by Deja King
As soon as she opened the door, she could clearly hear the voices of two people, and she recognized them as being her best friend and her man. Tierra's room was on the left-hand side, and she peeked her head around and saw Renny's hand slightly holding the door ajar as if he was about to leave. What the fuck is Kenny doing in Tierra's room at this time of night? She shook her head in uncertainty. They can't befuckin' on the low! Oh God, they wouldn't do that to me!
Nichelle felt like she was going to have a heart attack right there in the hallway. Instead of jumping to conclusions, she calmed down, and zeroed in on their conversation.
"Tierra, we can finish this when we get back to Jersey. We've spent enough time on this."
"Renny, don't leave yet. I'm not done talkin' to you."
Nichelle noticed Renny letting the door go, and jumped as quiet as she could to catch the door before it closed. She wanted to scream out in pain as two of her fingers, somewhat got smashed, trying to hold it open. She got her bearings together and took a deep breath. She could hear the TV in the back, and knew how Tierra's room was set up. Renny had either gone into the sitting room in front of the bedroom, or went past the double doors into the bedroom. Either way, she figured if she was quiet enough, she could slide her body around the door without being seen and find out what the fuck was going on.
Nichelle's heart was racing. The very idea of Renny and Tierra fucking around was sending her over the edge. When she got in the room and slowly closed the door, neither was in her view, but she could hear their voices. They must be in the sitting area, Nichelle reasoned from the direction the sound was coming from. She cracked open the closet door and slid her body inside and tuned in.
"What else do you want from me, Tierra? I put you up in a fully furnished crib, bought you a car, and hit you off wit' plenty of dough. I don't know what else you want from me."
As Nichelle listened, she felt like her entire world was shattering. Her stomach started bubbling and she thought she was going to vomit up everything she had for dinner.
"My concern is that this shit ain't gon' last. I mean, what's gonna happen when I run out of money and you don't want to pay my rent anymore, or my other bills?"
"So what, you want me to maintain your lifestyle forever? Yo, don't be greedy, Tierra. We have an understanding, and you need to stick to it."
"Yeah, our understanding was that you was gon' have Radric and Carmelo set up to be robbed and I would get a cut, not that they would be killed! And let's not forget about Simone and Marley. That was neva part of the understanding. Simone was one of my closest friends."
"But you ain't got no problem spending all the money I hit you off with for doing your part."
"I did. I kept Nichelle busy that night so you could do whatever you was doing."
"Enough of this shit! I don't need for you to give me a play-by-play of what happened. I orchestrated the shit. We gon' come up wit' a number, and after that, I'm done. `Cause you don't want to end up like your friend, Simone, do you, Tierra?"
"I don't want no problems wit' you, Renny. All I want is to be properly taken care of for the role I played in all this. When we come up wit' a lump sum number, I'ma be good wit' that and not hit you up for no more money, I promise."
Nichelle stormed out the closet in a rage over all that had been revealed to her.
"What the fuck was that noise?" Tierra wondered out loud before catching a glimpse of a distraught Nichelle. "Nichelle! How did you get in here?"
"What you really want to know is, how much did I hear, and the answer is everything! How could you, both of you? Renny, it's one thing for you to kill Lerrick and her friends' because of what they did to me, but Carmelo and Simone? You're a monster!" Renny didn't say a word. Instead, he sat down.
"And you, Tierra! Simone was our friend! You livin' off blood money! But you don't care how you get it, as long as it's gotten! What happened to you? You really believe you've gone from trife life to lavish? Hell no! You still from the gutter! Only difference, instead of doin' dirt in the `hood, you doin' it in a high-rise. Is livin' some fuckin' lavish life that important to you that you would let innocent people die? I hate you...I hate both of you!" Nichelle broke down in tears and ran out of the room, slamming the door.
"Aren't you gonna go after her?" Tierra asked Renny, who was sitting down composed as if nothing happened, where as Tierra's hands were shaking. She was devastated that Nichelle now knew the truth.
"She needs time alone. I'll give her that."
"Excuse me! Time alone? Yo, she found out that you had four people wiped out, including a man she was in love wit'!"
"Nichelle is in love wit' me. Carmelo is of no relevance. She'll be back, she has no choice. I'm all she knows."
"I warned Nichelle about you. Now she's seen it for herself... you're heartless."
"You better hope that isn't true, because if it is, that doesn't leave you in a very promising position, now does it."
The next morning when Renny woke up, Nichelle still hadn't returned. He wasn't shocked, but extremely disappointed. He felt his grip on her was strong enough that eventually she would come back to him, but he wasn't a patient man. And the longer Nichelle made him wait, the more severe her punishment would have to be once she returned.
"So, we just gon' leave Philly without Nichelle?" Tierra complained as they walked down to the hotel parking garage.
"There's no need in us staying. Nichelle ain't coming back here."
"How is she gonna get home? She don't know nothing about Philly."
"She'll find her way home. If not, she'll call."
"So, you gon' just let her be. You know how sweet Nichelle is. She ain't gon' be able to make it out here ...or maybe she will," Tierra said, changing her tune when she saw the gift Nichelle left for Renny.
His prized Maserati was destroyed. The tires were slashed and all the windows and headlights were busted. She even keyed the entire car, and just so there wasn't any doubt who was responsible for the mayhem, she left a note taped to the busted front winshield, saying, `2 Hate You! Love, Nichelle. "
~CI?PX
4
If you had a chance to right all the wrongs you've done, would you take it? Would you grab hold of the opportunity to forsake yourself and save another? Or would you continue on your dismal path of self-destruction?
When Nichelle stood up from the makeup chair and walked out of her dressing room into the studio, she felt confident. The white, boy shorts with matching jacket that had fur trim around the collar and sleeves, fit like it was created to grace her body. The stiletto heels on the long white boots that hugged her legs clicked on the hardwood floor as she prepared for her debut.
"I'm ready," she told the man behind the camera, knowing that all eyes were on her.
"Bring the panther in," he directed one of his assistants.
A few minutes later, the trainer came out with the most beautiful Black Panther-scratch that-animal that Nichelle had ever seen. He had piercing yellowish-green eyes, which made the whole room come alive. The trainer positioned the panther right where the photographer wanted, and Nichelle stood near the panther as if she had raised him since he was a newborn.
"Let's do this," Nichelle said, dropping down right behind the panther, placing one hand across her thigh and the other playfully cupping her curvaceous ass. As the lights flashed each time the photographer took her picture, she gave her million-dollar pose like her life depended on it.
"I knew she was the one," Akil said, standing behind the photographer, while relishing in his triumph of hand picking a girl out of oblivion and turning her into the spokes model of his women's clothing line.
While Nichelle maintained perfect professionalism in front of the camera, her mind wandered back to what had brought her there ...two of the most important people in her life deceiving her. Although it had been weeks since she first found out about the horrific role each played in the deaths of four people-two who Nichelle cared a great deal about-it seemed
like yesterday. A moment never seemed to go by that she wouldn't find herself replaying some part of the conversation she heard between Renny and Tierra, and each time, she would get angrier and angrier.
Wandering the streets of Philly and not knowing a soul, but determined not to return to Renny, Nichelle found the business card in her pocket and decided to call. Originally, it wasn't even about the modeling gig. She wanted his help to get back to New York. But soon Akil convinced her that if she listened to him and followed his lead, her billboard would be plastered in Times Square. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Nichelle said, fuck it, and now here she was.
But, Nichelle couldn't lie to herself and pretend that there wasn't a part of her dying inside from missing Renny. What made it worse, was that he hadn't reached out to her once.
Tierra had been blowing up her phone and left a ton of messages, but nothing from Renny. Even though it had been Renny who did the unforgivable, he was able to make Nichelle feel that somehow it was her fault they weren't together. She hated that he had that sort of hold on her, mentally. Nichelle was well aware that eventually she would no longer be able to escape having it out with Renny. But she prayed the longer it took, the stronger she would become.
"That's a wrap!" the photographer yelled out, bringing Nichelle out of the depressing journey she was taking with Renny on her mind.
"You did phenomenal!" Akil said, giving Nichelle a hug. "You were better than I imagined. I'm proud of you. You showed up and showed out. We got a star right here, people!" Akil pointed his finger at Nichelle, boasting to everybody in the room.
"Thanks for believing in me, Akil, because if you hadn't, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
"I know, but you ain't seen nothing yet. This is only the beginning. We're going places, you'll see."
"Who would'a ever thought that I would be a star. Wow, Genevieve, look how far you've come."
"Genevieve? Who is that?" Akil stared at Nichelle in bewilderment.
"Oh, don't mind me. I was thinking of a little girl I knew from a long time ago. But, umm, although I do believe we're going places, right now, the only place I want to go to is back to my hotel room."
"I understand. You worked your ass off today. Go get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow. The driver will be out front waiting for you when you're ready."
"Thanks."
Nichelle closed her eyes and sat back as the chaufferdriven Town Car headed to her hotel in midtown Manhattan. She was so tired that she barely heard her cell phone ringing. She didn't recognize the 718 number and ignored it. But whoever it was, kept calling back. "Hello!"
"Yes, is this Nichelle Martin?"
"Who wants to know?" Nichelle couldn't identify the female voice on the other end and was tempted to hang up.
"This is Rita, calling from Elmhurst Hospital."
"Oh my God! What happened? Is it Renny?" Nichelle cried, becoming panic-stricken.
"I don't know a Renny. It's your mother. You need to get here right away."
Nichelle dropped her phone. "Go to Elmhurst Hospital, no)))!"
By the time Nichelle got to the hospital, she was beyond distraught. Luckily, once she got inside, a few nurses could see how visibly shaken she was, and were kind enough to take her to the right location.
When she got to her mother's room, her head was wrapped in bandages and she had tubes coming from every direction. She literally seemed to be on her deathbed.
Nichelle bent down next to her mother's bed and the tears flowed. She was tired of crying. It seemed her life was full of one never-ending tragedy after another.
"Oh, Ma! What happened? Who did this to you?"
"My baby, I been holding on, hoping you would make it in time."
Nichelle could see a single tear falling down her mother's face. It was evident how much pain she was in. "I'm here now. Who did this?"
"I don't have much time, but I have to tell you this before it's too late and please forgive me, baby."
"Tell me what?"
"You have a brother, and his name is Genesis... Genesis Taylor. Last time I saw him, he was in a juvenile detention in Pemberton, New Jersey. You were just a baby then."
"I have a brother?"
"Yes, and I want you to find him. He's the only person that's gonna be able to protect you. Your life is in danger. The people who shot me are coming after you next."
"Who shot you, Ma? Tell me!"
Her mother began shaking, and her breathing was becoming erratic. "Nurse! Nurse, get in here! My mother needs a doctor!" Nichelle screamed out. She was holding on to her mother's hand, but she could feel the life in her slipping away.
"Miss, we need you to leave!" one of the nurses ordered.
"Please, save my mother!" Nichelle screamed out again.
"We're going to do all that we can, but you have to exit the room now."
Nichelle leaned against the wall, falling to her knees. "Dear God, no-o-o-o! Not my mother!" She wrapped her arms around her shoulders, trying to numb the pain, but it didn't work. When the doctor and the nurses came out, they didn't have to tell her anything. Her mother was gone. It seemed that death was following her.
When Nichelle left the hospital, she took a taxi to her mother's place. She needed answers, and believed the only place she would find them was there. She unlocked the door, and everything seemed to be intact. Whoever harmed her mother didn't do so in her home.
She ran to the back to where her mother's room was and started going through the drawers and the closet, wanting to find a picture, a letter... anything that would lead her to her brother. I can't believe it! I have a brother! An older brother, and his name is Genesis, and I'm Genevieve. I will find him. I've lost so much, it's time Igain something, Nichelle thought as she continued going through her mother's things, searching for a clue.
As she continued rummaging through things, she heard a knock at the door that soon turned into pounding. She went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife, remembering the warning her mother gave her. When she looked in the peephole, she saw the familiar face, and at first wasn't going to answer the door.
"Nichelle, if you're in there open up!" Tierra yelled. "Please, Nichelle. Renny sent me." Nichelle reluctantly opened the door. "Thank goodness you're here!" Tierra sighed when she saw Nichelle.
"What do you want, Tierra?"
"I'll tell you when we get in the car. It's too much, and I don't have time to stand here and explain. Get your stuff and come on."
"But I'm looking for something."
"Yeah, whatever it is, I'm sure it has to do with your brother, Genesis."
"How did you know?"
"There's a lot I know, but come on, we have to go!"
Nichelle grabbed her purse and followed Tierra. "Where's Renny? Why didn't he come?"
"He wanted to, but some serious shit is goin' down, so he sent me. He gave me clear instructions for me to bring you directly to him. And I'm not fuckin' this up, `cause you already know my ass is grass if I do."
"Since you know about Genesis, I take it you know about my mother too."
"Yeah, I'm so sorry, Nichelle. I know how much you loved your mother and how much she loved you."
"Everything is bananas. I feel like I'm walking in somebody else's world right now, like this ain't even my life. And yo, how far away did you park?"
"We're almost there," Tierra said, picking up her pace as they made their way to her car.
"Are they with you?" Nichelle was the first to notice they had company.
"Who?" Tierra questioned before seeing who it was.
"Nichelle, Tierra, I'm glad I caught you."
"Arnez, what are you doing here?" Tierra asked with uneasiness in her voice.
"Renny sent me. He wanted you ladies to come with me." Then Chanel stepped from behind the truck, looking icy as ever.
"Oh, and he wanted you to bring Chanel too?" she asked sarcastically. Tierra grabbed Nichelle's wrist, keeping her by her side. "We're fine. Renny asked me
to bring Nichelle to him, and that's what I'm gonna do. But I'll let him know you offered to help."
"Tierra, I'm only going to tell you this once. I want you and Nichelle to get in the car, no))V" Arnez demanded.
"Nichelle, run... now!" Tierra kicked Arnez in his groin area as hard as she could, trying to give Nichelle an opportunity to get away.
Chanel swung into motion to catch up with Nichelle, but Tierra was too quick and put her foot out, tripping Chanel, who fell to the concrete.
"Tierra, come on! I don't want to leave you!" Nichelle screamed out, looking back as she sprinted down the dark street
"I'm right behind you!" Tierra shouted.
When Nichelle turned back around, to her relief, Tierra was hauling ass, coming in her direction. Nichelle kept pounding the pavement, moving full speed ahead while searching for safety, until she heard a gunshot. She slowed her pace down, turned around, and from the distance she could see Tierra's body hitting the ground.
"No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!" Nichelle's voice echoed throughout the entire Queens project.
It took everything inside of Nichelle not to go back for her best friend, but the very sacrifice Tierra made was so that Nichelle could go free. So Nichelle ran, and she wouldn't stop running until she ran right into her brother's arms.
~~J,tP2 (J/lPi
cI JCiller Is horn
Philly, 1993
"Please, Daquan, don't hit me again!" the young mother screamed, covering her face in defense mode. She hurriedly pushed herself away from her predator, sliding her body on the cold hardwood floor.
"Bitch, get yo' ass back over here!" he barked, grabbing her matted black hair and dragging her into the kitchen. He reached for the hot skillet from the top of the oven, and you could hear the oil popping underneath the fried chicken his wife had been cooking right before he came home. "Didn't I tell you to have my food ready on the table when I came home?"
"I... I... I was almost finished, but you came home early," Teresa stuttered, "Ouch!" she yelled as her neck damn near snapped when Daquan gripped her hair even tighter.
