As she continued her scan of the small parking lot, she also recognized a few whips that belonged to some Bloods from the town she was from. Although trouble usually followed them wherever they dwelled, resulting in them getting into altercations, Earth was not in the least bit worried. Most of the gang members were either her family or close associates and had her back.
Earth parked, then hopped out of her G-5 Benz truck and headed for the entrance of the club. She noticed her boy Chubb’s pearl Cadillac Escalade XL also parked up in the parking lot and knew that it was going to be a peaceful evening for her because Chubb’s reputation in her town for being an official heat holder was legendary. Not that Earth wasn’t a part of the “Gun Clappers Club,” but tonight, she just wanted to chill, minus the drama.
Earlier, she had tried to get Heaven to come out with her, but she had refused, claiming to be drained from the streets that day. Although she was not bisexual or lesbian, Earth knew that Heaven enjoyed going to and watching some of the girls dance but not on a regular basis like her.
As she entered the spot, if one hadn’t known, you would have sworn Earth was just another dude coming to get his freak on, especially when she was dressed the way she was that evening. Earth sported a North Face with a pair of Antik Denim jeans and shirt to match, and a pair of construction Tims boots and a Yankee fitted. They were charging twenty dollars at the door due to the erotic magazine presence, but Earth was friends with the owner John, so she never paid to get in.
Once inside, she was not at all surprised at the capacity of the bar. It never failed. Thursdays you could guarantee L A’s, as it was referred to, being wall-to-wall packed. As soon as she entered the building, Earth gave her homegirl Tiaa who worked the door a hug, then made her way through the crowded bar, giving head nods to the congratulators and shooting ice grills at the haters. She was eager to get her drink on as she smoothly diddy bopped off of Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” track through the body-infested club.
After finally reaching the bar, four shots of Rémy and two Coronas later, Earth was ready to direct her undivided attention toward the dancers as she nursed on the bottle of Rosé she’d ordered. Scanning the stage of half-naked women, in all shapes, sizes, and colors, Earth immediately zeroed in on one of the dancers in particular who had caught her eye.
She had known most of the others up in there that night from frequenting the surrounding strip clubs in Jersey, Philly, and the New York area, but had never seen this one before. She wondered if the fresh face was a part of the infamous Knock Out Queens who burned the stages up in some of the hottest exotic clubs. Earth ordered another bottle of Rosé just to stunt and sipped lightly on it, feeling the alcohol starting to take effect as she studied the new girl who was now showing off her flexibility and acrobatic skills on the stage pole. Earth couldn’t help but to take in every inch of the stripper. She was a sundae mixture of ice cream and caramel, but the perspiration, which glistened over her entire body, made her appear to be more golden than she really was. She stood at a medium height of five foot nine, and her breasts were shapely built, slightly exposed on the outer and inner parts of the gold bikini top she wore, while her nipples protruded through the material. Her waist was petite, but her hips and thighs were muscular and thick like a track runner, and her bottom was firmly shaped. In the face, she resembled Kimora Lee Simmons, only darker, with cotton-candy lips, high mountain cheekbones, and deep, slanted, dark eyes as if she were of Asian descent.
Earth continued to watch the honey-toned dancer for the next twenty-five minutes until she exited the stage. Occasionally, the two of them made direct eye contact. They stared at each other for five minutes straight as Earth continued to nurse the champagne and watch the dancer prop her leg up on the bar and make her glutes do a routine dance of their own for a paying customer. As if he’d read her mind, Earth learned from DJ Rit Rat that the girl’s stage name was Lite. As he announced her exit, she and the DJ exchanged acknowledging head nods. Earth was contemplating on seeking out the sexy stripper after losing sight of her in the midst of the crowded club, but before she had the chance to make her decision, she saw the girl slither through the crowd, heading in her direction.
“You wanna lap dance?” Lite asked seductively walking up on Earth.
“Nah,” Earth replied.
Disappointed, Lite flashed a fake smile and attempted to walk away, only to be stopped in her tracks by a hand. She turned back in the direction where Earth sat, and again, the two made eye contact. Earth, smiling, leaned in closer. “I didn’t say I wasn’t gonna tip you, though.”
Earlier, she wondered whether Lite had thought she was a dude from afar when they acknowledged each other, but close up, there was no mistaking her gender regardless of how much her attire made her appear masculine, so Earth was positive that Lite was into females. Lite’s next words only confirmed it. “You’s a fly bitch,” she said pressing her body up against Earth. Earth just smiled and sucked her teeth as if something was caught in them. Lite began to slow grind her inner thighs into Earth’s pelvis as Lil Wayne’s track “Lollipop” played in the background. Earth grabbed her by the waist and matched her rhythm.
“Do you like t
his?” Lite leaned in and whispered in Earth’s ear.
“Do you?” Earth shot back in the same whisper tone, sliding her hands down to Lite’s ass cheeks, palming them.
“Uh-huh,” Lite replied licking her lips.
Earth then reached into her front right pocket and pulled out a stack of bills. Lite pretended not to notice, but Earth had already peeped the way her eyes had lit up. She could practically see the dollar signs in Lite’s pupils, not to mention the fact that her grinding became extra hard. She knew that Lite was already thinking and plotting on ways to get as much as she could of the money Earth possessed in her hand, especially after seeing the big faces that dominated the bankroll. Earth decided to make it easier for her.
“What’s ya name?”
“Lite.”
“Nah, what’s ya name?”
Lite looked at her with attitude. Earth remained stone-faced.
“Keya, why?” she decided to answer with hands on her hips. Earth disregarded her question.
“How much you think you gonna make before the night out?” Earth asked aloud.
“Huh?” Lite answered dumbfounded while continuing the dance.
“You heard me.”
“Tsk. Why?” she asked with even more attitude, trying to sound feisty and offended, but Earth brushed her tone off and maintained her coolness. “Just answer the question and you’ll find out.”
“Tsk!”
At the sound of Lite sucking her teeth for a second time, Earth was instantly turned off. She grabbed Lite’s arms in an attempt to release her hold from around her neck, but before she could, Lite clinched her grip tighter. “I don’t know, about another $300 to $400,” she blurted out, curious to find out Earth’s reasons for inquiring.
Heaven and Earth Page 3
