Preface
The Present…
Ring…ring…ring
“Hello.”
“Mommy, it’s me, Aaliyah.” Precious glanced over at the clock to see what time it was.
“Where are you and why are you calling so late?” Precious wanted to know trying to snap out of her sleep.
“I’ve gotten myself in a bit of a situation.="0e of@
“What sort of situation? And where are Amir and Justina? I thought you were supposed to be with them tonight?”
“I am…I mean I was but something came up.”
“Cut the bullshit, Aaliyah. What the hell is going on?”
“I’m in jail and I need you to come get me out.”
“Jail!” Precious screamed it out so loud that it awoke Supreme from his sleep. “You’re in jail!”
“Yes. And could you please not yell. I already have a migraine headache as it is.”
“Aaliyah, what are they charging you with?” Precious asked. She gripped the phone trying to stop herself from wanting to reach through it and snatch her daughter up.
“First Degree Murder.”
Aaliyah
Mother/Daughter
Born This Way
The Past…
My mother came from nothing but was determined to have it all. I was born having it all but wanted more. So in reality mother and daughter were exactly alike or at least I thought so. See in my eyes, my mother was a Boss Bitch. From the time I was a little girl I admired everything about her and knew when I grew up I would be her. For those that don’t know, my mother is the one and only Precious Cummings Mills and I am her daughter, Aaliyah Mills Carter.
Unlike my mother who was born and raised in the grimiest Brooklyn projects, I grew up in the opulent world of Beverly Hills. The closest I got to Brooklyn was the Upper East Side in Manhattan. You would think with the vast difference in our upbringing that our personalities would be polar opposite but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Although I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth I inherited the fire that would forever brew inside my mother. That trait we shared was made evident at my eleventh birthday party. As I sat in my holding cell I thought back to that day, seven years ago.
***
“Aaliyah, come on! Everybody is waiting for you to open your birthday presents.birthdayan>ts.bir
“They have to wait. I need to change my outfit.”
“What’s wrong with the outfit you have on?”
“This was my introduction dress now we’re moving on to part two. I have to give my guest another look,” I explained taking off my pretty in pink silk sleeveless dress with draped ruffles curving down the front. The dress screamed ‘princess’ but now I wanted to put on something that yelled out ‘it girl’. I couldn’t wait to put on the silver and black romper that was artfully embellished with metal studs down the front and around the neckline.
“Where did you get that from?” my mother barked standing in front of me.
“Daddy got it.”
“I know Supreme didn’t get that.”
“No not that daddy, my other daddy, Nico.” I watched my mother’s face quickly frown up. Even while angry she was still the most beautiful woman in the world to me. She didn’t say anything for a few minutes and I was afraid she was going to demand I take off the romper I had been dreaming about wearing since my dad got it for me a week ago. He had this lady that custom designed clothes for celebrity kids make it for me.
“Only because it’s your birthday am I going to let you wear that grown outfit but it’s a onetime thing.”
“Thank you, mommy,” I smiled wrapping my arms around her tiny waist. As I held her tightly I wondered when I got older and had a couple of kids would I still look that good. Her chain-stripe print dress with a tassel-tie waist and layered hemline highlighted her figure perfectly without overexposure.
“How can I look in those eyes and deny my baby girl.”
“Mommy, daddy said bring Aaliyah to open her presents.”
“Here we come, Xavier. We can all go down together.”
“Mom, I don’t want to go back out there escorted by my mom and little brother. You all go first and I’ll be right behind you to make my entrance.”
“Girl you a mess,” my mom laughed, “Just like I was. We won’t stop you from making your entrance,” she continued as she took my five-year-old brother’s hand and walked out.
align="> I twirled around one more time in the mirror and hurried out. I was anxious for all my friends to see me in my specially designed just for me outfit. When I stepped out into the lavishly decorated courtyard I was devastated when I didn’t see a crowd of well-wishers waiting patiently for my entrance. Instead everybody was gathered around the waterfall. I started walking towards the commotion when Justina and Amir approached me.
“Aaliyah, you don’t need to go over there,” Justina said grabbing my arm.
“And why not?” I asked yanking my arm out of her grasp.
“Because my dad said they were over there handling grown folk business and we needed to stay out the way.”
“Well T-Roc ain’t my daddy! So you stay right here, I’m going over there.”
“Aaliyah, I really think you should listen to Justina,” Amir added.
“Justina doesn’t run me! This is my birthday party,” I stressed. As I hurried forward, from the corner of my eye I could see Justina and Amir trailing right behind me. I began carefully maneuvering my way through the crowd of adults hoping not to get noticed by my parents or grandfather. As I got closer I could hear what sounded like my mother raising her voice and my dad trying to calm her down. When I got to the forefront I could see my dad holding my mother back and I immediately ran by her side to see what had her so upset.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?”
“Supreme, let me go! I don’t need you holding my arms like I’m some uncontrollable child!”
“But you are out of control right now. You can’t get to fighting up in here. Think about Aaliyah and Xavier.”
“They’ll understand!” my mom growled. I could tell the claws were about to come out.
“Mommy, mommy, what happened?” This time I screamed out desperate to get her attention. When she finally met my stare, my mother could see the tears swelling up in my eyes.
My dad let her arms go and she cupped my face in her hands. “I’m so sorry, Aaliyah. Please don’t cry.”
“Why are you upset?”
“It’s nothing you need to worry yourself about, it…”
“Look at my beautiful niece,” I heard a female voice say interrupting my mother. I turned my head around and noticed a familiar face that I hadn’t seen in years.
“Maya, what are you doing here?”
“That’s Aunt Maya,” she smiled. She stepped near me and my Grandpa Quentin quickly pulled her back.
“Don’t you dare speak to my daughter! You ‘bout to regret that you ever stepped foot in this birthday party!” My mother was ready to step out her open-toe stilettos and jump on Maya in front of everybody. I knew my mother could get upset because occasionally I would hear her arguing with my dad but never did I see her like this. She seemed ready for war.
“All I came to do was wish my niece a happy birthday and give her a present. I haven’t seen her since I first came home.”
“You mean since you got out of jail, you psychopath!”
“Precious, calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down. She probably found out about this party through you. You know how I feel about her! You’ve made it clear that you embrace her as your daughter but that heffa ain’t no sister of mine. And once I drag her ass up outta here she’ll learn not to listen to what you say when it comes to me!” Right before my mother lunged at Maya my dad grabbed her again.
“Listen, if you put your hands on her she might try to press charges or some dumb shit like that,” I heard my dad trying to whisper in my mom’s ear. “Think about the kids, she ain’t worth going to jail over. Instead let’s lock her up for trespassing.”
“I don’t want to cause any problems. Here, Aaliyah, take my present and then I’ll leave,” Maya offered as if she heard what my father was planning to do. I walked towards Maya and my mom reached out to grab me but I turned around and smiled before continuing on my way.
“Let the child take the present,” my Grandpa Quentin suggested wanting to be the peacemaker.
“Here’s a beautiful present for such a beautiful girl,” Maya said bending over to hand me over a small Tiffany box with a white ribbon. With one hand I took the present and with the other hand I swung it back as far as I could and slapped her face so hard that my hand was hurting.
“That’s for disrespecting my mommy,” I belted after my hand left an imprint on h onimprinter face. “And this is for ruining my birthday party,” I screamed out again, tossing the Tiffany box she just gave me in her face.
Everybody went silent and Maya stared at me as if in complete shock. I stared her back down daring her to even look as if she wanted to slap me back. She and I both knew that everybody in this party would jump on her if it even appeared she had any intentions of doing that.
“I think it’s best you leave,” my Grandpa Quentin finally said, breaking the silence.
“Yes, Grandpa, I agree with you,” I said before turning back to Maya. “You need to leave and don’t ever come back. You’re not welcome in this family.” I walked back over to my mother and stood by her side. “I love you, mommy.”
“I love you too, Aaliyah.”
Amir
FATHER/SON
Groomed This Way
My father taught me at a young age that it’s not what you do but how you do it. My dad is Genesis and his persona reflects the same power as his name. From the moment my dad started to allow me to really be around him in not only his personal dealings but business I wanted to follow in his footsteps. But he always reiterated that I should study what he did and learn how to do it better. That kind of bothered me because I didn’t think it could get any better than him. He seemed to provide it all and then some. We lived extremely well but he made it clear that if I worked hard I could live even greater. Growing up I didn’t know how much greater it could get. We had a palatial penthouse in Philly and another in New Jersey and New York since he did a lot of business with Nico Carter. Nico lived in a crazy mansion in Alpine, NJ. We could’ve easily had one too but my dad said we were bachelors and bachelors didn’t need all that space because it would turn into another unnecessary headache.
With all that we had, the one thing missing was my mother. I never knew her as my dad explained she was murdered while pregnant with me…she died but yet I somehow lived. That sometimes haunted me and for a long time it haunted my father. I think that was one of the reasons it took him so long to include me in his life. For most of my younger years I remembered first spending the majority of time with a woman named CoCo, who one day just stopped coming around. When I asked my dad what happened to her he simply said she went away and I left it at that. I later found out there was much more to that story. After that I basically had nannies and my Aunt Nichelle who became like a mother to me. But that couldn’t replace the void I knew my father had. He would never admit to it but I felt it was there. Mainly because he always stressed to me how important it was that I find my soul mate, get married and raise a family. If he wanted that for me then he had to want it for himself. My father understood how being in love cole g in lould lift you up but losing it could also tear you apart. That became obvious to me a year earlier when a business associate and friend came to visit my dad after getting out of jail wanting his help.
As I sat in my car outside the police station waiting for my dad, Nico, Precious and Supreme to arrive to try and get Aaliyah out of jail, I thought how that visit from my dad’s friend a year ago seemed like yesterday. At that time I had no idea the impact his friend would have on each of us. His visit seemed to redefine all of our lives.
***
“Dad, we need to be heading out in a little while. We don’t want to be late for the game.”
“What game?”
“Knicks…Lakers. We’ve been talking about it for the last month.”
“Damn, I forgot about that. I can’t go.”
“What! Why not?”
“Someone is coming over to discuss something important with me.”
“Someone like who? And they’re important enough to miss this big game for?”
“You don’t know him, Amir, but yes he is important. Not only do we do business together but I also consider him a friend.” Hearing the word friend come out my dad’s mouth instantly got my attention and piqued my interest since I rarely heard my father ever refer to someone as a friend. When he would reminisce about some of the fun times while on the come up, he always mentioned who he considered his best friend and brother, Deuce. I knew he considered Nico, T-Roc and Quentin to be close friends. So I was dying to know who this mystery person was he felt was important enough to miss the game over.
“I understand.”
“I appreciate that. But you go ‘head to the game. Take one of your friends.”
“That’s okay. I have some studying I need to catch up on anyway.”
“Are you sure? I know how much you were looking forward to going,” he said giving me a peculiar look.
“Yeah, I’m sure. They’ll be other games.”
“You know I’m never gonna stop you from studying.” And that was the exact reason I used studying as my excuse to stay home. One thing about my dad, he always emphasized the importance of an education. Even though he figured out how to make millions and millions of dollars with only a GED to his name and never stepping foot in a university he told me that striving for a great education was the best gift I could ever give him.
“I know dad,” I laughed before hearing the doorbell. “That must be your friend now.”
“Let me introduce you to him before you go study.”
“Sure,” I grinned. Knowing the only reason I was skipping the game was to see who this friend was. I could hear my dad talking as he was walking back down the hallway towards me.
“Amir, this is Lorenzo. Lorenzo, this is my son.” He gave me a firm shake.
“He’s a handsome young man. You should be proud, Genesis.”
“I am and he’s smart too,” my dad beamed making me feel extra good about myself.
“It was nice meeting you, Lorenzo. I’m going to do some studying now.” I headed in the direction of my bedroom waiting until I heard my father close the door to his office before I turned around. I stood for a few minutes and then slightly cracked the door open so I could hear what they were discussing. From the looks of Lorenzo I knew my dad wasn’t exaggerating when he said what they had to discuss was important. Lorenzo had important written all over him. He had a commanding presence much like my father. And although he had on some simple black pants and black shirt, the fabric and fit was meticulous as if tailored made.
“Man, I’m so glad you’re out of jail. I hated not being able to come see you but I stayed in constant touch with your attorneys.”
“Genesis, we both know how the game go. When somebody’s hot you stay the fuck away. No sense in us both being locked up. Then who’s on the outside to help.”
“I’m just glad you’re here and you look good. I see those few months behind bars didn’t put a dent in your swagger.”
“No, but it did put a dent in my heart.”
“Huh?” I could hear in the tone of my dad’s voice he wasn’t expecting Lorenzo to say that. I saw him hand Lorenzo a drink before continuing. “A dent in your heart, I had no idea you were that serious with somebody. What happened, she couldn’t handle things when you got locked up and b alked up ailed on you?”
“It would appear that way but I think it’s something else.”
“I’m not following you.”
“When I got locked up she couldn’t handle being out there in that entertainment industry without me supporting her mentally so she turned back to her old habits which were drugs. Supposedly it became too much for her and she died of an overdose.”
“You say supposedly, you don’t believe that’s what happened?”
“My gut is telling me no. I mean I believe drugs were involved but I think somebody wanted to make it look like it was an overdose but some shady shit actually went down.”
“You mean like somebody murdered her?”
“Exactly.”
“Do you know who the person is that you think is responsible.”
“Yes, Sway Stone.”
The Sway Stone, I was about to ask out loud but caught myself and put my hand over my mouth. But then I heard my dad ask for me.
“Sway Stone, the rapper?”
“Yeah, that muthafucka.”
“How did the woman know Sway?”
“They dated for a while before we got together.” My dad started scratching his head and I did too. It was a natural habit we both had when we were thinking hard about something. I assumed he was trying to figure out who this woman was because that was exactly what I was trying to do.
“The young lady that died not too long ago, she was a reality star…right?”
“Yes.”
“When she died she was in all the papers and on a few news programs. Was she the one he got arrested for beating up at a hotel?”
“You seem to know everything going on in pop culture.”
“It comes with having a teenage son.”
“But yes, her name was Dior.”
“I had no idea you all were together. But then how would I, we rarely saw each other. I guess that’s how you know that you’re close to somebody. You don’t see them often but when they need you, you’re there.”
“And that’s why I’m here tonight because I need you, Genesis.”
“Whatever you need I got you.”
“Even though my attorney was able to get the charges the Feds had against me thrown out for lack of evidence, I know they’re still trying to build a case. So I have to lay low and be super clean for the next few months. I mean I’m not even trying to get a speeding ticket.”
“That’s smart.”
“But I need to get to Sway and I know you have connections in the music industry. So do I but again, I’m laying low and I don’t trust any of the people that I associate with in that business to keep my shit confidential. But I know you will and that’s why I trust you.”
“Are you saying that you want to have Sway Stone killed?”
“If I find out that he had anything to do with Dior’s death, that’s exactly what I want.”
“Say, you’re right. How do we even get him to admit some shit like that?”
“Sway is a straight up functioning junky. He stays high off something. And he love to get fucked up with women, lots of women. I know this young lady that has that groupie party girl look and is familiar with him who just needs the proper introduction to infiltrate his circle. Once she’s in, I’m positive if she asks him the right questions while he’s fucked up he’ll come clean. His ego gets off on bullshit like that.”
“I can make that happen. But what if we find out he had nothing to do with it?”
“Then let him live but I know he did. I’ll be the first to admit that Dior had a problem with drugs. But the last time I saw her when she came to visit me in jail, I could tell she was hurt but at the same time she was holding strong. I promised her I would beat the case and come back to her and when I looked in her eyes she believed me. Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t believe she went home and decided to get high. Dior understood thaiorderstoot I couldn’t be with a woman who was a junkie. Especially…” I heard a break in Lorenzo’s voice.
“You were going to say, especially because of the situation with your mom.” My dad said finishing Lorenzo’s sentence.
“Exactly. Dior had been doing so well fighting off those demons I don’t believe she had a relapse. I’m in the business we both are so I know how this addiction thing go. But a lot of time users have given up on life and don’t feel like they have anything to live for but a high; it wasn’t like that for Dior. We were going to get married, start a life together. She was the only woman I ever saw myself being able to do that with and to have her taken away from me. Beyond all that, you know how you get this feeling in your gut about something that you can’t shake.”
“I know the feeling you’re talking about.”
“Well that’s the feeling I have about Sway Stone. On everything I believe I know he had something to do with Dior’s death.”
“When Talisa was murdered although I couldn’t prove it at the time I knew Arnez was behind it. And I wasn’t going to leave this earth until I knew for a fact he was no longer walking it.”
“Then you understand how I feel about Sway.”
“Completely. It’s like your heart has been ripped out, and although you can never put it back together, knowing you sought vengeance against the person responsible makes you sleep a little easier at night.”
“Exactly. Once the person responsible for Dior’s death is dead and gone I will sleep a little easier at night. And while you’re working on that I’m making sure Alexus and Lala are found and dealt with accordingly too.”
“I still can’t believe Alexus turned on you. She seemed so loyal. What am I talking about, CoCo was my Alexus. Luckily for you, you weren’t fuckin’ Alexus or were you?”
“No we never crossed that line but it didn’t stop her from turning on me.”
“Trust me, if you had been sleeping with her then the betrayal would’ve felt ten times worse. I was engaged and going to marry CoCo. I let her be a mother to my son when she was partly responsible for taking his mom away from him in the first place.”
A painful knot in my stomach hit me when I heard what my father said. I always wondered why CoCo vanished out of our lives and now I knew. I also understood why my father had no interest in settling down during all these years because there wasp>
My mind was already going in circles hearing that my favorite rapper was not only a drug addict but there was a good chance he played a role in the death of his ex-girlfriend. I also was processing that if Sway Stone ended up dead more than likely my father had something to do with it. But what had thrown me most off balance was finding out that the woman my dad had planned on spending the rest of his life with was responsible for almost single handily destroying both father and son.
Aaliyah
BFF
(Best Friends Forever)
When I stared around the four walls holding me captive I kept wondering how I got here. It amazed me how quickly my life had changed in less than twenty-four hours. What started off as being the best summer of my life had now become my worst nightmare. Instead of preparing to go off to college I was facing a life in prison with no chance of parole. How could that be I thought to myself. This summer started off like all the others had been for the last several years, spending it with Justina and Amir. The three of us were like a clique and being together during the summer was a ritual.
In the early years Justina and Amir spent more time together because they both went to school on the east coast. But right when Justina was about to begin high school her dad T-Roc decided to maintain most of his business on the west coast so we ended up attending the same prep school in Beverly Hills. We were always close but when Justina started attending my school that’s when our bond was solidified. I remember the day she knew I would always have her back.
***
“That must be the new girl. Look at her, she has no style. And check out that bun, what is she supposed to be a librarian,” the girls laughed loudly. They continued on with their slick talking not knowing I was right behind them listening to it all. They were standing several feet away from Justina watching her as she was getting her books out her locker.
“We should bump into her and make her drop all her books.” One girl suggested.
“Yeah, that would be hilarious! You go first, and then when she’s trying to pick her stuff up we’ll knock her back down.”
“Cool come on!” They picked up their speed as Justina was closing her locker shut.
“I wouldn’t do that if I was you,” I screamed out as they got to the halfway point.” All three of the catty girls tb(0atty giurned around at the same time to see who was interrupting their little plot.
“Hey, Aaliyah! You must want in on our little joke,” they giggled. When Justina heard them call out my name she stopped what she was doing and turned in my direction.
“No, I don’t want in on your little joke,” I made that clear when I got right up on the girls. They looked at each other baffled. I guess they assumed because we were on the cheerleading squad together I was one of them.
“Then what is it because we’re about to go have some fun with the new girl.”
“Justina, come here.” Justina looked down at the hallway floor for a second then walked over. “Listen, this is my best friend Justina,” I said holding her hand.
“You know her?” one of them asked with an attitude.
“Didn’t I just say she’s my best friend you idiot.”
“Now you’re calling me an idiot, she’s the idiot, look at her,” they all burst out laughing.
“I’m only going to say this once you stuck up bitches. If any of you so much as breathe in her direction you’re going to have to deal with me and I promise none of you want that.”
“Are you threatening us because I’ll report you,” the Miley Cyrus lookalike warned.
“Will that be before or after I mop this floor with your face?”
“Come on girls, let’s go,” she huffed as they stormed off.
“That was classic, Aaliyah,” Justina finally said letting out a huge laugh.
“Well they had it coming.”
“You didn’t have to do that for me.”
“Yes I did! We’ve been down since hopscotch and hula hoops. Did you really think I was going to let some Paris Hilton knockoffs disrespect you? Please! Now come on, I’ll walk you to your next class.”
From that day forward Justina and I were inseparable. It gave Justina confidence to know that she wasn’t alone in her new school and that if we didn’t hapec didnve anybody else we had each other. I eventually even quit the cheerleading squad because at every practice I was a step away from beating one of those dizzy broads down. I didn’t need them anyway, I had Justina.
When I got home from school that day I was looking forward to telling my mother what happened. She got a kick hearing about the mindless socialites in training I went to school with. But instead of having the chance to share in my high school melodrama I was greeted by another heated argument between my mom and dad. They were so loud they didn’t even hear me call out to them when I came inside. Of course my curiosity got the best of me. Instead of going upstairs, shutting my door and blasting my music so I could drown out their voices I stood by the living room so I could hear exactly what they were saying.
“Aren’t you sick and tired of arguing about the same bullshit all the time because I know I am!”
“What do you expect when you have a child by another man that was conceived during our marriage and you constantly stay in contact with?”
“How many times do I have to say this, I thought you were dead! And of course we have to stay in contact we have a daughter together. What, am I not supposed to have a conversation with the father of my child?”
“You just don’t get it.”
“No, I don’t, Supreme. I gave you a son. What more do you want from me?”
“Oh, you gave me a son. You make it sound like Xavier was some consolation prize for taking away a daughter that was supposed to be mine.”
“I’ve ran out of things to say to explain myself to you. You constantly throw Nico in my face yet you slept with that sick, twisted and deranged Maya. I’ve learned to forgive you for that but Nico is constantly the fuckin’ elephant in the room.”
“I’ll never forgive myself for falling for Maya’s lies but I have no dealings with her. The way you carry on with Nico you’re continuously throwing that shit in my face. I mean are you going to be doing this until Aaliyah is a senior citizen.”
“We’re friends and we’re parents what am I supposed to do?”
“Make a choice.”
“I did! I chose you. I chose our family.”
“Then why hasn’t Nico ever gotten married. Does he even have a woman in his life that he’s datinidthe’s g seriously? No!”
“How do you know?”
“Because if he did, she wouldn’t allow him to be on the phone all the time running his mouth to you!”
“There’s nothing going on between me and Nico.”
“Maybe not physically but definitely mentally. You may not want to admit it to yourself but it’s true. You all are having an emotional affair which can be more dangerous to a marriage than a physical one.”
“We have to talk about this later. I need to go pick up Xavier.”
I quickly ran upstairs to my bedroom when I heard my mother say that. I flopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. I now regretted letting my curiosity get the best of me. It wasn’t meant for me to hear all the awful things they said to each other. My mother had told me about some of the heinous things Maya had did when I was a little girl, like having me kidnapped and holding my mother hostage but I never knew she slept with my dad. I also thought that my mom got pregnant with me before she married my dad, not during the marriage. Now I understood why for all these years there were occasional fireworks going off in the Mills household that seemed to be more frequent in recent months.
The happiest my parents seemed to be was when my mom was pregnant with Xavier and the first few years after he was born. My dad practically worshipped my mom. He wouldn’t let her lift a finger to do a thing. Not only did I have a nanny but during her pregnancy he made sure my mom had her own personal assistant to cater to her every need. Whether it was cooking, shopping, running her bath water, you name it the assistant had to do it. He didn’t want my mom to stress over anything. Then it seemed every other day he was bringing her home some sort of gift and I’m not talking flimsy stuff. I’m talking cars, diamonds and furs—mind you, it didn’t even get that cold in LA. My dad just simply adored my mother and he wanted her to have everything he thought she might want. I remembered hoping and praying that I would find a guy who would love me half as much as my dad loved my mom.
“Aaliyah, are you home?” I heard my mom ask as she knocked on my bedroom door.
“Yes, I’m here,” I called out.
“I’m about to pick up your brother do you want to ride with me?”
“No thanks.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m tired. I had a long day at school.”
“Ok, get some rest. I’ll see you when we get back.”
“Ok.” Normally I would jump at the chance to go riding with my mom to pick up my little brother. Having our chats in the car was a highlight of my day, something I looked forward to but not today. There was no hiding the gloom on my face and my mother would want to know what was wrong with me. I wasn’t ready to discuss with her all that I heard. I was still dealing with it myself. Right now all I wanted to do was close my eyes and pretend just for a little while that everything in the Mills’ household was bliss.
Amir
Can’t Break The Chain
My patience was getting the best of me waiting for my dad and Aaliyah’s family to get here. I knew she was going crazy being locked up like an animal. I was losing my mind wanting answers. All I knew is what Aaliyah told me before I’m assuming the cops took her cell phone. She called me in a panic saying she was about to get arrested for murder and the phone went dead. I tried calling her back but her cell had been turned off. I was blowing up Justina’s phone to find out if she knew anything but it kept going straight to voicemail.
“Justina where are you?” I mumbled out loud as I grew more and more frustrated. I slumped back in the car seat and closed my eyes trying to calm my nerves. I began reflecting back to what could’ve led to this moment right now.
***
“Dad, can I get…oh I didn’t realize you had company,” I said standing in the doorway of my dad’s office with three set of eyes all on me.
“You know I’m not company,” Nico smiled, trying to ease an uncomfortable situation. My dad seemed in a fucked up mood which made me nervous and Nico could probably sense that.
“Amir, I’m in the middle of a meeting with Nico and Lorenzo. Whatever you need will have to wait.”
“Maybe I can help. Do you mind if I sit in on the meeting?” I tried to make the suggestion casually but in a firm tone so that my dad could tell I was serious. I was seventeen now and more and more each day I was feeling like a man and I wanted to be a part of the empire my dad had built.
“Son, if you want to help me, then you’ll close the door and not interrupt me until I’ve finished handling my business.”
“Come on, Genesis. Let the young man have a seat.
We started making moves at a lot younger age than him. He needs to
learn from the best.” My dad glared at Nico not amused by what he
suggested. Lorenzo remained silent in the cut drinking what
appeared to be a glass of Ace of Spades.
“Dad, I promise to be quiet and just listen.”
“What can it hurt, Genesis, and I don’t have a problem with it, do you, Lorenzo?”
“That’s Genesis’s son, the only opinion that matters is his.”
“Like I said, Amir, please excuse yourself. I’ll get with you when I’m done.”
“I understand. I’ll be in my room,” I lied before closing the door. I had no intentions of going anywhere but right where I was at so I could eavesdrop on their meeting. I found myself doing that a lot lately but it was because my dad wasn’t leaving me a choice. His life and what he did intrigued me but my dad would never let me in. No matter how many times I asked him to show me how his business operations worked he seemed to find a way to shut it down. Normally it would be subtle but tonight was different. He appeared agitated and was direct with me about leaving him alone. All that did was make me more curious. I was listening so hard my ears felt like they were on fire.
“Nico, I would appreciate if you don’t ever do that again.”
“Genesis, it was a joke.”
“Joke? We dealing with a snake ass nigga who has the potential to cost us millions and millions of dollars and you want to use a word like joke. The only joke you need to concern yourself with is the one that’s gonna be on us if we don’t find a way to eliminate our problem.”
“I feel you but we’ll find a way, we always do. But real talk, I do think you need to start bringing Amir in the fold. He’s a mature young man that will more than likely run your business one day.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it.”
“Genesis, you can’t be serious? That’s your son. I wish I had a son to bring into the loop and run my shit.”
“I want better for my son. This isn’t the life for him.”
“Maybe you should let him decide that.”
“Lorenzon. >“Lo, didn’t you just say my opinion was the only one that mattered when it came to my son?”
“Yes and that’s true. But as your son gets older he has the right to decide what he wants out of life too. You say you want better for him but to Amir it may not get no better than this. The same way the blood of a hustler runs through you, your son might have inherited it too. And just like you can’t be denied, neither can he.”
“Fuck that! My son will run an empire but it will be one you can find on the Forbes List.”
“I hear you, man. But if Amir steps to you with something different don’t turn him away. You can’t fault him for wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps.”
“Nico, I know what’s best for my son…hold up, this the call I’ve been waiting on,” I heard my father say. My ear was pressed so hard against the door I was afraid I would knock it down. I couldn’t really make out what he was saying during the phone call but whatever it was his words were short and to the point.
“So what did he say?”
“Let’s go. He got him at our warehouse in Brooklyn.”
“I’ll have Dice bring the car around.”
“Cool, then I’ll ride with you, Genesis.”
“We can all ride together,” I heard Nico say. I heard scrambling as if everybody was getting their stuff together to break out so I bolted to my room. I turned my music on and the television so when my dad came to say goodbye I would seem like I had been doing my own thing.
Five minutes went by, then ten and when it hit fifteen I came out my room to see what was going on. “Dad,” I called out and got no response. After doing a walkthrough of the penthouse I realized they had all left. For my dad to bounce without saying goodbye I knew what was going on had to be critical and I needed to find out what it was. I had been to the warehouse in Brooklyn a few times so I knew its exact location. I grabbed my car keys and headed out the door.
As I was pulling off the Brooklyn Bridge and turning to get on Flatbush I heard my cell ringing. I looked down and saw it was Aaliyah and ignored it but she kept calling back. After the fourth time she called I finally picked up.
“What is it?” I said abruptly.
“Wow, is that anyway to greet your best friend.”
“I’m in the middle of something,” I sulked.
“What, fuckin’? I mean what else would have you so pissy for me interrupting you.”
“Aaliyah, shut the hell up. What is it?”
“I was only kidding! What’s your problem?”
“You at the moment. I told you I’m busy. You blowing up my phone like there is some sort of emergency. So what is it?”
“I wanted to talk to you about this guy I met.”
“You blowing up my phone over some dude!”
“Oh, like you ain’t never discussed a chick with me before.”
“That ain’t the point. Listen, I don’t have time for this right now, Aaliyah. I’ll call you later.” I ended the call without even giving her a chance to respond. Aaliyah could be draining and right now I didn’t have the energy to give her. All I was focused on was playing detective.
When I pulled up to the warehouse I noticed two black Suburban’s and my dad’s charcoal Maybach. I pulled slightly in then put my Range in reverse and decided to drive a few blocks up and park on the side of the street. I went around the back way because I knew my dad kept a security camera in the front so they could capture all the activity. I used the set of keys my dad gave me to open the back door. I remembered when he gave them to me. He stated I should only use them if something happened to him and if it did, specific instructions were left for me on how to proceed.
Of course I knew that wasn’t the current circumstances but I had to know what was going on with my dad. He would only give me a glimpse of the life he lived and I wanted to see it all. I felt I no longer needed to be protected. I was becoming a man and it was time he let me fully be part of his business operations. I guess you could say I was forcing the issue or better yet forcing my way in.
I opened and closed the back door as quietly as I could but it wouldn’t have mattered. There was so much chaos going on, nobody could’ve heard me regardless.
“Motherfucker, you betta tell us who the fuck you working for. And I want government names not no street alias shit!” I heard my dad say in a loud yet calm tone.
“Man, I already told you that all I know is he go ">
“Nigga, please! You been working with this motherfucker for the last couple months and all you got for us is Dale. You must think we some dummies. Genesis, told you he want a government name and that’s what the fuck he meant.” I wasn’t sure but that sounded like Nico talking and I was dying to know who had them so fucking pissed off. There was a short hallway that led to the massive opening of the warehouse. I tried to maneuver my way against the wall so I could see out but nobody could see me. Luckily where I was standing was dark but a few feet away the light was bright.
“I don’t know what ya’ll want from me. I told you everything I know. I swear I didn’t have a clue that nigga was the enemy. I thought he was tryna do straight up legitimate business, not no bullshit.”
“Is that right, Tony?”
“Yeah, Genesis, I swear! It wasn’t until you sent your men to snatch me up that I realized there was trouble. Before that I thought I was one of your best workers.”
“I tell you what. You want to prove your worth?”
“No doubt, man. I need you to know that I’m down for you and nobody else.”
“Cool. Here’s your phone. Call this nigga Dale and tell him you need to see him immediately.”
“Ahh, umm, well,” I heard the dude stuttering.
“What’s the problem, Tony? You said you wanted to prove your worth so get to dialing the number.”
“The thing is, I don’t ever call him. He always call me from a private number.”
“Is that right.”
“Yeah. I thought that shit was a little odd but now I understand why he was doing it. He was protecting himself in case his cover got blown.”
“You seem to have it all figured out, Tony.”
“I’m telling you the truth.”
“Genesis, this bum ass nigga ain’t gon’ tell us shit. He’s wasting our fuckin’ time.”
“Lorenzo, I think you mig/dihink yoht be right.”
“No he ain’t, Genesis! I swear man, I’m on your side. I had no idea that nigga was tryna take over your drug operation. All he said was that he wanted in on the action. That’s it!”
“Tony, I might’ve believed you if two of my lieutenants, one in Atlanta and another in Miami hadn’t told me that one of our top connects said you were trying to set up a meeting with him to do business directly with you.”
“That’s a lie! They lying to you, Genesis!”
“So two of my workers who operate in different states and don’t fuck wit’ each other are both telling me the same story but they’re lying and you’re telling me the truth.”
“Yes. I am. They jealous man because I’m always making big moves for you so they tryna shut me down. I would never cross you.”
“So the connect is lying, both our lieutenants and you can’t give us any information about this so called nigga Dale we’re supposed to be doing business with. This nigga on some bullshit, Genesis, point blank.”
“Nico, I always been a good worker to you, why you tryna turn on me!”
“I ain’t gonna even respond to you. Genesis, we not getting nothing out this knucklehead. He gon’ still keep playing like we some dummies and honestly I’m fed up with the shit.” There was silence for what seemed like forever so I edged closer, tilting my head around the corner wanting a visual to go with all the audio. My dad was standing directly in front of Tony. Nico was on his right hand side and Lorenzo was to his left. I could see a few of his security workers posted up against the wall with their weapons in hand.
“Tony, I gave you every opportunity to turn this fucked up situation around in your favor but Nico is right, you rather play us like we some dummies. I have too many things on the agenda to entertain this shit any longer.”
“But, Genesis, I…” before Tony had a chance to finish his sentence all I saw was steel and my dad pulling the trigger. He riddled Tony’s chained up body with bullets. I had to close my eyes and then open them back up to make sure I was seeing things correctly.
“Genesis, you did the right thing. That nigga wasn’t gonna tell us shit about this so called Dale motherfucker. We just have to find another way to lure that nigga out of hiding.”
“And we will.” While my dad, Nico and Lorenzo continued to have a casual conversation with a blood drenched bohit drenchdy slumped over in front of them, I was on my knees with my head down as my mind didn’t believe what my eyes had just seen. Within those thirty seconds I understood why my dad didn’t want me to be a part of his business—he was a murderer. I was well aware that part of the business he operated with Nico contained illegal activity but never murder. What really shocked me was that my dad blasted holes through Tony without flinching. That meant this wasn’t his first killing and I wondered how many bodies he had under his belt because from where I stood he appeared to be a pro.
What I saw had me so completely shaken, I had to get the hell out of there. I kept my composure leaving the warehouse as quietly as I came. When I got back to my car I had to sit there for a few minutes getting my mind right. My dad is a murderer. I witnessed him kill another man without hesitation. Is this the sort of family business that I want to be a part of? Am I even ready for it and if not will I ever be? Those were only a couple of the questions I thought about as I started the ignition and headed home. In the midst of my confusion I thought about one person and decided to call her.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Aaliyah.”
“I’m surprised to hear from you.”
“I know. I wanted to apologize for how I spoke to you earlier.”
“It’s okay. I know you must have been super busy to cut me off like that.”
“It doesn’t matter. I can always make time for you. You’re my best friend and I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Amir.”
Hearing Aaliyah’s voice was exactly what I needed. I really wanted to tell her everything I had just witnessed but loyalty to my father came first. I would have to deal with my anxiety alone but knowing that I had her did make it easier for me to cope.
Aaliyah
I Run My World
“Excuse me, has my attorney arrived yet?” I asked, clutching the iron bars of my holding cell.
“Nope.” The officer stated without even"0ewithout looking at me as he walked by. I slumped down on the hard floor and put my head down.
“Can you please turn the air conditioner on? I’m burning up!” I screamed out as if anybody cared. My head was spinning and being boxed in a small hot ass coffin wasn’t making it any better. I used my hand to wipe away some of the sweat that was dripping down my chest. I grabbed a hand full of loose curls and twisted them in a tight bun on top of my head. I felt dirty and hot but that was the least of my worries. Shit was critical for me right now and the only thing that was going to save me was a beast of an attorney who I thought would’ve been here by now.
I know my mother is pissed at me but would she really leave me in jail? No, she would never. But she has been tired of my shit for a while now. But has it gotten that bad that she would have me stuck behind these bars with no freedom in sight?
As I asked myself the question I couldn’t help but think back to when I started rebelling against my parents especially my mother. I mean I was always opinionated, sassy and spoke my mind but I pretty much followed my parent’s rules. But it was like one day a light switch turned on in my head and I decided I was going to do me whether I had my parent’s blessings or not.
***
“Justina, are you ready yet?”
“I need another 30 minutes.”
“For what and why the hell are you whispering?”
“Because my mother hasn’t left yet. Hold on a sec that’s her knocking at my door.” There was a few minutes of silence and then I heard Justina’s mother’s voice.
“Why was your door locked?”
“It was to keep Justin out but I keep forgetting he isn’t here.”
“Oh, well I’m about to go. You’ll probably be sleep by the time I get back so I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Ok, have fun tonight, mom. You look really pretty.”
“Thanks, honey. And you could look really pretty too if you would take off those glasses and do something with your hair.” I rolled my eyes when I heard Chantal say that bullshit to Justina. It was true but damn she could’ve found a more subtle way to say that to her own daughter. But from as far back as I could remember Chantal never conducted herself in a subtle way. She was always super extra and that’s why my mother didtaky mothen’t fuck with her too tough.
“Hey, I’m back. I’m sure you heard. My mother is leaving so you can come get me whenever you’re ready.”
“Justina, I don’t know why you just didn’t tell your mother we’re going out. All that sneaking isn’t exactly cool. I mean we are seventeen.”
“True but you don’t understand my mother. If I told her we were meeting boys she would want to know what I was wearing. Then she would critique everything I put on and compare herself to me. I would then have to hear how hot she was when she was my age and that I basically can’t compete. I don’t feel like putting myself through the drama. I rather her think I’m asleep in the bed while she’s hitting the town with her friends like she’s still sixteen.”
“I understand but I still think you need to start being honest with your mom.”
“Aaliyah, my mother isn’t cool like your mom. The only thing they have in common, is that my mom likes for you to call her by her first name and so does your mom when it comes to me but that is where the similarities end. You’re lucky to have such great parents. Me on the other hand …” Justina’s voice trailed off and I decided to get off the subject.
“I’m on the way. See you in a little bit,” and hung up the phone. I knew that Justina thought my life was so great and in comparison to hers maybe it was somewhat. I mean my mother wasn’t a stuck up bitch like Chantal but my life had hardly been the fairytale that many thought it was for some time now. My dad seemed to travel more and more and I knew it was because when he was home all he and my mom would do was argue. It was to the point that I preferred him to be gone too just to get some peace. The person I felt most sorry for was my little brother. I grew up always having my dad around, I actually had two. I probably grew up getting too much attention and I could tell that Xavier wasn’t getting enough. It pissed me off and made me become resentful towards my mother. I felt like she should’ve been trying harder to make it work with my dad but it seemed most of the time she was just going through the motions.
“Where are you going?” were the first words out of my mother’s mouth when she saw me make a pit stop in the kitchen on my way to the garage.
“Justina and I are going out to dinner and a movie.”
“Just the two of you?”
“We might meet up with some guy friends but I’m not sure yet.”
“Have I ever met any of these guy friends?”
“Besides Amir, have you ever been interested in meeting any of my guy friends?”
“Amir doesn’t count as a guy friend. You practically grew up with him, he’s like family. And that’s not what I asked you.”
“No you haven’t met them, are you satisfied.”
“What I’m not satisfied with is your smart ass mouth. Ever since your dad bought you that car for your birthday you act like you can do whatever the hell you like without explaining yourself. But please don’t forget that the same way you got them keys they can easily be snatched away.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry, mom,” I said quickly changing my attitude. “I didn’t mean to speak to you that way. It came off wrong. It’s that time of the month,” I lied. “These cramps have put me in a bad mood.”
“I understand but next time, think before you speak.”
“I will,” I smiled. All I wanted to do was get out the house and if I had to fake a smile and give a bullshit apology to make it happen then that’s what I would do.
When I got in the car I blasted my music and instantly forgot about the conversation I just had with my mother. My mind had switched to the cutie I had a date with tonight and how I was looking forward to it. His cousin was in town visiting and he wanted somebody he could chill with too, so that’s why I was bringing Justina. When I got to her house and she opened the door she wasn’t looking like nobody’s special invited guest.
“Hey Aaliyah, you look great tonight!”
“So do you.”
“You think…thanks!” I felt sorta bad telling such an obvious lie but what was I supposed to say? Your mother is right about you, you are the complete opposite of hot. I couldn’t further shatter Justina’s self-esteem and say that but I also knew it was time to whip my best friend in shape.
“We have a little time to waste, let’s go upstairs and hang out in your bedroom for a minute.”
“But I thought you said we were running late and the guys were waiting for us.”
“D’Mario called and said that something came up. So we’re good.” At the same time I was telling Justina that white lie I was sending D’Mario a text giving him some bullshit excuse as to why we were gointinwe wereg to be late. It was for a good cause so I didn’t care.
“Justina, I don’t think I’m feeling what I have on, can I look at what you got in your closet?”
“I don’t think I have anything in there that looks better than what you have on but you’re more than welcome to look.” Justina gave the response I figured she would and that’s all I needed to do, what I had to do. When I stepped into her walk-in closet she had things in two sections. I called one the Justina section, which consisted of nothing but boring, plain clothes she wore on a regular. On the other side there were clothes I had never seen her in before. Most still had the tags on them. I decided this must be the Chantal section.
“Girl, I ain’t never seen you in none of these clothes.”
“I know. My mom picked that stuff out for me. Why I don’t’ know since I would never wear any of it.”
“And why not?” I asked as I studied outfit after outfit of nothing but official hot shit.
“It’s not my style.” Well it need to be, I thought to myself.
“I have an idea, Justina.”
“What?”
“Why don’t we play dress up?”
“Excuse me?”
“Yeah. I’m going to put together an outfit for you, do your hair, add a little makeup, it’ll be fun!”
“What’s wrong with what I have on now? You said I looked great.”
“And you do. I just want to try something different. Plus you know I want to get into fashion, you can be my first test model.”
“I’m not model material, Aaliyah.”
“Come on, Justina, would you just cooperate. We need something to do until D’Mario and his cousin is ready for us anyway.”
“I guess,” Justina agreed reluctantly. I didn’t give a damn that Justina was a reluctant participant. All I wanted to do was have an opportunity to work some magic. When I sat Justina down in front of me, the first thing I did was take off divas takeher glasses. “Can you put those back on? You know I can hardly see without them.”
“Listen, I got this, plus you have a pair of contacts anyway. I don’t know why you don’t wear them.”
“Why wear contacts when these glasses work just fine.”
“Because these glasses hide your beautiful face and more people need to see it.”
“You think I’m beautiful?” Justina stared at me with this stunned expression.
“Of course I think you’re beautiful. Look at yourself.” I turned Justina around so she was facing the mirror. I know she had seen her own reflection a million times but clearly she didn’t appreciate what she saw staring back at her.
“I don’t see beautiful. My mother is beautiful. You’re beautiful but me I’m so regular.”
“There is nothing regular about you but your attitude. If you don’t know how beautiful you are then how is anybody else. Just sit there and let me handle this. Deal?”
“Deal.”
For 45 minutes I worked on Justina as if she was competing to be crowned the Next Top Model. I unraveled the French braid that she always had going down the center of her head. Justina inherited the same honey blond highlights as her mother but you couldn’t tell because the tight braid kept them hidden. I decided to give her a swooped bang and have the remaining hair loosely tousled up on the top with a few Bobbie pins holding it in place. I dabbed on some mascara to open up her wide eyes even more and added a little blush to accentuate her already bronzed skin. Once I put some gloss on her naturally pink lips her entire face glowed.
“Here put this on, but don’t look at yourself yet.” When I handed Justina the lime green silk romper her face frowned up but she stuck to our deal and put it on. As she zipped it up the fabric began hugging curves that were a well-kept secret underneath ill-fitting clothes. With a pair of strappy heels and some gold accessories Justina had been transformed into a true stunner.
“Wow!” Was all Justina continued to say for the next few minutes while examining herself.
“Say what you want about your mother, but she has some damn good taste. That romper and these shoes are ridic.”
“My mother would have a freakin’ heart attack if she caught a glimpse of me.”
)">>“I’m almost tempted to track her ass down so she can. You truly look amazing. You have to keep this up.”
“But how?”
“If I have to come over every day and get you dressed then that’s what I’ll do.”
“Aaliyah, you’re so silly.”
“I’m so serious! You have to stop letting all this go to waste,” I said waving my hand up and down the length of Justina’s body as if I was one of the Price Is Right spokes model showcasing a prize.
“I love my new look! I’ma make every effort to keep it up.”
“Good and it’s not that hard. All I did was put on a little blush, mascara and lip gloss. The hair was the hardest part but you need to start going with me when I hit the beauty salon. I go like once a week. And you have more than enough clothes and shoes to put together some killer outfits. You’ll be shittin’ on every girl at our school.”
“Aaliyah, you’re the best friend ever. Thank you.” Justina gave me the biggest hug which put a huge smile on my face. It felt so good to see her so happy. I always knew that there was this gorgeous girl waiting to step out of her shell and I was thrilled to be the one to make it happen.
By the time we got to D’ Mario and his cousin they had been waiting for over an hour. But I knew it would be all love once they both saw how on point Justina and I were looking. When we pulled up they were standing in front of D’Mario’s midnight black Range Rover. I drove up and rolled down my window, greeting them both with a smile.
“Ma, this you?” D’Mario asked as he drooled over my pristine white Lamborghini.”
“Don’t the tags say Aaliyah,” I stated. When D’Mario stepped to me I was on my way into the mall so he never had a chance to see what type of whip I was pushing. On our numerous phone conversations I never felt the need to tell him. I knew eventually he would see for himself.
“Damn, who the fuck is yo’ peoples? You making me feel like a broke nigga next to yo’ shit.”
“It’s all good boo. This ain’t no competition especially since it ain’t one you can win anyway.” I winked my eye and gave him a sweet smile so although I dissed him he wasn’t feeling mad just disappointed that a fly bitch was taking his shine. But I knew the tongue play I planned on blessing him with later o="Twith lan tonight would erase that.
When Justina and I stepped out my ride I could tell by the gleam in their eyes they didn’t know what looked better, us or the car. I felt it was a tossup. I glanced over at Justina feeling so proud of what I had accomplished. I mean she had a lot to work with but to see what I envisioned walking right next to me, killing the game made me pleased.
“What’s up, you looking more beautiful than I remember,” D’Mario said giving me a hug. I gave him a hug back and already knew things were working in his favor because he smelled good. I loved a dude that kept a great scent. It was like that shit hypnotized me.
“Thank you. This is my best friend, Justina.”
“What’s up, Justina? This here is my cousin Ja Khel.” Ja Khel and Justina shook hands and I could tell my girl was feeling uneasy. I figured it was because Justina wasn’t used to guys lusting after her yet. But if she maintained her new appearance it would soon become the norm. Justina had gone all these years being the cute plain girl that nobody really paid attention to, to in less than an hour being a chick that any straight dude with a dick would catch a hard on for.
“So you young ladies ready to eat ‘cause I’m starved, especially since you had us waiting all night,” D’Mario grinned. I grabbed his hand and playfully blew him a kiss. I could see Justina and Ja Khel making small talk behind us but I hoped they would eventually click. Ja Khel was easy on the eyes so I was optimistic.
“This a five star spot, I like this,” I said when we entered the restaurant.
“I know this is what an official chick like you is used to. So I’m only keeping it inline.
When the hostess sat us down, from our table we had a view of the garden with a waterfall that flowed into a makeshift river. It was beautiful. It made you feel as if you were in Italy. This was the type of spot that made you want to have some champagne or wine with your dinner but because I was only seventeen that was out the question. I was almost tempted to ask D’Mario to order some so I could get a sip of his but I quickly remembered he was only eighteen.
“So what are you ladies ordering tonight?”
“I’m not sure, what about you, Justina.”
“Everything sounds so good.”
“I know right,” I laughed scrolling through the menu. Right when I was about to announce my selection I looked up to a pair of eyes staring mfaces stare in my face. “Grandfather, what are you doing here?” I asked, getting up from my chair to give him a hug. No matter how often I saw my grandfather he always put a huge smile on my face. He was the one that had actually gotten the Lamborghini for my birthday. My grandfather wasn’t even aware that I knew it was a gift from him. He assumed that I thought it came from Nico just like my mom did.
“Having dinner, and you’re about to do the same,” he said as he discreetly eyed everyone. “Hello, Justina, I almost didn’t recognize you.” Justina blushed but my grandfather didn’t notice because he was carefully checking out the two guys that were with us.
“Grandfather, this is D’Mario and his cousin Ja Khel. They’re friends of mine.” My grandfather nodded his head but didn’t speak to them. That didn’t surprise me as he wasn’t the most social person especially with people he didn’t know.
“I’m not going to interrupt any longer. You enjoy your dinner.”
“You never interrupt. You’re more than welcome to join us. I always enjoy your company.”
“Thank you, princess,” he said kissing me on my forehead, “Next time.” Then he walked away. I tried to see who he was having dinner with but he was sitting on the other side of the restaurant and I didn’t want to come off as being completely nosey.
“So that’s your grandfather, he seems like a cool cat.” D’Mario commented.
“Yeah, he is. I’m a lucky girl. I have the best grandfather ever.”
“She really does. He’s the one that bought her that hot car she’s driving.”
“Justina, I told you that was our secret.”
“Sorry, I forgot.”
“Yeah, just don’t forget when you’re around my mother.”
“So your mother doesn’t know that your grandfather bought you a car that cost that much money. So who does she think you got it from?”
“My dad, but it’s a long story. I’ll tell you another time.”
“Damn, all your people seem to be banking. Must be nice.”
“It is. Here heiimes. Heres our waitress, let’s order,” I suggested, ready to move on from the obvious.
After we finished our meal and while we were waiting for desserts, Justina and I headed to the ladies room. I did have to go but I also wanted to know if Justina was feeling Ja Khel. I was having a hard time reading her body language. I could mos def tell that Ja Khel was checking for her but I needed to know if the feeling was mutual.
“I’m really glad you brought me tonight. I’m having such a good time,” Justina said when we were halfway to the bathroom.
“That’s what’s up, so does that mean you like Ja Khel?”
“I mean he’s definitely cute but I’m not sure he’s my type.”
“What do you mean?”
“He might be a little too fast for me.”
“Why you say that? Hold up, let me use the bathroom first then you can explain.”
“I gotta go too so cool.”
Justina and I came out the bathroom stall at the same time. Between washing our hands and touching up our face and hair in the mirror Justina began telling me why Ja Khel had the potential to be a no go for her.
“Well, when he was asking me about myself and what I liked to do I started opening up a little. I felt comfortable so I asked him was he in school and he said no.”
“And…”
“I mean don’t you think it’s weird that he like eighteen and not in any type of school?”
“He might’ve already graduated high school and decided not to go to college but get a job instead.”
“I thought about that so I asked him what he did.” There was this long pause and I started tapping my nails on the counter top. Justina was too busy making goo-goo eyes at herself in the mirror that she must’ve forgot what the hell she was about to say and didn’t notice I was growing impatient waiting for her to continue.
“Any day now!”
“Oh, girl, my fault. So when I asked him what he did heto at he d was like he worked in the family business. I was like what sort of family business and he said the sort that required him to travel a lot.”
“So from that you got the impression he might be too fast for you?”
“Yeah, because if you’re traveling all the time then that means you’re probably meeting a ton of different girls and not wanting to take any of them seriously.”
“Chile please, you can meet a bunch of different girls right her in the state of California. You don’t have to be on the road to do that.”
“True, but it sure gives you plenty of opportunity to do so. Listen, he just seems like a player to me. I don’t need a man like that. My father was a player and I see how neurotic it has made my mother. I don’t want a guy like that.”
“To be fair, I think your mother has done her fair share of playing too.” Justina gave me a nasty glare.
“Maybe so but it’s not only that. I’m actually interested in somebody else, who I like a lot,” she stressed. “And when he sees my new makeover I think he’ll definitely be convinced I’m the one.”
“Who, do I know him?” But before she could answer me, in walked my worst nightmare.
“If it isn’t my beautiful niece Aaliyah. You’re looking more and more like Precious and Supreme…oops I meant Nico each time I see you.”
“Maya, why are you stalking me? What are you doing here?” Right before she responded the answer popped in my head.
“I’m having dinner with my father. I guess he didn’t tell you that when he stopped by your table.”
“Of course he didn’t tell me. He didn’t want to ruin my meal. Come on Justina, let’s go. This bathroom suddenly has a very bad odor to it.”
“Little girl, you need to learn respect.”
“Now why would I respect a psychotic criminal like you?”
“You know I beat those charges many, many years ago. So I’m no more of a criminal than you are.”
“You beat those charges because of my grandfather’s money. You bamboozled him with your lies but lur=" lies bckily my mother sees right through you and so do I.”
“All I ever wanted was a relationship with my sister and there was a time I hoped to have a relationship with you but I was never given the chance.”
“After all this time you still love playing the victim role. My mother should’ve done us all a favor and got rid of you when she had a chance. Now excuse me.”
“Be careful little girl, it can be dangerous out there.”
“You can stop with the little girl BS. You have a pair of good eyes, and you can clearly see I’m not a little girl. And before you make subliminal threats, remember one thing, you’re not my sister. I feel no sort of obligation towards you so I advise you to be careful.”
“Wow, that was intense,” Justina finally said after not breathing a word while we were in the bathroom.
“Fuck Maya! I’ll never understand how my grandfather deals with her. It’s so obvious what a sick bitch she is.”
“I know. When you told me all the things she’s put your family through I don’t get it either. But she is his daughter. I can’t imagine my dad ever turning his back on me no matter what I did.”
“Yeah, but you’re not some psycho lunatic,” I huffed walking up to our table.
“We were getting concerned. I was about to have the waitress go to the bathroom and check on you,” D’Mario remarked when we sat back down at the table.
“I ran into somebody I knew and we were catching up.”
“Oh, so you ready for dessert.”
“No, actually I want the check I’m ready to go.”
“The movie doesn’t start for another hour.”
“I don’t care. I can’t stay in this restaurant for another second. As a matter of fact, I’ll meet you outside. I grabbed my purse and I could see Justina following behind me. Maya seemed to suck all the air out of me and I needed to go outside to get it back. That woman had singlehandedly divided my family. What she did so many years ago was still causing my parent’s marriage to deteriorate right before my eyes. I hated Maya for what she did to my mother and I prayed one day she would pay for it with her life.
***
I woke up with Maya’s face consuming my mind. It was like every couple of years she would pop up to antagonize me but it seemed that her spirit lingered around me every day. If Maya made me feel this way I could only imagine the affect she had on my mother. While brushing my teeth and combing my hair before going downstairs I thought about the numerous times I heard Maya’s name mentioned in our household. The stories of mayhem she caused and how in the past it haunted me but as I got older instead it left me infuriated.
As I made my way downstairs to the kitchen, my mind must have been very deep in Maya land because I was shocked when I walked in on an intense conversation between my mother and grandfather.
“Good morning!” I said in a super chipper voice so neither could detect that for some reason I felt their conversation was about me and it made me nervous.
“It is a good morning now that I’ve seen my lovely granddaughter.”
“You just saw me last night,” I laughed affectionately.
“I can never see my granddaughter enough.”
“So is that why you’re over here this morning, ‘cause you wanted to see me again?”
“You know damn well that’s not why he is here.”
“Calm down, Precious.” My mother cut her eyes at my grandfather.
“Don’t tell me to calm down! Aaliyah is my daughter and she had no business out with those men.”
“What are you talking about? I only had dinner with some friends.”
“If this dinner was so innocent why didn’t you tell me that’s where you were going before you left here last night?”
“It was a last minute decision. At first I was only going out with Justina but D’Mario called me when I was on my way to pick her up and invited us to dinner. It was no big deal.”
“You’re so full of it, Aaliyah! Nothing with you is no big deal.”
“What is your deal? All we did was have dinner. Grandfather,” I said turnith=I said ng my attention in his direction. “Is this what you came over for? To get my mother worked up because I went out to dinner with some guys.”
“No. I’m here to protect you.”
“Protect me. From what, a date?”
“Do you know how old those men are?” My mother asked right when I could tell my grandfather was about to speak.
“Eighteen.”
“More like twenty-two.”
“No they’re not.”
“Yes they are! Your grandfather told me!”
“How would grandfather know?” My mother turned towards my grandfather waiting for him to speak up.
“I know who both of those men are and I can tell you as fact, that they haven’t seen eighteen in a few years.”
“I’m assuming since they lied about their ages they also didn’t tell you that they’re drug dealers,” my mother jumped in. I felt like I was being tagged team with a bunch of bullshit I knew absolutely nothing about. “Aaliyah, answer me!”
“Of course I didn’t know. I met him at the mall. I thought he had just graduated from high school. D’Mario being a drug dealer was the furthest thing from my mind.”
“So where did you think he got that Range Rover he was driving in?”
“I drive a Lamborghini, what’s your point. This is Beverly Hills. It’s not abnormal to see a young guy driving an expensive car.” It wasn’t until I saw the fire burning in my mother’s eyes that I remembered who I was talking to. “It was an honest mistake, mom. I apologize.” I lowered the tone of my voice trying to do damage control but my mother wasn’t having it.
“You can give me the keys to your car because you won’t be driving it anytime soon. Is that the point you needed if not I just gave it to you.”
“You can’t take away my car!”
“I can and I will.”
“Everybody relax,” my grandfather said reaching over the breakfast bar to take our hands. I took his hand but my mother ignored his gesture.
“I’m perfectly relaxed, Quentin, but I’m not going to let my daughter disrespect me.”
“Mommy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disrespect you.”
“Oh, so now I’m mommy. You should’ve remembered that when you were running off at the mouth a minute ago.”
“I told you I was sorry. I mean I had a lot on my mind. Seeing Maya yesterday put me in a really bad mood.” I glanced over at my grandfather and I hated to throw him under the bus. But I couldn’t take being without my car and that was the only thing I could think to say to garner some sympathy from my mother.
“Where did you see Maya?”
“At the restaurant where I saw grandfather, she came into the bathroom. We exchanged words and it’s left me really shaken. That’s why I snapped at you because the Maya thing has me in a really bad way.” What I said wasn’t a complete lie but it wasn’t all true either.
“I’m assuming Maya was at the restaurant with you,” my mother said now turning her burning eyes at my grandfather.
“Yes, but I had no idea she had an encounter with Aaliyah. Maya didn’t even mention she saw her.”
“I wonder why.” My mother stated sarcastically. “You continue to keep that poison around you and then had her around my daughter. And you want to come to my house saying you’re trying to protect Aaliyah by keeping her away from some dope boys but the person she really needs protection from is like your best fuckin’ friend.”
“She’s not my best friend. She’s my daughter, just like you are. And you know I would never let any harm come to Aaliyah.”
“Then why couldn’t you protect Aaliyah yesterday when Maya harassed her in the bathroom? Oh I forgot, Maya is misunderstood, she would never harass Aaliyah or anybody else for that matter. We’re all crazy. She’s the only sane one.”
“Precious, please.”
“Please my ass. You tell that daughter of yours to stay the hell away from Aaliyah. Now would you please get out of my house because I no longer want to have a conversation with you,” my mother said before exiting the kitchen.
“Grandfather, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault. I had no idea that you and Maya had words. But you have to know Maya would never hurt you or your mother.”
“Grandfather, I love you, I really do. And I wish I wouldn’t have brought Maya’s name up because your relationship with mom is already so fragile I hate making it worse. But you’re wrong about Maya. She does want to hurt us.”
“I know your mother has a lot of bad history with Maya and she’s shared most of it with you but that’s in the past. Maya has made a lot of mistakes but she only wants to be a part of this family.”
“That will never happen.”
“Because your mother doesn’t want to give her sister a chance and because of that you don’t want to give Maya an opportunity to have a relationship with you which is understandable.”
“You don’t understand. When I looked in Maya’s eyes last night I saw for myself how sick she is. I don’t understand how you don’t see it. I know she’s your daughter but can your love for Maya blind you from the truth? I’ve always respected how wise you are but you’re so wrong about Maya. She’s trouble, grandfather.”
“I hate you feel that way, my princess,” grandfather said kissing me on my forehead. “But I promise you I won’t let anybody hurt you or your mother and that includes Maya. I’ll talk to you later and be nice to your mother. I love you.”
“I will and I love you too.” Seeing my grandfather’s sprit broken as he walked out made me feel terrible. He always appeared so in control but now he seemed powerless. And he was when it came to the Maya situation. No matter how hard he tried to be the link to put them together my mother wanted nothing to do with her sister and I didn’t blame her one bit.
“Is Quentin gone?” I heard my mother ask as I was getting some orange juice out of the refrigerator.
“Yes, he just left.”
“I can’t believe he had Maya around you last night.”
“Mom, it wasn’t like grandfather knew I was going to be at the restaurant and that Maya would approach me in the bathroom.”
“That’s not the point. " a the poIf he would’ve cut her off the only place she would be walking around is a jail cell. And to think I was so appreciative he came over here to warn me about those men you were out with last night. I’ll never let myself have a real relationship with him as long as he is breaking bread with that psycho.”
“Mother, I totally agree with you that Maya is a psycho. When I looked in her eyes last night, I swear I saw the devil. But grandfather loves you so much. Maybe you could still try and have a real daughter/father relationship with him in spite of Maya. Maya probably feels like she’s winning right now because she’s hindering you all’s relationship.”
“I don’t give a damn if Maya feels like she’s winning. My concern is you and your safety because I know how to handle Maya.”
“I know you do and so does Maya.”
“Well if she needs a reminder I’ll be more than happy to give it to her. You and your brother mean everything to me. I won’t let Maya hurt either one of you.”
“What about dad?”
“Huh?”
“You said that Xavier and I mean everything to you but you didn’t mention dad.”
“Of course I love Supreme.”
“Then why didn’t you mention him?” my mother stayed silent as if she was at a loss for words which never happened. “I know you guys have been having problems for a long time.”
“Aaliyah, what are you talking about?”
“I’ve heard the arguments. Just because I don’t say anything doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s happening.”
“Your father and I have been married for years, disagreements happen. It’s called marriage and it ain’t always pretty. But we’re good.”
“Are you sure? Dad seems to be home less and less. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t live here anymore.”
“Yes I’m sure. Your father and I have been through a lot but we always stay together and remain strong. Stop worrying, we’re fine. First Maya, now your dad, you have too much on your mind. You should call Justina and go do some shopping. It’s too beautiful outside for you to be in the house.”
“Does that mean I can take my car?”
“That’s right I did put you on punishment. But under the circumstances I’ll give you a reprieve.” My mother smiled and rubbed my cheek.
“You’re the best!”
“But, Aaliyah, you do have to be careful. I understand the allure of dealing with hustlers but you don’t have to do that. You don’t want for anything so there is no need for you to chase that life. I promise you it doesn’t lead to anything but problems.”
“Now I’m going to give you the same advice you gave me. Stop worrying,” I grinned. Honestly I didn’t know they were drug dealers and now that I do I’ll keep my distance.”
“Good. Now go have some fun.” I gave my mom a hug before running upstairs to my room. I wasn’t sure if I was super happy because I was able to get out of my punishment before it started or because I had been given the green light to do some damage on the credit card. But I figured it was a combination of both. Right when I was about to call Justina up to let her know today’s plan, I saw D’Mario’s name popping across my screen. I was tempted to ignore it but his dimples and pretty smile kept flashing in my head.
“Hello.”
“Hey beautiful, how are you this morning?”
“Good, what about you?”
“Amazing.”
“Amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that response before but I like it.”
“You should. I try to make every day amazing. So what are you getting into today?”
“About to get dressed then pick up Justina so we can do some Saturday afternoon shopping.”
“Let me come with you.”
“Only if you’re doing the buying.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“You sure because I’m vicious when it comes to spending cash.”
“I already know.”
“Cool, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” When I got off the phone with D’Mario I immediately called Justina.
“What’s up girl, I was just on the phone with Amir.”
“What was he talking about?”
“Wanting to know when we were coming his way.”
“It’s almost that time of year again so soon.”
“Yeah, that’s what I told him. I can’t wait for Amir to see my new look. He told me to take a pic with my phone and send it. As soon as I get myself dolled up I’m going to. He is going to have a fit.”
“I’m sure he will. And some new outfits to go with your new look can’t hurt either.”
“But I have a ton of clothes in my closet I haven’t even worn yet.”
“True, but they were all picked out by your mother. Aren’t you ready to pick out your own hot shit?”
“Yeah! That’s exactly what I need to do.”
“Glad you think so because I’ll be over to scoop you up in an hour.”
“Great. Let me go catch my mom before she leaves… can’t go shopping without any money. See you soon.” When I hung up with Justina I laid on my bed for a second before getting in the shower. I started thinking about my conversation with D’Mario. There was no reason for me to let him come with us shopping. It wasn’t like I needed his money but I guess I just wanted to see if he would do it. I decided to call him back and dead it. I mean he was a drug dealer and I told my mom I would leave him alone, but he was so cute and sexy. I decided one more date wouldn’t hurt anything and I tossed my phone down. Yeah it was time I started living a little bit. I needed to stop worrying about my parent’s problems and create some fun ones of my own.
Amir
Proposition
“I need one more chance.” I shook my head as I remembered Aaliyah saying those words to me last night. Now I would give anything to turn back time and have that conversation with her again. Things would’ve gone soopove go differently and this hell we were now in wouldn’t exist. But the conversation did happen and now here I was waiting in my car thinking back wishing I could see Aaliyah again.
***
“Open up,” I heard Aaliyah yelling as she pounded on the door. As hard as her fist was banging I would’ve thought there was a 6’5” man trying to get in instead of a 5’5” girl.
“Chill the fuck out, Aa…” I immediately stopped myself when I opened the door. “I apologize, Mrs. Mills, I didn’t realize you were with Aaliyah.”
“Don’t worry, Amir. I know my fair share of curse words.”
“Why didn’t you tell me your mother was with you,” I whispered in Aaliyah’s ear as they came in. She just gave me a frown like leave her the fuck alone.
“So where’s your dad? Oh never mind, here he is now. Genesis, hello.”
“It’s good to see you,” my dad smiled giving Precious a hug. “This is my good friend Lorenzo. Lorenzo, this is Precious Mills and her daughter Aaliyah.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“Thank you,” both mother and daughter said in unison.
“Genesis, Aaliyah told me that you’re taking them to the K97 Summer Jam concert. Is that true?” My dad gave me a peculiar stare and I put my head down. Now I understood why Aaliyah’s mom came through, she was on parental control.
“Actually I’m not taking them but one of my trusted workers will escort them to the concert.” Aaliyah and I gave each other a look of relief when my dad came through for us because I hadn’t even discussed us going to the concert with him.
“I see. So they will be supervised?”
“Of course.” I think my dad could tell Aaliyah’s mom wasn’t completely convinced so he switched the subject which I figured was an attempt to get her mind off that topic. “So, Precious, how long are you going to be in New York?”
“For a week or so.”
“Did Supreme come with you?”
“No he actually took Xavier on vacation for a little father/son time.”
“That’s good. I’m sure they’re enjoying themselves.”
“Yeah, I’m sure they are. I know Nico won’t be back for a couple days so I brought Aaliyah early hoping we could have some mother/daughter time before she spent the rest of her break with Nico. But her calendar seems to already be filled up.”
“Mom, I told you Amir already had the tickets and it wouldn’t be fair to cancel on him at the last minute. You’re the one who didn’t believe me.”
“You’re right but Genesis has confirmed what you said so I apologize. You all go to the concert and have a good time. I’ll see you at home later on tonight. Goodnight everybody.”
“Precious,” my dad called out as I was walking her to the door. “If you’re not doing anything, why don’t you have dinner with Lorenzo and Me? He just got back in town and I was going to take him to my favorite spot for dinner. I have to wrap up some business first but it won’t take that long.”
“That’s ok, I don’t want to intrude.”
“Trust me you’re not intruding. We’ll enjoy your company. Isn’t that right Lorenzo?” Lorenzo simply nodded his head.
“Ok. Dinner at a nice restaurant with two handsome men might be what I need,” she laughed.
“I think so too, mom. Maybe then you’ll lighten up on me a little.”
“Never that.”
“So, Aaliyah, you just about ready to head out?”
“Sure, but let me use your bathroom for a second.”
“Precious, you can go have a seat in the living room. It won’t take me long to finish up what I have to do. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m good. Let me know when you’re ready.”
“I will,” my dad said before turning to me. “Amir, can I see you in my office for a minute.” I followed behind my dad already knowing what he was about to say. “Close the door.”
“Dad, listen…”
“No, you listen. Don’t put me in the middle of something without discussing it with me first.”
“I had no idea Mrs. Mills was going to show up. Aaliyah didn’t even warn me.”
“That’s not the point. You should’ve told me you planned on going to the concert with Aaliyah. That is the truth isn’t it?”
“Of course, we just didn’t think we were going to have a chaperone.”
“Well now you are. I’ll have Dice take you.”
“That’s not necessary. You always let me go places by myself or with my friends.”’
“I told Precious that you will be supervised and that’s that. Understand something, Amir. Aaliyah is the daughter of my business partner and close friend. I’m also fond of her mother so I don’t want any problems. What I might let you do can’t always apply when others are involved. Are you following me?”
“Yes. So can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why did you invite Precious to dinner? I mean Lorenzo strikes me as the type of man that is all about business who wouldn’t want that to be put aside because you felt the need to invite your son’s best friend’s mother to join you.”
“I always make sure business is in order so Lorenzo will be fine.”
“That’s cool but you still didn’t tell me why you invited Precious.”
“Because although Precious is a strong woman and she appears to have everything together she’s vulnerable and needs a friend right now.”
“How can you tell?’
“Because I’ve been there before.”
“Like after my mother died?”
“That was no doubt the lowest point in my life. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have gotten
“Ok, dad, talk to you later.” I left my dad’s office regretting that I mentioned my mother. It never failed, every time I brought her name up, the life seemed to drain from his face. Nothing hurt more than seeing my father, a man to me that represented the epitome of power and strength become weak right before my eyes.
“Ok girl, we’ll see you soon. I’ll tell you how it was tomorrow.”
“Who was that?” I asked Aaliyah when I came out my dad’s office and heard her on the phone.
“Justina, she’ll be here tomorrow.”
“Cool.”
“She’s mad disappointed that she’s missing the concert tonight but I told her they’ll be a ton of fun things we’ll do when she gets in town.”
“For sure.”
“You sound real enthusiastic…not.”
“Sorry, I just have some things on my mind.”
“Things like what?”
“I don’t want to talk about it right now. Let’s just go have a good time.”
“Okay but you know I’m always here for you.”
“I know big head,” I laughed putting Aaliyah in a playful head lock.
“Joke if you want, Amir, but you’ve been acting mad different for the past few weeks. Something is up with you and I wish you would tell me what it is.”
“Maybe later. But we need to go. As usual we’re already running late.”
“We’ll be fine. I ain’t that pressed anyway. It’s not like it’s a Sway Stone concert which is coming up in a few months. That sure would be a great eighteenth birthday present…hint, hint.”
“Your birthday is in two weeks and Sway’s concert here isn’t for several months.”
“I know but I still want to go. It can be a late birthday present. I’ll still be celebrating anyway.”
“I’m sure you will. Now let’s go.”
***
“That concert was so good! It’s like the performers always bring their best game to that show.”
“Yeah, that’s because they know New Yorkers will blast they ass. They ain’t got no choice but to come correct.”
“Amir, you ain’t neva lied. It’s like they be looking for a reason to start booing. So what you wanna do now, ‘cause I ain’t ready to call it a night, are you?”
“No. I wish my dad would’ve let me drive. Then we could hit a couple of parties. But I’m not trying to be chaperoned by one of my dad’s workers anywhere.”
“I feel you. Wait, I have an idea.”
“What?”
“My dad is out of town. We can get in the hot tub, listen to some music and chill out.”
“Now that sounds like a good idea,” I said before we got in the car.
“Where would you like me to take you now, Amir?” Dice asked being the perfect driver.
“To Aaliyah’s house. Her mom is going to meet us there.”
“Are you sure, I can take you back to your father’s place.”
“I’m positive.”
“Yes, Dice he’s sure. There are some things I want to do for my dad before he gets home. He loves surprises.”
“Then to Mr. Carter’s house we go.”
“Once we get to my dad’s place, I’ll text my mom and let her know we’re there,” Aaliyah whispered to me.
“Cool, I’ll do the same with my dad.”
During the ride to Alpine I remained pretty quiet. It felt good to be in the moment and enjoying time with Aaliyah.
“Hey, we’re here,” I heard Aaliyah say. I was in such a mellow place that I didn’t even realize we made it. “Dice roll down the window so I can put the code in.”
A few seconds later the gate opened and Dice drove along the curved driveway before pulling up in front of the mansion. “Amir, would you like for me to wait here for you?”
“No you can go ‘head, Dice. I’ll get back home.”
“Are you sure? I have no problem waiting.”
“Positive, I’ll work it out.”
“Ok, but call me if you need me.”
“Will do,” I said shutting the door.
“I can always take you home. You know my dad keeps a car here for me to drive.”
“Yeah, like I said we’ll work it out. I was just ready to get rid of Dice. He’s good people but having him up under me like this makes me feel like I’m twelve again.”
“That’s how my mom is making me feel. She wants to keep me under her thumb and I’m like relax. That’s why I was happy when your dad invited her to have dinner with him and his friend, who is fine by the way. What was his name again?”
“Lorenzo.”
“Yeah, that dude looks good. I’ve never seen him before. How long has he been friends with your dad?”
“I think for a while. But he only recently came back on the scene. So dudes like Lorenzo is what you like?” I tried to ask the question without sounding as if I really cared but I wasn’t sure if it came off that way.
“I prefer my men a little older and Lorenzo is sexy but he’s a little too much older for me.”
“I see. Could you imagine the fit both your dad’s would have if you started dating a man Lorenzo’s age?”
“Forget them, shit my mother would be the one I would need to hide from,” Aaliyah laughed. “Speaking of my mother, let me call her before she tries to put out an Amber Alert on me.”
“Yeah, let me call my dad too,” I said taking my phone out my pocket. When I called my dad it went straight to voicemail so I left him a message. I found it strange my dad’s phone went straight to voicemail as he made it a point to keep it charged for business purposes. “Did you talk to your mom?” I asked Aaliyah wanting to know if she was able to make contact since I wasn’t.
“No, it went straight to voicemail so I left her a message.”
“That happened with my dad too. I guess that’s a good thing. Maybe they’re having so much fun that they won’t bother us.”
“Yeah, that would be nice but I think my mother has forgotten what the definition of fun is so that’s highly doubtful. She probably has it on vibrate and didn’t realize I was calling. Trust me she’ll be blowing me up in a few minutes.”
“Then I guess we better start having some fun asap.” As we made our way to the back I looked up at the multiple levels with artistic murals adorning the walls. No matter how many times I came to Nico’s house I never grew tired of admiring them. It gave you the vibe like you were visiting a mansion in Rome or something.
“You know where the swim trunks are,” Aaliyah commented when we walked past the swimming pool with flowing fountains towards the Jacuzzi.
“Of course.” There were two pool houses in the back, one for men and the other for women. The shit was so sick, it was crazy. Each had a ton of swimming trunks and bathing suits that people could borrow if they forgot to bring their own. When Aaliyah came out in her light pink bikini she reminded me of cotton candy. I didn’t want to get turned on by her but I couldn’t help myself. Her skin looked like caramel and it didn’t help that her breast and ass were popping out just right.
“What are you staring at?” she questioned.
“Oh, I didn’t know you had a diamond earring in your belly button,” I replied trying to play off the fact that I was foaming at the mouth over her body. But that was a mild distraction compared to all the curves that had my thi>
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I got it a few weeks ago as an early birthday present to myself. My mom doesn’t even know yet. She’s going to flip the fuck out when she finds out. I figure I’d tell her on my eighteenth birthday. I mean at that point what can she really do.”
“I feel you,” I said getting into the Jacuzzi. “Damn, this water feels good. It’s not too hot, just right.”
“I can’t wait to get in.”
“What you waiting for?”
“I’m about to get this bottle of champagne so we can have an early birthday toast.”
“Make sure you get the good shit.”
“Excuse me, that’s all my daddy got! He don’t even fuck around with the mid-level shit. You know how he do. It’s first class all the way.
When Aaliyah got in the Jacuzzi and handed me my glass for the first time I was looking at her as not being my best friend but a girl that I wanted to get with. It was fucking my head up a little because we were supposed to be like brother and sister. But my body was telling me something different.
“Let’s make a toast.”
“Okay.”
“I feel like maybe we should wait until Justina gets here tomorrow. Nah, we can do one now and do another one when she comes.”
“Works for me.”
“Cool, so like I was saying,” Aaliyah smiled. “Let’s make a toast that eighteen will be the best year of our lives.”
“Cheers,” we both said as our glasses clinked together.
“This some good champagne right here,” I said guzzling it down like it was water.
“I told you,” here have some more,” Aaliyah offered, filling my glass back up. “Can you believe I’m about to be eighteen and in a couple months you will be too. It seems like yesterday we were celebrating my eighth birthday. Now look at us ten years later.”
“I know. Remember after the party was over we decided to keep it going.”
“Oh gosh, how can I forget!”
“You and Justina thought it would be a great idea to play doctor and let me be your patient. Precious walked in on us and I was lying across your bed with only my underwear on.”
“And in two seconds those were about to come off. My mom was livid.”
“Livid is an understatement. She took away all your birthday presents.”
“And I was pissed because my grandfather had gotten me this special collector’s edition Barbie doll that I had been begging for. It took weeks for my dad to convince her to give it back to me.”
“Wow, those were the good days.”
“I think these days are still pretty good and this one might only get better.”
“How’s that?”
“I think we should play doctor again except for this time I’ll be the patient.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? It’s not like I’m eight anymore.” Before I could answer, Aaliyah’s lips were touching mine. Then my tongue somehow ended up down her throat and my hand was easing down the crack of her ass. It all felt so right and wrong at the same time.”
“Aaliyah, we shouldn’t be doing this,” I managed to say between sensuous kisses.
“Yes we should.” I pulled away so I could read the words her eyes were speaking to me. “I’ve known you it seems like my entire life and I think it would only be right that I lost my virginity to you, tonight.”
“Aaliyah, you’re a virgin?”
“Yes. Why do you say that like it’s so hard to believe?”
“You always seemed so advanced, you know mature. I figured you lost your virginity a long time ago.”
“Nope! But you’re right I am advanced and mature. I just didn’t think anybody was worthy enough to have me, that is besides you.”
“But I thought you told me you were seeing somebody.”
“I am. Listen, I’m not a saint and I have messed around. You know heavy foreplay but I’ve never taken it all the way. But I want to tonight with you.”
“Aaliyah, I’m flattered I really am.”
“I’m not interested in you being flattered. I want you to tell me that you’re checking for me the same way I’m checking for you.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Excuse me!”
“You’re gorgeous, there’s no denying that. And I know you have a ton of guys checking for you but I’m seeing Justina.”
“What!” Aaliyah screamed that out so loud I knew she had to wake up the whole neighborhood. “You’re seeing Justina?” I nodded my head yes. “How long has that been going on and why didn’t she tell me?”
“For a few months. We were going to tell you together when she got here.”
“I can’t believe this,” Aaliyah said, picking up her glass and pouring herself some more champagne. I was tempted to re-up but was afraid I wouldn’t be able to maintain self-control if I got anymore liquor in my system. It was already taking every ounce of strength I had in me not to oblige Aaliyah’s request and take her virginity.
“I hope this doesn’t change things between us. You truly are my best friend and I wouldn’t want anything to mess that up.”
“It makes sense now. When Justina told me she was interested in somebody I couldn’t figure out who the hell she was talking about and I could tell she didn’t want t me to know. Now I understand why. But can you just answer something for me?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Why Justina and not me? I mean I love Justina, she’s like a sister to me but we are so much more alike than the two of you.”
“Yeah, we’re too much alike.”
“Huh?”
“Aaliyah, I don’t want to date somebody like me. With you, I’ll always be wondering if you’re seeing somebody else or if you’re lying to me. I know how much you scheme. I’ve been a witness to it.”
“But I wouldn’t do that with you.”
“That’s the thing. I’m not sure about that. And one thing my father always told me is you can’t be with a woman who doesn’t make you feel confident that she can be trusted.”
“Oh, so now you’re calling me untrustworthy?”
“All I’m saying is that I don’t feel confident that I can trust you a hundred percent.”
“But Justina makes you feel a hundred percent confident.”
“Yes, she does.”
“Why because she’s timid and quiet?”
“Now you’re being petty, Aaliyah.”
“No, I’m being real. You’ve put Justina on this pedestal like she’s some sort of saint and I’m walking around with a scarlet letter on my chest. It’s not fair. No I’m not all meek like Justina but I’m no harlot either.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Maybe not in those exact words but that’s exactly what you’re alluding to. It’s cool though.”
“Aaliyah, don’t do this,” I said touching the side of her cheek. The way the moonlight hit her face it made it appear as if she was glowing. There was this strong urge for me to give into the lust I was feeling towards her but I knew it was wrong so I made myself resist.
“I wish you would’ve given us a chance. I know I could’ve made you happy.”
“Maybe, but I’m with Justina so it doesn’t matter.”
“You’re right and I have to respect that. Both of you mean so much to me and I’m not going to ruin our friendships because you chose her over me.”
“Thank you. You really have matured, Aaliyah. Because not too long ago you couldn’t even comprehend the word ‘no’ and not getting your way. I think you’re right. Eighteen will be your best year yet.”
I laid back in the Jacuzzi and closed my eyes. I was relieved that I let Aaliyah know the status of my relationship with Justina and I was proud that I didn’t let my body overpower my mind. But it was crazy that I had two girls in my life and I had real love for both of them.
Aaliyah
When It All Comes Falling Down
The longer I sat in my jail cell the more hopeless my situation seemed to become. I started visualizing myself forever trapped in an orange jumpsuit with nothing but an inmate number to identify me. It was puzzling me how I went from magnificent to miserable in less than twenty four hours. I began recalling how only a few short months ago I had dodged a major blow but this time around it appeared I wouldn’t be as fortunate.
***
“I’ll be at your crib in about twenty minutes,” I told D’Mario as I zipped up my jeans.
“You said that an hour ago.”
“I know but I got held up. But I really am about to walk out the door. I’ll see you in a few.” I let out a sigh of relief and regret when I finally buttoned up my jeans because I knew damn well they were too fuckin’ tight. My ass and hips seemed to be spreading rapidly and I figured it was because I had recently started taking the pill. I wasn’t fucking just yet but I planned on to and I wanted to be prepared. Yeah, when the time was right, I would definitely make D’Mario strap up but I wanted back up protection too because getting pregnant was something I didn’t even want to have to worry about.
As I put on my tank top and heels I rolled my eyes thinking that I wasn’t even sure I wanted D’Mario to be the dude to take my virginity but I was slowly but surely leaning in that direction. Ever since Amir crushed my dreams of having him be my first I put all my focus on my relationship with D’Mario, which was extremely difficult since I had to sneak around. Although I was now eighteen and technically there wasn’t anything illegal about our relationship, my mother had made it clear that she didn’t want me dating a drug dealer. The funny thing was D’Mario still didn’t know I knew the truth about what his job profession really was. I was too busy having fun with him to even bring it up. He was the only reason I was able to not be totally crushed by the news Amir and Justina were boyfriend and girlfriend. So I was savoring the good times to keep my mind off what I considered to be a very low point in my life.
Thirty minutes laterasoinutes , after pulling my look together I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs. As I was rushing to get out the door, I was thinking about how right D’Mario was that my twenty minutes were now about to turn into another hour. Time and I were not friends or even associates. I constantly fought against it like we were enemies. I made a decision right then; that would be something I would start working on—being on time.
“Aaliyah, where are you rushing off to?” I heard my dad ask me; right when I thought I had reached freedom.
“Hey, daddy, when did you get back?” I said turning around to give him a hug.
“Late last night. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“You should have. I missed you. It seems like you’ve been gone forever.”
“Only a week.”
“Yeah, but your week is like every other day. How much do you want to bet that you’ll be going back out of town in a couple of days?”
“I’m not going to bet you, Aaliyah.”
“Why? Because you know I would win.”
“Why don’t we go have lunch? We need some father/daughter time.”
“That would be nice but I’m meeting Justina and I’m already running late.”
“What about dinner.”
“That would be cool. But let’s make it a family dinner, you, me, mom and Xavier.”
“We’ll see.”
“Why do we have to see, why can’t we just make it happen?”
“Because Supreme has no interests in making it happen.” I looked over my dad’s shoulder and saw my mother standing in the distance.
“Precious, not now. I’m trying to have a pleasant conversation with my daughter. I don’t want to argue with you.”
“Is this what we’re having, an argument? I thought it was called a family discussion.”
try"0em"><“What is going on between the two of you? Is that why you’re always going out of town, dad, because you can’t stand to be in the house with mom?”
“Answer her, Supreme,” my mom demanded, after my dad kept quiet for a few minutes.
“You want the truth, the answer is yes. Right now I rather be away working, then in the house with your mother.” Even with the distance between us I could see a slight look of despair cross my mother’s face.
“Daddy, what happened? You used to love mommy so much.”
“I still love your mother. We’re just going through a difficult time right now.”
“Would you please stop talking about me like I’m not in the fuckin’ room! That’s what the problem is now. Instead of you talking to me you talk through me.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Precious?”
“You know what I’m talking about. You speak to me like I’m invisible. Like what I feel and think doesn’t even matter to you.”
“That’s all in your mind.”
“I guess it’s in my mind too that you haven’t touched me in months not even on the rare occasions that you’re actually sleeping beside me in our bed.”
“I’m not going to have this conversation with you in front of our daughter.”
“You had no problem telling her you couldn’t stand being in the same house with me. If you’re gonna tell it then tell it all. Don’t hold nothing back!”
“Aaliyah, I’m sorry you have to hear this.”
“Don’t apologize for me!” My mother screamed out as she came closer to us. “You think you can’t stand me! I can’t stand you either! I’m so tired of being tired of you and your bullshit. I’m your wife. How long do you expect me to wait for you to decide to be my husband again?”
“Why can’t you guys just make it work? I hate all this arguing! I can’t remember the last time we’ve all been together happy as a family. I can’t take it anymore!”
“Aaliyah, wait!” I heard my dad call
out to me as I ran out the house but I kept
going.
I got in my car and speeded off. It was too much for me to deal with. I didn’t want to accept that my parent’s marriage could be over. My mother told me so many times that he was her first true love, that what they shared was magical, a once in a lifetime type of love. With how they acted towards each other a few minutes ago, in my mind there was no way that could possibly be true.
I felt my phone vibrating and it was my dad calling me but I had nothing to say to him. Or maybe I was afraid of what he might say to me. It made me almost want to vomit at the thought of hearing him say the word divorce. Tears began trickling down my face. My cell began vibrating again and I looked down thinking it was my father calling back but instead it was Amir.
“Hello,” I answered wanting to hear his voice.
“Aaliyah, what’s wrong, are you ok?”
“No.”
“What happened?”
“My parents just got in the biggest argument and I’m scared they’re going to get a divorce.” After I said the word out loud, the tears were no longer trickling they were rushing down my face.
“Aaliyah, calm down.”
“I can’t. The thought of my parents divorcing and Xavier growing up without my dad being around is too much for me to deal with.”
“Just because your parents were arguing doesn’t necessarily mean they’re getting a divorce.”
“You didn’t see how ugly it got and it would’ve been worse if I wasn’t there. Once I left, all hell probably broke loose.”
“I hate for you to be this upset. I wish I was there with you.”
“I do too.”
“The summer will be here before you know it and we’ll have a great time.”
“I hope so.”
“We will. Don’t we always have fun when you come for the summer?”
“Yes,” I answered with my voice cracking.
“Well this summer will be better than ever. We’ll be high school graduates, preparing for college. We have the best years of our lives to look forward to.”
“What if they don’t make it, Amir?” my voice had turned completely serious.
“Aaliyah, you have to prepare yourself for that possibility. I hope it doesn’t happen but it could. I have no idea what is going on with your mom and dad but I can promise you one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“No matter what, I’ll be here to help you get through it. That’s what best friends are for.” After Amir said that I felt as if I could exhale.
“Thank you for that. I no longer feel alone in this.”
“That’s because you’re not alone. We made a pact when we were little kids to always stand by each other’s side through good, bad and ugly. I haven’t forgotten and I take my pact seriously.”
“You’re so silly.” We both started laughing.
“I’ll admit I’m silly but I said something right because I got you smiling again.”
“You did and I love you for it.”
“I love you too. Now go do something fun. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”
“Bye.” Just like that Amir had me feeling good again. I felt so lucky to have him in my life. And although I was disappointed that he didn’t give us a chance to be more than friends I realized his friendship was more important. I really did hope that he and Justina could make it as a couple because they both deserved to be happy and he truly was a great catch.
When I ended my phone call with Amir I was pulling up to D’Mario’s condo. I glanced at the clock in my car and an hour and a half had passed since I spoke to him last. I knew he was furious but all I could say to myself was that shit happens.
I knocked at the door and waited a few seconds before ringing the doorbell. I knocked again and figured maybe he got so pissed with me that he hauled ass up outta there. I knocked one more time, and then decided to leave. When I was walking towards my car I heard the door open and D’Marith=and Do call out my name.
“I thought you had left.”
“Nope, I fell asleep waiting on your slow ass,” he grinned.
“Whatever, but I’m sorry about that. I had some problems at home.”
“What sort of problems?” he asked closing the door behind me. I sat down on the cream leather sofa and let out a deep sigh.
“My parents are having some marital issues right now.”
“That can’t be good.”
“It’s not but it’ll be ok.”
“You seem to be handling it like a soldier.”
“I wasn’t at first but I talked to a good friend of mine and he made me feel a lot better.”
“He, should I be jealous?”
“No. We’re best friends, nothing more. He’s actually Justina’s boyfriend.”
“Oh yeah, she broke my man’s Ja Khel’s heart when she told him she had a boyfriend.”
“Every time we’ve gone out Ja Khel seems to be doing just fine. He’s always with a different chick.”
“I said she broke his heart not his dick.”
“Yo, you’re crazy.”
“I’m saying. He did think she seemed like a nice girl. The type you can take home to meet your parents. I know you said yours are going through a tough time but I would still like to meet them. We’ve been seeing each other for some time now.”
“I haven’t met your parents.”
“That’s because they live in Miami. But in a couple weeks I’m going there to visit. You need to make that trip with me.”
“That sounds nice. But I’m not sure with school and all.”
div height="0em">“We can go on a weekend so you won’t have to miss school.”
“True, but my parents might give me a hard time.”
“That’s why you should let me meet them so they can see who you’ve been spending all your time with. Is that a problem?” I didn’t know if the expression on my face gave it away or if D’Mario could hear the hesitation in my voice. I wasn’t in the mood to go there but I felt it was time to put it all on the table.
“Here’s the thing, D’Mario. My parents don’t know I’m seeing you.”
“Why? What they don’t allow you to date. They tryna make you a nun?”
“No. I never told you this but after our first date my mother forbad me to see you again.”
“Why, she’s never even met me.”
“My grandfather who did meet you told her you were a drug dealer and that you weren’t eighteen but twenty-two.” D’Mario put his head down as if he was trying to get his thoughts together before defending himself.
“Both of those things are true but I guess you already knew that.”
“Why did you lie to me about your age? I mean you had to know I was going to be suspicious. There are a lot of rich kids in Beverly Hills but not many of them are living on their own in a super-hot condo with a couple of cars to drive.”
“I figured you knew I wasn’t really eighteen. That was more so me bullshitting than anything else. As far as my occupation go, again I figured you knew something was up but since you didn’t press me about it I let it go.”
“I was gonna let it go, but you was stressing me about meeting my family and I didn’t know how to keep putting you off.”
“At least now I understand why every time we go out you damn near be tryna have us in Calabasas. You want to make sure none of your people see us together.”
I couldn’t help but laugh because he was speaking the truth. For the last couple of months I would come up with every excuse in the book to get us as far away from Beverly Hills as possible. I didn’t want to have another run in with my grandfather like before so I stayed extra cautious.
“I’m glad you find it funny.”
“D’Mario, it’s nothing personal against you. I really do have a good time when we’re together, but my family is very protective.”
“I can understand that. If you were my daughter I would be that way too. So what do you want to do?”
“You mean today?”
“That too, but I’m talking about us, our relationship. We can’t stay in hiding forever unless you not tryna let things between us go any further.”
“The whole drug dealer thing don’t bother me. My family never talks about it but I ain’t dumb. I know there are a lot of illegal activities that surround me and my people; I’m just sequestered from it. I’m eighteen now so I have every right to date you but I know it’s going to be a problem and you may not be ready for that.”
“What you mean?”
“I’m worried they may try to make your life difficult if they find out I’ve still been seeing you. I enjoy your company and I want us to have a good time, which means no complications.”
“Ma, all I want to do is make you happy. No drama on my end,” D’Mario said, putting his hand in the back pocket of my jeans and pulling me close to him.
“With those dimples and pretty white teeth¸ that’s a good start to making me happy,” I said kissing his soft lips. Dude was so fuckin’ sexy and smelled so good. That was the main reason I kept dealing with him already knowing it wasn’t in the cards for us. The more he hypnotized me with his scent and tongue the more I considered letting him be my first.
“You should let me bring you even more happiness,” he teased, gently kissing on my earlobes.
“And how would you do that?”
“I can show you better than I can tell you.” I looked up at the spiral staircase that led to the loft bedroom. I had been in there several times but I always made sure our bed contact was limited but for some reason today, I was feeling open to it. I think I wanted to feel good to take away feeling so bad about my parents.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go get something to eat.” I decided today wasn’t the day I would get my cherry popped. As much as D’Mario turned me on, I wasn’t ready to give up the goods just yet.
width= align="left">“So where do you want to go and have lunch—San Diego?”
“Oh, you got jokes.”
“That’s a reasonable question.”
“No, we can get something right here in the neighborhood.”
“You sure about that? Like you said, you don’t want any complications.”
“Fuck it, I need to live.”
“Yeah, you do. There’s so much I can show you, Aaliyah, if you let me.”
“Can you show me how to make my own money?’
“Huh?”
“You heard me. Can you let me into your world so I can bring in my own paper?”
“Why would you need to do that? You come from a shit load of money.”
“But it’s not mine. I see myself out there buying shit and not having to go to my mommy and daddy to get it.”
“How ‘bout you come to me. I may not have the type of paper your family has but I’m also super straight.”
“I believe that but I don’t want that shit either. I mean I do want my man to be able to treat me right and show me a good time on his own dime but I want to be able to bring my own paper to the table.”
“And you’re willing to do some illegal shit to make that happen?”
“Why not, unless you’re saying you ain’t got nothing that I can do.”
“Oh, I got something you can do. But is thrill seeking worth you risking your freedom.”
“I’m not trying to be on the corner hustling. I won’t get caught.”
“Anytime you doing what I do there is a chance you can get caught no matter how slight it might be.”
“I get it and I appreciate the warning but I think if I follow your lead I’ll be good.”
“Come on let’s go. We can talk about your job description in the car.” I grabbed my purse and followed D’Mario to his car.
It was gorgeous out so D’Mario drove his black convertible XK. When he put the top down and the breeze began hitting my face and blowing through my hair a renewed sense of happiness flooded over me. Being with D’Mario made me feel like a grown woman who could make her own decisions and do whatever the hell she wanted and I loved it.
“So where do you want to go eat?”
“It’s up to you. I’m following your lead today.”
“I like the way that sounds. But I want to go to this Italian restaurant about ten minutes away. Are you cool with that?”
I lowered my shades so D’Mario could see my eyes, “Like I said, I’m following your lead.”
“Only checking. But one of the reasons I like it is because it’s a low key spot. If you want to go someplace and not be seen, this is the place.”
“Whatever. I’m relaxed and this breeze is feeling so good and I’m loving your car. I need to get me a convertible.”
“Yeah, everybody needs a convertible in their collection.”
“So this and the Range are the only cars you have?”
“Nope, I actually have four. I keep the other two at my crib in Miami.”
“Let me guess they’re black?” I smiled.
D’Mario turned and looked at me with a grin and replied, “Yes.”
“It’s obvious black is your favorite color. You always wear black. Everything in your condo is basically black except for the cream sofa and some of the other décor. You even wear black diamonds.”
“You got a problem with that?”
“No, I think it’s sexy.” When we got to the red light I leaned over and kissed D’Mario. He was irresistible to me. And the faceft And tht that dude made his paper the illegal way instead of sitting in an office doing a nine to five turned me on for some reason.
“And you’re sexy to me too. That’s why it’s getting more and more difficult for me not being able to have my way with you. I mean you let me touch but you never let me explore. How long you gon’ make a nigga wait?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I haven’t decided yet. It’s gon’ happen but when I’m not sure. But you’ll be the second to know.”
“You a funny one, but I like it. No worries I’ve waited this long I can wait some more, plus you worth it.”
“D’Mario, you act like you’ve been holding out for over a year, it’s only been a few months.”
“True, but it feels like so much longer. I mean damn, look at you! Even right now you got on that short, what type of dress is this,” he said grabbing the bottom of it.
“It’s called a baby doll dress.”
“Yep, and you looking just like a doll. This dress shows enough to turn a nigga on but not too much so you also make a nigga curious what’s under it. How do you expect me to not want to get closer to you?”
“I get it and all that will happen in due time.”
“I thought you said you were following my lead today.”
“Oh, I didn’t mention that certain restrictions apply.” We both laughed as D’Mario parked the car so we could go inside. We were dead in the middle of Beverly Hills holding hands walking in the restaurant like we were a couple and for that brief moment I didn’t care who saw. I think watching my parent’s marriage ending right before my eyes and being rejected by Amir made me want to rebel against everything that was supposed to be right.
I couldn’t front for the first couple months it crushed me that Amir had chosen Justina over me. Although I had always been super attracted to D’Mario, I kinda threw myself in this thing with him to help get over the disappointment of Amir not wanting me but as time went on I had developed real feelings for him. So now I no longer had to listen to Justina gush over her boyfriend, I had one too, except he was a man and not a boy.
When we walked in the quaint Italian restaurant the first thing I noticed was that Ja Khel was coming towards us. But to my surprise he wasn’t totting some arm candy along he had a guy with him.
“What’s up man, hey Aaliyah.”
“Hey, Ja Khel.” I was too busy eyeing the guy he was with to really pay attention to Ja Khel. The guy seemed familiar to me for some reason.
“I thought you said you were laying low today.”
“I planned to but Aaliyah got hungry,” he said squeezing my hand playfully. “Aaliyah, this quiet dude with Ja Khel is my brother Darius.” Now I understood why he seemed familiar to me he looked like D’Mario but a more mature version, I thought to myself.
“It’s good to meet you.” He remained mute and just nodded his head.
“So are ya’ll staying or leaving?”
“We on our way out.”
“Cool, I’ll call you later. We have a few things to discuss.” D’Mario watched as they made their exit out before we followed the hostess to our table.
“So when are we going to discuss what I brought up to you earlier?”
“Ma, I got you. I have to find the right thing for you to do. But on the real I’m hoping you’ll change your mind.”
“Why would you hope that for?”
“Because you one of those rich girls looking for a good time. Ain’t nothing good about this shit but the money.”
“Yeah, and it must be nice to have a bunch of it and not have to ask nobody for nothing.”
“Everybody answer to somebody, Aaliyah. I don’t care how high up they are, there is always somebody higher.”
“I hear a sermon ‘bout to come from you so let’s order our food and move to another topic.”
“I’m not tryna preach and it sound like you catching an attitude.”
“No attitude”No att. I’m just not interested in you trying to give me some long drawn out story to change my mind. If you not gon’ do it, say that and then let’s move on.”
“You so fuckin’ feisty.”
“I know. So what’s good on the menu? I’m ready to eat.”
I had to end that going nowhere conversation with D’Mario before he got me livid. I understood if he didn’t want me involved in his illegal activities because there were valid reasons to be concerned but what I wasn’t interested in was a lecture. I got enough of them from my parents and my grandfather. I would continue to have fun with D’Mario but I knew there was no chance we would ever be Bonnie and Clyde.
***
“I can’t believe in a few months we’ll be done with high school. And then I can go spend the summer with my baby.”
“So I take it things are still going good with you and Amir?”
“Not good, great! We finally did it and it was amazing!” My upper body lifted up so quickly off the chaise lounge when I heard what Justina said that I almost dropped my strawberry daiquiri.
“When you said did it are you talking about sex?”
“Keep your voice down. My nosey mother might be lurking around somewhere.”
“We’re outside by the pool, she’s in the house. I doubt she can hear what we’re saying.”
“Trust me her hearing is exceptional. Ask my dad. He’s been caught creepin’ more than a couple of times for that very reason.”
“Fine,” I said lowering my voice. “You and Amir had sex?”
“No, we made love and it was beautiful. We did it when I went to visit him for Christmas break. If I’d known the sex would be that incredible I wouldn’t have waited at all. The size of his dick is like ridiculous. But it’s not like it’s so big he’ll rip your insides up. That’s just disgusting.”
“I can’t believe you’re just now telling me. I also can’t believe you had sex before me. I’m probably like the only eighteen year old virgin in Beverly Hills.”
“You’re still a virgin?”
“Isn’t that what I just said and there’s no need to rub it in.”
“I wasn’t trying to rub it in. I was under the impression that you and D’Mario had been having sex. I mean you’re with him all the time.”
“We mess around but never all the way.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well you better hurry up. A guy that fine is definitely getting it in with somebody.”
“As long as I don’t know about it, it’s not my problem. Plus, I’m not about to fuck D’Mario because I’m afraid he’s getting pussy from some other chick. If that’s what he wants to do, it will happen regardless if we’re having sex or not.”
“I think it’s important to please your man. I’ve been practicing on a banana how to give Amir the perfect blow job.”
“You can’t be serious. A fuckin’ banana, Justina. That’s like the lamest shit I’ve ever heard.”
“Call it lame if you want but my man ain’t complaining and that’s all that matters.”
I laid down and put my sunglasses back on so Justina couldn’t see the loathing in my eyes. It was like she thought she was such hot shit because of her relationship with Amir. And now that they were fucking, you couldn’t tell her nothing. But I could lie to Justina but I couldn’t lie to myself. There was a twinge of jealousy burning inside of me. She got the man and he popped her cherry. I was tired of being the hottest virgin running around here. I made up my mind that before high school ended the word ‘virgin’ would no longer be a part of my description.
After leaving Justina’s house I headed over to D’Mario’s crib. He cooked some of his mouth watering Salmon that I simply adored. My stomach was fixated on how good I knew that food would taste but my mind kept replaying what Justina had revealed to me earlier when we were lounging by the pool. As I drove with the windows down and the nighttime air blowing in my face I wondered if I would find a guy that made me as happy as Amir made Justina. D’Mario was super cool and sexy as all get out but I knew he wasn’t ‘the one’. But I guess he would have to do for now, I resolved myself to accept that as I drove up in his condo complex. When I got out the car, D’Mario was outside on the phone pacing back and forth. When he realized I was walking up he nodded his head telling me to go inside. There was soft music playing and our dinner was laid out t bas laidreal elegantly on the dining room table with flowers and candles. It was sophisticated but sexy at the same time. I was glad that I had on a cute silk dress so it seemed I was dressed appropriately for the occasion. When I sat down at the table the candles made the low cut neckline embellished with sparkling beads and stones appear to illuminate.
I continued to sit at the table waiting patiently for D’Mario to come back in but the time was ticking away. I wanted us to share this moment together but I was starving so I began devouring my Salmon. He put some sort of special sauce on it that he refused to share with me which made this the best piece of fish I had ever tasted in my entire life. By the time I was halfway done, D’Mario still hadn’t come back inside so it was a clear indication I made the right decision eating my food instead of waiting for him.
“Damn, you ate already,” he said with a borderline frown on his face when he walked back in as I was finishing up my last few bites.
“I tried to wait but you were out there forever. You see what time it is.”
“Fuck, I didn’t realize I was on the phone for that long,” he said looking at the clock on his wall.”
“Why were you talking outside anyway?”
“This a bullshit phone and I can’t really get no reception in here.”
“Oh, I know you’re ready to eat. Do you want me to warm up your food for you?”
“No, I lost my fuckin’ appetite.”
“Does it have anything to do with that phone conversation you just had?”
“Everything.”
“Tell me what happened.” D’Mario looked away from me as if resisting the urge to spill the details. “You can talk to me. I am your girlfriend…right?”
“Really, you tell me.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve been wanting you to be my girlfriend for a while now. But I feel like you fighting against it.”
“That’s not true.”
“One minute you seem all in it then the next you easing back. So I’m not sure if you’re my girlfriend or not.”
“I’m telling you I am. I mean if that’s something you still want.” D’Mario walked over to an end table in the hallway and opened the drawer. He pulled out a long black box.
“I’ve been wanting to give you this,” he said handing the box to me.” When I opened the box my mouth dropped.
“Omifuckingoodness! You got me Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. These earrings cost like twenty-five thousand dollars. I know this because a few weeks ago I went shopping with my mother and she was contemplating getting them but didn’t. I can’t believe you bought them for me, they’re beautiful. Thank you so much!” I stood up and put the 4”18k YG and Briolette Diamond earrings on. My jet black curls fell perfectly to make them sparkle even more.
“I take it that you like them.”
“You knew I would fuckin’ love them. Who wouldn’t! How long have you had them and why are you just now giving them to me?”
“For a couple weeks. I didn’t want you to think I was trying to buy you in order to make you mine.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that.”
“You’re so hard to read, Aaliyah. The only reason I knew you wanted to be my girl is because of what you said a minute ago. You never gave me any indication you wanted us to be exclusive.”
“Well I do and if you keep giving me jewelry like this I might be trying to move in.”
“Don’t say it unless you mean it. I don’t think you understand how much I’m into you.” D’Mario tugged me closer, kissing me. “And those earrings look beautiful on you.”
“Thank you. And thank you for having such amazing taste in jewelry. Now that you’re feeling more relaxed will you tell me what had you so upset.”
D’Mario rubbed his hand over his face. The loving smile that he had a second ago vanished and a look of skepticism now etched his face. “A problem came up and it got me concerned.”
“Tell me what the problem is.”
“For the last year every other week this guy that works for me goes to Culver City and meets my main connec0em main ct. All he does is pickup an envelope that has a key in it and the location of my product, because my connect switches it up each time. But for some reason dude has vanished and tomorrow is the pickup.”
“What do you mean vanished?”
“He’s disappeared.”
“When was the last time you spoke to him?”
“Earlier in the week but he ain’t answering his phone, he ain’t at his crib. Not only am I worried about getting that envelope tomorrow but I’m also worried about dude. He’s good people”
“Why don’t you just go get the envelope?”
“Nah. I’ve only met with my connect one time in person. He prefers we always use an in-between in case somebody is watching. It’s worked so far so I wanna keep it like that and I don’t want to piss my connect off ‘cause he mad paranoid.”
“I’m sure you know somebody that can go in that other guys place.”
“Nobody that I trust a hundred percent. You have to understand, the person that gets that envelope has access to my drugs before I do. People out here thirsty right now. I can’t take those types of chances.”
“Why don’t you call the guy and reschedule.”
“He don’t fuck wit’ the phone. If somebody don’t show up tomorrow to get that envelope he might think some funny shit is up and cut me off. That’s why I’m stressing.”
“I can go.” D’Mario raised his head up and from the look he gave me I knew he was unconvinced. “You need somebody to go, and I can do it. It’s a one time thing and you can trust me.”
“I don’t know, Aaliyah,” D’Mario said, shaking his head as he stood up from the chair.
“Real talk, it’s not like you have any other options. Unless you’re willing to lose your connect.”
“Are you sure you’re comfortable with this?”
“All I’m doing is picking up an envelope.”
“Yeah, a very important envelope.”
“Yep, and I’ll do my job very well since I know I’ll be well compensated for it.”
“Excuse me?”
“What do you mean excuse me? You didn’t think I was doing it for free. I’m sure your little dude that’s missing got paid and so will I.”
“Can’t dispute that. This can work and if dude stay missing, it’ll give me two weeks to find a replacement.”
“Yep, so it’s a win, win situation.” D’Mario didn’t know it but I hoped the replacement would be me. I could see myself making this a permanent gig. Getting paid easy money to go pick up an envelope and if I played my cards right I could parlay it into something much bigger.
Amir
Let It Go
When I saw my dad and Nico pulling up I thought I would feel a sense of relief but I didn’t. Their arrival simply made me more anxious. My dad got out the car first and walked over to me while Nico was on the phone.
“What took you so long to get here?” I could tell my dad didn’t appreciate the tone of my question but he didn’t address it. Probably because he knew it was due to my frustration over Aaliyah.
“When we got the call we were in Long Island and the traffic was horrible. What the hell happened?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping you all had the answers. I’ve been in my car waiting. Nobody in the precinct is telling me anything.”
“Nico is on the phone with his attorney so hopefully we’ll know soon.”
“What I do know is they’re charging her with murder.”
“Yeah, first degree. Here comes Nico now, maybe the attorney gave him some more information.”
“Hey, Amir.”
“Hey, did you find out anything?”
“Not really. My attorney said they’re on some real secretive bullshit right now. He’s in LA but he’s getting on a redeye so he can hfac so he andle things on Aaliyah’s behalf. Amir, you wait here. Genesis, come with me inside and let’s see what we can find out.”
“I wanna come,” I uttered more aggressively than I meant to.
“Do like Nico asked and wait here. We’ll be back.” The tenor in my father’s voice let me know the request wasn’t up for debate. I literally kicked rocks trying to find a way to release my irritation. I had been waiting all this time and the last thing I wanted to do was wait some more. I wanted to be inside and find out what was going on with Aaliyah. But instead I found myself back in my car remembering how things were already becoming complicated only a few months ago.
***
“So exactly what are we going to do while you’re here? I know you and your boo want to spend some alone time together but hopefully we can all do some fun things together too,” Aaliyah smiled as we drove down Mulholland Drive.
“Of course we’re going to all hang out, that’s why I’m here. We celebrating my birthday so all we doing is fun shit.”
“I’m glad you came to the west coast to celebrate.”
“You all couldn’t make it to New York and I had a couple days off from school so why not. I needed some LA fresh air anyway,” which was true. As many times as I came to the west coast, I never grew tired of driving down Mulholland Dr. at night, gazing at the Santa Monica Mountains and the panoramic views of LA, including the Hollywood Sign.
“Yeah, there’s no place like LA except New York which beats everything. I wish I could have some of their pizza right now.”
“Yo, why you even mention pizza ‘cause I’m starving.”
“Me too. I have the perfect place for us to go. There’s this Italian spot right in Beverly Hills. The food is off the chain. D’Mario and I go all the time. Let’s go there.”
“That works. Let’s go. Speaking of D’Mario how’s that working out?”
“It’s working out good. You see these earrings I have on, he got them for me.”
“For real! Them shits look mad pricey.”
“They are. They cost like twenty-five g’s.”
“Get the fuck outta here! What that nigga do?”
“He’s a drug dealer. That’s why I’m keeping the relationship on the low because my mother already told me to stay away from him.”
“How did she find out he’s a drug dealer.”
“My grandfather snitched.”
“Leave it up to Quentin to try and spoil your fun but you know he means well. He love him some Aaliyah.”
“Shut up!”
“You know I’m telling the truth. So when am I going to meet your boyfriend?”
“We should all go out to dinner while you’re here. That’ll be nice. D’Mario’s been dying to know who the hell is this Amir cat I always be talking about. Now he can find out.”
“So how serious are things between you two?”
“He’s like my first real boyfriend so serious enough.”
“Have you guys, you know…”
“Are you asking me if we’ve had sex yet?”
“Nope. So that makes me the only virgin in the clique because I know you and Justina have been getting it in for a minute now.”
“She told you?”
“Of course! She couldn’t wait to tell me how amazing the sex was.”
“I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m good with you all’s relationship now. D’Mario makes me happy. So I guess you can say I’m over that crush or whatever you want to call it that I had on you.”
“That’s good to hear and I’m glad you’ve moved on and happy with D’Mario,” I lied. Call me selfish but I didn’t want Aaliyah to get over whatever it was that she felt for me. In my mind she was mine.
> “We’re here.”
“Damn, this shit is in the cut.”
“I know,” Aaliyah laughed. “When D’Mario first took me here he said if you wanted to creep and not be seen this was the spot to go to. But wait till you eat the food, it’s so delicious.”
“As hungry as I am anything would be good,” I said holding the door open as Aaliyah and I walked inside.
“Tell the hostess to get us a table because I can’t eat anything until I go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
“Cool.” I wasted no time getting to the hostess. “Let me get a table for two.”
“Sure, do you want to be seated now or wait for your guest?”
“You can go ahead and seat me and when she comes out the bathroom, bring her to our table.”
“No problem, follow me.” While trailing behind the hostess the moonlight coming through the window shined on a couple in the back corner. Their deep, intense kissing got my attention. As my eyes zoomed on them closer my mouth dropped. I immediately turned around and made my way back to the front. I knew the hostess was going to wonder what the hell happened to me but I didn’t care. I was rushing so quickly that I ended up bumping right into Aaliyah.
“Amir, where are you going?”
“I changed my mind. I don’t have the taste for Italian food. Let’s go someplace else.”
“I promise you; once you taste the food you’re going to love it. Now come on, I don’t feel like going somewhere else,” Aaliyah said grabbing my arm. Before I could stop her, that same moonlight that stopped me in my tracks had the exact same affect on her.
“Aaliyah, I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to see that.”
“This can’t be happening.” I could see the tears swell up in her eyes and it was breaking my heart.
“Let’s go. You can deal with it later.”
“No, I’ma deal with it right now.” Aaliyah stormed off and I was right behind her.
“Please don’t let this turn ugly,” I whispered under my breath.
“This is where you’ve been sneaking off to!”
“Aaliyah, what are you doing here?”
“The question is what are you doing here? You’re in a restaurant tonguing down some other man! How could you do this to me!”
“Keep your voice down.”
“Who is he? Wait you’re that man that I met at Amir’s house. You’re Genesis’s friend.”
“Aaliyah, stop it.”
“No mother, you stop it! How could you do this? Have you been having an affair with him since back then? That was months ago.” Aaliyah’s voice was so loud that people in the restaurant were now staring in our direction trying to see what was going on. None of us needed that type of attention so I decided to try again to get Aaliyah to leave.
“Aaliyah, we need to go.”
“Did you know
about this and not tell me?”
“Of course not! I had no idea that your mom and Lorenzo were seeing
each other.”
“Don’t lie to me, Amir.”
“I’m not. Now let’s go. We can talk about this in the car.”
“Aaliyah, Amir is right. Let’s discuss this outside.” With reluctance Aaliyah followed her mom outside and I sat down with Lorenzo.
“You don’t owe me an explanation but I need to know, does my dad know about this?”
mesn >K. El