I Can't Let Go

by Chenell Parker

  “It’s not even like that Venus but our last conversation didn’t end on a good note,” Zoe reminded her as she opened the door and let her in. They went into the living room and sat on the sofa to continue their conversation.

  “I know Zoe and I’m so sorry. I’ve been calling and texting you like crazy but you’ve been ignoring me,” Venus pouted.

  “Well, you hurt my feelings the last time you were here,” Zoe replied.

  “I was dead ass wrong and I apologize for everything that I said and did. If it makes you feel better, I’m done with Franco and any other Lopez man,” Venus said.

  “That does make me feel better because Amari is on a war path. She came here trying to check me about that shit one day and Miguel had to get her ass together.”

  “That bitch came to my job with that dumb shit too. Fuck her and her dog ass husband. I’m here to make things right with you. I’ll grovel, beg or whatever you want me to do. Look, I’ll even get on my knees. I just need you to forgive me,” Venus begged as she got on her knees and put her hands in a praying position.

  “Get up Venus. You know I’ll always forgive you but things have changed. Miguel is not feeling the idea of you coming here anymore. He doesn’t want the drama in his family.”

  “I understand and I have to respect that. As long as we can talk and hang out occasionally, I’m good with that. I just miss my best friend,” Venus said.

  “I miss you too boo,” Zoe said as they embraced. “Now that we’ve cleared that up, what’s been going on with you?”

  “Where do I even begin?” Venus countered with a sigh.

  “What do you mean? What’s going on?” Zoe asked.

  “I’ve been staying in Biloxi for the past two weeks,” Venus said.

  “What? Why would you move to Biloxi? You don’t even know anybody there. What about your shop?” Zoe asked.

  “I haven’t been opening it,” Venus noted.

  “Why Vee? What’s wrong? I feel like there’s something that you’re not telling me,” Zoe said while looking at her skeptically.

  “I know I can trust you to keep my secrets but what I’m about to tell you needs to go with you to the grave,” Venus replied as she looked around nervously.

  “You know that whatever you say will stay between us. What’s wrong boo?” Zoe asked.

  “I’m in trouble Zoe. I think someone is gonna try to kill me,” Venus said as she blinked away tears.

  “What! Who? Oh, my God Venus. I’ll go talk to Miguel if I have to. You can stay right here with us,” Zoe offered.

  “Hell no Zoe! I took a chance by even coming here,” Venus revealed.

  “Why?” Zoe questioned.

  “I think Tino is the one who’s gonna kill me. Maybe he’ll get Dirty to do it. Hell, I don’t know,” Venus whispered in panic.

  “You can’t be serious. Tino’s wife is having a baby shower next week and his son will be here soon after that. I seriously doubt he’s worried about you,” Zoe chuckled.

  “Don’t be so sure about that. I fucked up Zoe and I’m scared to death,” Venus admitted.

  “Stop talking in riddles and say what you have to say,” Zoe demanded.

  “I was in on the plan to rob Tino,” Venus blurted out.

  “What! You robbed Tino!” Zoe jumped up and yelled.

  “Stop talking so loud and sit down before your crazy ass husband comes in here,” Venus whispered as she grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.

  “Why Venus? Why would you do that?” Zoe asked.

  “I know it was stupid but I wasn’t thinking. I remembered him always having a safe full of dope and money in the closet when we lived together. The plan was just to rob him. I swear, I didn’t know that he was gonna get shot. They got pissed when they couldn’t find the safe and took the shit too far. I just wanted him to hurt the same way he hurt me,” Venus answered.

  She left out the part about her wanting them to kill Kimora. In her mind, that would have solved all of her relationship problems with Tino. His heart would be broken and she would be there to mend it. Twice she had tried to end Kimora’s life and was unsuccessful both times. Now, bodies were dropping around her and she was scared to death. Ramon wasn’t in on it but Ronald and Simone’s brothers were. When she learned of their deaths, Venus packed up some of her shit and got the hell out of New Orleans. She didn’t know if Tino and Dirty were behind their deaths or not and that’s what scared her the most. One of their scary asses probably sold her out before being put out of their misery. That was a chance that she was not willing to take.

  She regretted teaming up with Ronald to do his cousin dirty. Now he was dead and she was scared that she was going to be next. Venus knew that Ramon hated Tino but Ronald did a great job of concealing his feelings. She found out just how he felt about her ex one night when she went to his house to chill with Simone. Ronald was heated because he felt like Tino was showing Dirty more love on the prices. Talking to Tino was a waste but he had another plan in mind. Venus had no problem telling him what he wanted to know but she needed him to do something for her too. With Kimora dead and Ronald a little richer, they were both supposed to be happy. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for either of them and Tino and Kimora were better than ever.

  “God Venus! Do you know what they would do to you if they found that out?” Zoe whispered as she looked towards the stairs.

  She loved her best friend, but Venus had gone too far. She had really lost her mind over Tino to pull some stupid shit like that. If Miguel or Mateo knew that, there was nothing that Zoe could say to save her. Venus was right and she did take a chance coming there.

  “I know Zoe and I regret that shit every single day,” Venus said.

  “As you should. I mean, you nursed the man back to health knowing that you were the reason that it even happened to him. That’s a new low, even for you.”

  “I just told you that him getting shot wasn’t a part of the plan. I only wanted them to rob him. I didn’t know that he moved his stash spot,” Venus huffed.

  “That doesn’t make it right Venus. You need to leave,” Zoe said as she stood to her feet.

  “What?” Venus asked in shock.

  “I can’t do this Venus. You’re asking a lot of me right now and that’s not fair. I feel like I’m betraying my family just by having you here. My husband would never forgive me,” Zoe replied.

  “Your family? For years, I was your only family. I fucked up Zoe, but I really need you right now. I don’t have anybody else.” Venus sniffled as tears fell from her eyes.

  “I’ll always be here for you, Vee, but coming here was not a good idea. God, this is just too much,” Zoe said as she started to pace the floor.

  “I know Zoe and I’m sorry for putting this burden on you. I just didn’t have anyone else to talk to,” Venus replied. She refused to put anyone else in her business after Koi went back and ran her mouth to Amari.

  “I know Vee and I’m not mad. I do want you to be safe though. You need to lay low. I’ll come to Biloxi to spend time with you if I have to,” Zoe said telling Venus what she wanted to hear. She was hoping that she would hurry up and leave because she was starting to get nervous. Miguel was right upstairs and she couldn’t run the risk of him overhearing their conversation.

  “That can only last for so long Zoe. My business is here. I have a little money saved up but not enough to live on forever. I don’t even feel comfortable being at that shop anymore. Too many people know where it is. I can’t even sell the shit since it’s in Tino’s name,” Venus sighed.

  “Money is nothing and you know that. I’ll help you out as much as I can. I just pray that all of this blows over eventually.”

  “Me too. I need to get going. I’ve been here way longer than I wanted to be. Where are my babies?” Venus asked, referring to Zoe’s kids.

  “With my sister. It’s our date night.” Zoe smiled.

  “I can’t wait to find me a boo to have date night with,” Venus said. />
  “You will. Just stay away from the Lopez men,” Zoe joked while walking her friend to the door.

  She was torn by what Venus had just told her but she couldn’t repeat it to anyone. Miguel and his family would kill her and that would break Zoe’s heart. She missed Venus but they needed that time apart. Besides, Miguel wasn’t feeling Venus being around and Zoe had to respect her husband’s wishes.

  “I’m done with all that. The last one I had ruined it for them all,” Venus laughed, right as Zoe opened the door. As soon as she did, they were both shocked to see Amari standing there.

  “Just the bitch that I wanted to see,” Amari said as she swung at Venus. She jumped back and Zoe got in between them.

  Amari was fuming and she didn’t care about Miguel’s previous warning for her to stay away. She knew that she would have to deal with Franco later but she was prepared for that too.

  “Whoa Amari! What the hell are you doing?” Zoe yelled.

  “About to knock this bitch the fuck out!” Amari yelled as she swung at Venus again.

  That time, her lick connected and the two women went into a quick mix. She had been going to Venus’ shop for the past week trying to deal with her shady ass but she hadn’t been there. Amari didn’t give a damn about who Franco fucked, but Venus was dead wrong for smiling in her face knowing that she was one of them. She had been to Amari’s house and broke bread with her too. She knew that Venus lied when she first confronted her but she saw the proof for herself. Apparently, Franco and one of his boys fucked Venus at the same time and recorded her stupid ass giving them head. Amari was cool with the other man’s girlfriend and she sent the proof right to her phone. Amari and Franco had it out and she had been looking for Venus ever since.

  “The fuck is going on down here!” Miguel yelled when he came downstairs.

  Venus and Amari were going at it while Zoe tried to break them up. They were tearing the house up and Miguel was heated. He moved Zoe out of the way because he would have knocked one of them out if they made a mistake and hit his wife.

  “Baby, stop them! This is crazy!” Zoe yelled.

  “Y’all must be out of y’all minds coming to my house with this bullshit,” Miguel fumed as he pulled them apart.

  Venus chilled out but Amari was like a wild animal. She tried her best to get at Venus again but Miguel kept pushing her towards the door. Franco was going to hear from him about that shit. Amari had gone too far and he was over it. He was over Venus too and that’s exactly why he didn’t want her around. They put his wife in the middle of their bullshit and that was unacceptable. Amari had calmed down a little but it didn’t take much to get her riled up again. As if things weren’t bad enough, Venus just had to make shit worse.

  “Franco lil average dick having ass ain’t even worth all that. His stroke game is on point though,” Venus taunted as Miguel led Amari out of the house.

  “Come out here and say all that shit bitch! Let’s square up again hoe!” Amari yelled as she kicked and screamed for Miguel to let her go.

  “As a matter of fact, tell his fine ass to call me,” Venus laughed.

  “Vee, stop,” Zoe demanded. Amari was already upset and Venus taunting her was only making it worse.

  “Baby, call Franco,” Miguel said as he turned around to look at his wife.

  That small distraction was all that Amari needed to break free from his hold. She went at Venus and started swinging on her again. Instead of fighting back that time, Venus’ eyes got wide and she dropped down to her knees.

  “She stabbed me,” Venus mumbled as her yellow shirt became saturated with blood.

  Amari was standing there holding a knife that none of them even saw her produce. She managed to stab Venus five times in her chest before they even realized what was going on. They thought she was just swinging on her but she was stabbing her instead.

  “Oh, my God! Venus!” Zoe yelled as she rushed over to her friend.

  “Are you out of your muthafucking mind!” Miguel barked as he grabbed Amari by her throat.

  “I’m sorry. I… I didn’t mean it,” Amari cried and stuttered. She had overreacted but it was too late for regrets.

  “Yes, I need an ambulance. Please hurry. My best friend has been stabbed,” Zoe cried on the phone with the emergency operator.

  “Fuck!” Miguel yelled as he watched his wife try to save her best friend’s life. He pushed Amari away from him as he called his brother and nephew to tell them what was going on.

  “Venus! Stay with me! Please!” Zoe screamed as she tried to apply pressure to her wounds.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Amari mumbled as she paced back and forth like a dummy.

  Miguel grabbed some towels and tried to help his wife as much as he could. Blood was seeping from Venus’ mouth and he knew that wasn’t a good sign. Her pulse was getting weaker and it seemed like help was taking forever. He told Franco to handle his business with his wife but it was too late now. Shit was all bad and it was only getting worse.

  “Venus! Venus!” Zoe yelled when her best friend’s hand went limp in hers.

  “Come on baby. Get up. She’s gone,” Miguel said, picking his wife up like she was a baby.

  “No! No! You killed my friend! I hate you!” Zoe screamed as she tried to get at Amari.

  “I didn’t mean to, I swear,” Amari panicked and cried.

  She wanted to run to her car and drive away, but it was too late. The wailing of the sirens were getting closer and she had nowhere to go. She knew that Franco was going to be pissed with her and so was his family. Her temper was always getting her into trouble and she hadn’t learned to control it yet.

  When the paramedics walked in, they ran straight to Venus. Zoe was praying that Miguel was wrong and they still had time to save her. When she saw the two men look at each other and shake their heads, she screamed to the top of her lungs. Her childhood best friend was dead on her living room floor and Zoe swore that she was never sleeping in that house again.

  When the police walked in, Franco was right behind them. Zoe looked at Amari, waiting for her to say something. Miguel wasn’t about to open his mouth but she was going to tell it all if nobody else did.

  “It was self-defense,” Amari whispered as tears fell from her eyes.

  “What!” Zoe yelled.

  “Relax baby. Let them handle that,” Miguel said as he hugged her tight. He didn’t do the police at all but he couldn’t stop Zoe from talking. Venus was her best friend and he knew that she was going to have her back.

  Franco was nervous as hell and he didn’t know how or if he could get his wife out of the trouble that she’d gotten herself into. His uncles were going to get in his ass and that was unavoidable. He did what he was told and left Venus alone. Some messy bitches who couldn’t mind their business told Amari anyway and she had been hellbent on doing Venus dirty. Killing her was a little more than extreme though. Although Amari was wrong, Franco didn’t want the mother of his children locked up and away from them. Asking his uncles for help was a waste and he wasn’t even going to play himself like that. Franco’s father still lived in the Dominican and he didn’t visit as often as Mateo did. His mother was still around and he knew that he would need her now more than ever.

  “She was my only friend,” Zoe cried as people walked in and out of their house, processing what was now the scene of a crime.

  The police had already taken her statement and placed Amari under arrest. She was sure that her husband’s family was gonna be divided on the situation but she didn’t give a damn. She was going to be her friend’s voice since she didn’t have one anymore. Venus wasn’t perfect but she loved her like a sister. Zoe was thankful that they got to make up but she was still heartbroken.

  “I know baby but we’re gonna get through this, I promise,” Miguel replied as he hugged her tight.

  “I can’t stay here Miguel. I just can’t,” Zoe sobbed.

  “We don’t have to stay here tonight,” Miguel assured her
.

  “Not just tonight. I can’t live in a house where my best friend was killed. I won’t be able to rest,” Zoe said, right as Val, Kimora and Tino tried to enter the house. The officer who was guarding the door stopped them before they could.

  “Oh, my God!” Val screeched when she saw a body covered in a white sheet.

  She made the sign of the cross over her chest before she kissed her rosary beads. They had already seen Amari handcuffed in the back of the police car and she was having a hard time believing what happened. She didn’t have the best relationship with Venus but she would have never wanted to see her dead. She was also worried about Zoe. She knew how her sister-in-law felt about Venus and her heart went out to her.