Childhood Sweethearts

by Jacob Spears

  “Everything is going to be fine.”

  “I don’t know what to do, Roxy. I feel so fucking helpless.”

  “Don’t worry. She’s probably home by now,” Roxy said, not really believing her own words. Neither did Smooth.

  “There’s got to be something I can do. I can’t just sit around twirling my fingers.”

  “There is something we can do.”

  “What?” Smooth asked.

  “Let me think,” Roxy sat back down. “I GOT IT!” she exclaimed and sprung back to her feet with excitement.

  Smooth looked on as she pulled out her phone from her pocket.

  “Should she have made it home by now?”

  Smooth nodded his head.

  Roxy continued tapping her screen.

  “What are you doing?” Smooth asked, trying to get a look at her screen.

  I’m going to get a list of hospitals between Miami and North Carolina, and then call them to see if she was admitted.

  “Roxy, there could hundreds of fucking hospitals! That shit could take forever,” Smooth retorted, obviously not liking her idea.

  “You got a better idea?” she asked him.

  “I guess you’re right!” he slumped back to the other chair. “Let’s do it!”

  * * *

  China was on the girl’s back choking her with one arm and punching her on the side of her face with her free hand. China was having flashbacks of her fight with Shameka and she fought extra hard so she didn’t lose another fight.

  “Stop, please!” Please stop!” the girl cried, as China continued punching, stopping only when her hand began to hurt.

  The girl scooted towards the door, trying to get as far away from China as the small cell would allow her.

  Seeing that her opponent was cowering in the corner away from her, China grew more aggressive. She rose to her feet.

  “Get up,” she ordered.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “What’s wrong with me?” China took a step closer towards the girl. “You hung up my phone call and you’re asking me what’s wrong with me?”

  “You’re the one who came in here and suck fuck everyone,” the girl said.

  “I didn’t say shit to you muthafuckas! All I did was get on the phone.” China noticed that the girl had gotten to her feel and braced herself for at attack. It never came.

  “You don’t just come in and pick up the phone. And ...”

  China listened as the girl, her new cellmate—whose name she learned was Michele, but everyone called Pumpkin—explained things to her.

  Pumpkin looked in the mirror at her face and saw that it was slightly swollen.

  “I’m sorry about that,” China apologized.

  “Why did you attack me anyway?”

  “Hey, this is my first time, and I thought you’re supposed to fuck up the first person that comes at you the wrong way!”

  “You’ve been watching too much TV, girl. It’s not like that at all. We all look out for each other in here,” Pumpkin told her.

  “My bad,” China said meekly.

  “It’s cool. As long as we keep this between us,” Pumpkin asked.

  “You got it. I know my baby is so worried about me.”

  “How old is your baby?” Pumpkin wondered.

  China laughed, realizing that the girl thought she was talking about a child.

  “No, I mean my boyfriend.”

  “Oh!”

  “I was driving back home from New York and now this,” China threw up her hands.

  “Where is home?” Pumpkin asked.

  “Miami.”

  “I’ve always wanted to visit Miami,” Pumpkin said. “What’s it like?”

  China was already tired of the girl’s questions, but she did her best to hide her frustration.

  Instead, she answered the girl, trying her best to answer in a way that wouldn’t lead to more questions.

  “Well, I’m from Deer Bluff, and it’s beautiful there. Every summer the fair comes to town ...”

  China pretended she was listening to the girl, occasionally adding a “really” or “nooo” for emphasis. Her mind was on Smooth. She wanted to call him. She needed to call him.

  “Clear count, clear count!”

  China heard the door to the cells being opened just after the announcement. She walked over to the area and picked up the phone list to add her name just as Pumpkin had told her to do. Just as the officer who had escorted her to the cellblock had told her to do. The officer she hadn’t listened to.

  After a few minutes had passed and no one got on any of the phones, China began calling names on the list above hers.

  “NAY NAY,” she yelled.

  The girl signaled China to go ahead of her.

  After several more names, China finally picked up the phone.

  After dialing Smooth’s number, she waited for it to ring. Instead, she got his voicemail again.

  Smooth was famous for not charging his phone, so China wasn’t worried.

  Before walking away from the phones, she tried his number again.

  She hung up the phone and then walked to her cell.

  She sat on the bunk thinking about her current situation and began crying. China prided herself on being strong; but try as she might, she couldn’t find the strength within herself. She needed Smooth.

  A thought came to China and she headed back to the phone.

  After calling off the names on the list, she dialed Roxy’s number.

  “Hello,” Roxy answered.

  The tears flowed freely when China heard her sister’s voice.

  “China, is that you?” Roxy asked, after hearing the sniffles.

  “Yeah, yeah, it’s me!”

  “Thank God, girl. We were worried to death. Where are you?”

  After China told her sister where she was, she asked her if she had spoken to Smooth. He’d been next to Roxy the whole time, trying to take the phone out of her hands. Finally, she passed it to him.

  “Hey baby,” he said to China.

  She immediately felt better.

  China told Smooth what had happened leading up to her arrest.

  She gave him as much information as possible before the phone announced she had one minute remaining.

  “Don’t worry, baby. I’m on top of things. I’ll handle everything.”

  “I love you, Smooth.”

  “I love you more. You’ll be okay, baby. Just don’t drop the soap.”

  They both laughed.

  After the phone call, they both felt better.

  She walked back to her cell with a smile on her face. She unrolled the sheets and made up her bunk. China was exhausted. She lay down after she made her bunk to get a few minutes rest. She was asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

  * * *

  Monica felt good about herself. She had given her aunt enough money to put down a hefty down payment on her house and enough money to fully furnish it. Nothing was too good for her aunt. This was a new beginning and Monica wanted everything brand new. Her aunt wouldn’t hear of it. Donna allowed her to purchase a new living room set and furnishings for the kids’ rooms, but nothing for herself.

  Donna and Monica stood next to each other in the furniture store watching as the kids excitedly picked out furniture in the colors they wanted for their rooms.

  “I wish you’d get something for yourself, auntie. That’ll really make me feel good. It’s not like you don’t deserve it or we can’t afford it.”

  “Child, stop! You’ve done more than enough for me. I’m happy with that.” Monica left it at that. The money would be there if she ever changed her mind.

  “Speaking of money being there,” Monica thought to herself, she needed to invest in some up-and-coming companies that all looked promising.

  Even though she had only spent a small fraction of her new wealth, she knew she couldn’t keep spending without putting it back, or one day it would all be gone. Monica had never had
more than a few hundred dollars at a time for herself, but she always managed it well. It was because of those early lessons that Monica was sure she’d never go broke again.

  After paying for the furniture and arranging to have it delivered to the new house the following day, Monica dropped off her aunt at the apartment and took the kids shopping for new clothes.

  She tried not to think about China, but the more she tried not to, the more thoughts of her entered her mind. She truly missed her best friend.

  Again, she wondered why China hadn’t called her yet. Monica wished that she would, even if it was only to argue or threaten her. She realized that the more guilt that she felt, the more money she spent.

  After having spent all day with her aunt and the kids, she was happy to drop them off after the shopping trip and dinner at McDonalds. She had days left to be out of the hotel. She was eager to get to the peace and quietness of her room.

  She kept the radio off in her new car as she drove towards the hotel. Monica had decided to purchase a new car after all. The car she decided on was a mid-size sedan with a decent sticker price and nothing flashy, she thought as she drove through the streets.

  China wouldn’t take her betrayal lightly. The question that repeated itself over in her mind was “What will China do?” Not only what will she do, but also what was she capable of doing?

  Over the past few days, Monica realized that she didn’t know Chinas as well as she thought she did. How could she? How had China been able to hide so much money from her? How did make so much money? Was the money China’s? Was China’s life now in jeopardy because of the missing money? What would she do to get the money back? Would China hurt her? Monica ruled that out. China couldn’t hurt a fly. Not the China she knew.

  “Time will tell,” she mumbled to herself, as she put the car in park.

  After opening the safe to make sure the money was still there, Monica took a hot shower and then climbed into bed.

  Chapter 16

  Smooth was up before sunrise. There were things he needed to do and he needed to get an early start. The first thing he did was call Roxy. He wanted to let her know what time he’d be picking her up. Because he didn’t know when he’d be back home, he decided to take Zorro with him.

  He freshened up and then took the dog for a long walk. He wanted the dog to be well spent.

  Sitting on the bench in the park, Smooth watched the flow of people headed in every direction as he tossed Zorro’s ball. The dog chased it with delight.

  Smooth wondered if he would ever be one of the people he looked at. Everyone seemed lifeless like zombies, going about their day on autopilot. These were the people who oiled the wheels of this great country.

  He laughed. He’d never been one of them. People like that never got rich. They worked nine-to-five jobs, paid their bills, and hoped their taxes didn’t increase. They didn’t take chances and they always played it safe. They lacked excitement.

  Back at the apartment, he looked at the time. It was 8:45. He dialed Jefe’s phone number.

  After getting Jefe on the phone and exchanging pleasantries, Smooth got down to the purpose of his call.

  “She’s in jail,” he told Jefe, without saying China’s name.

  Jefe knew exactly where China was, but he acted as if the news was new to him.

  “Say this is not so and you joke with me, my friend.”

  “I wouldn’t joke like that.”

  “This is most unfortunate. But I should’ve known all was not well when I did not receive a call from her. Tell me, mi amigo, what can I do? I am at your disposal. China is my friend.”

  “Right now there’s nothing that can be done. She’s being held with no bond. All we can do is wait,” Smooth told Jefe what he already knew.

  “Do you know the circumstances?”

  “Not yet,” Smooth said, “but I’ll let you know when I find out.”

  “Thank you, my friend.”

  Wanting to put an end to the call, Smooth stated the main reason he’d called Jefe.

  “She told me what was owed, and I’ll take care of that today. I just need to know how you wish to receive it.”

  After making arrangements and promises to keep in touch, Smooth hung up. He called Roxy to let her know that he was on his way.

  In no time, he was back out the door walking to this car.

  When he got to Ga Ga’s house, Roxy was waiting for him. She got in the car quickly and told him to drive off.

  “What’s up with that?” he wanted to know, as he turned off the street.

  “Ga Ga’s driving me crazy! She keeps asking me for China, and to get her or you on the phone. She knows something’s wrong.”

  “What are we doing?” Roxy asked.

  “Going to the lawyer’s office. Did you find out about her visits?”

  “Yeah, that’s tomorrow,” Roxy answered. “I put some money on her books.”

  “I sure hope this lawyer has something good to say,” she added.

  “This Jew is the best. I can’t tell you how many niggas I’ve seen him get out of jail. Anyone who got some money will get what they want with him.”

  The lawyer’s name was Timothy Hevralesky. He had an opulent office located in a downtown Miami office building. There were several other practices located in the building, including doctors’ offices.

  They took the elevator to the fourth floor.

  Roxy gave the receptionist her name was told to have a seat.

  “Mr. Hevralesky will be with you shortly. Can I get you something to drink?”

  They both declined.

  Roxy looked around, taking in everything in sight from the plush carpets to the paintings on the walls. Whatever they were, Roxy was sure they were real. A man like this would never ruin his reputation by hanging cheap art in his office.

  While they waited, an old couple walked in. The receptionist had they wait just as he did Smooth and Roxy.

  The couple who was obviously wealthy sat as far away as possible from them.

  A minute after a middle-aged, white lady left the office, Smooth and Roxy were granted permission to go in.

  “Ms. Preston,” Hevralesky announced, as he rose to his feet and extended a hand to Roxy, before taking a seat and offering one to her.

  “Thank you,” Roxy said politely.

  “My pleasure, my pleasure. Now tell me, what can I do for you?”

  The lawyer listened as Roxy told him about China. Smooth noticed that he hadn’t taken any notes. Not even China’s name. That didn’t sit well with him.

  Mr. Hevralesky punched several buttons on his keyboard, and then turned his monitor to Roxy and Smooth.

  “Is this her?”

  They both nodded.

  He eyed the single charge: Trafficking in cocaine. No bond.

  From experience, he knew the amount had to be significant to warrant a no bond hold. He’d have her out as soon as she went before her judge.

  From experience, he also knew he’d be able to charge a hefty price.

  “This won’t be cheap!” he said frankly. “She has a no bond ...”

  “Cut the bullshit!” Smooth spoke for the first time. “How soon can you get her out and how much will it cost?”

  For the first time, the lawyer looked at Smooth.

  “It’s not that easy. First, there’s ...”

  “Thanks for your time,” Smooth said and rose to his feet. “Come on, Roxy.”

  “I didn’t say it couldn’t be done. Let me make a call,” the lawyer said, as he picked up the phone and punched in a number. Without taking his eyes from Roxy and Smooth, he called out China’s name and arrest number to the person the phone.

  “Yes, I see. I understand. Can I get something sooner, sweetheart? Very well, I’ll be waiting.”

  After hanging up, he explained things to them. Smooth knew the game all too well.

  “Her first appearance is scheduled for next week on Friday. I’m trying to push for something sooner. I’m pretty
sure that with her lack of criminal history, I’ll be able to get her a bond. How much can the family afford?” he asked.

  “You mean how much can we afford to pay you?” Smooth asked.

  Before Hevralesky could respond, his phone rang.

  While he talked on the phone, Smooth walked out of the room. He took the phone out of the secretary’s hand and placed it to his ear, before placing it back on the cradle. He then walked back into the lawyer’s office.

  “I was just telling Ms. Preston the good news. That was a friend of mine with the Duval County Clerk of Courts. I’ve managed to get her in front of the judge this coming Monday. It’s only a few days earlier than Friday, but I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

  “Can you get her out?” Smooth inquired.

  “If you mean get her a bond, yes, I can do that.”

  “How much is your fee?”

  “I charge nothing less than $50,000. If the case goes to trial, it’ll be an additional $25,000. I can’t guarantee you anything as far as results, but I do exceptional work!” Hevralesky smiled, as he leaned back in his chair.

  “So, if you’re hired, she’ll have a bond on Monday,” Smooth asked.

  “She will,” the lawyer responded.

  “Give him the money,” Smooth ordered Roxy, then he got up and walked out

  * * *

  Smooth and Roxy’s next stop was to the bank to arrange the money to be sent to Jefe.

  Jefe had assured Smooth that the money wasn’t something he should concern himself with, but Smooth was glad to do it. He wanted nothing to pull China back into that lifestyle.

  Roxy looked over from the passenger seat at Smooth. He had been such an annoying little boy, always at the house like a little puppy behind China. She had grown fond of him over the years. He was far more mature than most boys were at his age. In fact, he was more than most guys twice his age.

  At the moment, he was focused on nothing more than China’s situation. As Roxy looked at his profile, she got a glimpse of the intense man he was rapidly becoming.

  “Is the hotel pet friendly?” he asked, turning to Roxy.