“What’s wrong?” Brick asked.
“Nothing.”
“Yes, there is; what’s on your mind? Talk to me.”
Anya sighed. “Our life is perfect, yet I can’t seem to find complete happiness. We’ve both done so many horrible things, and I’m terrified of the bad karma we’ve created.”
Brick clasped both Anya’s hands and stared in her eyes. “You have to stop judging us and allow the Man above to measure our sins. We all have to meet our maker eventually, but until then, we have an obligation to live life to the fullest.”
“But I’ve seen and done so many horrible things, I’m terrified that as soon as I start to enjoy life, something horrible is going to happen. What goes around comes around, and I feel like it’s only a matter of time before the dirt I’ve done catches up with me. I don’t know how you manage to be so optimistic.”
“Would it be better if I beat up on myself on a daily basis and fell into a state of depression? If I punished myself like that, do you think it would help me become a better husband and father?”
“No.”
“So, you understand why it’s important for me to remain optimistic and look on the bright side?”
Anya nodded. “I get your point, but I’m not like you. I have a conscience and I’m haunted by my actions in the past. I want to move forward, but it’s hard.”
“We made a promise to each other; remember?”
“When we said our wedding vows?”
“Our vows were heartfelt, but that’s not what I’m referring to. Do you remember the promises we made to each other right before Misty’s nurse tried to kill you?”
Anya was pensive for a moment. “It’s all a blur. Misty attacked me and I was defending myself. I don’t remember getting stabbed; I sort of blacked out, and the next thing I consciously remember was hearing Misty pleading with you to save her life.” Anya gazed up at Brick with worried eyes. “And I remember the brutal way you stabbed her with that screwdriver,” she recalled with a grim look on her face.
“I explained to you why I had to do that.”
“I know you did, but it’s such a confusing story.”
“I’m gonna explain it again, and hopefully we can move past it.”
Anya nodded.
“Misty’s nurse attacked you with the screwdriver. She stabbed you in three places, and you were dying. I begged Misty to heal you, but you were so far gone that when she laid hands on you, it drained the life out of her.”
Though Brick had recounted the incident on several occasions, each time he mentioned that Misty had lost her life while saving hers, Anya felt a knot in her stomach the size of a fist. “Oh, God, I feel horrible about that.”
“It was her time,” Brick said bluntly. “She beat death on a couple of occasions, but this time, she was ready. She left this earth with a smile on her face. Since I’d already called nine-one-one and reported a stabbing, I knew we’d have big problems if your blood turned up on that screwdriver. What you have to understand is Misty was already dead when I stabbed her. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, Anya. It took all my strength and willpower to drive a fucking screwdriver into her lifeless body. But I did it so that we could have a chance at love and all the good shit that life has to offer.”
Anya looked at Brick with sorrow in her eyes, still hesitant about taking a plunge into happiness that more than likely, wouldn’t last.
Trying to convince her, Brick said, “You seem to think that self-punishment is going to change the past and wipe the slate clean, but it won’t. Being happy is a choice, and it’s what I want; I thought you wanted to be happy, too.”
“I do, Brick. With all my heart, but I can’t help feeling that I don’t deserve to be happy. Not after all the harm I’ve caused others.”
“Neither one of us ever harmed an innocent person, and you know that’s the truth.”
“But we’re not God.”
Brick fell silent briefly. “When we were in that parking garage, before it all went down, I complained about being dealt a bad hand during my childhood and you wisely suggested that I replace those cards with a different hand.”
“Yeah, I remember saying that.”
“And we agreed that from that moment forward, we’d be happy and live in the moment. Do you remember that?”
Anya nodded. “I do.”
“We only have to choose happiness, Anya. It’s that simple. You seem to think it’s noble to wallow in guilt and regret.” Brick eyed her intently. “So, what’s it gonna be—are you willing to move forward or are you going to linger in the past?”
“I’m going to try my best to put the past behind me. Just bear with me, please,” she said, snuggling up to Brick. “It’s going to take a little time for me to live in the moment, but I promise that my ultimate goal is to hold on tight to you and our family, and to accept all the joy that life has to offer.”
“You’re my wife, Anya, and I love you more than life,” Brick said, lowering his head and kissing her.
Little Baron made a face as he waited for his hot chocolate to finish brewing. “Ew, you two are always kissing.”
“That’s because we love each other very much,” Brick explained.
“And we love you, too,” Anya added. “And I’m about to cover your face with a bunch of sloppy kisses,” she said, playfully chasing a squealing Little Baron around the kitchen.
Brick smiled warmly at Anya and his son, relieved that he’d convinced his wife to let go of her gloom and the ghosts of the past. Life was a precious gift and it would be a shame to not enjoy it. One day, the two of them would have to answer for their sins, but until then…only God could judge them.
MISSED ANY OF MISTY’S DRAMA?
SEE HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED IN
BY ALLISON HOBBS
AVAILABLE FROM STREBOR BOOKS
Along with an exotic dancer named Star, Brick, Misty, Shane, and Tariq had all piled into Brick’s borrowed car. After dropping Tariq off, Brick weaved wildly through traffic, swerving like a drunk. He struggled to steer the car toward Star’s apartment on Pulaski Avenue.
“Do you mind if my friends crash at your place? My man’s too messed up to drive.” Shane asked the dancer, with a worried gaze fixed on Brick.
“Sure, if they don’t mind sleeping in the living room. I only have one bedroom.”
“That’s cool,” he responded and then scowled at his friend. “Yo, Brick. You want me to drive, man?” Shane shouted.
“Naw, I’m straight, man. I got this.” Brick’s words came out slurred.
“He ain’t got shit,” Misty interjected. “Pull over, Brick; let Shane drive.”
Jumping the curb when he pulled over, Brick hit the brakes. “Damn, that was fucked up,” he said, cussing as if the car was at fault.
Shane took the driver’s seat. Misty got in the back with Star while Brick slid drunkenly into the passenger seat.
“You dance real good.” Misty sidled next to Star. “I wish I could dance like that.”
“It ain’t even about dancing; it’s working your body like you getting some good dick. Anybody can do it.”
“Yeah, but I’d be so scared to take off my clothes like that.” Misty made her voice sound small, like the voice of a little girl.
“Girl, as pretty and young as you are…” Star paused and shook her head as if Misty had no idea of the untapped goldmine she possessed. “Girl, you wouldn’t even have to work up a sweat. The only thing you’d have to do is come up on stage, swivel your little hips, and rub your crotch. If you showed those perverts just a little bit of tits, they’d break their necks to stuff your thong with cash.”
“For real!”
Star nodded with a smile.
“But is it worth it? You know…do you make enough to really get up there and take off your clothes?”
“If you get some lap dances in to supplement what you get on stage, you can make out pretty good. Like tonight. Here it is a Monday night. Most people don’t think of Mond
ay as a money night. But I made out pretty good.”
Misty’s dark, round eyes grew large; her heavy silky lashes fluttered with interest. “So you’re saying this is a career I could think about getting into and I could make enough green to survive?”
“Survive! Girl, stop playin’. I made three hundred in lap dances and a buck twenty on stage. On a Monday night! That ought to tell you that you can make some real nice change.”
“Do you think you could get me in there?” Misty asked, her voice filled with hope.
“Um. I can put in a good word, but you’re still gonna have to audition for the manager. I’ll give Shane my number; give me a call tomorrow and I’ll try to set something up.”
“Oh, that’s so nice. Thank you,” Misty gushed.
Star was tall and slender. She looked to be in her mid to late twenties. She wore a curly ponytail and had a nice-looking face. Her body wasn’t spectacular but she worked it so well, the men forgot that they’d been initially disappointed when she turned around and revealed an ass so flat it looked like someone had beaten it with a board.
“Right there,” Star said, pointing. “Pull up behind that white van.”
Misty and Star walked together like two best girlfriends while Shane held up Brick, who was so drunk he could hardly stand up.
Star waved to her leather sofa, indicating that Brick could lie down there. “Oh, hell no,” Misty said. “I’m sleeping on the couch; let his drunk ass sleep on the floor.” Everyone laughed at Brick’s expense.
Shane tried to ease the big man down to the floor, but unable to hold the dead weight any longer, Shane dropped his friend. Brick’s body hit the floor with a great thump. Brick lay sprawled, but didn’t awaken, which caused more titters of laugher.
“I’m sorry I don’t have an extra blanket, but I have plenty of clean sheets,” Star said, her faced fixed in an apologetic expression.
“That’ll work. Girl, I’m so tired I’m gonna pass out in about five minutes,” Misty informed Star as she pulled off her sneakers and make herself comfortable on the leather sofa.
She threw a sneaker at Brick when he began to snore. They all erupted into more laughter when, after getting clunked in the head with Misty’s sneaker, Brick’s snoring grew even louder.
Shane and the willowy exotic dancer went into her bedroom and in a matter of minutes, Shane had Star hitting high notes, chanting, praying, and begging for more. Her cries of passion continued until the sun lit up the bedroom. Satisfied, Star fell asleep in Shane’s arms, wearing a contented smile that looked as if it were permanently in place.
Shane woke her up around nine in the morning, “Baby, I gotta go. Can I get your number? You know I want to see you again.” He was holding a cell phone.
“Why you gotta leave?” she asked, lifting her head slightly.
“I’ll be back tonight if I can borrow my man’s car.”
“Okay.” Star gave Shane her number, reciting each number slowly and deliberately. Shane pressed the numbers, each button making a different musical sound. “All right, baby. I got you on lock.”
Shane kissed her and hugged her tight. Contentedly, Star turned over and snuggled into her pillow. “Damn, I hate to leave you,” he said, patting her flat buttocks. “You better have that ass ready for me tonight.”
She smiled dreamily and went back to sleep.
In the car, Misty counted the money that Shane had lifted from Star’s purse.
“That bitch can lie,” Misty accused and sucked her teeth. “This is only three hundred and fifty dollars; she said she made four twenty.”
“It’s cool, though,” Brick said, grinning. “I gripped her jewelry box.” Brick displayed a blue wooden musical box.
“Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. You go, boy!” Misty squealed with glee. She sat in the backseat, but stretched her arm across the front seat to investigate the pieces inside the jewelry box.
“Yo, stop grabbing everything,” Shane said, giving Misty an evil look.
“Y’all dumb asses don’t know fake stuff from real, so hand me the muthafuckin’ jewelry box,” Misty replied, snatching the jewelry box from Brick.
“And your violent ass better not hit me with your stinkin’ sneaker no more,” Brick said, laughing. “Won’t even let a black man get his snore on.”
They all let out big guffaws. “Damn, you was convincin’ like a muthafucker when you be playin’ your drunk role,” Misty complimented him.
“That’s how niggas get robbed. They be thinkin’ I’m twisted, but I be all up in they shit, taking everything,” Brick bragged.
More laughter followed and then Misty took out a sparkly tennis bracelet and solemnly handed it to Shane.
“Aw shit. This jawn is worth some money. That bling is about three or four carats, right, Misty?”
“Look at it real good, Shane. You know that dancin’ bitch can’t afford no real bling. Chips maybe, but not three or four carats.”
Shane held it in his palm as if weighing the bracelet. “It’s heavy; it’s blinging like crazy. It looks real to me.”
“Turn it over.”
Shane turned it over and shrugged.
“That shit is set in silver.” Misty sucked her teeth in disgust. “Real diamonds are not set in no damn silver. Fucking fake-ass bitch!”
“Well maybe we can sell it to some knucklehead who don’t know no better. How much you think we can get?” Brick asked.
“I don’t know. Let’s see what else is in here.” Misty rifled through the seemingly worthless pieces of jewelry. She held up a pair of diamond earrings. “These look real?” she asked, contemptuously.
“Damn, I don’t know. Just hand me the fuckin’ jewelry box,” Shane suggested.
Misty sucked her teeth and shoved the box toward Shane. He looked through it and then, shaking his head in disgust, he gave the jewelry box back to Misty.
“So what did you get, Miss Know It All?” Brick asked.
“Man, I clipped that bitch in the backseat of the car last night.” Misty proudly held up a wallet and extracted two credit cards. “Now let’s go spend some money before that lap dancin’ ho wakes up and starts canceling these credit cards. Yeah, she’s gonna be madder than a muthafucker when she finds out how much Shane’s dick cost her.”
Headed for the Gallery Mall, Brick sped out of Germantown, Misty threw the jewelry box out the window.
“Whatchu do that for?” Brick asked, astonished.
“There wasn’t nothing but a bunch of worthless costume jewelry in there. The box was wooden; that should have told you something.”
“She ain’t have no gold chains or nothing in there?” Brick asked, obviously disappointed.
“She ain’t have nothin’ but a bunch of bullshit in there. But don’t worry, baby. We gon’ see how much she got on these cards. I hope she got enough for a shopping spree for all of us.”
Twenty minutes later, Shane and Brick hung out in the food court while Misty tested one of the cards at a woman’s boutique. She met up with them swinging two bags.
“Look at this greedy bitch, she done bought up the whole store.” Brick’s gruff voice carried, causing diners to turn their heads toward Misty.
“Okay, genius. Go ahead and bring a lot of attention to us.” Misty sat down and took a bite of Brick’s sandwich.
“So how much is on the cards?” Shane inquired.
Misty shrugged. “No way to tell unless I have her PIN number. But here’s how we can work it. Y’all can’t use a female’s credit card, so go look around and see what you like. Go in separate stores. Then come tell me and I’ll go make the purchases.”
Shane nodded.
“Sounds like a plan,” Brick agreed, bobbing his head up and down as he gobbled down his food.
The two men got up to do some window shopping. Misty stuck out her hand. “Split the cash, Shane. I know you don’t think you’re keeping that hooker’s money all to yourself.”
“I did the work, didn’t I?”
“Oh, that’s how we’re playin’ now? Okay, I didn’t know the rules. But I’ll remember the next time y’all want me to lure some nut to a hotel or some dark alley somewhere. Uh huh. I’m sure gonna remember this shit.” There was no mistaking the threat behind Misty’s words.
Slowly, Shane pulled out the knot and gave Misty and Brick one hundred dollars apiece. “Y’all know I was just playin’.” He laughed sheepishly.
“I don’t know. You can be real shiesty when you wanna be.” Misty gave him a smile and hopped up from her seat. With her two bags hanging from the crook of her arm, she went to investigate the myriad of choices in the mall’s food court.
During the drive back to West Philly, the trio was exhausted. “Y’all feel like stopping for a minute so we can hollah at Wayne Gee?” Shane asked. Wayne Gee was a friend as well as their weed connection.
“We’ll have to hollah at the Gee man later,” Misty said, shaking her head. “I’m too tired to stop anywhere.”
There wasn’t much conversation until they got close to the house where Shane had been staying off and on.
The red pickup truck parked in the middle of the block indicated that Paula, Shane’s latest benefactor, wouldn’t be able to admit him into the premises. Unfortunately, her husband was home.
Misty sucked her teeth. “What’s that muthafucker doin’ home?” She sighed deeply. “Oh well, I guess you’ll have to come to our place. My mom’s at work. You can get some sleep until she gets off and then call that bitch Paula and see what’s up with her husband. Ain’t he supposed to be on the road driving an eighteen-wheeler?” Misty questioned Shane.
“That’s what I thought. Fuck it. I’ll call her later.”
Shane, Misty, and Brick piled their packages in Misty’s bedroom. Her mother didn’t like Brick staying there, and she’d made it abundantly clear that putting a roof over the heads of two male slackers was absolutely out of the question.
Misty locked her bedroom door. “Can’t have my nosey mother all up in our business.”
The three friends, too exhausted to undress, fell asleep in Misty’s queen-sized bed.
• • •
“Misty!” her mother yelled as she banged on her daughter’s bedroom door.
Misty Page 26
