Ghetto Girls 5

by Anthony Whyte

  “No it wasn’t even anything like that, Coco. You know Uncle E. be getting his tokes on with his friends. He wanted me to be a witness on that movie contract. I’m part of the business you know, and Uncle E. sometimes treats me like my father in some of the business deals. So he just wanted me to sign some papers for the movie deal.”

  “Okay sounds good, yo.”

  “We’re in the movies officially, Coco. Pre-production starts right away. You’re gonna be that star you were destined to be.”

  “That’s the way it’s going down, yo…? What about you, yo…?”

  “I’m about my business so it’s going down just like that.”

  In the recording studio, the beat played on. Reggie kept adjusting the equalizer until he had inserted all of Coco’s takes at the right volume. He pumped it and it rang through. The girls nodded their head to the song and smiled.

  Eric walked in the studio and listened for a while. He remained silent and sat at the controls with Reggie. The young studio engineer smiled proudly.

  “I like it so far, but everything coming out of my studio gotta have ass on them,” Eric said.

  Reggie looked puzzled. He adjusted the volume and said, “I don’t understand…?”

  “Give me a little bit more bass,” Eric whispered.

  Reggie adjusted the bass and the music pumped through the speakers. Nodding his head to the rhythm of the beat, Eric said, “Yeah, that’s what I’m talking ‘bout.”

  “Sometimes when I feel I’m losing my mind

  I call out your names… I hear y’all listening

  Things don’t always work the way we plan ‘em

  Your voices live through me just the same

  Be my number one fan and I will succeed

  I’ll be felt the champion title I will claim

  I’m making a stand feeling hard to defeat

  We taking over just the way we planned

  From the start doing it from our hearts…

  Sisters always dreaming us on top forever

  Reigning hopes never die you’ll always remain

  So fly…/Jo, Dani, Bebop living for you

  Missing Miss Katie’s voice y’all got her

  Listening made me nicer music game sicker

  Lyrics lock tighter feeling invincible Truth is

  Her wisdom helped me survive all my fights

  Made me stronger now I’m tougher than dice…”

  The beat went on, Coco and Deedee danced out of the booth. They listened to the heavy sounds blasting from the speakers in the studio. They had been sounding playful—before the expert producer put his finishing touches on it. Now, the place was vibrating from the bass. The music took on a serious dance edge, transformed into a track that would move any wallflower.

  “Hmm I like that, yo,” Coco said, dancing to the beat.

  “Yeah… That’s it right there,” Deedee said, joining her in a dance.

  Even though it was incomplete, the first couple of verses, and the hook made it sound like a complete song.

  “We got some more mixing down to do, but it’s good right there,” Eric said.

  Deedee smiled when Kim and Tina walked inside and started dancing. Soon everyone was dancing around like the song was the hit of the party.

  Feeling like a champion, Coco pulled out a cigarette and lit it. She took a drag and couldn’t help but reminisce of the last time Da Crew were together, and had won the talent contest. Danielle and Josephine were both there with her backstage.

  “And the top three finalists are…”

  The voice of the emcee boomed behind a thunderous drum roll. Da Crew heard the names of other finalists. Suddenly everyone was kissing and hugging them. The crowd converged on them, mobbing them. Coco spotted Deedee and Danielle hugging. She rushed through the crowd, and past the screaming Josephine, to Deedee.

  “Lemme use your phone. I wanna call this old lady to let her know, yo,” she said breathlessly. Deedee hugged her and handed over the instrument. Coco wanted to talk to Miss Katie and thank her, but the older lady was already asleep and Coco left her a message.

  “We did it, Miss Katie. We won, yo.”

  Even though she was only reminiscing, Coco’s thoughts brought goose bumps to the surface of her brown skin. The sound of Eric’s booming voice brought her back to reality.

  “Who’s smoking a damn cigarette?” Eric asked.

  The studio went silent when Eric’s voice thundered. Reggie turned the music down, and all eyes went in Coco’s direction. She was deep in thoughts and was the only one who didn’t hear the question. Coco kept smoking until Deedee got closer to her.

  “Uncle E. said you can’t smoke in here,” Deedee said.

  “Coco, don’t you know all the performers smoke in the green room? That’s the only place where anyone can smoke,” Eric said.

  “I know that,” Kim and Tina chorused.

  “That rule applies to everyone, including the stars,” Eric said, glancing at Coco.

  She realized that all their eyes were focused on her. Pokerfaced, Coco snapped out of her trance and put out the cigarette.

  “Okay, let’s all take a break and let’s get to Sardi’s, dinner is on me,” Eric said.

  Coco and Deedee glanced at each other. Then Coco said, “I thought we’d be the only ones going, but I guess we gotta hang with riff raffs, yo.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll sit away from them,” Deedee said. “I’ll drive Uncle E and Coco can ride with me,” she said to her uncle.

  “I’ll see you guys there,” Eric said.

  Tina and Kim filed out behind Eric. Reggie turned off the music and secured all the programs. He efficiently stored the music along with Coco’s lyrics. Coco and Deedee were watching him. He did take pride in his work.

  “If I hear this on bootleg in the streets, I know where to come, yo,” Coco said with a chuckle.

  “I had to sign my life away to get this job. I’m not gonna mess that up,” Reggie said.

  When he was finished they all left together. Coco was in her usual bop while Deedee and Reggie walking behind her.

  “Do you have a ride to the restaurant, Reggie?” Deedee asked.

  “No,” he answered.

  “You can ride with us,” Deedee smiled, getting in the elevator.

  “So you guys just graduated, huh?” Reggie asked.

  “Yes,” Coco and Deedee chorused.

  “I remember when I graduated. It was good times,” he said.

  “Oh don’t try acting like it was that long ago. I read your resume,” Deedee said and Coco smiled.

  “No frontin’ allowed, yo.”

  “I graduated three years ago. But it still seems like such a long time now,” Reggie said. “You gotta grow up quick and be an adult. Get a job and all.”

  “Now you’re sounding old,” Deedee smiled and Coco chuckled.

  They got off the elevator on the ground floor lobby and walked to the exit. The doorman held the door and smiled when he saw Coco in a skirt.

  “Have a good evening,” he said. “Thank you,” Reggie said. “That’s a nice ride,” he continued when Deedee hit the remote starter.

  “Thank you,” Deedee said, getting into the BMW.

  The girls sat up front and Reggie sat in the backseat. Music blasting, Deedee joined traffic flowing, heading cross-town to the restaurant. Notorious Thugs pumped heavy through the speakers in the ride, and the girls nodded their heads as Biggie Smalls rhymed.

  Armed and dangerous,

  ain’t too many can bang with us

  Straight up weed- no angel dust,

  label us Notorious

  Thug-ass niggaz that love to bust,

  it’s strange to us

  Y’all niggaz be scramblin’, gambling…

  14

  “Thank you,” Deedee said to the doorman outside the restaurant.

  The smell of burgers and steak filtered through the dining area greeting them. There was enough light in the place for Deedee to spot
Eric. He was talking on his cell phone while Kim and Tina were working on their drinks. Walking ahead of Coco and Reggie, Deedee walked over and joined the group.

  “Hey Uncle E,” she said, and waved at Kim and Tina.

  After ensuring that Reggie sat next to Kim and Tina, Deedee took up position beside Coco. A waiter came over and took their orders. Eric was constantly on his cell phone, Kim and Tina chatted, and Coco and Deedee engaged in small talk. Reggie kept his eyes on Deedee. And she glanced at him from time to time.

  The waiter soon returned, placing orders of steak in front of Deedee and Eric respectively, then Coco, Kim and Tina. Reggie was last, and finally they all chomped down. The evening went on without any hiccups, everyone eating and drinking heartily. They all thanked Eric, who stayed on his cell phone throughout the meal.

  After dinner, the group drifted outside. It was a cool summer evening. The city lights shone bright and Reggie invited the group to the nightclub.

  “I’m spinning music at Amnesia tonight. It’s really nice there. I’d like to invite you all to check it out, if you all want?” he said.

  “Yeah that’s a cool spot, yo,” Coco said.

  “Where’s that?” Kim asked.

  “Shut your face! You don’t know that nightclub, girl? I heard it’s hot,” Tina said.

  “The night is still young,” Deedee said, looking at her uncle.

  “Why not,” Eric said, still on his cell phone.

  “It won’t cost you nothing and you all are gonna enjoy this spot,” Reggie said.

  The group split, heading toward their respective carriages. Eric escorted Kim and Tina to his ride. Coco had shotgun, Reggie rode in the back while Deedee started the engine.

  Up in restaurants with mandolins,

  and violins

  We just sittin here tryin to win,

  tryin not to sin

  High off weed and lots of gin

  So much smoke need oxygen,

  steadily countin them Benjamins

  As they pulled up outside the club, Deedee and Eric saw a long line around the exterior of the club. They parked and the group walked by patrons standing on line in designer clothes, their anxious heels cooled by the long wait.

  Reggie led the group and they walked to the front of the line. Immediately security let the group through the velvet rope.

  “Welcome to club Amnesia, Mr. Ascot,” a bouncer greeted.

  “This is Coco and Deedee,” Eric said, taking a break from a conversation he was having on his cellphone.

  “We’re familiar with Coco. Are you performing?” someone asked.

  “I’m performing,” Reggie said, beating his chest.

  “Oh, by the way, we here too,” Kim and Tina chorused.

  Chuckles filtered through the small gathering. The group was allowed to walk inside. Crowds of party people were on the dance floor of the popular nightspot. Reggie escorted the group to the VIP section behind the deejay’s booth. Eric ordered a round of alcoholic drinks for Kim, Tina and himself. He ordered sodas for the girls. Reggie sat with the group for a few, then it was his turn to be deejay.

  “Alright, dance and enjoy yourselves. I’m gonna spin the music for a while,” Reggie stood and said, “Eric, thanks for dinner and I’ll see you later,” he continued, shaking Eric’s hand.

  “You’re welcome,” Eric said.

  “Later y’all,” Reggie said, walking away.

  “Let’s hear what you got, yo,” Coco said.

  Reggie went to the deejay’s booth, and got in a groove, mixing some dance tracks. The party was jumping when Coco and Deedee hit the dance floor with the other revelers. The girls laughed and danced around with each other. A few minutes later, Eric posted up on the floor laughing with the two.

  Then the deejay dropped Wait by Ying Yang Twins. Rumps were shaking to The Whisper Song when Kim and Tina invaded the dance floor. Coco shifted and Deedee moved away with her. Eric was left with Kim behind him and Tina in the front, both working him over.

  Hey how ya doing lil momma

  let me whisper in ya ear

  Tell ya something that ya might like to hear

  Got a sexy-ass body and yo ass look soft

  Mind if I touch it and see if it’s soft?

  Naw I’m just playin less you say I can

  And I’m known to be a real nasty man

  From his perch in the deejay’s booth, Reggie watched the action on the dance floor. While Coco’s moves demanded attention, it was the sway of Deedee’s hips that riveted his eyes in her direction. Adjusting the lights, the deejay followed her every move on the crowded dance floor. Tantalized by her dance, Reggie licked his lips. Deedee had clearly enticed him and had him fantasizing about being with her. She threw a glance up at him and he nodded his head in time with her rhythm.

  Sandwiched between Kim’s derrière, protruding from her tight jeans, and Tina’s crotch humping, Eric was busy having fun. Remaining calm and cool, he smiled, enjoying himself.

  I hear they say a closed mouth don’t give in

  And I don’t mind askin for head

  Ya heard what I said,

  we need to make our way to the bed

  You can start using your head

  You like to fuck

  Have your legs open all in the buck

  Loud music continued pumping, hammering club heads with some heavy grooves. Prancing and jumping, they were all having a good time. The smile on Reggie’s face broadened when he saw Deedee waved at him. He stood in the deejay’s booth watching the dance floor.

  “Wow I never seen you dance so much, yo,” Coco laughed.

  “I’m enjoying myself,” Deedee said.

  They saw Eric, Kim and Tina dancing toward them. Eric seemed happy and openly laughed. Coco made a face and did a spin move that would rival Michael Jackson. She danced away while Deedee and her uncle spoke.

  “You seem like you’re having a lot of fun, huh, Uncle E?” Deedee smiled, embracing Eric.

  “Yeah, but I have to get out of here,” Eric said, returning the embrace. “I got an early-morning meeting.”

  “Oh yeah, you have to meet with those executive producers, right?” Deedee asked.

  “Yeah, at eight in the morning and it’s after one,” he said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll take care of Kim and Tina. Make sure you and Coco get home safely,” Eric said, waving at Coco.

  Deedee kissed his cheek then waved at Kim and Tina. She walked over to where Coco was getting down with a group of club kids. It wasn’t hard to tell that Coco was having a grand time throwing down. Slipping in and out of dance moves, she was in her zone. Then she spotted Deedee and laughed at the roar of the club kids. Coco slid over to where Deedee was two stepping, and the two girls chatted.

  “The music is good, huh? The deejay isn’t even running his mouth, right Coco?” Deedee said.

  “Yeah, the deejay is doing his thing, yo.”

  “Oh yes. By the way, Uncle E. said he’ll see you in the studio tomorrow,” Deedee said.

  “Okay, cool. Your uncle was illin’-out with them two skanky bitches, yo,” Coco said, walking off the floor.

  “Coco…? Don’t say that about my uncle. He brings some class.”

  “They soo ghetto, they can’t pay for class, yo. I hope that’s all he’s bringing. But…” Coco’s voice trailed.

  “Coco, don’t be thinking that about my uncle. Those two…? Ooh…”

  “I hope he’s strapped up for them bitches, yo.”

  “Coco do not even imply—”

  “Let’s get a drink, yo.”

  Laughing, they walked to the bar. Coco immediately got two drinks. She took a sip and smiled. Deedee raised her glass, wondering what was behind Coco’s wry smile. She played along with Coco, trying her best not to be nosey.

  “But what…?” Deedee asked, after taking couple sips of her drink.

  “I’m just kinda happy your uncle bounce, yo. I been needing a real drink.”

  “I hear you, Coco. Cheers,�
�� Deedee smiled. “Coco, I know you. Is that all?”

  “I’m not the only one who’s happy your uncle left either, yo,” Coco said, gesturing.

  They continued sipping while standing next to the bar. Deedee turned to see Reggie walking toward them. He walked to the bar and brought three drinks back. Reggie offered drinks to Deedee and Coco. Deedee took the drink and sipped.

  “What kind a drink is this, yo?” Coco asked, looking at the glass.

  “Vodka and cranberry,” Reggie answered. “You don’t like…?”

  “It’s all good, yo.”

  “Coco, would like to rock out on the mike?” Reggie asked after a beat.

  Coco glanced around the crowded nightclub. She noted all the club heads jumping around before answering.

  “Sure,” she said.

  Reggie led her and Deedee to the deejay’s booth. The talented teen grabbed the microphone and was ready to throw down. Reggie and Deedee were on the floor dancing and cheering. Other club heads familiar with the talented teen, jumped when the announcement was made.

  “Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, tonight we’re gonna be entertained by none other than Coco the phenom…” the deejay announced.

  The crowd roared, and reaching into her vault of rhymes, Coco started rhythmically spitting. The nightclub was ignited by Coco’s flow. The teen let off her angst. Her raw energy ignited the speakers and sounds exploded.

  I-I-I’m tougher than dice…

  tough…tougher than dice

  My name is Coco and

  I’m tougher than dice…

  15

  Eric Ascot was driving uptown, music blaring in the black Maybach. He was smoking a cigarette when Tina touched him close to his crotch. Eric tried to ignore her and kept pushing the ride through the light traffic.

  “Can I have one of your cigarettes, Eric?” Tina asked.

  “Oh yeah sure,” Eric answered, pointing to where the pack sat on the dashboard.

  “You must be stressed from all that work and shyt,” Kim said from the backseat.

  Kim’s fingers began slowly massaging Eric’s shoulders and neck. He allowed her to continue moving her hands on him. Tina rolled up some cocaine with tobacco and weed. She smoked and passed it to Kim. She pulled on it and put it between Eric’s lips. The mixed of drugs and liquor had him going. Kim continued to massage his shoulder and passed the cigarette to Tina.