by Jacob Spears
“For real though, where she at? I want to see her before I go.”
“Pick up your phone and call her. When she answers, ask her where she is. Then ask her everything else you want to know.”
Just like China, Roxy was always sarcastic.
Before putting the money in her pocket, she counted it. She had no idea where Smooth was getting his money from and no desire to find out. She folded the bills and jammed them into her pocket.
“Where China at?” Roxy asked.
“Over there by Korea.” He answered with a straight face.
“Who is Korea?”
Smooth couldn’t hold it any longer. He burst out laughing. Just then, Roxy realized how dumb she sounded.
“You make me sick!” she smacked him in the head.
“She went to New York,” Smooth said, once his laughter subsided.
“For what?
“Get you some business.”
“I don’t want to hear that shit. You muthafuckas are my business.”
Smooth stayed quiet.
“Is she okay?”
“You tripping, yo. You think I’d be here laughing with you if she wasn’t? She went up there to do some shopping.”
“Okay,” Roxy said and left it that.
Smooth hadn’t lied to Roxy, he reasoned. China did go to New York to shop. He just hadn’t told her what for.
Just then, Ga Ga pulled into the driveway.
“Don’t mention that to Ga Ga,” Smooth whispered.
“Duh.”
“Hey Ga Ga,” Smooth said, as he wrapped her in his arms.
“Hey baby. How are you?”
“I’m good, ma’am.”
“And is China? I haven’t spoken to her in a few days. Where is she?”
“She’s fine,” he answered, before he answered her second question Roxy jumped in. “She was just here a few minutes ago. She got tired waiting and said she’d be back later. You know how she is.”
“Okay,” Ga Ga responded. “If I’m asleep when she comes by, wake me up. I want to see my baby.”
With that, Ga Ga walked into the house.
“Why did you just lie to her?” Smooth asked.
“Because she would’ve been hurt to know you came by to check on her but China didn’t. I would never hear the end of it.”
“I’m about to wash my car. What are you going to do?”
“The same thing I was doing when your ass got here.”
* * *
China felt a sense of relief after having seen Jefe for the last time. She wasn’t sure it was her last time seeing him, but she was sure it was her last time in New York. Even that was a lie. She would probably visit New York again ... and soon. However, she was sure she wouldn’t be trafficking drugs when she did. She was positive of that.
China was excited to return home. Now things would go back to the way they were before the money entered her and Smooth’s lives. Her mind next went to Monica. She hadn’t heard from her since she left for dinner the night before with Smooth. That was unlike Monica. If they were apart, no more than four hours ever went by without Monica calling her.
Or had she missed the calls?
She checked her phone quickly. No missed calls from Monica. She decided to call her best friend.
There was no answer. China ended the call when she heard her friend’s voicemail.
She thought about sending a text but decided against it. She didn’t need to be pulled over the texting while driving. Besides, she knew Mo would call back when she saw the missed call.
She settled in for the long drive ahead of her. To keep herself entertained, China listened to all of her favorite artists’ songs—new and old. She was singing along to Beyoncé’s Irreplaceable when she noticed the SUV in the lane next to her. What caught her eyes was the guy reaching over into the back seat. She saw the car seat but was unable to see the baby it held. The guy was making funny faces and would laugh every so often, almost as if he was making himself laugh with the faces he made. China enjoyed the scene, but what held her attention was that the guy looked just a little older than Smooth. She wondered how Smooth would be with their kids when they finally had them.
She watched as the driver, an older black lady, made her way over to the exit ramp and slowly drifted out of sight.
China was beginning to feel the effects from her lack of sleep.
She decided to stop to get herself a cappuccino and freshen up.
She drove until she came upon a sign that let her know there was a Dunkin Donuts at the next stop.
China ordered then went to the restroom. She went to the last stall and pushed it open. While using the restroom, she heard a female giggling. Being nosy, China leaned forward and looked under the stalls in the direction from where she heard the laughter. She saw a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers facing each other.
Back outside the restroom, China went to the counter, picked up her order, and left. She looked at her watch. It had been more than six hours since she’d left New York, and already she had made it to North Carolina. She was making good time. Back on the road feeling refreshed, China began singing along to the music until her phone rang.
“Hi baby,” she perked up even more.
“What’s up, boo? When are you going to get home?”
“I’m on my way. I got a surprise for you, baby?”
“Oh yeah. What’d you get for me?” he asked.
“It’s not what I got for you. It’s what I did for you.”
“I’m waiting on you to tell me.”
“You got to guess.”
“Oh, let me see. You prayed for me,” he laughed.
“No, but one of your prayers was answered.”
Smooth was lost. He had no idea what China was talking about now. And he told her as much.
“What are you talking about, boo?”
“I told Jefe it’s over. I’m through.”
Smooth made no attempt to conceal how happy he was.
China knew the news would make him happy.
“Thank you ... thank you ... thank you!” Smooth repeated over and over.
She wasn’t sure if he was thanking her or God.
“I’ll tell you the details when I get home.”
“Where are you now?” he wanted to know.
“Not far away from South Carolina.”
“I’m lying here missing you.”
“Don’t get me started, boy. I’m about to get back to my driving. When I get to the Florida state line, I’ll call you.”
“Okay, boo. Be safe.”
China was about to hang up when she remembered her friend.
“Why isn’t Mo answering her phone?” she asked Smooth.
“Why would I know that?”
“Okay, Mr. Attitude. I love you. Talk to you when I hit Florida.”
After hanging up, China plugged her phone into the car charger and tossed it onto the passenger seat.
Refocusing her attention back on the road, China took a moment to think about all of her blessings.
She smiled thinking about Ga Ga and Roxy. Then there was Monica and, of course, Smooth. Those were the people she cared most about. But there were others she cared for, not to mention the money and all of the nice things she was able to purchase. Her life was perfect. She loved the way things were going. When she got rid of what she’d just gotten from Jefe, she’d take both Roxy and Monica to buy new cars.
Chapter 14
Monica was unable to sleep and wondered how long the dreams would last. She hated the new dreams that plagued her. In one dream, Monica laid down for bed in a room much like the one she was in. Money was piled to the ceiling in neat stacks along every wall. As she lay on the bed, she would watch the money begin to fall. She would put her hands up to stop the money from hitting her in the face, but the stacks of money were so heavy that they’d break her arms and fall on top of her. She would be covered in money and begin to suffocate. Just as she was about to die, she’d wake up
breathing hard and out of breath.
She didn’t know if she hated that dream more or the dream where she was on a plane looking out the window at the wings made of money. She would stare at the money until one by one the bills would fly away in the wind. After a while, there was nothing left of the wing. The plane would pick up speed as it made its way downward. Monica would always open her eyes just before the point of impact.
She removed the covers and got out of bed. She walked over to the safe and opened it. She looked at the money and wished for the umpteenth time that she hadn’t taken it. She wished she could take it back. She knew that wasn’t an option. She had seen China calling earlier but refused to answer the call. She knew China well and knew the threats would be plentiful. She was surprised when China hadn’t called back.
She turned on the television hoping to find something interesting to watch. After flipping through every channel, she settled on an old Western movie. She hated those. If that didn’t put her to sleep, nothing would. Monica had just started yawning when her phone rang. She picked it up and looked at the number on the screen. She accepted the call.
“Hello,” she answered, pretending she had just woken up.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, did I wake you up?” her aunt asked.
“It’s okay, auntie. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to check on you. I haven’t heart from you in more than a week, and I wanted to know that you’re okay. I’ve been meaning to call, but it kept slipping my mind. I know it’s late, but I wanted to call before it slipped my mind again.”
“I’m fine,” Monica assured her aunt.
After Monica’s mom had been taken off life support and her stepdad was killed, Donna had stepped up to take in her sibling’s children. She had petitioned the courts and received full custody of all three kids. Even though Monica didn’t live with her, she was still Donna’s responsibility.
Donna and Monica’s mother had been best friends all their lives. Monica called her auntie and had no idea that they weren’t related. To Monica, she was more than an aunt; she was the best of aunts. Even though she couldn’t afford to, she took in her sister’s kids at the time of her death, without so much of a second thought.
Thinking of her aunt living in the tiny section-8 apartment with six kids made her feel a lot better about having stolen the money from China. She would do a lot more than simply buy designer clothes like her friend did. Her family needed that money. If that meant no more friendship with China, then so be it.
Her mom was an honest woman who worked hard up until she died. Even though Donna was a good woman, Monica knew she wasn’t opposed to quick cash if the risk was minimal.
“When are you coming by for me to take a look at you,” Donna asked.
“I have something for you, so I will be by your house tomorrow.”
“I’ll be home all day, so stop by whenever you get ready.”
“Okay, I will.”
After hanging up the phone, Monica thought about her brother and sister and felt a pang of guilt. She knew they hated living with their aunt. They always hated visiting her home. Monica had often called to check on them but had only visited them one time since their mother’s funeral. She made a silent oath to do better.
She immediately got out of bed and searched for a pen and paper. It was time for her to get serious about what she was going to do with the money. After finding what she was looking for, Monica started her list. On line one she wrote: Take care of family. An hour later, she dropped the pen after her list was finally completed. Everything she needed to do was written on the paper ... everything except purchase a car. She still hadn’t gotten one, but she told herself she wouldn’t allow the following day to go by without doing so. She turned off the television and finally, feeling much better, fell asleep
* * *
China had the cruise control set to 70 miles per hour, just five miles more than the posted speed limit. It had been more than 30 minutes since she entered the Florida state line, but she held off from calling Smooth. She knew he was asleep. The traffic was light and for that, she was grateful. She hated being on the highway when vehicles sped past her.
She thought about Jefe and what he had said when she asked him for a favor.
“That’s assuming you do get back to Florida,” he said.
“She hadn’t made it all the way home yet, but she was back in Florida. Thinking about Jefe’s words sent a chill down her spine. Just as she was thinking about the conversation, her phone rang, startling her. China swerved out of her lane before quickly regaining control of the vehicle. Luckily, there were no cars next to her.
Reaching for her phone that had fallen to the floor from the passenger seat, China swerved again lightly before reaching the phone.
She had missed Smooth’s call. It wasn’t until she hit the call button to return his call that she noticed the state trooper behind her. China played it cool. She used her signal light to indicate she was able to change lanes. When she did, the trooper also changed lanes. He allowed her to drive for another half mile before he hit his lights. It was China’s first time being pulled over; and although she knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, she had no clue as to what to do. Feeling herself begin to panic, she did the only logical thing there was to do.
She pulled to the side of the highway.
After putting the car in park, China placed both her hands on the steering wheel.
The state trooper exited his cruiser and cautiously approached China’s vehicle with his hands on his gun. After seeing that she had her hands on the wheel, and that she was the only occupant, he visibly relaxed. He stood close enough to the door where there wouldn’t be enough momentum to hurt him if China opened it quickly. He stood with his gun away from her.
“Good morning,” the trooper said, tipping his hat to China.
She gave him a nervous smile.
“You got some license, proof of registration, and insurance?” the trooper asked, just before turning to spit tobacco juice from his mouth.
China handed him the items he requested.
“Wait right here.”
He went back to his cruiser.
China used her side view mirror to keep her eyes glued to the officer. She thought about calling Smooth but decided against it. She didn’t want to make any moves that might give him reason to prolong the stop. She watched as he made his way back to her with the ticket in his hand. He handed it to her.
“What’s this for?” she asked, feigning ignorance.
“It’s a citation for reckless driving. If I wanted to, I could haul you in and have this pretty little car towed.” He pronounced pretty as “purtay.”
“Thank you for your generosity,” she told him.
“Who owns this purtay foreign car you’s driving?”
“My boyfriend,” China said, and immediately regretted her words.
“Is that right, nah?” the trooper was smiling.
“Can I leave now?”
“He must have a lot of money,” he said, ignoring China’s question. “He got purtay cars and a purtay little lady. Is he a professional athlete? No, no ... must be one of dem rappers,” he answered his own question.
China remained silent. She really wanted to call Smooth now, but was too afraid to reach for the phone.
“You mind stepping out of the car, please?” he asked China, but was already opening the door.
“Why?” she asked.
“Don’t question me. Now get out!”
China did as she was told.
Looking at her license and eyeing her from head to toe, he spoke to her again, “It says here that you live in Miami.”
China nodded her head.
“Help me understand, little lady. I pull a car over for swerving all over my highway. The driver of the purtay car is a purtay little lady dressed in designer clothes who tells me the car is her boyfriend’s car. Do I got that right?”
China remained silent.
&nbs
p; “What are you doing in these parts?”
“I’m on my way back from New York. I had to drive my cousins back up there.”
The trooper smiled.
“No airports in Miami, huh?”
“It was cheaper to drive, sir,” China told him.
“You don’t think I believe that nah do ya? I’m sure your boyfriend could afford it. Step to the front of my cruiser, please.”
While China stood in front of his car, the trooper looked under her seat. Finding nothing there, he continued to search the vehicle. Finished with the inside, he opened the trunk.
“You can’t just search my vehicle,” China protested.
He ignored her, opening one of the black bags. When he turned back to China, he was holding a kilo of cocaine in his hand.
“I guess you had no idea this was in there, and you also have no idea what this is,” he stated, as he put the package on the hood of his car and ordered China to turn around.
“Please, please, please don’t do this! PLEASE!” China yelled.
* * *
Smooth had been calling China’s phone for hours with no answer. China was due back any minute. He hated that she wasn’t answering. He hadn’t seen Miranda the whole time China had been gone. He couldn’t place his finger on it, but there was something nagging him. He had also noticed that China had emptied out all of her boxes. How much was she planning on purchasing from Jefe? She had told him that she’d explain the details to him when she got home. He’d just wait.
The doorbell rang.
Without knowing who was on the other side, Smooth snatched the door open.
He and Miranda stared at each other for a several moments.
“Are you going to invite me in?” she finally asked.
He stepped aside.
Miranda walked inside nodding as she observed the interior design.
“Nice place,” she commented.
“Thanks,” he stood by the door.
“Is China here?” Miranda asked.
“Why, what’s up?” Smooth wanted to know.
