by Deja King
Lerrick and her crew went silent, sizing up both Tierra and Nichelle. There were four of them, but besides Lerrick, none of them was really the fighting type. They were all semi-looking chicks who thought they were certifiable dimes, and none of them were trying to exchange blows on Lerrick's account.
"You poppin' mad shit." Lerrick finally said something, not wanting to appear like she was backing down or afraid in front of her crew.
"That's because I'm always ready for whatever, but clearly you're not," Tierra spewed, turning to Nichelle with a smirk on her face.
Lerrick used that as an opportunity to sneak a hard shove on Tierra, which caused her to lose her balance and fall back against the entrance door to the restaurant. "I see you ain't got shit to say now!" Lerrick boasted.
"Tierra, you a'ight?" Nichelle ran over to help her friend up, but there was no need.
Tierra got up, charging like a raging bull. She clawed her nails into Lerrick's mug, gripping it so tightly you would've thought she was going to rip it off. "You wanna fuck wit' me? Is you fuckin' crazy? I'ma show you crazy, motherfucker! I got your crazy!" Tierra slammed Lerrick's body down to the concrete, and kept pounding her head back.
Lerrick's crew stood around in shock and amazement at how a seemingly non-threatening looking chick was putting a beat down on Lerrick like she was a straight up dude.
Tierra then clenched Lerrick's ponytail around her hand and gave her a closed-fist pounding, putting major damage on the right side of her face. As the blood began gushing out Lerrick's mouth, Nichelle became worried that Tierra was going to have her hospital-bound.
"Tierra, that's enough!" Nichelle screamed out, but Tierra wouldn't let up. "Come on, Tierra, that's enough!" Nichelle caught Tierra's fist midair, and held it as tight as she could.
Tierra jerked her body away and gave Lerrick one final slam on the ground. "Heffa, if you ever even think of breathing in my direction again, I will demolish yo' ass! You young ass heffas gon' learn to respect yo' elders... trick ass bitch!"
"Girl, let's go!" Nichelle rushed to her car, pulling Tierra's arm. She knew Tierra's temper, and once she got started, she would be ready to go all twelve rounds.
Lerrick was finally able to regain her composure, and watched in fury as Nichelle and Tierra drove away. She was in pain, angry and embarrassed all at the same time. "Yeah, g'on `head and drive off. You got this first round, but them bitches is mine!" she promised.
When Radric and Renny pulled into the private driveway of the Murano high rise condominium by Center City, they at once noticed a Hershey honey, wearing a floor-length chinchilla fur coat and wide rimmed black sunglasses going into the building.
"Damn, that bitch is the business!" Radric commented, about to catch a hard-on.
"Yo, I think that's fuckin' Chanel. She must be here to see Arnez. Her and her sister some cold motherfuckers."
"Them the twins you was talking `bout?"
"No doubt. Them some of the baddest bitches in Atlanta."
"What the fuck is you talking bout'? That bitch right there is one of the baddest in Atlanta, New York, Philly... fuck it, worldwide! Do she fuck wit' yo' cousin? `Cause I need that in my life."
"Last I knew, he was hung up on this broad named Talisa. But shit, that don't mean nothing. He might be tappin' that. But focus, man. First money, then pussy."
"I got you. Let's do this."
The two men strolled into the 42-story glass edifice, with a curved facade and blue-tinted floorto-ceiling windows, heading straight for the elevator. The chocolate-brown bombshell Radric was lusting over was nowhere in sight as they made their way to the top floor.
"If it isn't my favorite cousin," Arnez said, greeting Renny with a hug.
Radric could easily see the resemblance, as both were Cuban and black.
"Man, it's been too long. Ain't nothing like seeing family."
"Well, come in. I don't need you standing in the hallway."
"This is my partner, Radric I told you about."
"It's good to meet you."
"Likewise. Your crib is the business," Radric said, taking in all 2,400 square feet of pure luxury.
"Shit, I wouldn't expect nothin' less," Renny said, nudging Arnez. Renny didn't expect anything less from his older cousin. He knew what both were accustomed to. They had balled hard together over the many years, and played hard. Living a lavish lifestyle wasn't even an option, it was mandatory.
They were from the "Big Meech" generation, where their attitude was, if you want to live regular, then get a job. But they ain't out there hustling, taking penitentiary chances everyday to live regular. They was going to ball until they fallout, go to sleep and get up and start all over again.
"Can I get either one of you something to drink?"
"I'll take some water." Radric's mouth was dry from smoking blunts the entire ride.
"I'm good," Renny said, ready to handle his business and break out. He had a situation in New York to deal with, and only limited time for small talk.
"Chanel, bring me some bottle water," Arnez said, to her. Renny eyed Radric, acknowledging that the woman they saw must in fact be one half of the twin set.
"Let's have a seat outside," Arnez suggested, leading them to the balcony.
It was brick outside, and neither man wanted to be bothered with the cold air, but ever since Renny could remember, Arnez never liked to discuss business indoors. It could be the middle of a snowstorm, but if you wanted to chat about drugs and money, then you would have to brave the weather and confer with Arnez on his terms. He never trusted closed in confinements, because he felt it was too easy for the feds or police to hear and fully understand his conversation.
"Can I use your restroom?" Radric didn't like to use other people's bathrooms, but he could no longer hold his piss and wanted to release himself before drinking some water.
"No problem, there is one right there by the kitchen."
"Thanks." On his way to the bathroom, Radric was able to get a much better and closer look at the woman he had fallen in lust with. She was even sexier up-close, but something about her aura made him nervous. It was like she was created from steel, and he felt no woman should be that hard.
"Here you go." Chanel placed the bottle down on the table outside. "Long time no see, Renny."
"I know, but you still fine as ever. How is your sister holding up?"
"The best she can under the circumstances. I'm actually supposed to pay her a visit this weekend."
"I'm surprised that they didn't lock you up too. But that's good. At least with you out, she got somebody to handle the business and money on the outside. What's her legal representation looking like?'
"I'm working on that now. But you know, only the best for CoCo."
Renny nodded his head, thinking she needed to hurry the fuck up. Doesn't nobody want to be caged up like an animal, especially when you used to living a lavish lifestyle like CoCo.
"It was good seeing you, Renny."
"Yeah, likewise."
"I'll be inside, Arnez."
Renny watched as Chanel walked off, admiring every curve on her statuesque body.
"So, what's up wit' you and homegirl? I know it's been a minute, but last I remembered, you was going strong with that girl, Talisa."
"So much has changed in such a small amount of time."
"Is any of those reasons why you seem to be settling into Philly instead going back to Atlanta?"
"You can say that. I have some unresolved issues with Talisa and her new boyfriend, Genesis. I won't be leaving Philly until they're dealt with."
"It sounds personal."
"It is."
"If I'm not mistaken, one of your rules is, `never personal, always business'."
"Rules are made to be broken, and this is one of those times."
"This nigga, Genesis must've really gotten under your skin, or do you just have it bad for Talisa?"
"A little of both. Let's leave it at that. . .your partner is coming."
"I hope ya'll ain't started discussing business without me," Radric smiled, grabbing the bottle water and taking a seat across from Arnez.
"Nope, we were waiting for you, and now that we're all here, let's get down to business." Arnez sat back and got comfortable. Negotiating new business prospects was one of his biggest thrills. New clients meant new money, which equaled a bigger payday if everything worked out as planned.
Although Arnez was making more money than he could probably ever spend, it didn't matter to him. Being in the game was like an addictive drug, but instead of trying to break the habit, he embraced it with open arms. With every new deal, that habit became stronger and more powerful. Arnez's addiction was now so bad, that the only way he could cure it was by death or jail. Since he knew the latter wasn't in the cards for him, he made each move with calculated caution. That same ruthless mentality carried over to his personal life too, and for that reason alone, he would be making Philly his new home until all the loose ends were neatly tied up.
mki~
When you turn your life over to the streets, you're taking a chance that you or someone you love may experience a tragedy so profound, that it will change the course of your life forever. Simple things you took for granted, you would now give anything to experience again. But time stops or turns back for no one, so all you're left to hold on to is memories of the past.
"Yo, Simone, you should'a been there. It was like the old school Tierra back in the day when she would go around the neighborhood looking for a fight," Nichelle said, giving a play by play of Tierra's fight with Lerrick.
"Man, that trick made me so mad when she did that sucker push. That fight was over a week ago, and I'm still hot over that shit!"
"Damn, I wish I could'a been there! I ain't seen you fight in a minute. Back in school, everybody knew not to fuck wit Tierra's ass. It was a known fact that if you couldn't beat a motherfucker wit' yo' fist, then you had a razor, a knife or somethin' to slice that ass up."
Tierra reached across the table and gave Simone a high-five, knowing she was speaking nothing but the truth.
"Nichelle, you might need to start carrying yo' razor again, because trust me, that silly bitch gon' come at you on some payback shit."
"Fuck Lerrick! You the one that beat her ass," Nichelle giggled. "But seriously, if she know what's good for her, she'll stay the fuck away from me. I ain't neva stopped carrying my shit, and I have no problem using it."
"That's my girl! I raised you right," Tierra smiled at Nichelle.
"Sure the fuck did," Simone chimed in.
"So Simone, you hanging wit' me and Nichelle tonight? We going to Harlem Lanes."
"Harlem Lanes, bitch, I know you ain't bowling."
"Nah, some industry party is happening, and BET suppose to be filming some shit up in there. Hell, I'm tryna snatch me a baller. And if you know what's good, you need to roll so you can get you one too."
"Nichelle, I know you ain't looking for no baller. You already straight. Shit, I still can't believe Carmelo gave you that Benz for your birthday. That nigga must really love you," Simone reasoned.
Nichelle caught Tierra rolling her eyes about the comment. "Why you got to roll your eyes like that?"
"It' nothing."
"Say what's on your mind. You never hold your tongue no other time."
Tierra let out a deep sigh as if trying to hold back her thoughts before letting it out. "It just seems like Carmelo wants to keep you all to himself. He's jealous of any other friendships you have, especially the one you have wit' me. I was yo' dog before we even knew of a Carmelo, but he don't respect that. And I'll be honest, that shit bothers me."
"Yeah, he do be seeming a little salty. He didn't say a word to us when we sat down at that birthday party. I even smiled and spoke, but got nothing," Simone added.
"I understand what ya saying, but Carmelo's older than us, and he wants me to be more settled down."
"But you're only eighteen. You have to live your life too. All I'm saying is don't give up your identity over no man. My mother did that, and after my dad died, she ain't neva been the same."
"I hear you. But enough of this depressing talk. Simone, are you coming out wit' us?"
"Sorry ladies, I have to pass."
Both Nichelle and Tierra gave each other the `what the fuck' look.
"What the hell is going on? You don't neva give up the opportunity to meet a baller." Tierra tapped her fingers on the table waiting for a response.
"I think I might've already met my baller, and we going out to dinner tonight."
"Is it the same nigga you told me you met at that birthday party?"
Yep.
"You still kicking it wit' him?"
"I'm lost. What guy are you all talking about?" Nichelle asked, feeling left out of the conversation.
"She won't tell me. She's tryna keep that shit on the low."
"If everything goes smoothly tonight, then I'll give you a name tomorrow. Shit, I'm tryna be like you, Nichelle, and have a nigga wife me the fuck up."
"Good luck on that. I'll stick to having multiple sponsors, so I will be at Harlem Lanes tonight scheming my ass off."
"Let's go. I have to stop at home before we go out tonight."
"You have to be a good wifey and check in," Tierra teased.
"Whatever! I'ma drop your loud mouth off at home and I'll be back around seven to pick you up. Speaking of loud, Simone, where's my baby? I haven't heard nothing out of him. You know I love me some lil' Anthony."
"Oh, he wit' his daddy. I'ma need some private time wit' my boo after we go out to eat dinner."
"You better be careful. I know you and Ant aren't together no more, but that nigga might flip if he sees the next man in your crib. Especially after he moved all my furniture up in here."
"I knew this furniture looked familiar," Nichelle said, looking around Simone's apartment. "This same shit was in your crib. It look good though."
"It better look good, as much money as Lucci spent on it. And speaking of money, you late on your payment, Simone."
"I knew you was gon' bring that shit up. Stay right here." Simone got up from the table and went to her bedroom.
"I know she got an attitude, but I don't give a fuck. I gave her this furniture hella cheap, and I'm letting her make payments. Sh-i-i-it, she need to be grateful."
"I'm sure she is, Tierra."
"I can't tell by the way she was twisting her neck when she got up from the table."
"Be quiet, here she comes."
"Here's all your money!" Simone snapped, dropping a bunch of bills on the table in front of Tierra. Tierra swallowed hard before quickly scooping them up.
"Damn Simone, what you do, rob a bank?" Nichelle was playing, but she was curious as to where Simone got all the money from.
"My boo gave it to me. He said he didn't want his baby owing nobody nothing."
Tierra glanced up at Simone with the money securely in her hand. "Who the fuck is this boo you got? This shit ain't adding up. Nichelle gotta man, now Simone fuckin' wit' some nigga that's lacing her pockets. I'm the only one out here struggling... well not for long!"
"What that mean... not for long?"
"Nothing, Nichelle. Let's go. I know Simone needs to get ready for her `boo' so we ain't gon' hold you up."
"Bye, bitches, I'll talk to ya' later. Don't forget, if all goes well, I'll let you know who my mystery man is. Smooches!"
"You so crazy. We'll talk to you later. Tell my baby, Anthony, Auntie Nichelle said hello."
"I will."
"Aren't you curious who this man is in Simone's life?' Tierra asked Nichelle once they got in the car.
"Somewhat, but honestly, I'm glad she's happy and she got a man who is helping her out. I mean, her sorry baby daddy don't hardly do shit."
"Yeah, you right about that. He wouldn't even give her no money for my furniture."
"Tierra, that's not your furniture anymore, so let it go."
"You know wha
t I mean. He told her that he and his boys moving it in her crib was payment enough. It's like don't you want your seed to have some nice shit... better yet, you know his trifling ass gon' be wanting to lay and sit on the shit."
"Exactly! That's why I hope this new cat she's fuckin' wit' treats her right. Simone deserves to be happy."
"Yeah, and so do I," Tierra mumbled under her breath.
When Nichelle got home, Carmelo was sitting in the living room, and she was reluctant to tell him she was going out with Tierra. She thought about the conversation she had earlier with Simone and Tierra, and felt she needed to be honest with him. They were her friends, and there was room in her life for all three of them.
"Hey baby, I missed you," Nichelle said, giving Carmelo a kiss.
"I missed you too. I wanted us to hang out tonight, maybe see a movie or go out to dinner, but I just found out I have to handle some business."
Nichelle thought this was a good time to tell Carmelo where she was going, since he already had plans.
"Well, then would you mind if I go out with Tierra tonight?" There was a lingering silence in the air that made Nichelle uncomfortable. "Carmelo, I know you don't like Tierra, but besides you, she is my best friend. I know you may never accept her, but don't ask me to shut her out my life."
"I wouldn't ask you to do that. I don't believe Tierra is worthy of your friendship, but if that's who you choose to have in your life, then so be it. I just ask that you don't have her in this crib, because I don't trust her."
"I can do that." Although Nichelle didn't think it was right that Tierra couldn't come over, since she lived there too, she decided not to get into a deep conversation about it. Things had been going so well between her and Carmelo, and the last thing she wanted was for a casual conversation to turn into an intense argument. She was willing to respect his wishes, for now, but hoped in the future he would realize that Tierra was a true friend to her, and he would embrace their friendship.
"Before I head out, I wanted to give you something."
