by King, Deja
“Don’t you think? I’m not fourteen anymore. The kid do have hips and ass for days now,” Semaj laughed.
“Oh, it’s back to the regular ol’ Semaj. That’s what I’m talkin’
‘bout! That’s the sassy chick I ‘member. My boo back.” “Oh, shut up. I ain’t never went nowhere, nigga.”
“Nah, but on some real shit. Did you take what I was saying last night into consideration?”
“You know I did. I want to give us a try but I need you to be patient because I’m still trying to deal with losing Quasim.”
“I understand that. But what about you moving to Baltimore with me? ‘Cause you here and me there that shit just ain’t gon’ work”
“Moving to Baltimore isn’t exactly us taking our time but then again there ain’t nothing left for me here. Everybody that meant something to me in New York is dead. I think starting over in Baltimore is a good idea. But don’t you think you need to handle shit with your li’l females before I move there.”
“For what? I’ma just tell them what it is. Hell, bitches ain’t got no other choice.”
“Now is that the way you speak on ladies?” she asked, showing her dislike.
“You still, silly. But real talk, me and chicks,” Vega cleared it up respectfully. “Was just kickin’ it. It was never anything serious. I was fucking with a couple chicks heavy, but for real, I couldn’t love after you. They pretty much know where we stood on a friendship level.”
“They better, because I ain’t got time to be beefing with no females over you. Been there, done that shit. But I’ma keep it real with you. I ain’t going to the house you fucked all kinda hoes in either. We can stay at a hotel until we find something together.”
“Already know how you move. You ain’t finna sleep nowhere I had another bitch laying up at. I gotta townhouse out the way that don’t nobody know about. I go there to clear my head when I don’t want to be disturbed. Or just need to relax without having to have my pistol close for real.”
“Umm, really?” She put her hand on her hip, and shifted her weight to one side as if trying to read him.
“True story, ma. We gon’ stay there until we find something more permanent. Cool?”
“Yeah, Cool!”
After paying the tollbooth Semaj smiled at a breath of fresh air as they cruised the Key Bridge. She welcomed the different city with open arms.
“I can’t believe that you actually agreed to move to Baltimore,” Vega said.
“I need a fresh start. I need to start all over. I mean, I’m Brooklyn
‘ta the heart,” Semaj laughed. “But I need something new in my life right now. Back home wouldn’t do nothing but remind me of all the tragedies I had in my young life. That’s why I left everything. I didn’t want nothing to remind me of all the bad shit.”
“I feel you. I told you I got you, though,” Vega said as he exited the highway and pulled through his ‘hood. “You can get out whenever you feel like you ready and get everything you need or I can send somebody out for you. I got a Porsche truck that I barely drive. You can push that until we get you another ride, ma. I got my favorite girl back. A nigga can’t be any happier.”
Semaj rolled her eyes bashfully and then allowed her head to sink into the expensive suede headrest of the Range Rover. Being with Vega made her feel secure and comfortable because she felt at ease and knew she could be herself around him. She didn’t have to try to impress him, because he knew who Semaj Richardson was and where she came from. She was grateful to have had Quasim in her life though. One thing Semaj had learned was money was everything if one makes it that, but Quasim made her grow up. Without self-love that shit was dead, and she thanked God for allowing Quasim to prepare her for real life.
Vega coasted up the strip and pulled down on his little man. Parking directly in front of his loyal solider, who was manning a gainful area, he looked around at the group of hustlers and after grabbing his gun, he popped out and greeted each hustler from his camp while blazing up a blunt of cush for them.
Semaj looked out of the lightly tinted window and watched as he conducted himself. Unlike Quasim, he showed his face in the
‘hood. His creed was that any real boss would show his hood love and in return they would show honor. To him, loyalty brings forth royalty and in this case, the paper was why niggas hustled from sunup to sundown. To Vega, this was the only way he operated. He kicked shit with his niggas on the block, and with the respect he showed them had his goons ready to shake anything for him and his concrete jungle was full of vicious animals.
“How shit been since I been away?”
“Everything good money,” Micah, his head soldier responded. “Paid off the police district for the month, paid the workers and the two families where you hold that work at. Money is on the rise with that new product we just got in. We gon’ have to re-up here in a few days though.”
“Damn, work moving like that? We don’t ‘pose to re-up for another week.”
“That’s what Pam said. I dropped that cake off to her and she was trippin’ at how fast it was moving.”
“That’s what‘s up! Shit, everything else cool?”
“No, doubt, baby. But oh, yeah, your shorty rolled through here looking for you and shit. On some ol’ stalking shit though.”
He laughed. “What you mean on some stalking shit?”
“The bitch was going off on niggas down the way ‘cause she thought niggas was lying and shit. Something wrong wit’ homegirl fo’real. I told you my mans said his nigga grew up with her and her sister on the east and said her sister killed their parents and made it look like a homicide-suicide. Vega, that chick psyched the fuck out. You need to get rid of that crazy broad on some real shit, I can see darkness in that bitch eyes,” Micah stated as he dragged from the piff. “You scared of females now, nigga?” Vega cracked up dismissively. “Nigga, stop listening to these gossiping ass niggas. Shorty, cool. You know I don’t seek out foul bitches. But I got my old boo back so all these hoes getting cut the fuck off anyway,” he said adamantly.
“You’s a fool, Vega. Let me find out you done fell in love with a
New York chick.”
“It ain’t even shit like that. This my childhood love, li’l nigga.” “That’s what‘s up! I feel that!”
“Yeah, but I’ma catch up with you on a later note, little man,” Vega said. “I gotta holla at you about setting up shop in a new area. Shit low-key on that end too, fool.”
“Get at me. You know I’m all over the movement, yo.”
“Soon as I drop shorty off and holla at the one chick, I’ma come back through and swoop you up. We can talk further then.”
“It’s on,” Micah nodded and turned to continue handling business as Vega pulled away and headed to the suburbs.
Vega pulled into the driveway of the townhome and pressed the button to open the garage. They slid out of the car and walked inside via the garage, and as soon as Semaj stepped in her new home a smile washed upon her face.
“This spot cool enough for you? I know you used to mansions and shit, Miss Hollywood!”
“Please! I done lived in the worst of the worst. I’m from the
‘hood and never will I forget where I came from and what I had to go through to get here,” she conveyed, laughing but was for real. “I love it, though. It’s really beautiful.”
The 3,200 square-foot townhouse instantly made her feel at home and it was perfect. Everything looked custom made but still livable like you didn’t have to be afraid to touch it. She was surprised at his choice of style. The cream, brown and burnt orange modern décor was exquisite. From the furnishings to the fixtures and stainless steel appliances was beautiful and it seemed to be pulled straight from the pages of Better Homes and Gardens.
“Now you sure you gon’ be cool while I’m gone? ‘Cause I can have my Aunt Pam come and sit with you.”
“I’ll be good, Vega. Just don’t be out there acting a fool. I still remember how you get
when I’m not around,” Semaj said as she screwed up her face playfully.
“That’s the old me. I told you it’s me and you, fo’real. The hoes prior don’t mean nothing to me, babe. We starting fresh and you better believe I ain’t gon’ do nothing to mess things up between us. On my heartbeat, Maj.”
“Yeah, and on my heartbeat too, you better not!” Semaj teased, but her heart fluttered at his expression. “But go on ‘head and do what you gotta do so you can get back to me.”
“A’ight.” He bent down to kiss her forehead and headed out. “Call me if you need me for anything.”
“I will.”
“We going down to the Harbor later too, and I’ma show you our hotspots, so be ready. Love you.”
“Love you more,” Semaj said as she walked him to the front door, and watched him back out the driveway and pulled away from their home.
This was a new beginning and Semaj was trying her best to go into it with a positive outlook. She sat Indian-style on the plush carpet and thought how she had to get her life back on track despite the obstacles thrown at her. She loved acting and she wanted to get back in contact with her agency so they could still keep her relevant in the industry. Though she was building a new life for herself in Baltimore, her dreams of becoming something so much more had never wavered. Even through her troubled times, she had to remain strong. Not willing to allow anything to rob her of her dreams, Semaj pulled out her cell phone and dialed Christopher Cunningham.
“Hello?” he answered on the third ring.
“Hey Chris, this is Semaj. I was just calling to check in with you.”
“Are you okay?” The concern in his voice put Semaj at ease. “Al-
B and I have been calling your phone nonstop and it went straight to voicemail.”
“Yes. I’m fine. Things have been crazy as I assume you are aware of.”
“Yes, I am. And I’m sorry for everything that has happened. I can only imagine what you’re going through right now. I’m keeping you in my prayers.”
“Thank you. But I was calling to tell you that I need some time off but no longer than two months.”
“I truly understand. Take as much time as you need. I’ll get in contact with your publicist and she’ll handle things. Thank you for calling and I’ll be checking up on you. Call me if you need anything.” “I will and thanks for everything, Chris.” Semaj hung up and a feeling of despair came over her. Chris had been so sympathetic towards her so she knew that he didn’t know what had transpired between her and Quasim before his death. She hoped he would never find out but Semaj was learning secrets never stay hidden. She didn’t want to deceive anybody but the person she was back then wasn’t the person she was today. There was no doubt in Semaj’s mind that Quasim deserved credit for that. He believed in her and never thought of her as some useless ‘hood chick. He gave her confidence and made her feel that her dreams could actually become a reality.
Even now that he was gone, Semaj knew that he would want her to continue to pursue her aspirations and not just sit around and become another drug dealers wifey. But she was afraid to do it without Quasim in her corner. That’s where the feeling of despair was coming from. She didn’t want to admit it to herself but deep down inside she knew one of the reasons she was rushing back to her childhood sweetheart Vega was because she felt that was easier than being alone and standing on her own. She also felt like she didn’t have the strength to mourn the death of Quasim. So many of her loved ones had been taken away too soon but her strength came from knowing Quasim would never leave her side. But she was wrong and now she prayed that Vega could fill the void that Quasim had left inside of her.
Chapter 22
When Paris heard her phone chiming, she automatically knew it was Vega. She answered and instantly began screaming through the phone. “It’s one thing fuckin’ bitches, but when you in New York tricking with hoes and shit that’s where the muthafuckin’ problems come, Vega,” she blasted.
“Whoa, shorty! You getting out of line talkin’ to me like you done lost your damn mind.”
“I’m just saying. Fuck you doing in New York, nigga?” she tried checking him.
“I’ma grown ass man. Calm the fuck down with all that rah-rah shit.”
“Nigga, please! You still ain’t telling me nothing. Why was my calls going unanswered? Or better yet, fuck was your phone turned off for, nigga?”
Vega sighed heavily. “Egypt” was starting to piss him off, and the woman that he knew was definitely getting out of character. He didn’t bother to ponder on it though. He knew he was showing her no respect by ending their relationship over the phone. She was a good girl that didn’t deserve the unexplainable closure of their mess-around. But it was something that just had to be done.
“Look, I’ma just be straightforward with you. I followed you to New York because you was acting all weird and shit when you was leaving out,” he admitted.
“You followed me?” she blurted out, but instantly felt her ego rising because of his jealousy. “What you thought, I was creeping out on you or some shit?”
“Neva that. I’ma boss so fuckin’ another nigga would only make you look stupid. We just cool anyway.” He said something that he’d been wanting to say forever. After “Egypt” left and tried coming back into his life, though, he allowed her in, Vega felt she had ulterior motives, and she was just some cool, time-being, in-house pussy. “But you my dawg.”
“Yo’ dawg? Fuck is you going with this, dude?” she asked, her fury developing. “So why did you follow me all the way to New York then?”
“I’m a very paranoid, nigga. So when you all of a sudden wanna head to the NYC, I had to make sure you wasn’t on no grimy shit. Streets wild out here and I be damn if I let a nigga put a bitch on me. I can’t let a chick become my downfall, shorty.”
She understood his reasons for wanting to be cautious especially since she was one of those grimy chicks that could be his downfall. Paris knew first hand how bitches could be deceitful posing as something they weren’t. She had done it plenty of times, and she understood his logic. “I feel you on that.”
“But check. When I was up there, I stumbled across my people at that club you were at. Some shit happened where we lost contact and that in itself is a long story. She in a bad situation and need me.” He felt that he didn’t have to explain anything to her in depth so he kept it simple.
His words spewed at her like tiny volcano balls, causing her face to turn red and the sensation to feel as if a flame had sparked an intense fire internally. She couldn’t believe what he’d just conveyed. For some reason, she already knew he was referring to Semaj. What she didn’t understand was how her luck was so damn bad that she ran him right into her archenemy. She immediately went in a psychotic rage, because she was trying to ruin Semaj’s life. But as the tables had turned, she’d destroyed her plans and it had all boomeranged.
“So what the fuck are you saying, Vega?” she asked incredulously.
“A bitch can just come back into your life whenever the fuck she feel like it? What about me? I told you I’m doing this school shit for us,” she lied, but should have won an Oscar for her performance.
“E, you know me and you cool. You forever my dawg. And I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that we were something more than we were, shorty. But you and I know it was never going to work. We different kinda people. You’d never understand my life.”
“So you can just fuck me all in my ass and tell me how much you love being around me and then just up and leave me like this? What I was your kick-it-with, bitch?”
“You was cool to be around,” he replied genuinely. “You cool as fuck, shorty. But on some homie shit.”
“So you expose me to making it rain in Norma Jeans on trash, bitches and clubbing ‘til the sunrise and now that’s just a thing of the past?” she asked furiously.
“I told you, you was cool.”
“So that’s all it was? What I’m supposed to do? Where I
‘pose to go? I done left campus fucking around with you.” Paris lied so much it was like the truth to her.
“I’ma real nigga, so I can man up to some shit. For that ma, you can stay there. The rent paid up for the whole year and you won’t have to worry about nothing til the lease up. I won’t be back there though,” he stated surely.
“What about us, Vega?”
“You’ll get over it trust. It’s plenty niggas out there that can replace me. You cute and cool, so it won’t be hard for you to get a nigga.”
“Please don’t do me like this. You know, I love you. You promised that I was wifey from the beginning. Why you lie?” she screamed into the phone. “If that was the case I would’ve never came back to your sorry ass!”
“Honestly, shit got real. She my first love and the love never died.”
“You gon’ regret this shit!” she promised.
“I gotta go, E, and for whatever it’s worth, a nigga sorry.” He hung up and made the rest of his cut-off calls.
Paris clenched down on her inner jaw line as she went into an uproar. She threw the glass vase, cracking the flat screen TV and turned over the coffee table. In under three minutes, she had destroyed the entire living room. What was once a nice living area was damaged like a tornado had twisted the place out. “This nigga don’t know who the fuck he playing with. Maybe he could’ve got that shit off with E, but I’m the wrong bitch!” Paris yelled as she darted up the stairs to retrieve her phone.
Semaj had just stepped out of the shower when she heard her phone chiming. She wrapped the towel around herself and walked inside the room to answer her nonstop ringing cell. It was a private caller. At first she opted not to answer assuming it was one of the nosy gossip girls back home, but then something allowed her to press the “talk” icon. “Who is dis?”
“Bitch, your worst nightmare!”
“Man, who the fuck is this playin’ on my phone?” Semaj asked. “You think you won again, but bitch the games have just begun.
