by Nicety
“What else?” She reluctantly asked.
“Well honey, the doctor will be in shortly to discuss everything with you. Now, I think it’s best you hear everything from him.” She said as she straightened the sheets on the bed.
“Fuck them sheets! Tell me what’s up!” Diamond snapped.
The nurse frowned up and turned cold. She huffed as she stormed out of the room slamming the sliding door behind her. Diamond knew she fucked up, sitting back in the bed and sighing heavily. She looked out of the huge glass doors at the nurse gawking and talking about her to the other nurses.
Diamond didn’t give a shit about that lady’s feelings, she just needed to know what the fuck was happening to her and when she could leave. Hospitals made her nervous because it seemed as though everyone she loved, checked in alive and checked out dead. She grabbed the nurse’s button and the emergency button pressing all of them simultaneously while kicking and screaming.
“Get me the fuck outta here!” She yelled as she knocked over machines she was attached too and rocked the bed from side to side.
They knew she was trying to get attention and wasn’t about to feed into her childish antics. The doctor finally politely entered the room with three other patient attendants. They cleaned Diamond’s mess then waited for the doctor’s orders as he looked through Diamond’s paperwork without even batting an eye her way.
“Ms. Burden, I see you’re eighteen years old and you are with child. Correct?” The bulky male doctor asked her looking down on her from the out the top of his glasses.
“No doc. You got the wrong chart, fam.” Diamond spat, not fazed by his diagnosis.
“Uh, no we’ve ran many tests on you and you are with child. Looks to me, you’re about eight weeks pregnant.” The doctor said referring back to his chart.
Diamond’s heart dropped in mid-sentence. She didn’t know how the hell she got pregnant when she felt fine and felt nothing. Thinking back, she couldn’t even figure out whose it could be. Her stomach was as flat as a board as she rubbed it confusingly. At this point, it could’ve been anybody’s bastard child. She shrugged her shoulders knowing that was something she could easily take care of. She didn’t like kids nor did she want them so her decision on what to do was already made. The doctor flicked back and forth through papers in his binder. He didn’t make eye contact with her as she sucked her teeth and curled her lip.
“Well there’s more.” The doctor said taking a deep breath and shaking his head in pure disgust. “You’ve tested positive for the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome disease.”
“A what? Fuck all the bullshit, doc. Just give it to me raw.”
“Basically you tested positive for AIDS. You should stop all sexual activity now and talk to everyone you’ve ever had sex with because they need to get tested. The nurse will be in shortly to give you your walking papers and a few prescriptions for AIDS medications. I suggest you see your regular physician soon to start treatment. ” The doctor said emotionless.
“Wait, wait, wait. How could you find out that quickly?” She asked damn near out of breath.
“Excuse me?” The doctor asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I mean…well…I mean a guy I’ve been sleeping with just told me today that he had AIDS. I’ve only been sleeping with him for a month. In high school they taught us that it could take 6 weeks to a few years to find out, so how do you know?” Diamond protested.
"We have early detection tests that look for any trace of the disease so people can find out sooner and be able to stop the spread of it." The doctor responded sounding very educated.
"Early...detection."
“Let me ask you a question, Ms. Burden. How long have you been sexually active unprotected?”
“I…um…well…”
With that, the doctor stood patting her on the leg and walked out of the room. She couldn’t breathe. It was like the doctor sucked all of the air out of the room when he left. She couldn’t feel her toes and her hands were going numb as well. There were always people talking about things like that but once it hit home, it became real. Automatically, she blamed that nasty ass Tino. He was the only one she knew that could’ve given it to her. She prayed like hell for her sisters not to find out about the tragedy that had become her. While she was praying in they walked with McDonald’s in their hands.
“There she is! What the hell was you doing out there girl? What happened to your face?” Lex said as she strolled in dumping the bag right in Diamond’s lap.
“Nothing. So you ain’t gonna say nothing to me, Pandora?” Diamond snapped folding her arms.
“For what? You made your bed and now you lying in it. Right?” Pandora snapped back sassy-like.
Lexi gawked at her in repulsion and rolled her eyes hard focusing her attention back on her bedridden sister. She rubbed her leg assuring her that everything was okay between the both of them at least. Pandora remained on her high horse refusing to mutter a word as she texted away on her phone.
“Lex, next time you come and visit me remember to do it alone. Don’t bring the bougie princess over here.” Diamond spat.
“You know I was wondering what that smell was when I walked in the room and now I know. It’s shit. And not just any old shit, no, pure unadulterated dog shit. I’m out Lex.” Pandora retorted as she sauntered out of the room.
“Man, I swear I don’t know who that bitch is anymore. Straight up.” Diamond said shaking her head and feeling tears begin to form eyes.
“I know, girl. I know. I’ve been thinking the same shit lately. All I care about right now is what’s going on with you.” Lexi responded.
Diamond wanted to tell her sister all about the conversation she had with the doctor. She wanted to tell her what happened at Tino’s house as well but she felt if she had, she would look at her in a whole new light. This was unfortunately a secret she wouldn’t be able to tell anyone and would need to take it to the grave for sure. She looked deeply into her promiscuous sister’s eyes and realized she could be in jeopardy as well.
“Lex, I need for you to promise me something.”
“Anything, Di. What’s up?”
“Promise me you’ll go to the doctor for a checkup.”
“A what? Bitch is you crazy?” Lexi spat laughing her off.
“No, Lex. Straight up. Please for me.” Diamond spat sincerely.
“Why is this so important to you, Di?” Lexi asked curiously.
“It just is. Can you do that for me, lil sis?”
“No doubt, Diamond. I’ll do it for you.” Lexi replied with a pleasant smile.
The two hugged as they changed the subject catching up on old times. Diamond wished she hadn’t have ever created the demon that is now Pandora. She knew that one day her antics would come back to bite her in the ass but she didn’t know it would be at the cost of losing her sister. Pandora allowed that night to consume and change her into a beast and she loved every minute of it with no regrets. Diamond’s eyes bulged into high beams as various thoughts ran through her head about teaching her sister a lesson.
“Alright, hun. Here are your papers and your clothes are in that drawer over there. Now you’ve got to take these pills as prescribed or else you could have a setback. It’s common for people to live longer with this so you can fight,” the nurse said, looking up.
“Um, yeah, I got it. Thanks.” Diamond interrupted snatching the papers from her hand.
That was the last straw for that nurse. She had never been disrespected like that in her entire career at that hospital and her blistering, aching feet told it. She was already bitter because she was middle aged with no kids and no man and she wasn’t about to tolerate some young spoiled heathen with a royal attitude. She wasn’t aware of Diamond’s plan to keep her mouth shut.
“You know what? If I wasn’t saved, I would’ve been laid your behind out on this floor because you sure do need a whoppin’. Your momma and daddy should’ve done it and then maybe you wouldn’t be in this mess. Lea
rn to keep your legs closed and you wouldn’t have this problem.” The nurse roared.
“Can you please just shut the fuck up and get out my room so I can leave?” Diamond spat irritably.
“Bitch you need to get on with that shit and leave my sister alone before I get wit’ your ass!” Lexi retorted getting in her fighting stance.
“Oh so you okay with your hot to trot sister coming up with that package, huh? You gon’ end up just like her then. Curse at that!” The nurse said as she strutted out the door.
Lexi slowly turned to Diamond trying to see what her face read. If she was holding a secret, Diamond wouldn’t be able to keep it, not from her. She avoided eye contact with Lexi obviously. She didn’t want to look into her eyes and tell her a bold face lie but she would if it came down to it. She slipped her clothes on in a millisecond then bagged up the rest of her belongings and signed out of the hospital. Lexi wouldn’t let up on the inquisitive look that she stared her down with. As they crossed the street haling a cab, Lexi couldn’t wait for her to offer up the information any longer.
“What up?” Diamond asked tired of her eyes burning a hole in her face.
“You know.” Lexi replied.
“Ugh, it’s nothing Lex. Let it go.”
“Is this the same nothing that you want me to go get checked out for?” Lexi asked.
“Maybe.”
“No! Stop and tell me what the fuck is going on! Are you pregnant?” Lexi spat grabbing her sister’s arm aggressively.
Diamond was surprised that she didn’t automatically assume something worse. It made her smile a little inside knowing that. She grabbed Lexi by the back of the neck squeezing and shaking her a tad.
“Yes, Lex. I’m pregnant.” Diamond laughed.
“Really? Oh my God! I’m gonna be an aunt!” Lexi danced.
“No you’re not ‘cause I’m getting an abortion.” Diamond spat with the stink face. “Meanwhile, we got bigger fish to fry. We need to hit the bank real quick.”
“The bank, Di? For what?”
“I’ve gotta see a dog about an old bone.”
Chapter 14- Bad Bitch
All that could be heard from the back of Pandora’s truck were her sensual moans of lust. She was thrilled to have her man back and to have also had him break her virginity. He was now officially her one and only true love. She knew that their love would last a lifetime because she hadn’t yearned for anyone else the way she had for him. The little sexcapade that happened between him, her, and Lexi was a distant memory and she would make sure of it by sexing him crazy. He would be too busy to want anything else.
“Ugh! Pandora, you are trying to hard baby. Stop forcing it.” Kojack spat.
“Okay like this baby?” She asked.
“No. Just go up and down slowly.”
“Like this?”
“No. No. Let’s just forget it.” Kojack retorted.
“Okay.” Pandora happily jumped up wiping her mouth. “So, you ready to do me now?”
“Girl. I ain’t even in the mood anymore.”
“Why not? You didn’t seem to have a problem when Lex was sucking your dick.” Pandora snapped.
Kojack daydreamed about Lexi. He found himself unable to speak when he heard her name knowing that she was the shit in every way imaginable but long term untouchable. If she were just a few years older he would have dropped Pandora’s needy ass for Lexi. Even though he was back with her it just didn’t feel the same as before. The spark was missing. It was gone. They were merely fucking to keep them connected but Kojack could not get it together.
“Ay, hit me later. I got some business to take care of.” Kojack said pulling up his pants.
“But what about my needs?” She fussed.
“I don’t know what to tell you. I gotta go.” He said pissed that his balls were hurting.
There was virtually nothing he could do about it but jag off or go find him a bust-down. He was not interested in either since both came with consequences so he decided he would just go home to a cold shower and some old school shows of WWF wrestling. He buckled his pants then climbed back into the driver’s seat checking his mirrors for onlookers.
“You ready?” He asked annoyed.
“Yeah, ready to get my pussy licked.” She responded.
“Well, you short on that.”
His words cut through her soul like razor blades on onions. She hopped out of his car and into hers without so much as a valediction. Her phone showed multiple missed calls from various people but only a few were important to her at that point.
“Yeah, Keisha.”
“Look, y’all are bogus for leaving me here like this. I need for somebody to get her and help me. I’ ain’t sign up to do this shit by myself, P.” Keisha snapped.
“Alright, alright. Pipe down. I’ll be there in a minute.”
****
“Just follow my lead.” Diamond spat quietly.
She walked up to the counter with her properly filled out slip and handed it to the teller. Her nerves were on edge but she was maintaining perfectly, looking confidently solid. She flicked her hair and tugged down her purple shimmering cocktail dress that she had borrowed from Lexi. Of course it was a little big in the butt part but she still filled it out pretty well.
“Um, so ma’am you want to withdraw the entire amount. May I ask why?” The teller asked suspecting.
“Yes. I’m switching my primary bank and I would like to get all of my money. Thanks.” Diamond said as poised as could be.
“Okay. Let me just check with the manager.” The teller walked off to a gray haired old white man in the back of the office. He peeked his head out of his door to catch a small glimpse of Diamond then headed straight for them. He rubbed his head profusely seemingly nervous about approaching the window.
“Can I help you?” He muttered.
“Hi, Bill. Yes you can. I would like to withdraw all of my money please.” She answered.
Bill looked around the room at his employees and shooed them off letting them know he had the situation under control. He turned back to Diamond with the most sinister look on his face.
“What the hell are you doing here at my place of business, Diamond? You trying to get me fired or something?” Bill’s tone of voice was hostile.
“Oh no, Bill. This is not a personal vendetta against you or nothing. I just need that got damn money. Now Bill.” She demanded.
“Well, I’m sorry I just can’t got damn give it to you.” He replied as his protruding beer belly jumped up and down and his country accent began to emerge.
“Oh really. Well I would hate to call Marsha and tell her that all of those sleepless nights she went through were because you were laid up with little old me. Oops!” Diamond exclaimed covering her mouth shyly. “Do I still have her number in my iPhone? Oh, I think I do.”
“You fucking wouldn’t!”
“I fucking would Bill. Now I think you ought to play ball with me ‘cause you know yours are right in the palm of my hands. Do I need to squeeze?” Diamond said smiling brightly.
“Got damn it! What do you want from me gal?” Bill said looking for the head boss.
“I just need you to authorize that tiny sheet of paper that says I can walk out of here with $50,000 and we’re all good baby.”
Bill rubbed his head profusely as he wrote his name on the paper and walked to the back to hand it to the teller. The stunned look on her face was priceless as she walked back to the desk. She wiped the look off of her face before she got there not wanting to cause a scene.
“How would you like this ma’am?” She asked typing information into the computer.
“Uh, hundreds please. Yes, that’ll work and you can fill it in this suitcase. Thank you!” Diamond spat enthusiastically.
The woman took the silver suitcase from her, disappearing into the back room for a few minutes then returning with the suitcase closed tightly. She reluctantly handed it out of the glass door to Diamond then hurried to close the
door back.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” The teller said displaying a fake grin.
“No, but…Ay, Bill!” Diamond yelled, as she knocked hard on the thick paned glass. “You might wanna go to the doctor and get checked out. You might be burning!”
She and Lexi laughed hysterically on their way out of the door. Scheming was one of the many things they liked doing together. It felt good to be back with her favorite sister doing what they knew how to do best. Diamond wanted to tell her sister so badly that she might not have that long to live especially since she knew she wouldn’t be able to take those pills for very long. She hated taking pills that much that she was willing to risk her life to elude taking them.
****
Keisha side eyed every corner of the alley. It was weird but it felt like something or someone was watching her like a hawk. She could feel them but she couldn’t see them. It tore her up inside, wanting to yell for them to come out and show themselves but not knowing if she was just delusional. She jumped breathing heavily as a three weird taps graced her shoulder. She put her dukes up ready to box a motherfucker if they tried anything funny but the truth was that bitch was scared out of her mind.
“Fuck you jumping for?” Pandora asked laughing in her face.
“Bitch, ‘cause you trippin’. How you just gon’ leave me here by myself?” Keisha said wiping the sweat off her forehead and handing her the wad of bills from her bra.
“Awe, your scary ass. What’s the worst that could happen? You get robbed. Anyway, how’s Ms. Rita doing?” Pandora questioned snatching the cash from her hands playfully counting every single bill.
“She’s in her room passed out thanks to your shit. I don’t like seeing my momma that way everyday all day, P. It ain’t cool and I for damn sure don’t like working the set by myself. I quit.” Keisha spat throwing down the baggies in her hand.
“Tramp, you can’t quit ‘til I tell you to.” Pandora snapped.
“Oh yeah, bitch? Watch me.” Keisha began to walk off.
Cluckers walked on the scene ready to purchase product. They sniffed out the bags on the ground and went to reach for them swiftly before anyone saw them. Pandora reached behind her back and pulled out her instrument ready to pump a few into their heads. The held their hands up and backed up smiling not wanting any trouble.
