Ghetto Girls Too

by Anthony Whyte

  “Look, I don’t need no agent and I don’t need anyone speaking for me.”

  Josephine and Deedee mimicked the last half and they all wound up laughing about it. The girls were happy at the prospect at participating in a big video shoot. Although the time appeared to be unreasonably early, it was an opportunity and they rejoiced. Filled with jubilance, the girls walked out the restaurant. It had been a very good day and they were caught up in the happiness.

  “We still going to da flicks or what?” Josephine asked.

  “I was born ready. What about you, Dee?”

  “I’m with it. Just gotta make a phone call.”

  “Then you not really wit it if you gotta make a call.”

  “Whatever, Coco. Make your call, girlfriend.”

  “Okay, ain’t no one trying to stop her.”

  “I’m kinda glad that you and her made up. That was so big of you, Coco. You learning,” Josephine patted Coco’s butt as she spoke to her and Coco jumped into action.

  “Bitch, you best back up and don’t be feeling on my ass. You sure you ain’t gay, yo?”

  “Hmm, that’s right and that bootie looking really delicious, ma. Whatcha say, huh?”

  “I say you best leave my bootie alone.”

  “Speaking of bootie, whatever happened to that big butt buck tooth, Miss Santiago?”

  “Who you talking ‘bout?”

  “Ya know from school.”

  “Oh, you talking ‘bout Miss Martinez. That biddy is still nosey.”

  “Ain’t shit change, huh?”

  “I ain’t trying to sweat them fools. I’m trying to graduate and get da fuck on.”

  “Okay, we’re good and I did us a favor. I got us some tickets reserved for the ‘Fast and the Furious’ with Vin Diesel.”

  “Oh yes, he’s all that and sexy too.”

  “Now, what if we wanted to see 2Pac’s new flick, yo?”

  Josephine covered Coco’s mouth. She laughed then said, “This girl just don’t know when to quit.”

  “Ahight, let’s go then,” Coco said when Josephine finally removed her hand from Coco’s mouth.

  “The movie starts soon and finishes late. We gonna have to get up early in da morning. I don’t know why you told ‘em that we were going, Jo?”

  “Well, you can call and tell ‘em you don’t wanna go.”

  “Whatever, bitch,” Coco said and her voice trailed off as the girls made their way to the movie theater. The smell of popcorn whipped through the air as couples sneaked kisses and kids hid behind video machines waiting for a new challenge. The girls walked into the theater and were greeted by the buzz of spring time celebrating the rebirth of the earth.

  It was one of those magical days that started out looking bad but after all the fussing was over, everything felt right. Being around friends and enjoying new experiences made it all worthwhile. It was a good-time that left the girls wishing the moment could be bottled and stored for another day. The girls wandered into the movie theater, found some empty seats, and cooled their heels. They immediately became oblivious to everything but the screen.

  THIRTY-THREE

  A couple of hours later, laden with shopping bags, the girls filed out of the theater and onto the busy sidewalk. Bustling pedestrians hurrying everywhere rushed at them. They stepped back from the crowd. Coco lit a cigarette and they all shared it.

  “That was decent,” Josephine said, her eyes peeled on the traffic of busy people. “I love city life.” She breathed in exhilaration. Both Coco and Deedee stared at her.

  “Girl, you should try to get out more often, yo.” Coco said sarcasm dripping from her tone.

  “Didn’t I tell you that my dumb ass parents had me crazy padlocked,” Josephine replied, sounding a little bit annoyed.

  “You could hardly tell,” Deedee said laughing.

  “No, for real. I’m being dead up,” Josephine said puffing on the cigarette then throwing the butt away. “I’m telling y’all, I don’t think I’m going back.” She exhaled still exasperated. Neither Coco nor Deedee inquired any further. They quickly dismissed Josephine’s ranting as normal complaining. Coco opened the belly of a cigar and rolled a blunt, pronto. She passed it to Josephine.

  “Here, you do the honors,” Coco said as Josephine took the blunt. Her eyes widened as she smelled it and put it to her lips. Coco and Deedee eyed her ritual. “It’s chronic, bitch,” Coco said with a smile.

  “Choco or haze?” Josephine asked before lighting up.

  Deedee, feeling the need to be down, smoked a little too. “Smoking weed always makes my eyes so red,” she complained and puffed. “I don’t want to be looking too high. My uncle will notice.”

  “That means more for me. Pass da blunt, yo.”

  “How is your uncle?” Josephine asked. Coco eyed Deedee as she answered.

  “He’s good. He’s, you know, working. Getting things done. That’s what he’s about,” Deedee said more to reassure herself than the other girls. She was aware of the problems her uncle and Sophia had been having since the evening of the shooting.

  Darkness fell as the smoke rushed into Coco’s lungs. Deedee and Josephine were high and staring at the clouds descending over the city. Their minds floated under the spell of the marijuana. Each had different realities that they were trying to dodge. They laughed and kissed the sky with an awareness that their lives had changed.

  “Let’s be out, yo,” Coco said and the girls started walking. Coco tossed the roach and asked, “Where you headed, Jo?”

  “Back to the hotel with my strange madre. Y’all could walk me. It’s only a few blocks away.”

  “My feet hurt,” Deedee said. “I don’t think I can walk much farther.”

  “That’s why you gotta wear comfy shoes. Put that in your hangout notes.”

  “Jo, I know you not talking all that yang in ‘em six inch heels, yo.”

  “Listen, I ain’t complaining ‘bout nothing. I’m just sexy, y’all,” Josephine laughingly said. She sashayed a bit and then languorously sauntered away.

  “Whatever, bitch,” Coco said running up to her and yelling in her ear.

  “I can’t hear ya, haters.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Look, we might as well catch a cab now. We gotta get da fuck up early,” Josephine said.

  “And whose fault is that, Miss Josephine?”

  “Here’s one,” Deedee said as a yellow cab pulled to a stop. The girls got in. “Ah.”

  “Where to?”

  “The W hotel and then to Ninety Second and Park then ah...?”

  “Hundred and tenth and Lenox.”

  “Got it.”

  Within minutes, they were in front of the W hotel. Josephine grabbed her bag and thanked Deedee for the shopping spree. “Thanks for tricking, girl. I’ll holla in the morning, ahight,” Josephine said as she air kissed the girls before walking away.

  “Don’t make it too early, yo,” Coco yelled before the cab jolted away. Coco and Deedee sat in the backseat as the cab made its way through the city streets. The temperature had dropped and the girls had cooled. Now all that was left were the uncertainties of their recent past.

  “That detective from your place, you know the one that be acting like he’s a hip hop head or sump’n? Don’t shake your head. You know who I’m talking ‘bout,” Coco said lighting a cigarette.

  “Alright, but I don’t...”

  “Anyway, that mothafucka, he been following me ‘round or sump’n. Nigga showed up on my block.”

  “Get out. For real?” Deedee asked with a trace of nervous excitement in her voice.

  “I’m saying, I go cop and he was right there like: ‘Hello’.”

  “Oh, that’s crazy. He’s actually following you, you think?”

  “I don’t know. I ain’t putting it past five-oh,” Coco said.

  “I haven’t seen anyone that...”

  “Matter fact, I wanted to say this,” Coco said interrupting Deedee. “I know you think it’s
cool and it might just be but I don’t want the outfit, yo. Here, the receipt is in the box,” Coco said. Deedee’s initial reaction was borne out of anger and at that moment she couldn’t say anything without losing her temper. She pursed her lips and waited.

  “Ninety second and Park,” the cab driver announced. Coco glanced out the window and for a moment became confused.

  “You’re staying with Sophia?” Coco asked.

  “Yeah but Coco, I mean, how could you wanna return the dress?” Deedee asked as she stepped out of the cab. “C’mon, Coco, keep it,” Deedee said looking at the box from Dior. She pushed it toward Coco. Coco pushed it back.

  “I can’t,” Coco said shaking her head.

  “You can’t or you won’t?” Deedee asked.

  Coco shut the door behind her and as Deedee stood on the curb, the cab drove off. Coco was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice she was home until the cab driver made his announcement. She got out and started to walk away but the driver called after her.

  “Where’s the fare?” He asked. Coco realizing that nobody had paid the fare, pulled out the last twenty she had and silently swore as she paid.

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Eric sat next to Sophia in the living room of her apartment. His arms were folded across his chest and he was struggling with his thoughts. He was trying not to squirm or move around too much. Eric did not want to appear nervous as Sophia watched him. He appeared cool on the outside but his mind was frenzied and his stomach did calisthenics trying to keep up with what he heard.

  Sophia had shared some information she had gathered during lunch with her friend from the DA’s office. She appeared drained and withdrawn. Eric was sure she didn’t know of his or Busta’s role in the murder for hire scheme. It would be his secret and he hoped Busta had not shared it with anyone else.

  He took a peek at Sophia but said nothing. Eric wanted to hold her but felt the tension of her unbending silence. He still felt love for her but wondered if this was the beginning of the end. Sophia was resolute in her convictions of right and wrong, he did not know what to expect. He knew she was patiently waiting for answers. There were a lot of questions to be answered but where does one start when lives are lost at the end? He didn’t want to second-guess his actions.

  Sophia could sense Eric’s heartbeat increasing. She watched his chest heaved with each beat. He should work at getting into better shape, she thought as she waited for him to open up. Sophia wanted him to tell her something but most of all, she wanted to trust him again. She was just about to push his buttons when the doorbell disturbed her.

  Sophia sighed, got up, and checked the monitor. It was Deedee with shopping bags. She shook her head and buzzed the teenager into the building.

  “It’s your niece and it seems as if she’s been doing some shopping. Smart girl,” Sophia added as she walked to the kitchen. Eric waited for Deedee to get off the elevator. There were tears in her eyes when she ran to him, hugged, and kissed him.

  “What’s the matter, Dee?” Eric asked. “Why are you crying, baby?” he asked bending over his niece in parental concern. Deedee cried for a second then spoke.

  “A touch of nostalgia, I guess.”

  “Huh?” Eric asked. Sophia joined them seated out in the living room.

  “I was with the girls, you know,” Deedee said as Sophia handed her a glass of cold water. “And I was feeling down so I wanted everyone to feel better without being selfish. So, I bought everyone an outfit and Coco returned hers.”

  “Well, that’s not so bad. Coco could get an outfit at another time, Dee,” Eric said.

  “But that’s not it,” Deedee continued. “Coco just doesn’t want me to buy her anything. I told her it was okay with you, Uncle E. She thinks I’m a show-off.”

  “Dee, don’t worry. People like Coco are ghetto. You don’t have to kiss anyone’s ass to...”

  “Eric, how dare you tell the child such things. Deedee, listen, Coco may not want to owe you any money for...”

  “But that’s just it, she doesn’t have to pay me back. I charged it on my new card. It was just something that I wanted to do to show...” Deedee started and exhaled in frustration. “Maybe she doesn’t like me to be nice to her. Where she’s from, she’s not used to people giving her anything. In the ghetto, everyone is taking or trying to steal from you. No one gives…”

  “What you know about being in the hood, girl?” Sophia asked with a smile.

  “I mean, its poor people and people who can’t help themselves so other people take advantage of them. You know the system, the police…” Deedee said.

  “Not all people who live there feel that way about it and that’s what you may not be seeing,” Sophia said. “It’s like when you accept something for itself and not anything else. Coco is probably defensive about anything anyone says about her neck of the woods,” Sophia said. Deedee thought about it for a minute and for the first time, she felt like she could understand Coco.

  “You know, I’ve never thought about it that way. I mean, I thought everyone wanted to do better and live better.”

  “Most people do but they don’t want you to point it out to them,” Sophia said and opened the box containing Coco’s outfit. “It’s a very nice dress,” Sophia said as she refolded the dress and placed the box on the sofa. “You can always wear it or maybe one day she’ll reconsider,” Sophia said and winked at Deedee.

  “Thanks, Sophia,” Deedee sighed and bid goodnight. “I’ll see y’all in the morning.” She headed to her bedroom.

  “You’re welcome, hon. I’ll look at what you bought later, alright?”

  “Okay but you better come quickly because I’ve got to go to sleep. I was invited to a video shoot scheduled for six tomorrow morning.”

  “That’s early.”

  “Yeah, that’s about the time those cameras usually start rolling,” Eric said.

  “Whose video shoot is it?”

  “It’s Silky Black’s. We ran into him and Show Biz at Mr. Chow’s.”

  “Really, you were having some kind of day, weren’t you?”

  “Trying to,” Deedee said drifting off to her room where she quickly took off her heels and flopped onto the bed. Before dozing off into a deep sleep, she could hear Eric and Sophia speaking in hushed tones back in the living room.

  “I don’t know how much you wanna be involved in the kinds of things that I’m talking about,” Sophia said. “Eric, in order to change, you’ve got to want to change. I’m going to sleep. I can’t do this anymore tonight.”

  Eric sat in the living room staring into space. He was unable to immediately react. Eric wanted desperately to convince his fiancé that there was nothing else to the killings but Sophia could hardly be swayed. He sat around nursing a beer and thinking what it would take to persuade the woman of his dreams of his innocence. A smile cursed his lips when he saw the Dior box sitting next to him. That night, he fell asleep with a strategy on how to win his Sophia back. Eric thought the plan was fool proof and couldn’t wait to put it in effect.

  THIRTY-FIVE

  No sooner had she fallen asleep, Deedee heard her cell phone ringing. She struggled to get it from her Coach Birken. By the time she was able to get her hands on it, the ringing had stopped. Deedee pressed the missed call button and saw that it was Josephine. She closed the cell phone and plopped her head back onto the pillow. Before she shut her eyes, the voicemail indicator began to wail. She quickly grabbed the phone to retrieve her voicemail. It was Josephine, excited as ever, telling her to wake up. Was Josephine crazy? Deedee wondered before going back to snooze land.

  It couldn’t have been five minutes later when the phone rang again. Deedee grabbed the instrument and spoke.

  “Yes, Josephine. Huh? You’re downstairs? I can’t believe that you’re already outside. Alright then, I’ll be down shortly.” Deedee closed the phone and dragged herself to the bathroom to freshen up.

  Downstairs, music could be heard pumping through the speak
ers vibrating the building. Josephine sat in a Hummer with Coco and three guys. The smell of weed and coffee saturated the interior.

  “Turn down the music some. I can’t hear what Dee said on the phone. I think she’s coming down.”

  “Yo, I need some hot chocolate, some pancakes and some…” Silky Black started to say but was immediately cut off by Show Biz.

  “Sounds to me like you need some breakfast but we gotta get to the shoot. These are white people we fucking wit. They ain’t on that CPT, know what I’m saying?”

  “Ahight, dogs. Where honey at? As soon as she brings her fine ass down, we on our way.”

  “Say no mo’. Here she is,” Show Biz said.

  Dressed in a white tee and black capri’s, Deedee walked over to the Hummer smiled as she greeted everyone, “Hi, guys.”

  “How ya doing, ma?” Silky Black greeted the newcomer. “You look fine no matter what time of day it is.”

  “What’s really hood? Let’s bounce,” the driver yelled. Deedee got in the vehicle and sat next to Coco. Coffee spilled as it pulled off.

  “My bad, that’s my deejay, Chop Gee,” Silky Black said pointing to the driver. “He’s responsible for fucking shit up.” Silky Black was laughing and the girls realized he was clowning. “I mean cutting shit up.”

  “Whassup, Chop,” Deedee chimed.

  “Holla, Chop-master,” Josephine yelled and smiled.

  Coco and Deedee glared at a hyped up Josephine.

  “What did you have for breakfast?” asked Deedee.

  “Oh, we ain’t even done that yet, girlfriend. They picked me up and it was like, ‘No food we going straight to the shoot, homey’,” Josephine said with a grin then leaned over to Deedee and whispered in her ear. “It’s my time of the month and I ain’t wanna eat. My stomach may stick out too much and spoil my outfit.”

  “Okay,” Deedee said and closed her eyes but Josephine just kept on talking.

  “Me and Gee were smoking a lil’ sump’n sump’n. He’s kinda cute, right?” Josephine asked.

  “Yeah, he kinda got it going on but he need to learn how to drive properly.”