by Earl Sewell
I was happy I’d gotten in the house before my dad, who’d finally returned to work. He stayed out late in order to attend a welcome-back party his coworkers hosted in his honor. Grandmother Lorraine returned home once she’d received word from her neighbor that the young men who’d wrecked my dad’s car and shot up Lori’s grandmother’s house had been arrested for trying to rob a local convenience store.
I scored some alcohol from my old drinking buddy Ed Daley, who’d recently returned to Thornwood from rehab, which obviously didn’t work out for him. Ed was more than happy to supply me with alcohol so that he could restore the tradition of calling me Whiskey Wesley. I can’t pinpoint exactly when I made the decision to backpedal and allow myself to be seduced by the false promise of alcohol. I suppose I was searching for someone to blame for my misery. One day I was sitting around depressed about how everything had turned out: the house fire, the move to Indianapolis, being shot, the loss of the court case, the loss of Keysha and my vexing relationship with Lori. I was in pain and my world was a spinning blur of drama and heartache. Alcohol offered a way to numb my feelings and slow everything down.
My cell phone vibrated again. I looked at it and saw Ed Daley had sent me a text message.
Ed: U got a prom date yet? If so I’ve scored a hotel room 4 some after prom action.
Good old Ed, I thought. He always knew how to pull strings and get people to do favors for him. I exhaled and stammered for a moment before deciding to give Lori a jingle. When she answered the phone she sounded as if she was around a crowd of people.
“Hey, stranger,” she greeted.
“Where are you?” I asked, wishing the Tylenol would kick in.
“At the Cricket Store looking at cell phones. What’s up?”
“So are we going to do this prom thing or what?” I got straight to the point.
“You can’t ask me any better than that? And why are you talking so slowly? You sound like you’re high or something.”
“I just woke up and I’m still a little groggy.”
“You just woke up? Wesley, it’s noon.”
“Really? I didn’t realize it was so late in the day.”
“You don’t sound as if you really want to go to prom with me. You’ve been ignoring me. I thought you were trying to hook back up with your beloved Keysha. What happened with that?” Lori was being her usual feisty self. She knew damn well she wanted to go, but was making this more difficult than it had to be.
“I don’t want to talk about Keysha. She’s old news as far as I’m concerned.”
“Oh, really?” I could picture Lori’s cynical smile in my mind.
“Lori, will you please go to junior prom with me?” I asked as politely as I could so that I could get her answer and hit Ed back.
“Yes. I’d love to go to prom with you. Get dressed. I’ll be over in about thirty minutes. I have my mom’s car for a few hours. I’ll come by, scoop you up and we’ll go look at prom dresses.” I could tell that I’d clearly just made her day. I really didn’t feel like shopping for prom dresses, but I didn’t have anything else to do.
“Okay,” I agreed and ended the call. I sent Ed a text back informing him that I did have a date.
The following week I was given a clean bill of health and no longer needed the use of the sling. It was liberating to have the use of my right arm again. I no longer had to ask Lori to write my notes for me, nor did I have to worry about forcing my left hand to do tasks it wasn’t accustomed to doing.
It was now Wednesday and I’d just entered the gymnasium. I was taking a shortcut and was on my way to the cafeteria. I wasn’t even paying attention to the two girls trotting around the track until one of them called me. I looked up and saw Keysha and her girlfriend Maya.
“Hey, you,” Keysha said and continued to jog in place. Her skin was glistening with perspiration and her breathing was labored.
“What’s up?” I acted nonchalant, as if her stopping to speak with me didn’t matter to me one way or another.
“How have you been?” She stopped jogging in place.
“I’ll catch up with you later, Keysha,” Maya said as she nodded her head in my direction.
“Okay, Maya. I’ll see you in the locker room in a minute,” Keysha said as Maya continued on.
“When did you start running?” I asked. Ever since Keysha got involved with the theater people she’d become a different person.
“Maya convinced me to do it. We’re working on shedding a few pounds for the prom.”
“Yeah, the prom. You’re going with that player, Antonio the sex machine.” I didn’t hold back the way I felt about him at all.
“Antonio is not like that, Wesley.” Keysha was defending him and I didn’t like it.
“Yeah, right. Whatever, Keysha, I’ve got to go,” I said and began to walk away.
“Wesley, wait. I want us to be friends. I don’t want any hard feelings between us,” she said. I didn’t like her anymore and I damn sure didn’t want to be her friend.
“I don’t want to be your friend. What did you tell me a few weeks back? Oh, yeah, it’s decision time. And I’ve decided that I don’t want to have anything to do with a girl who doesn’t believe a person can make a mistake. I don’t want to be friends with a girl who is suspicious and I damn sure don’t want to be friends with you,” I snapped.
“You know you don’t mean that, Wesley. I know you better than you think I do.”
“You don’t know me, Keysha.” I dismissed her claim as hogwash.
“You’re depressed, Wesley. That’s why you’ve started drinking again.”
“And you’re crazy, Keysha. That’s why you’re seeing a shrink!” I yelled at her. My animosity toward her had grown into raging hatred. I glared into her eyes so she could see the heat in my eyes.
“Yo, Wesley. Come here.” I turned in the direction of the voice. At the other end of the gym Ed Daley was waving me over.
“Wesley, Ed is bad news. You shouldn’t—”
“Keysha, stay out of my business!” I growled before turning my back and walking away.
twenty-three
KEYSHA
When I went into the locker room to freshen up and change clothes, Maya was exiting the shower. She had a towel wrapped around her body and another one around her wet hair.
“What was that all about?” she asked as I got undressed.
“Just trying to be friendly, that’s all,” I answered as I replayed in my mind how mean Wesley was to me.
“I can understand that. Whenever I break up with a guy, I like to try and remain friends,” Maya agreed.
“Maya.” I paused and collected my thoughts. “Do you think I did the right thing by breaking up with Wesley? I mean, he seems to be lost these days and I can’t help but feel as if I’m to blame.”
“Keysha, are you kidding me? Please don’t tell me you’ve allowed Whiskey Wesley to place a guilt trip on you.” I didn’t like the fact that Maya referred to him as “Whiskey Wesley,” but I didn’t correct her.
“No, I don’t feel guilty. I’m just worried about him. I want Wesley to be happy.”
“Okay, first of all, let’s go over the facts. Did Wesley get shot over a girl?”
“Yes,” I answered
“When you moved heaven and earth to go see him did he have a girl in his room who’d been kissing all over him?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“When he came back home, did his girlfriend from Indianapolis mysteriously and ironically show up and now lives near Wesley?”
“Okay, Maya, I see your point.”
“He dogged you, Keysha. You were totally faithful to him and he tried to play you. There is no way I could feel sorry for a guy who treated me like crap.” Maya was brazen with her criticism of Wesley.
“I know all of those things are true, but for some reason I still care about him,” I admitted.
“You’ll get over it. Trust me. I’ve seen my fair share of boyfriends and the way
you’re feeling now will fade. Besides, you have fine-ass Antonio to help you get over Wesley,” Maya reminded me. I laughed.
“Antonio is super fine!” I chuckled before stepping away to take a shower.
That weekend Maya made arrangements to get the keys to her mom’s car and she and I scheduled an appointment at Planned Parenthood health clinic so that I could get some form of birth control. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever take her up on her earlier offer, but my relationship with Antonio was passionate and I knew it was only a matter of time before I was going to completely lose it, pin him down and do everything imaginable to him. Maya was a regular at Planned Parenthood but she didn’t want her mom to know that she was sexually active and Lord knows I didn’t want Barbara or Jordan to know all of my business.
My appointment went well and I got the birth control patch. It cost me a small fortune to get it, but I felt it was well worth the effort and expense. Afterward Maya dropped me back off at home she then had to rush off because her mom needed the car.
As soon as I walked in the house, Barbara asked if I wanted to hang out with her. “I’m going to run some errands. When I’m finished we can go shopping for a prom dress.”
“Yes,” I said jubilantly. “Let me run upstairs and get my magazines that have some styles I’m looking for.”
“Okay. I’m going to pull the car out of the garage.”
I ran back inside the house, scooped up my publications and rushed back out the door. Barbara and I ended up spending the remainder of the weekend on a hunt for the perfect dress. Admittedly, we both agreed that we waited a little too late to shop for a dress because most everything had been picked over. Barbara and I were on a straight-up mission to find the perfect dress, shoes and accessories. We had a few sticking points because our tastes and styles were different. Barbara was the classic conservative type and I wanted to let it all hang out, especially since I’d dropped a few pounds and had more curves for Antonio to enjoy.
I was so ecstatic about my dress that I called Maya as soon as I got in the house. “Maya, you are going to flip out when you see the Jovani prom dress I’ve picked out. We’ve got to get our exercise routine into high gear because I’ll be showing a lot of skin.”
“Ooh, I can’t wait to see this dress, Keysha.” Maya was brimming with an equal amount of excitement. “I hope you don’t think you’re the only one who’s going to be showing some skin. I’ve got a hot dress, too.”
“What color is your dress?” I asked, hoping we wouldn’t end up at prom looking like twins.
“Turquoise,” Maya answered. “And yours?”
“Yellow.” I sighed, fully relieved. “The dress is strapless and the back is cutout. I’m going to look so damn hot in this dress,” I said as I looked at the dress, which was hanging on the inside of my closet door.
“Okay, when can I see it?” Maya asked.
“Girl, you can come on over right now,” I said. “Oh, and the shoes…Whew! Those are smoking.”
“How much did you spend?” Maya inquired.
“I didn’t spend anything. That is why I love my stepmom.” I laughed. “The dress cost over three hundred and the shoes were another two hundred.”
“Okay. I’ve got to see what you bought. I can’t go to prom and look like the maid standing next to you. I’ll bring my dress over so you can see it. Let me see if I can get the car from my mom. When I get it, I’ll be right over.”
Prom night had finally arrived and I was both excited and tired. Excited because of all the fanfare and pageantry surrounding such an event. Tired because I’d spent most of the night sleeping in an upright position; I didn’t want to mess up my hair. I wanted it to look perfect. Grandmother Katie drove back to see me and take photos. As always, it was great to see her smiling round face and receive her warm hugs. I’d gone on a serious diet and workout program during the time leading up to prom. Mike even showed me how to lift weights properly and for the first time in my life my arms looked toned and muscular.
“Keysha, Antonio is here,” Mike hollered up the stairwell. Grandmother Katie and Barbara were both working feverishly to make sure the fabric was snug enough to hold my boobs in place and that my hair and makeup was flawless. I put in my earrings and looked at myself in the mirror.
“I barely recognize myself,” I said, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
“Don’t cry now,” Grandmother Katie said. “You’ll smudge your makeup if you do.”
“Okay,” I said, taking in a few deep breaths to quiet my nervousness.
“Oh, you look like a princess,” Barbara said as she stepped back and took a good look at me.
“Do you really think so?” I asked. Grandmother Katie made one final adjustment to my clothing.
“Okay, we’re going to go downstairs and take your picture when you come down the stairs.”
“Okay.” I smiled then laughed nervously. A few moments later, I heard Grandmother Katie telling Antonio how handsome he looked.
“Okay, Keysha. Come on down.” I began slowly walking down the stairs as if I was a princess or a Hollywood movie star. When I caught my first glimpse of Antonio, he looked absolutely princely in his black tuxedo. His hair was freshly cut and he was holding a wrist corsage. The way the expression changed on his face when our eyes met was priceless. My entire body was tingling with nervous energy. I glanced over at Jordan, who had a look of shock and awe blanketing his face. Then slowly, like the rising of the morning sun, a proud smile spread across his face. Mike gave me the thumbs-up and then began taking pictures with his camera phone. Jordan hugged me and told me how stunning I looked. Antonio approached me and placed the corsage on my wrist and then placed a light kiss on my cheek.
“You look amazing,” he whispered.
“Ahem.” Jordan cleared his throat loudly and then boldly proclaimed, “You know that you’re not getting any, right?”
“Jordan!” Grandmother Katie looked at him.
“What? I’m just letting the boy know what time it is,” Jordan said, defending himself while Grandmother Katie glared at him.
Antonio and I took several photos in the house and outside. Several neighbors who were out walking their dogs or doing spring yard work took time to compliment us on how gorgeous we looked. Jordan insisted on renting a limousine for us and from what Barbara told me, he tipped the driver handsomely to ensure that we had a wonderful time.
After having the limousine driver take us by Antonio’s house for photos and then to Maya’s house for additional pictures, we were finally on our way to prom, which was being held at the Hyatt Hotel at the McCormick Place Convention Center. Antonio and I entered the grand ballroom as if we were the king and queen of the world and were madly in love with each other. I was irresistible and Antonio couldn’t keep his hands off me. Not that I really minded; I’d already made up my mind to sleep with him. Misalo’s older brother rented a huge hotel suite for us. From what I understood, there were two bedrooms in the suite. One for Antonio and me, and one for Maya and Misalo.
The music was hot and a number of friends from the drama club came over to chat it up with us. Antonio and I didn’t dance until a slow song came on. It was “I Stay in Love” by Mariah Carey. Antonio and I swayed to the music, got lost in each other’s eyes and kissed. I sang to him, hoping he could see all of my intentions and yet be sensitive enough to understand how fragile and delicate my heart was.
The DJ switched up the music and began playing a song called “Birthday Sex” by Jeremih. The crowd went wild and began to sing out the chorus in unison.
Following that the DJ played a slew of popular dance songs, and the crowd got even louder. When the DJ finally put on a slow song, I grabbed Maya, who was dancing next to us with Misalo, and said, “Come to the bathroom with me. I am so hot now.” Maya agreed and we both stepped away from our men. As we walked down a hotel corridor I saw Wesley standing near a water fountain.
“Wesley,” I called to him as I approached. When he looked at me
his eyes were bloodred and the pungent odor of alcohol choked the air around us.
“Damn, you look good. You look a hundred times better than Lori, but I ain’t gonna tell her that.” Wesley leaned back against the wall.
“That’s a mean thing to say, Wesley,” I scolded him.
“Whatever, trick!” Wesley looked at me as if he hated the day I was born.
“You need help, Wesley.”
“The only thing I need is a damn drink.” Wesley’s words were slow and measured.
“Whatever, Wesley,” I said and entered the bathroom. I refused to let him ruin such a perfect night.
twenty-four
WESLEY
“I saw you talking to Keysha. She’s lucky she left before I got over here. Are you still licking your wounds over that bitch?” Lori had been drinking with me and she couldn’t hold her liquor or her tongue as well as I could.
“No,” I answered, rolling my eyes and grumbling at the same time.
“Good, because all the woman you need is standing right in front of you,” Lori reminded me. We kissed each other and I allowed my hands to enjoy the swell of her butt.
“Come on, let’s go. I’m ready to do you,” Lori said. “I’m going to screw Keysha out of your system. You said that Ed got us a hotel room, right?”
“Yeah, the Ramada Inn on Forty-seventh Street and Lake Shore Drive. He’s already given me the spare key.” I removed the room key and showed it to her.
“Well, come on then. Let’s make this happen.” Lori and I staggered out of the hotel and into the parking garage, where her mom’s car was parked.
“Give me the keys. I’ll drive,” I said because I knew I was much more alert than she was.
“Boy, please. I’m not going to let you drive my mother’s car. I got it,” she assured me.
Once inside the car, we made out. We explored each other before she finally pulled away and adjusted her clothes.
