“Who did you just tell to shut the fuck up?” The man walked toward the officer. “Were you talking to me?”
Aphtan opened her eyes, despite how she felt, and the first face that entered her view was the man that she had collided with. Aphtan’s tears eased up as she noticed the Spartan-type figure in front of her. She couldn’t help it; his appearance could brighten up the darkest nights.
“Sir, stand back,” the officer ordered the man as he gulped loudly.
“How much did she steal?” The man looked at Aphtan up and down.
“From all of the stores, I would say about twelve thousand dollars’ worth,” the arrogant manager of one of the stores chimed in as the crowd gasped.
The man snapped his fingers at the dude that helped him up. “If I pay for everything that she stole, will you not press charges?”
“I suppose.” The manager walked over to the clothes and collected them in her hand. “But who has that kind of money?”
“Here.” The man walked over to the manager. “Pay all of the stores.” He handed her a stack of crisp one-hundred-dollar bills.
“We still can take her in,” the arresting cop spewed. “She still committed a crime.”
The man walked over to the officer. “Since the theft was paid and the manager herself said she wouldn’t press charges, you can let her go. If you don’t, I promise you, you won’t like what will happen.”
“Are you threatening me?” The officer put his hand on his gun.
“I’m promising you this. Now, let her fucking go,” the man snarled.
A relief eased over Aphtan as the handcuffs were removed from her wrists one by one. As soon as she could, she walked off slowly. Her slow walking turned into a slow-paced run. She had to get away. The shame she was feeling from it all was too much. She wanted to thank her knight in shining armor, but she would have to save that for another time.
She peeked over in the parking lot at Mila’s new car, which was sparkling from the sun’s glow, wondering if she had gotten away. She eased through the lot, the busy street to cross to get away from the mall right in front of her. Before her feet could hit the tar-lined surface, the screeching of a car gripped her attention. She turned around and saw through the open window the man who had helped her. He opened the door, got out, and started to walk toward her.
Upon his arrival, Aphtan felt her heart begin to race. Her eyes traced his tall, muscular figure, from his freshly cut waves down to the custom Nikes at his feet. The closer he got, the better she could view him. His eyes were warm, a range of soft colors, reminding her of sweet caramel. Lilac bags hung under them, aging him quite a bit, but he couldn’t be much older than her nonetheless.
Seeing him stumble a bit, she relaxed. He was just as nervous as she was. Aphtan took a deep breath, inhaling his overly strong cologne. Naturally, she found herself lost in the powerful scent. However, his broad smile prevented that, and instead it transformed the scent into one she would not want to forget any time soon.
“You forgot your clothes.” He paused as he held the clothes out in front of him for her to grab as he waited to hear her name.
“Aphtan,” she whispered, still embarrassed as she grabbed the clothes.
“Aphtan,” he said to himself as he smiled. “How old are you, Aphtan?”
“Seventeen.” She tried not to make eye contact with him. “I don’t want you to think I’m this hood ass girl who is a thief.”
“No judgment.” He held his hand up. “We all do shit that we aren’t necessarily proud of. Did you need a ride?”
“No.” Aphtan looked up at him. “I need to walk. I need to clear my head.”
“Understandable.” He walked toward the car. “Be careful and stay out of trouble, Aphtan.”
“Hey?” She walked toward the car as he got inside. “Thank you for what you did. You have no idea what you just did for me. I’m forever grateful.”
“No problem.” He winked at her. “Just stay out of trouble.”
“What is your name?” Aphtan asked as the car slowly accelerated.
“When you turn eighteen, I’ll refresh your memory.” The man smiled before the car zoomed off.
The atmosphere around her became so much more pleasant. The soothing sounds of the light rain pattering on the cars around took her to what felt like a world of only calmness; a place where all of the weight on her shoulders was lifted away. The fearful lightning was present, but through that, she could look up and see the baby-blue sky, so beautiful. A cheerful sun shone through the clouds and all that felt gloomy was gone. Aphtan felt almost enlightened.
The small drops of water attacked her body, making her awaken from the daydream that she was in. She ran across the grass that separated the parking lot from the street to make it to the bus stop. She rushed inside of the booth that protected the riders from different weather conditions and took a seat.
Aphtan leaned back in the connected gray seat with a heavy mind. Mila, Cole, and the mystery man she had just encountered hijacked her mind at full speed. She was worried about Mila and wondered if she had been as lucky as she was and got away. The last thing she wanted was for them to become a product of their environment. With the close encounter that they had just experienced, she wasn’t so sure that she deserved more after all.
She stood up when she saw the bus, the thousands of dollars’ worth of clothes in her hands. She joined the line and waited her turn to step onto the dark, musky-smelling bus. As the doors closed behind her, she found a seat and stared out of the windows while the rain poured effortlessly on the glass.
A very faint smell of the cleaner used to clean the floor lingered around. It was about the most positive smell on the bus, though. While moving, slight odors of diesel and exhaust distracted Aphtan from focusing upon more worthwhile scents: the career woman who wore that elusive fragrance, the bum’s fetid breath and bad odor. The taco sauce that the two boys played with and one stomped on it, spraying its contents across to the wall of the other side of the bus about an inch from the floor.
As the man who had to stand adjusted his stance, she detected the hint of Aqua Velva, or Old Spice. Then the world seemed to get close, too close, when the bus stopped for passengers, and two young urbanites bound up the bus steps and shoved their change into the fare machine. One smelled of beer and cigarettes, the other of gasoline and grease.
Aphtan blew out a sigh of relief from her mouth when her projects came into view. She pulled on the string to let the driver know that it was her stop as she stood up. She eased through the aisle when the bus stopped and paced down the steps to get off. The doors closed behind her as she stepped onto the sidewalk.
“Aphtan,” one of the little boys from the neighborhood called out as he ran up to her.
“What’s up?” She looked at the little boy.
“Can you help me with my homework again? Please,” the little boy begged. “I really want to make a good grade.”
“Tyrone.” She leaned down so her face could be in his. “Of course I’ll help you. You have to promise me something, though.”
“What?” Tyrone smiled.
“That you’ll make it out of this place.”
“I promise.” He ran off. “I’ll come over as soon as I grab my homework.”
“Okay.” She continued walking.
“That was close,” Mila screamed from the open window of her car as music blasted for all to hear when she pulled up next to Aphtan.
“Too fucking close.” Aphtan walked up to the car. “I’m glad you got away.” She tossed the clothes in the window. “I know you dumped everything. Take one of these outfits and meet me later at my house before we head out.”
“You good?” Mila cut the music down.
“Hell, no.” Aphtan stood straight up. “I will be, though.”
“The nail shop?”
“I would, but I have to help Tyrone with his homework.”
“Still trying to save the hood?” Mila shook her head.
“Look at all of that ass back there.” Mila laughed, messing with her friend. “Make sure your ass is ready. Don’t be playing tutor all night.”
Aphtan waved her friend off as she heard the tires screeching. She spoke to different people as she made her way to her apartment building. She opened up the large brown door and walked up the tan stairs. She opened the door as Mila’s mother came out of the door across the hall.
“Aphtan, have you seen Mila’s ass?” She put her hands on her hips.
“No, ma’am,” Aphtan lied, shaking her head.
Aphtan looked at Ms. Franklin up and down. From the banana peels on her head, to the jelly slippers on her feet, she defined the word ghetto. The colorful matching warm-up suit she had on proved that. She was a pretty woman, but she had become too comfortable in her situation. She looked exactly like Mila but with age on her.
“If you do, please tell her ass that I’m looking for her.” She rolled her eyes.
“I got it.” Aphtan closed the door after she went into her apartment.
Aphtan walked into the somewhat shabby, down-at-the-heels apartment in among others just the same. Peeling paint, sagging wallpaper, threadbare rugs. It had obviously seen better days, but she could if she took the time to look carefully see glimpses of what could almost be opulence in the faded silk drapes and the dim, dusty lampshades.
Echoes of grander times and decadent parties when fashionable, beautiful laughing girls danced and sang, and athletic, handsome men laughed back and ensured their glasses were never empty. But now, it was just a project apartment.
“Mama?” Aphtan knocked on her door. “Are you here?”
As she walked into the bedroom, she saw her mother lying facedown, with clothes all around her. To her right was a pipe, still hot to the touch. Aphtan walked over to her side and checked her pulse. She closed her eyes and blew as a heartbeat danced around her fingertips.
She pulled the cover off of the bed and covered her mother’s tiny frame. She reached down and gave her a kiss on her forehead. She grabbed the necklace around her neck, admiring the locket. It was the only thing that her mother wouldn’t sell for rocks, and she respected that. It was a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation. No matter how hard times got, it was the only thing her mother held onto.
She left out of the room, closing the door behind her. She walked to the living room as memories of her life as a child hit her. Thoughts of her mother, before the drugs controlled her actions, brought tears to her eyes. She wiped them as she remembered the promise that she made herself. That she would do whatever it took to get them out of the projects. And that she would do everything to get her clean once and for all.
CHAPTER 9
“I don’t know, Aphtan.” Tyrone poked the side of his head with the eraser end of the pencil.
“Think.” Aphtan pulled her chair closer to him. “You know this.”
“Is it,”—he paused—“seven?”
“See.” She grabbed his face. “You’re smarter than you think.”
“You really think so?” He smiled.
“Absolutely.” Aphtan stood up as someone started to knock on the door. “Your brain is like your body, Tyrone. You have to train it constantly if you want results.”
“Simone, I know you’re in there,” the manager of the projects screamed through the door as she approached it. “You’re two months behind. You have to pay the rent.”
Aphtan swung the door open. “My mother is asleep.”
“I don’t give a damn if she is on the moon.” The small Latino man tried to force himself inside. “I need to talk to her, face to face.”
“Aphtan put her hand up to block his attempts. “She’s not available right now. Come back tomorrow.”
“You always tell me that, Aphtan.” He put his finger up and shook it. “I’m tired of the same fucking excuses from you two. If she can buy—”
“It’s no need to go there.” Mila walked up the stairs as the small red dress she had on hugged her body like it was her skin. “How much are they behind?”
“Two months.” He moved out of the way to let Mila walk inside.
Mila dug around inside of her purse. “That’s fifty dollars, right?”
“Exactly,” he agreed.
“Here, motherfucker.” She handed him a one-hundred-dollar bill. “That’s for the two late months and for the two months coming up. Don’t come around here fucking with them anymore.”
“That’s all I needed.” The man walked down the stairs.
Aphtan closed the door after Mila walked inside. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“That’s what family is for.” Mila sat down at the table with Tyrone. “What’s up, little punk?”
“Shut up, Mila.” He got up and put his papers inside his backpack.
“Are you leaving?” Aphtan asked him.
“Yes.” He gave her a hug after putting his backpack on his back. “If Mila is here, you know no one in the room can focus.”
“Ain’t that a bitch.” Mila laughed.
“Smart kid.” Aphtan walked him to the door and opened it. “I’m here anytime for you, Tyrone.”
“Thanks.” He ran down the stairs.
“What’s the plan for tonight?” Aphtan closed the door then sat back down at the table.
“First, we do something with that hair of yours. This isn’t any ordinary party. Everyone from the hood is going to be there and most people from school. We may even run into Cole.” She started blowing kisses.
“Bitch, you’re childish.” Aphtan stood up and ran her fingers through her hair. “What did you do with the other fits?”
“I sold them.” Mila handed her some money. “You know how we do it.”
“What am I going to wear?” Aphtan put the money inside of her bra.
“Of course, I didn’t forget about you.” Mila pulled a dress out of her gigantic purse. “Let’s go get you ready.”
An hour and a half later, they found themselves in front of the hottest nightclub in the city, Jaguar. Aphtan walked past the crowd with Mila following, knowing that the hottest of the hot got in; no matter if the club was full or not. Side by side, they strutted down the sidewalk until they were in front of the bouncer. He eyed them up and down, smiled, and lifted the rope to let them inside. That let Aphtan know that they were on point.
A whiff of unpleasant and repulsive body odor filled the atmosphere while the stench of cigarettes wafted from the hallway that led inside. A large, corpulent, and hideous being struggled his way by them as the lights from inside finally hit their eyes. Music becoming the loudest thing in the room, it was damn near impossible to hear each other.
Aphtan eased through the crowd, Mila on her tail as they made their way to the bar. She looked up at the VIP section as the see-through glass showed her everyone who was up there. Strobe lights continued to flash in her face as she checked her surroundings. Everyone she knew from the city was present. It was possibly the hottest party of the year.
Aphtan shoved away from hands of men trying to get at her. It was constant, but she was used to it. She looked back and noticed that Mila was getting the same treatment. They were beautiful. It was nothing new to them. They approached the bar and eyed the circular stand to see who was going to be responsible for their tab that night.
“Him.” Mila nodded toward a man with his back turned to them.
He was the kind of man that Aphtan knew looked good, even from behind. She didn’t need to see his face. The suit that he wore was confirmation enough that he was a man with money and power. Aphtan looked at her best friend to let her know that she had it before she walked over to the man.
She fixed the expensive gold dress that she wore to make sure that it rested on her curves perfectly. She swung her hair side to side and walked with the poise of a model. The heels on her feet barely touched the flo
or she was walking so smoothly. She was in predator mode, and he was her prey.
“Excuse me?” Aphtan tapped the man’s back.
The man turned around with a scolded expression. Aphtan watched a smile spread across his face once they locked eyes. It was the man who saved her earlier. She turned red immediately and smiled softly. She looked down at the floor. He made her feel like a little girl, and she couldn’t face him. Not with the embarrassing scenario from earlier still being so fresh.
“Aphtan?” He leaned in so that she could hear him over the music.
“That’s my name.” She looked up at him.
“What are you doing here?” He grabbed the glass of Hennessy from the bartender behind Aphtan.
“The same thing as you.” She pulled her dress down a little more.
“Is that so?” He looked her up and down and shook his head.
“What?” She looked back at the ground.
“You’re too fucking tempting, Aphtan. You’re embarrassing every woman in here.” He walked around her so he could get a better look.
“Stop playing.” She rubbed her hands together.
“I’m serious.” He sipped the chilled brown drink in his hand. “I never play with a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you.”
He leaned in so close that she could smell the fresh drink on his lips. “I’m in the VIP tonight. Whoever you’re with, grab them, and come fuck with me.”
“You remember that I’m seventeen, right,” she screamed over the music.
He bit his bottom lip. “Tonight you’re however old I want you to be.”
Aphtan watched him walk through the crowd as the lights flashed wildly in her eyes. She stood there, observing his movements. Watching him walk up the stairs and going through the VIP entrance was all the confirmation that she needed. She walked back over to where Mila was in a flash.
“Bitch.” Aphtan tapped Mila, who was conversing with a neighborhood roughneck. “Mila?” She shoved her body.
“What?” Mila turned around with an attitude.
“We just got invited up to VIP.”
“You lying.” She shooed the man she was talking to away. “By whom?”
Pearl Tongue Page 7
