How Can I Be Down? Page 16

  “It was good,” I said, reaching for the knob on the stove to turn off the bacon she was frying. “But somehow, I feel cheated.”

  I picked her up and she straddled the front of me, holding tightly on to my neck as we kissed our way into her bedroom. As I sat down on the bed and leaned back, she slid down my body, got on her knees, and gave me the surprise I’d asked for.

  By the time I left Ginger’s house, I was on cloud nine. Couldn’t think about nothing but how well she was getting accustomed to doing things my way. She promised me she wouldn’t pressure me about getting together and agreed to take our relationship one day at a time. I was glad to hear that, ’cause time was really all I needed. I needed closure with Jada, and maybe after one good fuck with Candi, I’d be ready to give Ginger exactly what she deserved.

  CHAPTER 12

  My wrist was finally starting to feel better. Maybe because I was using my strength running back and forth to Ginger’s place laying into her every chance I got. She’d become a real security blanket for me. Helped me keep my mind off Jada, and spending more time with her and Desmon made me realize how much I’d been missing.

  I hadn’t heard from Jada for almost a month, and Candi was still getting kicked to the curb. She’d shown up uninvited a few times trying to seduce me with her short dresses and tight-ass jeans, but since Ginger was milking a brotha dry, I really wasn’t interested. One night, though, Kareem begged me to meet one of his female companions’ friends, Stephanie. We got so fucked up that one thing led to another. When I woke up, she was in bed next to me. How? I really can’t remember, but I do remember her titties bouncing up and down as she rode me so well.

  So, the next day was a chill day for me. I wasn’t going over Ginger’s house until later to pick up Desmon, so I figured I could catch up on some rest I’d missed out on from staying up in the wee hours of the morning.

  Donovan had finally stopped by last week to get the rest of his things and gave me his new address and phone number. We talked about putting our differences aside, but something still didn’t sit right with me. Maybe it was my knowing that he fucked my woman, but I truly thought I’d gotten over that. Either way, I felt a sense of relief since he was gone.

  Rufus was calling all week trying to catch up with us. Every time he did, no one was around to answer his call. Trying to find out what was on his mind, I stayed around waiting for him to call.

  By late afternoon, Quincy and Kareem came busting through my door, asking me if I wanted to roll with them to pick up some tickets for a play we were going to see at the Fox Theatre next weekend. I really wasn’t up for the ride, but I gave them some money to get two tickets for me. When Kareem’s cheap-ass whined about the cost of the tickets, I paid for his tickets as well. I wasn’t really sure who I was going to ask because Ginger and Desmon had already made plans to go to Chicago with her mother next weekend. I for damn sure didn’t know much about Stephanie to ask her to go, and Candi, I didn’t want her getting excited about us being together. But when I realized I had no other choice, I called her anyway.

  Surprised to hear my voice, she laughed. “I am going to have to make sure I write this down. You called me? What could you possibly want with a woman like me?”

  “I wanted to know what you were doing next weekend.”

  “Um, nothing really. But I was hoping you were calling to discuss what we could do this weekend.”

  “I got plans this weekend.”

  “Okay, then I got plans next weekend.”

  “Cool,” I said, getting ready to hang up. “Sorry I asked.”

  “I’m talking about plans with you so, what do you have in mind?”

  “Going to dinner then to a play.”

  “What’s the name of it?”

  “Two’s Enough, Three’s A Crowd.”

  “Sounds interesting. Sure, I’d love to go. But are you sure you wouldn’t want any company tonight?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure,” I said, looking at the caller ID as a call interrupted. It was from an unknown caller, so I suspected it was Rufus. “Say, let me hit you back later. I need to take this call.”

  “All right,” she said, hanging up.

  “Hello,” I said quickly. The operator came on, then Rufus spoke up and said his name. When she hung up, he clicked in.

  “Whazz up, my nigga?” he shouted.

  I smiled at the sound of his voice. “Nothing much, killer. Why you just now calling us, man?”

  “Been kind of busy. Place like this keeps a brotha slaving. Besides, when I call you niggas, y’all ain’t never there no damn way.”

  “I’m always here. Ninety percent of my time is spent right here in this house. You done just forgot about our asses, that’s all.”

  “No, I haven’t. Truthfully, I just don’t want to be a burden to you brothas on the outside. The money you send me every month is truly good enough for me.”

  “I’m glad it helps. So, when you getting out? I thought you’d be out by now.”

  “I thought so too, but it could be awhile.”

  “Why? What happened?”

  “I caught another case while up in this muh-fucker.”

  “How in the hell did you manage to do that?”

  “Fucking around with drugs and shit. Trying to slip some shit through the cracks. Not only that, I got myself another case fighting with one of the guards.”

  “Man, that’s fucked up. Why would you fight with them, and why in the hell would you be trying to front drugs when I send you enough money to get by every damn month?”

  “’Cause I’m greedy. Thinking I can get away with any goddamn thing I want.”

  “So how much more time do you anticipate?”

  “At least another two or three years.”

  “Damn, that’s fucked up. But you don’t even sound like you trippin’.”

  “What can I do about it? Ain’t no need for me to gripe about it. I messed my own damn self up. Besides, brotha like me don’t stand a chance in the real world anyway. Couldn’t make it on the streets if I tried.”

  “I beg to differ, but we were looking forward to seeing you, killer.”

  “Same here; but how the fellas doing? Everybody still hoin’?”

  “Did you have to ask? You know some things never change. But we did have to let somebody go.”

  “Let me guess, Donovan, right?’

  “Yep. Did you know that fool was sleeping with Jada?”

  “Who? Yo’ gal Jada?”

  “Yeah. All kinds of shit been going down.” I hipped Rufus to what had been going on.

  “Now you know that doesn’t surprise me at all. Donovan always had it out for you. And even I could tell something was going on between him and Jada back in L.A.”

  “I kinda felt it too. Thing is, I didn’t quite know how to put my finger on it.”

  “You should have shot his ass fo’, five times and killed him. Especially since some fellas from L.A. I still been keeping in contact with recently told me he was the mastermind behind yo’ daddy’s death.”

  “What?” I said, sitting up in bed. “Who told you that shit?”

  “Ricky and his partnas. The only reason I didn’t tell you is ’cause them niggas like to keep up mega shit. They’d say anything to shut y’all down. So, not really knowing the truth, I didn’t want to stir the pot when there was no need to stir it. Now that you told me what’s been going down with y’all it all kind of makes sense.”

  “Rufus, if I find out Donovan was behind that shit, I’m gonna kill him.”

  “Don’t go jumping the gun, Kiley. Let me find out some mo’ shit first. And please don’t tell Kareem, ’cause he got a hot head and will do something crazy. Just play it cool until I get back with you.”

  “Get back with me fast, killer. I’m not going to be able to sit on this for long.”

  “I know, but chill. I don’t need you up in this muh-fucker with me. Trust me, it is no fucking picnic.”

  “Cool. I appreciate anything you c
an find out. I’ll put some money in the mail for you tomorrow so you should get it by the end of next week.”

  “Thanks a million, bro. Love ya. Deuces.” Rufus hung up.

  I couldn’t rest for nothing, thinking about what Rufus said. Would Donovan stoop that low and have my pops killed after everything he’d done for him? Ricky and them had to be trippin’. I wanted to call Ricky up myself to ask him, but him and his boys always had it out for me. He’d fasho lie to me, so I’d get myself in more trouble trying to take Donovan out. The only person I felt like could clear shit up for me was Donovan. If I mentioned it to him, maybe by the way he reacted I could tell if he was involved.

  I searched around the room for the piece of paper I wrote his address and phone number on. After I found it, I dialed the number and asked to speak to him. There was a bunch of noise: fools cursing and laughing in the background, and when he answered, he was calling somebody a stupid-ass nigga.

  “Yo,” he said.

  “It’s me. Kiley.”

  “What’s going on, playa? Did I forget something?”

  “Naw, naw, nothing like that. I just got a quick question for you.”

  “What’s up?”

  “You remember what happened in L.A., right?”

  “Depends on what you’re talking about. So much shit happened I really can’t pinpoint one particular thing.”

  “I mean, after my father was killed. Tell me this, why did you jet to St. Louis so fast?”

  “Come on, man. You know why. Too many muh-fuckers were talking and I wasn’t trying to go to jail for nobody. Why you asking?”

  “’Cause rumor has it that you conspired the whole damn ordeal.”

  “What ordeal? You mean with your father?”

  “Yeah, that’s what I mean.”

  “Now, come on, Kiley. Do you think I would stoop that low after what Papa Abrams did for me? He treated all of us like his sons. He was the only person I ever looked up to and respected. I can’t believe you calling me with this bullshit.”

  “Hey, I’m just asking. My sources called me today and said they’d be calling me back with more info. I hope like hell you ain’t lying to me.”

  “Your sources can kiss my black ass. And I hope they ain’t from L.A. All them damn niggas were hating on us from the get-go and you know it.”

  “Yeah, I know. But I also know if anything I find out holds its ground, I’m gonna have to shake, rattle, and roll.”

  “Whatever, Kiley. I understand that you got to do your li’l investigation and everythang, but just make sure you get the facts before you step to me like that. And the fact is, I had much love for Papa Abrams. I would have never stabbed him in the back like that. I just hope this don’t have nothing to do with what happened between Jada and me. You really need to let that shit go if it does.”

  “Aw, I’ve let it go. It’s in the past where it’s going to stay. But please know, if you’re the one responsible for removing the man who provided for me, loved me, and made a way for me to live the life I’m living today, it won’t be pretty.”

  “Pretty or not, I’m not your man. You did away with the fools who were, so let it be.”

  “Peace, Donovan. Deuces.” I hung up.

  I didn’t know whether to believe him. As anxious as I was to tell Kareem and Quincy about what Rufus said, I couldn’t. I knew it would bring about some serious drama, so I promised myself to sit on this info until Rufus called me back with confirmation.

  CHAPTER 13

  Saturday night was there before I knew it. I picked Candi up at her place, and since I was early she invited me in for a drink. I was quite surprised to see how nice her place was. She lived in a two-family flat on the south side of St. Louis, and it looked as if it had been reconditioned in the inside, just like our house. She had some badass Chinese black-and-white marble tables in her living room and two white silk couches, covered with plastic, were on each side of the coffee table. Her china cabinet was embroidered with Chinese emblems, and a collection of china plates were inside. Only thing I wasn’t too pleased with was the scents she had lit that gave off a funky spicy-ass smell.

  When I asked Candi what she did for a living, she told me she worked part time at Macy’s and had a few modeling gigs on the side. But it was obvious that her salary wasn’t enough to have a crib like hers. She was either lying about her work, or she had somebody else providing for her, and doing it well.

  After Candi and me talked and shared a few drinks, we left to go meet Kareem and Quincy along with their dates at the Steak House on Grand before the play started. As soon as we walked in, we saw everybody sitting down in the back and Kareem motioned for us to come on back. Before we did, we stood in line ordering our food, and when it came time to pay, Candi insisted that she pay. Said since I bought the tickets, it was only fair she paid for dinner. That was a new one on me, and even though I was so used to paying all the time, it was kinda nice that somebody else didn’t mind picking up the slack. In reality, kinda made me feel special.

  As it neared show time, we rushed our food and headed to the Fox Theatre. We had pretty good seats in the mezzanine, and when the lights dimmed, Candi took her hand and placed it on my leg. Throughout the play, she rubbed her hand up and down my leg, occasionally touching my package, trying to give me a rise. If I was bold like the brotha in the play, I would have put her on my lap right then and there and fucked her brains out.

  At intermission, Candi told me she was going to the restroom and would be right back. Kareem, his date, and Quincy went to go mingle, and Veronica moved down in the chair next to me to holla until they came back.

  “Are you enjoying the show?” she asked.

  “Yeah, it’s wild, ain’t it?”

  “It really is. Jaylin Rogers is quite a character, isn’t he?”

  “Sure is. Kind of remind me of Kareem. I can see how much he’s enjoying it.”

  She laughed. “I hope not. Kareem don’t seem all that bad.”

  “Naw, he’s not. I’m just kidding.” I paused. “So, uh, how are things going between you and Quincy? I can’t believe you’re still around after all his horrible-ass cooking.”

  “It is pretty bad.” She laughed. “But we’re doing okay. He doesn’t want a relationship, and that’s cool with me since I just ended one not too long ago. Besides, he knows I’m not really looking for no one to settle down with right now.”

  “Me either. Being alone gives you peace of mind. Something I’ve needed for a very long time.”

  “So, what’s up with you and Candi? I mean, you all seem to mesh pretty well together.”

  “We cool. She’s just a friend. I don’t know about us meshing, but a friend like her is all I need right now.”

  Veronica and me continued talking for a while, until Candi came back and asked for her seat back. By the tone of her voice, Veronica hesitated to move, but grinned and got up anyway. The last thing I needed was a woman with a sassy-ass voice, so hearing Candi speak with that tone kind of turned me off.

  During the play, I observed her. I watched her laugh, watched her cry, and admired the attention that she gave me by touching my hands and putting her arm around my chair. I also noticed how she gave me her undivided attention throughout the night and treated everyone else as if they didn’t exist.

  On the drive to my place, she insisted we go to hers to be alone so Quincy and Kareem wouldn’t interrupt. Since I knew they probably would, I agreed.

  The phone was ringing as we stepped into the dark living room. Candi ran to answer it, and by the time she did, the caller had hung up. She turned on the lights and reached for my coat to hang it up. When she suggested making us a drink, I sat down on the couch and asked her if she didn’t mind if I rolled up a joint. She was a li’l hesitant but said it would be okay.

  Watching her going back and forth to the kitchen to refill our drinks, I felt myself getting horny. When she handed me my drink, I took it out of her hand, laid it on the table, and pulled her down on top
of me.

  “Whoa, wait a minute, Kiley. Why are you rushing me?” she asked.

  “Rushing you?” I said, pecking her. “How am I rushing you when you know you want this just as much as I do?”

  She eased backward and stood up in front of me with one hand on her forehead and the other hand on her hip. “Listen, there’s no way we can get down tonight.”

  “Why not?” I said, sitting up.

  “You know, it’s that time of the month. That’s why I wanted to see you last weekend.”

  I was disappointed. “Damn,” I said, shaking my head. “This is never going to happen between us, is it?” I laughed.

  She sat down next to me. “I know. Every time the opportunity presents itself, something always comes up.”

  “Maybe it’s just not meant to be,” I said.

  Candi moved over, straddled her legs across mine, and put her arms around my neck. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this is meant to be. And as soon as Mother Nature is finished with me, I’m coming straight for you, no matter what.” She leaned forward and gave me a juicy, long, wet kiss. I gripped her ass as she sat on top of me, enjoying it.

  “In the meantime,” I suggested, “there’s some other things we can do that Mother Nature won’t even interfere with.”

  “I’m sure there is. But the first time you and I get together, I want it to be right. Foreplay, this time, will not suffice.”

  Since Candi and me were unable to get down like we wanted to, she pulled out The Game of Life and we lay in middle of the living room floor playing it. As we were playing, I started asking her questions.

  “I don’t mean to be nosy or anything, but how are you able to afford all this stuff and only work part time?”

  “Because all this stuff you see was given to me. What I mean is after my mother died, I took her furniture. She had a beautiful home in Ladue with my stepfather, and after she died, he wanted to get rid of it. He’s a wealthy white man, and even though I never really liked him that much, he always comes through for me when I need something. So, what about you? Donovan mentioned to me that y’all sold drugs but I never see anything going down like that when I’m around.”