by Lucinda John
“Yeah, we about to fuck up South Beach!!”
We walked up to the third level where we were holding interviews. The club was scheduled to open up next week and I still had a few more people to hire. Instead of hiring a female assistant/ club manager, I decided to go with Doug, a blue-collar square that just graduated from business school. Having a female up under me every day wasn’t the type of problems I needed while I was trying to work shit out with Lala.
Taking a seat on the long, curved, red-velvet plush sectional, I watched as Doug conducted a few interviews. This dude was sharp and on point.
“How much more people do we need to hire?” I asked just as he got done shaking hands with a big booty Chinese chick.
“Cyna,” he said pointing at the Chinese chick, “Was the last of the strippers. Now we’re interviewing bartenders.”
Once the words left his mouth, a beautiful, full-figured woman walked in with a big smile plastered across her face. I didn’t discriminate; all women were beautiful to me. Big, tall, short, or small, if you had what I was looking for then you were hired.
“You must be…Staci,” I said looking down at the folder Doug handed me.
“Here in the flesh,” she confidently said with a smile. I liked lil’ mama already.
“Staci, tell me about yourself.”
“I’m 24, graduated from Elite Bartending School three years ago, have worked at numerous upscale bars and club and I’m a go getter. Even if you weren’t thinking about hiring me because I am more curvaceous than your typical bartender vixen chick, I bet by the end of this interview that I change your mind,” she said with a wink.
“Confidence, I like that,” I replied taking her appearance in.
Her hair was neatly laid down her back. She wore a high-waist black skirt with a white blouse tucked in. The red pumps she wore on her feet matched the red lipstick that decorated her plump lips. She was a very beautiful girl and there was no doubt in my mind that she would be a nice asset to my business.
“I’m rocking with you, when can you start?”
“Right now, if you want me to.”
“That’s what’s up. Doug, set her up with Hillary in HR so that she can start her paperwork.”
“Do you have any questions Staci?”
“Yes, how much am I getting paid?”
“Straight to the point.”
“I am a woman who is about my coins,” she smiled, causing me to laugh.
“The job pays nine hundred and fifty dollars a week, plus your tips.”
“Hmm, you might as well just give me that fifty dollar raise now,” she said licking her lips.
“Why should I?”
“I’m worth it.”
“We’ll see. Go down to HR and fill out your paperwork. See you next week.”
“Ay ay captain.” She winked before walking off.
I allowed Ralph and Doug to finish up with the interviews while I went to my office to do some work. I was looking over some paper work that the contractor for the lounge sent, when I was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I called out.
“Hmm, I love what you did to the place,” Carla purred walking into my office.
“Carla, what are you doing here? We made a deal.”
“No, you made a deal. I agreed, but I never said I would do it.”
“If Lala catch you she is going to kill you.”
“Well then we’ll just have to deal with my father. I don’t think sex with him will fix things though, unless you’re into old men,” she laughed, taking a seat on my desk crossing her legs.
I wasn’t going to lie; Carla was carrying the pregnancy well. She kicked off her heels, removed her dress, and then laid back on my desk. Pouting her full, red-colored lips, she stuck her finger in her mouth then brought it down to her clit.
“Mmm papá, se siente tan bien!” (Mmm daddy, it feels so good!) She moaned as she rubbed her clit fast, then slow.
“Ven a nadar en este coño.” (Come and swim in this pussy.) She began to pant as she brought herself to an orgasm.
“Carla, get the fuck out my office! I don’t want to see your ass unless you’re bringing me some damn DNA results,” I snapped.
“Did you ask Lala for a DNA test?”
“I know who been running up in her raw.”
“Oh really? Hmm, so that cop, umm, what’s his name? Joey…yes Joey. So Joey wasn’t running up in her raw?” she smirked.
“Carla, I will kill you myself if you don’t get dress and get the fuck out NOW!!” I yelled.
“Ohhh cranky! Are you still in the doghouse?” she laughed.
Grinding my teeth, I felt the veins in my neck threaten to explode as I tried my best to keep calm. Every bone in my body wanted to slam her fucking head against my Pergola desk. Walking over to her, I snatched her and threw her out of my office, tossing her clothes behind her.
“Open this fucking door!” she yelled banging on the door.
“Carla, get the fuck out of here!”
“Mmm, you want to play? Just know I’m Sony’s little sister. I play these games better than you!”
“Get the fuck out of my lounge with that shit.”
“A lounge that was built with drug money, fuck with me Stacks! I’ll take it there.”
Did this bitch just threaten to snitch on me? I thought as I snatched open my office door and grabbed her by her neck. Pushing her against the wall, I tried to squeeze the life out of that snake bitch.
“Stacks bruh, chill,” Ralph said trying to pry my hands from around her throat.
“Ralph, get this rat from around me before I kill her ass!”
“Mmm, did I press daddy’s button?” she smirked.
I tried to grab the bitch again but Ralph caught me.
“Carla, get dressed and go,” Ralph said as he tried to push me back into the office.
“Bruh, what you doing?” Ralph asked after closing my office door.
“Man that hoe on some police type shit.”
“Three more months to go, then jit will be here so just chill.”
“On my mama, I’m about to kill the hoe.”
“I feel you ‘cause that’s how I be wanting to do Jr’s mom and Kandi’s ass,” he laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
“How far did y’all get with the interview?” I asked changing the subject.
“We’re done. Everyone has been hired and ready to start working. The uniforms you picked out for the females to wear is something serious.”
“Yeah, it’s finna be sick,” I replied, standing up and heading towards my safe.
After locking everything up, we decided to call it a day. As soon as I locked up, I spotted an all-black Dodge Charger lurking from across the street.
“Ralph, that’s twelve?” I asked looking towards the car.
“Looks like it,” he replied.
“Lemme find out Carla is on some snake type shit, I’mma body her ass for real,” I said, getting in the car and pulling off.
Chapter 6
Joey
Every time I see Lala and Stacks, my blood pressure rises. It was because of them I lost everything including my job. After losing Ashley and my son in the fire, I completely lost it. I used whiskey as my escape, turning myself into a certified drunk. Missing too many days, coming in late, and just fucking up when I did decide to come to work, is what cost me my job.
When I’m not at the cop’s bar getting drunk, I’m spending my days following Stacks and Lala around. I was determined to find something to bring them down. If I closed the case on the famous Stacks, not only would it land me my job, but I’d finally feel like I made my father proud.
Sitting outside of Stacks’ new club, I watched him and Ralph get in their cars and leave. I knew this club was going to be the ring of their drug business and I couldn’t wait to be the one to bring it all down. My plan was simple: I was going to fuck the shit
out of Lala, then kill her and those snot nose kids. Stacks would be locked away behind bars for life, living with the agony of the death of the love of his life and kids. He was going to first hand feel the pain I woke up with every day.
Driving to the liquor store, I bought me a few bottles of my newfound love, whiskey. Pulling into the hotel that I was now staying at, I locked myself into my room. Retrieving the family photo album from the desk, I prepared myself for the pity party I was about to have. I tore open the bag, unscrewed the dark liquor and gulped it down as if it was water.
Opening another bottle of Whiskey, I browsed through the photos of my family. With every turn of the page, my heart began to ache. Images of my loved ones that were snatched from me filled my head. Their smiles began to haunt me because I failed to protect them.
Unable to take the pain, I reached for my revolver and placed a bullet in it. Spinning the cylinder, I placed the muzzle to my head and pulled the trigger. The chamber clicked letting me know tonight wasn’t my night to die.
Throwing the gun across the room, I burst into a fit of tears as I continued to fill my empty soul with the poison I now depended on.
“You piece of shit, can’t even kill yourself right. Who fails at committing suicide?” My father’s voice echoed in my head.
“I’m sorry father.”
“You’re a sorry motherfucker alright. You are nothing like your brother.”
“He’s the reason your dead!”
“At least he was able to complete his mission, unlike you! I don’t know why your mother didn’t listen to me when I told her to leave your ass in front of a firehouse. Ever since you were born, I knew you would be a disappointment.”
“I’m going to fix everything, I promise.”
“Kill yourself and get it over with,” my father laughed in my head.
“GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HEAD!!!” I screamed, punching myself in the head. “Those bitches will pay father, I promise.” Picking up my third bottle, I chugged it down then reached for my fourth.
Chapter 7
Lala
“You have to go,” Lisa said taking a seat at my desk.
“No. Why would I go to Stacks’ grand opening? I’m trying to get over him.”
“I don’t want to go by myself. Plus, what better way to get back at him than to walk up in his shit lookin’ fly?”
“Man.”
“Come on, don’t be such a party pooper; it will be fun. We can just go and show face. I promise we don’t have to stay long.”
“Okay, but if he comes messing with me, I’m leaving.”
“I’m licensed to carry baby, just say the word and I’ll bring some heat his way,” she said patting her purse.
“Oh please, can you leave so I can get some work done,” I said pulling a patient’s chart.
Since the breakup, I’ve been channeling all of my energy into my kids and work.
“Girl please, you know you don’t do shit but sit on your ass,” she laughed, picking up the menu book. “What are you trying to eat for lunch?”
“Ohhhh, get me so hot wings from Wings Plus.”
“Fat ass. You need to slow down; you’re gaining a lot of weight. You sure you got one baby in there?” she joked.
“Oh shut up. I’m surprised I’m gaining all this weight. I can’t seem to keep anything down.”
“It must be water weight. You need to chill out and stop allowing your blood pressure to rise. Hell, you should know all of this, Charge Nurse Lala.”
“Whatever, what are you wearing to this party?”
“Girl, I don’t know. We should go to the mall.”
“We should, plus I want to cut my hair in a bob add some highlights, switch it up ya know.”
“Oh chy, shake that ass and make yo’ baby daddy mad,” she said, getting up and popping her ass.
“I’m not finna play with you,” I laughed, walking out of my office.
After I finished up with my last patient, Lisa and I had lunch then headed over to the mall in search of something to wear.
“Is that Kandi?” Lisa asked as we were in Aldos trying on some shoes.
“Where?” I asked looking up.
“Over there,” she said nodding her head towards the entrance.
I followed Lisa’s head and there was a very pregnant Kandi walking in the store.
“Ahhh shit,” I said when I noticed Ralph walking in behind her.
“Oh hell no!!” Lisa said walking over towards them.
Fixing the shoes in the box, I picked it up and followed behind her.
“What the fuck is this?” Lisa snapped, mushing Ralph in the head.
The look on Ralph’s face was priceless. He looked like a fucking deer caught in some damn headlights.
“Pick up your damn mouth. What the fuck you doing in here with this hoe?” Lisa spat.
“Lisa man, just chill.”
“Chill? You taking your baby mama on a shopping spree and you telling me to chill?”
“It ain’t even like that.”
“So you ain’t standing here with bags of shit you bought this hoe”?
“Let’s talk about this later in private,” Ralph mumbled.
“You got this bitch out in public, but you don’t want to talk in public. You know what… fuck you Ralph. Let’s go Lala,” she said, dragging me out the store with the box of shoes in my hand.
The buzzer on the door beeped, alarming the security guard. Embarrassed, I ended up having to walk back in the store to pay for the shoes. The drive back to my house was a quiet one. When we arrived, Lisa stormed into one of the guest bedrooms, slamming the door behind her. Giving her space, I went to go play with the twins.
“Where’s Amire?” I asked Anna as she poured macaroni in a baking dish.
“His father came and took him to go get a haircut.
“Oh. What’s for dinner?” I asked pinching Amiracle’s cheeks.
“Collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and fried tilapia.”
“Sounds so good,” I replied with a watering mouth.
“Lala?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I usually don’t get involved in y’all young folks’ business, but when are you going to give Stacks a chance? That poor baby is walking around here like a sick puppy.”
“Ms. Anna, I’m done with him.”
“Who you think you’re fooling? I see how you mope around this house chy, you ain’t done with him.”
“I may not be there yet, but I’m close to it.”
“You young folks are so stubborn. Listen baby, love is a beautiful thing. If it’s fixable, fix it.”
“I hear you Ms. Anna.”
“Mmm hmm, go on and wash up for dinner and tell Lisa bring her rude ass down here. Heifer walked past me without a ‘hello’.”
“Okay,” I laughed walking out of the kitchen.
“Lisa, you good?” I asked as I entered the guest room taking a seat next to her on the bed.
“Girl, ain’t nobody thinking ‘bout that nigga.”
“Do you want to still go to the grand opening?” I asked hoping that she had changed her mind.
“Hell yeah! I’m about to show my ass. Two can play that motherfucking game,” she said getting hype.
“Oh Lord,” I replied rolling my eyes.
We went downstairs to have dinner before we left for the salon. As we were leaving the house, Stacks was pulling in. I hurriedly ran inside the car and pulled off, almost leaving Lisa behind.
“Damn bitch, your ass floored it. I bet if you were the getaway driver in Set It Off them bitches would have never gotten caught,” Lisa said putting on her seatbelt.
“I was not trying to get trapped by Stacks’ ass; I’ve been avoiding that nigga.”
“So you really done with him like on some real shit?” she asked checking her lip gloss.
“I don’t know for sure, but for now I am.”
; “You is a confused hoe.”
“Fuck up,” I snapped. “Ohhhh, this my shit!!” I said turning the radio volume up to full blast.
I bet you start loving me
Soon as I start loving someone else
Somebody better than you
I bet you start needing me
Soon as you see me with someone else
Somebody other than you
And I know that it hurts
You know that it hurts your pride
But you thought the grass was greener on the other side
I bet you start loving me
Soon as I start loving someone else
Somebody better than you
Lisa and I sung the words to the Ciara’s lyrics as if we were performing live.
“I should text Ralph ass these lyrics,” Lisa said once we were done auditioning for American Idol.
“Girl, stop. You know you ain’t about to leave that man.”
“Watch me, I’mma disappear on his ass, make his mind wonder. I bet I fuck that nigga head up.”
“Get fucked up if you want to. I am too pregnant to be trying to attend funerals and shit,” I laughed.
I pulled into Sweet Licks, parking my car in a handicap parking spot.
“Bitch, now you know ain’t shit wrong with you.”
“Hell yeah, walking around with this belly should be considered a disability. Hell, I’m disabled to drink, smoke, and party.”
Lisa fell out laughing, bumping into a sexy ass white guy. Dude was on some sexy type shit. I mean, he could pass for Paul Walker’s twin brother.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized showing off his deep dimples.
“It was my fault. I should have been paying attention,” Lisa replied, opening the door and walking into the salon.
It was as if my feet were glued to the floor. I tried to move, but they wouldn’t cooperate. This man really had me in a trance. Those eyes, OMG! Those ocean blue eyes captivated me. Giving me a wink that melted my soul, he walked away.
“Damn bitch, your drool was about to drown the man,” Lisa said, snapping me back to reality.
“He was sexy,” I finally said.
“He was. I’m not all into that jungle fever shit, but for a white man he was real sexy,” Lisa said as we took a seat.
This was my second time coming to this salon and I fell in love with it every time. It was decorated to perfection, the workers were friendly, and I barely had to hear who baby daddy was fucking who. Honey’s salon was a nice, classy establishment and I gave sis her props.
