PPP Box Set

by Charmanie Saquea

  ****

  Every time I visit my mother’s office, I reflect on our life. The photos she had strategically placed around her office were like a time line of all the major events and points in her life. I continued to look at all the photos as I’d done a dozen times, before she finally came waltzing through her office door. My mother walked over to me and embraced me before stepping behind her desk.

  “Hi Beauty.” My Mom said to me as she dropped a thick manila envelope on the desk and took her seat.

  The sunlight coming through the window radiated on my mother’s smooth caramel complexion. She was a very pretty woman; didn’t look a day over 25 although she was 41. I pray that I look as good as she does when I reach her age.

  “Hey mommy. We still doing lunch or are your swamped?”

  She gave me a face that answered my question. It was rare that my mother had time for anything other than her cases because she was just that good. I figured she wouldn’t be able to leave the office for lunch. It was cool though, I respected her grind.

  “Don’t even worry about it, Mommy. Rain check?” I smiled at her to reassure her that it was okay.

  “You should come over tonight. Your dad and I would love to have dinner with our only child.”

  I wanted to take her up on that offer. The time I spent with my parents was invaluable, and I loved to get with them every chance I got. However, I already told Ariana I would go with her to Green House for some party that Brooklyn rapper, Fabolous was hosting.

  “Tonight I’m heading out with, Ari mom, but tomorrow for sure.”

  My mom was about to respond, but her phone started ringing.

  “Go ahead mom get that I’m going to head out. I’ll call you later on.”

  We sent air kisses and I left.

  ****

  I hadn’t had a bite to eat all day so my first stop was Habana Outpost. I absolutely love their Cuban sandwiches and margaritas. I had to pass on the margarita since I was driving but I definitely enjoyed my Cuban. I had some time to kill so I decided to hit 5th avenue, and do some shopping for the night that was ahead.

  Cameron

  There I was, trying to get through this meeting with my pops, and my thoughts kept drifting to shorty I met at my school. I was in no way, shape, or form the nigga that chased bitches, but it’s something about shorty. I wanted Skye, and Imma have her.

  “Yo, Cam, pay attention.”

  I guess my pops could tell that my mind was elsewhere. Not that I really needed to hear him out. I knew what he was saying and I personally felt the shit didn’t apply to me. My pops’ had a bunch of little niggas working for him who needed to be reprimanded, and I definitely wasn’t one of them.

  “I hear you, Pops.” I had to say something so he would think that I was listening.

  To keep it trill, the only thing on mind at that moment was shorty. Why though? That shit was tripping me out. My pops went on for a good two hours, which was expected, because it was the monthly meeting where everyone who was somebody in the organization, got together to catch up and touch bases. I looked around at the familiar faces and smiled to myself. These niggas were my family, and proved themselves to be loyal on more than one occasion. Majority of them had shit on lock with my pops since before I was born, and was still riding. I put a few of my niggas on too, just because any real nigga would make sure that his niggas was eating. That was me; as real as they come. Niggas knew not to let my suit and tie fool them. I was good at gun play when my hand was forced. It rarely ever came to that though; that’s what I had all those niggas for.

  I thought about how shorty might react to my lifestyle. Not every day you meet a nigga in law school who was knee deep in the drug game. I’m a different type of dude though. From the day I graduated from high school, my pops was ready for me to dive head first into the game. Shit, one day the entire operation would be under my reign. I had no problem with that, but I did have a few stipulations of my own. I told my pops I was going to college, and ultimately law school. Don’t get me wrong, I could never really see myself as a nine to five nigga, but I knew the advantage that having an education would give me in this game. A Law education at that. I knew shit, and continued to learn shit that niggas wouldn’t even think about until they were standing before a judge getting the book thrown at them.

  I had to laugh at myself though. Nobody outside this organization knew that I had any involvement in it, and I wasn’t about to change that for a chick. I no longer needed to think about how she would react, because she would never find out. Shit, not even my mom’s knew about the shit I was into. Speaking of my mother, I missed her, I made a mental note to head out to Long Island as soon as time permitted, to spend some much needed time with my favorite lady.

  The meeting had been concluded for a minute, but niggas was still lounging around kicking it. I had some loud that I was in the mood to blow, so me and my nigga Ty rolled up and got bent. We were on the forth blunt when my iPhone started vibrating in my pocket. I pulled it out and watched as Shorty’s named flashed on my screen. As bad as I wanted to talk to Skye, she was gonna have to wait. I sat my phone on the table and enjoyed my high.

  “My nigga, what you doing tonight?”

  I heard Ty talking which made me open my eyes and sit up.

  “Hopefully Imma be doing this bad ass shorty I met at school today.”

  We laughed and gave each other dap. Ty was my nigga, more like my brother. We been niggas since we came out womb; our pops were right hands. We did everything together: fought, fucked bitches, got money, you name it. I knew that besides my pops, this was the only nigga walking the earth I could trust with my life. My phone vibrated again, but this time it was text.

  “Hey wassup. I know you wanted to meet up tonight, but I promised my best friend I would roll with her to Green House. You’re welcome to come if you want. Talk to you later.”

  “Yo, Ty, you want to mob to Green House tonight?” I tapped this nigga who looked like he was about to pass out and shit.

  “Yea, I heard Fab hosting some shit there. You know where ever that nigga at, a shit load of bitches will follow.”

  I laughed at the truth behind his statement.

  “I thought you was trynna see shorty though.” Ty asked as he switched positions in his seat.

  That nigga always wanted to get comfortable and sleep when he was high. I laughed. “Yea, Skye the one who told me to come through. She going with her best friend.”

  Hearing shorty had a friend put this nigga on full alert again. “Her friend better be bad, you always get the A1 chicks and leave me with the ugly ass friend.”

  I couldn’t say much to that, it was true.

  ****

  As we pulled up to Green House, I knew I made the right decision by having my driver bring us. Finding parking would have been impossible, and I didn’t have the patience for that shit. When the Range came to a complete stop, I secured my nine that was tucked in the small of my back. I doubted highly that niggas would need to pop off at the venue, but I don’t take chances with my life. I hoped out the whip with Ty and my muscle, Rick and Max. Those niggas are the definition of loyal. They would bust shots and take shots for me need be so I make it my business to keep them close.

  “Cameron!”

  As we got closer to the entrance I heard someone call out my name. I already knew who the voice belonged to. Two people on the Earth called me Cameron: my mother and Skye. I knew my mother wasn’t there to see that nigga Fab, so it had to be the latter. I looked toward where the voice was coming from and saw she was standing at the entrance with the bouncers and another shorty. The sight of shorty made my dick jump. Skye had her hair up in one of them messy buns that bitches seem to love so much, but the shit looked perfect on her. I really got to see her features, and she looked better than she did earlier that day. Her friend wasn’t bad looking either. I smiled at her and pulled her close to me once I reached her.

  “Wassup, beautiful?” I said as I wrapped my arms a
round her for a hug.

  “Hey, this my best friend, Ariana.” Skye introduced me to her home girl.

  “What up, this my brother, Ty, and my niggas Rick and Max.”

  Her home girl’s eyes fell on Ty, and she blushed. I looked over at him, and that nigga was in a trance too. Ol love at first sight ass nigga.

  “I know we not getting in these long ass lines.” I said, looking at the lines that seemed to wrap around the corner.

  Skye and her home girl laughed, but I was dead ass serious.

  “No, Jay they with us.” Ariana said to the bouncer.

  He nodded his head and let us walk in.

  “Oh they got some clout and shit.” I thought to myself.

  We followed the ladies to their section and took our seats. I ordered bottles to jump start the evening.

  “You look good, ma.” I had to let Skye know she was definitely killing the game tonight. “Thanks” she said, standing up. “Come dance with me.”

  Did I hear shorty right? Do I look like a nigga that dance?

  “I’m straight, ma. Go ahead though. Let me watch you.”

  She turned to walk away with Ariana as Rich Gang’s “Tap Out” came blaring through the speakers. I watched as she sang the hook along with Future and danced.

  “Skye is bad son.” Ty said, throwing back his Patron.

  “I told you fam. Her home girl a little cute too.”

  I had to throw that in there since he complains that he gets stuck with the ugly bitches. I turned my attention back to Skye. Watching her dance made me wanna just fuck her on the dance floor. When French Montana’s “Pop That” came on, I watched her twerk and bounce her ass. I couldn’t help myself; I found myself creeping up behind her and grabbing her waist. Skye turned her head, and when she saw it was me, she continued to bounce on my dick.

  “I thought you didn’t dance.” Skye said, giggling.

  I palmed her ass and said “I didn’t wanna miss out on this.”

  ****

  The rest of the night was straight. We got drunk, danced, and talked. By the time we dipped out the spot it was almost 4:00am. I wanted to take shorty back to my crib, but something told me to chill and let shit between us run its own course. I was really feeling her. Skye wasn’t just a pretty face. She was mad cool, smart, and didn’t seem thirsty. You could tell she was feeling the kid, but she wasn’t being overly obvious like some of these chicks are now a days.

  “I had a good time, Cameron, Thanks for coming to chill with us.”

  Yo, even her voice was sexy.

  “I did too, and it’s nothing ma. Thanks for the invite. You drove?”

  I looked around for the white X5 Skye hopped in earlier, but I didn’t see it.

  “Nah, I knew parking would be disastrous. I took a cab.”

  I looked at her sideways. “A cab? It’s almost four in the morning, ma. You not about to catch a cab home. I’m not with that.

  I walked over to where Ariana and Ty were talking, with Skye on my heels.

  “Yo, Ariana, you drove here?” I questioned.

  “Yea I did. I’mma take Skye home, don’t worry.”

  I was gonna interrupt because I had a better idea, but Skye beat me to it.

  “Ya’ll acting like I live far. I can…”

  I interrupted her, “Nah it’s quiet for that. Ty, what you about to get into bro?”

  I had a feeling Ty was sliding off with Ariana, and I was never one to cock block.

  “I’m straight, bro. I’ll hit you later on.”

  That’s my nigga. I was a proud big bro. I wanted to see if I would be as lucky.

  “Aight, son. Yo, Ari, it was nice meeting you ma. Skye, my driver can take you home.”

  I paused to see if Skye would object, but she didn’t. She hugged her home girl, said goodbye and followed me, Rick, and Max to the car.

  ****

  When we pulled up to the address shorty gave my driver, it was the Waldorf Astoria. Shorty must have really been caking to live like that. Who was this girl? I hopped out the truck and held the door open for her.

  “This how you living shorty?”

  She smiled “It seems that way, but thank you for the ride; and for tonight. I had a good time. Get home safe.”

  I started to speak as I hugged her “No problem, Shorty. Oh and I’m not going home yet… gonna find a spot for some food, cause a nigga starving. Good night though.”

  I turned around walked back to the car and Skye called after me.

  “Cameron, I mean if your boys don’t mind waiting or coming back for you, you can come up. I can cook.”

  She didn’t need to tell me twice. I dismissed my boys and followed behind Skye to her place.

  Shorty crib was dope; she definitely had taste. She told me I could look around and make myself comfortable while she jumped in the shower, so that’s what I did. I looked at the pictures she had hanging up in her living room; seemed like she came from a cool family. I spotted a picture of her and Harvey Lewis.

  “Damn shorty mess with old ball players? Fuck this picture shit, I should go jump in the shower with shorty. Nah, let me chill.”

  I walked over to the cream sectional and sat down. I sat back with my eyes closed and relaxed. Shit felt good because a nigga was low key tired.

  Skye

  That shower was everything I needed and more. I stepped out feeling like a new person as I walked into my bedroom that was adjacent to my bathroom. I dried off, slipped on a pair of Victoria Secret lace panties, and applied some Dove lotion. I sat rubbing my legs for a minute, just because I loved how smooth they were. Then I remembered I had Cameron waiting. I slipped on a pair of boy shorts and a wife beater, and pranced into the living room.

  “Really? Did this boy really fall asleep?”

  I stood in front of the couch shaking my head. He was fine as fuck, even when he slept. I smiled to myself. I grabbed the throw blanket that was folded across the arm of the couch, and put it over him before heading back to my room and retiring to my bed.

  ****

  The next morning, I woke up feeling rejuvenated. I glanced at the neon numbers on the cable box which read 10:13. I felt like lying there for another hour or two, but decided to get up and make breakfast, since the original plan was for me to cook. I climbed out of bed stretching my 5’4” inch frame as high as it could go, before entering the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. After brushing my jibs, I looked myself over in the mirror. My bun was extremely messy but still cute, so I left it as is and headed to started breakfast.

  As I opened my bedroom door, the aroma of good cooking hit me and my stomach growled.

  Did he make me breakfast?

  I headed to the kitchen to find Cameron fixing our plates on the center island top. Wow that was really nice of him. I stood and admired him doing his thing.

  When he finally sensed my presence, he looked up and flashed his panty wetting smile and said “Good Morning ma. I was gonna wake you up in a few. I figured you would be hungry when you woke up, so I found my way around your kitchen.”

  I got closer and saw Cameron made pancakes, eggs, and bacon. I took a seat across from where he was standing.

  “You didn’t have to, but thanks though. I really appreciate it. And sorry for not waking you up last night. I thought you were tired so I left you alone. Well, obviously you were, because you were passed out.”

  He laughed, sat down to join me, and we ate. After breakfast I gave him a wash cloth and toothbrush, and let him go handle his business while I cleaned up the kitchen. I was sitting at the island drinking a bottle of water when he came and joined me.

  “I called Ty. He’ll be here in a minute to get me and you’ll have your space back.”

  I looked up at him and rolled my eyes. Damn, I hope he didn’t notice that.

  “Dang, you acting like I’m kicking you out.”

  I kind of wanted him to spend the day with me.

  “Nah, it’s not like that. I need to change a
nd shit; I can come back if you want.”

  I thought it about for a second. Hell yea I wanted him to come back, but I wasn’t about to seem that eager.

  “I mean it’s whatever. I guess we’ll catch up another day or something.”

  He shook his head side to side and sighed. “Come on Skye, you can keep it trill with me, ma. If you want me to stay, say that. No need to hide how you feel and shit.”

  Cameron was right; I didn’t need to because he either was gonna respect it or not.

  “Yeah, I want you to stay. I mean you slept in my house, and I barely know anything about you. However, I do understand that you want to go home and change, and that’s fine.”

  I stood up and put the water bottle in the recycle trash before walking out the kitchen.

  Call it being a brat if you want, but I’m used to getting everything my way. If he knew I wanted him to stay, that’s what he need to do. I sat down in the lazy boy; my favorite chair ever because it was just so comfortable and big. It swallowed me when I sat down, and that’s what I liked most about it. I grabbed the remote off the coffee table and turned on the TV. I started flipping through the channels, wondering when he was going to come in the living room after me, but he didn’t until he was coming to say bye because Ty had arrived.

  ****

  Since the day at my house, I hadn’t really talked to Cameron. Of course I saw him during class, but that’s about it. I guess he wasn’t feeling that I was being a brat about him leaving, but whatever. That is Skye, all day, every day; never change, just like Jay-Z said in his song. If he was going to deal with me, he better learn to get with it. Besides, I haven’t really had the time to think about him. It’s only week three of classes, and I was becoming a bit overwhelmed. Law school is really no joke. Seems like the only thing I have time for nowadays is school and seeing my parents. I haven’t even hung out with Ariana, but that’s not because of schedule conflicts. It’s because her and Ty been connected at the hip since the night we went to Green House. I’m not mad though. He’s a cool dude, and they seem to really enjoy each other’s company.