Hotlanta

by Mitzi Miller

  “Touché, touché.”

  “But all jokes aside, sometimes I think I would go to the end of the earth to be with Jermaine. Wait till you meet him. He’s really…” Lauren started to choke up.

  “I believe you, sis,” Sydney gently put her hand on Lauren’s shoulder to calm her. The last thing she wanted was Lauren to have a breakdown and crash the car. There’s no way in the world they could explain away the car being towed out of a ditch on this side of town. “Please don’t get upset, everything is going to work out. You see they had to let him go. Trust, if there was any evidence contrary to his innocence, there was no way the Atlanta police would’ve released him from custody.”

  “You’re right,” Lauren sniffled as she pulled herself together. “It’s just a lot. I’ll be okay as soon as I actually see him with my own eyes.”

  “I feel you.” Sydney’s voice trailed off as she thought about how badly she wanted to see Dice. She would have never guessed in a million years that Lauren was right when she suggested Dice may have had something to do with Rodney’s murder, but sure enough, they’d arrested her dad in the whole mess. Unlike Jermaine, the cops had used her father’s parole as a reason to detain him indefinitely. Sydney used Rhea’s phone to call Aunt Lorraine’s, but nobody answered. She just continued to pray for the best as she followed the story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

  “There it is,” Lauren broke the silence by pointing down the road to the Antioch Baptist Church sign at the end of the long driveway leading up to a medium-size building and a very full parking lot.

  When Lauren originally told Sydney that she decided to skip school and sneak over to Jermaine’s brother’s funeral service, she thought Lauren had finally lost what little common sense she had. Not only did they not have access to a car, but Lauren hadn’t been in touch with Jermaine at all since the arrest. But she was determined, and there was simply no way Sydney was about to let her sister go by herself. However, now that they were facing a church full of folks who might know about their dad, or worse, Altimus, Sydney started to have some serious second thoughts. “You sure about this, Lauren?” she asked as they neared the driveway.

  “No,” Lauren answered honestly as they pulled into one of the last available parking spots in the lot. “But I’m sure that I need to see Jermaine. I need to know that he doesn’t blame me.”

  “Okay, then,” Sydney said as she inhaled deeply and unbuckled her seat belt, “let’s do this.” With one last check in the vanity mirror, she was out of the Saab. Trailing slightly behind her sister toward the entrance, Sydney surveyed the full lot. Everything from a beat-up Toyota Camry to several pimped-out Benzes filled the parking spaces. It seemed like half the hood had come out to pay their respects to Jermaine’s brother.

  Lauren stopped when she reached the entrance. The sound of the organ could be heard clearly through the heavy mahogany doors. “I didn’t see his car out here. If we wait in the foyer, hopefully we can catch him before he walks in. What do you think?”

  “That’s fine,” Sydney said as she tugged nervously at the pearl earring in her right earlobe. She was only eleven when Nana Jones, her mom’s mom, had passed. Since then, she hadn’t had much experience with funerals. Lauren straightened her posture and took a deep breath before opening the doors. Sydney made a quick sign of the cross and followed right behind.

  “Welcome to Antioch Baptist, ladies. The services have yet to begin. Please feel free to walk in and have a seat,” directed the usher as he handed them both funeral programs.

  “Actually, we’re waiting for someone else,” Lauren responded.

  “Okay, that’s fine. But please step to the side while you wait,” he answered, pointing to an area out of the way of incoming traffic.

  “Thanks,” Sydney said as she stepped to the side and admired the poster-size portrait of Rodney posed in front of what she assumed was his pickup truck.

  “There’s a lot of people up in here, Syd,” Lauren whispered in Sydney’s ear.

  “Mmm-hmm,” Sydney agreed as she peeked into the sanctuary. Seemed like almost every pew was filled except for the first two. Rodney’s shiny black casket lay closed directly in front of the pulpit. She wondered if that was the family’s choice or because the body looked a mess.

  “I still can’t believe this is happening. This whole situation is just so crazy,” Lauren said as she started to work herself up again.

  “It’s okay, Lauren, it’s okay,” Sydney said, trying to soothe her sister with a hug. “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it all out.” She just hoped that her words sounded much more convincing than she actually felt.

  “Oh, no, they didn’t,” hissed a very angry-looking young woman with a baby as she entered the church. “I can’t believe the both of them had the nerve to show their faces!”

  “Guess they think all that money gonna make this right,” her companion, a short light-skinned girl with braids and bad acne, added. Lauren and Sydney took a precautionary step back as both women sucked their teeth viciously and proceeded into the sanctuary.

  “Was that the girl you cursed out at the bar?” Sydney asked, turning to face her sister.

  “No,” Lauren said, sounding just as surprised as Sydney. “I think I kinda recognize the girl with the baby from that day, but I never spoke to her or her fat friend.”

  “Well, sounds like she knew you, or I guess I should say us,” Sydney said nervously. “Hey, wait a minute. You never confirmed what Rodney said about Dice being your father, did you?”

  “No, never.”

  “Oh, okay. Then I wonder why she sounded like we were to blame.”

  “Listen, I have no idea what the hell she was talking about,” Lauren said as she ran her fingers through her hair nervously, “but I ain’t come down here to get my ass kicked. That’s for damn sure!”

  Sydney nodded her head in agreement as she watched more mourners enter the church. It seemed that every time someone looked over at Rodney’s portrait and noticed the twins, there was a flurry of whispers and dirty looks thrown at the girls. Sydney moved protectively in front of her sister when she thought she overheard a group of young men say, “We oughta send Tiki to slap that ho up.”

  The volume of the organ music suddenly increased. Sydney looked at Lauren, who shrugged her shoulders in return. The usher walked over to the girls. “The service is about to begin. You should take your seats.”

  “Is it gonna start without the family of the deceased?” Lauren snapped.

  “Lauren!” Sydney instinctively reprimanded. “Um, I’m sorry about that—she’s just a little emotional,” she offered, hoping to diffuse the situation.

  “I see…” the usher said as he pursed his lips with much attitude.

  “We’re actually waiting for the brother of the young man; I mean, Rodney. So if it’s okay, we’d prefer to remain out here,” Sydney continued with her best fake smile.

  “Well in that case, I guess you may remain.” The usher turned on his heel and walked away.

  Lauren sucked her teeth at his retreating back. “Whatever…”

  “Forget it,” Sydney said as she touched Lauren’s shoulder lightly. “That’s not what we’re here for.”

  “Speaking of what we’re here for, here comes Jermaine,” Lauren said as she looked over Sydney’s shoulder. Sydney turned and watched one of the cutest boys she’d seen in a minute enter the church holding the elbow of a forty-something-year-old woman who bore a striking resemblance to Rodney. As the usher addressed the woman, who Sydney assumed was his mother, Jermaine’s eyes connected with Lauren.

  “Lauren, you’re here!” he exclaimed, as he immediately stepped away from the woman and headed over to the twins.

  “How could I not be? I was so worried about you,” Lauren answered as he swept her up in a tight hug. The two clung to each other for a minute before Sydney finally cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. Sydney, this is Jermaine. Jermaine, this is my sister, Sydney,” Lauren said,
finally introducing the two.

  “Wow,” Jermaine said as he tried to hide the surprise in his face. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  “I’m really sorry for your loss,” Sydney said sincerely. When she considered all the horrible things that Lauren had probably told him about her before today, Sydney was glad he was able to even slightly contain his surprise.

  “Um, yeah, thanks,” he said sadly.

  “Jermaine, you coming?” the woman demanded in a shrill voice.

  “Yes ma’am,” he replied respectfully. “Y’all should sit with us up front,” he offered. “I don’t think there’s going to be that many empty seats left.”

  “Okay,” Lauren said, taking his hand confidently.

  “Good idea,” Sydney said simultaneously, as she thought about all the shade they’d received earlier.

  Jermaine led the girls back over to the entrance. “Mom, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Lauren,” he said, indicating Lauren.

  “Humph,” she huffed, clearly uninterested in meeting anyone.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Lauren said. “I’m so sorry about Rodney.”

  “And this is her twin sister, Sydney,” Jermaine pointed at Sydney.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss ma’am,” Sydney said.

  “’Preciate it,” Jermaine’s mother said as she fanned herself with the program. “Well, I guess the usher will jus’ have to walk me in since you got your little girlfriend here and whatnot.”

  “Um, there really ain’t no seats left. Is it okay if they sit with us up front?” Jermaine asked quietly.

  “Do what you like, Jermaine; I’m here for Rodney today.”

  The usher stepped forward and asked, “Are you ready, Sister Watson?”

  “If one is ever ready to bury her own child,” she replied, taking his hand as the tears started to roll. “Lord Jesus, give me the strength. I need it now. I need it now.” The doors opened and Eugenia Watson slowly headed into the sanctuary; Lauren shot a quick look at Sydney.

  “You guys ready?” Jermaine asked as he inhaled deeply.

  “Don’t worry about us, we’re good,” Lauren answered as she gave his hand a quick squeeze. “As long as I’m with you, it’s all good.”

  “Okay, then,” Jermaine responded gratefully as he led the two inside.

  As they walked down the aisle to their seats, Sydney watched her sister and Jermaine. She’d never seen Lauren so submissive, ever, let alone to a so-called boyfriend. There was definitely something different about her when she was with Jermaine.

  “Bitch,” a skinny brown-skinned guy with a black T-shirt suddenly hissed at Sydney as she passed. Sydney gasped in surprise but managed to keep her eyes straight ahead and avoid eye contact.

  As soon as they were seated, the services began. The pastor delivered a moving eulogy that caused many of the women to shriek out loud and even fall out of their seats. “Why, why, why?” screamed a voice from the back above the cries of a baby. Sydney cringed from all of the obvious emotional pain in the air. More than anything, she prayed.

  “Dear God, please do not let Altimus be responsible for any of this,” she mumbled to herself when the congregation was asked to bow their heads. “And please, please, please, keep Dice safe.”

  Before long the service ended and the sanctuary started to slowly clear out. Jermaine’s mother remained in her seat, rocking back and forth. “Lord, please take care of my child. Please, Lord, I beg of you,” she whispered in a grief-stricken voice.

  “Mom,” Jermaine said as he softly touched her shoulder.

  “Just leave me, ‘Maine,” she said. “I need a few more minutes with my baby.”

  “You sure?” he hesitated.

  “Go on, boy, I’ll see you outside,” she instructed sharply.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He recoiled slightly. Sydney could see the hurt zigzag across his face as Jermaine straightened up and indicated to Lauren and Sydney that he was ready to leave. The three walked out in silence. Sydney braced for the crowd they were sure to meet when they stepped outside.

  “Yo, Jermaine, what’s up with shorty showing her face here?” asked a tall, dark-skinned guy dressed in a white T-shirt with Rodney’s image on the front.

  “Yeah, man, why either of them hookers here? Is you disrespecting your dead brother like that?” a short, fat bald guy with the same T-shirt said as a small crowd started to form around Jermaine and the girls as soon as they hit the sidewalk.

  “Relax, Tone,” Jermaine responded. “I asked her to be here.” Sydney and Lauren looked at each other nervously as the crowd grew more agitated.

  “Naw, bump that. You know who their father is. You know what he did to your blood. That’s jus wrong, cuz,” insisted the same dark-skinned guy who called the twins out when they were standing by Rodney’s portrait before the service.

  “Yeah, you need to hold them tricks hostage and send that fool Altimus a message,” insisted another guy who Lauren thought she recognized as Don from the night at the bar. “Coming round here acting like they don’t know what’s up when bitches straight live with a killer.”

  “Babe…” Lauren whispered worriedly to Jermaine. Sydney started measuring the distance to the car in case she needed to break out in a run.

  “Yo, like I said. Be easy. They’re with me,” Jermaine said again, this time his voice much more threatening. “Ain’t nobody disrespecting my guests or my brother’s memory except y’all.” He turned to Lauren and asked, “Where’d you park?”

  Sydney pointed in the direction of the Saab. “Over there,” she answered in a very low voice.

  “Let’s go,” Jermaine said, stepping forward confidently. To Sydney’s relief, the crowd parted to let them pass.

  “Don’t let me catch either of you tramps alone after dark,” called out a high-pitched female voice as they passed.

  The group walked toward the car in complete silence. Jermaine never once let go of Lauren’s hand. When they finally arrived, Lauren searched her bag for the car keys.

  “So, what? Is everyone just going to act like that didn’t happen?” Sydney questioned, unable to remain quiet a moment longer.

  Jermaine sighed and rubbed his head. “I don’t want to bring you guys into this mess,” he said reluctantly.

  “Well not for nothing, seems like we’re already in the middle of it, no?” Lauren stated more than asked as she finally pulled her keys out and clicked the alarm.

  “Fine, but remember, you asked,” he said as he looked down at his shiny black shoes. “So basically, your stepfather ain’t really a car dealer. On the real, he been running things in the hood Godfather-style for years.”

  “Ohmigod,” Lauren squeaked.

  “I knew it. I knew it. Please go on,” Sydney encouraged him to continue.

  “Rodney was on the same block in prison as Dice. That’s why your father is a suspect, because they knew each other and, well, as you know, Dice has got a pretty shady past. Supposedly, Dice put Rodney on to a lot of the shit that Altimus was doing. Which is why everyone in the hood thinks that Altimus had reason to have my brother killed. But you should know that Rodney was a lot of things, but he wasn’t no rat,” Jermaine insisted.

  “But…but how could you know this about my family and still want to be with me? How come you didn’t say anything until now?” Lauren asked incredulously as she searched his eyes for clues.

  “Once I spent time with you, I knew in my heart that you had no idea about Altimus. And I guess I just figured that when you were ready to talk about it, you’d tell me about Dice. As far as I was concerned, none of what Rodney was talking about was hard, cold facts, and it didn’t have anything to do with me personally…until now. But let’s just say what I know for sure is that I didn’t kill my own brother. And whoever did, well…he’s gonna pay.”

  24

  LAUREN

  The limousine driver pulled into the circular driveway of the Duke estate at precisely 5:30 P.M. Lauren and Sydney, who
had spent the afternoon primping and posturing in front of the mirror—with warnings from Keisha every fifteen minutes to have their behinds downstairs in time for their ride—had been sitting in the parlor since 5:00 P.M., watching Altimus run through the house in his tuxedo, fetching everything but the kitchen sink for his bossy wife, who was upstairs in her expansive walk-in dressing room, being plucked, prodded, combed, and tucked to perfection. She had a team of three men up there giggling and gossiping with her—one to style her hair, one to paint her face flawlessly, and a third to make sure that every inch of her body looked absolutely perfect in her exquisite black, knee-length, Christian Lacroix Couture party dress. By 5:35 P.M., it was clear that regardless of how much she had harassed everyone else to be on time for the big anniversary event, Keisha wasn’t about to rush her grand entrance for anybody. They could wait.

  “I wish this night was over already,” Lauren huffed. “I’m so over it.”

  “I’m with you there,” Sydney said, crossing her legs. Then she whispered: “Honestly, I can’t believe we’re about to party it up, particularly with what all is going on with Rodney and Jermaine and Daddy. I’m finding it extremely difficult to concentrate on all of this.”

  Lauren nodded. “I mean, look at Altimus, running around here like nothing—like he doesn’t have a clue what’s going on!” she said, a little too loudly for Sydney’s comfort.

  “Shh,” Sydney warned. “We don’t know if Altimus had anything to do with this. We can’t be sure who did that to Rodney. Anyway, just because the police say they have suspects doesn’t mean the people they arrested actually did the crime. Marcus’s mom is always talking about how important it is that we question…” She got quiet. Over the past few days, Sydney had tried hard to put the whole Marcus mess behind her—thinking of the greater good that was going to come from being single. But how, she kept asking herself, do you just cut off your feelings for someone after a four-year relationship? She’d figured out a lot of things about herself and Marcus over the past few months. But the answer to that question? Not so much.