by Mz. Lady P
"Oh shit! Put all this in your purse. Say that it's yours. I'm going to come and bond you out. You're underage so you won't get any time. I love you Rose'." Ace kissed me passionately and gave me the biggest hug ever.
"I love you too Ace." I put all the packaged drugs in my purse. When the officer arrived and he checked the car. They found the drugs in my purse. Of course my stupid in love ass took the weight. At the time I trusted Ace. I believed everything he had said. It wasn't until I was standing in front the judge being sentenced to five years. Did I realize I had made the biggest mistake of my life? My mother and father tried their best to get me out, but because I took ownership of the drugs I was charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute. To make matters worse two weeks after I was arrested I found out I was almost three months pregnant with Ace's baby. My mother was livid she cut off all ties with me. To add insult to injury I haven't seen or heard from Ace since the day I was arrested. No phone call, no letters, or visits. He doesn't even know we have a three and half year old daughter I named Heaven Acearia Black. Once I gave birth she was turned over to my father and he has been raising her ever since. If it wasn't for my father's side of the family I don't think I would have made it out. I just want to start my life over and raise my daughter. I can't help but wonder how her father would feel knowing that she existed.
Chapter 2- Rose’
I was nervous the entire ride home on the Greyhound Bus. Four years felt like forty years to me. Jail had really put the pounds on my body, but in a good way. When I first came in I was petite as hell. They always say the jail food is nasty. That shit had me thicker than snicker. Not to mention my cellie had created some type of hair mayonnaise that had my shit damn near to the middle of my back. Jail had did my body good, but fucked my mind up. Not that I was crazy or anything. Being confined to that small ass space did something to me.
As I walked down the block to my father's home. I could see so many people standing outside and cars lined up and down the block. I started crying when I saw my family holding Welcome Home signs and balloons. I dropped to my knees when I saw Heaven dressed in her pretty pink Tu Tu and blinged out Chuck Taylors. Her little shirt said Welcome Home Mommy. She ran straight to me and I hugged her and cried so hard. I picked her up and placed her on my hip.
"That's enough of that crying. Welcome Home Baby. We missed you." My Daddy hugged and kissed me. Over the years we had become so close. He brought my baby to see me every month and that's what kept me going.
"Is my mother here?" I only asked because a part of me wished that she would have come. Of course that was wishful thinking.
"Hell no that She Devil isn’t here. She's not welcome here either." My Daddy said and I know he means every word. The house was filled up with all of my family. Madear had cooked so much food. I couldn't wait to tear some shit up.
"Look who the fuck they let up out that jam." Peanut said as him and Boo walked towards me with his their hands stretched out wide.
"I missed ya'll so much." I hugged both of them so tight. While I was in prison they made sure to keep money on my books. Boo and Peanut were now heavy in the drug game and was getting money.
"Come on everybody. Let's eat." My grandmother started making every one a plate. I hurried up and ate two plates back to back. For the rest of the night we partied. Nothing had changed about Peanut and Boo. They were still the life of the party. Sadness took over me because I didn't have anything. I couldn't buy my daughter a bag of chips from the store
"What's up beautiful? I thought being released from prison was a good thing. You're over here looking all sad and shit. Wipe those tears pretty lady." The deepest voice spoke causing me to look up. I had no idea who this stranger was but he must have been created by the Greek Gods themselves. He was tall and looked like he was mixed with something. But he could pass as being fully black. His dreads were long as hell braided down his back in a neat fishtail. He was dressed in an all-black linen suit with some Stacy Adams on his feet. He was dressed to perfection. His iced out pinky ring and Rolex watch was blinding me. He handed me a napkin and I wiped my tears away with it. I was immediately embarrassed as I looked down at my jail house attire. I never got a chance to change when I first arrived.
"Thank you for the napkin. I'm Rose' by the way."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Remy." I extended my hand to shake his, but instead he pulled me in close and gave me a hug. His Tom Ford cologne invaded my nostrils.
"So, tell me why you're over here crying when you have a thousand reasons to smile."
"I don't know what the future holds for me and my daughter. I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do now that I'm out. I just made twenty one and I have no job experience. I received my G.E.D while I was locked up. That will only take me so far. The shit is just frustrating to me."
"I know you don't know me, but I own several businesses. How about you come to my strip club tomorrow at three. I've been looking for a new bartender and you're beautiful with a little training I know you will get the hang of it. I'm not accepting no for an answer. I'll see you tomorrow at three. Here's my business card and some money for clothes. Dress to impress. First impressions are everything. He walked away from me like it was nothing. I still had my mouth open at his straight forwardness. I guess that's what a Boss is. He just bossed the fuck up on my ass.
"Close your mouth before something fly in it." Boo said as he came and sat next to me.
"Do you know that guy over there in all black?"
"Yeah. That's my big homie Remy."
"He just offered me a job and basically told me I couldn't refuse."
"Remy is the man cuz. No one tells him no. Make sure you be on point for the interview. He doesn't like it when you’re late." He kissed me on the forehead and went over and stood alongside Remy and Peanut. Boo thinks he's slick. He probably set all that shit up. Later that night I laid on the floor in my daughter's room and stared at the card. I was so nervous about the next day I couldn't sleep. Instead I sat up and watched my daughter as she slept. It was crazy how she looked nothing like me. She was her father's twin. I hated that she was in this fucked up situation because of my stupidity. I'm going to die trying to give her a better life.
****
The next morning I got up and went to Charlotte Rousse to find me something to wear to the interview. I settled on a pencil skirt and a nice blouse to match. I found a nice pair of heels that were high as hell. I wanted to look cute for Remy for some reason. I flat ironed my hair bone straight and put on a small coating of lip gloss. All this shit was so foreign to me after being locked up for so long. I was lost on what was in style. I just hoped he didn't look at my ass and laugh.
"Stop being so damn nervous cuz. You're going to do just fine." Peanut said as he drove me to the club.
"Have you seen Ace?"
"Fuck that nigga Rose'! He a bitch for making you take that weight for his ass. Me and Boo whooped dude ass when we found out what the fuck had went down. We've been beefing ever since. I'm telling you now stay the fuck away from dude. He's grimy ass fuck. I'll body that nigga on sight. You and Heaven ain't got shit to worry about. I got ya'll.
"I just asked because I wanted to let him know about Heaven. He has no idea that she exists."
"I understand all that cuz. I just don't want you getting all caught up in his madness. Plus, there's something you should know. He's married to Diamond and they have two kids."
"My friend Diamond?" He nodded his head in confirmation and I was in shock. Mainly, because she always acted as if she hated Ace. I guess that explains why I never heard from her either.
"Fuck them cuz. Move on with your life. I know you want Ace to be Heaven's life, but he doesn't even deserve to know her." I couldn't even argue with Peanut. He was absolutely right. Ace wasn't worthy of knowing my daughter.
I made it to Club Kitty Kat about thirty minutes early. I walked in and there was some dancers performing on stage. I couldn't believe it was packed in he
re this damn early.
"Excuse me I have an interview with Mr. Ramirez." I said to one of the bouncers. He spoke into his mouth piece and I was led to a set of elevators. I rode the elevator up to the second level. When the doors opened Remy was standing there waiting for me.
"You clean up nice beautiful." Follow me into my office. Remy was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with a pair of wheat Timberlands on. His dreads were now hanging and they were down to the middle of his back. He went from straitlaced to Thuggish and he looked good as hell both ways.
"Thank you. I hope it's not too much."
"No. your perfect. Here is your uniform and your gym shoes. I don't allow the bartenders to wear heels. I like for my girls to be comfortable. Is that okay with you? If the dress is too short for you. I'll have the seamstress get you a bigger size. Go in the bathroom and change so I can see you in your uniform.
"So, I don't need to be interviewed?"
"You had the job the moment I laid eyes on you. Your pay is twenty dollars an hour and you keep all your tips. Payday is every other Friday. Is that okay with you beautiful?"
"Yeah. That's okay. Thank you so much Remy. I appreciate it." I got up and fell dead on my ass. I was embarrassed as hell. I looked up and he was laughing so hard.
"Are you cool?" He asked as he lifted me up off of the floor.
"I'm just happy that's all."
"I'm glad I put a smile on your face. Now go get dressed. You start training at five." I was staring in his eyes and they were the prettiest shade of brown. I was staring at him so hard I didn't realize I was still holding his hand. I hurried up and let it go and went to change. Once I tried on the outfit I was in shock at how my ass and titties had developed over the years. It was an all-black mini dress that had The Kitty Kat on the front in pink letters. The all-white Air Force Ones also feet perfectly. It was like he knew what size I wore already.
"How do I look Boss Man?" Remy was on the phone when I came back in his office. He hung up and walked around to where I was at.
"Damn Beautiful. You look good in whatever you put on." He took my hand and twirled me around in front of him so that he could take a good look at me. Remy had me feeling like a school girl. No man had ever complimented me so much or made me feel so special. I felt tingly every time he touched me. I couldn't get ahead of myself though. I was scared of the unknown. All I knew was Ace and he had me scared to give my heart again. Plus, the man before me was my Boss.
For the rest of the night I trained and it was fairly easy. I caught on quick as hell. There was another bartender by the name of Neicee and she was cool as hell. I later found out she messed around with my cousin Peanut. It was now one in the morning and the club was packed as hell. There was a table requesting bottle service so I had to take them the bottles they had requested. At first I was scared of them damn sparkles, but now I was use to them.
"Here goes your bottles Gentlemen." I said as I sat the bucket on the table along with their glasses.
"Damn baby. You're fine as fuck." The voice immediately made me look up. It was Ace Black in the flesh and he was sexier than I remembered. We locked eyes and that's when he noticed me. I took off running towards the ladies bathroom. I was crying and shaking so bad in front of the vanity. Seeing him so happy and living it up hurt me like a motherfucker. After about five minutes I gathered up the strength to get back to work. When I walked past the table Ace was gone. The rest of the night was a blur. I couldn't wait to get off and get home to my daughter. Once the club was over, I stood outside and waited for my cab. I shitted bricks when Ace was sitting outside in a Cocaine white Benz.
An excerpt from a new series by Lucinda John
April 3rd 1999 I bust out of my mama’s slimy pussy and entered this grimy ass world. As a child life for me wasn’t really that bad. I was born into a well off family; my mother was a social worker and my father an accountant. We lived in a beautiful house that sat right on Fort Lauderdale beach. I remember when I would have a bad dreams my father would always take me outside on the balcony and sway me in his arms until the soothing sounds of the waves crashing against the shore put me to sleep.
Boy how shit has changed! My father was no longer an accountant; he was now a full time flak head. We no longer lived in that beautiful house on the beach; we now lived in a small family home in the East Side of Fort Lauderdale. My mother still worked as a social working and was the only source of income we had. The only fucked up thing was my little sister Kay and I no longer existed to my mother. She was too busy working her ass off to support that monkey that was on my father’s back, that our needs were no longer her priority.
It was real ironic how a woman can walk into someone’s home and take their children away, knowing she was an unfit mother herself. At the age of fifteen I had to play the mother role to my five-year-old sister. Everything she needed I had to get for her. I remember one school year I made the mistake of asking my mother for help purchasing her school clothes and the response I got made me want to body that hoe. How could a mother put her druggie husband before her innocent children? Hell we ain’t ask to be here. We were better off still sitting in my father’s nut sack.
“Kay wake up for school.” I said gently shaking her.
Although we lived in a three bedroom I didn’t trust Kay having her own room so I moved all of her things into mine. I’ve been around my father when he was high and he acted as if he lost the little mind he had. I didn’t want to risk anything happening to her so I kept with me everywhere I went. She wasn’t allowed to stay home if I wasn’t there with her, parents or not Kay was my heart I’ll be damned if I allowed anything to happen to her.
“I’m still tired DeeDee.” She whined wiping the cold out of the corner of her eyes.
“I know Kay but you have to get up so you won’t be late for school.” I replied fishing through the closet for her uniform.
Kay attended the Charter School of Excellence, which was on the other side of town. If she missed the school bus I would have to catch three busses to get her to school. I really had to hit the block and make some money before I had to attend school so I wasn’t trying to have that set back.
I ironed her blue uniform jumper dress, and white dress shirt. Laying her clothes on the bed I went to go make her breakfast and pack her lunch. Pulling out the eggs, bacon, and sausage I leaned my body against the counter, chewing on my nails, while waiting on the oil to get hot. Once the grease started to pop, I poured the egg mix in the pan and fried them. I then cooked the bacon and sausage and made some toast. I made us both a plate, poured us some orange juice and brought the food back to my room.
“Hurry and eat.” I said placing the food on the Frozen table she had in the corner of my room.
We rarely ate in the family room. Majority of our days home were spent in my room. I did everything I could to avoid our deadbeat ass parents. As far as I was concerned I was Kay’s mother and father. She didn’t need those bums. I had her front and back.
“I know you gon wash these fucking dishes!” My so-called mother snapped barging into my room without knocking. “Oh this how y’all motherfuckers do it? Y’all fix breakfast and don’t make enough for the house? Greedy ass hoes! Using up my damn electricity cooking and shit but don’t even have the decency to make enough for everyone to eat.” She ranted waving her chubby hands in the air.
My mother was a beautiful full figured woman. She stood about 5’0, 175lbs that was well proportioned on her. She wasn’t slim nor was she sloppy fat. Her skin tone was a smooth high yellow with no traces of any blemishes or pimples. Kay took after her; they had the same chunkiness and the same high yellow color. Unlike them I was a deep dark chocolate color. My father wasn’t that dark so I often wondered where I got my skin complexion.
“Kay hurry and eat so I can get you ready for school.” I said ignoring the dumb bitch that decided to come disturb our peace.
“So you don’t hear me talking to your little ass!”
“I see your
lips moving but I don’t hear nothing.” I sassed walking in my bathroom with Kay slamming the door behind us.
I made sure the water was nice and warm before placing Kay in it and giving her- her bath. I had one hour until her school bus came so I was trying to hurry and get her dressed. Drying her body off, I applied the Cocoa Butter Vaseline lotion all over her body, polishing her skin so it could glow.
“What are the No-No’s?” I asked Kay as I dressed her in her undergarments.
“DeeDee you ask me this every morning.”
“I know but it’s important that you know them, so what are the No-No’s?”
“It is a No No to speak to strangers, take candy from strangers, go anywhere with strangers. It’s a No No for anyone other than you and mommy to give me a bath. It is also a No No for anyone to touch my privates.”
“And what do you do if anyone touch your privates.”
“I tell you DeeDee!”
“Good girl.” I smiled giving her a kiss on her forehead.
It was important that she knew these things. I watched Law & Order SVU and it was a shame how the predators made the young victims feel like what they were doing to them was ok. I made sure to educate my little sister, I wanted her to be able to speak up if God forbids anything like that was to ever happen to her.
Parting her hair in a zig-zag design down the middle. I put her hair in two ponytails, braided the ends and clipped barrettes on them. I used white and blue ribbons to tie her two nice pretty bows. Spraying her hair with the Just for Me oil sheen, I finished dressing her for school.
“You look so pretty Kay.” I said putting the teddy bear earrings I bought her in her ears.
