by Nikki Turner
“Oh. Well, you’re welcome.”
“But now it seems I have an issue. I don’t have an assistant.”
“Yes, that would be the case.”
“So of course, you’re going to be my assistant.”
“Of course.”
He laughed a little to himself. My face stayed serious.
“You know, Saks, you’re a hustler! It’s okay, though. We need hustlers in this business. I think you’ll do just fine. I’m actually glad you got me to give you that job.”
Good news travels fast is what my father used to say. That’s what he told the police when they showed up at our door arresting him for embezzlement. All those years of me going to private school and living in a Park Slope brownstone were over my junior year in high school. I always believe my mother snitched. It wasn’t a secret how we got to take all those vacations to the Cayman Islands. After the incident with Mr. Paul, Daddy acted like nothing happened. He and Mr. Paul didn’t hang out anymore but he went on with life as usual. My mother could’ve asked for a divorce but she wouldn’t have been satisfied with child support. When he went to jail and the lawyer explained to her that the government held on to the money in his business bank accounts, she hit the roof. Somehow she expected to inherit all his assets like he’d died or something. My dad kept close to nothing in his personal bank account. For weeks all she would say was, “For nothing. I can’t believe it was for nothing! Let him rot in jail.”
Yeah, she called the police.
Nervously Brooke rushed over to me with a blank notebook and pen.
“Here, you’re going to need this. Just write down everything they tell you and don’t think. When you get to your desk you can rummage through it all and figure out what needs to be done. Oh, and Saks, good luck with your new position.”
How in heaven’s name did she know? I just came out of Nick’s office. Was she listening from the other side of the door? She had to be. Maybe everyone was listening.
Chapter 5 | This Is Fingers
“How was your day at work?”
Sometimes it seemed like Kessy was my husband.
“You know I’m his new assistant.”
“Of course. I never doubted that. Did you get the photos developed?”
“Kessy, you ever known me to slack on that?”
“You’re right. Girl, you are lethal! I’m glad I’m your best friend, or else I’d be some rich whore running on a lost road somewhere.”
“Shut up, what are you talking about?”
“No, I’m serious. When you want something, you go get it. Can’t nobody get in your way. I’m just happy you let me be an accomplice on the winning team!”
“Please, let you? You are such a willing participant! You’re the one who was in Principal Allan’s car that night. You weren’t even looking for the long-term benefit of that one!”
“Yeah, but you’re the one who used that whole thing to make him pay for your college education.”
We laughed.
“Girl, let me call you back. My mother’s calling on the other line.”
“Oh, goodness. Yes, see what Miss Melissa Sands has to say. I’m sure it’ll be interesting.”
“I’m sure.”
My mother went on her usual tirade of how nobody ever wants to help her out. I went to college and all I could do was be somebody’s intern. She thinks I think I’m hot stuff because I’m hanging out with some rich girl who just parties all the time. Blah blah blah. What it all boiled down to was she spent all her money on cigarettes and beer and now she can’t pay her rent. We had this conversation once a month and it never occurred to her that my rich party friend might be paying the rent for us both. I let her talk her own head off. When she was finished, I let her know the check was already in the mail. I didn’t think it necessary to let her know about my promotion. No need to have her rent mysteriously increase.
I called Kessy back.
“Yeah, I’m off.”
“That was quick. Miss Sands didn’t have a whole lot to say today?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I just listen for my cue to let her know when the money’s coming. That’s all she wants. The complaining about me and every other thing in the world is just her gear-up.”
“Thank God for my mother and father.”
“Yes, the sun rises and sets on Kessy Johnson. I’m just glad they love me, too.”
“Who, Sakia Sands? Oh please. Love you? They adore you. They never say it, but I know they wish I went to college.”
“Maybe, but they love you more than life anyway. They don’t hide it. My mom is comfortable with getting a check and thankful to not have a son-in-law who could tell me I shouldn’t be giving her money. Could you imagine if she paid enough attention to realize I don’t have that kind of money and it must be coming from you?”
“Well actually it’s coming from my father who insists on supporting his adopted child, but I get what you mean. Oh, and I forgot to tell you, I got some more info on that rapper Breeze was talking about.”
“Girl, you are vital for opportunity. I love you!”
“Girl, I love you, too. Just listen. His name is Fingers, remember?”
“Yeah. Is he the kid on the mix tapes? He plays the piano, right?”
“Yes, girl and he is hot! He does all his beats himself and they are all mostly piano. Then he’s not even a conscious rapper. He’s like on some no-nonsense hard-core stuff.”
“Cool. So now I just have to figure out how I can sign him to Hustle Hard.”
“No problem, sweetie. Apparently he’s in the studio tonight. We can go up there if you want to talk to him. I hear he likes y’all redbones.”
The studio wasn’t what I expected at all. I thought it was going to be some big elaborate place with wood panel walls and big glass mirrors. The place looked like it used to be someone’s apartment. The carpet was a dingy blue that had very small hints of its former pale blue color. Marijuana smoke filled the air and it looked like a party was going on. There were at least ten people with no purpose in there.
Observing everything, I immediately knew who Fingers was. Five foot eight maybe, and skinny as I don’t know what. He had on a belt and his black jeans still slid down, showing his black boxers with big white polka dots. His face was like cherrywood and his eyes were dark. There was yellow where the white part of his eyes should be. He barely looked up at me and Kessy while he was rolling some dirty green marijuana in his cigar. Clearly we didn’t catch his attention and that was fine with me. My dad used to tell me observation was the first step in your attack.
Fingers blew out a pillow of smoke as he touched the white girl who stood between his legs while he sat on the arm of the brown pleather couch. After two more pulls, the white girl took a drag of the rolled cigar. I giggled to myself as I thought, I guess Kessy was wrong. He doesn’t like redbones. He likes white-bone. This is the guy everyone wants to sign so badly, huh? He had nothing and still he acted as though he had it all. If Kessy’s parents knew she was in this run-down building with piss-infected hallways, they’d have her committed. Then they’d probably have me committed for being crazy enough to come here with her.
The young lady Fingers flirted with was clearly a tease and he wasn’t that good at game. I mean, the atmosphere itself wasn’t sexy. The room smelled like someone poured beer all over the carpet. Not spilled, just poured it! The smell of marijuana seemed like it came from the cracks in the walls. Still he smiled the gold-tooth grin as the snowflake took a rubber band and put her blond strands into a ponytail. When she lifted her arms, her too-tight purple sweater showed her navel and the silver rod in it. He eyed her up and down. Then some overweight bald guy came out to tell Fingers it was time to record. Kessy went in the other room to watch Fingers record. I stayed with the girl.
“Hey. I’m Sakia. Love that sweater!”
“Oh, thank you. I’m Amber.”
She sounded like straight bubble gum. I almost lost my cool with belly laughter as I th
ought of how stereotypical she seemed. It was like she studied what movies projected Ambers to be and decided to become it.
“So, Sakia. That’s your name right? It’s pretty lame here, huh?”
“Not really. That guy is kind of cute. Why didn’t you want to give him any play?” Okay, shoot me for saying he was cute. Maybe he could have been halfway decent if his braids were fresh and not so fuzzy. Or if his eyes didn’t look filled to the rim with liquor.
“I don’t know. I mean who is he? Would you talk to him?”
“Girl, yes! He may not be anyone now but he’s about to be that dude!”
I spent the next thirty minutes talking to Miss Amber. The song Fingers was recording, “I’m a G,” seemed more than appropriate background for the conversation. When he was finished Fingers came into the room where Amber and I were. Everyone else, including Kessy, stayed in the other room to hear the new recording over and over and over again. For the first time, Fingers saw me. He squinted a bit like he was trying to figure out who I was but then made a face like he decided it wasn’t important.
“Hello, Fingers.”
“What’s up. I know you?”
“No, but don’t worry about that. You know this young lady, Amber.”
I could hear Kessy entertaining the other room. Everyone was high and drunk. All Kessy had to do was talk a little and laugh a lot. Amber’s demeanor changed from a girl trying to be part of the scene to a straight kitten.
“So, um, about what you were saying before. I think I could show you some things.”
Her voice was seductive and she pressed against him. Who was she kidding? Not me. She wasn’t new to this. Only a pro could change up that quickly. All she needed was some motivation. She’s probably blown more people in the past year than Kessy has her whole life. Amber heard about Fingers. She probably just got real disappointed when she came to this dingy old run-down place. She changed her mind quickly when she thought about what he might be in the future. Now everybody wants to get in on the ground level.
“Oh yeah? Let me see some things then.”
Before she had a chance to hesitate, I went and closed the door making it obvious I was turning the lock. Amber barely looked my way. She was comfortable. He pulled on her arm hard enough to let her know he wanted her but not enough to scare her. She grabbed her purse and took something wrapped in tinfoil out. She opened it and sniffed it real hard. She grabbed the half-full bottle of Heineken on the lamp table and downed it. With the bottle still in her hand she began to tongue kiss Fingers. At first it was all sloppy and nasty and I was a bit disgusted. I got past it though. I wasn’t there to enjoy myself. I was working.
Fingers took the bottle from her hand and placed it on the table beside the couch. He held on to her waist and she removed her sweater over her head. Her round perky breasts were relieved. He sucked the right one vigorously as she sucked the other. His fingers tugged the fly on her stonewashed jeans that hugged her behind. She grabbed the beer bottle and poured whatever was left down the middle of her breasts. He licked the beer and quietly kept at his task. Finally the fly was open and his hand slid comfortably down. She bounced as he wiggled like he was trying to jimmy a lock. He used his other hand to peel the jeans from around her waist. She began to help.
Amber had on nothing but a pair of silver string thongs. She was on her knees and Fingers was still sitting on the arm of the faux leather couch. His eyes were closed as Amber inhaled the near-black piece of him protruding from his boxers. She was using two hands. His jeans were unzipped but they hadn’t moved from where they were slightly below his hips. She started slow then seemed to get in a zone. She moved her head like a snake being charmed, then began to devour him as if she hadn’t eaten in days and he was her only means for survival. Her movements slowed in pace and he held on tight to her shoulders like he was trying to hold her at a distance. He bit his lip and strained to keep his eyes closed. When he relaxed she let go and took two hard gulps. She wiped the evidence from her mouth with the back of her hand, then laughed. He shook his head then looked down to see how quickly he had recovered. He was ready for more. He moved to the couch and sat her on his lap with her back facing him. It was time for me to go. The two lovebirds could enjoy themselves without me. I walked over from the door and handed Fingers a piece of paper with my name and number on it and said, “This is how we get down at Hustle Hard.”
I unlocked the door and stepped out, leaving Amber to her rodeo.
Chapter 6 | Winning Team
I followed Nick into his office.
“I sent off the package to V magazine. Lakaya’s press release is all set to go. Rob and I proofread it this morning. Promotions has a four o’clock release time. Oh and you have a meeting at noon with Fingers. He’ll be looking to accept your offer.”
There was no motion for like two and a half seconds. I knew he wanted to drop that bottom lip in awe but he was too cool to let the flies come in. He gathered his thoughts.
“When did you speak to Fingers to make the appointment?”
“This morning.”
“Do you know him or something? Because to get any of these artists up before ten in the middle of the week and they’re not hustling, is like pulling teeth.”
“We’ve met.”
“When?”
“Awhile ago. Like my first week. He’s cool peoples. We’ve talked on the phone every once in a while. Look, you want to sign him or not? He’s not even coming with a lawyer or manager.”
“How do you know him?”
“I don’t know him, know him. I’ve met him. I figured you’d want to sign him since everyone else does, especially Breeze.”
“Of course I want to sign him! But I never made an offer.”
“Oh, I took care of that.”
I could tell from his eyes his brain was trying to wrap itself around what was happening.
“What did you offer?”
“Three hundred thousand, three albums, and an opportunity to negotiate his own label imprint under Hustle Hard if all three go platinum.”
“And he said yes to that?”
“Why wouldn’t he? Lakaya is doing great under us. Fingers was going to sign with Breeze, but he said he found out some stuff about Breeze that he didn’t want to be associated with. You have a much better reputation for taking care of your artists.”
I enjoyed looking at Nick and his effort to try to hide the fact that he was baffled. How could this woman who worked here for three months get the most wanted unsigned artist to agree to a deal that offered at least a hundred thousand dollars less than what the competing bidders were offering?
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good deal, but he would be saying yes to a lot less money than what Breeze or anyone else is offering. I mean, I’m sure they’re not including the label imprint in their offer so that could be it, but he’s a kid from the streets. I can’t see him taking less money for something offered in the future.”
“You can offer him more if you want to. I just don’t think it’s necessary.”
“No, the deal you offered protects the company and allows us to make a lot of money. So if I don’t have to offer more, then of course I won’t! I’m just saying that it’s odd someone with no real financial stability and a tenth-grade education would go for the logic and not the money. That’s all.”
“Well, I think he sees we are a company that cares about all his needs, not just how much we can make off of him.”
My grin stayed subtle but Nick saw it. When I looked up from my notepad he was holding his chin with his arms folded, and looking at me. His eyes were deep brown. Normally they seemed lighter, more glassy. This time they were deep, rich, with more meaning.
Fingers came into his meeting with Nick on time. Just like I said, he came alone. It wasn’t smart on his part but I guess he trusted me. Or maybe he trusted what he thought I was about. Either way he signed the contract without hesitation. When Fingers left, I saw a smile on Nick that I don’t think I eve
r saw before. His smile seemed so genuine at that moment. His look of appreciation dissolved into another look. One that made me feel soft, but just for a moment. He said we should go to dinner to celebrate. I smiled and rushed to my desk to make a phone call.
“Kessy.”
“What’s up?”
“Nick wants to take me to dinner. Should I go?”
“What happened? He had his meeting with Fingers already?”
“Yes. He signed and everything was fine. But now Nick is all happy and wants to take me to dinner. The only problem is, I think it’ll just be me and him.”
“So what? Go, girl. Maybe you might get you some. His sex is kind of good, you know.”
“Shut up! Don’t be talking like that on this office phone. Remember he has a way to listen. I don’t know who else is listening.”
“Oh, right. Sorry. Anyway, go.”
“But, Kess, you know I don’t really do the one-on-one thing. I’d be out of my element.”
“Out of your element? Sakia, please! The last boss you had dinner with decided he was going to teach you everything he knew about business to train you to take over. All because he was grateful for some clients you saved him from losing. Sounds to me that this is definitely your element.”
My last boss was my uncle and my father taught him everything he knew. Unfortunately my father didn’t teach his brother how not to go to jail and get everything taken away from you.
“Kessy …”
“Sakia, I know this is different. I know what you want but I also know you look like you’re kind of liking Nick. It’s okay to like someone. It doesn’t make you any less focused. It means you’re still a woman.”
Nick and I left directly from the office. Everyone left the office about seven and we left a few minutes to eight. We took a car service and pulled up to a building on Sixth Street that looked like an old warehouse. I knew this was the building Nick was renovating for his new restaurant. I had seen the pictures and helped make arrangements for it from the office.
