Soul Dancing

by Arlene Brathwaite

  “Indio’s cousin, Rasheem?”

  “How should I know?”

  “It better not be the one I’m talking about.” Taz said, finishing off the blunt.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Why you want to know? Liana’s not your girl. Tammy is,” Taz said, mocking him.

  “Fuck you, Taz.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about. Get hyped and let’s go castrate that fucking rapo.”

  “We can’t go anywhere near him, Taz. Give me your word that you won’t.”

  “What? Hell, nah. Why would I do that?”

  “Because I gave Harris my word that you wouldn’t go near him.”

  “You did what?” Taz’s high crash-landed.

  “How the fuck you think you got out of jail? You think Vince just had a change of heart, and told the police that he lied on you?”

  “Uh… yeah.”

  “Uh… no. I went to the precinct like I told you I was, and I talked to Harris.”

  “So you mean to tell me that Harris is the reason why I’m not in jail right now?”

  “Yep.”

  Taz twisted the cap off the Sprite bottle and took a swig of the Smirnoff he poured in it a couple hours ago. “You should’ve left me in jail.”

  “You talking out your ass, now,” Wayne said.

  “I’m dead serious. Every time I bump heads with this motherfucker now, he’s going to give me this smug look like ‘yeah it was because of me that you didn’t go up north.’”

  “Think what you want. If anything happens to that dude, we’re the first ones they’re coming after. So, do me a favor, and let that man be, for now.”

  Taz shook his head. “You’re definitely a better man than me. I could never allow someone to do that to someone I cared about and get away with it.”

  “What goes around comes around. Vince is going to get his.”

  “Sure you right.” Taz took another sip and offered the Sprite bottle to Wayne.

  Wayne snatched it and took two gulping swallows, trying to deaden the bitter aftertaste of his words. What goes around comes around. Fuck that! He would deal with Vincent in his own way. “So, what’s up with this Rasheem cat?” Wayne passed Taz back the Sprite bottle.

  Taz turned it up and finished it off with a smack of his lips before he answered. “Think of the grimiest dude you can think of. Then multiply his griminess by a hundred. That’s Rasheem.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Liana leaned her head back against the rim of the bathtub as she inhaled the lavender scent of her bubble bath. Rasheem had given her the past two days off. She protested at first, but deep down, she knew she needed the time off to shut down and re-boot. She raised her foot out of the water and looked down at her wrinkled toes. It was definitely time to get out. As she walked into her bedroom wrapping a towel around her head, the phone rang. A few seconds later, Rasheem’s voice was coming through the answering machine.

  Liana quickly answered the phone. “What’s up, Rasheem?”

  “Just calling to make sure you’re still alive. You know how JD and I worry about you when we don’t see you in a few days.”

  “You mean how you worry about me. Don’t throw JD into it.”

  “I’m that obvious?”

  “Yes… you are.”

  “Well, the real reason why I called is because Elizabeth has been trying to reach you, but you’re not answering your phone. She figured that if I called, you would pick up. You don’t answer your best friend’s calls, but you answer mine. There’s hope for me yet.”

  “Please, I only answered because I thought maybe you needed me to come in to work.”

  “JD and I are holding it down. I called you because Elizabeth is at Indio’s, and she wants you to come over.”

  “I just got out the tub; I’m not going anywhere now.”

  “C’mon, it’s Friday night; your friend drove all the way from Albany to hangout.”

  “To hangout with Indio.”

  “And you. Why do you think she’s been ringing your phone off the hook?”

  Liana sighed. “Fuck it. I’ve been cooped up in this apartment for two days already.”

  “I’ll be by to pick you up in about thirty minutes.”

  “I know how to get to Indio’s house.”

  “I have to pass by your place to get there, so we might as well carpool.”

  “Carpool?”

  “I’m just fucking with you, but seriously, though. JD and I are closing up now. I can be there in about thirty minutes.”

  Liana was quiet for a moment before answering him. “I’ll be waiting.”

  ***

  Liana came right out when Rasheem pulled up. She had on a pair of jeans and a blue cotton t-shirt. Even when dressed down, Liana’s sensuousness made whatever she had on look high-fashioned. She hopped into Rasheem’s H2, and allowed the seat belt to adjust itself to her body.

  “Are those Apple Bottom jeans you’re wearing?” Rasheem asked, mocking the Bugle Boy jeans commercial.

  “Just drive,” Liana said, placing her hands in her lap.

  “So, how was your mini vacation?” Rasheem asked, referring to the last two days.

  “Enlightening.”

  “How so?”

  “With all the drama going on in my life, I realized that it’s all a little bit more bearable when I take some time out to pamper myself.”

  “You know the best thing about pampering?” Rasheem asked as he stopped at a light.

  “What’s that?”

  “Getting pampered.”

  “Umm hmm, let you tell it.”

  “I’m talking about a professional pampering. I’m talking about a manicure, pedicure, mud bath, full body massage… the works.”

  “If I had ‘the whole works’ money, I wouldn’t have stayed in my apartment.”

  “Are you asking me for a raise?” Rasheem asked smiling.

  “Maybe you need to treat your employees to a day at the spa every six months or so.”

  “That’s an idea I can look into Ms. Thompson. Thanks for your input.”

  When they pulled up to Indio’s house, Liana saw him rummaging around in the trunk of Elizabeth’s rent-a-car. He slammed the trunk shut and spun around when Rasheem’s headlights swept over him. The hairs on the back of Liana’s neck stood up seeing Indio looking like he was up to no good. Although Indio left the drug game a long time ago, it wasn’t hard to tell from his lifestyle that he used to be deep in the mix. His expensive taste was the same, his desire for quick money intensified, and his shifty eyes, from having to always be on point, made him look guilty, even if he wasn’t doing anything wrong.

  “Damn, cuz, you trying to blind me with them bright ass lights?” Indio said, as Rasheem and Liana exited the H2.

  Rasheem gave him a pound and a hug. “What are you doing out here, anyway?”

  Liana’s ears perked up to hear his response.

  “Me and Elizabeth went shopping earlier. I took all the bags out except for one.” Indio held up the bag, showing them the imprint of a shoebox. “How you doing, Liana?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Elizabeth’s upstairs recuperating,” Indio said with a devilish grin that made Liana want to vomit.

  “So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Rasheem asked, as they walked inside.

  “We just chilling,” Indio said. “My baby wants to spend a quiet evening with her home girl; so I got us a couple of movies. I was waiting on you guys to show up so I can order the pizza.”

  “Movies and pizza?” Rasheem said a little disappointed. “When you said hangout, I didn’t think you meant we were going to hang in.”

  “I’m cool with it,” Liana said, cutting in. “I didn’t really feel like going anywhere, anyway.”

  “The women have spoken,” Indio said. “My woman wants to stay in, and her best friend wants to stay in. So, we’re staying in.”

  Rasheem shrugged. “So be it.”

  “Hey, girl,” Elizab
eth said, coming down the staircase.

  Liana met her at the bottom of the stairs and hugged her.

  “Are you okay?” Elizabeth asked. The look in her eyes told Liana that she wanted to know how she was holding up after the club incident.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Liana turned to Rasheem. “Thanks to my boss, here, I had a few days to get my head right.”

  “Jenna and Reese, as always, send their love. Jenna was talking about coming down to stay with you for a few days. Efran and Efran Jr. are driving her crazy.”

  “No problem. All she has to do is call me,” Liana said.

  “Duh, she’s been trying to call, but somebody’s not answering their phone.”

  “I’ll call her tomorrow.”

  After the pizza came, they made themselves comfortable in the living room in front of the fifty-inch plasma, high definition screen. Elizabeth started the movie.

  “If y’all want something a little stronger, I got some vodka in the kitchen cabinet.” During the movie, Elizabeth and Indio sat in the loveseat, cuddled up together. Liana sat in the Lazy Boy while Rasheem sat on the floor, by her feet.

  Liana would look down at him every now and then trying not to be so obvious. She didn’t know if it was the liquor or her seven month dry spell, but her thoughts of Rasheem were becoming erotic. He sure is fine. He’s been nothing but the perfect gentleman. He’s gotten me an apartment, a job, and he listens when I need someone to talk to. She imagined herself grabbing him by the back of his head and guiding his mouth down onto her nipple as he made love to her. She quickly focused on the television screen and coughed, trying to camouflage the moan that escaped from her lips.

  ***

  “That shit was all right,” Indio said at the end of the movie. Rasheem agreed with him.

  Elizabeth and Liana were in the kitchen putting the plates and cups into the dishwasher and having a conversation that they didn’t want Indio and Rasheem listening to.

  “You know that punk motherfucker Dexter is in jail, right?” Elizabeth said to Liana, as she turned on the dishwasher.

  “No, I didn’t know that,” Liana responded.

  “Yeah, he got caught with a kilo of coke in Texas.”

  “In Texas? He’s fucked.”

  “Good for his stinking ass,” Elizabeth said with lethal venom. “He’s going to pull Reese in front of him as a shield. Fuck is wrong with him?”

  “Does Reese know he’s in jail?”

  “Not yet. Indio told me today.”

  Liana yawned. “I have to get home. It’s been fun, but I have to go.”

  “Go? Where are you going? Tomorrow’s Saturday. You don’t have to work,” Elizabeth asked disappointedly.

  “I have something to do.”

  “Like what?”

  Like take a cold shower. Liana realized that it wasn’t the liquor or the seven month dry spell that had her feeling like a cat-in-heat—it was both. Liana knew she had to get out of there before her scent got up in Rasheem’s nostrils.

  “You sure you don’t want to hangout just a little while longer?”

  “No, I really have to go.”

  Elizabeth snatched her car keys off the kitchen table.

  “What’s up?” Rasheem said when he saw Elizabeth with her keys in hand.

  “I’m giving Liana a ride home.”

  “Home? This early?” Indio asked, surprised.

  “She has things to do in the morning,” Elizabeth said.

  “Well, let Rasheem take her home.”

  Rasheem got up from the floor and stretched. “Yeah, no problem.”

  “Nah, I got it,” Elizabeth said.

  Indio walked up to her and whispered something in her ear to which Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open. “Boy, you so nasty.”

  Oh God, Liana thought.

  “I’m going to call you tomorrow, girl,” Elizabeth said to Liana, as Indio looped his arm around her waist and guided her toward the bedroom.

  “Kids,” Rasheem said, shaking his head.

  ***

  Liana didn’t say a word the whole ride to her apartment. She sat as close as she could to the H2’s door so Rasheem couldn’t feel the heat radiating off her.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Rasheem asked, as he shut off his engine.

  “I’m fine.” Liana opened the door and stepped out. “See you Monday.”

  “Whoa, whoa.” Rasheem got out and ran around to the passenger side. “No good-bye or I had a nice time?”

  “Good-bye, I had a nice time.” Liana saw the frustrated look in his eyes as he turned to leave. “You want to come in for a few minutes?” Liana knew it was a bad idea, but she couldn’t just let him leave feeling some kind of way.

  Rasheem shook his head. “I think I’m going to head home.” He closed his eyes for a long time and then reopened them.

  In that instant, Liana realized that he might have had a little too much to drink, which also explained why he didn’t try to talk to her on the way home. He was too busy focusing on the road.

  “If you don’t mind, Rasheem, I would really appreciate it if you came in for awhile.”

  Rasheem looked around, and then walked back to the driver side of his truck and shut the door.

  Liana stood at her front door. “Hurry up.”

  Rasheem jogged up the steps.

  The last time Rasheem was in Liana’s apartment was the day he helped her move in. He could see the love she’d put into it. The brown and beige border across the top of the living room walls matched her brown and beige furniture.

  “You have to excuse the mess,” Liana said, scooping clothes off the living room couch. “I wasn’t expecting company.”

  “Nah, that’s cool. Mine ain’t no better.”

  “I have some soda in the fridge,” Liana said, pointing to the kitchen.

  “You don't have anything a little stronger?”

  “I think you had enough to drink.”

  “I’m not drunk. I’m just a little saucy.”

  “Sit your saucy ass down before you pass out.” Liana threw the clothes she was holding into her bedroom and shut the door. She walked to the fridge while Rasheem took her advice and sat down. He rubbed his eyes and focused on a scribbled-on pad on the table. He noticed the crumpled up pieces of paper on the coffee table. He looked back to the pad, squinting to read what Liana was trying to write.

  “Why are you writing to the… Parole Board?” he shouted toward the kitchen.

  Liana walked back into the living room with two bottles of Pepsi. She handed him one and then sat down on the couch, facing him. “It’s a long story.”

  Rasheem looked at his watch. “I got time.”

  “And it’s kind of personal.”

  “I thought we had a connection here, you and me.”

  Liana just stared at him.

  Rasheem shifted in his seat. “Well, whatever this person did must’ve really scarred you, for you to be writing the Parole Board.”

  “Scarred is putting it lightly.”

  “Just answer me this question, and I swear I’ll leave it alone. Did this guy… hurt you?”

  “He didn’t rape me, if that’s what you’re asking.” Liana could see him exhale.

  “Nah, I was just thinking back to this girl I used to mess with back in the days. She got raped, and she was never the same. She could never have a healthy relationship.”

  Liana looked up at him and hit him with a question out of left field. “You ever been in love?”

  “It depends on your definition of love.”

  “If you were to break up with someone and hook up with someone else, and your ex was to come back, you would leave whoever you were with and get back with your ex.”

  Rasheem thought about it for a moment. “That’s some heavy shit right there. You mean all this person has to do is just come back in the picture, and that’s it? At anytime?”

  “Anytime, anywhere.”

  “That’s some scary shit.”

&
nbsp; “No, that’s loving someone from the soul.”

  “Well, I guess I would have to say I’ve never been in love.” Rasheem took a couple sips of his soda. “So, that’s how your ex in Albany feels about you?”

  “That’s how he used to feel about me.”

  “Used to? The way you just described that type of love, it sounded like it would always be.”

  “It will, until you break that person’s heart so many times that they no longer have anything to love you with.”

  Rasheem watched Liana as she stared off into space. He expected they were going to talk, but he didn’t know it was going to get this deep. “So, what you’re saying is you made him stop loving you?”

  “That’s fucked up, right? The only man I ever opened my soul to, the only one who accepted me and my family’s history, and I drove him into another woman’s arms.” Liana pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them.

  Rasheem shot off the couch. “Get up!”

  Liana looked at him, as he held his hand out to her.

  “C’mon, get up. I know what you need.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Trust me.” He grabbed her hand.

  When Liana saw he was heading toward her bedroom, she stopped in her tracks.

  “You remember what you told me a long time ago? You said there was never going to be anything between us. That we’re just going to be friends, remember?” Rasheem asked as he looked her in the eyes.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, now I’m just being a friend.” He tugged her by the hand. “Trust me. I didn’t take advantage of you when Ron broke your heart, and I’m not going to take advantage of you now.”

  Liana trusted him, but she didn’t trust herself. Her panties was moist, and her body was craving the sheltering embrace of a man. She took a deep breath, and squeezed his hand, giving him the okay to proceed.

  Rasheem led her into the bedroom. He kicked off his shoes, lay down, and tapped the bed for her to lie next to him.

  “Yeah, right,” Liana said, crossing her arms.

  “What happened to the trust?”

  “Trust doesn’t have anything to do with it.”

  “I know I’m not your ex. And from the look in your eyes, I know that right now you want to be in his arms. All I’m saying is lie down and pretend that he’s holding you.”