Nappily in Bloom

by Trisha R. Thomas

  Next thing I knew, I was fastening my seat belt in the white Jaguar, my bat firmly locked and loaded in the front seat. I went to press the brake to start the car and realized the pedals were a mile away. Trevelle and her long legs. The electronic movement at a snail’s pace made me want to scream. “C’mon.”

  I started the car, and the first thing I saw was the empty-gas warning. She must’ve needed her husband, too. The little things. I put the car in drive and stepped lightly, doing my best to conserve energy. No sudden starts and stops.

  When I made it to the gas station, I thanked God. I had to give Trevelle the benefit of the doubt. That highly favored business might actually be real, running so low on gas. If it were me in my car, I surely would’ve been sitting on the side of the road on E, asking God, Why me?

  “Hey, girl, you need some help with that?” A thick baggy type was standing too close, offering his assistance with the pump.

  “No thank you.” I pressed the lowest octane. I figured the Jag could stand one filling of the lowest gasoline. I wasn’t paying nearly five dollars a gallon to feed her beast.

  “You sure? Somebody fine as you don’t need to be pumping gas.”

  “Sweet, but I have it.” He was so close, I had no room to back up.

  “All right, if you say so.”

  I watched him stroll into the convenience store. He disappeared behind some shelves. I figured I had enough gas to get me where I was going. I wanted to be gone before the guy came back outside. I knew I was in the dangerous part of town. If someone witnessed this situation, they would suggest I should’ve taken a chance to drive a few more miles to a better station. If someone witnessed the man coming up from behind me, they probably wouldn’t have known that it didn’t matter what station I’d pulled into, since he’d followed me there.

  “Trevelle, I’ma go ahead and pump that gas for you.” I felt an arm wrap around my neck while he dragged me over to the black Hummer that had appeared out of nowhere.

  “Wait. I’m not—” I felt the hot burn of my skin twist when he tightened his grip.

  “Shut up! Shut up—not a peep or I’ll snap your neck.”

  Oh, God!

  All I could remember was the show on TV, warning you never to let them take you to a second location. I opened my mouth and sunk my teeth into his arm. He yelped and released his grip. I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open. He yanked me back before I could get out.

  “I’m not her!” I yelled. “Help, somebody please help me!” The disgusting hand covered my nose and mouth. I couldn’t breathe. I fought as hard as I could, digging my nails into his arm then scratching at his face. Go for the eyes, use your elbows. How many times had I watched those women being accosted in the movies and thinking of all the right moves. None of them worked.

  He barely got the door closed. “Drive, let’s go. Move.” The Hummer screeched out of the gas station parking lot, and the sun hadn’t even set. When someone is said to have disappeared in plain daylight, it only means no one else was watching. There were no witnesses.

  Made You Look

  “You sure you want to do this?” Legend signed the contract on the last page. He slid it back to Jake with the pen.

  Jake leaned his chin on his folded hands, watching as Legend signed. “Whatever it takes.”

  “You’re doing the best thing. For you and your family, right? What else matters? Once the company sells, Ronny will be paid off, he’ll call off his fake posse, and you’ll have your life back.”

  “Let’s hope,” Jake said, putting the signed contract in his jacket pocket.

  “Where’s my copy, my brotha? Not that anything’s going to happen to you in your meeting tonight with Ronny, but we need the deal secure.”

  Jake snapped his fingers. “I wasn’t thinking. I should’ve got two copies. Sorry, man, we’ll take care of it on our way to the meeting.”

  They slipped out of the booth of Risou. Jake left a fifty-dollar tip on fifty dollars’ worth of food and drinks. He was feeling exceptionally generous. He wasn’t sure how everything would play out, but knowing it was at least going to end gave him a charge of relief.

  “Remember, I know this dude,” Legend said, warning Jake with his eyes. “He’s crazy. Just go along with whatever he says, whether you agree or not.”

  “Right.”

  “When he asks for his money back, don’t defend it with the truth. Just tell him the check’s in the mail.” Legend stuck his hand out to Jake; they leaned in on each other for a shoulder bump. “And this’ll all be over.”

  “You’re right about that.” Jake pushed the elevator button. Ronny was in room 3012, the penthouse of the Intercontinental. The hotel was too elegant for what was about to happen. “Just to let you know, I tipped off the agents about this meeting.”

  Legend stopped in his tracks. “You did what? I told you they were in on this whole thing. I told you they were working for Ronny.”

  “I called them, told them what was going down.” Jake raised his shoulders for effect.

  “I’ve always had your back. Why didn’t you listen to me?” His locs covered his face as he put his head down to think. “This isn’t good.”

  “And why is that?”

  “ ’Cause if you ain’t wearing a bulletproof vest, you’ve made a death wish. If police and Feds are involved, Ronny’s going to make it a showdown.” Legend pointed. “Which part of my warning went over your head?” Legend paced. “I can’t go up there. He’s going to think it was me. I swore I’d get him the money.”

  “What money is that exactly? And why would you promise him money you supposedly know nothing about.”

  Legend was backed into a corner. “You shouldn’t have gotten them involved.”

  “This is your last chance, man. When they get here, you might want to get your story straight. I know you want to pay off Ronny worse than I do. I know you’d sell my company to do it. The Legend I know would’ve thrown up his hands and wished everybody luck.”

  Legend didn’t answer him. He turned his back to Jake.

  “Tell me what I don’t know,” Jake said, ready to burst but keeping his calm.

  “The Legend you know, what kind of shit is that? I was doing you a favor. I hired two homo-thugs to kick Byron’s ass and get your money back. Did I know he’d stolen from some mass criminal empire or anybody else? No idea. All they were supposed to do was get him to talk and cough up the kitty he stole.” Legend shook his head. “For you, all for you. And this is how you repay me.”

  “You want me to say thanks? Man, fuck you. I would never ask you to do something like that for me. You know that. Now you bring all this to my door, come to my house, put my family’s life in danger. And I’m supposed to pay off the debt you made ’cause you did it for me? You didn’t do this for me.” He was holding in the urge to slam Legend against the wall. “You were going to take whatever Byron stole and keep it for yourself. You don’t give a damn about me.” Jake wanted to fall back and head straight out the lobby doors. Pack up his wife and daughter and get where no one would find him.

  “If we go to this meeting with those agents on the case, all we’re doing is admitting our guilt.”

  “Your guilt, not mine.” Jake said. “Yours.”

  “Okay, mine. If they realize we’re trying to strike a deal with Ronny on any level, it’s an admission of guilt.”

  Jake shook his head. “I didn’t call them. I told you that to see what you’d say.”

  Legend decompressed. “You’ll never change. Always the prankster.”

  “Wish it was that simple.”

  “Follow through.” Legend opened his hands then clasped them together. “Let’s do this and end it. I swear it will be the end. Ronny’s the only one we need to be afraid of. The Feds don’t have nothing on us. We push the deal through to sell the business, pay Ronny off, and it’s over.”

  “There you go using French again.” Jake turned around and started walking toward the sprawling hotel lobby. �
��There’s no we. You’re on your own.”

  “So you’re just going to exit stage left? What about the deal we just signed? Do I still get the money?” Legend called out to him.

  Jake faced him. “If I were you, I wouldn’t go up there. Go home, man. If you gotta pack your shit and hide out for a while, I suggest you do it.” Jake held up two fingers for peace. He wished him well.

  For a few seconds, the evening air tasted a little fresher. Mystery solved, though he’d lost one of his best friends in the process. He started walking toward the parking lot. His phone vibrated.

  “Mr. Parson,” the voice said on the other end of his cell phone. “Mya Fisher has not been picked up from school. We are following procedure, calling all the numbers listed on the emergency card. We’ve tried Mya’s mother on her cell, work, and home. If she’s not picked up by eight P.M., we have an obligation to call Child Services.”

  Jake checked the time and couldn’t believe it was seven thirty on the dot. “Please, don’t. I’ll be there. I’m on my way.”

  She would never be this late picking up Mya. Never. He faced the hotel and had the worst wave of fear. Did Ronny have something to do with this? Did he take Venus? Jake had a hard time catching his breath, not sure which way to go. Back inside, where he’d just left, or pick up Mya before the preschool went into procedure alert? Then he remembered her message, the one he’d ignored because he figured it was the usual conversation.

  Her voice was shaky: “Babe, I think you should know that the FBI agents are real. Please be careful. If they need your cooperation, give it to them. Even if it means giving up your friend Legend. Do the right thing. It’ll be okay.”

  Jake pulled out the card Agent Tonya McDonald had given him. He dialed the number with a shaky hand and prayed they knew something. Even if it meant they had Venus in custody for wielding her trusty bat. The only thing he knew was he couldn’t move from the spot he was standing in until he knew she was safe. Otherwise, he was going up to room 3012.

  Shugga Pie Hunny Bun

  The oldies music was coming out past the doors and into the parking lot. Vince shut off the engine. “Looks like they’re already partying in there. Remember what we talked about. If she wants to talk to you, fine, but you’re not going to push it.”

  “Agreed.” I put out my hand. He took mine and, instead of shaking it, put it to his lips. “You’ve been too kind to me. I’m not used to anyone wanting to simply be kind without wanting something in return—a prayer, a blessing.”

  “By blessing, you mean money? I thought it was the sheep that liked to give money to you, not the other way around.”

  “Sheep.” I curled up my nose.

  “Hey, I call it straight. But to be nice let’s say flock.”

  “I have a following who enjoy my teachings—for that I am rewarded. But there’s the personal side of my life that sometimes needs nourishment. When I’m always giving, I sometimes don’t remember to replenish. When I reach out for a touch or caring moment, if I dare share my vulnerability, I always seem to get hurt.”

  “Not on my watch,” he said. “Let’s go and get this over with. Then we’ll find the biggest juiciest steak we can get our hands on with a bottle of vino.”

  “Mr. Capricio, I do not drink.”

  “We’ll pretend it’s just water before Jesus made it into wine.”

  “You’re wicked.”

  “And you’re even more beautiful when you’re vulnerable.”

  Gray had just hung up with Ronny, who’d confirmed what he wanted to hear. Operation Get Rid of the Thorn in His Side was in effect. He felt like dancing. He snapped his fingers and sang along with the music. “I can’t help myself. I love you and nobody else.”

  Keisha blushed before getting up from the table where she and Delma were going over the seating chart. She did a one-two, one-two on each side, sliding toward him. He spun around before taking her hands. The bridal party clapped and bounced with them. Even Bishop Talley got in on the action, bopping his head.

  The party before the party. The celebration of the celebration. Whatever it was called, Gray was elated. Until he looked over Keisha’s shoulder and saw Trevelle Doval standing there before his eyes, hand on her hip with one side of her jaw sucked in coming toward them.

  Was he already being haunted by guilt? He’d gotten the news only two minutes ago. Now here she stood. Keisha stopped dancing when Gray seemed fixated on one spot. She turned to see what kept his attention.

  “Oh no,” she said under her breath.

  Trevelle put up a hand. “I’m here to help place the flowers. Seems I have a new vocation, or temporary at least.” She smiled at the floral employee who was bringing in the arrangements.

  Gray was still too dumbfounded to take a step forward.

  She mistook his silence for a conciliatory offering. Her determined steps on the parquet dance floor echoed with each step. “I come in peace,” she said into his left ear. “I’m not trying to start trouble.”

  He still could not respond. Ronny had lied, point blank. But why? He understood the arrangement. Gray could pay only if he had the money directly as a result of Keisha getting her inheritance. Why would Ronny lie?

  The music seemed louder than a minute ago.

  Keisha was trying to get his attention. “This is bizarre, huh? The famous Trevelle Doval is delivering flowers. But kind of sweet.” She watched as Trevelle carefully placed a couple of centerpieces then left out the door for a second trip, swishing in her St. John knit pantsuit and high heels.

  Delma stomped her way toward them both. “Give me one of those cell phones y’all got on you. I need to call Venus. Unless somebody’s kidnapped that child and tied her up good, there’s no way she would allow this.”

  “Venus? Who’s that?” Gray squinted, feeling a bad headache coming on. It had been months since he’d battled one of his off-the-chain headaches. The kind that made his stomach turn and his eyes water.

  “The coordinator,” Delma said, still holding out her hand for the first person who could donate a communication device. She’d announced that her phone was left in the car along with her purse.

  “The florist,” Keisha added. “She’s Mom’s friend. I don’t think you met her yet. Really nice lady with the cutest little girl. Her daughter is supposed to be our flower girl. She should be here, too, for the rehearsal.”

  Little girl. The thought of a child and her mother landing in the hands of Slash, Ronny’s fool right-hand man, made him nearly bowl over. “I’m going to the john.”

  “I need your phone,” Mama D ordered. “Right now.”

  He took one step in front of the other as straight as he could, though he felt queasy. “Be right back. Use Keisha’s.”

  “Mine is in the car, too.” Keisha’s eyes burrowed into Gray’s back. He could feel both women staring him down as he walked away, but he didn’t care. He had to find out what was going on.

  “Tell me you haven’t done anything yet, ’cause you got the wrong woman.” Gray spoke low and fast. “Do you understand me. You got the wrong person.”

  “Take it easy, I don’t like your tone,” Ronny said. “Calm your ass down.”

  “I’m looking at Trevelle Doval, so obviously whoever you snatched is the wrong person. What’d she look like?”

  “I wouldn’t know. I don’t do the dirty work. I’m an outsourcing kind of guy.”

  “Then you need to call your subcontractor and tell him to put her back wherever he found her or the whole deal is off, you understand?”

  “Might be too late for that.”

  “Don’t even try it.” Gray’s head was exploding. His eyes were blurry. “Don’t mess with me. You won’t see a dime, not a penny, and I’ll make sure your life changes real fast, you feel me?”

  “Are you making threats?” Ronny was ready for the challenge.

  Gray paused. “Let whoever you have go,” he said calmly. “Just walk away. Better yet, the right person is here at the Callaway Resort.
Make an even exchange. Tell whoever it is to come here and get her. She’s got on a white suit, long hair, brown skin. . . . Hell, y’all muthafuckas don’t watch the news?” Gray broke down. “You need to get here and fix this.”

  “I can’t be in two places at one time. I’m meeting your boy JP, remember?”

  “Enough with the excuses. Damn, how do you get this wrong? The woman is on TV almost every night.” He hung up, realizing he’d been holding on to the cross on his chain. He put it to his lips. He did not want to be responsible for an innocent woman and child to part this earth. Trevelle Doval was another story.

  The tap on his shoulder made him jump, grabbing whoever’s hand, twisting it like an action hero.

  “Ouch, Gray! Ohmigod, you hurt me.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He kissed Keisha’s wrist. “Nerves, you know. Wedding jitters. Everything all right?” He wiped the moisture off his forehead.

  “Fine. I was worried about you.” Keisha had had a trial run with the makeup artist. The thick, dark liner on her eyes was too intense. The fake lashes overshadowed her soft eyes. The pink blush, clownish with her hair pulled up like the queen of England.

  “Do me a favor, wash that mess off your face.” He stuck his hand behind her head and pulled the clip loose that was holding up her hair, letting it cascade down her back.

  “That’s what’s bothering you? It wasn’t bothering you a minute ago. Please, you can tell me. Is it Trevelle? You don’t want her here. I’ll tell her to leave. My mother is trying to figure out a way to get her out, but if it’s making you sick like this, I won’t hesitate.”

  “No.” Gray held her close. “I didn’t say that. All I asked you to do is get this stuff off your face. I want you to look like the woman I fell in love with on our wedding day. This isn’t you. Okay, that’s all.” He kissed her forehead. “Mama D will survive. Leave Trevelle to do what she came to do. She wants to help. This is her way. Peace, that’s all we want, right? No confrontations. No wild accusations.”